Agenda and minutes

2.1       The minutes of the meeting held on 10 March 2015 were agreed as a correct record.

3.1       Councillor Chris Dowling

Disclosures by all members present of personal interests in matters on the agenda, the nature of any interest and whether the member regards the interest as prejudicial under the terms of the Code of Conduct.

4.1  Councillor Hodges declared a personal non prejudicial interest in item 6 (Reconciling Policy Performance and Resources) as a Director of Let’s Do Business

Report by the Chief Executive

4.1       The Cabinet considered a report by the Chief Executive. 

4.2       It was RESOLVED to note the latest monitoring position for the Council

Reason

4.3       The report sets out the Council’s position and year end provisional outturns for the Council Plan targets, Revenue Budget, Capital Programme, Savings Plan together with risks at the end of March 2015.  

Report by Chief Executive

5.1       The Cabinet considered a report by the Chief Executive.

5.2       It was RESOLVED to:

1)            agree to the development of a three year business and financial plan based on existing priority outcomes and operating principles;

2)                  note the anticipated financial context for the period 2016/17 to 2018/19 is a savings requirement of £70m - £90m, subject to any announcements which affect financial plans in the budget on 8 July 2015, with plans to be developed for savings of £20m - £25m in 2016/17 for initial consideration by Cabinet in October;

3)            note the evidence base on demographics and the policy and resources outlook set out in the report and in Appendix 2 and 3;

4)            agree the proposed areas of search for savings proposals for consideration by Cabinet in October, as set out in paragraphs 4.12 – 4.16 and 6.4 of the report;

5)            note the developing proposals for lobbying communications and engagement as set out in paragraph 7 of the report;

6)            agree the revised capital programme in Appendix 4;

7)            note the progress made in identifying capital pressures and potential resources in Appendix 4; and  

8)            recommend the County Council to agree the amendments to the Treasury management Strategy set out in Appendix 5 to facilitate investment in a wholly local government owned municipal bond agency

Reason

5.3       The report begins our Reconciling Policy, Performance and Resources process for 2016/17 and beyond

Report by the Chief Executive

6.1       The Cabinet considered a report by the Chief Executive

6.2       It was RESOLVED to note the progress of the South East Seven Partnership and the initial work on devolution work with partners and Government

            Reason

6.3       The report provides an update on progress of the South East Seven Partnership and the initial devolution work with partners and Government

Report by Chief Operating Officer

7.1       The Cabinet considered a report by the Chief Operating Officer

7.2       It was RESOLVED to note the report and the Ashdown Forest Trust’s Income and Expenditure Account and Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2015

            Reason

7.3       To note the final accounts for the Ashdown Forest Trust for 2014/15

Report by the Chief Operating Officer

8.1       The Cabinet considered a report by the Chief Operating Officer

8.2       It was RESOLVED to approve the External Audit Plan for 2014/15

            Reason

8.3       The Plan sets out the work the external auditors will conduct in order to audit the Council’s2014/15 accounts. The Plan reflects any relevant issues that have arisen as a result of the audit of the 2013/14 accounts and other work carried out by KMPG e.g. the Value for Money assessment

Report by the Director of Communities Economy and Transport

9.1       The Cabinet considered a report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport

9.2       It was RESOLVED to:

1)    Note the progress made on delivering the actions set out in the Local Flood Risk Management Strategy Delivery Plan 2013-14 (Appendix 1 of the report);

2)    Agree the proposed draft Delivery Plan 2015-16 (Appendix 2 of the report); and

3)    Authorise the Lead Member for Transport and Environment to approve future updates of the Delivery Plan

Reason

9.3       The adopted Local Flood Risk Management Strategy commits the County Council to regular reviews of the Delivery Plan. The report summarises progress on the Delivery Plan 2013–14 and the proposed Delivery Plan for 2015–16

10.1     The Cabinet agreed that items 5, 6, 7 and 8 should be reported to the County Council [Note: the items reported refer to minutes 4, 5, 6 and 7