Agenda and minutes

57.1     The minutes of the meeting held on 8 March 2016 were agreed as a correct record

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.

58.1     Councillor Barnes declared a personal, no prejudicial interest in item 5 as the Vice Chairman of the Friends of Rye Harbour and the Vice Chairman of the Rye Harbour Nature Reserve Management Committee

59.1     Copies of the reports referred to below are included in the minute book

Report by Director of Communities, Economy and Transport

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

60.2     It was RESOLVED to:

1)    Note the draft Countryside Access Strategy and agree that it is publically consulted on for a 12 week period; and

2)    Agree to increase the car parking charges as set out in Appendix 5 of the report

Reason

60.3     The draft Countryside Access Strategy sets out how the County Council proposes to meet its statutory obligations in respect of public rights of way and countryside site management while maximising the contribution they can make to the Council’s priorities. The Cabinet has agreed that the draft strategy be subject to a   12 week public consultation. The Cabinet has also agree to increase the car park tariffs at the Seven Sisters Country Park as set out in Appendix 5 of the report as these charges have not been increased since 2009

Report by Assistant Chief Executive

61.1     The Cabinet considered a report by the Economy, Transport and Environment Scrutiny Committee and a report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport with observations on the Scrutiny Committee’s report. 

61.2     It was RESOLVED to (1) note the report of the Scrutiny Committee; and

                                                (2) recommend the County Council to welcome the report of the Scrutiny Committee and to agree the response of the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport to the recommendations and their implementation as set out in the action plan attached as Appendix 1 to the report.

Reason

61.3     The Scrutiny Review has highlighted the importance of the drainage asset and aligns with the Council’s ambitions for the new highways contract around improving our drainage assets. 

Report by the Chief Operating Officer

62.1     The Cabinet considered a report by the Chief Operating Officer

62.2     It was RESOLVED to approve the External Audit Plan for 2015/16

Reason

62.3     The Plan sets out the work the external auditors will conduct in order to audit the Council’s 2015/16 accounts. The Plan reflects any relevant issues that have arisen as a result of the audit of the 2014/15 accounts and other work carried out by KPMG eg the Value for Money assessment

63.1     The Cabinet agreed that item 6 should be reported to the County Council

[Note: The item being reported to the County Council refers to minute number 61]