Agenda and minutes

11.1     The minutes of the meeting held on 28 June 2016 were agreed as a correct record.

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

Report by Director of Children’s Services

13.1     The Cabinet considered a report by the Director of Children’s Services.

13.2     It was RESOLVED to halt the proposed closure of Rodmell CE Primary School and allow the governing body of Rodmell CE Primary School further time to submit a firm and viable proposal that would ensure a sustainable future model for the school for review by the Council during Term 5 of the 2016/17 academic year.

Reason

13.3     The number of responses from the consultation demonstrates that the majority of parents, pupils, staff , the governing body and the local community are against the proposed closure of the school.

13.4     At Full Council it was resolved that the process for closure be halted while emerging plans are put in place.  The Council remains very concerned about the long term sustainability in terms of its financial stability, its ability to secure consistently good outcomes for pupils, its ability to appoint high quality long term leadership that can move the school forward and its ability to attract pupils from within its community area.  However it is minded to allow time for the school to explore a sustainable partnership model           which should include further discussion with Iford and Kingston CE Primary School.

Report by Director of Children’s Services

14.1     The Cabinet considered a report by the Director of Children’s Services.

14.2     It was RESOLVED to approve the publication of statutory notices to close Pells CE Primary School by 31 August 2017. 

Reason

14.3     Parents, pupils, staff, the Governing Body and the local community are generally against the proposed closure of the school, although a small number of respondents understand the reasons for the Council proposing closure.

14.4     At Full Council it was resolved that the process for closure be halted while emerging plans are put in place.  The Council remains very concerned about this vulnerable school and does not believe that a viable option to closure has been presented and that children will achieve better outcomes if they attend other schools.

Report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport

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

15.2     It was RESOLVED to (1) approve the proposed changes to library opening hours in Appendix 3; and

(2) note the progress on the other aspects of the Libraries’ Transformation Programme.

Reason

15.3     Based on the results of the libraries Opening Hours Consultation and the final Rationale and Impact Assessment, the proposals for library opening hours have been revised.  However, if implemented they would still deliver the full year savings of £500k originally identified and contribute to the overall Library Transformation Programme savings target of £2m.  The consultation has enabled the County Council to ensure the impacts of the proposals are fully understood and they have been revised to have the minimum impact on current service users.

Report by Director of Adult Social Care and Health

16.1     The Cabinet considered a report by the Director of Adult Social Care and Health.

16.2     It was RESOLVED to agree the development of the proposed Connecting 4 You Programme.

Reason

16.3     The Connecting 4 You Programme will be delivered in partnership with Sussex Community Foundation Trust, Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and Brighton Sussex University Hospitals Trust.  The programme will be developed with the full involvement of Healthwatch East Sussex, patients, clients, carers, independent sector and voluntary and community sectors.

16.4     The programme will build upon the progress that was achieved through the earlier involvement with the East Sussex Better Together programme, and where applicable this work will inform the focus on the specific needs of the High Weald Lewes Havens CCG population.

Report by Chief Executive

17.1     The Cabinet considered a report by the Chief Executive.

17.2     It was RESOLVED to note the report.

Reason

17.3     Detailed discussions with Government and relevant partners will continue to deliver the best possible devolution deal for residents, businesses and communities and to determine the timescale for delivering the deal.

Report by Chief Executive

18.1     The Cabinet considered a report by the Chief Executive.

18.2     It was RESOLVED to note the progress of the SE7 partnership.

Reason

18.3     The report provided an update in the progress of the SE7 partnership including the outcomes of the last Leaders’ Board meeting which discussed a number of national policy developments, and considered how the partnership can work together to take advantage of opportunities and meet the challenges emerging as a result of developments.  

Report by Chief Operating Officer

19.1     The Cabinet considered a report by the Chief Operating Officer.

19.2     It was RESOLVED to note the internal audit’s services opinion on the Council’s control environment.

Reason

19.3     The Head of Assurance can provide reasonable assurance that East Sussex County council has in place an adequate and effective framework of governance, risk management and internal control for the period 1 April 2015 to 31 March 2016.

Report by Chief Operating Officer

20.1     The Cabinet considered a report by the Chief Operating Officer.

20.2     It was RESOLVED to endorse the Council’s Internal Audit Strategy 2016/17 and Annual Plan.

Reason

20.3     The strategy and Plan set out how the Council will meet its statutory requirements for internal audit as defined within the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015.  The Strategy proposes an approach based on focussing audit resources in those areas where the highest risk to the achievement of the Council’s objectives lies.

21.1     The Cabinet agreed that no items should be reported to the County Council.