Agenda and minutes

30.1     The minutes of the meeting held on 20 September 2016 were agreed as a correct record

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

Report by Chief Executive

32.1     The Cabinet considered a report by the Chief Executive together with additional information regarding the Government’s multi year settlement

32.2     It was RESOLVED to:

            1) note the updated Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) including the changes to the forecast funding gap for 2017/19 and pressures (Appendix 1 of the report) which  indicate a projected shortfall against previous plans of £4.9m for 2017/18 (£7.5m for 2018/19) and detail a number of additional financial risks;

            2) note that plans are being developed for savings totalling £23.8m in 2017/18 (£17.3m previously included in the MTFP plus £6.5m additional) which remains within our agreed planning range of £70-90m;

            3) ask Chief Officers to continue to work on savings plans based on the areas of search identified in Appendix 2 of the report;

            4) consider the Scrutiny Committees’ initial comments on areas of search set out in Appendix 3 of the report; and

5) recommend that County Council express a view on whether to accept the Government’s four year funding offer as the minimum funding level the Council could expect to receive and approve the efficiency plan set out in Appendix 4 of the report

Reason

32.3    To note the latest update of the Medium-Term Financial Plan and further information on the areas of search being progressed by officers as savings for 2017/18 and 2018/19.

Report by Director of Children’s Services

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

33.2     The Cabinet RESOLVED – to approve the closure of Pells CE Primary School, Lewes with effect from 31 August 2017

Reason

33.3     The representation period following publication of the statutory notices brought only one response to the proposal to close Pells CE Primary School, Lewes.  The response does not bring forward any new information or evidence to suggest the recommendation for closure should be reconsidered. The Cabinet remains concerned about this very vulnerable school in terms of its long term sustainability on the grounds of its capacity to secure and maintain improvements in standards and in the context of declining popularity and financial viability.  The Council believes that children will achieve better outcomes if they attend other schools. For the reasons set out in the report and previous reports on this matter, the Cabinet approved the closure of Pells CE Primary School with effect from 31 August 2017.

34.1 The Cabinet agreed that item 5 be reported to the County Council.

[Note: The item being reported to the County Council refers to minute number 32]