Agenda and minutes

1.1       The minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 7 March 2017 were agreed a s a correct record

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

Report by Assistant Chief Executive

3.1       The Cabinet considered a report by the Children’s Services Scrutiny Committee and a report by the Director of Children’s Services with observations on the Scrutiny Committee’s report

3.2       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 Children’s Services to the recommendations and their implementation as set out in the action plan attached a s Appendix 1 to the report

Reason

3.3       The Scrutiny Review has provided a useful insight into the attainment at Key Stage 4 and the issues related to the retention and recruitment of teaching staff in East Sussex. The report has made six recommendations which cover the recruitment and retention of teaching staff with a greater emphasis on retaining staff. The recommendations provide the opportunity to address leadership and teacher shortages in our schools and the department’s responses are set out in

the action plan. This recognises the role of the Local Authority in delivering school improvement and supports the department’s Excellence for All strategy.

Report by Director of Children’s Services

Report by Assistant Chief Executive

4.1       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

4.2 It was RESOLVED to:

            1)         note and welcome the report of the Scrutiny Committee; and

            2)         recommend the County Council 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

4.3       The Scrutiny Review has provided a thorough examination of the concerns expressed by residents about the Superfast Broadband Project, and makes a number of practical recommendations to provide solutions.   

Report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport

Report by the Chief Operating Officer.

5.1       The Cabinet considered a report by the Chief Operating Officer

5.2       It was RESOLVED to – approve the External Audit Plan for 2016/17

Reason

5.3       KPMG’s overall audit approach remains similar to last year with no fundamental changes. Officers will continue to liaise with KPMG to ensure that their work is delivered as efficiently and effectively as possible and that internal and external audit plans are complementary and make best use of audit resources.

Report by Chief Operating Officer

6.1       The Cabinet considered a report by the Chief Operating Officer

6.2       It was RESOLVED to – endorse the Council’s Internal Audit Strategy 2017/18 and Annual Plan

Reason

6.3       The Council’s Internal Audit Strategy 2017/18 and Annual Plan sets 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. 

7.1                   The Cabinet agreed that items 5 and 6 should be reported to the County Council.

[Note: The items being reported to the County Council refer to minute numbers 3 and 4]