Agenda and minutes

55.1     The minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 6 March 2018 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.

56.1     Councillor Godfrey Daniel declared a personal non prejudicial interest in item 5 (Care Quality Commission Local Area Review) as an Associate Hospital Manager for the Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust.

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

Report by the Director of Adult Social Care and Health

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

58.2     It was RESOLVED – to note the outcome of the Care Quality Commission Local Area Review report, final system action plan and governance arrangements overseeing delivery of the plan.

Reason

58.3     The Care Quality Commission report acknowledges the strength of the shared vision and purpose, maturity of relationships and focus on prevention and support for people to maintain their wellbeing. The areas identified for improvement in the report have been included in the action plan

Report by Chief Operating Officer

59.1     The Cabinet considered a report by the Chief Operating Officer

59.2     It was RESOLVED to:

1) approve the Property Asset Disposal & Investment Strategy set out in Appendix 1 of the report;

2) note the governance and resource arrangements required to deliver the Strategy;

3) note that any initial revenue costs of funding initiatives that will deliver enhanced income and capital receipts in the longer term will be considered as investment proposals against the Council’s Transformation reserve which is delegated to the Chief Executive to approve; and

4) note that any capital investment into assets will be subject to Cabinet approval of business cases developed to support the investment consideration

Reason

59.3     The development of a Property Asset Disposal and Investment Strategy, covering investment in assets already producing an income and investment in development opportunities that support the Council’s ability to enhance its financial resilience in the longer term, will act as a catalyst for improved economic outcomes for the County.  The financial returns delivered from the strategy will support the Council in continuing to deliver its essential services to residents. The proposed approach is based upon the following key principles:

·                     Invest in schemes that align with and support the Councils four priority outcomes.

·                     Invest in income producing assets within the County, creating a diversified portfolio to manage risks and secure an annual return.

·                     Retaining assets where appropriate and undertaking effective property and asset management initiatives and investment to enhance income or capital receipts.

Report by Chief Operating Officer

60.1     The Cabinet considered a report by the Chief Operating Officer

60.2     It was RESOLVED – to approve the External Audit Plan for 2017/18.

Reason

60.3     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

61.1     The Cabinet considered a report by the Chief Operating Officer

61.2     It was RESOLVED- to approve the Council’s Internal Audit Strategy and Annual Plan 2018/19.

Reason

61.3     The Council’s Internal Audit Strategy 2018/19 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.

62.1     It was agreed that no items should be reported to the County Council