Agenda and minutes

16.1     The minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 23 June 2020 were agreed as a correct record.

Report by Chief Executive

17.1     The Cabinet considered a report by the Chief Executive.

17.2       It was RESOLVED to:

1)    note the evidence base on demographics (appendix 1) and the National and Local Policy outlook (appendix 2);

2)    agree officers update the Medium Term Financial Plan as the basis for financial planning when more information is available, as set out in paragraph 4;

3)    agree officers review the Capital Programme and Strategy (appendix 3), as set out in paragraph 5;

4)    review the priority outcomes and delivery outcomes (appendix 4) which form the basis of the Council’s business and financial planning, as set out in paragraph 6;

5)    agree to review and reset the East Sussex Core Offer (appendix 5) to take account of the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, as set out in paragraph 7; and

6)    agree to receive reports on more detailed plans for 2021/22 and beyond in the autumn when there is greater certainty about the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on East Sussex and future resources.

Reason

17.3     The State of the County report is part of the Council’s Reconciling Policy, Performance and Resources (RPPR) process, its integrated business and financial planning cycle. This report contains the normal elements included in the report, the demographic evidence base; the national and local policy context; an update on our medium term financial planning position and Capital Programme. However, the coronavirus pandemic has had a profound impact on our communities and services which we are not yet fully able to quantify and reflect in our future service offer and finances.

This report sets out the current position and evidence base and gives our current understanding of how we will need to reset our services to deal with the future, as we learn to live with the reality of a world with COVID-19 and the significant impact this has on people’s lives; manage the legacy impacts of the initial wave of infection; and respond to potential new waves of infection for the foreseeable future. The RPPR process, bringing together our policy, business and financial planning and risk management, provides the vehicle for the Council’s service and financial recovery and reset.

Report by Director of Children’s Services

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

18.2     It was RESOLVED to note the findings of the inspection into the multi agency responses to children’s mental health in East Sussex which was published on 14 April and the multi agency action plan which has been developed to address the areas for development.

Reason

18.3     Despite the very challenging financial context, in partnership we have maintained a focus on children’s emotional wellbeing and mental health and on the key priority outcome of keeping vulnerable people safe.  The focus on children’s emotional wellbeing and mental health continues to be a priority in our response and recovery from Covid19. 

Report by Director of Children’s Services

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

19.2     It was RESOLVED to:

1) note and receive the Independently Chaired Report – Foundations for Our Future - at Appendix 1;

              2) note the Concordat Agreement which underpins the partnership commitment to act upon the recommendations – at Appendix 2; and

              3) endorse the recommendations described in the Report.

Reason

19.3       The current pathway and service model for emotional health and wellbeing in Sussex would benefit from radical transformation. This is especially the case in relation to specialist mental health services. The findings and recommendations of this review provide the opportunity for the local partners to focus on the improvements and changes that are needed. The report lays the foundations for the future.

Report by Chief Operating Officer

20.1     The Cabinet considered a report by the Chief Operating Officer

20.2     It was RESOLVED to note the internal audit service’s opinion on the Council’s control environment

Reason

20.3     The report gives an opinion on the adequacy of East Sussex County Council’s control   environment as a contribution to the proper, economic, efficient and effective use of resources. Reasonable assurance can be provided that East Sussex County Council had in place an adequate and effective framework of governance, risk management and internal control for the period 1 April 2019 to 31 March 2020.

21.1     The Cabinet agreed that agenda item 5 should be reported to the County Council.

[Note: The item being reported to the County Council refers to minute number 17]