Agenda and draft minutes

24.1     The minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on the 26 September 2024 were agreed as a correct record.

25.1     An apology for absence was received for Councillor Bowdler.

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

Report by the Chief Executive.

27.1        The Cabinet considered a report by the Chief Executive.

27.2     It was RESOLVED to:

1)    note the updated policy context as set out in paragraph 2 of the report;

2)    note the updated Medium Term Financial Plan as set out in paragraph 3 and appendix 1 of the report;

3)    note the reserves summary set out in paragraph 3 of the report;

4)    note the savings proposals set out in paragraph 4 and appendix 2 of the report;

5)    note the capital programme update as set out in paragraph 5 and appendix 3 of the report;

6)    note recent lobbying activity and agree to continue pressing Government for sustainable funding to meet the needs of the residents of East Sussex, particularly in light of the immediate review of funding in light of local deprivation and need; and

7)    note our ongoing commitment to work with partners to make best use of the resources we have and to identify ways to mitigate the impact of savings proposals wherever possible.

Reasons

27.3     The Council’s financial position continues to be highly challenging, despite indications of some additional national support. This report outlines the substantial financial gap we continue to face which means we must propose further reductions to our services and the support we provide to local people.

27.4     Much is still to be determined around specific funding allocations for the coming year, and the funding outlook for 2026/27 onwards, the impact of new and ongoing national reforms, and the medium to longer term impact of the increases in demand and cost our services continue to experience.

27.5     Work will continue into the winter to understand the detailed funding picture as it emerges, the implications of national policy developments, and to refine our understanding of the county’s needs. This analysis will feed into our ongoing business and financial planning, ahead of final proposals for the 2025/26 budget and Council Plan being brought to Cabinet in January for consideration, and Council in February for decision. 

27.6     We will also progress the savings proposals set out to Cabinet through our consultation, governance and decision making processes, to ensure that Members have the information necessary to take budget decisions in the new year.

27.7     Members will continue to be involved in developing plans through Cabinet, County Council, Scrutiny Committees, and specific engagement sessions throughout the 2024/25 RPPR process.

Report by the Director of Children’s Services.

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

28.2     It was RESOLVED to:

1) Welcome the findings of the inspection of the work of youth justice services in East Sussex published on 17 September 2024 as attached at appendix 1 of the report; and

2) Note the action plan at appendix 2 of the report which has been developed to address the areas for improvement.

Reasons

28.3     East Sussex has maintained a focus on the key priority outcome of keeping vulnerable people safe. As set out in the report ‘the YJS [Youth Justice Service] partnership can rightly be satisfied with many aspects of its work and celebrate the effective way that is carries this out.’ We will work with the partnership to address the recommendations and deliver the best outcomes for the children and young people.

Report by the Deputy Chief Executive.

29.1     The Cabinet considered a report by the Deputy Chief Executive and a report by the Director of Adult Social Care and Health with observations on the Scrutiny Committee’s report.

29.2     It was RESOLVED to:

1) Note and welcome the report of the People Scrutiny Committee; and

2) Recommend to the County Council to welcome the report and agree the response of the Director of Adult Social Care and Health to the recommendations and their implementation as set out in the action plan attached as appendix 1 to the report.

Reasons

29.3     The Scrutiny Review has highlighted a range of recommendations, many of which recognise the work already underway and the need to continue to build on that.

29.4     The recommendations support the good partnership work already underway, and the learning from this Review will help enhance some of this work. For example, in continuing to strengthen our place based physical activity partnerships and opportunities to support adults to be active into older age and working with Active Sussex to embed physical activity across ASCH pathways.

29.5     The Review Board recommendations acknowledge the key role of the Council as an anchor institution to lead by example and adopt and utilise age friendly approaches in our core work. It also recognises the role of Public Health in working with others across the Council to influence good practice on using age friendly language, images and approaches to supporting staff as they age, so that all council employees can continue to thrive at work as they age.

29.6     All of these recommendations are considered realistic and achievable and reflective of the direction of travel for the council.

30.1 It was agreed that item 7 should be reported to the County Council.

[Note: the item being reported to the County Council refers to minute number 29]