Agenda and minutes

40.1     The minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 18 December 2019 were agreed as a correct record.

41.1     An apology for absence was received on behalf of Councillor Rupert Simmons

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

Report by Chief Executive

43.1     The Cabinet considered a report by the Chief Executive together with further information received following publication of the Cabinet agenda including a summary of the consultation meeting held with Trade Unions.

43.2     It was RESOLVED:

       1.  recommend the County Council to:

i)       approve in principle the draft Council Plan at Appendix 1 and authorise the Chief Executive to finalise the Plan in consultation with the relevant Lead Members;

ii)      increase Council Tax by 1.99%;

iii)     increase the Adult Social Care precept by 2%;

iv)    issue precepts to be paid by Borough and District Councils in accordance with the agreed schedule of instalments at Appendix 6;

v)     approve the net Revenue Budget estimate of £403.4m for 2020/21 set out in Appendix 2 (Medium Term Financial Plan) and Appendix 3 (Budget Summary) and authorise the Chief Operating Officer, in consultation with the Chief Finance Officer, Leader and Deputy Leader, to make adjustments to the presentation of the Budget Summary to reflect the final settlement and final budget decisions;

vi)    approve the Capital Strategy and Programme at Appendix 9;

vii)   note the Medium Term Financial Plan forecast for 2020/21 to 2022/23, set out in Appendix 2;

viii)  note the comments of the Chief Finance Officer on budget risks and robustness, as set out in Appendix 7;

ix)    note the comments from engagement exercises set out in Appendix 8; and

x)     note the schedule of fees and charges that have increased above inflation at Appendix 10.

2.     agree that Chief Officers consult, where appropriate, on the savings proposals set out in Appendix 4.

Reason

43.3     Prudent planning by the Council has led to the Council being able to make investment in services next year of £6.6m once savings of have been made. Whilst the additional funding by the Government in Social Care is welcome, it does not make up for the amount of funding lost over the last 10 years and neither will it be sufficient to prevent savings needing to be made in other areas in future to fund pressures from the rising demand for and cost of social care. The Council will continue to press the case for East Sussex to receive a fair share of the funding available from Government and for it to urgently address the need for it to put in place sustainable funding for local services, in particular social care.

Report by Director of Adult Social Care and Health

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

44.2     It was RESOLVED to:

1.             agree the Council’s contribution to the draft East Sussex Health and Social Care plan as set out in Appendix 1, and plans for further consultation with local stakeholders;

2.             agree the projects set out in Appendix 3 to take forward the proposed Target Operating Model for integrated community health and social care services, as part of the broader community health and social care services programme; and

3.             note that further work will be taking place to develop proposals for an East Sussex Integrated Care Partnership, including further engagement with stakeholders.

Reason

44.3     Taking into account the progress made to date, our East Sussex plan strengthens the whole population focus across the local health and social care economy.  It sets out the key areas of focus for our collective system working that are needed to guide and deliver the changes needed in East Sussex to meet the health and care needs of our population, reduce health inequalities, and deliver outcomes on a sustainable basis.

44.4       A number of discussions and meetings have been progressed with key stakeholders across our system to achieve this, underpinned by the initial key principles and priorities agreed by the Health and Wellbeing Board in September.  This will ensure that the next phase of our work and the priorities for 2020/21 are understood, shared and owned by the broader system, and take account of the needs of the whole East Sussex population. 

44.5       Our plans and objectives for integration of community health and social care services continue to align with the NHS Long Term Plan, and the ongoing development of Primary Care Networks, with the intention of further strengthening the operational interface with General Practice through implementing greater levels of integration of community health and social care services. 

44.6       Overall this will ensure that we continue to maintain our focus on moving to integrated community care delivery to meet our population health and care needs and tackle the challenge of an ageing population, which we are at the forefront of in East Sussex.

44.7       The priorities set out in the Plan will also guide and inform the development of the ICP, to enable the delivery of shared objectives both in 2020/21 and in subsequent years and get the maximum benefit for our population. 

44.8     The three East Sussex Clinical Commissioning Groups, East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust will be taking a similar report through their governance processes in broadly the same timeframe

Report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport

45.1     The Cabinet considered a report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport.

45.2     It was RESOLVED to agree the County Council’s response on Transport for the South East’s formal consultation on their draft Transport Strategy as summarised in sections 2.8 and 2.9 of the report , and outlined in more detail at Appendix 2.

Reason

45.3     The delivery of the Transport for the South East’s (TfSE) transport strategy provides an opportunity to support and grow the economy, boost connectivity and speed up journeys whilst improving access to opportunities for all and protecting and enhancing our region’s unique environment.

45.4     TfSE has set out their overall approach to achieving their vision in their draft Transport Strategy which has been out for consultation. Overall the County Council is supportive of TfSE’s draft strategy, and has a number of comments as summarised in sections 2.8 and 2.9 of this report and outlined in more detail in appendix 2, which will form the basis of the County Council’s formal response.

Report by Chief Operating Officer

46.1     The Cabinet considered a report by the Chief Operating Officer.

46.2     It was RESOLVED to recommend the County Council to:

1)            approve the Treasury Management Policy and Strategy Statement for 2020/21;

2)            approve the Annual Investment Strategy for 2020/21;

3)            approve the Prudential and Treasury Indicators 2020/21 to 2022/23;

4)            approve the Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Policy Statement 2020/21 at Appendix A (Section 3).

Reason

46.3     This policy sets out the acceptable limits on ratings, investment periods, amounts to be invested and the borrowing strategy. The financial position is kept under constant review and if at any time it is felt that any of these limits represent an unacceptable risk appropriate and immediate action will be taken accordingly.  Cabinet recommends the 2020/21 Treasury Management Policy and Strategy Statement for approval by Council.

Report by Chief Operating Officer

47.1     The Cabinet considered a report by the Chief Operating Officer.

47.2     It was RESOLVED:

            1) to approve the Conservators’ core budget for 2020/21; and

            2) approve the annual grant for the 2020/21 from the Trust Fund of £65,100

Reason

47.3     The County Council has a statutory obligation to meet the shortfall between approved expenditure and income of the Conservators and it has responsibility for approving the level of expenditure.

48.1     The Cabinet agreed that items 5, 8 and 9 should be reported to the County Council.

[Note: The items being reported to the County Council refer to minute numbers 43, 46 and 47]