Agenda and minutes

41.1     At the suggestion of the Leader of the Council, and agreed by all Group Leaders, it was agreed that a cross party letter be sent to the Prime minister and the Ukrainian Ambassador expressing condemnation of Russia’s action in Ukraine and expressing the County Council’s support for the Government and people of Ukraine and welcoming the announcements of the UK Government’s with regard to refugees.

41.2     The Leader of the Council proposed that the Ukrainian flag be flown at County Hall on the day of the next County Council meeting

42.1     The minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 25 January 2022 were agreed as a correct record.

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

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.

44.1     Councillor Holt declared a personal, non prejudicial interest in item 5 as the organisation he worked for had provided the ice rink visited by East Sussex foster care leavers.

Report by Chief Executive

45.1     The Cabinet considered a report by the Chief Executive.

45.2     It was RESOLVED to:

1)   note the latest monitoring position for the Council; and

2) approve the proposed amendment to the performance measure set out in paragraph 2.2 of the report.

Reason

45.3    The report sets out the Council’s position and year end projections for the Council Plan targets, Revenue Budget, Capital Programme, Savings Plan together with Risks for 2021/22 quarter 3.

Report by Chief Operating Officer

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

46.2     It was RESOLVED to:

1.            approve the Conservators’ Core budget for 2022/23 and the potential contribution of up to a maximum of £122,980; and

2.                   approve the annual grant for 2022/23 from the Ashdown Forest Trust Fund.

Reason

46.3     The amended budget for 2022/23 presents a deficit of £122,980 including the impact of the decision to implement car parking charges being approved by the Board of Conservators on 31 January 2022. There remain uncertainties and opportunities for income generation in excess of modelled car parking income and from the Ashdown Forest Foundation, which together with management action during the year, could have a positive impact on the overall budget. The Board and Chief Executive Officer are working with Council officers and are committed to delivering an improved financial position for 2022/23, providing quarterly update reports, including updated budgets that support a sustainable Medium-Term Financial Plan by Summer 2022, that will support the strategic objectives of the Conservators of Ashdown Forest.

47.1     It was 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 45 and 46]