Agenda and minutes

16.1 The minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on the 16 July 2024 were agreed as a correct record.

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

Report by the Chief Executive.

18.1     The Cabinet considered a report by the Chief Executive.

18.2     It was RESOLVED to:

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

2) note the addition and amendments to the risk register as set out in paragraph 3.2 and Appendix 8 of the report.

Reason

18.3     The report sets out the Council’s position and year-end projections for the Council Plan targets, Revenue Budget, Capital Programme, and Savings Plan, together with Risks at the end of June 2024.

Report by the Chief Executive.

19.1     The Cabinet considered a report from the Chief Executive.

19.2     It was RESOLVED to:

1) Note the updated planning position and the actions being taken to support the Council’s financial position as set out in the report;

2) Agree that the Council consults where required on the savings proposals set out in the report and at appendix 1 of the report;

3) Agree that Chief Officers continue to identify further potential savings as set out in section 5 of the report;

4) Agree to continue lobbying vigorously through all available avenues for sustainable funding to meet the needs of the residents of East Sussex.

Reasons

19.3     The Council’s current and forecast financial position requires urgent action. The report outlines measures already being taken and the exceptional steps required to bring forward savings proposals ahead of the new financial year, in order to support the Council’s legal duty to set a balanced budget.

19.4     We recognise the significant impact the proposals identified for consultation will have on local people, our staff and partners and on our ability to manage and respond to future need for services. These are not proposals we would want to make if there were other choices available to us and they are not made lightly.

19.5     Work will continue to develop and progress further savings. Another report will be brought to Cabinet in November with more detail on this work, as well as an overview of the latest national policy and financial context, our latest assessment of the Council’s medium term financial plan position and an update on the capital programme.

19.6     Members’ involvement will continue throughout the process through Cabinet, County Council, Scrutiny Committees, and specific engagement sessions.

Report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport.

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

20.2     It was RESOLVED to endorse the new East Sussex Economic Prosperity Strategy, developed in partnership with Team East Sussex (TES).

Reasons

20.3     The former function of Local Enterprise Partnerships for strategic economic planning has now transferred to local democratic institutions, in this case East Sussex County Council. Whilst government expects local places to publish their strategy within six months of receiving transition funding (which itself is yet to be received), the production of an updated economic strategy has already taken place and been endorsed by TES as the Economic Growth Board for the county. East Sussex is in a strong position to articulate to Government its economic narrative and areas of focus for future investment opportunities.

Report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport.

21.1     The Cabinet considered a report from the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport.

21.2     It was RESOLVED to:
           

1) Approve the East Sussex Local Transport Plan 4 (LTP4), Investment Plan and supporting documents to support and deliver transport infrastructure across the county; and

2) Note the further work planned beyond the adoption of LTP4, as outlined in paragraphs 2.13 – 2.16 of the report. 

Reason

21.3     Local Transport Authorities are required to have a Local Transport Plan (LTP) in place which sets the strategy and policy framework for transport across their geography. The East Sussex LTP4, which will cover the period 2024 to 2050, will ensure that we have an up-to-date LTP that is reflective of current national, sub national and local policy, which will place us in a stronger position to seek future funding.

Report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport and the Chief Operating Officer.

22.1     The Cabinet considered a report from the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport and Chief Operating Officer.

22.2     It was RESOLVED to note the progress report.

Reason

22.3     The Council has recognised the severity of the climate crisis by declaring a climate emergency, by setting a clear science-based target and by committing an additional £9.9m of funding up to March 2025 to cutting corporate carbon emissions. The scale of the Council’s functions and the diversity of providers the Council works with makes this a complex and substantial task. Significant work has already been undertaken to reduce emissions and will continue to be undertaken. The report sets out the further progress made during 2023/24.

23.1 It was agreed that items 5, 8 and 9 should be reported to the County Council.

[Note: the item being reported to the County Council refers to minute numbers 18, 21 and 22 ]