Agenda and minutes

42.1     RESOLVED – to confirm as a correct record the minutes of the County Council meeting held on 9 January 2025

43.1     Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillors Chris Collier and Carolyn Lambert.

FORMER COUNCILLOR SYLVIA TIDY

44.1     The Chairman began with the sad news of the death of former Councillor Sylvia Tidy. Sylvia was elected to the County Council in 2005 and represented the Crowborough South and St Johns division until 2021. She served as the Lead Member for Children’s and Families from 2013 to 2021 and was a Governor for the Virtual School during this time. Sylvia was a mentor for new Lead Members in the South East Region, as part of the South East Sector-led Improvement Programme. Additionally, she was a member of several committees of the Council: the Children’s Services Scrutiny Committee (2005–2007), the East Sussex Music Service Management Committee (2005–2013), and the Adult Social Care Scrutiny Committee (2005–2013), which she chaired from 2005 to 2007. Sylvia also chaired the Health and Overview Scrutiny Committee from 2007 to 2011. She was a member of the Ashdown Forest Board of Conservators from 2011 – 2025 and Wealden District Council from 1995, representing Chiddingly and East Hoathly. She was a trustee of the Farley Arts Trust, and Chairman of the High Weald Advisory Committee.

44.2     The Leader of the Council and the other group leaders offered condolences and shared memories of Councillor Sylvia Tidy. The Council stood for a moment’s silence as a mark of respect to Councillor Tidy.

DAWN WHITTAKER

44.3     The Chairman thanked Dawn Whittaker, the former Chief Fire Officer, for her contribution to the East Sussex Fire Authority and her exemplary service to the county.

44.4     The Chairman welcomed Mark Matthews, Chief Fire Officer for the East Sussex Fire Authority.

NEW YEAR’S HONOURS

44.5     On behalf of the Council, the Chairman congratulated all those who live or work in East Sussex who were recognised in the New Year’s honours.

CHAIRMAN’S ACTIVITIES

44.6     The Chairman reported that he had attended a number of engagements since the last meeting of the Council including: the Eastbourne Civic Harvest Festival; the Sussex Multiple Sclerosis  Centre; a visit to Polegate Ambulance Station with the Mayor of Polegate - followed by a visit to the Community Centre; the Battle Of Trafalgar Dinner; the Lord-Lieutenant’s Awards Ceremony; the Eastbourne Silver Band's 13th Annual Concert of Remembrance; the High Sheriff East Sussex Judges Service; Remembrance Parades and Services for Maresfield, Lewes and the Seaford Royal British Legion; the AGM of Seaview; Picture News and  SACRE (Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education); a visit to  the St James Trustin Seaford and  Seaford Primary School; the Friends of Arundel Cathedral - Pontifical Sung Vespers; visits to Crowborough with the Mayor; standing in for the Lord-Lieutenant at a citizenship ceremony; St John Sussex Carol Service; a meeting with Sussex Community Foundation; the Good Company People; the Mayor of Seaford’s Christmas Carol Concert; the Mayor of Peacehaven Carol Concert; the Mayor of Polegate Carol Concert; Christmas drinks reception with the Chair of Wealden District Council; and the Base Afterschool Club Celebration  21st Anniversary.

44.7     The Chairman thanked the Vice-Chairman for his ongoing support, including attendance at the St Peter’s Church  ...  view the full minutes text for item 44.

45.1     Copies of questions from members of the public and the answers from Councillor Carl Maynard, Lead Member for Adult Social Care and Health, and Councillor Gerard Fox, Chair of the Pension Committee. Nine supplementary questions were asked and responded to.

46.1     Councillor Daniel declared a personal, non-prejudicial interest in item 5 on the agenda, as Associate Hospital Manager for Sussex Partnership Trust, in reference to mental health services.

47.1     The Chairman of the County Council, having called over the reports set out in the agenda, reserved the following for discussion:

Cabinet report – paragraph 1 (Reconciling Policy, Performance and Resources (RPPR), paragraph 3 (Scrutiny Review of Healthy Ageing), paragraph 4 (Scrutiny Review of Local Speed Limit Policy) and paragraph 5 (Annual Report of Looked After Children’s Services).

Governance Committee report – paragraph 1 (Amendment to the Member Parental Leave Policy)

People Scrutiny Committee report – paragraph 1 (Scrutiny Review of Healthy Ageing).

Place Scrutiny Committee report – paragraph 1 (Scrutiny Review of  Local Speed Limit Policy).

NON-RESERVED PARAGRAPHS

47.2     On the motion of the Chairman of the County Council, the Council adopted those paragraphs in the report that had not been reserved for discussion as follows:

Cabinet report - paragraph 2 (Council Monitoring, Quarter 2 2024/25),  paragraph 6 (Treasury Management Policy and Strategy 2024/25) and paragraph 7 (the Conservators of Ashdown Forest – 2024/25 forecast outturn position and updated medium term financial plan including the 2025/26 budget).

Governance Committee report – paragraph 2 (Pay Policy Statement).

Paragraph 1 – Reconciling Policy, Performance and Resources

48.1     Under Standing Order 23, the Council agreed that the speeches of the Leaders of the 5 Groups (or their nominees) on paragraph 2 of the Cabinet’s report be extended beyond 5 minutes.

48.2     Councillor Bennett moved the adoption of paragraph 1 of the Cabinet’s report.

48.3     The following amendment was moved by Councillor Tutt and seconded by Councillor Stephen Shing:

Delete paragraph 1.81 of the Cabinet’s report and replace with:-

(1)  approve, in principle, the draft Council Plan 2025/26 at Appendix 1 and authorise the Chief Executive to finalise the Plan in consultation with the relevant Lead Members;

(2)  approve the net Revenue Budget estimates totalling £579.6m for 2025/26 as set out in Appendix 2 (Medium Term Financial Plan) and Appendix 3 (Budget Summary) and authorise the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Chief Finance Officer, Leader and Deputy the Leader, to make adjustments to the presentation of the Budget Summary to reflect the final settlement and budget decisions with the following amendments:

(i)               Reinstate savings proposed for Older People Directly Provided Services: Milton Grange - £521,000

(ii)              Reinstate savings proposed for Older People Directly Provided Services: Phoenix Centre - £191,000

(iii)       Reinstate savings proposed for Learning Disability People Directly Provided Services: Linden Court - £327,000

(iv)       Reinstate savings proposed for Learning Disability People Directly Provided Services: Hookstead - £124,000

(v)        Reinstate savings proposed for Adults with Mental Health needs Supported Accommodation Services - £356,000

Total of proposed revenue amendments - £1,519,000

To be funded by:

(vi)       Use of available reserves arising from the deferral of May 2025 County Council elections - £1,519,000

Total of proposed revenue funding amendments - £1,519,000

            (3)  in accordance with the Local Government Finance Act 1992 to agree that:

(i)              the net budget requirement is £579.6m and the amount calculated by East Sussex County Council as its council tax requirement (see Appendix 5) for the year 2025/26 is £394.4m;

(ii)              the amount calculated by East Sussex County Council as the basic amount of its council tax (i.e. for a band D property) for the year 2025/26 is £1,867.05 and represents a 4.99% (2% of which relates to the Adult Social Care precept) increase on the previous year;

(4) approve to incorporate Climate Emergency Action Plan activities and key performance measures within the Council Plan;

(5)  advise the District and Borough Councils of the relevant amounts payable and council tax in other bands in line with the regulations and to issue precepts accordingly in accordance with an agreed schedule of instalments as set out at Appendix 5;

(6) agree the Reserves Policy set out in Appendix 6;

(7)  approve the Capital Strategy and Programme as set out at Appendix 8;

(8)  note the progress with the Council Plan and Budget 2025/26 since quarter 2 set out in paragraphs 1.36 to 1.38 of the report;

(9)  note the Medium Term Financial Plan forecast for 2025/26 to 2027/28, as set out in Appendix 2 and amended by  ...  view the full minutes text for item 48.

Paragraph 1 (Amendment to the Member Parental Leave Policy)

49.1     Councillor Glazier moved the reserved paragraph.

49.2     The motion, including the recommendations, was CARRIED after debate.

Paragraph 1 – Scrutiny Review of Healthy Ageing

50.1     The Chairman reminded the Council that he was taking paragraph 1 of this report with paragraph 3 of the Cabinet’s report.

50.2     Councillor Howell moved the adoption of paragraph 1 of the Scrutiny Committee report.

50.3     Councillor Maynard moved the adoption of paragraph 3 of the Cabinet’s report. The motion, including the recommendations, was CARRIED after debate.

50.4     The motion to adopt paragraph 1 of the Scrutiny Committee’s report, including the recommendations, was CARRIED after debate on the basis that implementation would be in accordance with the recommendations of the Cabinet.

Paragraph 1 – Scrutiny Review – Pothole Management

51.1     The Chairman reminded the Council that he was taking paragraph 1 of this report with paragraph 4 of the Cabinet’s report.

51.2     Councillor Beaver moved the adoption of paragraph 1 of the Scrutiny Committee report.

51.3     Councillor Claire Dowling moved the adoption of paragraph 4 of the Cabinet’s report. The motion, including the recommendations, was CARRIED after debate.

51.4     The motion to adopt paragraph 1 of the Scrutiny Committee’s report, including the recommendations, was CARRIED after debate on the basis that implementation would be in accordance with the recommendations of the Cabinet

a) Oral questions to Cabinet Members

b) Written questions of which notice has been given pursuant to Standing Order 44

52.1     The following members asked questions of the Lead Cabinet Members indicated and they responded:

52.2     Two written questions were received from Councillors Osborne and Tutt for the Lead Member for Transport and Environment. Councillors Stephen Shing and Tutt also asked questions to the Lead Member for Adult Social Care and Health. The questions and answers are attached to these minutes. The Lead Members responded to supplementary questions. </AI11>

53.1     The Chairman informed the Council of an urgent decision taken by the Cabinet at a meeting on 9 January under urgency provisions, and that the call-in procedure did not therefore apply.

53.2     The reason for urgency arose because the English Devolution White Paper was issued on 16 December, followed by a letter from the Secretary of State imposing a 10 January 2025 response deadline which was the day following the Cabinet meeting.

53.2     The report was received and noted.