Agenda and draft minutes

40.1     RESOLVED – to confirm as a correct record the minutes of the County Council meeting held on 24 September 2025.

41.1     Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillors Chris Collier, Johnny Denis, Aidan Fisher, Julia Hilton, James MacCleary and Brett Wright.

WELCOME

42.1     The Chairman congratulated Councillor Aidan Fisher on his election to the division of Ashdown and Conquest and welcomed him to the County Council.

KEITH STEVENS

42.2     The Chairman shared the sad news of the death of Keith Stevens, Chair of the National Association of Local Councils (NALC). As Chair, Keith championed the vital role of parish and town councils, working tirelessly to strengthen the voice of communities across England. Keith was also Chair of East Sussex Community Voice, the county’s Healthwatch provider. The Council stood for a moment’s silence as a mark of respect for Keith Stevens.

DARRELL GALE

42.3     The Chairman congratulated Darrell Gale, Director of Public Health on receiving the prestigious Association of Directors of Public Health (ADPH) Contribution to the Association Medal in recognition of his outstanding work on Healthy Places, housing, and climate change.

BRODERICK HOUSE CHILDREN’S HOME

42.4     The Chairman informed the Council that Broderick House Children’s Home had been rated as Outstanding across all areas, following a successful visit from Ofsted. The Chairman thanked the staff at Broderick House, and the wider staff in Children’s Services, for their continued commitment to the children they care for and congratulated them on the outcome of the visit.

CHAIRMAN’S ACTIVITIES

42.5     The Chairman reported that he had attended a number of engagements since the last County Council meeting including, a visit to Sheffield Park and Garden, a joint Civic Visit with the Mayor of Uckfield, a Carer’s O’Clock visit hosted by Julia Roberts, Cultureshift, Friends of Sussex Hospices’ 30th Anniversary Dinner hosted by Friends of Sussex Hospices at Lancing College, a visit to Knockhatch Adventure Park with Councillor Paul Holbrook, the Lord Lieutenant’s Awards Ceremony hosted by the Lord Lieutenant, Polegate Civic Reception hosted by Mayor of Polegate, Eastbourne Silver Band’s Concert of Remembrance, Lewes Remembrance Day Parade and Service hosted by Mayor of Lewes TC, Peacehaven Armistice Day hosted by Mayor of Peacehaven, East Sussex Prayer Breakfast hosted by Richard Bickersteth, Commonwealth Service of Remembrance hosted by Linda Wallraven, Peacehaven Mayor’s Festive Winter Sizzler hosted by Mayor of Peacehaven, and a visit to Rotherfield St Martin Charity. The Chairman also hosted a Civic Reception at Charleston Manor, Firle.

42.6     The Chairman thanked the Vice Chairman for his ongoing support, including his attendance at the Crafty Collective’s Big Mental Health Fundraiser, Bexhill Youth and Community Centre Autumn Fair, Hastings Day Business and Continuity, United Nations of Bexhill and Hastings hosted by United Nations Association,  Ocean Symposium and Marine Exhibition 2025 hosted by United Nations Association, Civic Leaders Visit to Bexhill Academy hosted by Chair Trustees, Attwood Trust, Hastings day business and college community lunch, a remembrance service at Bexhill Memorial, and Educational Award Ceremony London.

PETITIONS

42.7     The following petitions were presented before the meeting by Councillors.

PRAYERS

42.8     The Chairman thanked the Reverend C Peter Molloy, St Mark the Evangelist Church, Buxted for leading the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 42.

43.1     Copies of the questions from members of the public and the answers from Councillors Glazier OBE, Lead Member for Strategic Management and Economic Development, and Councillor Claire Dowling, Lead Member for Transport and Environment are attached to these minutes.

44.1     There were no declarations of interest.

45.1     The County Council agreed to receive the Notice by the Returning Officer certifying the election of a County Councillor for the Ashdown and Conquest division at the by-election held on 20 November 2025.

46.1     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 (Council Monitoring Q1 2025/26), paragraph 2 (Care Quality Commission (CQC) Assessment of Adult Social Care, paragraph 4 (Ofsted Focused Visit – July 2025.

Governance Committee report – paragraph 6 (Members’ Allowance Scheme).

NON RESERVED PARAGRAPHS

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

Cabinet report – paragraph 2 (Ashdown Forest Trust Fund).

Governance Committee report – paragraph 1 (Amendment to the Constitution – Access to Information Procedure Rules), paragraph 2 (Amendment to the Constitution – Budget Setting Meeting), paragraph 3 (Scrutiny Call-in process), paragraph 4 (Customer experience annual report) and paragraph 7 (Amendment to the Constitution – Speaking at the Planning Committee).

Paragraph 1 - Council Monitoring Q1 2025/26.

47.1     Councillor Bennett introduced the reserved paragraph in the Cabinet report.

47.2     The paragraph was noted after debate.

Paragraph 3 - Care Quality Commission (CQC) Assessment of Adult Social Care.

47.3     Councillor Maynard introduced the reserved paragraph in the Cabinet report.

47.4     The paragraph was noted after debate.

Paragraph 4 - Ofsted Focused Visit – July 2025.

47.5     Councillor Bowdler introduced the reserved paragraph in the Cabinet report.

47.6     The paragraph was noted after debate.

Paragraph 6 - Members’ Allowance Scheme.

48.1     Councillor Glazier moved the reserved paragraph.

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

a) Oral questions to Cabinet Members

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

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

49.2     Seven written questions were received from Councillors Adeniji, Cross, Field, Murphy and Tutt to the Lead Member for Transport and Environment. Councillor Murphy also asked a question to the Leader of the Council. The questions and answers are attached to these minutes. The Lead Member for Transport and Environment, and the Leader responded to supplementary questions.

Paragraph 2 - 2026/27 to 2030/31 Strategic Service Planning and Medium-Term Financial Plan.

50.1     Members commented on paragraph 2 of the East Sussex Fire Authority’s report and thanked both the Fire Service and Fire Authority for the services it delivers.

51.1     The Chairman informed the Council of an urgent decision taken by the Cabinet at a meeting on 24 September under urgency provisions.

51.2     The report was received and noted.