Agenda and draft minutes

46.1     RESOLVED – that the minutes of the previous meeting of the Committee held on 27 January 2026 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

47.1     Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Tutt.

47.2     It was noted that Councillor Field was in attendance as a substitute for Councillor Tutt. Councillor Field was not present in the Chamber but joined the meeting via MS Teams. She did not vote on the items under discussion.

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

Report by the Chief Finance Officer

49.1     The Committee considered a report by the Chief Finance Officer regarding the Grant Thornton report to those charged with governance, and to report an anticipated unqualified audit opinion on the 2024/25 Statement of Accounts.

49.2     The Committee RESOLVED to:

1) note the Independent Auditor’s (Grant Thornton) Report to those charged with governance on East Sussex County Council Accounts;

2) authorise the Chief Finance Officer to sign the formal Letter of Representation to Grant Thornton UK LLP; and

3) approve the 2024/25 Statement of Accounts for publication.

Report by the Director of Adult Social Care and Health

50.1     The Committee considered a report by the Director of Adult Social Care and Health updating on the progress with work linked to addressing unacceptable behaviour at work.

50.2     The Committee RESOLVED to:

1) note the context and progress on work to encourage staff to report incidents of unacceptable behaviour at work, and to strengthen the reporting systems across East Sussex County Council;

2) agree the corporate statement in Appendix 1, and note the other resources developed;

3) note the updates to East Sussex County Council’s incident reporting system, which will be launched in March 2026; and

4) note the proposed approach to communicating the launch of the resources and updated reporting system, including Chief Officer support.

Report by the Deputy Chief Executive

51.1     The Committee considered a report by the Deputy Chief Executive regarding two Conservative appointments to the East Sussex Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority.

51.2     Councillor Redstone was nominated to serve on the East Sussex Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority.

51.3     The Committee RESOLVED to appoint Councillor Redstone to serve on the East Sussex Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority until the annual council meeting in May 2026, with one vacancy remaining.