Agenda and minutes

6.1       Councillor Elkin approved as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 20 May 2016.

7.1       Reports referred to in the minutes below are contained in the minute book.

Report by the Chief Operating Officer

8.1       The Lead Member considered a report by the Chief Operating Officer.  It was confirmed that two further Group Leaders had agreed to sign a letter to the Government in support of the motion.

DECISIONS

8.2       RESOLVED to recommend that the County Council:

            i. notes the report
            ii. agrees the motion as written; and
            iii. agrees that a letter supporting this motion is sent to the Government signed by Councillor Glazier, Councillor Shing and other Group Leaders.

Reasons

8.3       As a consequence of the 1995 and 2011 Pensions Acts, women born in the 1950s will have to wait longer to draw their state pension.  The age at which they can draw their pension is rising by up to six years from when they had expected to retire.  Furthermore, many did not receive letters notifying them of these changes and in any event, even those that did received very little notice.  Accordingly, the women affected report that this has had a significant impact on their financial plans for retirement.

Report by the Chief Operating Officer

9.1       The Lead Member considered a report by the Chief Operating Officer.  The Chief Operating Officer clarified that the community asset transfer negotiations were at an end, and that a new authority was being sought to explore options for the future use of the site.

DECISIONS

9.2       RESOLVED to (1) note that the negotiations to transfer the former St Anne’s school site have ended and that East Sussex County Council will not be progressing the existing authority for a Community Asset Transfer; 

(2) delegate authority to the Chief Operating Officer to produce new options for the development and future use of the former St Anne’s school site (site defined in Appendix 1 of the report);  and

(3) request that the Chief Operating Officer report back to Lead Member for Resources with a business case on the options explored for the site.

Reasons

9.3       Following the decision to end community asset transfer negotiations the Council is looking to develop options for the future use and development of the former St Anne’s school site.  It is proposed that the Council will lead this activity and liaise with local partners about local priorities, including demands for housing and community facilities. 

Report by the Chief Operating Officer

10.1     The Lead Member considered a report by the Chief Operating Officer.  The Lead Member reported that both the Local Members were in support of the recommendation.   

DECISION

10.2     RESOLVED to (1) enter into a long lease (exceeding 14 years) with Crowborough Town Council at a peppercorn rental; and

(2) delegate authority to the Chief Operating Officer to agree the final terms of the lease.

Reasons

10.3     The land has been unused since 1992 and comprises an area of light woodland.  An approach from Crowborough Town Council to secure the site for recreation and community uses can be facilitated by a long lease arrangement with the permitted use limited to a “pocket park and nature reserve for quiet enjoyment and educational purposes”.

Report by the Chief Operating Officer

11.1     The Lead Member considered a report by the Chief Operating Officer.

DECISION

11.2     RESOLVED to (1) declare the land and buildings comprising part of Hye House Farm surplus to County Council requirements; and

(2) delegate authority to the Chief Operating Officer to negotiate and agree terms for the sale of the property, to enable the Council to obtain best value in line with s123 of the Local Government Act 1972.

Reasons

11.3     The Council has no further use for the land or buildings.