Agenda and minutes

38.1     The Lead Member approved as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 20 September 2022.

Disclosure by all Members present of personal interests in matters on the agenda, the nature of any interest and whether the Members regard the interest as prejudicial under the terms of the Code of Conduct

39.1     There were none.

Notification of any items which the Lead Member considers urgent and proposes to take at the appropriate part of the agenda.

40.1     There were no urgent items.

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

Report by the Chief Operating Officer

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

DECISIONS

42.2     The Lead Member RESOLVED to:

(1) Review and approve the County Council’s adoption of the Environmentally Sustainable Procurement Policy set out in Appendix 1 of the report.

(2) Delegate authority to the Chief Operating Officer to review the policy annually and update it in light of relevant changes, to ensure the policy remains fit for purpose.

REASONS

42.3     The Environmentally Sustainable Procurement Policy set out in Appendix 1 of the report aims to improve the environmental considerations built into the core delivery of goods, works and services that the Council procures.

42.4     Having declared a climate emergency and published both the East Sussex Environment Strategy and the Climate Emergency Plan, this policy supports the net zero targets of the Council and will aim to embed environmental sustainability, such as increases to East Sussex’s biodiversity and reducing waste, into procurement decisions. 

42.5     This policy will prepare prospective suppliers for the environmental considerations and expectations that will be implemented into the Council’s future contracts.

42.6     Increasing environmental considerations across the Council’s procurement activity presents a significant opportunity to influence a reduction in carbon emissions across the Council’s services.

Report by the Chief Operating Officer

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

DECISIONS

43.2     The Lead Member RESOLVED to:

1) declare property known as 1 Southview Close and adjacent access road (the Property) surplus to requirements;

2) approve the disposal of the Property; and

3) delegate to the Chief Operating Officer to review offers received following the

marketing of the property and approve a preferred purchaser to secure best value in accordance with s123 of the Local Government Act 1972.

REASONS

43.3     The property is no longer required for East Sussed County Council operational purposes.

43.4     Disposal of the property will reduce cost and liability and to achieve a capital receipt. The capital receipt will be used to fund the existing 10- year capital programme, therefore reducing the requirement to borrow.

Report by the Chief Operating Officer

44.1     The lead Member considered a report by the Chief Operating Officer.

DECISIONS

44.2     The Lead Member RESOLVED to:

1) declare surplus to requirements two properties known as Beacongate and The Gables (the properties);

2) approve the disposal of the Properties; and

3) delegate authority to the Chief Operating Officer in consultation with NHS England to (a) review the bids for the Property following the marketing exercise, and (b) to make an analysis of the bids and select a preferred purchaser to support best value in accordance with s123 of the Local Government Act 1972.

REASONS

44.3     The properties are no longer required for ESCC operational purposes.

44.4     Marketing and disposal of the property will meet the requirements of the Capital Grant Agreement and provide capital receipt for NHS projects, whilst minimising any ongoing maintenance and revenue implications connected with the Properties.

To consider excluding the public and press from the meeting for the remaining agenda item on the grounds that if the public and press were present there would be disclosure to them of exempt information as specified in paragraphs 1 or 4 of Part 1 of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended), namely information relating to any individual or information relating to any consultations or negotiations, in connection with any labour relations matter arising between the authority or a Minister of the Crown and employees of, or office holders under, the authority.

45.1     It was RESOLVED to exclude the public and press from the meeting for the remaining agenda items on the grounds that if the public and press were present there would be disclosure to them of exempt information as specified in paragraphs 1 or 4 of Part 1 of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended), namely information relating to any individual or information relating to any consultations or negotiations, in connection with any labour relations matter arising between the authority or a Minister of the Crown and employees of, or office holders under, the authority.

Report by the Assistant Chief Executive

46.1     The Lead Member considered a report by the Assistant Chief Executive.

DECISIONS

46.2     The Lead Member RESOLVED to approve the recommendations in the report, for the reasons set out in the report. The decision and reasons are set out in an exempt minute.