Agenda and draft minutes

49.1     The Lead Member approved as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 22 January 2026.

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

50.1     There were none.

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

51.1     There were none.

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

Report by the Chief Operating Officer

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

DECISIONS

53.2     The Lead Member RESOLVED to:

1) Note the work undertaken regarding the future provision of school meals in East Sussex as set out in the report; and

2) Approve that the contract is awarded to the highest scoring bidder as set out at paragraph 2.6 of the supporting exempt report later in the agenda.

REASON

53.3     There is a consistent requirement for the school meals contract to deliver a high-quality bespoke menu, whilst continuing to provide schools and academies with value for money and a high level of service delivery and support. This standard is met by the highest scoring bidder. In the awarding of contract to the highest scoring provider, the Lead Member noted that a full competitive procurement exercise was undertaken and bids were scored against the evaluation criteria.

Report by the Chief Operating Officer

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

DECISIONS

54.2     The Lead Member RESOLVED to:

1) Review written offers submitted following the marketing of the ‘Playing field adjacent to Tilling Green Community Centre’ (‘the Site’) as set out in Appendix 1 to the exempt report; and

2) Note the change in external operating context and consequentially agree to retain the asset for alternative future use.

REASON

54.3     Whilst disposal of the site would represent a capital receipt to the Council, the potential future opportunities now available for the site are considered to be a preferable route to pursue.

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 paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended), namely information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

55.1     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 paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended), namely information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

Report by the Chief Operating Officer

56.1     The Lead Member considered a report by the Chief Operating Officer which provided exempt information in support of an earlier item on the agenda.

DECISION

56.2     The Lead Member RESOLVED to note the exempt information in relation to an earlier item on the agenda.

REASON

56.3     The report contained exempt information in relation to an earlier item on the agenda.

Report by the Chief Operating Officer

57.1     The Lead Member considered a report by the Chief Operating Officer which provided exempt information in support of an earlier item on the agenda.

DECISION

57.2     The Lead Member RESOLVED to note the exempt information in relation to an earlier item on the agenda.

REASON

57.3     The report contained exempt information in relation to an earlier item on the agenda.