Agenda and minutes

Lead Member for Resources and Climate Change - Tuesday, 28th January, 2020 2.00 pm

Venue: Council Chamber, County Hall, Lewes. View directions

Contact: Simon Bailey  Democratic Services Officer

Note: ++ Or at the conclusion of Governance Committee, whichever is the later ++ 

Items
No. Item

24.

Decisions made by the Lead Cabinet Member on 10 December 2019 pdf icon PDF 7 KB

Minutes:

24.1     The Lead Member RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the meeting held on 10 December 2019 as a correct record.

25.

Reports

Minutes:

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

 

26.

Petition for Climate Change pdf icon PDF 207 KB

Report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport

Minutes:

26.1     The Lead Member considered a report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport. 

 

26.2     The Lead Petitioner, Ms Julia Hilton, spoke about the petition, including references to a carbon reduction pathway and representatives on the Environment Board.  

 

DECISION

 

26.3     The Lead Member RESOLVED to advise the petitioners (1) that the majority of the actions requested by the petition are already being implemented/planned for by the County Council; and

 

(2) why the County Council has set a target for achieving carbon neutrality from its activities by 2050, but not 2030.

 

Reasons

 

26.4     The County Council did not set a target for 2030 because the Committee on Climate Change, which provides independent advice to government, concluded in May 2019 that a commitment to reaching net zero emissions earlier than 2050 is not credible.

 

26.5     The County Council is a partner on the East Sussex Environment Board, which has set a long term aim for the county to be carbon neutral by 2050 or earlier.  The Board includes the environmental regulators, the two universities, and representatives of land managers, farmers, local authorities and businesses. 

27.

Carbon reduction opportunities: iChoosr and Warmer Sussex schemes for residents pdf icon PDF 198 KB

Report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport

Minutes:

27.1     The Lead Member considered a report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport.

 

DECISION

27.2     The Lead Member RESOLVED to (1) note the details of the iChoosr and Warmer Sussex energy schemes; and

 

(2)  agree that the County Council supports and promotes the iChoosr and Warmer Sussex schemes.

 

Reasons

 

27.3     The ‘Sussex Solar Together’ and ‘Warmer Sussex’ schemes are timely, in view of the County Council’s recent declaration of a Climate Change Emergency.  They provide a low and no-cost means for the County Council to support local residents to take practical action to cut their energy bills and carbon footprint, and build on our partnership work with other Local Authorities across Sussex to deliver measurable change. 

28.

Strategic Asset Management Plan 2020-2025 pdf icon PDF 144 KB

Report by the Chief Operating Officer

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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

 

DECISION

 

28.2     The Lead Member RESOLVED to endorse the County Council’s revised Strategic Asset Plan for the period 2020-25 and approve its publication.

 

Reasons

 

28.3     The revised Strategic Asset Plan provides a refresh and a new set of actions to support operational activities and service improvement.  It remains a “live” document so will continue to be updated as targets and actions plans are met. 

29.

Future options for de-designated children's centres - Crowborough Children's Centre pdf icon PDF 320 KB

Report by the Director of Children’s Services

Minutes:

29.1     The Lead Member considered a report by the Director of Children’s Services, together with exempt information contained in a later agenda item.

 

DECISIONS

 

29.2     The Lead Member RESOLVED to (1) enter into a  Deed of Variation of the existing 125 year school lease with Beacon Academy to incorporate the Children’s Centre building under the same terms as the rest of the site; and.

(2) Delegate authority to the Chief Operating Officer to conclude terms in accordance with s123 of the Local Government Act 1972.

 

Reasons

 

29.3     Beacon Academy have agreed in principle to take on management of the building and to become the landlords to Tiddlers Nursery.  Tiddlers nursery remaining on site should be strong evidence to the Department for Education that the continued early years offer is reasonable.  This proposal has the potential of securing the continuation of the service whilst removing an ongoing duty on the County Council.

30.

Future options for de-designated children's centres - Ringmer Children's Centre pdf icon PDF 430 KB

Report by the Director of Children’s Services

Minutes:

30.1     The Lead Member considered a request to defer consideration of the report, in the light of correspondence received from Lewes District Council and Ringmer Parish Council. 

 

DECISIONS

 

30.2     The Lead Member RESOLVED to defer consideration of the matter until the Lead Member meeting scheduled to be held on 3 March 2020.

31.

Future options for de-designated children's centres - Rye Children's Centre pdf icon PDF 431 KB

Report by the Director of Children’s Services

Minutes:

31.1     The Lead Member considered a report by the Director of Children’s Services, together with exempt information contained in a later agenda item.

 

DECISIONS

 

31.2     The Lead Member RESOLVED to (1) enter a Deed of Variation of the existing 125 year school lease with Rye Academy Aquinas Trust to incorporate the Children’s Centre building under the same terms as the rest of the site; and

 

(2) delegate authority to the Chief Operating Officer to conclude terms in accordance with s123 of the Local Government Act 1972. 

 

Reasons

 

31.3     Aquinas Trust have expressed interest in taking on the management of the Children’s Centre building with a plan to augment their early years offer.  The proposal has the potential of securing the continuation of the service while removing an ongoing duty on the County Council.

32.

Exclusion of public and press

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 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).

 

Minutes:

32.1     RESOLVED to exclude the public and press 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 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).

33.

Future options for de-designated children's centres

Report by the Director of Children’s Services

Minutes:

33.1     The Lead Member considered a report by the Director of Children’s Services.

 

DECISION

 

33.2     RESOLVED to note the information.

 

Reasons

 

33.3     The information supported earlier agenda items.