Agenda and minutes

18.1     The Lead Member approved as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 27 June 2023.

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

19.1     There were none.

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

20.1     There were none.

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

Report by the Chief Operating Officer

22.1     The Lead Member considered a report by the Chief Operating Officer together with written comments from Local Member Councillor Pat Rodohan.

DECISIONS

22.2     The Lead Member RESOLVED to:

1) note the progress of negotiations with the Landlord for a new lease of St Mark’s House, Eastbourne; and

2) delegate authority to the Chief Operating Officer to:

a) approve the final lease terms, including the most appropriate time period for the new lease;

b) authorise the signing and completion of the lease by the Council;

c) serve any necessary notices or counter notices and to surrender the original lease and approve any related documentation; and

d) take any other actions considered appropriate to give effect to the above recommendations.

REASONS

22.3     Although the proposal, ultimately, is to move to a single office base in Eastbourne, the Council needs to ensure that the transition from two to one building is properly planned and managed. To ensure a seamless office move and maintain business continuity for key frontline services, it is anticipated that twelve to eighteen months will be required to complete the office move.

Report by the Chief Operating Officer

23.1     The Lead Member considered a report by the Chief Operating Officer together with exempt information contained in a later agenda item, written comments from Local Member Councillor Daniel Shing and written comments from Councillor Stephen Shing.

DECISIONS

23.2     The Lead Member RESOLVED to:

1) re-declare the Former Hindsland Playing Fields, Polegate (“the Site”) shown in Appendix 1 of the report  to be surplus to the requirements of the Council;

2) approve the disposal of the Site in accordance with s123 of the Local Government Act 1972;

3) delegate authority to the Chief Operating Officer to agree the terms of the sale to achieve best value for the Site in accordance with s.123 of the Local Government Act 1972, including but not limited to, (i) determining whether to sell the Site as a single plot or two separate plots (being Parcel A and Parcel B) and (ii) proceeding with the next best offer(s) in the event of the sale(s) not completing within the expected timelines; and

4) delegate authority to the Chief Operating Officer to take all actions necessary to give effect to the recommendations in the report.

REASONS

23.3     The disposal of this site will result in a capital receipt. Capital receipts are an important source of funding, and the Council seeks to maximise the levels of these resources which will be available to support the Council’s capital plans and reduce the need to borrow in accordance with the Council’s Capital Strategy.

Report by the Chief Operating Officer

24.1     The Lead Member considered a report by the Chief Operating Officer together with exempt information contained in a later agenda item and written comments from Local Member Councillor Claire Dowling.

DECISIONS

24.2     The Lead Member RESOLVED to:

1) Note the findings of the public consultation on the future community leisure provision at Uckfield Leisure Centre that took place between 18 March and 27 May 2023.

2) Approve a 19-year lease extension between East Sussex County Council and Wealden District Council to continue ongoing provision for community use of the leisure facilities, including the swimming pool at Uckfield Leisure Centre whilst retaining Uckfield College curriculum provision.

3) Approve, as an interim measure, a short-term property agreement between East Sussex County Council and Wealden District Council for occupation of the Leisure Centre if the proposed 19-year lease extension is not completed by 17 July 2023, noting the current lease between both parties expires on 16 July 2023.

4) Delegate authority to the Chief Operating Officer to carry out all actions necessary to give effect to the recommendations in the report including but not limited to finalising the terms of the lease.

REASONS

24.3     East Sussex County Council has been in further discussions with Wealden District Council and the College. Wealden District Council has agreed in principle to a new 19-year lease with East Sussex County Council for a continuation of all services currently provided, subject to approval through Wealden District Council governance processes. The service is to be delivered through their existing leisure partner, Freedom Leisure and will include all wetside and dryside activities. The College curriculum use will be unaffected and there will be no changes to the provision of the 3G pitch.

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).

25.1     It was 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).

Report by the Chief Operating Officer

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

DECISIONS

26.2     The Lead Member RESOLVED to:

1) note the exempt information which supports an earlier agenda item;

2) note the terms on offer detailed in the bids received, acknowledging that the terms may change as negotiations are finalised; and

3) note the bids in order of preference, with the preferred bid detailed at Appendix 1 of the report.

REASON

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

Report by the Chief Operating Officer

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

DECISIONS

27.2     The Lead Member RESOLVED to note the exempt information provided in support of an earlier agenda item.

REASONS

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