Agenda and draft minutes

55.1     The Lead Member approved as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 24 February 2025.

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.

56.1     There were none.

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

57.1     There were none.

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

Report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport

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

DECISIONS

59.2     The Lead Member RESOLVED to:

(1) Agree the draft capital programme of local transport improvements for 2025/26 set out in Appendix 1 to the report; and

(2) Agree the allocation of County Council capital funding, development contributions and Local Growth Fund monies towards specific improvements identified in the 2025/26 programme.

REASONS

59.3     The draft capital programme for local transport improvements for 2025/26 represents a balanced programme of improvements which supports the key objectives of both the previous Local Transport Plan (LTP3), and the recently adopted Plan (LTP4) and its principles of ‘planning for people and places’.

59.4     As the Council transitions to LTP4, there are several legacy schemes which are more reflective of LTP3 and its priorities which are in the latter stages of their development and delivery cycle. As these legacy schemes are delivered, and with the introduction of a revised scheme assessment and prioritisation process alongside potential changes to how local authorities receive capital and revenue funding for transport schemes, future local transport capital programmes and the schemes within from 2026/27 onwards will closely align with the objectives of LTP4.

59.5     The draft programme was considered and endorsed by the cross-party Member Panel on 12 February 2025. The grant funding received by the County Council from Government towards integrated transport schemes, development contributions and Local Growth Fund monies for the Eastbourne and South Wealden Walking and Cycling Package and Hastings and Bexhill Movement and Access Package identified to support the capital programme for local transport improvements for 2025/26 will be allocated to the respective schemes as set out in Appendix 1 of the report.

Report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport

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

DECISIONS

60.2     The Lead Member RESOLVED to:

(1) Approve the Bus Service Improvement Plan 2 at Appendix 1 of the report;

(2) Approve the Bus Service Improvement Plan 2025/26 Delivery Plan at Appendix 2 of the report;

(3) Note that the Director is in discussion with the Department for Transport about reallocating some of the Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) funding to the Exceat Bridge project as outlined in paragraph 1.6 of the report; and

(4) Delegate authority to the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport to implement and make changes to the Bus Service Improvement Plan 2025/26 Delivery Plan as necessary.

REASONS

60.3     East Sussex County Council’s mission as a local transport authority is to ensure that East Sussex residents and visitors enjoy the highest possible quality bus services that provide a frequent and comprehensive choice, reduce congestion, and make a positive contribution to better air quality and decarbonisation. This mission is supported by the authority’s bus operators who will play a key role in its delivery.

60.4     The original East Sussex BSIP submitted in October 2021 is a highly ambitious plan that sought to stimulate and drive significant improvements to bus services across the local authority area and the wider region. The BSIP2 details what has been delivered to date, what will be delivered within the current BSIP1 funding period and ambitions beyond. The BSIP2 continues to illustrate East Sussex County Council’s ambition to deliver the highest possible quality bus services that meet the needs of East Sussex residents and visitors.