Agenda and draft minutes

28.1     The Lead Member approved as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 7 October 2024.

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

29.1     There were none.

Notification of items which the Lead Member considers to be urgent and propose to take at the end of the appropriate part of the Agenda

30.1     There were none.

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

Report by the Director of Children's Services

32.1     The Lead Member considered a report by the Director of Children's Services together with exempt information in a later agenda item.

DECISIONS

32.2     The Lead Member RESOLVED to:

1) Approve the proposal to seek an alternative provider to operate Buzz Active;

2) Agree that, provided a suitable alternative provider can be identified, Buzz Active will be transferred through either a sale or transfer of entity;

3) Delegate authority to the Director of Children’s Services to determine the most suitable third party to take over Buzz Active, agree the terms of any sale or transfer and to authorise the Council entering into such legal agreements as are necessary to give effect to the sale or transfer of Buzz Active; and

4) Delegate authority to the Director of Children’s Services to carry out all other actions necessary to give effect to the recommendations in the report.

REASONS

32.3     Given the financial pressures the Council is facing, it is necessary for departments to review all of their expenditure, especially spending on non-statutory services. The Buzz Active service, whilst non-statutory, makes a positive contribution to the residents of East Sussex and the Council has therefore explored ways to ensure the continuation of this valuable service in the future. It is considered that the best way to secure the ongoing provision of these outdoor activities is to explore different delivery models; and therefore the Council will seek an alternative provider to operate Buzz Active in the future.

32.4     Following feedback at the ‘test the market’ event in September, the route likely to be most effective in achieving this is considered to be through a sale or transfer of entity and provided a suitable alternative provider can be identified, this is the route the Council will take. This will enable the service to continue to grow and adapt appropriately to support the local community and wider county in the provision of outdoor adventure and water sport activities outside of the Council.

32.5     Delegation of authority to the Director of Children’s Services to determine the most suitable third party to take over Buzz Active, agree the terms of any sale or transfer and to authorise the Council entering into such legal agreements as are necessary to give effect to the sale or transfer of Buzz Active will facilitate this process.

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).

33.1     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 Schedule 12A 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 Director of Children's Services

34.1     The Lead Member considered a report by the Director of Children's Services which provided exempt information in support of an earlier item on the agenda.

DECISIONS

34.2     The Lead Member RESOLVED to note the exempt information in the report which relates to an earlier item on the agenda.

REASON

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