Decisions

To consider two Funding Agreements from the Growing Places Fund (GPF)

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

DECISIONS

4.2       The Lead Member RESOLVED to (1) Approve loan funding to the value of £1.75m to White Rock Neighbourhood Ventures Ltd to fund the delivery of the Observer Building Hastings (Phase 1) project, subject to the approval by the South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP) Accountability Board;

(2)  Approve loan funding to the value of £1.75m to Rother District Council to fund the delivery of the Barnhorn Green Commercial and Healthcare Development project (Phase 1), subject to the approval by the South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP) Accountability Board;

(3) Delegate authority to the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport and the Chief Finance Officer to agree the terms of, and enter into, the tripartite loan agreement with SELEP Ltd. and Essex County Council as the Accountable Body for SELEP Ltd., necessary to secure the funding;

(4) Delegate authority to the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport and the Chief Finance Officer to agree the terms of, and enter into the loan agreements, with White Rock Neighbourhood Ventures Ltd in relation to the £1.75m loan funding for the Observer Building and Rother District Council in relation to the £1.75m loan funding for the Barnhorn Green Commercial and Health Development; and

(5) Delegate authority to the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport and the Chief Finance Officer to approve the terms of any agreements and to take all other necessary actions in respect of recommendations 1 and 2 above.

Reasons

4.3       The development of the Observer Building in Hastings is vital to safeguard and develop the mixed use building in the town centre supporting the local area through addressing both social and economic difficulties. The Barnhorn Green commercial and health development project in west Bexhill is key to unlocking housing growth, jobs and primary healthcare expansion. Delivery of the surgery will also unlock and enable over 700 other dwellings in the immediate area. The availability of loan funding from the SELEP’s Growing Places Fund will enable the delivery of the first phases of both these developments.

To consider the South East Local Enterprise Partnership Service Level Agreement

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

DECISIONS

5.2       The Lead Member RESOLVED to (1) Approve entering into the updated Service Level Agreement with South East LEP Limited (SELEP Ltd.) and Essex County Council (ECC) as the Accountable Body for the SELEP to fund the delivery of the Local Growth Fund (LGF) programme in East Sussex; and

(2)  Delegate authority to the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport and the Chief Finance Officer to agree the terms of, and enter into the Service Level Agreement, and to take all other necessary actions in respect of the recommendation 1 of this report.

Reasons

5.3       Following the incorporation of SELEP as a limited company in March 2020, there is a requirement to update the previous Service Level Agreement between Essex County Council, as the SELEP’s Accountable Body, and the County Council to now also include SELEP Ltd. In addition, entering into the updated Service Level Agreement will give greater assurance to Government that the Local Growth Fund (LGF) monies approved by the LEP’s Accountability Board to specific LGF projects is contractually committed. In turn, this will support the LEP’s case for receipt of the final third of their LGF monies for 2020/21, and thereby enable East Sussex to continue delivering its LGF funded infrastructure projects to support the local economy.

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

7.2       Councillor Standley confirmed that Wealden District Council would be interested in discussions on taking ownership of the whole Trail.  Officers from the two authorities will liaise and any proposals will be brought to a future Lead Member meeting for approval. 

DECISIONS

7.3       The Lead Member RESOLVED to (1) approve the draft Cuckoo Trail Management Agreement between East Sussex County Council (ESCC) and Wealden District Council (WDC); and

(2) delegate authority to the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport to authorise completion of the Management Agreement on behalf of the County Council.

Reasons

7.4       The Trail is a popular, well known and well used off road route. The Trail features as a strategic route in the draft Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan.   Following ESCC’s recent Countryside Access Strategy as well as the introduction of new operational countryside contractor arrangements at WDC it became clear that an updated Management Agreement was needed to clarify operational and financial aspects.  

3.1       The Lead Member considered a report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport.  She confirmed that Councillor Phil Scott, one of  the Local Members, supported the scheme.  

DECISIONS

3.2       The Lead Member RESOLVED to (1) Note the results of the public consultation on the Hastings Western Pedestrian and Cycling Scheme; and

(2)        Agree that the scheme is taken forward to detailed design and construction as part of the 2020/21 Capital Programme for Local Transport Improvements, subject to any delivery risks and delays arising from the current COVID-19 pandemic.

Reasons

3.3       The results of the public consultation on the Hastings Western Pedestrian and Cycle scheme show there is support for the proposed measures. Whilst there is concern about the safety of introducing shared route facilities for pedestrians and cyclists, evidence from other schemes introduced in the county do demonstrate these facilities can operate safely. The proposed shared pedestrian and cycle route aligns with the Walking and Cycling Strategy for Hastings adopted by the County Council in 2014 and will improve pedestrian and cycle connectivity to key trip attractors in the western part of the Hastings area between Sedlescombe Road and Bodiam Drive/Queensway.

3.1       The Lead Member considered a report by the Chief Operating Officer, together with exempt material contained in a later agenda item.

DECISIONS

3.2       RESOLVED to reverse for administrative purposes the previous surplus declaration decision made on 22 January 2019, to enable use and occupation by Children Services. 

Reasons

3.3       Earlier decisions not to secure the asset for specialist care use have been further reviewed and amended by Services.         Following further reviews, a business proposal was put to Members via the Capital and Strategic Asset Board which approved the refurbishment of the building for use as a home for looked after children, to add provision for care and safeguarding of this vulnerable client base.