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Decisions

Use the search options below to find information regarding recent decisions that have been taken by the Council’s Cabinet and Lead Members, and delegated decisions taken by officers.

Upcoming decisions of the Cabinet and Lead Members can be viewed in the Council’s Forward Plan, which is updated every month.

Decisions involving the procurement of goods or services can also be viewed on the Local Government Transparency Code For Contracts and Purchase Orders Over £5k webpage.

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Decisions published

06/03/2020 - The East Sussex (A259 Station Approach, Newhaven)(Temporary Prohibition of Traffic) Order 2019 ref: 1156    Recommendations Approved

To allow Network Rail to carry out civil engineering works, East Sussex County Council have made an Order under Sections 14(1) and 15(1)(b) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, as amended, which will temporarily close the following length of road;

Decision Maker: Director of Communities, Economy and Transport

Decision published: 28/02/2020

Effective from: 06/03/2020

Decision:

A safe route will be provided for pedestrians and vehicular access for residents and to properties maintained whenever possible with an alternative route for through traffic signed westbound via A259 New Road – A259 Flyover Slip on eastbound – The Drove – B&Q Roundabout – The Drove - South Way - Lewes Road - North Way – The Drove – North Quay & eastbound via A259 Drove Road – The Drove – South Way – Lewes Road – North Way – The Drove – Flyover slip off – A26 New Road.

The Order commenced 14 October 2019 and lasts for a period of 18 months, or until works are completed, whichever is earlier. However, it is anticipated works will be undertaken from 23:00hrs Saturday 14 March 2020 to 02:00hrs Monday 16 March 2020 & from 22:30hrs Friday 27 March 2020 to 06:00hrs Monday 30 March 2020 depending upon the weather conditions.

If you require further information telephone Network Management on 0345 60 80 193.

Lead officer: Rupert Clubb


11/02/2020 - SELEP Legal Personality ref: 1154    Recommendations Approved

To approve changes to the Joint Partnership agreement between the six upper-tier authorities of the South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP) such that SELEP can become a Company Limited by Guarantee

Decision Maker: Lead Member for Strategic Management and Economic Development

Made at meeting: 11/02/2020 - Lead Member for Strategic Management and Economic Development

Decision published: 26/02/2020

Effective from: 19/02/2020

Decision:

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

 

DECISIONS

 

11.2     The Lead Member RESOLVED to (1) Agree to East Sussex County Council (ESCC) continuing its role as a partner in and a member of the South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP) after it becomes a Private Company Limited by Guarantee (SELEP Ltd), the terms of which are set out in the new SELEP Articles of Association (Appendix 1);

 

(2)        Agree that ESCC enters into a new partnership agreement – termed the SELEP Framework Agreement (Appendix 2) – between SELEP Ltd and the six upper-tier authorities that comprise SELEP, noting that the existing Joint Committee Agreement (governing the SELEP Accountability Board) has been updated and is included within the new SELEP Framework Agreement;

 

(3)        Confirm that the Leader of the County Council will continue to be the ESCC representative on SELEP subject to confirmation by the Governance Committee and will take up the appointment of Company Director of SELEP Ltd, as per the new membership arrangements described in the SELEP Articles of Association;

 

(4)        Confirm that subject to confirmation by the Governance Committee the Leader of the County Council will continue to be the formal voting representative of ESCC at SELEP Strategic Board meetings and at SELEP Accountability Board meetings;

 

(5)        Delegate authority to the ESCC Monitoring Officer to sign the SELEP Framework Agreement on behalf of ESCC; and

 

(6)        Delegate further authority to the ESCC Monitoring Officer, in consultation with the Leader of the County Council and the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport, to enter into any additional legal agreements or contracts as required to implement the above decisions.

 

Reasons

 

11.3     SELEP is required by Government to adopt a new legal personality from April 2020. This was one of the principle requirements of the 2018 LEP Review so is absolutely necessary in order for SELEP to continue receiving its core funding from Government, as well as other annual programme funds (including Local Growth Fund monies).

 

11.4     The approach taken by SELEP has been developed in consultation with the government’s Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) who are happy with the proposals. The recommendations in this report have been developed in consultation with all six upper-tier authorities of SELEP. The County Council has been fully engaged in this process from the outset, with the Leader of the County Council sitting on the legal personality subgroup.

 

11.5     The two key documents – SELEP Articles of Association and SELEP Framework Agreement – have been reviewed by County Council officers in the Economic Development and Legal Services teams, providing recommendations to the County Council’s Monitoring Officer who in turn provided detailed feedback to SELEP on the draft versions of the documents, and subsequently gave their endorsement to the final versions.

Decision Maker: Lead Member for Strategic Management and Economic Development

Made at meeting: 11/02/2020 - Lead Member for Strategic Management and Economic Development

Decision published: 26/02/2020

Effective from: 19/02/2020

Divisions affected: (All Divisions);


20/01/2020 - Countryside Access Strategic Commissioning Strategy: recommendation for future management of Countryside Sites ref: 1153    Recommendations Approved

Recommendations on the recipient organisation for the transfer of Seven Sisters Country Park, and feedback from the public notice. 

Decision Maker: Lead Member for Transport and Environment

Made at meeting: 20/01/2020 - Lead Member for Transport and Environment

Decision published: 26/02/2020

Effective from: 28/01/2020

Decision:

28.1     The Lead Member considered a report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport, together with comments from Ms Vanessa Rowlands, the Parish Council representative on the South Downs National Park Authority.

 

DECISIONS

 

28.2     The Lead Member RESOLVED to approve: (1) The transfer of the freehold of Seven Sisters Country Park to the South Downs National Park Authority (SDNPA);

 

(2)        The disposal of Ditchling Common Country Park to the Sussex Wildlife Trust for a peppercorn rent through a long lease with the s. 106 funds for the Ditchling Common Management Contribution (c £400k) also transferred;

 

(3)        The transfer of the freehold of Ouse Estuary Nature Reserve to Newhaven Town Council;

 

(4)        The disposal of Riverside Park by way of a lease to Newhaven Town Council, noting that a former decision dated 19 March 2013 relating to the transfer of the Riverside Newhaven site was aborted; and to

 

(5)        Authorise the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport to approve the final terms for the above four disposals.

 

Reasons

 

28.3     Public notices have been issued and terms negotiated, in principle, for the transfer or long lease of four countryside sites as directed by the Lead Member in June 2019 with outcomes that meet the objectives and terms of the County Council’s Countryside Access Strategy approved by Cabinet in June 2017.

 

28.4     No responses or objections were received to the proposed transfer of Seven Sisters Country Park, or to the proposed transfer of Ouse Estuary Nature Reserve and lease of Riverside Park.

 

28.5     The South Downs National Park Authority (SDNPA) have outlined how they intend to make further improvements to the Seven Sisters Country Park to significantly improve the visitor experience subsequent to the initial £1.4 million investment. The SDNPA ambition is currently for a further £13m, but this will be dependent on successful bids for funding including an ongoing application to the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

 

Divisions affected: (All Divisions);


20/01/2020 - Proposal for East Sussex parking charges ref: 1152    Recommendations Approved

To consider the consultation on proposed changes to on-street parking permit and parking tariff charges.

Decision Maker: Lead Member for Transport and Environment

Made at meeting: 20/01/2020 - Lead Member for Transport and Environment

Decision published: 26/02/2020

Effective from: 28/01/2020

Decision:

27.1     The Lead Member considered a report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport, together with a revised Appendix 1B, and the comments of the Parking Charges Review Board held on 15 January 2020.

 

27.2     The Lead Member requested that Residents Permits can be purchased for 3, 6 and 12 months but with no additional cost / penalty if paying by instalments, and that officers consider the introduction of payment by monthly direct debit.

 

DECISIONS

 

27.3     The Lead Member RESOLVED to (1) Note the response to the public consultation on increasing parking pay & display charges and the proposed changes to permit charges; and

 

(2)        Approve the proposals:

a.         to increase parking pay & display tariffs and permit charges as detailed in Appendix 1; and

 

b.         agree that pay & display tariffs and permit charges across the county should be reviewed annually.

 

Reasons

 

27.4     There appears to be strong support for the County Council to introduce measures to reduce traffic congestion in our town centres. The proposed increase to parking charges will help to reduce vehicle trips and encourage greater use of sustainable modes of transport.

 

27.5     Concerns about the local air quality of our town centres were identified through the online questionnaire with almost two thirds of respondents indicating they feel the County Council should take measures to improve air quality across the county. Incentives such as a reduced resident parking permit for the least polluting vehicles will encourage a modal shift to electric vehicles.  Over half of respondents to the online questionnaire indicated measures should be taken by the County Council to encourage more sustainable modes of transport across the county. 

 

27.6     In order to achieve our objective of influencing driver behaviour and encourage people to use alternative sustainable forms of transport, additional tariff increases are likely to be required.  It is proposed that any further increases to Parking Tariffs will be reviewed as part of the annual review of fees and charges.

 

Divisions affected: (All Divisions);


23/09/2019 - The Ridge, Hastings - proposed pedestrian crossing facility ref: 1151    Recommendations Approved

To consider the results of the local consultation on the proposed pedestrian crossing facility along The Ridge, Hastings and to suggest how the scheme will be taken forward

Decision Maker: Lead Member for Transport and Environment

Made at meeting: 23/09/2019 - Lead Member for Transport and Environment

Decision published: 26/02/2020

Effective from: 01/10/2019

Decision:

18.1     The Lead Member considered a report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport, together with the written comments of the Local Member in support of the proposal.

 

DECISIONS

 

18.2     The Lead Member RESOLVED to (1) note the comments from the local consultation; and

 

(2) approve the proposal to construct a pedestrian crossing on The Ridge, Hastings as set out in the report and as part of the 2019/20 Capital Programme for Local Transport Improvements.

 

Reasons

 

18.3     The County Council has previously received requests to provide pedestrian crossing facilities on The Ridge at the junctions of Chowns Hill and Elphinstone Road. Securing external funding has enabled the identification of the most appropriate location and a design to introduce a controlled pedestrian crossing, just to the east of the junction with Chowns Hill in the vicinity of St Helen’s Church Hall.

 

18.4     The local consultation exercise identified a majority of respondents supported the scheme. Whilst there were some objections received suggesting that the crossing should be provided instead near the junction of Elphinstone Road, it is considered for the reasons set out in section 2 of the report that the significant accessibility improvements, which the installation of a signalised pedestrian crossing near the Chowns Hill junction will provide to the local community, outweigh these objections.

Divisions affected: Hastings - St Helens and Silverhill;


17/02/2020 - Guidance on Travel Plans for new development ref: 1150    Recommendations Approved

To seek approval of the updated guidance for travel plans relating to new development

Decision Maker: Lead Member for Transport and Environment

Made at meeting: 17/02/2020 - Lead Member for Transport and Environment

Decision published: 26/02/2020

Effective from: 25/02/2020

Decision:

31.1     The Lead Member considered a report by the Director of Communities, economy and Transport.

 

DECISIONS

 

31.2     The Lead Member RESOLVED to approve the use of the “Travel Plans for Development”, as set out in Appendix 1 of the report, as a guidance document of the Highway Authority, to be used in consideration of development proposals and their subsequent implementation.

 

Reasons

 

31.3     Travel Plans are an integral part of transport assessments, planning applications and the management of new development traffic. This guidance fits with national and local policy and its use by developers/applicants in formulating their applications will allow a consistent and effective approach to be taken in the preparation, consideration and implementation of Travel Plans.  In turn, this will help to reduce unnecessary car use from new development in East Sussex.

Divisions affected: (All Divisions);


28/02/2020 - The East Sussex (Borough of Hastings) (Traffic Regulation) (Consolidation) Order 2013 (Various Roads) Amendment Order 2020 No. 1 ref: 1149    Recommendations Approved

Notice is hereby given that East Sussex County Council have made the above Order under the relevant sections of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, as amended, and of all other enabling powers, coming into operation on 2 March 2020, which will introduce new, or revise the existing parking, waiting and loading restrictions along the following lengths of road:-

Decision Maker: Director of Communities, Economy and Transport

Decision published: 24/02/2020

Effective from: 28/02/2020

Decision:

A copy of the Order, plans showing the lengths of road affected, and a statement of the Council’s reasons for proposing the Order, along with copies of those parts of old Orders being revoked may be examined in Reception, East Sussex County Council, County Hall, St Anne’s Crescent, Lewes, BN7 1UE on Monday to Friday between 9am and 4pm, and Hastings Library, Brassey Institute, 13 Claremont, Hastings, TN34 1HE on Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday 10am to 5pm, Wednesday 10am to 1pm, Thursday 10am to 6pm.

Any person wishing to question the validity of the Order or any of its provisions on the grounds that it is not within the powers conferred by the Road Traffic Regulation Act of 1984, or on the grounds that any requirement of the Road Traffic Regulation Act or of any instrument made under it has not been complied with in relation to the Order, may within six weeks of the date the Order is made, apply to the High Court for this purpose.

If you require further information telephone Parking Services on 01323 466244.

Lead officer: Rupert Clubb


28/02/2020 - The East Sussex (U3045 Blackman Avenue / Ironlatch Avenue, St Leonards) (Temporary Prohibition of Traffic) Order 2020 ref: 1148    Recommendations Approved

To allow East Sussex Highways to carry out carriageway surfacing works, East Sussex County Council have made an Order under Sections 14(1) and 15(1)(b) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, as amended, which will temporarily close the following length of road;v

Decision Maker: Director of Communities, Economy and Transport

Decision published: 21/02/2020

Effective from: 28/02/2020

Decision:

A safe route will be provided for pedestrians and vehicular access for residents and to properties maintained whenever possible with an alternative route for through traffic via B2092 Crowhurst Road – B2092 Queensway – A2100 The Ridge West – B2159 Battle Road and vice versa.

The Order commences 2 March 2020 and lasts for a period of 18 months, or until works are completed, whichever is earlier. However, it is anticipated works will be undertaken between 2 March and 3 April 2020 depending upon the weather conditions.

If you require further information telephone Network Management on 0345 60 80 193.

Lead officer: Rupert Clubb


28/02/2020 - The East Sussex (C296 Military Road / A268 Fishmarket Road / A268 Rye Hill / U6446 Bridge Place, Rye)(Temporary Prohibition of Traffic) Order 2020 ref: 1147    Recommendations Approved

To allow Southern Gas Networks to carry out main connection and disconnection works, East Sussex County Council have made an Order under Sections 14(1) and 15(1)(b) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, as amended, which will temporarily close the following lengths of road;

Decision Maker: Director of Communities, Economy and Transport

Decision published: 21/02/2020

Effective from: 28/02/2020

Decision:

A safe route will be provided for pedestrians and vehicular access for residents and to properties maintained whenever possible.

The Order commences 2 March 2020 and lasts for a period of 18 months, or until works are completed, whichever is earlier. However, it is anticipated works will be undertaken as detailed above, depending upon the weather conditions.

If you require further information telephone Network Management on 0345 60 80 193.


Lead officer: Rupert Clubb


28/02/2020 - The East Sussex (U7100 Peelings Lane, Westham)(Temporary Prohibition of Traffic) Order 2019 ref: 1146    Recommendations Approved

To allow SGN to carry out essential gas main replacement works, East Sussex County Council have made an Order under Sections 14(1) and 15(1)(b) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, as amended, which will temporarily close the following length of road;

Decision Maker: Director of Communities, Economy and Transport

Decision published: 20/02/2020

Effective from: 28/02/2020

Decision:

A safe route will be provided for pedestrians and vehicular access for residents and to properties maintained whenever possible with an alternative route for through traffic via C708 Gallows Lane – C712 Rattle Road – U7304 Dallaway Drive – U7304 Glessing Road – U7304 Banner Way and vice versa.

The Order commenced 4 November 2019 and lasts for a period of 18 months, or until works are completed, whichever is earlier. However, it is anticipated works will be undertaken between 24 February 2020 and 19 April 2020 depending upon the weather conditions.

If you require further information telephone Network Management on 0345 60 80 193.

Lead officer: Rupert Clubb