Decisions

Seeking Cabinet approval of the full proposal for a single tier of local government in East Sussex following discussion at Full Council, prior to submission to Government by 26 September 2025.

17.1     The Cabinet considered a report by the Chief Executive.

17.2     It was RESOLVED to:

1) Approve the submission of the business case setting out the proposal for a single unitary council for East Sussex, based on a Continuing Authority model, (Appendix 1 of the report) to Government by 26 September 2025;

2) Agree to request Government to cancel or postpone the county council elections scheduled to be held in May 2026;

3) Delegate to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, authority to finalise and submit the business case setting out the proposal and a covering letter formally requesting the cancellation or postponement of the county elections and for the County Council to have Continuing Authority status; and

4) Note the next steps in the process.

Reasons

17.3     In response to the Government’s invitation for a single tier of local government, a proposal was developed with district and borough involvement. The six councils collaborated to create an evidence-based business case based on resident and stakeholder feedback, financial analysis, and economic considerations. The report summarises the development and recommends, for the reasons set out in the report and in its appendices, the proposal for a single-tier government in East Sussex.  

17.4     Should the proposal and suggested timetable be accepted by Government with an election anticipated in 2027 the cancellation of the County Council election in 2026 will address cost, resource constraints, the upcoming transition to a new authority, and the short term that new councillors would serve before re-election.

Award of Joint Contracts Tribunal (JCT) Building Contract in relation to the constructing a new building to provide Special Educational Needs (SEN) Secondary facilities on the existing Acre Wood Academy (previously Grove Park Primary School) site in Crowborough. The Secondary is relocating from its current shared site. The project will enable education provision for 60 pupils aged 2-16 with Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD), Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Severe Learning Difficulties (SLD) in one location.

27.1     The Lead Member considered a report by the Chief Operating Officer together with exempt information in a later agenda item.

DECISIONS

27.2        The Lead Member RESOLVED to:

1) Approve the award of a building contract to Willmott Dixon to construct new secondary school accommodation at Acre Wood Academy adjacent to the primary school accommodation; and

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

REASONS

27.3     The Acre Wood Academy capital project, Crowborough is an important part of the Council’s Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) place planning strategy. The new secondary school accommodation will deliver additional specialist provision to meet the needs of children with SEND requirements.

On 22 April 2025, the Lead Member gave approval to enter into a public consultation regarding the proposal to dispose of the land as per the requirement to do so under Section 123 of the Local Government Act 1972.  The consultation was held, and the responses will be considered by the Lead Member. Options for next steps will also be considered.

26.1     The Lead Member considered a report by the Chief Operating Officer.

DECISIONS

26.2        The Lead Member RESOLVED to:

1)    Note the summary of the responses to the public notice of the Council’s intention to dispose of the site;

2) Approve that the site is to be marketed on the open market by an appointed marketing agent; and

3) Approve the exercise of the Landlord’s option to break the lease relating to the site at an appropriate time.

REASONS

26.3        The Council has considered the outcome of the responses from members of the public concerning the intention to dispose of the site, as summarised in the report. The feedback on the proposal to dispose of the site is balanced in terms of the numbers for and against.

26.4     In the absence of consent from the Secretary of State, the Council is obliged under s.123 of the Local Government Act 1972 to dispose of assets at the best consideration that can reasonably be obtained. In addition, the disposal of the land will support the likely provision of housing in the local area.

26.5     In order to dispose of the Site, it is necessary to exercise the Landlord’s option to break the existing lease relating to the site at a time that is considered to be appropriate.

To consider the Council Monitoring report for the first quarter of the financial year 2025/26 as part of the Council’s Reconciling Policy, Performance and Resources (RPPR) budget monitoring process.

18.1     The Cabinet considered a report by the Chief Executive.

18.2     It was RESOLVED to:

1) note the latest monitoring position for the Council; and

2) approve the amendment of the outturn for the unclassified roads measure set out in paragraph 2.2 of the report.

Reasons

18.3     The report sets out the Council’s position and year-end projections for the Council Plan targets, Revenue Budget, Capital Programme, and Savings Plan, together with Risks at the end of June 2025.

18.4     The outturn of 31% for the unclassified roads measure will be replaced with a null outturn (represented as ‘not available’ in the Council Plan) for the 2024/25 year due to identified data quality issues as detailed at Appendix 6 of the report.

To inform Cabinet of the movements on the Trust Fund during 2024/25 and the closing position as at 31 March 2025.

20.1     The Cabinet considered a report by the Chief Operating Officer.

20.2     It was RESOLVED to:

1) note the report and the Ashdown Forest’s Trust Income and Expenditure Account for 2024/25 and Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2025; and

2) approve the draw of £99,200 from the General Reserve to fund a programme of tree surveys and works across the forest.

Reason

20.3     The Trust made an operating surplus of £9,062 during 2024/25. The General Reserve as at 31 March 2025 amounts to £188,346. This fund is available to finance expenditure which meets the Trust’s objectives.

To approve of the finalised Transport Strategy that has been developed by Transport for the South East ahead of its proposed formal adoption by their Partnership Board in October 2024 and submission to the Department for Transport

19.1     The Cabinet considered a report by the Director of Communities, Transport and Environment.

19.2     It was RESOLVED to:

1) note the updated refreshed TfSE Transport Strategy 2025; and

2) note the continued support from East Sussex County Council towards the refreshed strategy as a constituent authority of TfSE’s geography.

Reason

19.3     The delivery of the TfSE’s refreshed Transport Strategy provides an opportunity to support and grow the economy, boost connectivity and speed up journeys whilst improving access to opportunities for all and protecting and enhancing our region’s unique environment. Whilst it is now finalised, it will also need to continue to be cognisant of the fast-moving picture arising from the devolution and local government reorganisation proposals for East Sussex, and the new Sussex Mayoral Combined County Authority as well as other parts of its geography.