Decisions

To recommend to Full Council that the reviewed Waste and Minerals Plan is adopted, following the Planning Inspectorate issuing their report that finds the plan sound and legally compliant.

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

5.2       It was RESOLVED to:

1)         Recommend to Full Council that the Waste and Minerals Revised Policies document, incorporating the Main Modifications and minor modifications, and updated Policies Map, is adopted and published; and

2)         Recommend to Full Council the relevant adoption statement and Sustainability Appraisal Report is published.

Reason

5.3       Achieving a positive outcome from the Examination into the Waste and Minerals Revised Policies document represents a significant achievement for the County Council and the partner Authorities. It is the culmination of a significant amount of work, which has included the collation of evidence and undertaking community and stakeholder engagement/consultation, carried out over a number of years.

The Council are therefore requested to decide on the procurement of a chargepoint operator that will invest in and deliver the proposed chargepoint network, and manage this contract (estimated value £150m) for a contracted period, whilst meeting the funding objectives.

6.1       The Cabinet considered a report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport.

6.2       It was RESOLVED to:

1)         Approve the County Council’s plan to support the implementation and delivery of proposed EV infrastructure;

2)         Approve the procurement of a network operator to support the delivery and operation of EV infrastructure; and

3)         Delegate authority to the Director of Communities Economy and Transport to take any action they consider appropriate to give effect to the above recommendations, including, but not limited to, approving the outcome of the procurement process and the award of the contract, and agreeing the terms of and authorising the Council to enter into any agreements necessary for the delivery of the proposed EV infrastructure.

Reasons

6.3       Electric Vehicles (EV) will be the main alternative to combustion engine cars and small vans with the Government’s commitment to ban the sale of new diesel and petrol vehicles from 2035. This will contribute towards achieving the national and Council target of net zero carbon by 2050 through a major reduction in transport emissions as well as supports several key County Council priorities such as maintaining and improving social inclusion, health, and wellbeing, whilst supporting and safeguarding current and future economic needs.

6.4       The County Council has successfully secured £4.441m of Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) funding which is dedicated to facilitating the implementation of on-street EV charging infrastructure throughout the county. The initiative aims to establish a comprehensive and fit for purpose network of both slow and fast chargepoints in residential areas in locations that have been informed through close collaboration with our Borough and District Councils.

To consider the State of the County report and begin the Reconciling Policy, Performance and Resources process for 2025/26 and beyond.

4.1       The Cabinet considered a report by the Chief Executive.

4.2       It was RESOLVED to:

1)         Note the evidence base on demographics as set out in Appendix 1 of the report and the national and local policy outlook as set out in Appendix 2 of the report;

2)         Agree the priority outcomes and delivery outcomes as set out in Appendix 3 of the report and agree these as the basis of the Council’s business and financial planning, subject to the proposed amendments set out in paragraph 4 of the report;

3)         Agree officers update the Medium Term Financial Plan as the basis for financial planning when more information is available, as set out in paragraph 5 of the report;

4)         Agree officers identify areas of search for further savings as set out in paragraph 5 of the report;

5)         Agree to allocate the additional £5.386m for social care received in the final Local Government Finance Settlement for 2024/25 to support the investments in children’s and adult social care within the Council’s agreed 2024/25 revenue budget;

6)         Agree officers update the Capital Strategy and programme as set out in Appendix 4 of the report and as set out in paragraph 7 of the report;

7)         Agree the Productivity Plan as set out in Appendix 5 of the report for submission to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities;

8)         Receive reports on more detailed plans for 2025/26 and beyond in the autumn when there is more information about future resources; and

9)         Request officers bring a report to the July Cabinet Meeting setting out proposals for an additional £1m to be added to the current highways patching programme, for 2024/25, including details of how this could be funded from the Capital Programme without increasing the overall cost of the programme.

Reasons

4.3       The State of the County report is a key annual milestone in the Council’s Reconciling Policy, Performance and Resources (RPPR) process, our integrated business and financial planning cycle. The report provides an overview of our current operating context to begin the process of more detailed planning for 2025/26 and beyond. In conjunction with the 2023/24 year end monitoring report, it reflects on our achievements over the last year and the challenges we expect in the year ahead arising from both local and national factors. Through this analysis, it starts to refine our plans and to steer our business planning and budget setting processes.

4.4       Work will continue over the summer to refine our understanding of the medium term impacts on our services of national reforms, the evolving economic and political context, changing demand for services and the financial resources that will be available to us in the coming years. We will also further develop proposals for closing the financial gap, including potential savings.

4.5       We will report back to Members in the autumn with an updated assessment of our service demand, funding expectations and proposed actions to inform more detailed business and budget planning for 2025/26 and beyond. We will use our RPPR process to plan for the future as best we can in the context of a likely one year financial settlement once again.

4.6       Members will continue to be consulted on plans as they are developed through Cabinet, County Council, Scrutiny Committees, Whole Council Forums and specific engagement sessions throughout the 2024/25 Reconciling Policy, Performance and Resources process.

To consider the Council Monitoring report for the fourth quarter of 2023/24 as part of the Council's Reconciling Policy, Performance and Resources process.

3.1       The Cabinet considered a report by the Chief Executive.

3.2       It was RESOLVED to:

            1)         Note the latest monitoring position for the Council.

Reason

3.3       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 March 2024.

Planned public infrastructure street works to Eastbourne centre require storage facilities for materials prior to their installation. East Sussex County Council has rented an area of secure open storage space at Brampton Road Eastbourne for the past year. The lease is due to expire and the decision requested is to renew the lease for an additional year.

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

DECISIONS

11.2     The Lead Member RESOLVED to:

1) Agree that East Sussex County Council take a new lease for 18 months of land in Brampton Road Eastbourne, to be used as open storage space; and

2) Delegate authority to the Chief Operating Officer to determine the detailed terms of the lease, to approve the final lease negotiations and the signing of the lease by East Sussex County Council (ESCC) and to take any other actions considered appropriate to give effect to the above resolution.

REASONS

11.3     There is an ongoing need for storage of bulk materials needed for Phase 2a of the Eastbourne Town Centre Improvement scheme, in close proximity to the Town Centre.

This is a residential dwelling that is surplus to operational requirements. Lead Member approval is being sought to formally declare the property to be surplus, and to approve the disposal of the asset. The Lead Member report will seek for the Chief Operating Officer to be granted authority to agree detailed terms with the preferred purchaser at a later date.

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

DECISIONS

10.2     The Lead Member RESOLVED to:

1) Declare 98 South Coast Road, Peacehaven to be surplus to the requirements of the Council;

2) Approve the disposal of the Property in accordance with s123 of the Local Government Act 1972;

3) Delegate authority to the Chief Operating Officer to agree the terms of the sale to achieve best value for the Property in accordance with s123 of the Local Government Act 1972, including proceeding with the next best offer(s) in the event of the transaction(s) not completing within the expected timelines; and

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

REASONS

10.3     The Council has no ongoing operational use for the Property. It is therefore surplus to the Council’s requirements. The disposal of the Property will reduce revenue liabilities relating to the management and holding costs of this surplus asset, as well as providing the Council with a capital receipt.

10.4     Delegation to the Chief Operating Officer to agree the terms of the sale to achieve best value for the Property in accordance with s123 of the Local Government Act 1972, including authority to proceed with the next best offer(s) in the event of the transaction(s) not completing within the expected timelines will facilitate the effective disposal of the Property.