Agenda, decisions and minutes

Homira Javadi, Chief Finance Officer was welcomed to her first meeting of the Cabinet.

The minutes of the meeting held on 12 September 2018 were submitted and approved and the chair was authorised to sign them as a correct record.

None were reported.

None were declared.

Report of Director of Service Delivery

Lead Cabinet member: Councillor Alan Shuttleworth

(Key decision):

(1) To note the review of Eastbourne Borough Council and Lewes District Council’s safeguarding children and vulnerable adult policies and procedures carried out in 2018.

(2) To approve the new safeguarding policy, appended to the report

(3) To delegate authority to the Director of Service Delivery, in consultation with the Lead Member for Direct Assistance Services to make any minor amendments required following consultation.

The Cabinet considered the report of the Director of Service Delivery seeking their agreement to the proposed joint safeguarding children and vulnerable adults policy.

The Cabinet stated the importance of the report and expressed their thanks to Pat Taylor, Strategy and Partnership Lead (Thriving Communities) and her team for their work on the policy.

As part of the policy, training sessions on safeguarding for officers and councillors must be completed within 3 months from the start of employment/term of office and would form part of the member induction programme following the 2019 elections.

Cabinet made reference to the ‘Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme’ that gave members of the public a formal mechanism to make enquiries about an individual who they are in a relationship with, or who is in a relationship with someone they knew, where there is a concern that the individual may be violent towards their partner.

Resolved (key decision):

(1) To note the review of Eastbourne Borough Council and Lewes District Council’s safeguarding children and vulnerable adult policies and procedures carried out in 2018.

(2) To approve the new safeguarding policy, appended to the report

(3) To delegate authority to the Director of Service Delivery in consultation with the Lead Member for Direct Assistance Services to make any minor amendments required following consultation.

Reason for decision:

To update the previous policy, bringing it into line with recommended practice and with current pan-Sussex policies and procedures.

Report of Director of Regeneration and Planning

Lead Cabinet member: Councillor Jonathan Dow

(Key decision):

(1) To approve the revised Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) as set out at appendix 1, for publication for an 8 week consultation period to receive representations and comments.

Recommended to Council (budget and policy framework):

(2) To delegate authority to the Director of Regeneration and Planning in consultation with the Lead Cabinet Member to make minor or technical amendments arising from the consultation and to seek its adoption by Full Council.

The Cabinet considered the report of the Director of Regeneration and Planning, highlighting changes to the Statement of Community Involvement as a result of the Neighbourhood Planning Act 2017. The report also sought members to authorise the publication of a revised Statement of Community Involvement for public consultation with the local community and other stakeholders for an 8 week period.

Resolved (key decision):

(1) To approve the revised Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) as set out at appendix 1, for publication for an 8 week consultation period to receive representations and comments.

Recommended to Council (budget and policy framework):

(2) To delegate authority to the Director of Regeneration and Planning in consultation with the Lead Cabinet Member to make minor or technical amendments arising from the consultation and to seek its adoption by Full Council.

Reason for decision:

The Council’s previous SCI is considered to be out of date as a result in changes in legislation since it was adopted on 19 July 2017 and a new SCI is being prepared to guide public consultation in the preparation of the new Local Plan for the town.

To ensure the new SCI is progressed towards adoption in a timely manner thereby supporting the implementation and delivery of the new Local Plan.

Report of Assistant Director for Human Resources and Transformation

Lead Cabinet member: Councillor Swansborough

(Key decision):

(1) To note the progress of the joint transformation programme.

(2) To approve the business case for the joint transformation programme phase 3 which included recommendations to approve:

(a)  The total savings/income target of £400,000 for phase 3.

(b)  The approach for delivering the phase 3 transformation and savings/income.

(c)  The phase 3 governance arrangements.

(d)  The phase 3 costs and allocate an additional £1.4m to the programme (£700,000 from Eastbourne Borough Council).

(e)  The revised costs and benefits realisation ratio of 50:50 between Eastbourne Borough and Lewes District Councils.

The Cabinet considered the report of the Assistant Director for Human Resources and Transformation, updating them on the progress of the joint transformation programme and seeking their approval for the phase 3 business case.

Phase one and two of the programme had secured savings and efficiencies of £2.8 million, with £400,000 targeted in phase three. Phase three would conclude this programme of transformational activity and enable the council to face current and future challenges and opportunities from a position of strength and with increased resilience.

Support for staff during phase three was detailed at 2.17 of the business case. The Cabinet conveyed thanks to staff for the work undertaken during the programme and their positive response to the challenges faced.

Resolved (key decision):

(1) To note the progress of the joint transformation programme.

(2) To approve the business case for the joint transformation programme phase 3 which included recommendations to approve:

(a)  The total savings/income target of £400,000 for phase 3.

(b)  The approach for delivering the phase 3 transformation and savings/income.

(c)  The phase 3 governance arrangements.

(d)  The phase 3 costs and allocate an additional £1.4m to the programme (£700,000 from Eastbourne Borough Council).

(e)  The revised costs and benefits realisation ratio of 50:50 between Eastbourne Borough and Lewes District Councils.

Reason for decisions:

To enable Cabinet members to consider the progress of the Joint Transformation Programme and to determine the next steps in the transformational journey.