Issue - meetings

Report of Councillor Stephen Holt on behalf of Cabinet meeting on 18 September 2024.

Councillor Holt moved and Councillor Butcher seconded the recommendation referred from the meeting of Cabinet held on 19 July 2023, in support of a policy for the flexible use of capital receipts.   It was highlighted that this was a technical report, and the policy would enable the Council to use income from the sale of certain assets to fund the short-term revenue costs that support transformation, invest-to-save and efficiency projects in order to provide revenue savings in the future.  It was advised that any Council wishing to use this provision had to submit to the Secretary of State a Flexible Use of Capital Receipts Strategy setting out how the provision would be applied during the financial year, and this was the purpose of the report.

The report and proposed ‘Policy for flexible use of capital receipts’ was discussed in full by the Council and then put to a vote.

RESOLVED (unanimously): 

To adopt the new strategy for flexible use of capital receipts, as appended to the Cabinet report (and attached as Annex 1 to the report to the Council).

Report of Chief Executive

Lead Cabinet member: Councillor Stephen Holt

(Key decision):

(1) To note the establishment of the Strategic Finance Programme, replacing the Stability and Growth Programme.

(2) To approve the proposals set out at paragraph 3.1 of the report, to enable budget reductions to be achieved in the current financial year.

(3) To authorise the arrangements (as set out at paragraphs 3.3 and 3.4 of the report) for public consultation, partner engagement and equality and fairness analysis, ahead of final decision at the next Cabinet meeting.

(4) To delegate authority to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader and Portfolio Holder for the relevant decision, to take all necessary actions to implement the decisions, including any final amendments to the draft consultation document.

(5) That, during the consultation process it is made clear by the Council that all alternative solutions for retaining the non-statutory services and facilities identified in the report, would be considered.

Recommended to Full Council (Budget and policy framework):

(6) To agree the new policy for flexible use of capital receipts appended to the report, and recommend the adoption of the policy to Full Council.

The Cabinet considered the report of the Chief Executive, setting out key savings proposals to address the exceptional financial challenges currently being experienced by the council.

Significant savings, efficiencies and increased income generation had been achieved though the Stability and Growth programme, however it was recognised that further savings would be required, through a new Strategic Finance Programme. This would address the outstanding financial pressures with a substantial package of budget reductions.

In considering savings, the following guidelines were considered:

a) Prioritising services that it has a statutory duty to deliver

b) Prioritising services that provide directly for those most in need

c) Seeking opportunities to make reductions (temporary where possible) which can be reinstated once budgets allow

In line of these principles, section 3.1 of the report detailed proposals for immediate spending reductions.

As part of the report, Cabinet was asked to authorise arrangements for a period of public consultation, partner engagement and detailed equality and fairness analysis to be undertaken on proposals set out at section 3.2 of the report. The proposals would then be brought back to the next meeting of Cabinet in November 2024 for final decision.

Scrutiny Committee, at its meeting on 16 September 2024, considered the report. The Committee resolved to submit the following additional recommendation for Cabinet’s consideration:

That, during the consultation process it is made clear by the Council that all alternative solutions for retaining the non-statutory services and facilities identified in the report, will be considered.

Cabinet unanimously agreed to accept the recommendation, and this was reflected in the resolutions below.

Gaynor Sedgwick (Friends of Eastbourne Seafront), addressed the Cabinet on this item. Whilst sympathising with the homelessness issues and human impact, she questioned the financial decisions taken by the council historically. Whilst acknowledging the financial challenges and requirement for savings, she spoke against proposals for a community toilet scheme, if it resulted in the permanent closure of public conveniences. She stated that the proposal would have an adverse impact on businesses, residents and the tourist offer of the town. She requested that the Council keep all public conveniences open during the consultation period, regard the Pier toilets as a special case and remain open, public conveniences that are vandalised should continue to be repaired and an assurance that individual public conveniences would remain open if a business or sponsor cannot be found to take part in the community toilet scheme or they do not want to take responsibility for that specific public convenience.

Dennis Scard (Meads Community Association), addressed the Cabinet on this item. He spoke on proposals for a community toilet scheme and commented on the adverse impact of closing the public conveniences in Meads. He recommended that the council postpone any closure of public conveniences until a cost benefit analysis had been undertaken on the effect of the proposal. He also commented that the council should identify venues for a community toilet scheme prior to consultation. Should the council not be able to identify alternative toilet facilities, it  ...  view the full minutes text for item 26