Agenda, decisions and minutes

The minutes of the meeting held on 15 July 2020 were submitted and approved and the Chair was authorised to sign them as a correct record.

None were reported.

Councillors Tutt and Dow and visiting member Councillor Smart declared a personal, non prejudicial interest in agenda item 13 (Improving recycling – public consultation) as members of the South East Environmental Services Ltd (SEESL) Board. They remained on the remote meeting whilst the item was considered.

Report of Chief Executive

Lead Cabinet member: Councillor David Tutt

(Key decision):

(1) To agree the Recovery and Reset Programme, described in the report, including governance arrangements as set out at paragraph 4.1 of the report.

(2) To note the formal notification process with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, as set out in section 2 of the report

(3) To endorse those measures taken to date, details of which are set out in paragraphs 3.3 – 3.5 of the report.

(4) To agree to establish a cross party Board comprising members from Eastbourne Borough Council and Lewes District Council to oversee the programme.

(5) To agree that the Chief Executive, taking advice from the Board set out above and in consultation with Leaders of the Councils, be given delegated powers to oversee and progress the Recovery and Reset Programme and for tasking individual Corporate Management Team postholders with the delivery of identified workstreams within it.

(6) That further update reports on the progress of the Recovery and Reset Programme be provided on a regular basis.

The Cabinet considered the report of the Chief Executive setting out the reasons for, and purposes of, the Recovery and Reset Programme to address the financial and organisational challenges faced in light of the Covid-19 pandemic and resultant economic climate.

Visiting member, Councillor Murdoch addressed the Cabinet on this item.

Resolved (Key decision):

(1) To agree the Recovery and Reset Programme, described in the report, including governance arrangements as set out at paragraph 4.1 of the report.

(2) To note the formal notification process with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, as set out in section 2 of the report

(3) To endorse those measures taken to date, details of which are set out in paragraphs 3.3 – 3.5 of the report.

(4) To agree to establish a cross party Board comprising members from Eastbourne Borough Council and Lewes District Council to oversee the programme.

(5) To agree that the Chief Executive, taking advice from the Board set out above and in consultation with Leaders of the Councils, be given delegated powers to oversee and progress the Recovery and Reset Programme and for tasking individual Corporate Management Team postholders with the delivery of identified workstreams within it.

(6) That further update reports on the progress of the Recovery and Reset Programme be provided on a regular basis.

Reason for decisions:

The Recovery and Reset Programme provides a structured and accountable approach for delivering the level of significant organisational change needed to respond to current challenges.

Report of Chief Finance Office

Lead Cabinet member: Councillor Stephen Holt

(Key decision):

(1) To endorse the provisional outturn for 2019/20.

(2) To approve the transfers from/to reserves as set out in section 4.2 of the report.

The Cabinet considered the report of the Chief Finance Officer, updating members on the provisional outturn for 2019/20.

Thanks were conveyed to officers for their work in achieving the Council coming in under budget at the end of the financial year.

Resolved (Key decision):

(1) To endorse the provisional outturn for 2019/20.

(2) To approve the transfers from/to reserves as set out in section 4.2 of the report.

Reason for decision:

To enable Cabinet members to consider specific aspects of the Council’s financial performance for 2019/20.

Report of Chief Finance Officer

Lead Cabinet member: Councillor Stephen Holt

Recommended to Full Council (Budget and policy framework):

(1) To agree the annual Treasury Management report for 2019/20.

(2) To approve the 2019/20 prudential and treasury indicators included.

The Cabinet considered the report of the Chief Finance Officer, reporting on the activities and performance of the treasury management service during 2019/20.

Recommended to Full Council (Budget and policy framework):

(1) To agree the annual Treasury Management report for 2019/20.

(2) To approve the 2019/20 prudential and treasury indicators included.

Reason for decisions:

Requirement of CIPFA Treasury Management in the Public Sector Code of Practice (the Code) and this has to be reported to Full Council in September 2020.

Part A - Portfolio Progress and Performance

Report of Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Regeneration and Planning

Lead Cabinet member: Councillor Colin Swansborough

Part B - Financial Performance

Report of Chief Finance Officer

Lead Cabinet member: Councillor Stephen Holt

(Non-key decision):

(1) To note the achievements and progress against Corporate Plan priorities for the first quarter of 2020-21, as set out in part A of the report.

(2) To note the General Fund, HRA and Collection Fund financial performance for the quarter, as set out in part B of the report.

The Cabinet considered the report of the Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Regeneration and Planning and Chief Finance Office, updating members on the Council’s performances against Corporate Plan priority actions, performance indicators and targets for the first quarter of the year 2020-21.

Staff were congratulated for their achievements during the quarter where the Covid-19 pandemic affected the country and lockdown measures were enforced. Appendix 2 of the report outlined key work undertaken and delivered by offices as part of the emergency response to Covid-19 during the initial six-week period.

Part B of the report detailed the Council’s financial performance for the same quarter.

Resolved (Non-key decision):

(1) To note the achievements and progress against Corporate Plan priorities for the first quarter of 2020-21, as set out in part A of the report.

(2) To note the General Fund, HRA and Collection Fund financial performance for the quarter, as set out in part B of the report.

Reason for decisions:

To enable Cabinet members to consider specific aspects of the Council’s progress and performance.

Report of Chief Finance Officer

Lead Cabinet member: Councillor Stephen Holt

(Key decision):

To note the background to the medium term financial strategy for 2021/22 and approve the approach outlined in the report.

The Cabinet considered the report of the Chief Finance Officer, providing an update on the process and approach to the Council’s medium term financial strategy (MTFS) for the report 2020/21 to 2024/25.

The MTFS sets the strategic financial direction for the Council and is regularly updated as it evolves and develops throughout the year to form the framework for the council's financial planning.

Visiting member, Councillor Smart addressed the Cabinet on this item.

Resolved (Key decision):

To note the background to the medium term financial strategy for 2021/22 and approve the approach outlined in the report.

Reason for decision:

To progress the medium term financial strategy process and update Cabinet on the background to this.

Report of Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Regeneration and Planning

Lead Cabinet member: Councillor Colin Swansborough

(Key decision):

(1) To approve the adoption of the revised College Conservation Area as shown outlined red on the plan at appendix 1 to the report and detailed in the draft Conservation Area Appraisal at appendix 2 to the report.

(2) To delegate authority to the Director of Regeneration and Planning in consultation with the Chair of Planning to make minor or technical amendments as necessary to the revised College Conservation Area.

The Cabinet considered the report of the Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Regeneration and Planning, seeking their approval to adopt the revised College Conservation Area following the two public consultations.

Visiting member, Councillor Smart addressed the Cabinet on this item.

Resolved (Key decision):

 (1) To approve the adoption of the revised College Conservation Area as shown outlined red on the plan at appendix 1 to the report and detailed in the draft Conservation Area Appraisal at appendix 2 to the report.

(2) To delegate authority to the Director of Regeneration and Planning in consultation with the Chair of Planning to make minor or technical amendments as necessary to the revised College Conservation Area.

Reason for decisions:

To allow the expansion of the College Conservation Area Appraisal as detailed in the draft Conservation Area Appraisal at appendix 2 to the report.

Report of Director of Service Delivery

Lead Cabinet member: Councillor Jonathan Dow

(Key decision):

(1) To agree to officers working on potential adaptations to the waste and recycling collection service to meet challenging national and local recycling targets, to reduce the carbon emissions associated and contribute to meeting financial challenges.

(2) To approve the proposal to consult with residents through autumn 2020 on those potential adaptations.

(3) To invite officers to bring service change proposals and resident responses to Cabinet for consideration, early 2021.

The Cabinet considered the report of the Director of Service Delivery, introducing a public consultation exercise on potential adaptations to the waste and recycling collection service in order to improve the town’s recycling rate and to contribute to meeting carbon reduction and financial objectives.

Visiting member, Councillor Di Cara addressed the Cabinet on this item.

Thanks were conveyed to Environment First staff for their work and performance, going above and beyond during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Councillors Tutt and Dow and visiting member Councillor Smart declared a personal, non prejudicial interest for this item. They remained on the remote meeting whilst the item was considered.

Resolved (Key decision):

(1) To agree to officers working on potential adaptations to the waste and recycling collection service to meet challenging national and local recycling targets, to reduce the carbon emissions associated and contribute to meeting financial challenges.

(2) To approve the proposal to consult with residents through autumn 2020 on those potential adaptations.

(3) To invite officers to bring service change proposals and resident responses to Cabinet for consideration, early 2021.

Reason for decisions:

The UK Government’s ambitions for higher recycling rates and increased resource efficiency, alongside helping to meet challenging local financial and carbon reduction objectives.