Agenda, decisions and minutes

The minutes of the meeting held on 13 July 2022 were submitted and approved and the Chair was authorised to sign them as a correct record.

None were reported.

Councillor Tutt welcomed Councillor Diplock to his first meeting of the Cabinet, following his appointment. Councillor Diplock portfolio title was Cabinet member for disabilities and community safety, replacing Councillor Whippy. Thanks were expressed to Councillor Whippy for all her achievements and work she had undertaken under that portfolio during her time on Cabinet.

None were declared.

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 2022-23, 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 Chief Finance Officer and Deputy

Chief Executive/Director of Regeneration of Planning, updating members on

the Council’s performance against Corporate Plan priority actions, performance indicators and targets for the first quarter of the year 2022-23.

Thanks were conveyed to officers for their performance and achievements during the quarter. Detailed commentary on those performance indicators that were currently below target was detailed in the report. Part B of the report detailed the Council’s financial performance for the same quarter. Cabinet advised that the data contained in the report was now dated (1 April-30 June 22) and that the second quarter, to be considered in December, would better reflect the Council’s current performance.

Visiting members, Councillors Shore and Di Cara addressed the Cabinet on this item. Following questions raised, the Director of Service Delivery updated Cabinet and visiting members on the functionality of the newly implemented ELLIS Chatbot digital assistant. The Cabinet also echoed concerns raised around fly-tipping and advised that this would be relayed back to East Sussex County Council, following their change in policy on charging at waste tips.

Resolved (Non-key decision):

(1) To note the achievements and progress against Corporate Plan priorities for 2022-23, 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 decision:

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):

(1) To note the updated MTFS forecasts and the requirement to identify additional savings of £2.6 million for the period 2023/24 to 2026/27, but also note that this forecast could change significantly based upon outcome of future government funding settlements, the ongoing impact of the pandemic, demand for services and inflationary pressures upon the council;

(2) To note that at this stage a forecast £1.9 million of savings are required to balance the 2023/24 budget; and

(3) To note the planned review of earmarked reserves and reallocate in line with the emerging risks where possible.

The Cabinet considered the report of the Chief Finance Officer, asking them to agree the update General Fund budget and updated Medium Term Financial Strategy, together with the updated Capital Programme position.

Visiting member, Councillor Smart, addressed the Cabinet on this item. Following points raised, Councillor Holt agreed to meet with Councillor Smart following the meeting regarding presentation and a breakdown of pay related costs.

Councillor Holt, in his presentation of the report, advised that a more suitable title of the report would be “Interim Medium Term Financial Strategy”, to reflect the council’s current position and work being undertaken in the finance and audit teams.

The report detailed the significant uncertainty in terms of future financial settlements for local government. Cabinet urged cross-party support to continue lobbying central government for a proper settlement. Local authorities would continue to plan should no further funding be made available.

Resolved (Key decision):

(1) To note the updated MTFS forecasts and the requirement to identify additional savings of £2.6 million for the period 2023/24 to 2026/27, but also note that this forecast could change significantly based upon outcome of future government funding settlements, the ongoing impact of the pandemic, demand for services and inflationary pressures upon the council;

(2) To note that at this stage a forecast £1.9 million of savings are required to balance the 2023/24 budget; and

(3) To note the planned review of earmarked reserves and reallocate in line with the emerging risks where possible.

Reason for decisions:

The report provides Cabinet with an update and early sighting of key MTFS and budgetary implications in preparation for the setting of a revenue budget and associated Council tax for the forthcoming financial year by law.

Report of Chief Executive

Lead Cabinet member: Councillor David Tutt

(Non-key decision):

To note the progress made with the Recovery and Stabilisation Programme.

The Cabinet considered the report of the Chief Executive, updating them on the progress of the Recovery and Stabilisation Programme.

Achievements of the programme to date were set out at section 2 of the report. Thanks were conveyed to the work of the cross-party Recovery and Stabilisation Member Board, which meets on a quarterly basis.

Resolved (Non-key decision):

To note the progress made with the Recovery and Stabilisation Programme.

Reason for decision:

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

Report of Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Regeneration and Planning

Lead Cabinet member: Councillor Colin Swansborough

Recommended to Full Council (Budget and policy framework):

(1) Cabinet recommends to Full Council that the Eastbourne Local Development Scheme 2022-2025 as set out at Appendix 1 to the report be adopted at the Full Council meeting on 16 November 2022.

(2) That delegated authority is given to the Director of Regeneration and Planning in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Heritage Assets, Place Services and Special Projects to make minor and

technical updates to timetables within the Local Development Scheme where necessary.

The Cabinet considered the report of the Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Regeneration and Planning, seeking their endorsement of the Local Development Scheme 2022-2025, in order to allow formal adoption at Full Council on 16 November 2022.

Recommended to Full Council (Budget and policy framework):

(1) Cabinet recommends to Full Council that the Eastbourne Local Development Scheme 2022-2025 as set out at Appendix 1 to the report be adopted at the Full Council meeting on 16 November 2022.

(2) That delegated authority is given to the Director of Regeneration and Planning in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Heritage Assets, Place Services and Special Projects to make minor and

technical updates to timetables within the Local Development Scheme where necessary.

Reason for decisions:

(1) The Local Authorities (Functions and Responsibilities) (England) Regulations 2000 and the Council’s constitution identifies that the adoption of the Local Development Scheme is a function of Full Council.

(2) To ensure that the Local Development Scheme can be kept up to date without needing to bring minor amendments back to Full Council.

Report of Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Regeneration and Planning

Lead Cabinet member: Councillor Colin Swansborough

(Key decision):

(1) To approve the publication of the Eastbourne Local Plan Growth Strategy Consultation (Appendix 1) for public consultation between Friday 11th November 2022 and Friday 20th January 2023;

(2) To delegate authority to the Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Regeneration & Planning, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Place Services and Special Projects, to make any necessary editorial changes and minor amendments to the consultation document and supporting evidence prior to publication if necessary.

The Cabinet considered the report of the Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Regeneration and Planning, seeking their approval to publish the Eastbourne Local Plan Growth Strategy for public consultation between 11 November 2022 and 20 January 2023. The Cabinet urged all to participate in the consultation process, to ensure their views were captured.

Thanks were conveyed to the Planning department for their work in producing the document.

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

Following comments made, it was stated that central government would continue to be lobbied on their excessive and unachievable housing targets for Eastbourne (738 net additional homes per year).

Resolved (Key decision):

(1) To approve the publication of the Eastbourne Local Plan Growth Strategy Consultation (Appendix 1) for public consultation between Friday 11th November 2022 and Friday 20th January 2023;

(2) To delegate authority to the Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Regeneration & Planning, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Place Services and Special Projects, to make any necessary editorial changes and minor amendments to the consultation document and supporting evidence prior to publication if necessary.

Reason for decisions:

(1) To meet the requirements of Regulation 18 of the Town & Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 (as amended) in the preparation of a Local Plan.

(2) To ensure that any minor or typographical errors can be corrected prior to the Local Plan Growth Strategy Consultation being published for consultation.