Agenda, decisions and minutes

The minutes of the meeting held on 26 September 2024 were submitted and approved and the Chair was authorised to sign them as a correct record.

An apology for absence was reported from Councillor Slater.

Disclosure by councillors of personal interests in matters on the agenda, the nature of any interest and whether the councillor regards the interest as prejudicial under the terms of the Code of Conduct.

None were declared.

To deal with any questions received from members of the public in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 11 (if any).

The Cabinet received a written question from Mary Campbell, in relation to support from the Council for the continuation of the Sussex Community Development Association’s Community Navigator role in 2025-26. In accordance with Cabinet Procedure Rules, a supplementary question was asked to the Cabinet. Both questions were verbally responded to at the meeting.

Report of Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Regeneration and Planning

Lead Cabinet member: Councillor Johnny Denis

(Key decision):

To agree the proposed funding allocations set out at Appendix 1 to the report, and the additional recommendation at paragraph 2.8 of the report.

The Cabinet considered the report of the Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Regeneration and Planning, considering the funding recommendations of the cross-party Grants Working Group.

Successful applicants would receive the first of three annual grants in 2025.

Cabinet members gave due regard to the Equality and Fairness Analysis in relation to this report and it had been circulated to them in advance of the meeting.

Thanks were expressed to Seanne Sweeney, Community Services Lead, other officers and the cross party Grants Working Group for their work during the process.

Policy and Performance Advisory Committee (PPAC), held on 31 October 2024 considered the report and were supportive of the officer recommendation in full. Councillor Brett, Chair of PPAC, was in attendance to report on PPAC’s discussion.

Resolved (Key decision):

To agree the proposed funding allocations set out at Appendix 1 to the report, and the additional recommendation at paragraph 2.8 of the report.

Reason for decision:

The recommendations outlined in the report enables the Council to support a broad range of causes and continue to deliver improved outcomes for residents during the cost-of-living crisis.

Report of Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Regeneration and Planning

Lead Cabinet member: Councillor Emily O’Brien

(Key decision):

(1) To approve the Climate and Nature Strategy Update 2023/24 and Action Plan for publication on the council’s website.

(2) To confirm that the council is committed to ‘Pathway 4’ and will work to reduce scope 1 & 2 carbon emissions to deliver a net zero council by 2030.

(3) To note the achievements to date and that the strategy and action plan are ‘live’ documents and are updated and amended on an ongoing basis.

(4) To delegate authority to Ian Fitzpatrick, Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Planning and Regeneration and Councillor Emily O’Brien, Cabinet member for Climate, Nature and Food Systems, to produce and design an executive summary of the update report for publication on the council’s website.

The Cabinet considered the report of the Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Regeneration and Planning, providing a new Climate and Nature Strategy and Action Plan for publication.

The report detailed that the council’s carbon emissions had reduced by 41%since 2018/19.

Officers were thanked for their work in producing the report and revision of the action plan. Cabinet also formally conveyed its thanks to residents, businesses and community groups for their collective efforts in supporting the action plan.

Policy and Performance Advisory Committee (PPAC), held on 31 October 2024 considered the report and were supportive of the officer recommendations in full. Councillor Brett, Chair of PPAC, was in attendance to report on PPAC’s discussion.

Councillor Gauntlett, Leader of the Opposition, also addressed the Cabinet in support of the report and recommendations.

Resolved (Key decision):

(1) To approve the Climate and Nature Strategy Update 2023/24 and Action Plan for publication on the council’s website.

(2) To confirm that the council is committed to ‘Pathway 4’ and will work to reduce scope 1 & 2 carbon emissions to deliver a net zero council by 2030.

(3) To note the achievements to date and that the strategy and action plan are ‘live’ documents and are updated and amended on an ongoing basis.

(4) To delegate authority to Ian Fitzpatrick, Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Planning and Regeneration and Councillor Emily O’Brien, Cabinet member for Climate, Nature and Food Systems, to produce and design an executive summary of the update report for publication on the council’s website.

Reason for decisions:

To progress the aims of the council’s Climate Emergency Declaration (2019) to make the council net zero carbon by 2030 and to assist the same aim to be achieved within the wider district.