Agenda, decisions and minutes

The minutes of the meeting held on 14 March 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.

Report of Director of Finance and Performance

Lead Cabinet member: Councillor Zoe Nicholson

(Key decision):

(1) To agree the principle of Lewes District Council providing a subordinated loan to Wave Community Bank, subject to legal advice and full due diligence.

(2) To agree the amount of up to £100,000 as a potential loan as outlined in the report.

(3) To agree the term (period) of the potential loan.

(4) To give delegated authority to the Section 151 Officer, in consultation with the Cabinet member for finance, assets and community wealth building to enter discussions with Wave Community Bank to agree the terms of the loan and a set of outcome principles and performance targets to be achieved during the term of the loan, which to be presented at a subsequent meeting of Informal Cabinet before any loan is agreed.

The Cabinet considered the report of the Director of Finance and Performance, asking them to consider the principles of providing financial support in the form of a loan to Wave Community Bank.

Policy and Performance Advisory Committee (PPAC), held on 30 May 2024 considered the report and were supportive of the officer recommendations in full. Comments and questions made by PPAC at their meeting would be considered and responded to as part of the due diligence process.

Following discussion, the Cabinet unanimously agreed to make a minor amendment to resolution (4), to avoid any further delays in the process and this was reflected below.

Resolved (Key decision):

(1) To agree the principle of Lewes District Council providing a subordinated loan to Wave Community Bank, subject to legal advice and full due diligence.

(2) To agree the amount of up to £100,000 as a potential loan as outlined in the report.

(3) To agree the term (period) of the potential loan.

(4) To give delegated authority to the Section 151 Officer, in consultation with the Cabinet member for finance, assets and community wealth building to enter discussions with Wave Community Bank to agree the terms of the loan and a set of outcome principles and performance targets to be achieved during the term of the loan, which to be presented at a subsequent meeting of Informal Cabinet before any loan is agreed.

Reason for decisions:

Wave Community Bank can provide loans to those who otherwise may not be able to access them due to low income or similar issues.

Report of Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Regeneration and Planning

Lead Cabinet member: Councillor Mark Slater

(Key decision):

To note the work underway to align services with the new regulatory regime and ask for approval of the outline plans to deliver revised governance arrangements.

The Cabinet considered the report of the Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Regeneration and planning, providing them with an update on revised changes to social housing regulation, including revised consumer standards and proposals to introduce a competence standard for social housing staff, and a new complaints handling code.

Policy and Performance Advisory Committee (PPAC), held on 30 May 2024 considered the report and were supportive of the officer recommendation in full.

During discussion, reference was made to the minimum energy efficiency standards enforcement work and role the council could potentially play in enforcing that in private sector renting.

Resolved (Key decision):

To note the work underway to align services with the new regulatory regime and ask for approval of the outline plans to deliver revised governance arrangements.

Reason for decision:

To keep Cabinet updated and informed on the potential impact of the regulatory changes on service delivery.

Report of Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Regeneration and Planning

Lead Cabinet member: Councillor Zoe Nicholson

(Key decision):

(1) To seek members approval of the policy, subject to final sign off by the Chief Executive in consultation with the Leader of the Council and Cabinet member for finance, assets and community wealth building.

(2) To highlight all companies that have been awarded a new contract with the Council, who have met the sustainability criteria, in the Council’s Contracts Register.

(3) To consider making provision in the Council’s procurement policy, where appropriate, for credit to be given to suppliers/contractors during the tendering process, who can demonstrate that they are working within the Council’s existing best value framework for sustainability and /or have a recognised accreditation in respect of their own sustainability policies and achievements. This is subject to ensuring that the policy is not thereby distorted so as to prejudice small and medium size enterprises.

The Cabinet considered the report of the Director of Finance and Performance, seeking members’ comments and approval of the proposed sustainable procurement policy which outlined how the councils sourced goods and services in an environmentally and socially responsible manner.

Policy and Performance Advisory Committee (PPAC), held on 30 May 2024 considered the report and made the following recommendations to Cabinet:

To support the officer recommendation in the Cabinet report in full, subject to the consideration by the Cabinet of the additional recommendations below:

·        That the Cabinet considers the setting up of a register that includes local contractors/suppliers who can demonstrate that they promote sustainability within their practices; and

·        That the Cabinet considers making provision in the Council’s procurement policy, where appropriate, for credit to be given to suppliers/contractors during the tendering process, who can demonstrate that they are working within the Council’s existing best value framework for sustainability and /or have a recognised accreditation in respect of their own sustainability policies and achievements. This is subject to ensuring that the policy is not thereby distorted so as to prejudice small and medium size enterprises.

Following discussion, Cabinet thanked PPAC for their input and agreed to accept its recommendations, subject to a minor amendment to its first recommendation. This was reflected in the resolutions below.

Resolved (Key decision):

(1) To seek members approval of the policy, subject to final sign off by the Chief Executive in consultation with the Leader of the Council and Cabinet member for finance, assets and community wealth building.

(2) To highlight all companies that have been awarded a new contract with the Council, who have met the sustainability criteria, in the Council’s Contracts Register.

(3) To consider making provision in the Council’s procurement policy, where appropriate, for credit to be given to suppliers/contractors during the tendering process, who can demonstrate that they are working within the Council’s existing best value framework for sustainability and /or have a recognised accreditation in respect of their own sustainability policies and achievements. This is subject to ensuring that the policy is not thereby distorted so as to prejudice small and medium size enterprises.

Reason for decision:

The public facing document would outline the council’s approach to sourcing goods and services in a way that aligns with the council’s Climate and Nature and Community Wealth Strategies.