Agenda and decisions

Lewes District Council Cabinet - Thursday, 6th February, 2025 2.30 pm

Venue: Room 209/210 on the Second Floor, The Marine Workshops, Railway Quay, Newhaven, East Sussex, BN9 0ER.

Contact: Committee Services on 01273 471600 

Media

Items
No. Item

1.

Minutes of the meeting held on 5 December 2024 pdf icon PDF 94 KB

Additional documents:

2.

Apologies for absence

Additional documents:

3.

Declarations of interest

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.

Additional documents:

8.

Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation pdf icon PDF 114 KB

Report of Chief Executive

Lead Cabinet member: Councillor Zoe Nicholson

Additional documents:

Decision:

(Non-key decision):

 

To note the report.

9.

General Fund Revenue Budget 2025/26 and Capital Programme pdf icon PDF 318 KB

Report of Director of Finance and Performance

Lead Cabinet member: Councillor Zoe Nicholson

Additional documents:

Decision:

Recommended to Full Council (Budget and policy framework):

 

(1) The General Fund Base Budget 2025/26 and projected MTFS as set out at Appendix 1 to the report.

 

(2) An increase in the Council Tax for Lewes District Council of 2.99% resulting in a gross Band D charge (including Special Expenses) of £234.99 for 2025/26.

 

(3) The revised General Fund & Housing Revenue Account Capital Programme 2025/26 as set out at Appendix 3 to the report.

 

(4) The rates of Fees & Charges proposed at Appendix 6 to the report, to apply from 1 April 2025 and to implement changes to statutory fees and charges for services shown within Appendix 6 as and when notified by Government.

 

(5) Delegate authority to the Section 151 Officer to take account in the 2025/26 base budget of any changes to funding allocations when the Final Settlement figures are announced.

 

(6) To note the Section 151 Officer’s comments as outlined in the report.

10.

Treasury Management Strategy, Investment Strategy, Capital Strategy and Prudential Indicators 2025/26 pdf icon PDF 112 KB

Report of Director of Finance and Performance

Lead Cabinet member: Councillor Zoe Nicholson

Additional documents:

Decision:

Recommended to Full Council (Budget and policy framework):

 

(1) To approve the Treasury Management Strategy and Annual Investment Strategy for 2025/26 as set out at Appendix A to the report.

 

(2) To approve the Minimum Revenue Provision Policy Statement 2025/26 (Appendix A).

 

(3) To approve the Prudential and Treasury Indicators 2025/26 to 2027/28 (Appendix A).

 

(4) To approve the Capital Strategy 2025/26 (Appendix B).

11.

Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Revenue Budget and Rent Setting 2025/26 and HRA Capital Programme 2024-29 pdf icon PDF 263 KB

Report of Director of Finance and Performance

Lead Cabinet member: Councillor Zoe Nicholson

Additional documents:

Decision:

Recommended to Full Council (Budget and policy framework):

 

(1) The HRA Revenue budget for 2025/26 and revised budget for 2024/25 as set out at Appendix 1 to the report.

 

(2) The five-year HRA Capital Programme as set out at Appendix 2 to the report.

 

(3) An increase of 2.7% to social and affordable rents (including shared ownership) with effect from 7th April 2025 in line with government policy

 

(4) When social rented supported accommodation properties are relet to new tenants, the applicable rent will be increased by 10% above target rent with effect from 7th April 2025 in line with government policy

 

(5) When affordable rented properties are relet to new tenants, the applicable rent is reset to the lower of 80% of market rent (inclusive of Service Charges) or Local Housing Allowance, with effect from 7th April 2025 in line with government policy

 

(6) That the revised service charges as set out in paragraphs 2.4 of the report and Appendix 3 to the report are implemented with effect from 7th April 2025.

 

(7) An increase of 10% to Garage rents with effect from 7th April 2025

 

(8) To note that £5.982m of Major Works capital expenditure profiled over 4 years between 2024/25 to 2027/28, is being 50% match funded by grant, subject to Government grant bids. The Government scheme aims to improve EPC ratings in HRA properties.

12.

Allocations Policy - Review of the Choice Based Lettings Model pdf icon PDF 145 KB

Report of Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Regeneration and Planning

Lead Cabinet member: Councillor Mark Slater

Additional documents:

Decision:

(Key decision):

 

(1) To give its approval to proceed with a public consultation on a new model of allocating Council housing stock.

 

(2) To approve the proposed new direct-allocations model.

13.

Local Development Scheme (January 2025) pdf icon PDF 116 KB

Report of Chief Executive

Lead Cabinet member: Councillor Laurence O’Connor

Additional documents:

Decision:

Recommended to Full Council (Budget and policy framework):

 

(1) That Cabinet acknowledge the revised timetable, as set out in the updated Local Development Scheme, for the preparation of the Lewes Local Plan (ie for the planning authority area outside the South Downs

National Park) and recommends it for approval by Full Council and resolve that it will come into effect the day after the Full Council meeting and be published on the council’s website.

 

(2) The delegated authority is provided to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Planning and Infrastructure to make minor and presentational updates to the LDS where necessary.