Agenda, decisions and minutes

Eastbourne Borough Council Cabinet - Wednesday, 18th September, 2024 6.00 pm

Venue: Court Room at Eastbourne Town Hall, Grove Road, BN21 4UG

Contact: Committee Services on 01323 410000 

Media

Items
No. Item

20.

Minutes of the meeting held on 17 July 2024 pdf icon PDF 149 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting held on 17 July 2024 were submitted and approved and the Chair was authorised to sign them as a correct record.

21.

Apologies for absence

Additional documents:

Minutes:

None were reported.

22.

Declaration of members' interests

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillors Bannister and Williams declared a personal interest in agenda item 10 (Stability and Growth Programme) as trustees of Towner Eastbourne. They remained in the room and voted on the item.

23.

Supporting Authority Approval for the Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) currently being prepared by the Responsible Authority, East Sussex County Council pdf icon PDF 111 KB

Report of Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Regeneration and Planning

Lead Cabinet member: Councillor Jim Murray

Additional documents:

Decision:

(Key decision):

 

(1) To note and welcome the Council’s role as a Supporting Authority in relation to Local Nature Recovery Strategies, under The Environment (Local Nature Recovery Strategies) (Procedure) Regulations 2023;

 

(2) To delegate authority to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the relevant Lead member, to:

 

a) Approve and submit a response to the Responsible Authority, ESCC, on any pre-consultation draft of a Local Nature Recovery Strategy within 28 days as required by the Council’s role as a Supporting Authority under The Environment (Local Nature Recovery Strategies) (Procedure) Regulations 2023;

 

b) Consider the pre-publication draft of any Local Nature Recovery Strategy and, if the Chief Executive considers that the draft strategy cannot be justified based on the results of the consultation or that it is materially deficient, to submit a publication advisory notice to the Responsible Authority within 28 days, as set out in regulation 15 of The Environment (Local Nature Recovery Strategies) (Procedure) Regulations 2023.

Minutes:

The Cabinet considered the report of the Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Regeneration and Planning, addressing the requirements of the Environment Act 2021, relating to the Council’s Supporting Authority role in reviewing both the pre-consultation draft Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) and the final pre-publication LNRS. East Sussex County Council remained the Responsible Authority and would provide the draft and final pre-publication documentation.

 

Serena Stallard, member of the public, addressed the Cabinet on this item. She stated that she hoped the LNRS would halt some of the harm that had been inflicted on the environment. In response, Councillor Murray agreed to respond to Ms Stallard’s general comments on 4G/5G masts and its impact on nature, harvest mice in the area, grazing around solar panels and carbon footprint of car batteries and solar panels outside of the meeting.

 

Resolved (Key decision):

 

(1) To note and welcome the Council’s role as a Supporting Authority in relation to Local Nature Recovery Strategies, under The Environment (Local Nature Recovery Strategies) (Procedure) Regulations 2023;

 

(2) To delegate authority to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the relevant Lead member, to:

 

a) Approve and submit a response to the Responsible Authority, ESCC, on any pre-consultation draft of a Local Nature Recovery Strategy within 28 days as required by the Council’s role as a Supporting Authority under The Environment (Local Nature Recovery Strategies) (Procedure) Regulations 2023;

 

b) Consider the pre-publication draft of any Local Nature Recovery Strategy and, if the Chief Executive considers that the draft strategy cannot be justified based on the results of the consultation or that it is materially deficient, to submit a publication advisory notice to the Responsible Authority within 28 days, as set out in regulation 15 of The Environment (Local Nature Recovery Strategies) (Procedure) Regulations 2023.

 

Reason for decisions:

 

The report addresses requirements of the Environment Act 2021 relating to the council’s LNRS Supporting Authority role (to ESCC as Responsible Authority) and seeks delegated authority to approve and respond on any pre-consultation draft of a Local Nature Recovery Strategy within 28 days, as required, and consider the pre-publication draft strategy, also within 28 days. Delegated authority is sought as these timelines would not allow for the matter to be considered at Cabinet.

24.

Corporate performance - quarter 1 - 2024/25 pdf icon PDF 70 KB

Report of Director of Finance and Performance

Lead Cabinet member: Councillor Stephen Holt

Additional documents:

Decision:

(Non-key decision):

 

To note progress and performance for Quarter 1, 2024/25.

Minutes:

The Cabinet considered the report of the Director of Finance and Performance, considering the council’s progress and performance in respect of service areas for the First Quarter of the year (April-June 2024) as shown in Appendix 1.

 

The Council had 32 performance indicators (PIs) and for the first quarter of the year: 15 PIs achieved target, 2 were slightly below target, 6 were below target and 9 were data only points. The report detailed 10 positive trends and 14 negative trends from Q4 to Q1. Detailed commentary was included at Appendix 1 to the report.

 

Visiting member, Councillor Shore, addressed the Cabinet on this item. She commented on the council’s performance in relation to council tax collection, average days to process new claims for housing/council tax benefit, average time taken to answer calls, time to resolve customer complaints and average void relet time. Councillor Holt acknowledged that the system migration referenced in the commentary had impacted on council tax and benefit performance and that he would work with officers on any further steps that could mitigate any ongoing issues. He also commented on the importance of call satisfaction rating, with quarter 1 recording 85% of telephone calls graded as high quality. He agreed to discuss with Councillor Shore further on council tax collection and the council’s new benchmarking process, comparing its performance with other organisations.

 

Councillor Diplock and the Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Regeneration and Planning responded on the council’s performance in relation to voids and ongoing work by the council to improve that performance, in the context of national challenges.

 

Resolved (Non-key decision):

 

To note progress and performance for Quarter 1, 2024/25.

 

Reason for decision:

 

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

25.

Provisional Revenue & Capital Outturn 2024/25 - Quarter 1 pdf icon PDF 288 KB

Report of Director of Finance and Performance

Lead Cabinet member: Councillor Daniel Butcher

Additional documents:

Decision:

(Key decision):

 

(1) To note the forecast outturn position for 2024/25 and associated risks.

 

(2) To delegate authority to the Director of Finance and Performance and the portfolio holder for finance to apply the required budget virements to support effective management of the overall budget.

 

(3) To approve the carry forward of 23/24 Capital Programme slippage to 2024/25 ahead of a review of the overall programme by the Capital Programme Oversight Board

 

(4) To note Appendix 1 and 2 to the report.

Minutes:

The Cabinet considered the report of the Director of Finance and Performance, providing an assessment of the Council’s financial performance against its approved 2024/25 budget, incorporating key financial risks, issues and opportunities for the General Fund and the Housing Revenue Account (HRA).

 

The report detailed that the early forecast outturn position for 2024/25 at the end of Quarter 1 (1 April- 30 June 2024), before the actions outlined in the report was an overspend of £2.476 million. Key savings proposals were outlined in agenda item 10 (Stability and Growth Programme) to significantly reduce the projected outturn position, in order to avoid the risk of a Section 114 notice being issued.

 

Visiting member, Councillor Shore, addressed the Cabinet on this item. She queried whether the council’s savings target of £7 million as part of its extended Stability and Growth programme plan was realistic, in the context of its overall expenditure.

 

Visiting member, Councillor Small, addressed the Cabinet on this item. He commented on the significant projected overspend, 3 months after setting a balanced budget at Full Council. He commented that whilst homelessness costs to the council were significant, the council’s current debt position was the main contributing factor to the current financial position. He asked whether the council would be solvent by the end of the financial year.

 

In response, the Cabinet commented on the significant challenges of setting a balanced budget and delivering significant savings in the context of a lack of support from central government with regards to the homelessness pressures. It was also confirmed that several savings as part of the 24/25 budget had been reprofiled into the latest round of savings, as set out in agenda item 10.

 

The significant financial impact on councils and human impact of homelessness and temporary accommodation was discussed extensively. It was commented that many councils across the country were experiencing similar issues. The council would continue to lobby central government on the topic.

 

The Chief Finance Officer commented on the strategic decisions to bring the Council back within budget, which included a 3-week period of reviewing all budgets on a line-by-line basis. Further details were contained at section 1.6 of the report.

 

Resolved (Key decision):

 

(1) To note the forecast outturn position for 2024/25 and associated risks.

 

(2) To delegate authority to the Director of Finance and Performance and the portfolio holder for finance to apply the required budget virements to support effective management of the overall budget.

 

(3) To approve the carry forward of 23/24 Capital Programme slippage to 2024/25 ahead of a review of the overall programme by the Capital Programme Oversight Board.

 

(4) To note Appendix 1 and 2 to the report.

 

Reason for decision:

 

To enable Cabinet members to consider the Council’s financial performance for 2024/25.

26.

Stability and Growth Programme pdf icon PDF 128 KB

Report of Chief Executive

Lead Cabinet member: Councillor Stephen Holt

Additional documents:

Decision:

(Key decision):

 

(1) To note the establishment of the Strategic Finance Programme, replacing the Stability and Growth Programme.

 

(2) To approve the proposals set out at paragraph 3.1 of the report, to enable budget reductions to be achieved in the current financial year.

 

(3) To authorise the arrangements (as set out at paragraphs 3.3 and 3.4 of the report) for public consultation, partner engagement and equality and fairness analysis, ahead of final decision at the next Cabinet meeting.

 

(4) To delegate authority to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader and Portfolio Holder for the relevant decision, to take all necessary actions to implement the decisions, including any final amendments to the draft consultation document.

 

(5) That, during the consultation process it is made clear by the Council that all alternative solutions for retaining the non-statutory services and facilities identified in the report, would be considered.

 

Recommended to Full Council (Budget and policy framework):

 

(6) To agree the new policy for flexible use of capital receipts appended to the report, and recommend the adoption of the policy to Full Council.

Minutes:

The Cabinet considered the report of the Chief Executive, setting out key savings proposals to address the exceptional financial challenges currently being experienced by the council.

 

Significant savings, efficiencies and increased income generation had been achieved though the Stability and Growth programme, however it was recognised that further savings would be required, through a new Strategic Finance Programme. This would address the outstanding financial pressures with a substantial package of budget reductions.

 

In considering savings, the following guidelines were considered:

 

a) Prioritising services that it has a statutory duty to deliver

b) Prioritising services that provide directly for those most in need

c) Seeking opportunities to make reductions (temporary where possible) which can be reinstated once budgets allow

 

In line of these principles, section 3.1 of the report detailed proposals for immediate spending reductions.

 

As part of the report, Cabinet was asked to authorise arrangements for a period of public consultation, partner engagement and detailed equality and fairness analysis to be undertaken on proposals set out at section 3.2 of the report. The proposals would then be brought back to the next meeting of Cabinet in November 2024 for final decision.

 

Scrutiny Committee, at its meeting on 16 September 2024, considered the report. The Committee resolved to submit the following additional recommendation for Cabinet’s consideration:

 

That, during the consultation process it is made clear by the Council that all alternative solutions for retaining the non-statutory services and facilities identified in the report, will be considered.

 

Cabinet unanimously agreed to accept the recommendation, and this was reflected in the resolutions below.

 

Gaynor Sedgwick (Friends of Eastbourne Seafront), addressed the Cabinet on this item. Whilst sympathising with the homelessness issues and human impact, she questioned the financial decisions taken by the council historically. Whilst acknowledging the financial challenges and requirement for savings, she spoke against proposals for a community toilet scheme, if it resulted in the permanent closure of public conveniences. She stated that the proposal would have an adverse impact on businesses, residents and the tourist offer of the town. She requested that the Council keep all public conveniences open during the consultation period, regard the Pier toilets as a special case and remain open, public conveniences that are vandalised should continue to be repaired and an assurance that individual public conveniences would remain open if a business or sponsor cannot be found to take part in the community toilet scheme or they do not want to take responsibility for that specific public convenience.

 

Dennis Scard (Meads Community Association), addressed the Cabinet on this item. He spoke on proposals for a community toilet scheme and commented on the adverse impact of closing the public conveniences in Meads. He recommended that the council postpone any closure of public conveniences until a cost benefit analysis had been undertaken on the effect of the proposal. He also commented that the council should identify venues for a community toilet scheme prior to consultation. Should the council not be able to identify alternative toilet facilities, it  ...  view the full minutes text for item 26.