Decisions

Recommended to Full Council (Budget and policy framework)

(1) To approve an increase of £2.41m to the existing new build and acquisitions budget within the 2023/24 HRA Capital Programme, totalling a new budget of £10.81m, to facilitate and be funded by new government grants, subject to Full Council approval.

(Key decision):

(2) To note the progress of the housing development and delivery programme as set out at Appendix 1 to the report.

(3) To support the progression of the initial phase of sites identified within the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) from the internal Asset Review to be taken through the feasibility and due diligence processes, utilising existing budgets and delegations.

(4) To approve a variation of £150k for the Fort Lane development in accordance with the Financial Procedure Rules, totalling a new scheme budget of £3.15m, financed within the capacity of the existing approved 2023/24 HRA Capital Programme.

(5) To approve the disposal of Council-owned garage sites as set out within Appendix 2 (Exempt) to the report, subject to a full business case, and with the capital receipts ring-fenced to support the HRA Business Plan and future capital schemes for housing.

(6) To authorise the Director of Regeneration and Planning, in consultation with the Director of Finance and Performance (S151 Officer) and Lead Member for Housing and Planning, to take all necessary actions to progress all recommendations including business cases, budget allocations, negotiation and agreement of terms, award of contract(s), and authorising the formal execution of all related documentation.

(Non-key decision):

(1) To note the forecast outturn position for 2023-24 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 note Appendix 1 and 2 to the report.

(Non-key decision):

To note the report, and to note that actions to respond to the recommendations would be addressed within the Stability and Growth programme.

(Key decision):

(1) To note the progress of the Robinson Road waste and recycling depot capital development project, including the proposed Preferred Option showing at Appendix 1 to the report.

(2) To delegate authority to the Director of Regeneration and Planning, in consultation with the Director of Finance and Performance (S151 Officer), Lead Member for Finance, Assets and Community Wealth Building, and Lead Member for Neighbourhood Wellbeing, to carry out all necessary actions to facilitate the project within the capacity of the existing General Fund capital budget allocation of £5m including finalising the Preferred Option, financing, feasibility, planning, development, award of contract(s), and determining the terms of, and authorising the execution of, all necessary documentation.

(3) To approve the lease of land at Lewes Road, Newhaven as part of the project proposals in line with the key terms outlined at Appendix 2 (Exempt),subject to such variations that may be agreed in the course of negotiations and to delegate authority to the Director of Regeneration and Planning, in consultation with the Director of Finance and Performance (S151 Officer) and Lead Member for Finance, Assets and Community Wealth Building, to carry out all necessary actions to conclude that lease and any ancillary documentation including determining the terms of, and authorising the execution of, all necessary documentation.

(Key decision):

(1) To approve the content of the Council’s Investment Plan (copy attached to the report) and authorise submission of the document to DLUHC by 15th September deadline.

(2) To delegate authority to the Director of Regeneration and Planning, in consultation with the Director of Finance and Performance (S151 Officer) and the Lead Member for Finance, Assets and Community Wealth Building to take all necessary actions to progress the Pathfinder Pilot and to implement the Investment Plan, including determining the terms of, and authorising the execution of, all necessary documentation.

(Non-key decision):

(1) To continue to fund a business start-up programme to support local pre-start and early-stage enterprises with specialist provision built-in to a) help entrepreneurs understand what a socially productive business is, and b) support those wanting to pursue a social enterprise model.

(2) To approve a new budget of up to £105,000 for a 3-year period from April 2024, and invite suppliers to tender for the contract. The award will be subject to adoption of the final 24/25 budget and Medium Term Financial Strategy.

(3) To approve the renaming of the ‘LEAP business start-up programme’ to ‘Lewes District start-up programme’.

(Non-key decision):

(1) To note the progress made in delivering Community Wealth Building and to agree the new Delivery Plan set out at Appendix 1 to the report.

(2) To note Lewes District Council’s application to join the Co-operative Councils Innovation Network.

(Non-key decision):

To note progress and performance for quarter 1 2023/24.

(Non-key decision):

(1) To note the forecast outturn position for 2023-24 and associated risks.

(2) To delegate authority to the Director of Finance and Performance and the portfolio holder for finance to apply any budget virements required to effectively manage the overall budget.

(3) To note appendices 1 and 2 to the report.

(Non-key decision):

(1) To note the initiatives undertaken to date in response to the cost-of-living crisis.

(2) To agree that the coordination of cost-of-living responses and dedicated role continue for a further year.

(3) To agree a one-off grant of £20,000 for Lewes District Citizens Advice to support the continuation of specialist UC advice.