Decisions

Use the below search options at the bottom of the page to find information regarding recent decisions that have been taken by the council’s decision making bodies.

Alternatively you can visit the officer decisions page for information on officer delegated decisions that have been taken by council officers.

Decisions published

06/02/2025 - Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation ref: 1090    For Determination

To inform Cabinet of the government White Paper on Devolution and the response made to the paper impacting on the Sussex area.

Decision Maker: Lewes District Council Cabinet

Made at meeting: 06/02/2025 - Lewes District Council Cabinet

Decision published: 06/02/2025

Effective from: 06/02/2025

Decision:

(Non-key decision):

 

To note the report.

Wards affected: (All Wards);

Lead officer: Jo Harper


06/02/2025 - Treasury Management Strategy, Investment Strategy, Capital Strategy and Prudential Indicators 2025/26 ref: 1092    Recommend Forward to Council

To approve the Council’s Annual Treasury Management Strategy, Capital Strategy & investment Strategy together with the Treasury and Prudential Indicators.

Decision Maker: Lewes District Council Cabinet

Made at meeting: 06/02/2025 - Lewes District Council Cabinet

Decision published: 06/02/2025

Effective from: 06/02/2025

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).

Wards affected: (All Wards);

Lead officer: Steven Houchin


06/02/2025 - General Fund Revenue Budget 2025/26 and Capital Programme ref: 1091    Recommend Forward to Council

To recommend full Council to set the 2025/26 budget and council tax at their meeting in February 2023.

 

Report to also include the proposed schedule of fees and charges to apply from 1 April 2024.

Decision Maker: Lewes District Council Cabinet

Made at meeting: 06/02/2025 - Lewes District Council Cabinet

Decision published: 06/02/2025

Effective from: 06/02/2025

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.

Wards affected: (All Wards);

Lead officer: Steven Houchin


06/02/2025 - Local Development Scheme (January 2025) ref: 1095    Recommend Forward to Council

To seek Cabinet endorsement of the Local Development Scheme, which sets out the timetable for the preparation of local plan documents, and to recommend that the LDS be formally adopted at Full Council on 24th February 2025

Decision Maker: Lewes District Council Cabinet

Made at meeting: 06/02/2025 - Lewes District Council Cabinet

Decision published: 06/02/2025

Effective from: 06/02/2025

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.

Wards affected: (All Wards);

Lead officer: Nadeem Din


06/02/2025 - Allocations Policy - Review of the Choice Based Lettings Model ref: 1094    Recommendations Approved

Seeking approval to change our Allocations policy, moving away from a Choice Based Lettings model to a ‘direct-lettings’ model. Decision sought to go out to consultation on the proposed policy with a view to final implementation by April 2025.

Decision Maker: Lewes District Council Cabinet

Made at meeting: 06/02/2025 - Lewes District Council Cabinet

Decision published: 06/02/2025

Effective from: 12/02/2025

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.

Wards affected: (All Wards);

Lead officer: Katie Dawkins


06/02/2025 - Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Revenue Budget and Rent Setting 2025/26 and HRA Capital Programme 2024-29 ref: 1093    Recommend Forward to Council

To agree the detailed HRA budget proposals, rent levels and service charges for 2025/26 and the HRA Capital Programme 2023-26.

Decision Maker: Lewes District Council Cabinet

Made at meeting: 06/02/2025 - Lewes District Council Cabinet

Decision published: 06/02/2025

Effective from: 06/02/2025

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.

Wards affected: (All Wards);

Lead officer: Steven Houchin


08/01/2025 - LW/24/0701 - 43-46 Hanson Road, Newhaven, East Sussex, BN9 9EQ ref: 1089    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Lewes District Council Planning Applications Committee

Made at meeting: 08/01/2025 - Lewes District Council Planning Applications Committee

Decision published: 24/01/2025

Effective from: 08/01/2025

Decision:

As the meeting was not quorate, this item would be considered at the next meeting of the Committee.


08/01/2025 - LW/24/0214 - 18 Anchor Field, Ringmer, East Sussex, BN8 5QN ref: 1088    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Lewes District Council Planning Applications Committee

Made at meeting: 08/01/2025 - Lewes District Council Planning Applications Committee

Decision published: 24/01/2025

Effective from: 08/01/2025

Decision:

As the meeting was not quorate, this item would be considered at the next meeting of the Committee.


23/01/2025 - Civil Penalties Policy ref: 1087    Recommendations Approved

To note and agree to the use of the new powers allowing the Council to impose civil penalties as summarised in Section 2 of this report.

Decision Maker: Cabinet member for tenants and those in housing need

Decision published: 23/01/2025

Effective from: 29/01/2025

Decision:

(1)       To approve the Civil Penalties Policy attached at Appendix 1.

 

(2)       To delegate authority to the Regulatory Services Lead, in consultation with Legal Services to agree the sum of civil penalties to be issued on a case by case basis in accordance with the proposed policy with the reviewing Officer to be the Head of Regulatory Services.

Wards affected: (All Wards);

Lead officer: Julie Quanstrom