Decisions

(Non-key decision):

To note and agree the officer action detailed in the report.

New strategy document to set out the route to meet the climate emergency target of making the council net zero carbon and helping to reduce emissions in the district to net zero by 2030. Decision required to approve the climate change and sustainability strategy and action plan.

(Key decision):

(1) To approve the Climate Change and Sustainability Strategy 2021 and Action Plan set out at appendix 1 and 2 to the report.

(2) To require the Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Planning and Regeneration to produce an annual progress report detailing the council and district carbon footprints, and progress against the action plan in September each year.

(3) To note the ‘Summary of Engagement Responses’ report at appendix 3 to the report.

Approval of three technical advice notes that provide advice to planning applicants on the Council’s expectations for addressing sustainability issues

(Key decision):

(1) To agree the publication and use of the Sustainability in Development Technical Advice Note contained at appendix 2 to the report.

(2) To agree the publication and use of the Circular Economy Technical Advice Note contained at appendix 3 to the report.

(3) To agree the publication and use of the Biodiversity Net Gain Technical Advice Note contained at appendix 4 to the report.

(4) To provide delegated authority to the Director of Regeneration and Planning, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning and Infrastructure, to make minor or technical amendments to the Technical Advice Notes prior to their publication or as otherwise required following publication.

Report on the performance of those voluntary organisations funded by the Council and for Cabinet to agree the Council’s policy on grants to voluntary organisations and the levels of grant funding for the coming year

(Key decision):

(1) To agree the grant allocations for 2021/22, to be allocated in line with the existing voluntary sector grants policy, as set out in paragraph 1.4 of the report.

(2) To note the consultation responses.

(3) To agree to award all grants tri-annually from 2022/23 onwards and introduce a competitive bidding process to be implemented in 2021/22.

(4) That a further report making recommendations for future funding priorities, in the form of a ‘prospectus’ against which organisations can bid, be considered at a future meeting of the Cabinet.

(5) An amended grants policy be prepared in line with the recommendations above for adoption at a future meeting of the Cabinet.

(6) That a Grants Working Group of three members be established, as set out at paragraph 2.4 of the report.

Recommendations to full Council in respect of the housing revenue account for 2021/22.

Recommended to Full Council (Budget and policy framework):

(1) The HRA budget for 2021/22 and revised 2020/21 budget as set out at appendix 1 to the report.

(2) That social and affordable rents (including Shared Ownership) are increased by 1.5% in line with government policy.

(3) That private sector leased property rents are increased by 2.1% (RPI+1%).

(4) That the revised service charges are implemented

(5) That garage rents are increased by 2.1% (RPI+1%).

(6) The HRA Capital Programme as set out at appendix 2 to the report.

To recommend full Council to agree treasury management policies and prudential indicators for 2021/22.

Recommended to Full Council (Budget and policy framework):

(1) To approve the Treasury Management Strategy and Annual Investment Strategy for 2021/22 as set out at appendix A to the report.

(2) To approve the Minimum Revenue Provision Policy Statement 2021/22 as set out at paragraph 8 in the report.

(3) To approve the Prudential and Treasury Indicators 2021/22 to 2023/24, as set out at paragraph 6 in the report.

(4) To approve the Capital Strategy set out at appendix E to the report.

To recommend full Council to set the 2021/22 budget and council tax at their meeting in February.

Recommended to Full Council (Budget and policy framework):

(1) The General Fund budget for 2020/21 (Revised) and 2021/22 (original).

(2) An increase in the Council Tax for Lewes District Council of £5 (per annum) resulting in a Band D charge for general expenses of £197.08 (per annum) for 2021/22.

(3) The revised General Fund capital programme 2021/22 as set out at appendix 3 to the report.

(4) To endorse the continuation of the Flexible use of Capital Receipts and refers on to Council for approval.

(5) To note the section 151 Officer’s sign off as outlined in the report.

(Key decision):

(6) That as soon as practicable officers bring to Cabinet a report on the statutory process for amending the Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2022/23 and which sets out the financial and other implications of providing a 100% discount to qualifying persons.

(7) That, in order to maximise the assistance to working age residents in financial distress, officers combine the remaining Council Tax Hardship Scheme funds (as previously agreed at Cabinet on 10 December 2020) with the council tax relief grant made available under the recent Spending Review, to provide a lump sum payment in 2021/22 to qualifying persons, which in certain cases would – taking into account the council tax reduction awarded – equal 100% of their council tax liability.

(8) To approve, as a Restricted Matter under the LLP Agreement with Eastbourne Borough Council, the making of a loan facility [of up to £10m] by Eastbourne Borough Council (pursuant to an Eastbourne Borough Council Cabinet decision of February 2021) to AHLLP for the purpose of enabling the partnership to purchase and develop residential accommodation and other property. Also, to delegate authority to the Chief Finance Officer in consultation with the Lead Member for Finance to agree the terms of that loan facility and any associated documentation and to authorise the execution of any related documentation.

(9) To authorise the Chief Finance Officer to ensure that a new “Deed of Entrustment” and the appropriate Funding Agreements are entered into by AHLLP with Eastbourne Borough Council to ensure that:

(a) loans and other funding follow the new Subsidy Control regime which applies from 1 January 2021; and

(b) Right to Buy receipts are appropriated in accordance with legislative requirements and the retention agreement with Government in

relation to “social housing”.

(10) To delegate authority to the Chief Finance Officer to determine the terms of such agreements.

To provide an update on the Council’s financial performance, revenue budgets and capital programme to the end of quarter 3 2020/2021 and explain the impact on the current financial position.

(Non-key decision):

(1) To note the General Fund, HRA and Collection Fund financial performance for the quarter ended December 2020.

(2) To agree the amended capital programme as set out at appendix 2 to the report.

To update Members on the Council’s performance against corporate plan priority actions, performance indicators and targets over the quarter 3 2020/21 period.

(Non-key decision):

To note progress and performance for Quarter 3.

This report will update on progress with the R&R programme agreed at September Cabinet.

(Non-key decision):

To note the progress made with the Recovery and Reset Programme.

To propose a revised schedule of fees and charges to apply from 1 April 2021.

(Key decision):

(1) To approve the scale of Fees and Charges proposed within Appendix 1 of the report, to apply from 1 April 2021.

(2) To implement changes to statutory fees and charges for services shown within Appendix 1 of the report, as and when notified by Government.

Receipt of annual report to note.

(Non-key decision):

To note the achievements and activities of the Eastbourne & Lewes Community Safety Partnership in 2020/21.

To provide an update on the Future High Streets Fund.

(1) To note the in-principle Future High Streets Fund offer from MHCLG.

(2) To agree the Preferred Option to address the capital funding shortfall and commit the additional proposed co-funding outlined in exempt Appendix 1.

(3) To delegate authority to the Director of Regeneration & Planning to complete the FHSF clarification exercise, subject to consultation with the Leader and the Chief Finance Officer.