Agenda, decisions and minutes

Venue: County Hall, Chichester, PO19 1RQ

Contact: Natalie Jones-Punch on 033 022 25098  Email:  natalie.jones-punch@westsussex.gov.uk

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Items
No. Item

6.

Declarations of Interest

Members and officers must declare any pecuniary or personal interest in any business on the agenda. They should also make declarations at any stage such an interest becomes apparent during the meeting. Consideration should be given to leaving the meeting if the nature of the interest warrants it. If in doubt please contact Democratic Services before the meeting.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

6.1        No declarations of interest were made.

7.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 115 KB

Cabinet Members are asked to agree the minutes of the meeting held on 17 May 2022(cream paper).

Additional documents:

Minutes:

7.1        Resolved – that the minutes of the meeting held on 17 May 2022 be approved as a correct record and that they be signed by the Chairman.

8.

Performance and Resources Report - Quarter 4 2021/22 (CAB02_22/23) pdf icon PDF 129 KB

Report by the Chief Executive and Director of Finance and Support Services.

 

Each of the Scrutiny Committee Chairman will be invited to speak for up to three minutes to provide the views of their Committee on respective parts of the Quarter 4 Performance and Resources Report.

 

Each of the main Minority Group Leaders will be invited to speak for up to three minutes on the Quarter 4 Performance and Resources Report.

 

The Cabinet will then discuss the report prior to taking any decision.

Additional documents:

Decision:

Following consideration of the report, the Cabinet resolved to:

1.   Agree the allocation of £3.406m from Contingency Budgets to fund the 2021/22 staffing pay award as set out in paragraph 2.1.

2.   Agree the allocation of the unused £4.969m Contingency Budget and £0.597m revenue underspend as set out in paragraph 2.2.

3.   Agree the proposed changes to the Key Performance Indicator measures detailed in Annex C.

The call-in deadline is 29 July 2022.

 

Minutes:

8.1         Cabinet considered a report by the Chief Executive and Director of Finance and Support Services. The report was introduced by Cllr Jeremy Hunt, Cabinet Member for Finance and Property who outlined the outturn for 2021/22, pressures, capital projects and other expenditure. Katharine Eberhart, Director of Finance and Support Services said that the year had ended in a positive position and, whilst there is uncertainty, the council is in a good financial position to deal with challenges. Sarah Sturrock, Assistant Chief Executive advised of the achievements in relation to performance with 70% of measures reaching their targets achieved through an integrated planning and budget approach to deliver the council plan.

 

8.2         Cllr Garry Wall, Chairman of the Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Committee advised of concerns about cost pressures in meeting the ‘front door’ demand for care services, inflationary pressures and the future impact of the social care levy. Issues around health inequality and childhood obesity were raised, but the report and work across all departments were well received by the Committee.

 

8.3         Cllr Andrew Baldwin, Vice-Chairman of the Children and Young Peoples Services Scrutiny Committee noted that, whilst the indicator for young people not in education, employment or training was improving, there is still work to do, as is the case for children in need and child protection plans. The challenges with recruiting social workers and residential staff were raised, as was the level of support for schools with children with Education and Health Care Plans (EHCPs).

 

8.4         Cllr Kevin Boram, Chairman of the Fire and Rescue Service Scrutiny Committee highlighted the improved performance in the service although there were concerns about the number of safe and well visits completed. The Committee will continue to monitor the function of the joint fire control centre, as well as establishing a Task and Finish Group to look at the retained Firefighter role. Pressure on staff availability was raised by the Committee.

 

8.5         Cllr David Britton, Chairman of the Communities, Highways and Environment Scrutiny Committee raised the benefits of the Community Hub and suggested that these positive outcomes were recorded in the PRR going forward. The committee acknowledged pressures on service delivery and procurement, the reduction of income across the bus network post-Covid and the staff recruitment issues in registration services particularly. The increase in investment in Highways and Transport was welcomed.

 

8.6         Cllr Richard Burrett, Vice-Chairman of the Performance and Finance Scrutiny Committee said the Committee was pleased with the level of performance across the key indicators given the financial limitations faced by the council. The Committee recognised the challenge with staff recruitment. The committee requested variance information be included in the PRR to show the impact on Capital Programme projects in view of the level of inflation and also asked the Cabinet Member for Support Services and Economic Development to consider whether care leavers should be prioritised for apprenticeships with the council.

 

8.7         Cllr Caroline Baxter, Leader of the Labour Group welcomed the significant improvements but saw risks through  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

9.

West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service Statement of Assurance 2021- 22 (CAB03_22/23) pdf icon PDF 100 KB

Report by the Chief Fire Officer.

 

The Chairman of the Fire and Rescue Services Scrutiny Committee will be invited to speak for up to three minutes to provide the views of their Committee on the Fire and Rescue Service Statement of Assurance.  

 

Each of the main Minority Group Leaders will be invited to speak for up to three minutes each on the Fire and Rescue Service Statement of Assurance.

 

The Cabinet will then discuss the report prior to taking any decision.

 

Additional documents:

Decision:

Following consideration of the report, the Cabinet resolved to approve the West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service Annual Statement of Assurance 2021-22.

 

The call-in deadline is 29 July 2022.

Minutes:

9.1         Cabinet considered a report by the Chief Fire Officer. The report was introduced by Cllr Duncan Crow, Cabinet Member for Community Support, Fire and Rescue who advised the statement of assurance was a statutory requirement to provide assurance on financial, governance and operational matters. Sabrina Cohen-Hatton, Chief Fire Officer added that the statement of assurance reflected a time of extraordinary working conditions whilst at the same time delivering ongoing service improvement.

9.2         Cllr Kevin Boram, Chairman of the Fire and Rescue Service Scrutiny Committee advised the openness of data is critical for scrutiny. The Statement of Assurance is consistent with information provided to the Committee, which examine various matters for probity and accuracy. The Committee was happy to recommend the approval of the Statement of Assurance 2021/22.

9.3         Cllr Caroline Baxter, Leader of the Labour Group thanked the Chief Fire Officer and Cabinet Member and welcomed the report which reflected hard work, dedication of officers and a transparent commitment to delivering improvement.

9.4         Cllr Crow summarised it had been a challenging year but the service had performed well and the benefits of investment were being seen. There would be difficulties ahead but the service will continue to work hard to meet them.

9.5         Resolved - that Cabinet approves the West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service Annual Statement of Assurance 2021-22.

 

10.

Response to Fire Reform White Paper 2022 Consultation pdf icon PDF 191 KB

Report by the Director of Law and Assurance.

 

The Chairman of the Fire and Rescue Services Scrutiny Committee will be invited to speak for up to three minutes to provide the views of their Committee on the response to the Fire Reform White Paper consultation.

 

Each of the main Minority Group Leaders will be invited to speak for up to three minutes each on the response to the Fire Reform White Paper consultation.

 

The Cabinet will then discuss the report and the proposed consultation response.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

10.1            Cabinet considered a report by the Director of Law and Assurance. The report was introduced by Cllr Duncan Crow, Cabinet Member for Community Support, Fire and Rescue who outlined the Fire Reform White Paper proposals, which focussed on three themes: people, professionalism and governance. Sabrina Cohen-Hatton, Chief Fire Officer added that the proposals would give more flexibility in the use of resources which will help to achieve the aims of the council plan. Local bargaining could be challenging and whilst a consistent approach through a National College of Fire and Rescue would be welcome, clarity on funding arrangements is needed.

 

10.2            Cllr Kevin Boram, Chairman of the Fire and Rescue Service Scrutiny Committee supported the planned response and the alignment with the council plan objective. The Fire and Rescue Service has good access to communities to serve residents flexibly. He highlighted the fundamental need for buildings to be safe and the knowledge that the Fire Service has could play a greater role in the design of the built estate. Cllr Boram welcomed better sharing of data and consistent entry requirements into the Fire Service, however cautioned about possible exclusion of those who enter the Fire Service through different routes.

 

10.3            Cllr Caroline Baxter, Leader of the Labour Group felt the paper covered a number of complex issues, including those around pay and conditions. Cllr Baxter considered that the paper and questions in the consultation did not propose any improvements above the current position in West Sussex. Cllr Baxter said the paper failed to recognise that the Police and the Fire Service were very different models and therefore to transfer responsibility to the Police and Crime Commissioner did not seem sensible.

 

10.4            The following points were made by Cabinet Members in discussion:

 

Ø  Cllr Bob Lanzer, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing felt the current arrangements in West Sussex reflect the ambitions of the White Paper and meet the needs of the community. He supported national pay bargaining but felt the distinction between this and the current system not allowing for local negotiation could be clarified in the response.

Ø  Cllr Deborah Urquhart, Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change supported the Cabinet Member’s recommendations in particular opposing budget ringfencing in order to maintain flexibility over service delivery for residents.

Ø  Cllr Jeremy Hunt, Cabinet Member for Finance and Property thanked the fire service for their excellent work. He agreed that ringfencing funding is not a good option as it could prohibit investment into the service and any potential efficiencies which result in a better outcome.

Ø  Cllr Paul Marshall, Leader of the Council highlighted the benefits of service flexibility in West Sussex, particularly in areas of prevention work. It is key for the Council to be able to engage locally in what pay and reward structures look like due to the other vital work that the service undertakes with communities. Consistency through a National College is desirable, however funding commitments and expectations need to be clarified. The Leader  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

11.

Emerging Issues

Cabinet Members are invited to provide any verbal updates on current significant issues for their respective portfolios which may benefit from discussion.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

11.1            Cllr Duncan Crow, Cabinet Member for Community Support Fire and Rescue provided an update on the work of the West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service following the heatwave and period of significant dry weather, and thanked the service for supporting operational activity locally and in other areas.

 

11.2            The Leader and Cabinet thanked Katharine Eberhart, Director of Finance and Support Services for her work and leadership throughout some difficult financial challenges as she leaves the council at the end of August 2022.

12.

Date of Next Meeting

The next meeting of the Cabinet will be held on 13 September 2022.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

12.1            The next meeting of the Cabinet will be held on 13 September 2022.