Agenda, decisions and minutes

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.

22.1            No declarations of interest were made.

Cabinet Members are asked to agree the minutes of the meeting held on 29 November 2022 (cream paper).

23.1            Resolved – that the minutes of the meeting held on 29 November 2022 be approved as a correct record and that they be signed by the Chairman.

Report by the Director of Finance and Support Services.

Scrutiny Committee Chairmen and each of the main Minority Group Leaders will be invited to speak for up to three minutes on the Council Plan and Revenue Budget for 2023/24.

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

Following consideration of the report the Cabinet resolved to:

1.   Endorse the Council Plan and Revenue Budget 2023/24, as set out in Appendix A including the recommendations listed on pages 13-15 and Annex 1, the Capital Strategy set out in Annex 2(a) and the Treasury Management Statement set out in Annex 2(b), for approval by County Council on 17 February 2023.

2.   Endorse an allocation of £0.4m be made available from the Covid-19 reserve to provide funding to support the continuation of the Council Tax hardship schemes across the West Sussex district and boroughs for 2023/24.

The call-in deadline is 9 February 2023.

24.1            Cabinet considered a report by the Director of Finance and Support Services. The report was introduced by Cllr Jeremy Hunt, Cabinet Member for Finance and Property who outlined the proposed budget and recommendations. The Cabinet Member emphasised the focus on the County Council’s priorities in the Council Plan and the underpinning theme of climate change. He described the main pressures, details of the local government finance settlement, which had been more favourable than anticipated, the deferral of Adult Social Care reform and of the introduction of the care cost cap. The Council continues to lobby government for realistic funding to meet the challenges ahead, however the Cabinet Member was pleased to present a balanced budget for 2023/24 without unnecessary use of reserves and whilst increasing investment into frontline services. The Cabinet Member explained the proposal to increase the Council Tax by 2.99% for general fund services and 2% for Adult Social Care and advised of an additional recommendation for residual funds from the Council Tax Support Grant to be used to support the continuation of discretionary hardship schemes for those eligible and in receipt of Council Tax Reduction across the Districts and Boroughs.

24.2            The Cabinet Member set out the challenges and risks ahead including economic impacts, cost of living, cost and demand of services and the changes to Government legislation in the pipeline. Assumptions will be tested throughout the year to help understand short and long-term pressures. Monitoring will also continue through the performance reports against the Council Plan.

24.3            The Chief Executive, Becky Shaw, explained outcomes of a recent meeting with a wide cross section of partners who welcomed the engagement and opportunity to comment on the Council Plan and Revenue Budget 2023/24. An enthusiasm for joint lobbying and a continued focus on growth for the County economy were key themes from the session, as is the challenge of inflation faced by partners and the voluntary sector.

24.4            Chairmen from the Health and Adult Social Care, Fire and Rescue Service, Communities, Highways and Environment and Performance and Finance Scrutiny Committees supported the budget for 2023/24 whilst recognising the continued financial uncertainties and challenges ahead. Scrutiny Chairmen welcomed the additional investment in frontline services and particularly the one-off £4.5m for highways.

24.5            Cllr Kirsty Lord, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group discussed the national context and the challenges faced by residents including cost of living and energy cost pressures. She considered the longer-term position and challenges faced with setting the budget, but supported the approach of forward planning.

24.6            Cllr Caroline Baxter, Leader of the Labour Group thanked officers for presenting a balanced budget for 2023/24. She considered Key Performance Indicators in areas of Social Care and Children’s Services and felt these crucial services are underfunded by Government and welcomed an opportunity to support lobbying for fairer funding for West Sussex. Cllr Baxter explained the challenge and concern of increased council tax for residents amidst cost of living pressures and suggested an annual budget survey be undertaken  ...  view the full minutes text for item 24.

Report by the Director of Law and Assurance.

The Cabinet is asked to agree the recommendations as set out in the decision report on appointments to outside bodies.

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

Following consideration of the report the Cabinet resolved:

1.   The appointment of Cllr Sean McDonald and Cllr Ashvin Patel to the Littlehampton Harbour Board for the remainder of the council term (May 2025)

2.   The addition of the Shelley Copthorne Educational Foundation to the County Council list of Outside Bodies

3.   The appointment of Cllr Bruce Forbes to the Shelley Copthorne Educational Foundation for the remainder of the council term (May 2025).

The call-in deadline is 9 February 2023.

25.1            Cabinet considered a report by the Director of Law and Assurance.

25.2            Resolved – that Cabinet:

1.   Appoint Cllr Sean McDonald and Cllr Ashvin Patel to the Littlehampton Harbour Board for the remainder of the council term (May 2025)

2.   Add the Shelley Copthorne Educational Foundation to the County Council list of Outside Bodies

3.   Appoint Cllr Bruce Forbes to the Shelley Copthorne Educational Foundation for the remainder of the council term (May 2025).

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

26.1            Cabinet Members provided updates on possible and planned Trade Union strike action and mitigations in place to deal with the impact of these, particularly in relation to fire and rescue. Members will be updated accordingly on developments.

The next meeting of the Cabinet will be held on 14 March 2023.

27.1            The next meeting of Cabinet will be held on 14 March 2023.