Agenda and minutes

Members and officers must declare any pecuniary or personalinterest 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.

79.1  Cllr Lanzer declared a personal interest in relation to the Economic Recovery Plan [Gatwick] as a Member of Crawley Borough Council.

79.2  Cllr Sparkes declared a personal interest in relation to the Economic Recovery Plan as an Executive Member of Worthing Borough Council.

The Committee is asked to agree the minutes of the meeting held on 9 July 2020 (cream paper).

80.1  Resolved – That the Minutes of the meeting held on 9 July 2020 be approved as a correct record and that they be signed by the Chairman.

The Committee is asked to note the response from the Cabinet Member for Finance to recommendations made by the reconvened Contracts Management TFG.

81.1  The Committee received a response from the Cabinet Member for Finance to the recommendations made by the reconvened Contracts Management TFG.

81.2  Resolved – That the Committee notes the response.

A report by the Director of Finance and Support Services setting out the finance, performance, Improvement Plan, workforce, and risk positions of the authority as at the end of June 2020.

The Committee is asked to examine the data and supporting commentary for the Quarter 1 TPM and make any recommendations for action to the relevant Cabinet Member or Scrutiny Committee.  The Committee should particularly focus on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic affecting the financial, performance and risk to the Council, and the suggested changes to performance measures and targets.

The Chairmen of the service scrutiny committees will be invited to inform the Committee of any financial, performance or risk issues identified within their portfolio areas over the past quarter.

82.1  The Committee considered the Quarter 1 Total Performance Monitor (TPM) report from the Director of Finance and Support Services (copy appended to the signed minutes).

82.2  The Cabinet Member for Finance introduced the report, noting it is the first full quarterly report showing the effect of COVID-19.  Key spend increases are expected in the children looked after (CLA) service and home to school transport.  Cases of COVID are rising in the UK and the chance of a second wave with further lockdown would greatly affect both the national and local economy.

82.3  The Chairmen of the service scrutiny committees present were invited to present a brief update on the current issues and work of their committees.

82.4  The Director of Finance and Support Services introduced the finance aspect of the report, highlighting that financial performance is very challenging at the current time and the council are lobbying for additional COVID funds.  The Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) section of the report looks forward at the issues faced and the uncertainty of funding. 

82.5  The Committee made comments in relation to the TPM finance report including those that follow. It:

·       Expressed concern that incidences of unsafe practice and failure to meet statutory duties have not been picked up by management or shown in the performance measures and audit processes, particularly in relation to mental health services.  Further agreed the Regulation, Audit and Accounts Committee (RAAC) should be asked to review the audit planning processes in order to highlight issues earlier in relation to both financial and operational control processes. 

·       Questioned whether empty residential care beds provided through the block contract could be used for respite care and how the Adult Services budget could be balanced without a reduction in service given the significant increase in costs.  The Cabinet Member for Adults and Health recognised the decrease in numbers accessing residential care at the moment which was due to a national concern and confidence in the care sector during the COVID-19 situation.  It was also recognised that organising respite care during the COVID crisis has been difficult.

·       Commented that proper adult social care funding is needed, and queried if the service are managing with the existing levels of mental health staff or needing to increasingly rely on volunteers.  The Cabinet Member for Adults and Health confirmed there is a shortage in the service and work is underway in trying to attract more support.  Redundancies at Gatwick Airport as a result of COVID have provided some recruitment opportunities for care workers, and the service are working with local schools, colleges and universities to promote Healthcare as a career option.  A website ‘Proud to Care’ has been developed to encourage recruitment in the sector.  The Council continues to lobby Government for proper social care funding.

·       Supported bringing the situation in relation to care market pressures to the Governments’ attention and supported the HASC Enquiry Day in January which will also consider looking at care market pressures.

·       Commented on the increased demand in the Children  ...  view the full minutes text for item 82.

A report by the Director of Property and Assets setting out the Capital Programme performance as at the end of June 2020.

The Committee is asked to review the report and comment on any areas of concern.  If appropriate the committee to make any relevant recommendations for action to the Cabinet Member in relation to the Capital Programme Quarter 1 Performance Monitor Report.

83.1  The Committee considered the Quarter 1 Capital Programme Performance Monitor report by the Director of Property and Assets (copy appended to the signed minutes).

83.2  The Capital Programme Manager introduced the report on the position at the end of June 2020, highlighting that the report appears to show a return to business as usual on construction projects following COVID-19 site restrictions.  A relatively high proportion of amber reports may reflect an enhanced sensitivity to risk and high degree of uncertainty for projects with longer delivery programmes.

83.3  The Committee made comments in relation to the Capital Programme Performance Monitor report including those that follow. It:

·       Queried whether the Barnham Primary School pipeline project is stalled or undeliverable.  The Capital Programme Manager explained a viability assessment indicated the project is undeliverable but that alternatives options are being explored to provide additional school places in the area.

·       Noted that approval had been given to allocate £4.175m to the Horsham Enterprise Park (HEP) project and queried whether the project had been reviewed in light of changes due to COVID-19.  The Capital Programme Manager commented that the funds are for enabling works to prepare the site ahead of then deciding how to progress it.  The Director of Property and Assets commented that all pipeline-stage projects are kept under review as they are developed.  It was noted that the situation for the HEP site remained favourable for development as previously outlined.  The Cabinet Member for Finance commented indications were that commercial interest remains in the HEP site.

·       Queried in relation to the Worthing Public Realm Design Stage scheme whether the highlight report had now been received.  The Capital Programme Manager confirmed the handover with Worthing Borough Council is still ongoing; the monthly highlight report had been received and was reported ‘green’.

·       Requested clarification of the update for the Rural Connectivity Programme.  The Capital Programme Manager undertook to request further information for the Committee from the service.

83.4   Resolved - That the Committee notes the Quarter 1 Capital Programme Performance Monitor report and recognises that the report reflects the uncertainty of the current time.

A report by the Leader giving an overview of the planned reset and reboot of the West Sussex Plan priorities post COVID-19, as presented to Council in July.  Chief Executive to provide a verbal update to the report.

The Committee is asked to scrutinise the report and make any relevant recommendations to the Cabinet and Chief Executive.  The Committee should have a particular focus on the underlying values and principles, change in service priorities, and the involvement and input of the wider Membership in the reset and reboot before it is finalised.

84.1  The Committee received a report by the Leader giving an overview of the reset and reboot priorities post COVID-19, as presented to Council in July (copy appended to the signed minutes). 

84.2  The Leader introduced the report, commenting that COVID-19 has significantly interrupted the Council’s plans and service delivery.  A recent significant rise in cases could lead to a second wave of COVID over the winter, the extent of which is unknown.  The Reset document evaluates what key services are needed for the future, and all Members will be included in the ongoing development of the document before it goes for approval by Full Council in December 2020. 

84.3  The Committee received an update on the Reset and Reboot project from the Chief Executive.  Building upon the Reset document, the Reboot document will be the integrated plan regarding performance, finance, and risk associated with the reset plans and will be based on local evidence.  It will include service improvements, be underpinned by a focus on climate change, and incorporate best learning from the COVID-19 experience.  The Reboot aims to support all Members in their roles, ensure Members and officers work well together, and ensure the Council works efficiently with other Partners.  It will also support core operational standards for officers (including the People Framework) and work is already underway on the action plan which will underpin this; the action plan will go for Cabinet approval later this year and then come to the Committee for comment.

84.4  The Committee made comments in relation to the reset and reboot project including those that follow. It:

·       Highlighted the need for rapid access to COVID-19 testing within the county, and encouraged the Council to work with the NHS to set up local provision.  The Chief Executive explained the Council are lobbying hard on this locally, regionally and nationally.  There is also a critical need for laboratory testing capacity and the Council are working closely with partners on solutions. 

·       Commented that devolution is referred to in the Policy Context of the Reset, and the County Councils Network (CCN) recently published an evaluation by PwC of the implications of local government reorganisation in two tier counties.  Queried what conclusions have been drawn from that for West Sussex and, rather than continuing with a ‘wait and see’ approach, should the Council now be preparing or updating earlier work on this issue in order to be able to respond to the White Paper once published.  The Leader explained he is a member of the CCN and South East 7 Leader Group where devolution is regularly discussed.  Conversations with district and borough council Chief Executives are unlikely without a framework from Government within which to hold discussions and, given the current difficulties for councils in maintaining their services during COVID-19, discussion of devolution at this time would be a distraction.  There are opportunities and potential benefits in unitary status but the second tranche is expected to focus on the Midlands. 

·       Noted some concern that there has been  ...  view the full minutes text for item 84.

A report by the Executive Director for Place Services detailing the Council’s Economic Recovery Plan post COVID-19 and reset of plans and priorities.

The Committee is asked to review the Economic Recovery Plan post COVID-19 in relation to the Council’s reset of plans and priorities, and make any relevant recommendations to the Cabinet Member and Executive Director.  The Committee should have a particular focus on the impact of COVID-19 on the West Sussex economy, the longer-term framework and the priorities identified for the year ahead, the resources required to achieve the plan, how the Council is working with partners, and how achievements will be measured and monitored.

85.1  The Committee considered the Economy Reset Plan report by the Executive Director for Place Services (copy appended to the signed minutes).

85.2  The Cabinet Member for Economy and Corporate Resources introduced the report, offering thanks to the small Economy Team for their good work.  West Sussex in normal times has a strong economy overall although with some area disparities in economic performance. The Economy Reset Plan will provide an update of the Economic Growth Plan 2018-2023 to reflect the impact of COVID-19.  The focus is now on re-building the economy by working in partnership to influence others, especially addressing the impact across the different economic areas as well as sectors hardest hit including aviation, hospitality and tourism, and adult social care, with selective intervention where needed and appropriate.  Additional emphasis will be given to the adoption of digital technology and wider employment and skills, and commitment will be maintained to the Growth Deals with districts and borough councils. The Council supports the aim to  ‘build back better’ with a strong green theme.  The Economy Reset Plan was reported to Cabinet in July and has since had input from partners; the feedback was positive and is now being collated.

85.3  The Committee made comments in relation to the Economy Reset Plan including those that follow. It:

·       Queried what encouragement the Council will give to small companies who wish to expand and embrace the apprenticeship schemes, what support is being given to young people to take up apprenticeships, and whether work experience schemes can be promoted with businesses and the Council.  The Cabinet Member for Economy and Corporate Resources confirmed the Council continue to promote apprenticeships to schools and colleges in addition to the Government Kick Start programme, and the Council  also continue to recruit their own apprentices.  £150,000 from the National Apprenticeship Levy was awarded to STEM businesses in the county last year.

·       Queried the impact seen on those employed in the supply chain to Gatwick Airport.  Queried what is being done to improve the diversification of the economy to avoid over-reliance on the airport in the future, particularly around the new Green Deal and green economy.  The Cabinet Member for Economy and Corporate Resources confirmed the impact has been substantial and that the Crawley area had the highest proportion of job losses or furloughed staff in West Sussex.  The Council are working with organisations including Coast 2 Capital and the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) to encourage innovation and diversification across sectors.  The Council are also lobbying the Government to support Gatwick’s ‘five asks’ of Government – it is estimated that recovery for Gatwick will take five years.

·       Queried how coastal resorts and tourism can be improved, whether the Council could work with the younger generation on this e.g. the Youth Cabinet and University students, and to what extent the Council support holiday providers in the County.  The Cabinet Member for Economy and Corporate Resources highlighted that water sport opportunities were successfully marketed in 2019 via the Experience West Sussex  ...  view the full minutes text for item 85.

Copy of the ForwardPlan dated 1 September 2020.

Anextract ofanyForwardPlan entries publishedbetween the agenda dispatch and the date of the meetingwill be tabled at the meeting.

The Committee is asked to consider whetheritwishes to enquireinto any of the forthcoming decisions withinits constitutional remit.

86.1  The Committee considered the Forward Plan of Key Decisions (copy appended to the signed minutes).

86.2  Resolved – That the Forward Plan be noted.

The next meeting of the Committee will be held on 3 December 2020 at 10.30am.  Probable agenda items include:

·       Quarter 2 Total Performance Monitor

·       Quarter 2 Capital Programme Performance Monitor

·       Review of the draft West Sussex People Framework

·       Review of the final West Sussex: Reset and Reboot

Any Member wishing to place an item on the agenda for the meeting must notify the Director of Law and Assurance by 23 November 2020.

87.1  The Committee notes its next meeting will take place on 3 December 2020, commencing at 10.30am by virtual meeting.