Agenda

Members are asked to disclose any pecuniary or personal interests in matters appearing on the agenda.

The Council is asked to confirm the minutes of the ordinary meeting of the County Council held on 14 February 2025.

The County Council has a statutory duty to review the proportionality on its committees following the recent change in group affiliation of Cllr Kerry-Bedell. An explanation of the proportionality rules and how they are applied, together with a table showing the results of the review, is attached.

To consider any proposed changes to appointments. Any proposals will be circulated and changes will take effect from the end of the meeting.

At the discretion of the Chairman, to receive any address by a Cabinet Member on a matter of urgency and/or significant interest to the County Council and which relates to the powers and responsibilities of the County Council or which affects the Council.

Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation

To note the submission to the Government from the County Council on initial proposals for reorganising local government in West Sussex, settled by the Leader after discussions with other relevant Council leaders (to follow).

The Leader will make a statement in relation to the Government’s plans for devolution for Sussex and the next steps for the development of proposals for local government reorganisation. A report is attached. Members may ask questions of the Leader in accordance with Standing Order 2.31.

The Council is asked to approve the Pay Policy Statement 2025/26, in the light of a report from the Governance Committee.

To note urgent action taken under regulation 11 of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012.

Questions to the Leader and Cabinet Members on matters in the Cabinet report, written questions and any other questions relevant to their portfolios. Members may also ask questions of the Leader on anything current and relevant to the County Council. The report covers portfolio-related business since the meeting of the Council on 13 December 2024. A supplementary report may be published.

(2 hours is allocated for Question Time)

To debate the following motion, submitted by Cllr Wall, notice of which was given on 26 November 2024.

‘This Council notes:

(1)         That the increases in the National Living Wage and Employers’ National Insurance announced in the Government’s autumn budget will come into being on 1 April 2025.

(2)         That the National Living Wage can make a positive contribution to living standards and the seeking of employment, but the impact that this and increased Employers’ National Insurance contributions can have on the wider economy and stressed local government finances, particularly in the field of Adult Social Care, needs to be recognised.

(3)         That the Adult Social Care market has faced increasing pressures over the last few years, including workforce recruitment and retention, increasing costs, inflation, underlying demand growth and complexity of need.

(4)         The considerable resulting fragility in the care market with many providers having to charge higher prices that have impacted on individuals who fund their own care and on local authorities whose budget is often unable to match the prices paid by self-funding customers.

(5)         That the National Living Wage has increased each year since 2016, more substantially over the last two years, and together with the steep rise in Employers’ National Insurance announced in the recent government financial statement, the impact on care providers will be significant and may lead to some leaving the market with others forced to reduce their workforce. This will create further staff shortages in many areas of care.

(6)         That in West Sussex, we are paying higher prices for care than ever before. This Council has provided uplifts to its fees over the last three years and has shown its ongoing commitment in support of the care market. Increases in the National Living Wage and Employers’ National Insurance for care providers and the third sector will have a knock-on effect on uplifts from local authorities. It may not be possible to continue this trend which will cause difficulties when trying to compete with the open market.

(7)         That Adult Social Care and other areas of the Council commission many organisations in the third sector and these too will be affected by the increases in National Living Wage and Employers’ National Insurance. Those who will be impacted most will be our vulnerable adults, the ones who we have a duty of care to protect.

This Council therefore resolves to ask the Leader, together with the Cabinet Member for Adult Services and the Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, to continue to engage with the Secretary of State to request exemption from national insurance employer contribution increases for all care providers, charities and hospices.’

To debate the following motion, submitted by Cllr Kenyon, notice of which was given on 4 March 2025.

‘West Sussex County Council has a statutory duty to safeguard children in West Sussex, promoting their physical and emotional well-being and protecting them from harm. The Council has specific, statutory responsibilities regarding the safeguarding of vulnerable children.

In December 2023 the Government published draft ‘Gender Questioning Children Non-statutory Guidance for Schools and Colleges in England’ in response to a significant increase in the number of children questioning the way they feel about being a boy or a girl. This changing picture has left schools and colleges in a position where they are having to navigate a highly sensitive, complex issue, which is still not properly understood.

On 2 September 2024 the current government published “Keeping Children Safe in Education 2024. Statutory Guidance for Schools and Colleges”. Paragraphs 205 to 209 pertain to “Children who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or gender questioning” and state “N.B. This section remains under review, pending the outcome of the gender questioning children guidance consultation, and final gender questioning guidance documents being published.” Thus, it is clear that there remains a gap in current guidance for schools on this issue.

West Sussex County Council acknowledges both the challenges faced by schools, in supporting children and young people experiencing gender distress and the need for greater clarity and guidance on this issue. It recognises the validity and importance of the Cass review and supports the government’s declared intention to implement its recommendations ‘in full’.

To that end, this Council resolves to:

(1)         Ask the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Children, Young People, Learning and Skills to jointly write to the Secretary of State for Education, expressing support for the government’s commitment to implement the recommendations of The Cass Review in full and asks that the Secretary of State advises the timeline through which the delayed guidance for schools supporting gender questioning children will be tabled in 2025; and

(2)         Ask the Leader of the Council to carry out a review of West Sussex County Council policies and practices to ensure they align with both the principles of the Cass Review and guidance when published.’

Items not commenced by 4.15 p.m. will be deferred to the following meeting.