Decisions

Use the search options below to find information regarding recent decisions that have been taken by the Cabinet and cabinet and members. Also included are key decisions by officers and decisions made by officers under the urgent action procedure. You can also find decisions taken by the full Council and decision-making committees.

Decisions published

04/02/2025 - School Funding 2025/26 - CYPLS22 (24/25) ref: 2137    Recommendations Approved

In 2025/26, as in previous years, West Sussex County Council is responsible for deciding local funding formulae for mainstream schools in its area. The funding levels that schools – both Local Authority (LA) maintained schools and academies – receive will be determined by the county’s local formula.

 

The County Council is required, under national funding regulations, to consult schools and the Schools Forum on proposed changes to funding arrangements affecting school budgets, when setting its local formula each year.

 

Since the county’s local funding formula now uses the full National Funding Formula values, no consultation document was sent out to mainstream schools for 2025/26, although Schools Forum were still consulted.

 

Feedback from Schools Forum has been taken into account in the development of the local funding formula for mainstream schools in 2025/26. Approval is now sought to progress the proposed changes to the funding arrangements.

Decision Maker: Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, Learning and Skills (Cllr Jacquie Russell)

Decision published: 04/02/2025

Effective from: 14/02/2025

Decision:

The Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, Learning and Skills has agreed the approach to the 2025/26 local funding formula for mainstream schools as set out in section two of the report and has approved the proposals in paragraphs 2.39 to 2.42 to:

(1) Adopt the National Funding Formula rates in full,

(2) Set the Minimum Funding Guarantee level at 0% (the maximum level allowed),

(3) Set the Notional Special Educational Needs budget at £89.8m, and

(4) Set the county’s growth fund budget at £1.870m.

Divisions affected: (All Divisions);

Lead officer: Andy Thorne


04/02/2025 - Grant of a Sub-Lease of the Former Stepping Stones Children and Family Centre, St Peter's Church, Gardner Road, Southwick FP13 (24/25) ref: 2138    Recommendations Approved

West Sussex County Council leases the former Stepping Stones Children and Family Centre, St Peter’s Church, Gardner Road, Southwick BN41 1PN from the Chichester Diocesan Fund.

 

It is proposed that the County Council grants a sub-lease to a Children’s Nursery School provider on commercial terms as set out in Appendix A (for Members only). 

 

Decision Maker: Cabinet Member for Finance and Property (Cllr Jeremy Hunt)

Decision published: 04/02/2025

Effective from: 14/02/2025

Decision:

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Property has approved that:

 

(1)         the County Council grants a new sub-lease of the former Southwick Children and Family Centre, St Peters Church, Gardner Road, Southwick, West Sussex, BN41 1PN. The sub-lease is to be granted to a new sub-tenant subject to contract and agreement of final terms, as set out in the Appendix A (for Members only); and

 

(2)         authority is delegated to the Assistant Director (Property and Assets) in conjunction with the Director of Law and Assurance to obtain the freeholder’s consent for the sub-lease and to negotiate and conclude the terms of the sub-lease with the proposed sub-tenant.

 

Divisions affected: Southwick;

Lead officer: Elaine Sanders


30/01/2025 - North Mundham Primary School - Funding for Replacement of Modular Teaching Accommodation - CYPLS21 (24/25) ref: 2079    Recommendations Approved

North Mundham Primary School is a 210 place, 7 class school for children aged 4-11 years old.  The school consists of a broad range of buildings including a double modular unit which has been identified as requiring replacement due to its age and significant condition issues.

 

Projections indicate that the 60 pupil places currently accommodated in the modular block are required, to ensure continued capacity for children of primary age in the village and wider locality. Without the pupil places West Sussex County Council will be unable to meet its statutory duties to ensure sufficient school places in this area.

 

It is proposed to replace the modular unit with two new classrooms in permanent, traditional construction.  Therefore, authority is sought for the allocation of funding required to enable this work to be progressed.

Decision Maker: Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, Learning and Skills (Cllr Jacquie Russell)

Decision published: 30/01/2025

Effective from: 11/02/2025

Decision:

The Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, Learning and Skills has approved:-

 

(1)The allocation of £1.678m from received S106 developer contributions and Basic Need funds to replace the life expired double modular unit with two new classrooms and carry out associated works as set out in paragraph 2.1 of this report.

 

(2)The authorisation to commence a procurement process and delegation to the Assistant Director (Property and Assets) to appoint contractors to complete the project including obtaining any statutory consents.

Divisions affected: Chichester South;

Lead officer: Leigh Hunnikin


29/01/2025 - Council Plan and Revenue Budget 2025/26 ref: 2078    Recommendations Approved

The Council Plan and Budget report details the County Council’s revenue budget, the level of council tax proposed for 2025/26, the nature of its expenditure, income and budget reductions for a balanced budget to deliver the aims of the refreshed Council Plan.  It will also outline the County Council’s Capital Programme to cover the period 2025/26 to 2029/30 which will update the programme previously agreed by County Council.

Cabinet will be asked to endorse the refreshed Council Plan, Revenue Budget and Capital Programme to deliver the Council Plan for approval at County Council on 14 February 2025.

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Made at meeting: 29/01/2025 - Cabinet

Decision published: 29/01/2025

Effective from: 08/02/2025

Decision:

Following consideration of the report the Cabinet endorsed the Council Plan and the County Council Budget for 2025/26, as set out in Appendix A.  This included the recommendations listed on page 5 and Annex 1, the updated Council Plan as set out in Annex 1 (Appendix 8), 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 14 February 2025.

The call-in deadline is 7 February 2025.

Divisions affected: (All Divisions);

Lead officer: Mike Suarez