Issue - meetings

Peter Stuart, the Head of Corporate Resources introduced the report.

The Cabinet Member for Community highlighted the good work with disabled facilities grants and noted that the Council worked in partnership with other District and Borough Councils so grants are provided fairly and equally across West Sussex, using the same parameters for implementation.  He acknowledged the success of Basepoint in Haywards Heath. The report indicated the good financial management of the Council.

The Deputy Leader confirmed the Council’s sound financial position and noted the variations on capital projects which were well explained in the report and will be addressed.  With regard to the modernisation of the Council Chamber, she advised that the Council should exercise caution when spending tax payers’ money.  The Deputy Leader also noted the ongoing work to maintain the leisure centres to a high standard.

The Cabinet Member for Customer Services welcomed the performance of Basepoint. 

The Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning highlighted spending on temporary accommodation. This was despite the Council’s far sighted work to purchase its own temporary accommodation.

The Deputy Leader noted that the cleansing on the A23 had not been completed as a road closure was required for the safety of the workforce. Agreement by Highways England was required for this and was often difficult to achieve.

The Cabinet Member for Economic Growth asked for more details on the Anscombe Wood Regeneration project so local residents could be updated.

The Assistant Chief Executive advised that the Council was working with their own contractors and the developers to identify what work is required.

RESOLVED

Cabinet resolved torecommend to Council for approval:

(i)            that £75,000 be transferred to Specific Reserve from General Reserve to cover the cost of Gatwick Studies as detailed in paragraph 21;

(ii)        that £90,000 One Public Estate government grant income in respect of

Burgess Hill Station Quarter Project be transferred to Specific Reserve as detailed in paragraph 22;

(iii)       that £17,484 grant income relating to Local Authority EU Exit preparation Grant be transferred to Specific Reserve as detailed in paragraph 23;

(iv)       that £24,737 grant income relating to Individual Electoral registration (IER) in 2019/20 be transferred to Specific Reserve as detailed in paragraph 24;

(v)        that £9,225 grant income relating to new Burdens Business Rates be

transferred to Specific Reserve as detailed in paragraph 25;

(vi)       that ££68,762 to meet the costs arising from St. Francis, Haywards Heath – Anscombe Wood Regeneration be transferred to Specific Reserve as detailed in paragraph 26;

(vii)      the variations to the Capital Programme contained in paragraph 36 in

accordance with the Council’s Financial Procedure rule B3.

To note:

(viii)     the remainder of the report.