Brighton & Hove City Council
Cabinet
2.00pm13 February 2025
Council Chamber, Hove Town Hall
MINUTES
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Present: Councillor Sankey (Chair) Taylor (Deputy Chair), Allen, Daniel, Miller, Muten, Pumm, Robins, Rowkins, Williams, Alexander and Robinson |
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PART ONE
147
147Procedural Business
147a Declarations of interests
147.1 Councillor Muten declared an interest in Item 157: General Fund Revenue Budget, Capital & Treasury Management 2025-26 as an allotment holder. Councillor Muten added that his spouse was a Trustee of Hangleton & Knoll Project that received community grants. Councillor Muten stated that he had been provided legal dispensation to participate and vote on the item.
147.2 Councillor Robins declared an interest in Item 157: General Fund Revenue Budget, Capital & Treasury Management 2025-26 as an allotment holder and Trustee of the Royal Pavilion & Museums Trust. Councillor Robins stated that he had been provided legal dispensation to participate and vote on the item.
147.3 Councillor Allen declared an interest in Item 157: General Fund Revenue Budget, Capital & Treasury Management 2025-26 as a Trustee and Board Member of Brighton & Hove Seaside Community Homes. Councillor Allen stated that he had been provided legal dispensation to participate and vote on the item.
147.4 Councillor Daniel declared an interest in Item 157: General Fund Revenue Budget, Capital & Treasury Management 2025-26. Councillor Daniel stated that the interest was of a sensitive nature and stated that they had been provided legal dispensation to participate and vote on the item.
147b Exclusion of the press and public
147.5 In accordance with Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972 (“the Act”), the Committee considered whether the public should be excluded from the meeting during consideration of any item of business on the grounds that it is likely in view of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the public were present during it, there would be disclosure to them of confidential information as defined in Section 100A (3) of the Act.
147.6 Resolved- That the public and press are excluded from the meeting from items listed on Part 2 of the agenda.
148
148Minutes
148.1 Resolved- That the minutes of the previous meeting be approved as the correct record.
149
149Chair's Communications
149.1 The Chair provided the following communications:
“With Brighton and Hope confirmed as being on the government's accelerated scheme for devolution, this is an incredibly exciting time for the city and for our residents and wider region. As well as unlocking new powers, new money and investment for our region and our city, devolution will give the people of Brighton and Sussex a stronger voice in how national decisions that affect them are made and enable more decisions to be made locally. We are one of only six areas accepted onto this programme, which is a massive vote of confidence in what we are doing here in Brighton and Hove and our growth potential.
Both for our people and for our country, more local powers and more local decision making is only a good thing and after a very difficult period for local government over the last 14 years, year on year of Conservative austerity, it's now possible to start seeing light at the end of the tunnel.
Today the Cabinet will discuss the budget that we will put forward to Budget Council later this month. Difficult decisions have been needed to propose a legally balanced budget, despite the uplift in spending power from our new Labour government.
Increased demand on our statutory services, increased costs and a decade of underfunding from the previous Conservative governments means that savings are unfortunately unavoidable.
But our Labour administration has also produced a draft budget with significant spending commitments and an unprecedented investment across a range of services in areas we know are a priority for residents, including our most vulnerable. More than £24,000,000 has been identified to support temporary and emergency accommodation for people made homeless.
We're looking at setting up a housing company with the goal of buying and potentially leasing more temporary properties in the city to help tackle the housing crisis and high rent, and we have ambitious plans to deliver more than 2000 more affordable homes in our city in the coming years. Building on the work we've already done in this area with 726 new council homes delivered by this Council in the last five years.
We are freezing parking charges in the city and making more money available to repair potholes and maintain our streets.
And at long last, and despite previous claims by the Green Party that this was not possible, we are launching a food waste collection service and increasing our recycling. We're investing further in adult and children's social care, special, educational needs and home to school transport. And we've also committed to keeping all public toilets open. These investments reflect our Council plan, which focuses on creating a fair, inclusive and healthy city that people can be proud of and thrive in.
With well run services delivered by a responsive Council, and they also reflect the priorities of our local residents under our new governance system, our budget proposals went to Place and People Scrutiny Committees last Friday and as will become clear today, we have listened and taken on board concerns in protect, in particular around public health budgeting. Importantly, while our budget is ambitious, it's also financially responsible.
This administration will never put the financial stability of this Council and the services that we provide at risk.
With this in mind, I'm also pleased to see the progress made, which we will be discussing today on our Targeted Budget Management, which was predicting an overspend for the current financial year.
It's vital that, as a Council, we take every step available to balance our books and with increased demand and costs over the last 12 months in statutory areas where this Council has a legal obligation to deliver services, we have predicted a significant overspend. Spending controls, recruitment freezes and the introduction of innovative and different ways of working throughout the authority, however, have had a genuine impact.
Our forecasts overspend as of month 9 is now down to £3.3 million. This represents 1.3% of the net budget and approximately 7% of the gross budget gross budget.
We are determined to continue bringing this figure down and to break even this year and my thanks go to all of the staff here at the Council who are working so hard to do this. I know that these are very difficult circumstances that colleagues are working under, which is why our work on a medium term financial strategy and our Labour government's commitment to multi year funding settlements is so important. We need to end the hand to mouth approach to local government services.
Of course, much of our city's wider economic outlook is driven by the millions of visitors who come to Brighton home each year.
Which is why I'm particularly pleased to see our Sussex Visitor Economy Strategy for Growth, 2024 to 2034 included in today's agenda. The visitor economy plays a pivotal role in the vibrancy and economic vitality of our city and Sussex. It grows our local economies, generates and sustains jobs and provides meaningful regenerative experiences.
It puts Brighton and Hove and Sussex firmly on the map and has people coming back to this area time and again spending their money with our local businesses each time they do.
The report that we will discuss today outlines how working together with colleagues across Sussex, we can further build on this success. It underscores our region's commitment to the devolution agenda and highlights not only the strength of our existing public private sector collaboration, but the importance and the potential of a unified one regional voice approach. The Visitor Economy will be pivotal to the success of the incoming Sussex Mayoral Strategic Authority.
Driving forward, our economic ambitions and growing our already fantastic reputation.
Today, we'll also discuss the Council's response to the Procurement Act 2023 coming into force. This will shape how public bodies, including this council, buy goods and services. It's the biggest change to procurement legislation in recent years and it's intended to improve and streamline the way procurement is done and benefit prospective suppliers of all sizes, but particularly small businesses, startups and social enterprises. It's a welcome change and one that this Council will embrace. By adapting a 12 month detailed forward plan, identifying contracts worth more than £1,000,000, which are set for renewal, replacement or new requirement, our approach will also make sure that councillors have more oversight of how taxpayers money is being spent. It will also enable more proactive and strategic decision making and provide greater transparency and insight as projects progress. A big change, perhaps, but one in line with this Council's commitment to openness, transparency and delivering value for money while creating a better Brighton and Hove for all.
150
150Call Over
150.1 All items on the agenda were reserved for discussion.
151
151Public Involvement
(c) Deputations
1) General Fund Revenue Budget, Capital & Treasury Management Strategy 2025-26
151.1 Cabinet considered a deputation relating to provision of childcare in the city for SEND children.
151.2 Councillor Daniel provided the following response:
Thanks for bringing this deputation to Cabinet. I know I've met with some of you and corresponded with some of you around these issues.
First, I want to talk about Drove Road. I know that families confidence in the Drove Road provision and our financial commitment to that provision has been rocked in the last month.
There was a week in January where staff wrongly were told that a council wide overtime ban applied to services at Drove Road. This was never intended to be the case, and it took little over a week to sort out and clarify that they were.
And unfortunately, on top of that happening, there's been a lot of sickness in our Drove Road staff team and managers have found it really hard to get cover. I would like to assure you they do have the finances from us as councillors to pay for it and all the authorities in place in terms of permission. To do so, this has caused some further cancellations with the sickness and all I can do is apologise for that.
There are no cuts to any budget or provision at Drove Road in the budget, nor any other budget relating to disabled children, which I know you acknowledge. We did listen to you last year and we got an independent which we listened to, and it agreed with your parental point of view.
And as a result, we are opening Rainbow Lodge this year, which is really good news because that will bring home five children from out of county to be cared for near their family.
There is a proposal to use a separate flat on the site at Drove Road currently being used full time by a young adult who is due to move on and that is to offer short term placements to neighbouring authorities to prevent the need for out of Sussex placements. This plan wouldn't impact on the main house or rest nights offered and it also doesn't impact on the plans around holiday provision.
This January, we approved new policies and papers around direct payments, and we have put an additional £500,000 into that budget because we think the new policies will make it more accessible and more likely that people can use those budgets.
Around short breaks, so there's three types of short breaks, holiday provision, wrap around school provision and respite care.
We know that you're concerned about the number of holiday sessions available to children with the most severe disabilities.
Officers are working with families on what they should look like and as an Administration, we support that as a priority. Having said that, we will review our budget proposals in light of what you have said and in the submission.
And I will be a meeting with Send Us a Break in early March to agree a work programme for the year with clear milestones focusing on all the three strands of short breaks, including respite after school clubs and holiday clubs.
And just once again, I would like to thank you for coming and for making this important deputation.
151.3 Resolved- That Cabinet note the deputation.
152
152Issues Raised by Members
152.1 A copy of the questions received was circulated ahead of the meeting. Responses provided both at the meeting and in writing are as follows:
1. Councillor Shanks- General Fund Revenue Budget, Capital & Treasury Management Strategy 2025-26
Response from Cllr Miller
Currently English local authorities do not have the power to introduce a tourist tax. Primary legislation in the UK Parliament would be required to introduce this power.
We are continuing to investigate options currently available to us and look forward to the imminent launch of the Short Term Lets Registration scheme.
We will also lobby government to consider how the taxes already paid by tourists in the UK can be better spent to support and promote the visitor economy, and to consider the introduction of a visitor levy scheme in England, similar to the Visitor Accommodation Scheme currently being considered in Wales.
2. Councillor Shanks – Targeted Budget Management (TBM) 202/245: Month 9 (December)
Response from Cllr Daniel
This is a potential option that is being considered whereby the council could procure minibuses and take over some routes. However, this needs careful consideration of the costs including lease or financing costs of the vehicles, employment of drivers, and vehicle maintenance, insurance and fuel expenses versus the current contract prices.
3. Councillor Shanks- Targeted Budget Management (TBM) 202/245: Month 9 (December)
Response from Cllr Williams
Under the council’s approved Capital Strategy, all council properties are effectively ‘offered’ to housing for consideration first. The council has a strong track record of taking these opportunities for example developing homes in the former Oxford Street Housing Office.
Palace Place is a current example where we are delivering 11 high quality sustainable homes whilst preserving a historical structure and reducing urban blight. Decisions as to whether or not to take a site will depend on suitability for housing, i.e. high complexity or contaminated sites would be far too expensive to develop and could not be financed. Similarly, very high value properties or sites are unlikely to meet the statutory ‘best consideration’ test and would therefore be outside of the affordability of the HRA, which must be self-financing.
4. Councillor Meadows- Visitor Economy Strategy for Growth 2024-2034
Response from Cllr Miller
VisitBrighton is the official tourism organisation for Brighton & Hove and is part of the council’s new Cabinet Office team; it has always been and remains part of Brighton & Hove City Council. It plays a unique role, working with a wide range of private sector businesses in the city and across Sussex through the VisitBrighton partnership.
The budget savings relate to some of the marketing activity of VisitBrighton being brought back in house, into the VisitBrighton marketing team, instead of being contracted out. This will not have any direct impact on taxpayers.
5. Councillor McNair- General Fund Revenue Budget, Capital & Treasury Management Strategy 2025-26
Response from Cllr Pumm
The Community Infrastructure Levy has a number of elements. Some of the levy is collected and applied to strategic citywide projects while other elements are provided for neighbourhood improvements, whilst some can be applied to meet administrative costs. The strategic element of CIL can be used for the wider development of the community or place and the intention here is to use a small element to protect key community and voluntary services that form part of this city’s infrastructure. This will not impact the use of CIL for neighbourhood programmes.
6. Councillor McNair- General Fund Revenue Budget, Capital & Treasury Management Strategy 2025-26
Response from Cllr Williams
Households will be sensitively supported, to move to more affordable housing outside of the city boundaries when they choose to do so, this will optimise opportunities to access a greater range of housing. This policy will be attractive for some people, for example where they have friends or family, opportunities for employment or support in other locations.
7. Councillor Meadows- General Fund Revenue Budget, Capital & Treasury Management Strategy 2025-26
Response from Cllr Muten
Thanks for your question, Cllr Meadows. In short, no.
8. Councillor McNair- General Fund Revenue Budget, Capital & Treasury Management Strategy 2025-26
Response from Cllr Robins
The proposed sale of timber from both Ash Dieback and Elm Disease tree removals will be restricted to only those purchasing that can ensure the timber will not either be used for log wood (ash) or be stored/processed within an area which could result in any viable beetle habitat material finding its way back into the city (elm). Ash trees sold for use as biomass direct to power stations is only used for that purpose however this is dependent on the facilities being open to sales at any given time.
Elm timber sale could only be to those which can ensure that the material is both stored and processed outside the city’s Elm Disease control zone for suitable construction purposes and is far enough from the city to mitigate the potential for any off cuts re-entering as log wood. Should this not be possible to ensure for any piece of elm timber upon felling, then timber will be disposed of in the usual manner. We will not risk further Elm Disease spread within the city through timber sales nor can we store elm for later sale.
9. Councillor West- General Fund Revenue Budget, Capital & Treasury Management Strategy 2025-26
Response from Cllr Allen
The uplift announced by the government earlier this week in the Public Health grant for 2025/2026 has enabled the administration to review of the proposed saving across the Public Health budget. Following constructive feedback from the People Overview & Scrutiny Committee last week, I am very pleased to say that we have removed this saving proposal, and I will be tabling an amendment to that effect later in this meeting.
10. Councillor Hill- General Fund Revenue Budget, Capital & Treasury Management Strategy 2025-26
Response from Cllr Taylor
Thank you, Councillor Hill, for your question. It's an interesting question. I would say that I agree with you in my concern. As you have observed both in the rise of the far right or the right wing.
In this country and other countries, and to an extent.
People losing faith in the overall political process, I would also probably agree with you if we were to have a chat about it on the sources of breakdown in the belief of democracy over not just the last 14 years, but the last 50 years for all sorts of reasons, the lowering of memberships and trade unions and community organisations in our country, but also, as you point out, public services being defunded particularly over the last 14 years, so I think I broadly agree with the thrust of what your question is.
I think where we slightly disagree and where we've drawn this out already, at full Council in debates is that and where I'd disagree with the Green Party both locally and nationally is I think the Green Party are responding to the budget that they thought the Labour Party would set, not the budget we actually set in the autumn statement. And again, I'm not trying to make this a political knock about between the two parties. I'm just trying to really exercise the reality of what has happened. The Green Party in the general election stood on a platform that was thought to be fiscally, massively more radical than anything that made the major parties were proposing. And in that manifesto, they aspired after four years to be getting to a place of 50 billion increased revenue from where we were starting to after four years in the first budget. The first autumn statement months after getting in, this Labour government has raised 40 billion in a single budget.
The most in real terms since certainly 1970, but I believe before that point. And so actually what this Labour government doing is dramatically turning the corner on 14 years of austerity. Now, does that mean that everything overnight is suddenly funded to the perfect level and to a level where they don't have to make savings or difficult? No, because you can't overturn 14 years of destruction of public services and not believing in public services in a single budget, but I think we've come closer to turning it around in a single budget and really changing direction that even I had hoped for. And I was suspicious that maybe the Labour government wouldn't go that far, and I think probably 40 billion in the single budget is probably the bounds at which a centre left government can raise that amount of revenue within our system of government and economy. So, I do slightly disagree with the overall Green Party analysis on the budget.
I agree with you that we need well-funded public services for a society that works and for a society that cares about people. That's what we're starting to do nationally. And I think things will improve in the years to come.
11. Councillor Hill- General Fund Revenue Budget, Capital & Treasury Management Strategy 2025-26
Response from Cllr Allen
The public health budget picked up the funding for this service some time ago when the NHS was unable to continue the funding of it. Unfortunately, this is not a service that is eligible under the public health ring fenced grant criteria and we are unable to continue funding it.
In terms of the therapeutic needs of survivors of sexual violence, support will continue to be available through services commissioned as part of the council’s Violence Against Women & Girls, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence strategy. This will mitigate the impact of the cessation of this funding, and we work to ensure effective signposting is in place.
12. Councillor Hill- General Fund Revenue Budget, Capital & Treasury Management Strategy 2025-26
Response from Cllr Allen
The uplift in the Public Health grant for 25/26 has enabled a review of the proposed saving across the Public Health budget lines. The proposed £18k savings will been withdrawn via an amendment I am moving later on in the meeting. I am clear that I want to ensure the Public Health team is well equipped to continue with its evidence-based decision making.
13. Councillor Hill- General Fund Revenue Budget, Capital & Treasury Management Strategy 2025-26
Response from Cllr Daniel
The proposal relating to Drove Road relates to a flat on site which has been leased to the NHS. The young person occupying it has been living there full time whilst an appropriate house is being adapted for his needs as a young adult.
The budget proposal relates to this accommodation and using it for short term emergency care provision for disabled children. We would offer that to neighbouring authorities as we work together ever more closely through our regional care cooperative to prevent children being moved out of county and far from family and friends or education. We will also use the flat in the same way and indeed potentially in the situation that you outline although for very short periods such as a week or two, existing users of respite care at Drove Road may be accommodated in the main building. That wouldn’t change. Nor would this proposal in any way reduce the provision of respite care at Drove Road.
The main barriers to ensuring agreed respite can take place at Drove Road is having sufficient staff. Recruitment of staff is under way along with a staffing structure review to ensure Drove Road can operate fully and efficiently as a respite provision. No proposals being considered and certainly the proposals in the budget affect in any way the service offer to local families and nor would we bring forward plans which would reduce the service.
14. Councillor Hill- General Fund Revenue Budget, Capital & Treasury Management Strategy 2025-26
Response from Cllr Taylor
Any consumers who require this service can receive advice at Citizens advice bureau, there is a large consumer section on their website which includes scams and issues with purchases.
National agencies such as the National Fraud intelligence bureau, the police and victim support can also deal with and offer support with any activities in relation to fraud.
If the proposal proceeds to implementation we will sign post these services on our website.
15. Councillor Hill- General Fund Revenue Budget, Capital & Treasury Management Strategy 2025-26
Response: Cllr Allen
The savings proposals to the public health budget have had to be proposed due to the uniquely challenging financial situation the council has.
We have protected funding to our mandated Public Health services and have had to make some difficult decisions regarding other services that are important population-based services but not mandated public health services.
The uplift in the Public Health grant for 25/26 has enabled a review of the proposed saving across the Public Health budget lines, with a number of these being withdrawn. We have reflected upon the feedback from People Overview & Scrutiny Committee held last week and I’m very pleased to say that we will be maintaining the Aging Well contract.
16. Councillor McLeay- General Fund Revenue Budget, Capital & Treasury Management Strategy 2025-26
Response from Cllr Williams
Households will only be sensitively supported, to move to more affordable housing outside of the city boundaries when they choose to do so.
Should a reasonable offer be refused, we would follow the same housing options focused approach as we currently do with homeless households who refuse reasonable offers of accommodation in the city.
17. Councillor McLeay- General Fund Revenue Budget, Capital & Treasury Management Strategy 2025-26
Response from Cllr Williams
This model shares the same principles as those adopted under our former Empty Properties Grant scheme. This operated to incentivise landlords to lease homes to the council for temporary accommodation, in return for our investment via grants to allow for improvements to the energy efficiency of these dwellings. Advice will be sought from our Legal team before any arrangement is entered.
18. Councillor McLeay- General Fund Revenue Budget, Capital & Treasury Management Strategy 2025-26
Response from Cllr Taylor
Most of the increased investment relates to the landlord function in response to regulatory requirements and continued support for Housing ICT to deliver the required change in systems. The increases also relate to Fire Safety, LPS investment in addition to the savings being included. What I have got and I won't attempt to read it out, is a table that basically charts the difference between the previous figure and the final figure, which I will send to you, which breaks down the increases.
19. Councillor McLeay- General Fund Revenue Budget, Capital & Treasury Management Strategy 2025-26
Response from Cllr Taylor
Most of the increased investment relates to the landlord function in response to regulatory requirements and continued support for Housing ICT to deliver the required change in systems. This will support a Housing Service that is compliant and promotes inclusivity and independence through improvements in accessibility.
Improving housing quality and ensuring compliance with social housing regulations are key to delivering the Council Plan's "Homes for Everyone" priority. Our focus is to ensure the safety and wellbeing of residents, visitors, and those who work on our council homes.
The council housing stock is growing with more homes that are subject to regulatory and legislative requirements around building, fire and health & safety that have increased significantly following the Grenfell Tower tragedy.
20. Councillor McLeay- General Fund Revenue Budget, Capital & Treasury Management Strategy 2025-26
Response from Cllr Williams
I can reassure you that there is not an issue with the housing supply programmes or a failure to spend. This is demonstrated with the month 9 the forecast that shows spend for new housing supply is over £36m which in line with the budget for the year. Some of the issues identified in the question relate to the way the budgets are profiled over a four-year period based on estimated cash-flows, in particular for projects that have received cabinet approval throughout 2024/25. Any underspends will generally be used to reduce the amount of borrowing required.
21. Councillor McLeay- General Fund Revenue Budget, Capital & Treasury Management Strategy 2025-26
Response from Cllr Williams
For 2025-26, the government introduced a new ringfence within the Homelessness Prevention Grant, to maintain prevention activities during this period. This will mean that 49% of local authorities’ funding allocation must be spent on prevention, relief and staffing activity. The 49% within this ringfence may not be spent on temporary accommodation. This proportion is based on spend declarations submitted in 2023-24, which showed that an average of 49% of total Homelessness Prevention Grant funding was spent across these three activities. There is no flex in our current allocation for 2025-26 to fund the voluntary sector to provide services in this area and the statutory prevention duty rests with the authority.
22. Councillor West- General Fund Revenue Budget, Capital & Treasury Management Strategy 2025-26
Response from Cllr Muten
Thank you for your question, Councillor West.
Our administration takes the City’s residents’ health very seriously and recognise the importance of good air quality for all. Notably, our focus is to reduce the impact on those with respiratory conditions exacerbated by poor air quality. This is why we are committed to a strategic, planned, targeted and data-led approach to air quality and net zero improvements. Rather than being driven by an ideology that prefers to focus on a privileged few to make change at the detriment of the many who can less afford in a cost of living crisis; we seek to implement changes that enable the whole city to respond to the climate emergency and improve air quality for all.
We are driving change through our commitment our ambitious £28M Bus Service Improvement Plan for our city, now with an additional £9.6M uplift announced by the Labour Government in the Autumn. Data shows increased bus passenger numbers and more buses on time across the city.
We are taking targeted measures to address bus fares including the £1 Short Hop offer which data already shows has enabled many more to take the bus within their local communities.
With some 500 city centre car parking spaces lost and 50% increase in parking fees, with more increases baked into the 2023 budget resulting in an annual income shortfall of at least £1m, the Green Party in administration had no strategy. Without alternative provision such as park and ride, a better bus service and improved active travel all in place, their response was to penalise residents – especially those on lower incomes - businesses and visitors. Cars that could once have parked close to Preston Park or on the seafront were forced to queue to get into city centre car parks off the seafront and in the North Laine, increasing congestion and worsening city centre air quality.
Sadly, an ideology that disproportionately hit those on lower incomes the hardest, discouraged visitors, hit businesses hard, penalised residents and increased traffic congestion leading to an uptick worsening air quality after years of improvement all proved an ill-conceived approach.
Instead, Labour commissioned a citywide parking review and are implementing a holistic strategy that works for the city, is fairer, helps our vibrant visitor economy to flourish, with targeted measures that will see much needed improvements in air quality.
153
153Matters Referred to the Executive
There were none.
154
154Representations from Opposition Members
131.1 Cabinet received a representation from Councillor McLeay on Item 157, General Fund Revenue Budget, Capital & Treasury Management Strategy 2025-26.
131.2 Cabinet received a representation from Councillor Hill on Item 157, General Fund Revenue Budget, Capital & Treasury Management Strategy 2025-26.
155
155Visitor Economy Strategy for Growth 2024 - 2034
155.1 Cabinet considered a report that sought approval for the Sussex Visitor Economy Strategy for Growth 2024 – 2034.
155.2 Councillors Taylor, Rowkins, Pumm, Muten and Robins contributed to the debate of the report.
155.3 Resolved-
1) That Cabinet approves the Sussex Visitor Economy Strategy for Growth 2024 – 2034 at (Appendix 1).
156
156Annual Procurement Forward Plan
156.1 Cabinet considered a report that requested approval of the Procurement Forward Plan that set out all known procurement projects above £1 million spend in 2025/26 in line with the Procurement Act 2023 (the Act).
156.2 Councillors Taylor, Williams, Rowkins, Robins, Allen and Miller contributed to the debate of the report.
156.3 Resolved-
1) That Cabinet agrees the Procurement Forward Plan for 2025/26 as set out in Appendix 1.
2) That Cabinet notes the Procurement Flow chart set out at Appendix 2.
157
157General Fund Revenue Budget, Capital & Treasury Management Strategy 2025-26
· Reduce the proposed reduction of contribution to the Healthy Child programme from £100,000 to £50,000 shown on Page 340;
· Remove the £4,000 proposed saving on YMCA Mental Health Champions (part of proposed savings of £44,000 on Page 340);
· Remove the proposed saving of £35,000 for cessation of the Audio Active CYP service (part of proposed savings of £44,000 on Page 340);
· Remove the proposed £20,000 saving on Mental Health Support Services on Page 341;
· Remove the proposed saving of £45,000 on the Ageing Well service delivered by Impact initiatives on Page 342;
· Reinstate the proposed reduction in contribution of £18,000 to the Academic Library Service (part of proposed savings of £73,000 on Page 342);
· Remove the proposed reduction of £10,000 to the TDC Act on Cancer Project screening promotion service (part of proposed savings of £73,000 on Page 342);
· Remove the proposal to reduce the contribution to Oral Health promotion by £9,000 (10%) as shown on Page 342, and;
· Reduce the proposed staffing saving of £565,000 by £39,000 to £526,000 as shown on Pages 342/343.
157.4 Cabinet considered and approved the following officer amendment as shown in bold italics below:
2.1 That Council approves the Administration’s proposed General Fund revenue and capital budget and Council Tax increase on the Brighton and Hove element of the council tax for 2025/26, comprising:
iv) The 2025/26 budget allocations to services as set out in Appendix 1 incorporating budget savings proposals detailed at Appendix 2; subject to the amendment below:
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Care pathway for sexual dysfunction (female) |
Proposed withdrawal of funding for this service as this is not a Public Health responsibility. The most significant impact will be experienced by women who are unable to identify or afford a paid-for therapy service. |
157.5 Councillors Miller, Daniel, Williams, Robins, Pumm, Muten, Rowkins, Allen and Sankey contributed to the debate of the report.
157.6 The Chair then put the motion to the vote that was carried.
157.7 The Chair then put the recommendations as amended to the vote that were approved.
157.8 Resolved to recommend-
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Care pathway for sexual dysfunction (female) |
Proposed withdrawal of funding for this service as this is not a Public Health responsibility. The most significant impact will be experienced by women who are unable to identify or afford a paid-for therapy service. |
iv) The authorised borrowing limit for the year commencing 1 April 2025.
9) Following the announcement of the Public Health Grant on 7 February 2025 and the higher than anticipated grant announcement, Full Council approve use of these additional resources to:
· Reduce the proposed reduction of contribution to the Healthy Child programme from £100,000 to £50,000 shown on Page 340;
· Remove the £4,000 proposed saving on YMCA Mental Health Champions (part of proposed savings of £44,000 on Page 340);
· Remove the proposed saving of £35,000 for cessation of the Audio Active CYP service (part of proposed savings of £44,000 on Page 340);
· Remove the proposed £20,000 saving on Mental Health Support Services on Page 341;
· Remove the proposed saving of £45,000 on the Ageing Well service delivered by Impact initiatives on Page 342;
· Remove the proposed reduction in contribution of £18,000 to the Academic Library Service (part of proposed savings of £73,000 on Page 342);
· Remove the proposed reduction of £10,000 to the TDC Act on Cancer Project screening promotion service (part of proposed savings of £73,000 on Page 342);
· Remove the proposal to reduce the contribution to Oral Health promotion by £9,000 (10%) as shown on Page 342, and;
· Reduce the proposed staffing saving of £565,000 by £39,000 to £526,000 as shown on Pages 342/343.
158
158Housing Revenue Account Budget & Capital Investment Programme 2025-26 and Medium-Term Financial Strategy
149.1 Cabinet considered a report that sought approval to recommend the proposed Housing Revenue Account (HRA) revenue and capital budget for 2025/26 as required by the Local Government & Housing Act 1989.
149.2 Councillors Robinson and Rowkins contributed to the debate of the report.
149.3 Resolved-
That Cabinet:
1) Approves a rent increase of 2.7% in line with government legislation as detailed in paragraph 3.12 of the report.
2) Approves the service charges and fees as detailed in Appendix 2 to the report.
3) Notes the 5-year capital programme as set out in Appendix 3 to the report.
4) Notes the Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) and 30-year financial projections shown in Appendix 4 to the report.
Resolved to recommend-
5) Notes and recommends to Full Council for approval the HRA Revenue Budget for 2025/26 as outlined in table 1 of the main report and Appendix 1.
6) Notes and recommends to Full Council for approval the new Capital Programme Budget of £77.765m for 2025/26 be agreed as part of the revised capital budget of £111.098m (which includes reprofiles of £33.333m from 2024/25).
7) Notes and recommends to Full Council approval of the earmarking of £1m reserves against disrepair claims for 2025/26.
8) Notes and recommends to Full Council for approval the 5-year capital programme as set out in Appendix 3 to the report.
159
159Targeted Budget Management (TBM) 202/245: Month 9 (December)
149.1 Cabinet considered a report that set out an indication of forecast risks as at Month 9 on the council’s revenue and capital budgets for the financial year 2024/25.
149.2 Councillors Sankey and Miller contributed to the debate of the report.
149.3 Resolved-
2) Cabinet notes the forecast outturn includes a forecast overspend risk of £1.522m on the NHS managed Section 75 services.
3) Cabinet notes the forecast breakeven position for the separate Housing Revenue Account (HRA).
4) Cabinet notes the forecast overspend risk for the ring-fenced Dedicated Schools Grant, which is an overspend of £1.276m.
5) Cabinet notes the forecast position on the Capital Programme which is an underspend variance of £2.188m.
6) Cabinet approves the capital budget variations and re-profiling requests set out in Appendix 6.
7) Cabinet approves new capital schemes requested in Appendix 7.
8) Cabinet notes the Treasury Management update as set out in Appendix 8.
160
160Annual Procurement Forward Plan (Exempt Category 3)
As per the Part 1 minutes.
161
161Part Two minutes of the previous meeting
161.1 Resolved- That the Part Two minutes of the previous meeting be approved as the correct record.
162
162Part Two Proceedings
162.1 Resolved- That the confidential items listed on the agenda remain exempt from disclosure to the press and public.
The meeting concluded at 4.25pm