Decisions

RESOLVED that: -

(a)           Cabinet agreed with the proposal to establish a new Winchelsea School satellite unit and nursery for children with SEND at Stanley Green Infant Academy, in addition to expanding Winchelsea School’s post-16 places at Broadstone Youth Centre, with effect from 1 September 2026.

(b)           Cabinet approve a budget allocation of £710k using High Needs Provision Allocation.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Children, Young People, Education and Skills

Reason

To increase local specialist early years and key stage 1 capacity in the Oakdale and wider area, in addition to permitting an increase to the number of post-16 places made available in Broadstone, to meet the assessed educational needs of children and young people with SEND and to reduce pressure on the High Needs Budget. The Council is the authority for approving this significant change.

RESOLVED that Cabinet approved the Social Value Statement for adoption.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holders:  Transformation, Resources and Governance

                              Communities and Partnerships

Reason

To align stakeholders across all council services and ensure a consistent organisation-wide approach, aligned with the Council’s priorities, stretching beyond procurement to improve benefits for our communities and residents.

RESOLVED that Cabinet: -

(a)          approved the process required to formally adopt the new draft Library Byelaws made under Section 19 of the Public Libraries and Museum Act (1964);

(b)          delegates responsibility to the Portfolio Holder for Customer, Communications and Culture to review any concerns raised through public consultation, prior to the report progressing to Full Council and then seeking final sign off from the DCMS; and

(c)          delegates responsibility to the Library Management Team for implementing the new Byelaws and using them in day-to-day operation.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Customer, Communications and Culture

Reason

The purpose of this report is to present the draft new library Byelaws for BCP Council.

RESOLVED that: -

(a)           Cabinet give delegated authority to the Leader of the Council and Chair of the Cabinet to undertake the necessary activities to:

(i)         Issue the Notice to Commence plan making;

(ii)       Publish the timetable and Project Initiation Document, and update as required.

(iii)      Publish a scoping consultation exercise for a period of 6 weeks.

(iv)      Progress the Local Plan through the Gateway stages.

(b)           Cabinet agreed the Terms of Reference of the Local Plan Working Group subject to the inclusion to allow the possibility for substitute members provided that group leaders or their nominated representative notify of the change at least 72 hours in advance of a meeting and provided that the substitute attend a briefing with relevant officers prior to the meeting:

(c)          further clarification be provided on the stakeholders who will be engaged with, beyond the statutory consultees and that Ward members be encouraged to provide the details to officers of any organisations that they feel should be engaged with as stakeholders; and

(d)           a risk concerning the wider potential implications of devolution and local government reorganisation, e.g. changing consultees, be added to the risk register included within the Project Initiation Document

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Leader of the Council

Reason

To agree the governance arrangements and enable work to formally commence on preparing a new Local Plan within the reformed 30-month plan making system.