The Lewes District Council Cabinet is scheduled to meet to discuss local government reorganisation, community infrastructure levy spending, community wealth building, and financial monitoring. The main item on the agenda is the proposal for the creation of an East Sussex unitary council. The cabinet will also consider recommendations for community infrastructure levy spending and an update on community wealth building. Finally, the cabinet is expected to review the council's financial performance.

Local Government Reorganisation and Devolution

The cabinet is scheduled to discuss a proposal for the creation of a single unitary council for East Sussex, to be submitted to the Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution by 26 September 2025. This proposal, detailed in Local Government Reorganisation and Devolution, is also under consideration by the other East Sussex councils and East Sussex County Council.

The report pack states that the recommendation for a One East Sussex unitary authority follows a review of alternative options. A two-unitary model was deemed significantly more costly, due to the costs of separating critical services and the duplication of management. The report pack also mentions that Brighton & Hove City Council's (BHCC) proposed boundary change was overwhelmingly rejected during public consultation.

Lewes District Council maintains that BHCC have to date, failed to provide any justification for its proposed boundary changes. Consequently, in light of the strong public response (see para 5.5) and a commitment to preserving local identity, the Council firmly supports the retention of East Saltdean, Telscombe, Peacehaven, Newhaven, and Kingston within the current Lewes boundary and its support for inclusion of the entire district into the One East Sussex unitary proposals. This position reflects a clear mandate from our communities to oppose the proposed BHCC expansion and the public view that Lewes District in its entirety should be part of One East Sussex.

The report pack includes Agenda Supplement - Local Government Reorganisation and Devolution Appendix 3, an economic impact report that considers the importance of Newhaven, Telscombe, East Saltdean, Peacehaven, and Kingston to the East Sussex economy, and the potential impact of losing them. The report states that these areas make a critical contribution to East Sussex's economic scale, with Newhaven being the industrial powerhouse, Kingston playing an outsized role in GVA contribution, and Peacehaven, Telscombe & East Saltdean providing the largest contribution in terms of residents and housing stock.

The report also notes that significant investment has been made in these areas, including nearly £40 million in Newhaven alone, and that these areas are well-connected with the rest of East Sussex through road and rail infrastructure.

Recommendations for Community Infrastructure Levy Spending

The cabinet is scheduled to consider a report, CIL Recommendations Report, seeking approval to release Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funds for infrastructure projects. The CIL is a charge that local planning authorities can impose on new developments to help raise funds for infrastructure. As of 20 August 2025, the council has collected £19,243,868.76 of CIL since its implementation on 1 December 2015.

The report pack states that the CIL Executive Board has recommended the release of funds from the CIL Community Pot and Community Small Projects Pot for the following projects:

• Sussex Police – £7,500 for one Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) camera in Seaford.
• Newhaven Cricket Club – £131,500 for internal renovations to improve facilities and accessibility.
• Ringmer Village Hall – £13,000 for sound and heat proofing to the community rooms.
• Newhaven Rowing Club – £10,149 for a new road trailer and floating dock for 2 Cornish gigs.
• Wivelsfield Village Hall – £28,175 for car park and path improvements to facilitate better accessibility.
• Hillcrest Centre in Newhaven – £150,000 for internal renovations, including heating replacement, new toilets and kitchen facilities, and refurbishments of community rooms.
• Peacehaven Players – £7,000 for new lighting for the community group.
• Wave Leisure – £126,960 for small children's soft play equipment in Peacehaven.
• CTLA – £8,660 for replacement of current IT equipment with new, to allow for continued and improved service for the Community.
• Newick Village Hall - £4,360 for installation of new stairs and handrails to emergency exits
• Plumpton Tennis Club - £4,030 for two containers for storage of sporting equipment

The CIL Executive Board did not recommend approval or refusal for a bid made by the C7 Safer Roads Group, instead recognising the high strategic priority of this project and requiring further internal discussion to ascertain whether it is more appropriate to fund this work through the CIL Strategic Pot.

The report pack also notes that the cabinet will consider approving additional works in a previously approved bid for Peacehaven Town Council, where efficiencies have been found in the quotes of the original proposed works to the roof and heating system.

Community Wealth Building Update

The cabinet is scheduled to receive an update on the progress of the Community Wealth Building programme, as detailed in the Community Wealth Building Update report. The report pack states that the council committed to Community Wealth and Wellbeing as one of its five key areas to focus on in its 2024-28 Corporate Plan.

The report pack also notes that the council is exploring the possibility of becoming a Living Wage employer and is recommending that the Director of Finance and Performance be delegated authority to apply for Lewes District Council to become a Living Wage employer and commit to paying Real Living Wage to all staff. The Real Living Wage is set by the Living Wage Foundation and is currently £12.60 across the UK, outside of London.

The report pack highlights several examples of socially productive use of land and assets, including the council's letting of its offices in Lewes to Charleston Trust, the Newhaven Square project, and the council's housing delivery programme.

Portfolio Progress and Performance Report 2025-2026 – Quarter 1

The cabinet is scheduled to review the Portfolio Progress and Performance Report for Quarter 1 of 2025/26, which provides an overview of the council's performance in various service areas. The report pack states that there are 33 performance indicators (PIs) included in the report, with 6 PIs achieving target, 4 slightly below target, 14 below target, 6 data only points, and 3 PIs currently unavailable to report. The report pack also notes that there are 8 positive trends and 6 negative trends from Q4 2024/25 to Q1 2025/26.

Revenue and Capital Financial Monitoring Report 2025/26 - Quarter 1

The cabinet is scheduled to review the Revenue and Capital Financial Monitoring Report for Quarter 1 of 2025/26, which provides an assessment of the council's financial performance against its approved 2025/26 budget. The report pack states that the forecast outturn position for 2025/26 at 30 June 2025 is a balanced position. The report pack also notes that the Directorate is reporting a £0.762m pressure, with the main areas being Bereavement Services, Waste and Recycling, Car Parks, and Homelessness. The report pack states that the Council is reporting a forecast outturn position of (£1.0m) underspent in technical and centrally controlled budgets, which currently offsets the forecasted service pressures. The report pack also notes that the HRA is reporting a forecast outturn position of £164k overspend against an original budget of £461k.