Economic recovery plan in the works for East Sussex

County councillors posed a series of questions about the coronavirus response in East Sussex, as they met for the first full council meeting since the lockdown began.
The first virtual full East Sussex County Council meeting was held on TuesdayThe first virtual full East Sussex County Council meeting was held on Tuesday
The first virtual full East Sussex County Council meeting was held on Tuesday

On Tuesday (May 12), East Sussex County Council held a virtual all member meeting – marking its first full meeting since February and its first full meeting to be held online.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the meeting was dominated with questions about how the authority had been responding to the pandemic and the challenge it had thrown up. 

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Among those to raise questions was Liberal Democrat group leader David Tutt, who asked lead member for economy Rupert Simmons about the council’s economic recovery plans.

He said: “Businesses have been suffering quite severely in recent weeks and there are groups and organisations, which are coming up with initiatives to try and get businesses kickstarted again.

“I wondered if you could tell me, with you economic development brief, what might be made available to those organisations and how they should apply for funding.”

Cllr Simmons said: “We as the county council, in conjunction with all of our strategic partners, are building an economic recovery plan. A great deal of effort is going into that initiative. 

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“At the same time individual companies are seemingly coming directly to me to ask questions about support and what channels are available to them.

“This ranges from quite substantial companies to single self-employed. In all cases I have been able to facilitate expert advice from the Business East Sussex operation that we commission.

“In every case we have had very satisfactory responses from the applicants. In all that we do we are endeavouring to facilitate expert advice on grants and loan facilities, to ensure our business are best kept going in a sustainable fashion.”

Lib Dem finance spokesman Phillip Daniel, meanwhile, asked lead member for resources Nick Bennett how much funding the council had received from government for its coronavirus costs and whether it would be enough to cover the council’s additional spending.

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In response, Cllr Bennett said the council had already received more than £26.1m from government, but warned that its total shortfall would be “in the order of £30m”. 

The council will press the government to make up this shortfall, Cllr Bennett said. 

He said: “If it is not made up we are in a very strange position, because we have effectively given additional funding on to of the budget that was approved back in February. 

“These things will run side-by-side through our [budget-setting] process. We have a financial risk log which identifies the additional costs and loss of income. 

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“We are in the same position as every other authority, in that we would not want to present a 114 notice, but at some point government will have to reallocate funding. 

“That is national picture and that is the problem facing every authority area.”

Independent democrat group leader Stephen Shing, meanwhile, called on lead member for transport Claire Dowling to explain how the council was helping to enforce social distancing on its footpaths and cycleways.

Cllr Dowling said the council was looking at its cycling and walking infrastructure following a government announcement around funding to provide alternatives to public transport. 

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However, she also warned the measures would have to balance a number of “priorities from different user groups” and would be unlikely to satisfy all demands.

She said: “But whatever measures we put in place will be balanced and will be proportionate.

“We are very aware that whatever we do must not negatively impact other areas, such as business in the hospitality and retail sector. Our economy has been really badly hit as we all know and we don’t want to make their lives anymore difficulty as we come out of lockdown.”

Questions were also asked about the government’s plans to begin reopening schools in June and the steps being taken to support pupils who were distance learning, particularly those with no or poor internet connections.

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Questions were also raised over how the pandemic had affected proposals to withdraw funding from two nurseries in Bexhill, by local member Cllr Michael Ensor (Con).

In response Cllr Syliva Tidy, lead member for children and families, said a decision is to be made in December and the new landscape would have to be considered at that time.

Cllr Darren Grover (Lib Dem), meanwhile, raised questions about the supply of PPE into private care homes contracted by the council.

He said: “My question was borne out of a concern, as I have heard reports that some private social care providers – which are contracted by the council – aren’t following Public Health England guidance.

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“For example, there was one company which was providing a maximum of one facemask per member of staff per day, rather than per client or per session. 

“What assurances can the lead member give that all staff, whether contractors or directly employed [by the council], are getting the PPE they need?”

In response, lead member for adult social care Carl Maynard said: “I think frankly, the question is a little bit ambiguous, because obviously he is talking about the private sector here. Certainly if you have a specific question about a specific private facility then that question should be referred to the director [of adult social care and health] Keith Hinkley.”

He also said the council was working in partnership with other health and care providers on the supply of PPE.

A message from the Editor, Gary Shipton:

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