Social Value Ideas for Lewes District and Eastbourne Borough Councils

Persistent disclaimer opinion

The auditors said the 2025-26 accounts will again be disclaimed because prior-year assurance gaps remain, particularly over opening balances. The committee explored whether and when an unqualified opi…

“So because last year was the first year where we performed detailed audit procedures, and as it was highlighted in prior auditor's findings report as …”

Government Funding Settlement Shortfall

Local government financial settlement 2025-26 presents disappointing outcome with single-year settlement limiting strategic planning. Government provided £69bn funding nationally (6% cash increase, 3.…

“This year's budget has also been set within the context of a disappointing outcome of this year's local government financial settlement... In 2025 -26…”

External audit fee increase

Grant Thornton’s proposed fee for the 2025-26 external audit is £226,417, about £6,000 higher than the prior year. The committee received the audit plan, which sets the scope and timetable for the sta…

“The report in front of you is the external audit plan produced by Grand Taunton, and this is going to be for the 25 -26 audit. Again, in terms of the …”

Balanced year-end budget and reserves

The council reported a balanced General Fund outturn and a favourable housing revenue account position, with capital expenditure broadly in line with budget. Members were told that reserve drawdown wa…

“The overall message is that the Council has ended the year in a balanced General Fund position. This has been achieved through active budget managemen…”

General Fund Revenue Budget 2026-27 Balanced Budget Delivery

Cabinet approved balanced general fund revenue budget for 2026-27 and medium-term financial projections through 2029-30. Budget built on service budget rebasing, adjustments from fair funding review 2…

“Tonight, I am presenting a balanced budget for 2026 to 2027 and balanced projections through to 2029 and 2030. That reflects difficult decisions, firm…”

Affordable housing secured

The scheme included a commitment to 40% affordable housing, secured through the Section 106 legal agreement at outline stage. This is a material planning gain with direct implications for delivery and…

“The other thing I wanted to know, maybe this would be this would happen when it came to the reserve matters. But the idea of making this biodiversity …”

Temporary Accommodation and Homelessness Crisis - Ongoing Pressure

Council acknowledges temporary accommodation and rising homelessness continues to place exceptional strain on revenue budgets, described as 'financial and more importantly a moral priority'. Budget re…

“Our greatest ongoing pressure still remains temporary accommodation. rising homelessness continues to place exceptional strain on casual budgets natio…”

Housing Revenue Account Capital Programme 2025-2030

HRA capital programme totalling £33.717 million approved for 5-year period (2025-2030), with 2026-27 allocation of £25.864 million for new builds and acquisitions supporting corporate ambition of 200 …

“The capital programme for 25 to 2030 is £33.717 million for 26-7 which includes £25.864 million for new builds and acquisitions supporting the corpora…”

Voids and homelessness pressure

Housing voids remain a significant system-wide risk because they delay relets and contribute to homelessness demand. The committee heard that the council is using short-term subcontractors, new contra…

“Voids continue to be significant system wide risk affecting relet times, obviously, then housing supply and the council's ability to respond to homele…”

Turnpike Farm refused

Members eventually refused the Turnpike Farm housing application, and officers were delegated to draft the wording of the landscape and highway safety reasons before referral under the ministerial dir…

“I think the proposal is accepted... So those are the two planning material reasons to go to a for a proposal. Is that absolutely clear? Great. Does it…”

Approve with added condition wording

The committee agreed to approve the application, with the officer confirming that condition 10.23 would be expanded into a water infrastructure assessment covering water provision and foul drainage, p…

“So if members are happy for that to be concluded by, we will include that in the recommendation. Right. And sorry, there was also some additional tran…”

Secretary of State referral for major housing

A new ministerial direction applies to schemes of 150 dwellings or more. Officers explained that if members resolved to refuse the Turnpike Farm scheme, the decision would be referred to the Secretary…

“Item 8, application number LW250391. The location is land north of Turnpike Farm, the broil. The proposal is outline planning application with all mat…”