The Lead Member for Resources and Climate Change made two decisions at their meeting. They agreed to sell a piece of land in Peacehaven, and to grant a lease on a shop in Eastbourne.

Proposed Sale of Land at 98 South Coast Road, Peacehaven

The Lead Member was asked to consider selling a piece of land at 98 South Coast Road in Peacehaven. The land, described as an elongated parcel of land, is adjacent to the car park of the Peacehaven branch of Domino's Pizza, and is currently used by them to park delivery vehicles.

The report considered by the Lead Member explains that the land was registered to East Sussex County Council in 1974, but no record of its acquisition survives. The land is currently designated as a 'Key Service Area', a designation used by East Sussex County Council in their Local Transport Plan 3 [t]o better manage the impact of development, both new and existing, on the transport network in and around large urban areas, and key service centres outside urban areas. As part of this designation, the County Council committed to [p]rotecting Key Service Areas from inappropriate development that would significantly impact upon their role or function. The report identifies a number of risks associated with retaining the land, including:

• Fly-tipping
• Antisocial behaviour
• Encampments

The report does not identify any benefits in retaining the land. It concludes that selling the land to Domino's would [r]emove the Council’s liabilities for the site and provide a capital receipt.

The Lead Member agreed to sell the land.

Proposed Grant of a new lease of Brampton Road Store, Eastbourne

The Lead Member was asked to consider granting a new 10-year lease on the shop at 1 Brampton Road, Eastbourne. The shop is currently let to Sussex Community Development Association (SCDA), a charity which, according to the report, uses the shop to sell [g]ifts, furniture, white goods and bric-a-brac and re-invests the profits in [p]roviding a range of services to adults with learning disabilities. The current lease on the shop expires on 12 July 2024.

The report notes that SCDA have occupied the shop, which is part of a parade of five shops, for 21 years and that they have always paid their rent and service charges on time. The report goes on to note that East Sussex County Council has a legal duty under the Homelessness Act 2002 to [p]revent homelessness and to [r]elieve homelessness and that renting the property to SCDA at a subsidised rate is one way in which the Council can meet its homelessness duties.

The report goes on to list the options available to the Lead Member:

• Option 1: Do nothing.
• Option 2: Grant SCDA a new 10-year lease with a peppercorn rent for the first five years and a market rent for the remainder.
• Option 3: Offer the shop for rent on the open market.

The report recommends granting a new lease to SCDA as this delivers the best outcome for the Council by enabling it to meet its strategic objectives as well as statutory duties.

Councillor Taylor, the Lead Member for Resources and Climate Change, agreed with the officer's recommendation. He noted that

I have visited that shop and I think what they do there is amazing.

He went on to agree to grant a new lease to SCDA.