The Lewes District Council Full Council met on 15 September 2025. During the meeting, councillors were scheduled to discuss motions relating to local GP services and surface water drainage, and to hear reports from councillors who serve on outside bodies. The meeting was also scheduled to include questions from councillors to the Leader of the Council.

Motions

Two motions were scheduled to be discussed at the meeting.

Accessing Local GP Services and Health Facilities

Councillor Christine Brett submitted a motion regarding accessing local GP services and health facilities. The motion noted that many residents across the district report significant difficulties in accessing local GP services, including long waiting times for appointments, and that a shortage of GP practice space exists in Seaford.

The council was asked to resolve to:

• Endorse the importance of accessible and comprehensive GP services as a key determinant of community health and well-being.
• Continue to deliver the Newhaven Health and Wellbeing Hub with partners to ensure its timely implementation.
• Request the Leader of the Council to write to the government to advocate for improved training pathways and greater investment in the GP workforce and request local MPs to write in support of this action.
• Request the Leader of the Council to write to the NHS Sussex Integrated Care Board (ICB) to express the council's concerns regarding GP access across the District, urging it to work with local practices to address the shortages impacting patient access and local care provision.
• Request the Leader of the Council to write to the NHS Sussex Integrated Care Board (ICB) to stress the continuing lack of suitable, accessible, and fit for purpose health facilities in Seaford, requesting an urgent update on the matter, including the status of a potential new Seaford Medical Practice utilising the Council-owned Richmond Road Carpark already put forward subject to due diligence.

Surface Water Drainage

Councillor Paul Keene submitted a motion on surface water drainage. The motion noted that Lewes District has witnessed a rising number of surface water flooding incidents, and that residents from across the District have reported recurrent flooding of gardens, garages, and driveways.

The council was asked to resolve to:

1. Request the Leader of the Council to write to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, the Secretary of State for the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and the Chief Executive of the Environment Agency asking for:

*   the implementation of Schedule 3 to [The Flood and Water Management Act 2010](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/29/schedule/3), notwithstanding the response of Baroness Stevenage to the Lewes District Council Southern Water Report to the contrary.
*   a statement on progress with the recommendations of [The review for implementation of Schedule 3 to The Flood and Water Management Act 2010](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/63bc504dd3bf7f263846325c/The_review_for_implementation_of_Schedule_3_to_The_Flood_and_Water_Management_Act_2010.pdf), dated January 2023
*   the expected timeline for implementation of the recommendations of the aforementioned review.

1. Request the Leader of the Council to write to the Leader of East Sussex County Council (as Lead Local Flood Authority), the Chief Executive of South East Water, and the Chief Executive of Southern Water to ask that they strengthen their policies and procedures, with clear investment plans to deliver these, around assessment of drainage schemes and adhere to the latest DEFRA guidance when responding to planning applications to combat the local issues with flooding and to ensure flooding and sewage outflows to rivers, seas, and other bodies of water continue to progressively reduce under currently permitted levels.
2. Work with the Local Government Association (LGA) and regional planning forums for national action on drainage regulatory reform.

Reporting Back on Meetings of Outside Bodies

The council was scheduled to receive reports from councillors in relation to the outside bodies to which they have been appointed by Full Council. These included:

• Re-imagining Newhaven Board: Councillor Zoe Nicholson and Councillor Christine Robinson
• Newhaven Fishing CIC Board: Councillor Zoe Nicholson
• Greater Brighton Economic Board: Councillor Zoe Nicholson
• Wave Active: Councillor Laurence O'Connor
• Armed Forces Champion: Councillor Daniel Stewart-Roberts
• South Downs National Park Authority: Councillor Daniel Stewart-Roberts

The update from Councillor Laurence O'Connor regarding Wave Active noted that:

With support from Lewes District Council (LDC), Wave Active has completed a number of projects including the refurbishment of reception areas, wet change at Lewes Leisure Centre, Studio 3 at the Downs Leisure Centre and a gym refurbishment at Peacehaven Leisure Centre. New turnstiles have been installed with new foyer lighting at Peacehaven. The Newhaven Health Hub is progressing at pace with a new link way and a refurbished changing room being part of the building programme.

Questions to the Leader of the Council

Councillors were to be given the opportunity to ask questions to Councillor Zoe Nicholson, Leader of the Council. It was at the Leader's discretion to re-direct questions to relevant Members of the Cabinet.