REFORM CABINET MEMBER CANCELS KEY MEETINGS

REFORM CABINET MEMBER CANCELS KEY MEETINGS

The Reform Cabinet Member in charge of Transport and the Environment at East Sussex County Council has only held one meeting since being elected and has cancelled all the subsequent meetings.  Cllr Carolyn Lambert explains:

“Highways is probably the most important day to day issue for the general public who are rightly concerned about the state of our roads.  At the County Council meeting held on 13 October, I asked the Lead Member why he had held one meeting on 20 July and had then cancelled the subsequent two meetings.

He did not appear to understand the question and said he did not know why he had cancelled the meetings. The Lead Member is given a Special Responsibility Allowance of £18,548.04 per year for undertaking the role, but it would appear that council taxpayers are not getting value for money.

This is extremely serious.  Cabinet Members are there to set the policy and strategy for the Council and to ensure that work is being carried out efficiently, effectively and transparently.  If Lead Member meetings are being cancelled, then we have to ask what work is being carried out on our roads?”

NOTES TO EDITORS

At East Sussex County Council, a Lead Member serves as a senior councillor who holds political accountability and delegated decision-making powers for a specific service portfolio. They act as the political head of their assigned department, bridging the gap between elected councillors and the council's paid professional officers. 

Core Responsibilities

Holding Delegated Executive Power: Unlike standard councillors, Lead Members have the authority to make executive, day-to-day operational decisions within their portfolio without needing the full Cabinet to vote. 

Setting Strategy & Priorities: They work closely with Directors of Service to formulate policies, set performance targets, and ensure services meet resident needs. 

Cabinet Representation: Every Lead Member is automatically a member of the Cabinet. They represent their portfolio's interests in broader Cabinet debates and ensure their services align with the council's overall budget. 

Public and Stakeholder Accountability: Lead Members host regular public portfolio meetings, handle enquiries from the public, defend their department's performance, and justify spending decisions to Scrutiny Committees.

Because the council currently operates under no overall control, Lead Members carry the vital task of navigating policy decisions transparently. When a decision needs to be made, the Lead Member meets formally with department officers, reviews reports, and signs off on actions during scheduled Lead Member Meetings. If a decision is highly controversial or impacts the council's entire budget, the Lead Member will escalate it to the full Cabinet rather than deciding it alone.

Cllr Kathryn Field