We have detailed some key highlights from the Cabinet meeting, held on Monday 13 April 2026.
Budget Monitoring 2025/26 – Quarter 3 (Period 10)
Cabinet reviewed the Quarter 3 budget monitoring report, setting out the Council’s financial position for 2025/26 based on income and expenditure to the end of January 2026. Members noted that underlying service budgets are forecast to be slightly under budget, but higher financing costs mean the Council is expected to draw £1.075 million from reserves, compared to £694,000 originally planned.
Progress against savings targets was also noted, with some savings delivered in full, some partially achieved and others not deliverable in-year.
Cabinet reviewed the updated Capital Programme, which remains at £191 million over five years. Planned capital spend for 2025/26 is now forecast at around £45 million following the re-phasing of some projects. Members noted that grant funding continues to be the main source of capital financing, helping to limit the impact on future revenue budgets.
The potential financial impact of the national change allowing elected Members to join the Local Government Pension Scheme from April 2026, which was not included in the approved budget, was noted. Officers will assess the cost implications and report back to a future meeting.
Renters’ Rights Act 2025 – Private Sector Housing Enforcement Policy 2026 and Civil Penalties Policy 2026
Cabinet considered a report on the introduction of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 and the need to adopt new enforcement arrangements for the private rented sector. The Act represents a major change to tenancy law, increasing security for tenants, improving housing standards and placing a new statutory duty on local authorities to actively enforce housing legislation.
Cabinet reviewed the proposed Private Sector Housing Enforcement Policy 2026 and Civil Penalties Policy 2026, which set out how the Council will investigate complaints, take enforcement action and, where necessary, issue civil penalties against landlords who do not comply with the law. Members noted that the policies follow nationally recognised approaches to ensure fairness, consistency, and legal robustness.
Cabinet also noted the financial and operational implications of the Act, and members were advised of potential risks, such as increased demand for homelessness services, especially ahead of the abolition of Section 21 “no fault” evictions from May 2026.
Cabinet agreed to recommend to Council that the new policies be approved and adopted. Cabinet also approved the delegation of authority to senior officers to exercise
powers under the Act and to make minor amendments to the policies where required following legislative or administrative changes.
King Offa – Proposed Sale of Land
Cabinet considered a report on the proposed conditional sale of Council-owned land at the King Offa site in Bexhill to a Registered Provider for the delivery of affordable housing.
Cabinet noted that the recommended approach would secure the delivery of an affordable housing scheme, providing more affordable homes than would be required through a private market development.
Members considered the proposed use of a Conditional Purchase Agreement, under which the Registered Provider will be required to obtain planning permission at its own cost before completing the purchase.
Cabinet noted the associated risks, timescales, and the implications for capital receipts, including that completion is unlikely to take place before 2028.
Cabinet agreed to delegate authority to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader and the Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Housing, to agree final terms and to prepare and exchange contracts for the conditional sale of the King Offa site for affordable housing. Cabinet also approved a budget of up to £30,000 for legal costs associated with the transaction, to be funded from capital receipts.
Published: 16th April 2026
