Lewes District Council cancels meetings in response to coronavirus pandemic

Lewes and Eastbourne councils have confirmed they are cancelling public meetings until further notice, as the authorities respond to the coronavirus pandemic.
Lewes District Council Southover House SUS-190904-113441001Lewes District Council Southover House SUS-190904-113441001
Lewes District Council Southover House SUS-190904-113441001

The councils are also asking residents to avoid council offices wherever possible and instead make contact through its website – www.lewes-eastbourne.gov.uk – or via email.

The councils will also be posting regular information to its social media channels, including Facebook and Twitter.

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A spokesman for the councils, which share most of their workforce, said: “We fully understand how worried our residents are at this unprecedented time and so it is more important than ever to keep people informed about the council’s plans.

“Our priorities are the maintenance of frontline services across Eastbourne and the Lewes district, and the wellbeing of our residents and staff.

“We support many vulnerable people and are doing everything possible to ensure they continue to receive help at this difficult time.

“We are also in regular liaison with the voluntary sector to look at how best to support their work in Lewes district and Eastbourne.

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“We have implemented robust business continuity plans across all areas to minimise interruptions to normal services.  Clearly, we are in unprecedented times and it is inevitable that there will be a reduced level of activity by council officers in some areas. “

In Lewes all planning, licensing and non-decision making meetings are to be postponed until new measures are available from Government

These measures are expected to include a change in law to allow meetings to take place virtually, something which is currently prohibited.

Cabinet decisions will continue to be made by council leader Zoe Nicholson during this time, with cabinet councillors meeting remotely to debate the agenda before anything is signed off. 

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Cllr Nicholson is currently in self-isolation after a family member contracted Covid-19.

In Eastbourne, all public council meetings are now cancelled until further notice.

Where decisions are required during this period, the council’s executive powers will be employed by the Leader of Eastbourne Borough Council.

If any planning or licensing decision is required, the chief executive’s urgency powers will be exercised.

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Similar measures are set to be taken by East Sussex County Council after it meets next week.

Both Lewes and Eastbourne councils have also suspended their collections of bulky waste until further notice.

Eastbourne Borough Council has also closed its theatres – the Congress and Devonshire Park – until further notice.

Information for businesses about emergency support can be linked to via the council website – www.lewes-eastbourne.gov.uk

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There is more information available on the government website – www.gov.uk – where you will find information from Public Health England and details of support for workers, businesses and benefit claimants.