Venue: Mead Room (Rose) - Endeavour House. View directions
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DECLARATION OF INTERESTS BY COUNCILLORS Minutes: Councillor Jessie Carter declared Other Registrable Interests in respect of item 9 – B2311 due to being a Suffolk County Councillor and a Sudbury Town Councillor, and in respect of item 14 due to being a Sudbury Town Councillor.
However, the items under discussion did not directly relate to the finances or wellbeing of that interest. Therefore, Councillor Jessie Carter was not prevented from participating in the debate and vote in respect of Items 9 and 14.
Councillor Jessie Carter had been granted dispensation for item 11. |
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BCa/23/7 TO CONFIRM THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 10 JULY 2023 PDF 105 KB Minutes: It was RESOLVED:-
That the minutes of the meeting held on the 10 July 2023 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.
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TO RECEIVE NOTIFICATION OF PETITIONS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE COUNCIL'S PETITION SCHEME Minutes: None received.
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QUESTIONS BY COUNCILLORS Minutes: None received.
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MATTERS REFERRED BY THE OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY OR JOINT AUDIT AND STANDARDS COMMITTEES Minutes: There were no matters referred from the Overview and Scrutiny or the Joint Audit and Standards Committees.
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FORTHCOMING DECISIONS LIST Please note the most up to date version can be found via the website:
Forthcoming Decisions List » Babergh
Minutes: There were no comments made for the Forthcoming Decisions List.
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BCa/23/8 FINANCIAL MONITORING REPORT QUARTER 1 2023/24 PDF 125 KB Babergh Cabinet Member – Finance, Assets and Investments Additional documents:
Decision: It was RESOLVED: -
1.1 That, subject to any further budget variations that arise during the rest of the financial year, the projected overspend on the General Fund of £703,000 referred to in section 4.2 and Appendix A of the report be noted; 1.2 That, subject to any further budget variations that arise during the rest of the financial year, the projected overspend on the Housing Revenue Account of £305,000 referred to in section 4.3 and Appendix B of the report be noted; 1.3 That, the Council’s compliance with the Prudential Indicators during quarter one referred to in section 4.4 and Appendix C of the report be noted.
REASON FOR DECISION To ensure that Members are kept informed of the financial position for both General Fund Revenue and Capital, Housing Revenue Account and Capital and the Prudential Indicators. Alternative Options Considered and Rejected: The recommended option is set out in the Recommendations. There are no other available options. Any Declarations of Interests Declared: None Any Dispensation Granted: None
Minutes:
20.1 Cabinet considered this report that summarised the financial activities of the Council for the first quarter of 2023/24, covering General Fund Revenue, the Housing Revenue Account and the Capital Programmes for both funds.
20.2 Councillor Daniel Potter proposed the recommendations, as detailed in the report, which was seconded by Councillor Derek Davis.
20.3 The Chair, Councillor Deborah Saw, invited questions from other Members attending the meeting.
20.4 Councillor Mary McLaren queried appendix A in relation to the funding allocated to social prescribing and whether ward members received a breakdown of costs incurred for elections for parish councils.
20.5 The Deputy Chief Executive advised the funding for social prescribing would be a combination of staff costs and activities, as it was a multi funded project with Health.
20.6 In relation to ward members receiving elections costs for their respective parish councils, the Chief Executive advised that this was an option going forward.
It was RESOLVED: -
1.1 That, subject to any further budget variations that arise during the rest of the financial year, the projected overspend on the General Fund of £703,000 referred to in section 4.2 and Appendix A of the report be noted; 1.2 That, subject to any further budget variations that arise during the rest of the financial year, the projected overspend on the Housing Revenue Account of £305,000 referred to in section 4.3 and Appendix B of the report be noted; 1.3 That, the Council’s compliance with the Prudential Indicators during quarter one referred to in section 4.4 and Appendix C of the report be noted.
REASON FOR DECISION To ensure that Members are kept informed of the financial position for both General Fund Revenue and Capital, Housing Revenue Account and Capital and the Prudential Indicators.
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BCa/23/9 COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE LEVY (CIL) - CIL EXPENDITURE PROGRAMME SEPTEMBER 2023 PDF 266 KB Babergh Cabinet Member - Planning Additional documents:
Decision: It was RESOLVED: -
1.1 That the CIL Expenditure Programme (September 2023) and accompanying Technical Assessments of the following CIL Bids (forming Appendices, A and B) be approved (including decisions on these CIL Bids for Cabinet to make/or note) as follows: - Decisions for Cabinet to approve: - Ringfenced Infrastructure Funds (Acton)
Decisions for Cabinet to approve: Local Infrastructure Fund
Delegated decisions for Cabinet to note: - Ringfenced Infrastructure Fund
Minutes: 21.1 Cabinet received this report, which sought to obtain approval by Cabinet for Babergh’s CIL Expenditure Programme for September 2023, as detailed in Appendix A of the report. This report contained eight CIL Bids including the judgements around the assessment of those Bids (Appendix B).
21.2 Councillor Daniel Potter proposed the recommendations, as detailed in the report, which was seconded by Councillor Derek Davis.
21.3 Members considered the report and Councillor Derek Davis fully endorsed the CIL bids within the report.
It was RESOLVED: -
1.1That the CIL Expenditure Programme (September 2023) and accompanying Technical Assessments of the following CIL Bids (forming Appendices, A and B) be approved (including decisions on these CIL Bids for Cabinet to make/or note) as follows: - Decisions for Cabinet to approve: - Ringfenced Infrastructure Funds (Acton)
Decisions for Cabinet to approve: Local Infrastructure Fund
Delegated decisions for Cabinet to note: - Ringfenced Infrastructure Fund
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BCa/23/10 UK100 NETWORK AND OUR COMMITMENT TO SIGN-UP FOR A MEMBERSHIP PDF 158 KB Babergh Leader of the Council Additional documents:
Decision: It was RESOLVED: -
That Cabinet reiterated the commitment made by Full Council on 18th July 2023 to join UK100 and noted the content of Appendix A & B.
REASON FOR DECISION We are committed to become a member of the UK100 network. This membership has the potential to help local authorities to fulfil and accelerate the Council’s commitments to tackling the climate emergency and deliver local Net Zero. Alternative Options Considered and Rejected: Other options were not considered since the UK100 membership is the only network for UK local leaders focused solely on climate, clean energy and clean air policy. Any Declarations of Interests Declared: None Any Dispensation Granted: None
Minutes: 22.1 The Chair, Councillor Deborah Saw, introduced the report summarising the advantages and benefits for the Council to join UK100 and advised Members that Babergh Council had agreed a motion at Full Council on 18th July 2023 to join UK100.
22.2 Councillor Jessie Carter and Councillor Daniel Potter proposed and seconded respectively the recommendations, as detailed in the report.
22.3 The Deputy Monitoring Officer clarified that the recommendation should be amended to: ‘That Cabinet reiterated the commitment made by Full Council on 18th July 2023 to join UK100 and noted the content of Appendix A & B.’
It was RESOLVED: -
That Cabinet reiterated the commitment made by Full Council on 18th July 2023 to join UK100 and noted the content of Appendix A & B.
REASON FOR DECISION We are committed to become a member of the UK100 network. This membership has the potential to help local authorities to fulfil and accelerate the Council’s commitments to tackling the climate emergency and deliver local Net Zero.
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Babergh Cabinet Member - Housing Decision: It was RESOLVED: -
That members note the report.
REASON FOR DECISION To ensure that members and senior leaders of the councils have oversight of the journey with the Regulator back to a position where we are compliant. Alternative Options Considered and Rejected: None Any Declarations of Interests Declared: None Any Dispensation Granted: None
Minutes: 23.1 The Chair, Councillor Deborah Saw invited the Cabinet Member for Housing Jessie Carter to introduce the report.
23.2 Councillor Carter provided a summary of the report and advised that Members were asked to note the report.
23.3 Councillor Daniel Potter queried line 21 in the table, in relation to asbestos and asked for an update.
23.4 The Head of Investment and Compliance advised Members that a new programme of re-inspections for asbestos in council properties were underway and was now 40% complete and ahead of schedule.
23.5 In response to Councillor Saw’s question relating to Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) in council properties, the Head of Investments and Compliance advised Members that there currently had not been any issues identified in Council properties.
23.6 Councillor Saw queried that given the current demand for surveyors, would the Council be undertaking inspections for RAAC or would it be outsourced external surveyors.
23.7 The Head of Investments and Compliance responded that if any concerns were raised for RAAC in Council properties, the Council would undertake the initial inspections, but that formal inspections would be conducted externally.
23.8 Councillor Derek Davis referred to the communication with tenants in relation to contractors working on council properties and if there was any mechanism put in place to improve this.
23.9 The Head of Investments and Compliance responded that work was being undertaken to improve this area of service to tenants.
23.10 In response to other Members attending the meeting, the Head Investments and Compliance advised that all tenants had been informed about the change of contractors. There had not been any reactions received from tenants for this matter.
It was RESOLVED: -
That Members noted the report.
REASON FOR DECISION To ensure that members and senior leaders of the councils have oversight of the journey with the Regulator back to a position where we are compliant. |
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BCa/23/12 BDC 2023-24 Q1 PERFORMANCE REPORT PDF 1 MB Babergh Cabinet Member - Customers, Digital Transformation and Improvement
A paper presenting performance across the whole Council for the period 1 April – 30 June 2023 (Q1). To note the information contained within the paper, giving the opportunity to reflect and comment on progress made against the key priorities aligned to the Corporate Plan 2019 – 2027. Decision: It was RESOLVED: -
That the 2023-24 Q1 Performance Report was noted.
Minutes: 24.1 The Chair invited the Corporate Manager for Strategic Planning to introduce the report, which was for noting.
24.2 Following the introduction, Members considered the report and Councillor Deborah Saw and Councillor Derek Davis drew member’s attention to the Council’s new website and the drop-in sessions provided to Members.
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Babergh Cabinet Member - Finance, Assets & Investments Babergh Cabinet Member - Environment Decision: It was RESOLVED: -
1.1 The councils are recommended to agree to support the RSPCA campaign and thereby resolve: 1.2 That an outright ban on the giving of live animals as prizes, in any form, on Babergh & Mid Suffolk Council owned land is implemented 1.3 That the Councils write to UK Government requesting an outright ban on live animals as prizes on both public and private land 1.4 That the Councils carry out a review of the current policies and the terms and conditions of the contract agreements relating to the hire of council owned land and premises to ensure that they reflect the councils’ positions as regards giving of live animals as prizes.
REASON FOR DECISION With the RSPCA gaining traction since 2021 with some 50 local authorities adopting the RSPCA’s recommendations it would be prudent to adopt the recommendations and lobby UK Government for an outright ban. Alternative Options Considered and Rejected: Doing nothing could lead to animal welfare issues and result in customer complaints. Any Declarations of Interests Declared: None Any Dispensation Granted: None
Minutes: 25.1 The Chair, Councillor Deborah Saw introduced the report, which supported a motion for a ban on live animals as prizes on Babergh Council Land, and a letter to the Government to support a wider ban on public and privately owned land. 25.2 Councillor Jessie Carter proposed the recommendations, as detailed in the report. 25.3 Councillor Daniel Potter seconded the recommendation. It was RESOLVED: -
1.1 The councils are recommended to agree to support the RSPCA campaign and thereby resolve: 1.2 That an outright ban on the giving of live animals as prizes, in any form, on Babergh & Mid Suffolk Council owned land is implemented. 1.3 That the Councils write to UK Government requesting an outright ban on live animals as prizes on both public and private land. 1.4 That the Councils carry out a review of the current policies and the terms and conditions of the contract agreements relating to the hire of council owned land and premises to ensure that they reflect the councils’ positions as regards giving of live animals as prizes.
REASON FOR DECISION With the RSPCA gaining traction since 2021 with some 50 local authorities adopting the RSPCA’s recommendations, it would be prudent to adopt the recommendations and lobby UK Government for an outright ban
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BCa/23/14 BELLE VUE PARK (SUDBURY) IMPROVEMENTS PDF 142 KB Babergh Cabinet Member - Economic Growth Additional documents:
Decision: It was RESOLVED: -
1.1 That Cabinet review and note the progress made in scoping and designing a suitable modular build café and toilet block facility for Belle Vue park, including the estimated breakdown of costs attached as Confidential Appendix B (which includes an estimate of borrowing costs). 1.2 That Cabinet approve the recommendation to proceed with delivery of a new café and toilets as a modular build which includes provision of a changing place facility. 1.3 That Cabinet approve the funding of the works from the Changing Places Grant, the capital receipt from the sale of Belle Vue House and the existing capital budget (borrowing) for works at Belle Vue. The capital programme currently includes a budget of £1.9m for works at Belle Vue and it is anticipated that this scheme will require £105,000 of that budget, or in the worst case £150,000 if it is not possible to complete the scheme in the timescale required to be able to utilise the £45,000 Changing Place grant. 1.4 That Cabinet note the intention to directly award a supplier for the modular unit design and delivery from a suitably approved contract framework under officer delegation to the Director for Economic Growth and Climate Change. This is for expediency due to the funding deadline set for accessing Changing Place grant.
REASON FOR DECISION Supporting the regeneration of Sudbury town centre and improvements to Belle Vue Park, by investing directly in expanded and new opportunities for local residents and visitors to the town to engage in healthy activities and pursuits. Further, this intervention will support the town’s amenities, connectivity and bring a range of positive economic, environmental and social benefits. This will also improve a Council asset in line with the aims of the Joint Strategic Asset Management Plan to 2025. Alternative Options Considered and Rejected: DO-NOTHING. Not Recommended. A ‘do-nothing’ approach will fail to deliver multiple benefits to the park and wider town centre. Any Declarations of Interests Declared:Councillor Jessie Carter declared an Other Registrable Interest due to being a Sudbury Town Councillor. Any Dispensation Granted: None
Minutes: 26.1 The Chair, Councillor Deborah Saw, invited the Cabinet Member for Economic Growth, Councillor Derek Davis to introduce the report.
26.2 Councillor Davis provided a brief introduction and proposed the recommendation, as detailed in the report.
26.3 Councillor Potter seconded the recommendations.
26.4 Councillor Jessie Carter was concerned that the project would not be progressing in time to receive the Government funding and queried what would happen if the funding was lost.
26.5 The Director for Economic Growth and Climate Change advised that previous funding had been allocated in the budget for the project, however the team would endeavour to meet the tight time scale and secure the £45K Government Funding.
26.6 Councillor Jessie Carter questioned what kind of disruptions would be occurring during the demolitions of the existing buildings.
26.7 The Regenerations and Capital Projects Manager advised that he was currently working with Public Realm with relation to the demolishing of the toilet block. However, the issues would be the closure of the park and the that the area around the toilet block would be cordoned off. The toilet block would be delivered as a modular and assembled on the site. Temporary toilets would be installed for that period.
26.8 Councillor Daniel Potter stated that the timeline was a risk and questioned if materials and supplies shortages were a factor.
26.9 The Regenerations and Capital Projects Manager responded that this had been checked with suppliers and they were confident that supplies would be delivered in time. In addition, the planning process had to be undertaken within the time frame for Council to receive the Government funding. The Government had been approached for an extension of the deadline for the funding for Changing Places, but this had been declined.
26.10 Councillor Davis thank the Economic Growth team and Sudbury Town Council for working on the project.
26.11 The Chair advised Members to go into closed session, which was proposed by Councillor Derek Davis and seconded by Councillor Jessie Carter.
26.12 Upon returning to Open Session the Chair reminded Members that the recommendations were for the café and the toilet block.
It was RESOLVED: -
1.1 That Cabinet reviewed and noted the progress made in scoping and designing a suitable modular build café and toilet block facility for Belle Vue Park, including the estimated breakdown of costs attached as Confidential Appendix B (which includes an estimate of borrowing costs). 1.2 That Cabinet approved the recommendation to proceed with delivery of a new café and toilets as a modular build which includes provision of a changing place facility. 1.3 That Cabinet approved the funding of the works from the Changing Places Grant, the capital receipt from the sale of Belle Vue House and the existing capital budget (borrowing) for works at Belle Vue. The capital programme currently includes a budget of £1.9m for works at Belle Vue and it is anticipated that this scheme will require £105,000 of that budget, or in the worst case £150,000 if it is not possible to ... view the full minutes text for item 26.
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EXCLUSION OF THE PUBLIC (TERM WHICH INCLUDES THE PRESS) To consider whether, pursuant to Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, the public should be excluded from the meeting for the business specified below on the grounds that if the public were present during this/these item(s), it is likely that there would be the disclosure to them of exempt information as indicated against the/each item.
The author(s) of the report(s) proposed to be considered in Part 2 of the Agenda is/are satisfied that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.
Minutes: It was RESOLVED:
That pursuant to Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, the public should be excluded from the meeting for the business specified below on the grounds that if the public were present during this item, it was likely that there would be the disclosure to them of exempt information as indicated against the item. The author of the report proposed to be considered in Part 2 of the Agenda is satisfied that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.
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BCa/23/14 BELLE VUE PARK (SUDBURY) IMPROVEMENTS - CONFIDENTIAL APPENDICES |