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DECLARATION OF INTERESTS BY COUNCILLORS Minutes: 63.1 None received. |
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BCa/23/31 TO CONFIRM THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 4 DECEMBER 2023 PDF 89 KB Minutes: It was RESOLVED: -
That the minutes of the meeting held on the 4 December 2023 be confirmed and signed as correct record
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TO RECEIVE NOTIFICATION OF PETITIONS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE COUNCIL'S PETITION SCHEME Minutes: 65.1 None received. |
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QUESTIONS BY COUNCILLORS Minutes: 66.1 None received. |
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MATTERS REFERRED BY THE OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY OR JOINT AUDIT AND STANDARDS COMMITTEES Minutes: 67.1 There were no matters referred from the Overview and Scrutiny nor the Joint Audit and Standard 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 District Council
Minutes: 68.1 There were no comments made by Councillors. |
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BCa/23/33 FEES AND CHARGES 2024/25 - PARKING CHARGES PDF 98 KB Leader of the Council Decision: It was RESOLVED: -
1.1To carry out engagement and consultation with town and parish councils within Babergh, and with Babergh Councillors and with any other recognised groups making representation over the engagement period.
1.2 That a proposal for varying car parking charges and road traffic orders across Babergh Council car parks will be presented to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee for their examination and advice to Cabinet.
1.3 That proposals will be brought to Babergh Cabinet (after presenting to O&S) for varying car parking charges and off-street road traffic orders across Babergh Council car parks.
REASON FOR DECISION Varying car parking charges had previously been agreed by Cabinet. To deliver the approved parking strategy and remove the budget burden of subsiding this service from other non-parking income, varying charges must now be urgently considered. Alternative Options Considered and Rejected: Options that have been considered and shared with cabinet include outsourcing of car parks to an external provider, not varying the charges and varying the charges. Outsourcing to another provider has been rejected based on factors such as diminished control of tariff setting and road traffic order requirements, distracting focus on contract management and contract value versus strategy delivery, and incompatibility between on-street and off-street enforcement delivery not leading to any perceived savings. Not varying the charges has been rejected as this will make delivery of the agreed strategy unaffordable, and this option was previously rejected by cabinet in 2021.
Any Declarations of Interests Declared: None Any Dispensation Granted: None
Minutes: 70.1 The Chair introduced the report as Acting Leader of the Council.
70.2 Councillor Ward proposed the recommendations as set out in the report. Councillor McCraw seconded this motion.
70.3 Councillor Davies referred to paragraph 4.5 in the report and questioned whether the consultation would be extended to all of Babergh. The Acting Leader responded that whilst the timeframe was small, other communities across the district could be consulted through parish councils and individuals.
70.4 Councillor Davis asked if documents would be available to all parish councils. The Acting Leader responded that all documents regarding the decision were in the public domain and would be made available to those who wanted it.
70.5 Councillor Carter asked for a breakdown of the current parking costs. The Acting Leader outlined the costs from the previous year’s budget with employment costs of £39,947, operational costs of £435,428, enforcement costs of £24,330, recharges of £73,370, and an income of £145,590.
70.6 The Chair invited Councillor Owen to read a statement.
70.7 In response to questions from other members present the following replies were given.
70.8 In response to questions from on the impact of charges on the economy of towns the Acting Leader stated that whilst the impact of introducing parking charges in towns was anecdotal, there was little proof that parking charges had an impact on the economy of towns. Additionally similar towns such as Stowmarket which had parking charges and had a similar vacancy rate to Sudbury. The Cabinet Member for People and Place added that People and Places outlined that convenience and accessibility were greater draws to market towns than parking charges, and that Babergh was one of the few Councils who did not charge.
70.9 In response to other Members questions relating to the use of the 2021 Cabinet decision without an option of no action, the Acting Leader outlined that this was a new decision with a new process and the other options considered were set out in the report.
70.10 The Acting Leader clarified that the consultation would be limited to within Babergh as residents would be most affected by changes to Council services should charges not be introduced..
70.11 In relation to questions on the online petition the Interim Monitoring Officer clarified that it would be debated at Council and would be voted on by all Members to either refer the petition to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, disagree with the petition, or note the petition.
70.12 In response to how the deficit of £425,000 would be achieved through parking charges the Acting Leader outlined that the budget deficit of £1.8m was the more relevant number and parking charges were one element and additional measures would be needed to make up this deficit.
70.13 In relation to questions on the vision for Sudbury outlining free parking as a draw, the Acting Leader highlighted how there was a need to maximise income and parking needed to be paid for at the point of use like all other ... view the full minutes text for item 70.
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BCa/23/34 OUR PLAN FOR BABERGH PDF 490 KB The Leader of the Council Additional documents: Decision: It was RESOLVED: -
1.1 To consider the feedback from engagement and endorse the final plan setting out the vision and strategic priorities for Babergh District Council for 2023-2031, as set out in Appendix A of the report.
REASON FOR DECISION To enable adoption of Our Plan for Babergh by Council on 23rd January 2024. Alternative Options Considered and Rejected: Options considered include:
No plan: This was not pursued as there are new challenges for our districts that the Council needs to respond to within its refreshed plan.
Plan adopted with no amendments from draft version: This option was not chosen as valuable feedback and insight was provided by stakeholders during the engagement that we wish to reflect in the final plan.
Joint plan with Mid Suffolk: It is important for our communities to see how we are reacting to the challenges facing our district. Whilst there are commonalities with Mid Suffolk and their published priorities, we first want to ensure we have a representation of the challenge and opportunities facing Babergh.
Respond to feedback from the engagement and amend plan to reflect, to ensure the priorities identified consider the valuable insight shared during this engagement.
Any Declarations of Interests Declared: None Any Dispensation Granted: None
Minutes: 71.1 The Chair introduced the report as Acting Leader of the Council.
71.2 Councillor Ward proposed the recommendations as set out in the report. Councillor Saw seconded this motion.
71.3 Councillor Davis outlined that it was important for the Council to carry out what they have set out to do and new policies needed to keep the plan in mind. 71.4 Councillor Ward agreed that ambitions needed to keep the plan for Babergh in mind.
71.5 Councillor Saw highlighted that due to the financial position of the Council the use of partnerships and collaborative working should be considered to action policies and that finances should not stop ambition.
By a unanimous vote.
It was RESOLVED: -
1.1 To consider the feedback from engagement and endorse the final plan setting out the vision and strategic priorities for Babergh District Council for 2023-2031, as set out in Appendix A.
REASON FOR DECISION To enable adoption of Our Plan for Babergh by Council on 23rd January 2024. Alternative Options Considered and Rejected: Options considered include:
No plan: This was not pursued as there are new challenges for our districts that the Council needs to respond to within its refreshed plan.
Plan adopted with no amendments from draft version: This option was not chosen as valuable feedback and insight was provided by stakeholders during the engagement that we wish to reflect in the final plan.
Joint plan with Mid Suffolk: It is important for our communities to see how we are reacting to the challenges facing our district. Whilst there are commonalities with Mid Suffolk and their published priorities, we first want to ensure we have a representation of the challenge and opportunities facing Babergh.
Respond to feedback from the engagement and amend plan to reflect, to ensure the priorities identified consider the valuable insight shared during this engagement.
Any Declarations of Interests Declared: None Any Dispensation Granted: None
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BCa/23/35 EMPTY HOME PREMIUMS PDF 188 KB Cabinet Member for Housing Additional documents:
Decision: It was RESOLVED: -
1.1That Cabinet approve the empty homes and second homes premiums policy for 2024-25 attached in appendix A of the report.
1.2 That Cabinet delegate authority to the Director of Housing in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing to make technical amendments to the policy to ensure it meets the criteria set by Government and the Council
REASON FOR DECISION To maximise revenue, but more importantly to incentivise owners to bring empty and under-utilised properties back into use. To ensure the policy is kept in line with Government regulations. Alternative Options Considered and Rejected: Implement only one of the proposed changes.
Implement only one of the proposed changes. This could be either implementing a premium of up to 100% for second homes and leaving the current long term empty qualifying time period for the premium at 2 years. Alternatively, it could just be reducing the long-term empty premium qualification time from two years to one, and not implementing any change for second homes. This would have the same benefits as option 1 but to a lesser scale.
Do Nothing
Do nothing, leave existing premiums in place for long term empty properties, namely that they would be applied after the two-year period. Do not introduce a premium for second homes.
Any Declarations of Interests Declared: None Any Dispensation Granted: None
Minutes: 72.1 The Chair invited the Cabinet Member for Housing to introduce the report.
72.2 Councillor Carter proposed the recommendations as set out in the report. Councillor Davis seconded this motion.
72.3 Councillor Davies queried point 6.2 of the report and whether the figure of £106,000 was for Babergh. The Head of the Shared Revenues Partnership confirmed that this figure was for Babergh.
72.4 Councillor McCraw referred to point 4.2 in the report and asked for clarification on the timeframe of emptiness before increased charges. The Head of the Shared Revenues Partnership responded that the timeframe was being reduced from 2 years unoccupied to 1 year unoccupied.
72.5 During the debate Councillor Ward outlined that the policy would encourage empty homes to come back into use, and would help the housing shortage.
72.6 Councillor McCraw stated that he hoped the policy would reduce the number of people avoiding the premium outside of the exceptions.
72.7 Councillor Davis highlighted that not only would the policy bring economy into Babergh, but it would ensure that homes were filled by landlords and not left empty.
72.8 Councillor Saw suggested that empty retail properties seeking a change of use to residential properties should also be looked into. Councillor Ward added that this could be taken up with the planning policy team.
72.9 Councillor Davies queried whether the empty homes scheme had incentivised people to bring homes back into use. The Corporate Manager – Housing Solutions responded there had been an uptake in Babergh due to the Empty Homes Premium.
By a unanimous vote.
It was RESOLVED: -
1.1That Cabinet approve the empty homes and second homes premiums policy for 2024-25 attached in appendix A
1.2 That Cabinet delegate authority to the Director of Housing in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing to make technical amendments to the policy to ensure it meets the criteria set by Government and the Council
REASON FOR DECISION To maximise revenue, but more importantly to incentivise owners to bring empty and under-utilised properties back into use. To ensure the policy is kept in line with Government regulations. Alternative Options Considered and Rejected: Implement only one of the proposed changes.
Implement only one of the proposed changes. This could be either implementing a premium of up to 100% for second homes and leaving the current long term empty qualifying time period for the premium at 2 years. Alternatively, it could just be reducing the long-term empty premium qualification time from two years to one, and not implementing any change for second homes. This would have the same benefits as option 1 but to a lesser scale.
Do Nothing
Do nothing, leave existing premiums in place for long term empty properties, namely that they would be applied after the two-year period. Do not introduce a premium for second homes.
Any Declarations of Interests Declared: None Any Dispensation Granted: None
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BCa/23/36 2022/23 GREENHOUSE GAS REPORT PDF 93 KB Cabinet Member for Environment Additional documents: Decision: It was RESOLVED: -
1.1 That the contents of the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Report 2022-23 at Appendix A to the report be noted.
REASON FOR DECISION Since 2011, the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has required local authorities to measure and report greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from their estate and operations. Each Local Authority has been requested to publish their Greenhouse Gas reports locally online each year.
The Council is therefore required to note this report prior to publication on the Councils website.
Over 4 years ago the Council declared a climate emergency and produced their first Carbon Reduction Management Plan a refresh of this Plan is also nearing completion.
Alternative Options Considered and Rejected: Do nothing.
Any Declarations of Interests Declared: None Any Dispensation Granted: None
Minutes: 73.1 The Chair invited the Cabinet Member for Environment to introduce the report.
73.2 Councillor Potter proposed the recommendation as set out in the report. Councillor Carter seconded this motion.
73.3 Councillor Davis requested that communications be published on the success of HVO fuel.
73.4 Councillor McCraw questioned where the next big reduction of emissions would come from. Councillor Potter responded that there would be more progress in HVO figures. The Climate Change Manager added that the refreshed carbon reduction management plan would set out the priorities going forward. Additionally, for bigger projects capital funding would be required so there was an aim to secure grants.
73.5 Councillor McCraw further questioned whether reduction through the Council’s housing stock had been considered. The Climate Change Manager responded that whilst leisure centres were the top emitter of carbon, social housing was the second greatest. A social housing decarbonisation fund bid was being submitted at the end of the month, however funding required a 50% match in funding. Councillor Potter added that retrofitting of Council properties was a high priority.
73.6 Councillor Davies asked how confident the Climate Change Manager was in the reduction target being achieved. The Climate Change Manager responded that she was confident that this would be achieved by the deadline.
73.7 In response to questions from other Members present Councillor Carter outlined that an audit of the housing stock was being undertaken and was projected to be completed soon.
By a unanimous vote.
It was RESOLVED: -
1.1 That the contents of the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Report 2022-23 at Appendix A to the report be noted.
REASON FOR DECISION Since 2011, the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has required local authorities to measure and report greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from their estate and operations. Each Local Authority has been requested to publish their Greenhouse Gas reports locally online each year.
The Council is therefore required to note this report prior to publication on the Councils website.
Over 4 years ago the Council declared a climate emergency and produced their first Carbon Reduction Management Plan a refresh of this Plan is also nearing completion.
Alternative Options Considered and Rejected: Do nothing.
Any Declarations of Interests Declared: None Any Dispensation Granted: None
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EXCLUSION OF THE PUBLIC (WHICH TERM 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.
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BCa/23/37 CONFIRMATION OF THE CONFIDENTIAL MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 04 DECEMBER 2023 Minutes: It was RESOLVED: -
That the amended confidential minutes of the meeting held on 4 December 2023 be confirmed and signed as a true record.
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