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Apologies for absence Minutes: Apologies were received from Councillors Gowrley and Osborne. |
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To receive any declarations of pecuniary or non-pecuniary interest by Councillors Minutes: There were none. |
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MCa/17/27 - Confirmation of the Minutes of the meeting held on 6 November 2017 PDF 160 KB Minutes: The minutes of the meeting held on 6 November 2017 were confirmed as a correct record. |
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To receive notification of petitions in accordance with the Council's Petition Scheme Minutes: There were none. |
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Questions by Councillors Minutes:
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Matters referred by the Overview and Scrutiny or Joint Audit and Standards Committees Minutes: Apologies were given as this item had been omitted from the published agenda, as it was a standing item.
Councillor Eburne explained the Overview and Scrutiny Committee had recently discussed the Homelessness Reduction Act. There were concerns as to whether there was sufficient funding to implement act and she requested Cabinet monitored this. Also there were timing issues as the Code of Guidance would be issued in March 2018 which should be implemented on 3 April 2018. The Shared Legal Service would be discussed at the Joint Overview and Scrutiny meeting on 18 December 2017.
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MCa/17/28 - Forthcoming Decisions List PDF 244 KB Minutes: The Forthcoming Decisions List was noted.
Councillor Otton was disappointed the financial report on the possible merger between Mid Suffolk District Council and Babergh District Council would not be reported at a public meeting of Mid Suffolk. She also questioned whether The Regal in Stowmarket would be coming to a future meeting. Councillor Brewster had received an email from Councillor Gowrley who had indicated a report should be brought before the Mid Suffolk Council meeting on 21 December 2017. It was understood the report would come into Cabinet before going to Council. It was requested this be added onto the Forward Plan for 8 January 2018. This was supported.
In terms of the financial report on the possible merger, the Chief Executive explained these had gone through a Babergh District Council meeting and Babergh Cabinet would also reconsider on 7 December 2017. He agreed this raised a wider point in terms of shared working and as such should have automatically been circulated. Councillor Otton felt there should be a public Mid Suffolk Council meeting in order to give all councillors a chance to debate the issue. The Chief Executive pointed out as the decision had already been made it would only be for information |
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MCa/17/29 - Leisure, Sport and Physical Activity Strategy PDF 271 KB Additional documents: Decision: It was RESOLVED:-
1.1 That the Leisure, Sport and Physical Activity Strategy be endorsed. Reason for decision: To enable the Council’s to adopt a strategic approach towards the provision of Leisure, Sport and Physical Activity.
Alternative Options Considered and Rejected: To not endorse.
Any Declarations of Interest declared: None
Any Dispensation Granted: None
Minutes: Councillor Kearsley, the Lead Member for Health and Well Being, introduced report MCa/17/19. The recommendation was moved by Councillor Flatman and seconded by Councillor Burn, subject to the corrections and typographical errors being amended.
Members were pleased to receive the report. The delivery plan should now be included on the forward plan and be delivered.
In response to questions raised the Assistant Director for Environment and Commercial Partnerships explained an action plan would be developed as part of the Strategy with an integrated cycling element. Volunteering was very important and the strategic partnership was looking to improve on this. This strategy would be in line with other local strategies, as well as nationally. Negotiations with Stowmarket High School and the County Council had stalled due to Stowmarket High School turning into an academy.
It was considered that as sports provision was important the delivery strategy would be brought back to a future Cabinet meeting and included on the forthcoming decisions list in due course.
By an unanimous vote.
It was RESOLVED:-
(1) That the Leisure, Sport and Physical Activity Strategy be endorsed.
Reason for decision: To enable the Council’s to adopt a strategic approach towards the provision of Leisure, Sport and Physical Activity.
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Additional documents:
Decision: It was RESOLVED: - 1.2 That the Assistant Directors be approved as alternative signatories on legal documentation in respect of Enterprise Zone site delivery within the District. Reason for Decisions: To encourage the development of employment sites and other business growth in appropriate locations. To encourage investment in infrastructure.
Alternative Options Considered and Rejected: To not approve the Discretionary Business Rates Relief policy.
Any Declarations of Interest declared: None
Any Dispensation Granted: None
Minutes: Councillor Brewster, the Cabinet Member for Economy, introduced report MCa/17/30 and moved the recommendation which was seconded by Councillor Whybrow. Members noted the tight timescale involved and questioned whether appropriate protocols were in place. Local businesses should be promoted. Councillor Brewster with support from the Economic Development Officer explained it was a Government supported initiative and the legislation defined the business rates. There were no issues to cause concern and protocols were in place. Local businesses would be treated as a priority, it was a profit for purpose site. By a vote of 8/1 It was RESOLVED: - (2) That the Assistant Directors be approved as alternative signatories on legal documentation in respect of Enterprise Zone site delivery within the District. Reason for Decisions: To encourage the development of employment sites and other business growth in appropriate locations. To encourage investment in infrastructure.
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MCa/17/31 - Half Yearly Performance Reporting (April to September '17) PDF 709 KB Additional documents:
Decision: It was RESOLVED: - 1.1 The performance report and the performance outcome information tabled at Appendices A to E adequately reflects Mid Suffolk’s performance for the half year April to September 2017. 1.1 Any actions required were considered where performance improvement was needed. Reason for Decisions: To agree the Council’s performance adequately demonstrates delivery of the Joint Strategic Plan.
Alternative Options Considered and Rejected: To not agree.
Any Declarations of Interest declared: None
Any Dispensation Granted: None
Minutes: Councillor Horn, the Cabinet member with responsibility for Organisational Delivery, introduced report MCa/17/31 and moved the recommendation which was seconded by Councillor Brewster. In response to questions raised Councillor Horn, with the help from the Corporate Business Improvement Manager, explained there had been no change in services. The new Assistant Director for Customers was examining the public access strategy in order to provide a better service. If Councillors were experiencing problems these should be noted for investigation. Staff sickness was being monitored aswell as staff vacancies, particularly within planning. By a vote of 7 to 0 with 2 abstentions. It was RESOLVED: - (1) The performance report and the performance outcome information tabled at Appendices A to E adequately reflects Mid Suffolk’s performance for the half year April to September 2017. (2) Any actions required were considered where performance improvement was needed. Reason for Decisions: To agree the Council’s performance adequately demonstrates delivery of the Joint Strategic Plan. |
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MCa/17/32 - Financial Monitoring 2017/18 - Quarter 2 PDF 410 KB Decision: It was RESOLVED: - 1.1 The potential or likely variations in relation to the General Fund, Housing Revenue Account and Capital Programme compared to the Budget be noted. 1.2 That, subject to any further budget variations that arise during the rest of the financial year, the following net transfers of £1,112k be noted. a) The balance of the General Fund surplus of £932k referred to in section 11.8 of the report be transferred to the Transformation Fund; b) Transfer of £45k, being the favourable variance for Planning legal costs to the earmarked reserve, referred to in section 11.8 of the report; c) Transfer of £135k, being the favourable variance for Homelessness to the earmarked grants reserve, referred to in section 11.8 of the report. Reason for Decisions: To ensure that Members were kept informed of the current budgetary position for both the General Fund and HRA. Alternative Options Considered and Rejected: That the current budgetary position for the General Fund and the HRA was not reported. Any Declarations of Interest declared: None Any Dispensation Granted: None
Minutes: Councillor Whitehead, the Cabinet Member with responsibility for Finance, introduced report MCa/17/32 and moved the recommendation which was seconded by Councillor Burn. In response to questions Councillor Whitehead with the support of the Chief Executive explained there had been an improved management structure regarding BMBS Property Services. Both Property Services and Building Control reported to the Assistant Director of Housing. As some Councillors still considered this to be confusing further detail would be given after the meeting. It was noted staffing was the biggest expense and this would be monitored. There needed to be the right balance of service delivery and staffing costs within budget. Free car parking in Stowmarket over the Christmas period would give the flexibility to encourage shoppers and would not have a significant impact. By 7 votes to 2. It was RESOLVED: - (1) The potential or likely variations in relation to the General Fund, Housing Revenue Account and Capital Programme compared to the Budget be noted. (2) That, subject to any further budget variations that arise during the rest of the financial year, the following net transfers of £1,112k be noted. a) The balance of the General Fund surplus of £932k referred to in section 11.8 of the report be transferred to the Transformation Fund; b) Transfer of £45k, being the favourable variance for Planning legal costs to the earmarked reserve, referred to in section 11.8 of the report; c) Transfer of £135k, being the favourable variance for Homelessness to the earmarked grants reserve, referred to in section 11.8 of the report. Reason for Decisions: To ensure that Members were kept informed of the current budgetary position for both the General Fund and HRA. |
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MCa/17/33 - 2018/19 General Fund Budget - Early Indication PDF 386 KB Decision: It was RESOLVED: - 1.1 That the progress on developing the General Fund Budget for the period 2018/19 to 2021/22 and the intention to increase Council Tax in 2018/19 be noted. Reason for Decisions: To ensure that Members were aware of the progress being made to set the 2018/19 budgets. Alternative Options Considered and Rejected: That the progress being made was not reported. Any Declarations of Interest declared: None Any Dispensation Granted: None Minutes: Councillor Whitehead, the Cabinet Member for Finance, introduced report MCa/17/33 and moved the recommendation which was seconded by Councillor Whybrow. In response to questions Councillor Whitehead explained meetings would take place with the key people in service areas. The figures in the report still indicated a decline in future revenue costs. Reserves were there as a one off which they did not want to use, the Council should be sustainable in its own right. It was noted that Councillors from all parties had been invited to put forward ideas for savings. By an unanimous vote. It was RESOLVED: - (1) That the progress on developing the General Fund Budget for the period 2018/19 to 2021/22 and the intention to increase Council Tax in 2018/19 be noted. Reason for Decisions: To ensure that Members were aware of the progress being made to set the 2018/19 budgets.
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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 these items, it is likely that there would be the disclosure to them of exempt information as indicated against each item. The authors of the reports proposed to be considered in Part II of the Agenda are satisfied that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information. Minutes:
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MCa/17/34 - Lease Agreement
Decision: It was RESOLVED: - 1.1 That the lease be granted. Reason for Decisions: To formalise the tenancy arrangements between Mid Suffolk District Council and the Cedars Park Community Interest Company. Alternative Options Considered and Rejected: To not formalise the agreement. Any Declarations of Interest declared: None Any Dispensation Granted: None Minutes: The Minute relating to the above mentioned item was excluded from the public record. A summary of the Minute made by the Proper Officer in accordance with sub-section 2 of Section 100(c) of the Local Government Act 1972 was set out below.
Councillor Whitehead, the Cabinet Member for Finance, introduced report MCa/17/34 and moved the recommendation which was seconded by Councillor Flatman.
The recommendations contained within the report were agreed.
It was RESOLVED: - 1.1 That the lease be granted. Reason for Decisions: To formalise the tenancy arrangements between Mid Suffolk District Council and the Cedars Park Community Interest Company.
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