Venue: Board Room, Gold, Floor 1, Endeavour House
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DECLARATION OF INTERESTS BY COUNCILLORS Minutes: Councillor Andy Mellen declared an Other Registrable Interest in respect of item 9, M23-10 Wyverstone due to being a Trustee of Wyvestone Village Hall and left the meeting for that item. Councillor Andrew Stringer declared an Other Registrable Interest in respect of item 9, Appendix A due to being a Trustee for the John Peel Centre, However, the item under discussion did not yet directly relate to the finances or wellbeing of that interest. Therefore, Councillor Stringer was not prevented from participating in the debate and vote in respect of item 9. |
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MCa/23/10 TO CONFIRM THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 8 AUGUST 2023 PDF 80 KB Minutes: It was RESOLVED:-
That with the following amendment that the minutes of the meeting held on the 8 August 2023 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.
Under the heading ‘Councillor Present’ amend to Tim Weller for Councillor Weller.
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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:
Minutes: There were no comments made on the Forthcoming Decisions List.
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MCa/23/11 FINANCIAL MONITORING QUARTER 1 2023/24 PDF 126 KB Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources 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 £1.076m 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 £5,000 and the underspend on the capital programme of £20m 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: 26.1 The Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources Councillor Rachel Eburne provided a brief summary of the main points in the report and proposed the recommendations, as detailed in the report.
26.2 Councillor Teresa Davis seconded the report.
26.3 In response to Councillor Richard Winch’s question relating to the pay award for staff, Councillor Rachel Eburne stated that this depended on the current national discussion being completed, before staff would receive the pay award.
26.4 In response to questions from other Members attending the meeting the Corporate Manager for Finance and Commissioning and Procurement provided responses including, that the cost for electoral services were being worked at, whilst the figures for this report was being prepared. However, the costs were recharged to the parish councils. He would provide details for the question relating to biofuel costs outside of the meeting.
26.5 Councillor Richard Winch queried the overspend of £800k on the HRA budget and how this compared to last year’s HRA budget. The response would be provided outside of the meeting.
26.6 In response to questions from other Members attending the meeting the Cabinet Member of Finance and Resources stated that the HRA Business Plan brought before Cabinet in due course.
26.7 In response to further questions from other Members attending the meeting the Corporate Manager for Finance and Commissioning and Procurement clarified that the £20m of Capital Expenditure would be carried over for the previous year and be shown in the Quarter Two budget.
26.8 Information for the Quarter 1 income from the planning department would be provided outside of the meeting.
26.9 During the debated Councillor Eburne stated that budget for this year had been set by the previous administration, and going forward changes would be made to the budget to reflect the Corporate Plan priorities.
26.10 Members considered the issues around reduction of income from the planning department. There had been a drop in planning applications from larger developments, which in the previous year had generated a large proportion of income from Planning department.
By a unanimous vote
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 £1.076m 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 £5,000 and the underspend on the capital programme of £20m 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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MCa/23/12 COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE LEVY (CIL) - CIL EXPENDITURE PROGRAMME SEPTEMBER 2023 PDF 259 KB Cabinet Member for Heritage, Planning & Infrastructure Additional documents:
Decision: It was RESOLVED: -
1. RECOMMENDATIONS 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 and to note - delegated decisions only) as follows:- Decisions for Cabinet to approve: - Ringfenced Infrastructure Funds (Needham Market, Walsham Le Willows and Somersham)
Decisions for Cabinet to make: - Ringfenced Infrastructure Fund and Local Infrastructure Fund (Finningham)
Decisions for Cabinet to make: - Local Infrastructure Fund
Minutes: 27.1 Councillor Andy Mellen left the meeting following his Declaration of Interests and the vice-chair, Councillor Rachel Eburne chaired for this item.
27.2 The Cabinet Member for Heritage, Planning and Infrastructure, Councillor Andrew Stringer introduced the report, which sought to obtain approval by Cabinet for Mid Suffolk’ s CIL Expenditure Programme – September 2023 which formed Appendix A to the report.
27.3 Councillor Andrew Stringer proposed the recommendations, as detailed in the report, which was seconded by Councillor Richard Winch.
27.4 In response to questions from other Members attending the meeting the Professional Lead for Key Sites and Infrastructure detailed the process for grant application in terms of financial sustainability.
By a unanimous vote
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 and to note - delegated decisions only) as follows:- Decisions for Cabinet to approve: - Ringfenced Infrastructure Funds (Needham Market, Walsham Le Willows and Somersham)
Decisions for Cabinet to make: - Ringfenced Infrastructure Fund and Local Infrastructure Fund (Finningham)
Decisions for Cabinet to make: - Local Infrastructure Fund
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MCa/23/13 UK100 NETWORK AND OUR COMMITMENT TO SIGN-UP FOR A MEMBERSHIP PDF 158 KB Leader of the Council Additional documents:
Decision: It was RESOLVED: -
Cabinet noted the content of Appendix A & B and agree to join the UK100 network.
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: 28.1 The Leader, Councillor Andy Mellen introduced the report and proposed the recommendation, as detailed in the report.
28.2 Councillor Tim Weller seconded the recommendation.
28.3 During the debate Councillor Rachel Eburne stated that it would be helpful to make use of the network and it would be beneficial to learn best practice from other councils.
By a unanimous vote
It was RESOLVED: -
That Cabinet noted the content of Appendix A & B and agreed to join the UK100 network.
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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Cabinet Member for Housing and Property Decision: 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. Alternative Options Considered and Rejected: None Any Declarations of Interests Declared: None Any Dispensation Granted: None
Minutes: 29.1 The Cabinet Member for Housing and Property, Councillor Richard Winch introduced the report and stated that the numbers in the report were already out of date and provided an update of the current numbers. He stated that the regulations for water hygiene were now stricter and damp and added that damp and mould were recorded for the first time.
29.2 Councillor Andrew Stringer queried the issues in relation to water hygiene.
29.3 The Head of Asset Investments and Compliance advised that this did not involve domestic properties but sheltered housing properties, as a result of stricter inspections to ensure the safety of residents. He had advised contractors that systems had to be flushed.
29.4 Councillor Richard Winch queried the robustness of the data and whether officers were confident of the accuracy. The Head of Asset Investments and Compliance responded that he was confident of the data provided but that it did not provide the whole picture of the issues. Due to coding on the Housing Management Software, damp and mould was logged as repairs and not as damp and mould, which distorted the data.
29.5 Councillor Andy Mellen queried if tenants were receiving advice on how heating could reduce the risk of damp and mould, though this might be an issue, due to the cost-of-living crisis. Officers advised that contractors were distributing advice to tenants.
29.6 The Deputy Chief Executive advised Members that whilst there were no regulatory requirements to gather statistics for damp and mould to the Housing Regulator, it was discussed at the monthly meetings with the Regulator. She advised Members that the measuring of damp and mould be introduced as a requirement before the end of this financial year.
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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MCa/23/15 MSDC 2023-24 Q1 PERFORMANCE REPORT PDF 1 MB Cabinet Member for Performance & Resilience
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: 30.1 The Leader and Cabinet Member for Performance and Resilience, Councillor Andy Mellen, introduced the report and advised Members that this report was for noting only.
30.2 Councillor Richard Winch queried whether Assets and Investments fitted under the section for Economy.
30.3 The Chief Executive clarified that some projects, such as CIFCO and Gateway 14 were the responsibility of several Service Areas.
30.4 In response to questions from other Members attending the meeting regarding the number of Twitter impression, which had increased, the Corporate Manager for Communications and Engagement clarified that this was for the international interests in the elections in May.
The 2023-24 Q1 Performance Report was noted.
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Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources Cabinet Member for Environment, Culture and Wellbeing 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: 31.1 The Cabinet Member for Environment, Culture and Wellbeing, Councillor Richard Weller introduced the report by providing a brief summary of the issues of the banning pets as prizes and moved the recommendations, as detailed in the report.
31.2 Councillor Rachel Eburne seconded the recommendations.
31.3 Councillor Andy Mellen queried what potential impact the ban would have on council land.
31.4 The Director for Assets and Investments responded that this kind of activity at events was limited, but that there now would be a robust policy in place for the future.
31.5 During the debate Councillor Andrew Stringer commented that this policy would bring the Council up to the standard to where the Council should be.
31.6 Councillor Andy Mellen added that animal as prizes were a legacy from the past and that the decision would set the bar for other landowners, who organised this sort of events.
By a unanimous vote
It was RESOLVED: -
1.1 That Cabinet agreed 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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