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Apologies for absence Minutes: Apologies were received from Councillors Barker and Kearsley. |
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To receive any declarations of pecuniary or non-pecuniary interest by Councillors Minutes: None declared. |
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MCa/17/23 - Confirmation of the Minutes of the meeting held on 13 October 2017 PDF 233 KB Minutes: The minutes of the meeting held on 13 October were confirmed 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: A question had been received by Councillor Penny Otton as follows:
“The chancellor of the exchequer is expected to announce tough new rules on councils investing in commercial property by borrowing from the PWB. As Mid Suffolk are in the process of doing just that what action will you take to continue with these plans?”
The Leader of the Council responded:
“There is currently a lot of media speculation about what the Chancellor may or may not include in his Autumn Budget on 22 November in terms of local authorities investing in commercial property and borrowing from the Public Works Loan Board (PWLB). It is difficult to take action until the detail of any changes are announced. But the Council will carefully monitor the situation and will take advice from Arlingclose, the Council’s treasury management advisor, as and when further information is released.
Councillor Otton, then asked a supplementary question in respect of if the Chancellor did clamp down and whether it was prejudice some commercial enterprises. The Leader of the Council explained advice would be taken and this would be discussed at Cabinet at a later date.
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Matters referred from the Overview and Scrutiny or Joint Audit and Standards Committees Minutes: Councillor Eburne, Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee explained there had been concern raised over the forthcoming decisions list and whether it could include all items which were to be discussed at Cabinet in the future. It was questioned as to whether there was a date for the Public Realm work to go before Cabinet as well as Leisure Strategy.
The Leader of the Council also wished to see the Pubilc Realm, as well as Wingfield House, come before Cabinet soon. Leisure Strategy was due in December 2017. He agreed the Forthcoming Decisions List would show all items which were due to go before Cabinet.
Councillor Otton was disturbed that the recommendation from Babergh District Counci’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee was not being discussed as well as expressing her dismay at the telephone poll continuing for Mid Suffolk.
The Leader of the Council explained the Assistant Director for Law and Governance had circulated the decision made by the Babergh District Council Overview and Scrutiny Committee. Until Babergh District Council Cabinet had discussed this on Thursday 9 November and when they knew their position he was unable to comment. He pointed out the telephone poll had been suspended for Mid Suffolk at the end of week commencing 30 October 2017. |
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MCa/17/24 - Forthcoming Decisions List PDF 275 KB Minutes: The report was noted with the following comments:
· A date was required for the Public Realm work and Wingfield House. · The lead member for Leisure Strategy was Councillor Kearsley. · The Cabinet member for Cedars Park Community Centre was Councillor Flatman. · The Forthcoming Decisions List should reflect all reports coming through to Cabinet.
Councillor Otton, requested the briefing for the HQ Site work be extended to all Councillors. The Leader of the Council explained this would be the case and it would also be debated at Full Council in the first instance in January 2018 before coming before Cabinet. |
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Mca/17/25 - Half Yearly Significant Risk Register Update PDF 484 KB Additional documents:
Decision: It was RESOLVED:-
1.1 That assurance of the work of the Audit and Risk Management Services team had been received and the contents of the Significant Risk Register approved.
Reason for decisions: To summarise the work of the Audit and Risk Management Services Team during the first half of 2017/18 and highlight its activities to promote and embed risk management across the Councils.
Alternative Options Considered and Rejected: To not update.
Any Declarations of Interest declared: None
Any Dispensation Granted: None
Minutes: Councillor Horn, the Cabinet Member for Organisational Delivery, introduced report MCa/17/25 and moved the recommendation which was seconded by Councillor Brewster.
Councillors Otton and Stringer raised concerns on the risks listed in Appendix A. These included whether the County Council maintained their IT support 24/7 as especially for Councillors was deemed detrimental. There should be a clear indication in respect of the two public access points and where the disaster recovery site was located. It was also considered misleading that very high risks were shown in blue. In 3b the title should be reworded as it assumed it was unsustainable now. 4d why was shown in red as this had never ever not been delivered, 5i why listed as being on track as there were elements which were not good.
In response Councillor Horn, explained the new Assistant Director for Customers had now commenced employment with the Council and as such this would be one of her immediate priorities, there was a separate risk register on Connect which should address, in terms of 5i this was a new risk and mitigation had been completed and was therefore on track in terms of risk management. 4d remained as a separate operation and he agreed the wording in 3i could be adjusted.
Councillor Morley questioned 5k as it appeared to be a financial risk and whether a financial officer had been involved. Councillor Horn explained the Cabinet Member who had been idenfied for this risk was the Cabinet Member for Housing. Councillor Wilshaw, the Cabinet Member for Housing had met with the Assistant Director for Housing and this would be adjusted.
Councillor Whybrow still felt the risk register appeared like a list of events and he felt the biggest risk was delivered the Joint Strategic Plan and services in the future.
It was:
RESOLVED
That assurance of the work of the Audit and Risk Management Services team has been received and the contents of the Significant Risk Register approved. |
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MCa/17/26 - "Planning for the Right Homes in the Right Places" Consultation Proposals PDF 270 KB Decision: It was RESOLVED: - 1.1 That the content and potential implications of the Government’s Consultation titled “Planning for the Right Homes in the Right Places: Consultation Proposals” and accompanying documents be noted. 1.2 That, subject to a more robust response being included in paragraph 12.13 of the report the response to the consultation be endorsed.
Reason for Decisions: To ensure Cabinet are aware of the content and potential implications of the Government’s consultation titled “Planning for the Right Homes in the Right Places: Consultation Proposals” and accompanying documents.
Alternative Options Considered and Rejected: To not respond.
Any Declarations of Interest declared: None
Any Dispensation Granted: None
Minutes: Councillor Whybrow, Cabinet Member for Planning, introduced report MCa/17/26 and moved the recommendation which was seconded by Councillor Brewster.
Councillor Otton queried the last paragraph on page 38 in the report in respect of the travel to work area as she felt it should go further i.e. London to Felixstowe. Councillor Whybrow, with the help from an Officer explained the travel to work area did not match local authority boundaries and were defined nationally.
Councillor Stringer, was concerned the figure detailed in paragraph 12.13 was in danger of keep being uplifted and therefore becoming unsustainable. Councillor Whybrow agreed and requested Officers be given time to strengthen the response on this point. It was agreed there should be the right homes in the right places.
Councillor Whybrow wished to give thanks to the Officers for putting together a response in a short amount of time on this vitally important document.
By a unanimous vote.
It was resolved:
RESOLUTION ONE
That the content and potential implications of the Government’s Consultation titled “Planning for the Right Homes in the Right Places: Consultation Proposals” and accompanying documents be noted.
RESOLUTION TWO
That, subject to a more robust response being included in paragraph 12.13 of the report the response to the consultation be endorsed. |