Minutes:
112.1 CMU3 – Assets and Investments
112.2 The Leader presented report CMU3 to Council as the Cabinet Member for Assets and investment.
112.3 Councillor Wendy Marchant posed a question to the Leader regarding the possible development on the Needham Market HQ site for NHS Child immunisation, Suffolk and Norfolk Police training dog unit or Film Suffolk. She added that it would help the local economy as businesses were already losing trade and whether these options would be considered.
112.4 The Leader responded to the question that everything was going to be considered in the proposal.
112.5 Councillor Wendy Marchant posed a question regarding the possibility of reducing rental income and security costs if commercial activity was sought and why did these options not go to the All Together group in October.
112.6 The Leader responded that he had raised it with Officers and will be considered in the future.
112.7 CMU4 - Communities
112.8 Councillor Julie Flatman presented report CMU4 as the Cabinet Member for Communities.
112.9 Councillor Penny Otton posed a question regarding the Regal Cinema in Stowmarket and the Councils proposals.
112.10 The Leader declared a non-pecuniary interest as a Member of Stowmarket Town Council and responded that a Cabinet report would be coming forward shortly to outline Mid Suffolk District Councils view.
112.11 Councillor Keith Welham posed a question regarding the promotion of cycling and cycle routes and if there was a possibility of having a cycling programme.
112.12 Councillor Julie Flatman responded that she would report this back to the Communities team and that they were doing everything they could to promote cycling and that there were further details to come forward.
112.13 CMU5 – Environment
112.14 Councillor David Burn presented report CMU5 as the Cabinet Member for Environment.
112.15 Councillor Anne Killet posed a question regarding the loss of staff and performance in the Licensing team, Building Control team, Planning Enforcement Team, and Heritage Team and of the 83 members of staff that have left this year how many exit interviews were conducted.
112.16 The Chief Executive responded that it was standard practice to offer exit interviews but that it was up to the employee as to whether they took up the offer. The Chief Executive added that he did not have the information with him but that it would be distributed to all Members after the meeting.
112.17 Councillor John Field posed a question regarding the Warm Homes Fund and whether the scheme was open to all including owner occupiers, tenants in rented properties, and the Council.
112.18 Councillor David Burn responded that he did not have the information with him but would investigate.
112.19 CMU6 – Organisational Delivery
112.20 Councillor Glen Horn presented report CMU6 as the Cabinet Member for Organisational Delivery.
112.21 Councillor Rachel Eburne posed a question regarding the End of Year report as to whether it would include successes and also points to learn from.
112.22 Councillor Glen Horn responded that he hoped it would and that it would be honest and that there will be an opportunity for Members to comment before it goes to the public.
112.23 Councillor John Field posed a question regarding the cost of the move of the server room from the Needham Market HQ and whether there had been an impact on resilience.
112.24 Councillor Glen Horn responded that the full cost of the move would be reported to Full Council in due course and that Constantine House was the backup and that the changes would be reported to all Members.
112.25 CMU7 – Planning
112.26 Councillor David Whybrow presented report CMU7 as the Cabinet Member for Planning.
112.27 Councillor Jessica Fleming posed a question regarding paragraph 3.5 in the report on who the contact was for Parish Councils and Ward Councillors regarding neighbourhood planning and the Local Plan.
112.28 Councillor David Whybrow responded that he would circulate the appropriate staff contact details in the new year.
112.29 Councillor Andrew Stringer posed a question regarding the amount of housing expected of local authorities and consultations to deliver and asked for reassurance that this would not delay the joint local plan.
112.30 Councillor David Whybrow responded that the Planning and Planning Policy team would continue until such a time that it may or may not be that the information becomes out of date. He added that Members would be informed if there was any disruption to the creation of the Plan.
112.31 Councillor Elizabeth Gibson-Harries posed a question regarding the double glazing windows in listed buildings.
112.32 Councillor Whybrow responded that this would be a matter of National Planning Policy.
112.33 RESOLVED
That Council Notes the Reports
Supporting documents: