Venue: King Edmund Chamber, Endeavour House, 8 Russell Road, Ipswich. View directions
Contact: Committee Services
No. | Item | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DECLARATION OF INTERESTS BY COUNCILLORS Minutes: 33.1 The Monitoring Officer had granted dispensation to councillors who were on the Board of the Council’s companies.
33.2 There were no declarations from Councillors.
|
|||||||||||||
BC/23/12 TO CONFIRM THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 18 JULY 2023 PDF 110 KB Minutes: 34.1 Councillor Maybury queried paragraph 27.8 of the minutes and commented that her request that Suffolk County Council be lobbied to encourage better use of Endeavour House with regard to the heat exchange system and green house gases had not been included.
34.2 The Chairman confirmed that this would be checked and the minutes amended as necessary.
34.3 Councillor Maybury then raised a question regarding paragraph 31.3 of the minutes and advised that she had stated at the meeting that she was inclined to endorse the main body of the motion but not the second part relating to UK100.
It was RESOLVED:-
That subject to agreed changes, the Minutes of the meeting held on 18 July 2023 be confirmed and signed as a true record.
|
|||||||||||||
BC/23/13 ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM THE CHAIRMAN AND LEADER PDF 64 KB In addition to any announcements made at the meeting, please see Paper BC/23/13 attached, detailing events attended by the Chairman and Vice-Chairman.
Minutes: 35.1 The Chairman referred Councillors to Paper BC/23/13 for noting.
35.2 The Chairman asked Members of the Council to join her in sending their best wishes to Councillor Busby.
35.3 The Chairman then invited the Acting Leader of the Council to make his announcements.
35.4 Councillor Ward made the following announcements:
“You have all been informed of the changes to the cabinet as a result of Cllr Busby’s decision to step back temporarily from the leadership and his portfolio responsibilities while he undergoes treatment for cancer. I have spoken to Dave a lot and he is receiving prompt medical attention. He is in hospital this week and underwent surgery yesterday afternoon. He sent a message afterwards to say it all went well. I intend to visit him there in the next few days – I know others do too. I hope that we will see him back here soon and benefit from his unique insights and style of leadership.
The Police & Crime Panel met on 14th July 2023 where it elected a new Chair, Cllr Mansell from Mid Suffolk District Council, and Vice Chair, Cllr Ellesmere from Ipswich Borough Council, for the year. Following the May 2023 elections there has been some turnover on the Panel, with 7 new members joining.
I am pleased to report work to modernise the ageing public toilets at Gaol Lane in Sudbury is now under way. This work is expected to take just over four weeks to complete, and temporary toilets will be available during the build. It will include a complete face-lift to provide modern and vastly improved facilities for the town. Babergh District Council has committed over £50k on this important project and we have worked alongside Sudbury Town Council, who own the toilets.
It is part of wider plans to improve public toilets in the town – as you know, funding was also approved this month to progress plans for new toilets, including a changing places facility, at Belle Vue Park.
In the last month, we have been pleased to announce two initiatives to support small and new businesses, which are the lifeblood of our communities.
Babergh has teamed up with MENTA to offer start-up businesses free expert support and guidance. As part of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, the council was given funding to deliver this scheme, and the programme is open to those in Babergh who are thinking of starting a business, are in the process of starting a business or have recently started their business venture.Meanwhile, businesses in our district can also potentially benefit from a new round of funding thanks to the Rural England Prosperity Fund.
Small businesses and community organisations across the districts will have access to three grants under the fund: the Rural Business Growth Fund, the Rural Culture & Creativity Fund and the Rural Communities Fund.
Eligible projects include net-zero developments, agriculture and farm diversification, visitor economy business expansion, SME investment and diversification, and investment in community facilities in our rural areas.
Small ... view the full minutes text for item 35. |
|||||||||||||
TO RECEIVE NOTIFICATION OF PETITIONS IN ACCORDANCE WITH COUNCIL PROCEDURE RULES In accordance with Council Procedure Rule No. 11, the Chief Executive will report the receipt of any petitions. There can be no debate or comment upon these matters at the Council meeting.
Minutes: 36.1 None received. |
|||||||||||||
QUESTIONS BY THE PUBLIC IN ACCORDANCE WITH COUNCIL PROCEDURE RULES The Chairman of the Council to answer any questions by the public of which notice has been given no later than midday three clear working days before the day of the meeting in accordance with Council Procedure Rule No. 12.
Minutes: 37.1 None received. |
|||||||||||||
QUESTIONS BY COUNCILLORS IN ACCORDANCE WITH COUNCIL PROCEDURE RULES The Chairman of the Council, the Chairmen of Committees and Sub-Committees and Portfolio Holders to answer any questions on any matters in relation to which the Council has powers or duties or which affect the District of which due notice has been given in accordance with Council Procedure Rule No. 13.
Minutes: 38.1 None received. |
|||||||||||||
RECOMMENDATIONS FROM CABINET / COMMITTEES |
|||||||||||||
BC/23/14 ANNUAL TREASURY MANAGEMENT REPORT - 2022/23 PDF 545 KB Co-Chair of Joint Audit and Standards Committee
At its meeting on 31 July 2023, Joint Audit and Standards Committee considered Paper JAC/23/02, Annual Treasury Management Report 2022/23. Paper BC/23/14 now includes all the relevant updated information.
RECOMMENDATION TO BOTH COUNCILS
3.1 That the treasury management activity for the year 2022/23 as set out in this report and appendices be noted. 3.2 That it be noted that both Councils activity was in accordance with the approved Prudential Indicators for 2022/23.
RECOMMENDATION TO BABERGH COUNCIL
3.3 That it be noted that Babergh District Council’s treasury management activity for 2022/23 was in accordance with the approved Treasury Management Strategy, and that, aside from exceeding the net upper limit of interest rate exposure at the end of 2022/23, as mentioned in Appendix C, paragraph 4.1, the Council has complied with all the Treasury Management Indicators for this period. Minutes: 40.1 The Chairman invited Councillor Bryn Hurren, Co-Chair of the Joint Audit and Standards Committee, to introduce Paper BC/23/14 which was for noting.
40.2 Councillor Hurren explained the purpose of the report which covered the 2022/23 financial year, and PROPOSED the recommendations as detailed in the report.
40.3 Councillor McLaren SECONDED the recommendations.
40.4 Councillor Riley asked for an explanation of why the Council was spending more money than it received, as detailed in table number 7 on page 39 of the report. The Director for Corporate Resources responded that certain assumptions were made regarding interest receivable when setting the budget, and that the rates fluctuate throughout the year leading to variables in the interest rates received. Variances are reported through the Treasury Management Half Year Report.
40.5 Councillor Riley then asked what action would be taken to ensure the situation was not repeated the following year. The Director for Corporate Resources responded that the Treasury Strategy would be presented to Council in January or February 2024, and advised that the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) had performed better than what was detailed in the budget.
40.6 In response to a further question from Councillor Riley regarding the reason why bad debts had been incurred in respect of Funding Circle performance, the Director for Corporate Resources clarified that an element in the portfolio is set aside for this as detailed in the agreement with Funding Circle.
40.7 Following a request from Councillor Davis, Councillor Hurren provided reassurance to residents and Members that the Council was not in a similar financial position as other Local Authorities.
40.8 Councillor Riley asked for clarification on whether the bad debts to date figure was a reserve figure or debts which had been written off. The Director for Corporate Resources confirmed that the figure related to debts which had been written off.
40.9 Councillor Ward referred to recommendation 3.3 in the report relating to the net upper limit of interest rate exposure and asked what the implications of exceeding the £15,000 limit would be. The Director for Corporate Resources advised that there would be penalties, and the indicator was set by the Council at a time when interest rates were lower. This would be reviewed as part of the Treasury Strategy. The Director went on to confirm that interest costs as a ratio to net expenditure were monitored and reported regularly.
40.10 Councillor Riley enquired whether there was any intention to improve lending standards in respect of bad debts. Councillor Hurren assured Members that every effort would be made to manage and recover debts where possible.
40.11 Councillor Riley asked what the Ninety-One Series i Performance was and why the valuation was being downgraded. The Director for Corporate Resources advised that the valuation was set by the markets and reviewed annually. Additional details of the fund would be provided outside of the meeting.
40.12 In response to a question from Councillor McCraw regarding the significance of the figures discussed at the meeting to the overall budget, ... view the full minutes text for item 40.
|
|||||||||||||
Cabinet Member for Finance, Assets and Investments Additional documents:
Minutes: 41.1 The Chairman welcomed Sir Christopher Haworth, Chair of CIFCO Capital Ltd, Henry Cooke, Director of CIFCO Capital Ltd, Mark Sargeantson, Director of CIFCO Capital Ltd, and Nigel Golder, Director of Strategic Asset Management at JLL to the meeting.
41.2 The Chairman invited Councillor John Ward, Cabinet Member for Finance, Assets and Investments to introduce paper BC/23/15.
41.3 Councillor Ward introduced the report which provided details of the trading activity for CIFCO Capital Ltd (CIFCO) for 2022/23, and PROPOSED the recommendations as detailed in the report.
41.4 Councillor Davis SECONDED the recommendations.
41.5 Councillor Regester asked whether CIFCO would consider using BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Methodology) to better assess environmental and energy standards, and potential for carbon reduction, in its portfolio of assets. The Director for Assets and Investments advised that currently EPC (Energy Performance Certificates) were used as they were a requirement for all Council properties and considered to be the most robust method of assessment, however they remain open to how best to measure the work being done to meet environmental standards.
41.6 Councillor Riley referred to the annual accounts and asked why they had not yet been filed. The Director for Assets and Investments advised that the accounts were awaiting final sign off and were expected to be published within the next month and confirmed that the details had been shared within the business plan.
41.7 Councillor Holt asked whether the board were comfortable with the current valuation of the portfolio, and also if they were confident that the portfolio was heading in the right direction in the long term. Sir Christopher Haworth provided assurance that the board were focussed on the security of the income and were not concerned about the fluctuations of assets in terms of the sustainability of the investments.
41.8 Councillor Holt then asked a question regarding the efficiencies of the properties and queried if enough finance was available to reinvest in existing properties to bring them to a standard where rental income could be maximised. The Director for Assets and Investments confirmed that the business plan set out short, medium, and long term approaches towards capital for reinvestment. In terms of improvements to sustainability of the properties, the portfolio was currently being worked through on an incremental basis.
41.9 In response to a further question from Councillor Holt regarding the number of empty void properties in Basingstoke, Nigel Golder advised that this was circumstantial, and 50% of the space had now been re-let at a higher rate than was previously received.
41.10 Councillor Parker enquired to what extent the rising interest rates have on CIFCO’s ability to provide income for the Council both now and in the future. The Director for Assets and Investments commented that debt repayments were made to the Council from CIFCO, and that a sensitivity analysis of rising interest rates had been carried out to assess the impact on the net income of the cost of borrowing increases. The Director for Corporate Resources added that some ... view the full minutes text for item 41.
|
|||||||||||||
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.
Minutes:
That pursuant to Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the business specified below on the grounds that if the public were present during discussion of this item, it is likely that there would be disclosure to them of exempt information as indicated in the report.
|
|||||||||||||
RESTRICTED APPENDIX - CIFCO CAPITAL LTD BUSINESS PLAN (Exempt information by virtue of Paragraph 3 of Part 1) Cabinet Member for Finance, Assets and Investments
|
|||||||||||||
RE-ADMITTANCE OF THE PUBLIC (WHICH TERM INCLUDES THE PRESS) Minutes: It was RESOLVED:
To re-admit the public (which term included the press) |
|||||||||||||
BC/23/16 BABERGH STATE OF THE DISTRICT REPORT 2023 PDF 77 KB Cabinet Member for Customers, Digital Transformation and Improvement
Additional documents: Minutes: 45.1 The Chairman invited Councillor McCraw, the Cabinet Member for Customers, Digital Transformation and Improvement, to introduce paper BC/23/16.
45.2 Councillor McCraw introduced the report which provided information to Members on the District, and PROPOSED the recommendations detailed in the report.
45.3 Councillor Ward SECONDED the recommendations.
45.4 Councillor Riley asked what actions would be taken to improve the average earnings for employees across the District. Councillor McCraw responded that the information in the report would be used to inform future policies and these would be addressed within the revised Corporate Plan.
45.5 Councillor Davis, Cabinet Member for Economic Growth, added that work was being undertaken to provide skills and opportunities to people of all ages across the District to help improve earnings.
45.6 Councillor Holt commented on the financial challenges facing younger residents in the District and expressed concern over the lack of housing and high rent charges. He went on to say that economic growth was key, and that action needed to be taken quickly.
45.7 Councillor Maybury raised the issue of an ageing population in the District and commented on the number of young people needing to move out of the District to pursue education, employment and housing opportunities.
45.8 Councillor Hurren commented on the importance of agriculture and tourism to the area and the danger these could face from over development. He went on to comment on the need for affordable housing for young people.
45.9 Councillor Ward commented on the need to attract small and medium sized businesses to the area to provide employment opportunities.
45.10 Councillor Beer highlighted the discrepancy between male and female salaries and felt this should be addressed. He then stated that there was a need for developers to build the right type of housing.
45.11 Councillor Regester stated that there was a need for homes offering affordable rent, as well as affordable houses to buy, to attract high skilled workers to the area.
By a unanimous vote the motion was CARRIED.
It was RESOLVED:
To note the content of the Babergh State of the District Report 2023 and endorse its publication on the Council’s website during October 2023.
|
|||||||||||||
BC/23/17 RECOMMENDATION FROM THE INDEPENDENT REMUNERATION PANEL PDF 131 KB Independent Remuneration Panel Additional documents: Minutes: 46.1 The Chairman invited the Corporate Manager for Governance and Civic Office, Jan Robinson, to introduce report BC/23/17.
46.2 The Corporate Manager for Governance and Civic Office introduced the report which contained a recommendation to Council from the Independent Remuneration Panel (IRP) regarding the Political Deputy Leader’s Role.
46.3 Councillor McLaren PROPOSED the recommendations in the report. Councillor Regester SECONDED the recommendations.
46.4 Councillor Holt asked whether a Member would be able to receive both the Cabinet Member and Deputy Political Leader allowance. The Corporate Manager for Governance and Civic Office advised that it had previously been agreed by Council that Members would be able to receive two Special Responsibilities Allowances.
46.5 Councillor Maybury referred to the research which been carried out and commented that the Local Authorities who were consulted were not comparable to Babergh District Council in size.
46.6 Councillor Beer asked whether a job share had been considered for the role so that the allowance could be split between both Political Deputy Leaders.
46.7 The Corporate Manager for Governance and Civic Office advised Members that the research was undertaken following information provided by the Local Government Association (LGA) and the Local Authorities consulted were those which had different styles of leadership. The Corporate Manager went on to confirm that the recommendations in the report were provided by the IRP after consideration of the evidence provided to them.
46.8 Councillor Maybury asked a question regarding why the LGA specifically chose the Councils they did to make a comparison with. The Corporate Manager for Governance and Civic Office stated that the councils had been chosen because they had different political leadership arrangements with a statutory and non-statutory leader.
46.9 Councillor Maybury then asked whether consultation had taken place with the Chief Executive and the Monitoring Officer regarding the research. The Chief Executive commented that the recommendations in the report were from the IRP, and not Members or Officers, and confirmed that he had been consulted.
46.10 In response to a question from Councillor McCraw, the Corporate Manager for Governance and Civic Office advised that IRP had been consulted and the recommendations were from the IRP and not Political Group Leaders.
46.11 Following a question from Councillor Maybury, the Interim Director for Law and Governance advised that there was nothing in statute to say that a Member could not decline an allowance, however it would need to be created first in order to be declined.
46.12 In response to a comment from Councillor Maybury, Councillor Ward stated that he had been a Cabinet Member since May 2017 and had received an allowance throughout that time. He went on to say that the new leadership arrangement was unique in Babergh District Council’s history, and the workload, which is shared between himself, Councillor Busby, and Councillor Saw, had increased significantly. He then stated that the proposed remuneration was not excessive for the workload and was reasonable and proportionate.
46.13 Councillor Holt stated that the role had been created out of political reasons ... view the full minutes text for item 46.
|
|||||||||||||
COUNCILLOR APPOINTMENTS PDF 50 KB To agree the following appointment:
JOINT ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND PARTNERSHIP TO SUFFOLK COAST AND HEATH
Minutes: 47.1 Councillor Maybury, Councillor Beer, Councillor Clover, Councillor Holt, and Councillor Riley left the meeting at 8:00pm, before the commencement of item 15.
By show of hands.
It was RESOLVED:
That Cllr Elisabeth Malvisi be appointed to Joint Advisory Committee and Partnership to Suffolk Coasts and Heaths.
That Cllr Tim Regester be appointed to East West Main Line Partnership.
That Cllr Deborah Saw be appointed to Suffolk Safer and Stronger Communities Board. |
|||||||||||||
MOTIONS ON NOTICE Minutes: 48.1 There were no motions on notice. |