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APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE To receive apologies for absence. Minutes: Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Burke, Councillor Burn, Councillor Eburne, Councillor Ekpenyong, Councillor Gibson-Harries, Councillor Hadingham, Councillor Haley, Councillor Jewson, Councillor Mayes, Councillor Morley, Councillor Muller, Councillor Osborne and Councillor Whybrow.
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DECLARATION OF INTERESTS BY COUNCILLORS Minutes: 74.1 Councillor Horn, being a company director of CIFCO, declared a personal non- pecuniary interest in Item 11 (MC/18/33).
74.2 Councillor Brewster, being a company director of CIFCO, declared a personal non-pecuniary interest in Item 11 (MC/18/33).
74.3 Councillor Whitehead being a Board Member of Gateway 14, declared a personal non-pecuniary interest in Item 11 (MC/18/33).
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MC/18/28 TO CONFIRM THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 25 OCTOBER 2018 PDF 592 KB Minutes: It was Resolved:-
That subject to Minute 67.3 Question 3 being amended to read Councillor Welham, the Minutes of the meeting held on 25th October 2019 be confirmed and signed as a true record.
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MC/18/29 CHAIRMAN'S ANNOUNCEMENTS PDF 61 KB Minutes: 76.1 The Chairman asked Council to note his report.
76.2 Councillor Marchant requested that ward councillors be invited to any future sheltered housing accommodation visits.
76.3 The Chairman noted her comments.
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MC/18/30 LEADER'S REPORT PDF 147 KB Minutes: 77.1 The Leader introduced his report and informed Council that the Electoral Changes Order had now been made and embers would be getting updated registers shortly.
77.2 The Leader also reminded members that Cabinet had recently adopted the Modern Slavery Policy in line with the County Council and Babergh District Council.
77.3 Councillor Otton asked the Leader whether he had any plans to include a food waste collection service in the Environmental Strategy that was currently being drafted, in line with the recent announcement by the Government to include it in their Environmental Strategy. She also sought clarification on the percentage from the business rate retention scheme following the news that Suffolk was not included in the pilot scheme this year.
77.4 In response the Leader confirmed that the food waste collection service would be dealt with separately and that the percentage for business rate retention would revert back to 50%.
77.5 Councillor Stringer queried why with the refurbishment of the car park in Stowmarket the Council had not taken the opportunity to commission the first electric vehicle charging points?
77.6 In response the Leader stated that unfortunately the Portfolio Holder for the Environment was not here tonight but would be able to provide Councillor Stringer with an answer on his return.
77.7 Councillor Welham asked Councillor Gowrley if and when councillors would be consulted about the social housing green paper?
77.8 In response the Leader stated that he would confirm this outside of the meeting.
77.9 The Chairman thanked the Leader for his report.
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TO RECEIVE NOTIFICATION OF PETITIONS IN ACCORDANCE WITH COUNCIL PROCEDURE RULES In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 10, 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: 78.1 The Corporate Manager for Democratic Services informed Council that a petition containing 164 signatures had been received and validated regarding planning application DC/18/03114 and DC/18/03115 in Somersham. This would be dealt with through the planning process.
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QUESTIONS BY THE PUBLIC IN ACCORDANCE WITH COUNCIL PROCEDURE RULES The Chairs of Committees to answer any questions from 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 11. Minutes: 79.1 There were no questions received.
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QUESTIONS BY COUNCILLORS IN ACCORDANCE WITH COUNCIL PROCEDURE RULES The Chairman of the Council, Chairs 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 12. Minutes: 80.1 There were no questions received.
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MC/18/31 OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE REPORT PDF 344 KB Chair of Overview and Scrutiny Committee
Minutes: 81.1 Councillor Welham presented his report and invited questions from the Council.
81.2 Councillor Field asked if it would be possible for councillors to have some further information on how schools were funded in relation to the CIL as he felt that this would be useful for councillors when considering CIL applications.
81.3 Councillor Welham supported the request.
81.4 The Chairman thanked Councillor Welham for his report.
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RECOMMENDATIONS FROM COMMITTEES |
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JAC/18/8 HALF YEAR REPORT ON TREASURY MANAGEMENT 2018/19 PDF 747 KB Chair of Joint Audit and Standards Committee At its meeting on 12 November 2018, the Joint Audit and Standards Committee considered Paper JAC/18/8, the Half Year Report on Treasury Management for 2018/19. A revised Page 19 to Paper JAC/18/8 was circulated at the meeting, showing a corrected breakdown for the Mid Suffolk Treasury Investment Portfolio (Paragraph 1.5 of Appendix C). Paper JAC/18/8 provided a comprehensive assessment of Treasury Management activities for the first six months of 2018/19 and Members were asked to make recommendations to both Councils to note the Mid Year position, as required by the CIPFA Code of Practice on Treasury Management. It was RECOMMENDED TO BOTH COUNCILS:
That the Treasury Management activity for the first six months of 2018/19 as set out in Paper JAC/18/8 and Appendices (Appendix C as amended by replacement page 19 circulated at the meeting) be noted.
It was RECOMMENDED TO MID SUFFOLK COUNCIL:
That it be noted that Mid Suffolk District Council Treasury Management activity for the first six months of 2018/19 was in accordance with the approved Treasury Management Strategy, and that the Council has complied with all the Treasury Management Indicators for this period.
Additional documents: Minutes: 83.1 The Section 151 Officer introduced the report and highlighted that a revised breakdown for the Mid Suffolk Treasury Investment Portfolio (paragraph 1.5 of Appendix C) had been tabled.
83.2 The report itself explained in detail the factors affecting the Strategy and activities including the regulatory framework, economic conditions, interest rates and liquidity risk.
83.3 Councillor Norris informed Council that he had requested that the table on page 39 of the report illustrating the valuation of the Council’s investments provided a prior evaluation on the same date to give a better understanding of the long- term trend and sought confirmation that this would be included in future reports.
83.4 The Section 151 Officer confirmed that this would be available in the next report. 83.5 Councillor Matthissen asked if all members could have an itemised list of the Public Works Boards loans showing which projects they were loaned for and the interest rates and repayment dates including CIFCO and Gateway 14.
83.6 In response the Section 151 Officer agreed that a list could be provided, however, the list would not be directly linked to particular projects because of when the actual loan was taken out, this was divorced from the Capital Programme, loans were not taken out at the time the expenditure was incurred as treasury management was measured on a day to day basis.
83.7 Councillor Matthissen asked how this was reconciled with the Companies’ House information where it showed various loans secured against various properties?
83.8 In response the Section 151 Officer stated that the Council had to put a debenture on the properties to secure the loans, however, the Council’s financing activities were separate, so as a purchase was made for CIFCO, the Council would not necessarily take out a loan on that same day because cash flows were managed as a totality across all of its activities, including the General Fund, companies and HRA fund.
83.9 Councillor Field asked a question relating to long term borrowing being at 2.99% on page 33 of the report and the projected UBS investment yield and if there were any concerns around this, he also sought clarification on why the maturity structure was so different between the two Councils?
83.10 In response the Section 151 Officer stated that in terms of the long-term borrowing detailed on page 33 of the report, the 2.99% was the average overall of the PWLB loans. In terms of the return on the UBS investment, the 3.91% would need to be clarified, but the Council was getting interest back at a higher rate than the long- term debt was costing. With respect to the maturity structure of the two Councils there were two different officer groups at the times the loans were taken out, hence why there were different decisions made in terms of the repayment for these loans.
83.11 Councillor Stringer queried why there was no mention of the significant risk register in the report?
83.12 In response the Section 151 Officer stated that as ... view the full minutes text for item 83. |
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MC/18/32 GAMBLING ACT 2005: STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLES THREE YEARLY ADOPTION PDF 210 KB Chair of Licensing and Regulatory Committee
At its meeting on 7 December, the Licensing and Regulatory Committee considered Paper MLR/18/4. In addition to the recommendations contained in the report, the Committee resolved to ask Council to debate whether to pass a ‘No Casino’ rule. It was RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL:
1. That the ‘Statement of Principles’ document be adopted. 2. That Council determines whether to pass a ‘No Casino’ resolution under section 166 of the Gambling Act 2005.
Additional documents: Minutes: 84.1 Councillor Guthrie introduced the report and informed Council that following consideration of the report at the Licensing and Regulatory Committee, the Licensing and Regulatory Committee resolved to ask Council to debate whether to pass a “No Casino” rule.
84.2 In response the Leader stated that he felt that it was not appropriate to debate this item at this time without more detailed information about the legal implications of such legislation. Therefore, he moved a recommendation that the Licensing and Regulatory Committee or a Licensing Sub Committee review the “No Casino” Principle and provide an evidence recommendation to Council.
84.3 Councillor Otton queried where the review of fixed odd betting terminals fitted into the Principles?
84.4 In response the Licensing Officer informed Council that there was a caveat in the actual policy which allowed for these changes to be made up at any time and would be added to the Policy when the Council reviewed its Principles in three - years’ time.
84.5 On the proposal of Councillor Guthrie and seconded by Councillor Flatman the original recommendation to the report was PUT to the Council and CARRIED.
84.6 On the proposal of Councillor Gowrley and seconded by Councillor Stringer a proposal for the Licensing and Regulatory Committee or a Sub Committee of Licensing Committee to review the “No Casino” policy and provide an evidence-based recommendation for Council to consider. This was PUT to the meeting and CARRIED.
It was Resolved:-
(i) That the draft revision Gambling Act 2005 “Statement of Principles” document as attached at Appendix A of the report be adopted for publication and take effect for three years (unless revised sooner) from 31st January 2019.
(ii) That the Licensing and Regulatory Committee or a Sub Committee review the “No Casino” policy and provide an evidence-based recommendation for Council to consider.
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Councillor Gerard Brewster - Chair of MSDC Suffolk Holdings Ltd Minutes: 85.1 Councillor Brewster introduced the report and informed Council that the report provided Council with an update of the performance of its investment portfolio and commercial activities namely CIFCO and Gateway 14 for the period April 2018 and December 2018. It also provided an overview of the key activities that it would be focussing on over the next few months.
85.2 Councillor Mansel sought information on the latest two acquisitions and asked what they were?
85.3 In response the Assistant Director for Assets and Property informed Council that the latest two acquisitions were a property in Ipswich at Olympus Close, which was an estate of small industrial units and the other property was an industrial property in Hemel Hempstead.
85.4 Councillor Field asked if there was a clear business plan for Gateway 14 detailing what was happening with the investment and the timescales?
85.5 In response the Assistant Director for Assets and Property confirmed that the Directors of Gateway 14 were currently working on that Business Plan. The report also highlighted that a number of consultants have been appointed and that was to gather more detailed information for the business case to be put forward. So, there would be a further financial and business case information that would come forward in due course.
85.6 Councillor Otton sought clarification on the review of the current investment strategy and whether members would have some input into this?
85.7 In response the Assistant Director for Assets and Property stated that the Board would be reviewing the investment strategy and that would then become part of the Business Plan which would come before Cabinet for approval so there would be further recourse and would not be reliant on just the Directors’ discretion.
85.8 Councillor Field asked if there were any time limits for the site being classed as an enterprise zone?
85.9 In response Councillor Brewster confirmed that it was time limited and the limit was February 2021. The original business plan did not include the benefits of the enterprise zone, it was calculated without those benefits being taken into account, however there were other benefits that would be beneficial to the businesses on that site.
85.10 Councillor Welham queried whether the site mentioned in paragraph 14.5 of the report was being offered for sale or as a whole.
85.11 In response the Assistant Director for Assets and Property confirmed that it was a whole piece of land that was included in the planning application consent.
85.12 Councillor Matthissen queried whether the possibility of investing in a property in Mid Suffolk or Babergh could cause a division between the Directors.
85.13 In response Councillor Brewster confirmed that there was no division between the Members on the Board.
It was Resolved:-
That the contents of the report be noted.
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COUNCILLOR APPOINTMENTS Minutes: 86.1 The Leader announced that Councillor Stringer would replace Councillor Eburne on Cabinet.
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