None received.

Councillor Campbell declared a non pecuniary interest in this item as a Trustee of South Suffolk Leisure.

The minutes of the meeting held on 12 April 2018 were confirmed as a correct record.

None received.

There were none.

Please note the most up to date version can be found via the website:

http://www.babergh.gov.uk/the-council/forthcoming-decisions-list/

The Forthcoming Decisions List was noted and the following comments made:

·       CAB12/33/36 should be amended to the Cabinet Member responsible for Assets and Investments.

·       The Cabinet Member with responsibility for Assets and Investments and the Cabinet Member for Organisational Delivery required briefings as soon as possible to get up to speed.

·       The disbandment of the Joint Housing Board to be taken to the June Full Council meeting.

·       It was questioned as to when the Tourist Information Centre would be brought before Cabinet.  As the issue was part of a rounded strategy this would be part of CAB51 – Local Tourism Strategy (Babergh Visitor Information Options).

·       Hadleigh Access Point to be identified as being part of CAB35 – Customer Strategy Refresh.

·       It was noted the BMS Investment Plan would go before the Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee on the 21 May of which the relevant Cabinet Members from both Mid Suffolk and Babergh District Council’s would be attending.

It was RESOLVED:-

1.1       That the 2017/18 financial outturn as set out in report BCa/17/68 be noted.

1.2       That the following net transfers of £1,966k be approved with the General Fund reserves;

a)      Transfer of £1,074k being the net amount, for the following specific earmarked reserves, referred to in section 10.11 of report BCa/17/68 be approved;

·       £546k to Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL)

·       £143k to Homelessness

·       £123k to Planning for legal costs

·       £119k to Waste for MRF costs

·       £96k to other Government Grants

·       £47k to Strategic Planning

b)      The remaining balance of the General Fund surplus of £892k (£943k at Quarter 3) be transferred to the Business Rates Equalisation reserve to support the 2017/18 deficit on the Business Rates Collection Fund which will materialise in 2018/19.

1.3       That the General Fund carry-forward requests totalling £224k referred to in paragraph 10.12 of report BCa/17/68 be approved.

1.4       That the Capital carry-forward requests referred to in paragraph 10.20 of report BCa/17/68 totalling £16,912m be approved.

1.5       That the transfer of £577k, being the HRA deficit for the year (£51k better than planned) per paragraph 10.25, from reserves be approved.

1.6       That the HRA Capital carry-forward requests referred to in paragraph 10.32 of report BCa/17/68 totalling £656k be approved.

Reason for Decision: To ensure that Members are kept informed of the 2017/18 outturn position for both the General Fund and HRA, and approve the relevant transfers to/from reserves, revenue and capital carry forwards.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:  The alternative option is that the outturn position is not reported and no reserve transfers or carry forwards are approved.

Any Declarations of Interest declared: None

Any Dispensation Granted: Yes

Councillor Patrick, the Cabinet Member with responsibility for Finance, introduced report BCa/17/68 and moved the recommendation which was seconded by Councillor Ridley.  Councillor Patrick gave thanks to the Finance team for all of their hard work in putting together the report in a tight timescale.

Members noted the numbers were ever changing but the main concern would be how to address the 2019/20 budget.  It was noted CIL income caused complications due to money going in and out, as well as income rates and the planning income.  It was considered a much simpler message would be useful as part of the narrative.

It was recognised the Council was increasingly becoming dependent on new homes bonus and business rate income.  Baseline income rates were adverse and a degree of certainty would be welcomed.

Members recognised that the budget was in a favourable position due to various decisions made.  It was a good news story that the Council had increased its housing stock and the Cabinet Member with responsibility for Housing wished for the hard work of the Housing team in this matter to be recognised and commended.

By a unanimous vote:

It was RESOLVED:-

(1)            That the 2017/18 financial outturn as set out in report BCa/17/68 be noted.

(2)            That the following net transfers of £1,966k be approved with the General Fund reserves;

a)      Transfer of £1,074k being the net amount, for the following specific earmarked reserves, referred to in section 10.11 of report BCa/17/68 be approved;

·       £546k to Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL)

·       £143k to Homelessness

·       £123k to Planning for legal costs

·       £119k to Waste for MRF costs

·       £96k to other Government Grants

·       £47k to Strategic Planning

b)      The remaining balance of the General Fund surplus of £892k (£943k at Quarter 3) be transferred to the Business Rates Equalisation reserve to support the 2017/18 deficit on the Business Rates Collection Fund which will materialise in 2018/19.

(3)        That the General Fund carry-forward requests totalling £224k referred to in paragraph 10.12 of report BCa/17/68 be approved.

(4)        That the Capital carry-forward requests referred to in paragraph 10.20 of report BCa/17/68 totalling £16,912m be approved.

(5)        That the transfer of £577k, being the HRA deficit for the year (£51k better than planned) per paragraph 10.25, from reserves be approved.

(6)        That the HRA Capital carry-forward requests referred to in paragraph 10.32 of report BCa/17/68 totalling £656k be approved.

Reason for Decision: To ensure that Members are kept informed of the 2017/18 outturn position for both the General Fund and HRA, and approve the relevant transfers to/from reserves, revenue and capital carry forwards.

It was RESOLVED:-

1.1  That Cabinet note the content and potential implications of the Government’s consultation titled “Supporting Housing Delivery through Developer Contributions: Reforming Developer Contributions to Affordable Housing and Infrastructure”.

1.2  That the recommended response to the consultation, as contained in Appendix 1 of report BCa/17/69 be endorsed.

Reason for Decision: To ensure that Cabinet were aware of the content and potential implications of the Government’s consultation titled “Supporting housing delivery through developer contributions to affordable housing and infrastructure” in order that Cabinet endorsed the response to the consultation.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected: That Cabinet did not note or be aware of the content or potential implications of the Government’s consultation.

Any Declarations of Interest declared: None

Any Dispensation Granted: None

Councillor Ridley, the Cabinet Member with responsibility for Planning, introduced report BCa/17/69 and moved the recommendation, this was seconded by Councillor Patrick.  Councillor Ridley gave thanks to the team for their hard work in producing a comprehensive report.

Cabinet felt the responses put forward were good ones and noted many measures had been put in place to move to a public facing database.  The Council was part of a pilot and as such could be first to launch such a database in the Country.

In response to a question it was noted the database went back approximately 30 years and so historic data could be accessed.

It was important to be transparent and workshops had taken place for Parish Councils, following this there had been much activity and the first bid had been submitted.

By 7 votes to 0 (Councillor Maybury was not present at the start of this item and as such did not participate in the vote)

It was RESOLVED:-

(1)   That Cabinet note the content and potential implications of the Government’s consultation titled “Supporting Housing Delivery through Developer Contributions: Reforming Developer Contributions to Affordable Housing and Infrastructure”.

(2)  That the recommended response to the consultation, as contained in Appendix A of report BCa/17/69 be endorsed.

Reason for Decision: To ensure that Cabinet were aware of the content and potential implications of the Government’s consultation titled “Supporting housing delivery through developer contributions to affordable housing and infrastructure” in order that Cabinet endorsed the response to the consultation.

It was RESOLVED:-

1.1  That the contents of the document entitled “Suffolk Framework for Inclusive Growth – a Summary (Appendix 1 of report BCa/17/70) be noted.

1.2  That the document entitled: Suffolk’s Framework for Inclusive Growth – a Summary (Appendix 1 of report BCa/17/70) be used to: (a) inform County-wide work on the use of “Pooled Business Rates”; (b) support and inform responses to third party consultations on growth and infrastructure; and, (c) support and prioritise – on a local and county-wide basis – funding bids for infrastructure to the Local Enterprise Partnership and other bodies;

1.3  That future infrastructure and strategic planning work for Babergh and Mid Suffolk (including the production of the Joint Local Plan) pays due regard to the contents of the document entitled: “Suffolk’s Framework for Inclusive Growth – a Summary (Appendix 1 of report BCa/17/70) and the full AECOM report referred to at paragraph 13.1 of the report, which is recognised as a non-statutory document.

Reason for Decision: To note the summary document for Suffolk’s Framework for Inclusive Growth and to recognise the AECOM report as a useful piece of research and evidence to inform a range of future decisions.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:  That the summary document for Suffolk’s Framework for Inclusive Growth and the AECOM report not be noted.

Any Declarations of Interest declared: None

Any Dispensation Granted: None

Councillor Ward, the Leader of the Council, introduced report BCa/17/70 and moved the recommendation which was seconded by Councillor Lawrenson.

Cabinet questioned where the funding would be produced.  The Assistant Director for Planning explained there was a whole range of sources, some of which were Government funded, some through Section 106 Agreements, CIL money, New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership and some smaller sums directly from developments themselves.

Cabinet felt the report read well and as such there was little to object to, however, the issue would be need verses growth and to recognise that developments which were fit for purpose today would not necessarily be so in the future.

Members noted the document had a dual purpose and would input into the Local Plan as well as attracting other investments.

By a unanimous vote

It was RESOLVED:-

(1)  That the contents of the document entitled “Suffolk Framework for Inclusive Growth – a Summary (Appendix 1 of report BCa/17/70) be noted.

(2)  That the document entitled: Suffolk’s Framework for Inclusive Growth – a Summary (Appendix 1 of report BCa/17/70) be used to: (a) inform County-wide work on the use of “Pooled Business Rates”; (b) support and inform responses to third party consultations on growth and infrastructure; and, (c) support and prioritise – on a local and county-wide basis – funding bids for infrastructure to the Local Enterprise Partnership and other bodies;

(3)  That future infrastructure and strategic planning work for Babergh and Mid Suffolk (including the production of the Joint Local Plan) pays due regard to the contents of the document entitled: “Suffolk’s Framework for Inclusive Growth – a Summary (Appendix 1 of report BCa/17/70) and the full AECOM report referred to at paragraph 13.1 of the report, which is recognised as a non-statutory document.

Reason for Decision: To note the summary document for Suffolk’s Framework for Inclusive Growth and to recognise the AECOM report as a useful piece of research and evidence to inform a range of future decisions.

It was RESOLVED:-

1.1  That the content and potential implications of the Government’s consultation titled “Draft Revised National Planning Policy Framework” (and accompanying documents) be noted.

1.2  That the recommended response to the consultation, as contained in Appendix 1 of report BCa/17/71, be endorsed.

Reason for Decision: To ensure that Cabinet were aware of the content and potential implications of the Government’s consultation titled “Draft revised National Planning Policy Framework”, in order for Cabinet to endorse the response to the consultation.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected: That Cabinet were not aware of the content and potential implications of the Government’s consultation titled “Draft revised National Planning Policy Framework”

Any Declarations of Interest declared: None

Any Dispensation Granted:  None

Councillor Ridley, the Cabinet Member with responsibility for Planning introduced report BCa/17/71 and moved the recommendation which was seconded by Councillor Patrick.

It was questioned as to whether the responses were acceptable in terms of Greenbelt land and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.  It was noted this would be part of the section for Environment.

Members recognised the plan would be reviewed once adopted and a five year plan maintained.

By a unanimous vote:

It was RESOLVED:-

(1)  That the content and potential implications of the Government’s consultation titled “Draft Revised National Planning Policy Framework” (and accompanying documents) be noted.

(2)  That the recommended response to the consultation, as contained in Appendix 1 of report BCa/17/71, be endorsed.

Reason for Decision: To ensure that Cabinet were aware of the content and potential implications of the Government’s consultation titled “Draft revised National Planning Policy Framework”, in order for Cabinet to endorse the response to the consultation.

It was RESOLVED:-

1.1  That the contents of report BCa/17/72, supported by Appendix A and B, be approved.

Reason for Decision: To provide assurances that risk management processes in place were robust and effective.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected: That the risk management process in place was not robust and effective.

Any Declarations of Interest declared: None

Any Dispensation Granted:  None

Councillor Davis, the Cabinet Member with responsibility for Organisational Delivery introduced report BCa/17/72 and moved the recommendation which was seconded by Councillor Maybury.

Cabinet felt the risk on page 111, in relation to Community Capacity Building and Engagement, was still high, which was disappointing and needed to be addressed.  It was noted once a development plan came forward then there should be a clearer and stronger direction.  It would be part of the development of the Community Strategy as a whole.

The risk on page 116, 5h to 5g, Health and Safety, it was noted this was the responsibility of the Chief Executive, however, it was listed as being the responsibility for the Cabinet Member for Assets and Investments.  Members noted this was due to ensuring there was a link into the Cabinet Model.

In terms of risks 4a and 5b it was thought progress had been made, as a robust business plan had been produced, however, this was not as reported?  The Cabinet Member with responsibility for Organisational Delivery agreed to check.  He would also check risk 4c on page 112 as it was felt this was on track but the risk score indicated the opposite?

It was noted at present there was not an Assistant Director for Assets and Investments in place and as such this was a significant risk.

Regarding risk 5f, members were pleased extra detail had been provided but it was important to keep an eye on the calls being answered and adequate mechanisms were in place. Cabinet recognised there had been a vast improvement during the last month and was a step in the right direction.

By a unanimous vote:

It was RESOLVED:-

(1)  That the contents of report BCa/17/72, supported by Appendix A and B, be approved.

Reason for Decision: To provide assurances that risk management processes in place were robust and effective.

It was RESOLVED:-

1.1  That in principle the purchase, installation and operation of commercial scale battery              storage at the Babergh District Council leisure centres be supported.

1.2  That funding of £154,000 be approved for this project.

1.3  That the Cabinet Member for the Environment, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance, be given delegated authority to approve the release of the funds in 1.2, subject to a financially viable business case being prepared and approved by the S.151 Officer, and detailed legal advice being received.

Reason for Decision: To provide the Council’s with a return on investment over the next 15 years through the reduction in electricity bills and sale of storage capacity.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected: That the Council did not proceed with the purchase and installation and operation of battery storage at Babergh District Council leisure centres.

Any Declarations of Interest declared: Councillor Campbell declared a non pecuniary interest in this item as a Trustee of South Suffolk Leisure.

Any Dispensation Granted:  None

Councillor Campbell, the Cabinet Member with responsibility for the Environment, introduced report BCa/17/73 and moved the recommendation, with amendments, which was seconded by Councillor Maybury.

Cabinet felt the proposal was an attractive one but wanted to ensure there would be no complications.  There was a concern over the initial outlay given the Council’s financial position.  The Assistant Director for the Environment explained a baseline figure would be agreed with South Suffolk Leisure which would be taken directly from the fee.

It was noted if agreed then the usual tender process would take place, the asset would be in the Council’s control and regular maintenance would be purchased to ensure the upkeep of the battery.  The technology used had been around for about five years and it was considered to be the right time to beat the market and achieve a return. 

Members considered this to be a great piece of work.

By a unanimous vote

It was RESOLVED:-

(1)  That in principle the purchase, installation and operation of commercial scale battery storage at the Babergh District Council leisure centres be supported.

(2)  That funding of £154,000 be approved for this project.

(3)  That the Cabinet Member for the Environment, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance, be given delegated authority to approve the release of the funds in 1.2, subject to a financially viable business case being prepared and approved by the S.151 Officer, and detailed legal advice being received.

Reason for Decision: To provide the Council’s with a return on investment over the next 15 years through the reduction in electricity bills and sale of storage capacity.