Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils
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Agenda, decisions and minutes

Venue: Teams Meeting

Media

Items
No. Item

11.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Minutes:

There were no apologies for absence.

12.

DECLARATION OF INTERESTS BY COUNCILLORS

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest declared.

13.

BCa/20/04 TO CONFIRM THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 28 SEPTEMBER 2020 pdf icon PDF 395 KB

Minutes:

It was RESOLVED:-

 

That the minutes of the meeting held on 28 September 2020 were confirmed as a true record. The minutes would be signed at the next practicable opportunity.

14.

BCa/20/05 TO CONFIRM THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 05 OCTOBER 2020 pdf icon PDF 117 KB

Minutes:

It was RESOLVED:-

 

That the minutes of the meeting held on 05 October 2020 were confirmed as a true record. The minutes would be signed at the next practicable opportunity.

15.

TO RECEIVE NOTIFICATION OF PETITIONS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE COUNCIL'S PETITION SCHEME

Minutes:

None received.

16.

QUESTIONS BY COUNCILLORS

Minutes:

16.1    Councillor Robert Lindsay detailed the issues with the use of glyphosate to kill weeds and the loss of biodiversity, and asked if the wording could be changed from meadow planting to meadow management.

 

16.2    In response the Assistant Director for Environment and Commercial Partnerships clarified that meadow management involved assessing the  nature of a piece of land and acting accordingly, and confirmed that the report would be corrected to meadow management rather meadow planting.

 

16.3    Councillor Lindsay asked a second question regarding the date by which the Council plans to phase out the use of glyphosate and if there were any plans in place to publicise this.

 

16.4    The Cabinet Member for Environment directed the question to the Assistant Director for Environment and Commercial Partnerships who advised that the Biodiversity Task Force had been consulted and it had been agreed that the use of glyphosate would be stopped. A short trial with an acetic acid based weed killer had been undertaken and the teams were now ready to start removing glyphosate use from both districts. The Assistant Director also confirmed that publicity would be  shared regarding the actions being taken.

 

16.5    Councillor Lindsay then asked who had been given the task of digitising the Suffolk Hedgerow Survey and when this was scheduled to happen.

 

16.6    The Cabinet Member for Environment advised that although the task was large and complex plans were in place for this to be undertaken. It was confirmed by the Assistant Director for Environment and Commercial Partnerships that the task had been passed to the Corporate Manager for Public Realm.

         

 

 

 

 

17.

MATTERS REFERRED BY THE OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY OR JOINT AUDIT AND STANDARDS COMMITTEES

Minutes:

There were no matters referred.

18.

FORTHCOMING DECISIONS LIST

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

 

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

 

Minutes:

The Forthcoming Decisions List was noted.

19.

BCA/20/06 BIODIVERSITY TASK FORCE - PROPOSALS TO CABINET pdf icon PDF 233 KB

Cabinet Member for Environment

Additional documents:

Decision:

It was RESOLVED:-

 

1.1          That the Biodiversity Action Plan, as created by the Biodiversity Task Force, be adopted.

 

1.2          That the Biodiversity Task Force group continue to meet to monitor the Action Plan and consider new ideas for increasing biodiversity.

 

Reason for Decision: This Council recognises the increasing pace with which the natural habitat is being lost and that it too has now become a biodiversity emergency. This decision will enable the Council to include ‘biodiversity net gain’ as a strategic priority.

 

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected: The options considered by the Biodiversity Task Force are detailed in the Biodiversity Action Plan, attached as Appendix A of the report.

 

Any Declarations of Interest Declared: None

 

Any Dispensation Granted: None

Minutes:

19.1    The Cabinet Member for Environment introduced the report and thanked all those involved in the development of the Biodiversity Action Plan.

 

19.2    Councillor Malvisi moved the recommendations in the report. Councillor Ward seconded the recommendations.

 

19.3    Councillor Busby enquired whether Greenways Countryside Project had been considered as consultants for the project. The Assistant Director for Environment and Commercial Partnerships advised that as Suffolk Wildlife Trust were currently undertaking similar work it had been decided to use them as a partner, however consideration would be given to Greenways Countryside Project for future plans.

 

19.4    Members commended the members of the Task Force and officers for the work undertaken.

 

19.5    In response to a query from Councillor Osborne regarding the financial implications of the project, and in particular how much funding would be provided by the Housing Revenue Account, the Assistant Director for Environment and Commercial Partnerships confirmed that no financial plans had yet been made and that Cabinet Members would be advised of any developments.

 

19.6    Councillor McCraw raised the issue of invasive species. Confirmation was provided that consideration had been given to this by the Task Force.

 

19.7    The Assistant Director for Environment and Commercial Partnerships responded to Councillor Busby’s questions regarding the budgets for inspecting trees and grass mowing cut and collect services.

 

19.8    Members debated the issues including the funding and affordability of the plans, and the role of developers in providing green spaces in developments.

 

By a unanimous vote

 

It was RESOLVED:-

 

1.1          That the Biodiversity Action Plan, as created by the Biodiversity Task Force, be adopted.

 

1.2          That the Biodiversity Task Force group continue to meet to monitor the Action Plan and consider new ideas for increasing biodiversity.

 

Reason for Decision: This Council recognises the increasing pace with which the natural habitat is being lost and that it too has now become a biodiversity emergency. This decision will enable the Council to include ‘biodiversity net gain’ as a strategic priority.

20.

BCa/20/07 INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING STATEMENT FOR BABERGH DISTRICT COUNCIL APRIL 2019 - MARCH 2020 (FOR PUBLICATION BY THE END OF DECEMBER 2020) pdf icon PDF 163 KB

Cabinet Member for Planning

Additional documents:

Decision:

It was RESOLVED:-

 

1.1          That the content of the report and Appendices A and B were noted by Cabinet and that the content of Appendices A and B of the report be submitted to the Government as Babergh’s Infrastructure Funding Statement.

 

1.2          That publication of the Infrastructure Funding Statement (Appendices A and B of the report) on the Council’s web site on the 11th December 2020 was agreed by Cabinet.

 

Reason for Decision: There are a number of different ways which Infrastructure is delivered following growth within each District. Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) monies have been collected since the implementation of CIL on the 11th April 2016. The CIL Expenditure Framework was originally adopted in April 2018. It was reviewed with amendments; these were adopted on the 18th March 2019 and the 20th April 2020. This Framework requires the production of a CIL Expenditure Programme for each District at least twice a year containing decisions for Cabinet to make or note on CIL Bids for infrastructure. Section 106 monies are collected through the completion of legal agreements before planning permission is granted for development. These secure developer contributions or direct provision of infrastructure. These legal agreements control the amount of money to be received and the timing and nature of the infrastructure provision. Neighbourhood CIL is paid out twice a year on the 28th April and the 28th October to all Parishes with the exception of Parish meetings where these monies are held by the Councils for us to work with those Parishes to devise and implement infrastructure proposals .All Parishes need to make a yearly return to each Council on the expenditure of their Neighbourhood CIL and this should be published on their Parish web site. As part of the evidence supporting the development of a Joint Local Plan an Infrastructure Delivery Plan has been produced which is being updated. All of these measures and where appropriate, decisions form ways in which necessary infrastructure supporting growth in the Districts are delivered /or prioritised for the benefit of our communities.

 

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:

 

1.1          The need to produce an Infrastructure Funding Statement (IFS) is prescribed by legislation through changes to the CIL Legislation in September 2019. The Government have been working on a template for a digital response with an ability to input back office data and for each Council to submit this using existing software (for Babergh and Mid Suffolk -this would be via Exacom). It is understood that there are over 100 Local Authority users of Exacom in the country and the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government have been working alongside users to develop a digital template to complete the IFS each year. This is still being developed/tested and some Local Authorities produced their own IFS for last year (when there was no legal requirement to do so) using their own individual style/approach. Over time the content of these Infrastructure Funding Statements are likely to develop into a focused digital submission  ...  view the full decision text for item 20.

Minutes:

20.1    The Cabinet Member for Planning introduced report BCa/20/07 Infrastructure Funding Statement and provided Members with details of the Infrastructure Funding Statement. Councillor Arthey expressed his thanks to the Professional Lead for Key Sites and Infrastructure and the team for the work in producing the statement.

 

20.2    Councillor Arthey moved the recommendations in the report. The recommendations were seconded by Councillor Holt.

 

20.3    Councillor Parker commented on the amount of money allocated to Parishes compared to the amount spent, and queried whether Ward Members could do more to encourage Parishes to utilise the funding.

 

20.4    Members commended the work undertaken by the CIL team.

 

20.5    Members discussed concerns regarding the large expenditure required, and the access to information for Town and Parish Councils.

 

20.6    The Professional Lead for Key Sites and Infrastructure provided Members with the details of the communications strategy which included briefings for Members and Town and Parish Councils.

 

By a unanimous vote

 

It was RESOLVED:-

 

1.1          That the content of the report and Appendices A and B were noted by Cabinet  and that the content of Appendices A and B of the report be submitted to the Government as Babergh’s Infrastructure Funding Statement.

 

1.2          That publication of the Infrastructure Funding Statement (Appendices A and B of the report) on the Council’s web site on the 11th December 2020 was agreed by Cabinet.

 

Reason for Decision: There are a number of different ways which Infrastructure is delivered following growth within each District. Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) monies have been collected since the implementation of CIL on the 11th April 2016. The CIL Expenditure Framework was originally adopted in April 2018. It was reviewed with amendments; these were adopted on the 18th March 2019 and the 20th April 2020. This Framework requires the production of a CIL Expenditure Programme for each District at least twice a year containing decisions for Cabinet to make or note on CIL Bids for infrastructure. Section 106 monies are collected through the completion of legal agreements before planning permission is granted for development. These secure developer contributions or direct provision of infrastructure. These legal agreements control the amount of money to be received and the timing and nature of the infrastructure provision. Neighbourhood CIL is paid out twice a year on the 28th April and the 28th October to all Parishes with the exception of Parish meetings where these monies are held by the Councils for us to work with those Parishes to devise and implement infrastructure proposals .All Parishes need to make a yearly return to each Council on the expenditure of their Neighbourhood CIL and this should be published on their Parish web site. As part of the evidence supporting the development of a Joint Local Plan an Infrastructure Delivery Plan has been produced which is being updated. All of these measures and where appropriate, decisions form ways in which necessary infrastructure supporting growth in the Districts are delivered/or prioritised for the benefit of our communities.

21.

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 items(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:

It was RESOLVED:-

 

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 in the report on the grounds that if the public were present during the item, it is likely that there would be disclosure to them of exempt information.

 

22.

BCa/20/08 CONFIRMATION OF THE CONFIDENTIAL MINUTE OF THE MEETING HELD ON 28 SEPTEMBER 2020

Minutes:

It was RESOLVED:-

 

That the confidential minutes of the meeting held on 28 September 2020 were confirmed as a true record. The minutes would be signed at the next practicable opportunity.

 

23.

BCa/20/09 CONFIRMATION OF THE CONFIDENTIAL MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 05 OCTOBER 2020

Minutes:

It was RESOLVED:-

 

That the confidential minutes of the meeting held on 05 October 2020 were confirmed as a true record. The minutes would be signed at the next practicable opportunity.