Venue: King Edmund Chamber, Endeavour House, 8 Russell Road, Ipswich. View directions
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DECLARATION OF INTERESTS BY COUNCILLORS Minutes: Councillor Busby declared an Other Registrable Interest in Item 9, as Chair of Babergh Growth Ltd, and that the Monitoring Officer had granted dispensation for this role.
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TO RECEIVE NOTIFICATION OF PETITIONS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE COUNCIL'S PETITION SCHEME Minutes: None received. |
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QUESTIONS BY COUNCILLORS Minutes: None received.
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MATTERS REFERRED BY THE OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY OR JOINT AUDIT AND STANDARDS COMMITTEES Minutes: There were no matters referred from the Overview and Scrutiny or Joint Audit and Standards Committees.
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FORTHCOMING DECISIONS LIST Please note the most up to date version can be found via the website:
Forthcoming Decisions List » Babergh
Minutes: There were no comments made for the Forthcoming Decisions List.
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BCa/22/12 Q4 PERFORMANCE PDF 4 MB Cabinet Member for Customers, Digital Transformation and Improvement Minutes: 27.1 The Chair invited the Cabinet Member for Customers, Digital Transformation and Improvements, Councillor McCraw to introduce Quarter 4 Performance to Members.
27.2 Other Members present questioned the car ports in Sudbury and whether there was a timeframe for completion of this project. The Director for Economic Growth and Climate Change responded that due to supply chain issues the timeline had been delayed.
27.3 Councillor Osborne queried what was being done to reduce the increased number of abandoned calls. The Director for Customer Services responded that since the pandemic there had been an increase in the number of calls received, and to combat this staff had been offered overtime to respond to calls. In addition, recruitment had also taken place to increase capacity.
27.4 Councillor McLaren questioned whether, with the cost of living crisis, would there be a reduction in the ability for residents to access digital services. Councillor McCraw responded that internet service providers had reduced price packages for those in need, and that additionally discretionary payments might also be used to help residents.
27.5 Councillor Busby queried whether following the postponement of the Joint Local Plan, communities would still be able to have an input ahead of sign off from the inspectorate. Councillor Arthey stated that this would be possible.
27.6 Councillor Osborne outlined that the Disabled Facilities Grant now had 104% of the funds committed, which had increased from the 60% committed 18 months previously.
27.7 The Q4 Performance was noted.
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BCa/22/13 UK SHARED PROSPERITY FUND PDF 124 KB Leader of the Council Cabinet Member for Economy Cabinet Member for Communities and Wellbeing Additional documents:
Decision: It was RESOLVED: -
1.1 To note progress on the development of the draft investment plan which is attached at Appendix A. 1.2 To note the consultation process underway that will inform the final Investment Plan. 1.3 To agree delegation to the Assistant Director for Economy and Regeneration in consultation with the Portfolio holders for Economic Development & Communities to finalise the Investment Plan prior to submission to government.
REASON FOR DECISION The receipt of Shared Prosperity Funding to implement the initiatives contained within the draft Investment Plan will provide a unique opportunity to support economic growth and community activities for our Districts. This key funding opportunity could help to address the substantial loss of funding following the UK’s EU Exit and loss of access to European Funding for employment & skills projects. A robust set of investment priorities in the draft plan will enable the Council to provide funding for skills, employment, culture and community projects in the local area and wider county to support the Levelling Up agenda and create opportunities for all bringing true inclusive growth to local communities. Alternative Options Considered and Rejected: 1.2 The Cabinet could choose not to support the process being followed for developing an Investment Plan and consulting stakeholders. However, as the aspirations within the Shared Prosperity Fund programme align closely with our corporate ambitions and any change to the process now could result in significant additional work needing to be carried out in advance of a fixed Government deadline which may not be possible. 1.3 The Cabinet could choose to delay making a decision, however, the Government’s timeline for submission of our Investment Plan is fixed. As we can only draw down the funding allocated to us by submitting our Plan using the Government template by 1 August, any deviation or delays would potentially cause us to miss this deadline and jeopardise receipt of our funding. Any Declarations of Interests Declared: None Any Dispensation Granted: None
Minutes: 28.1 The Chair, Councillor Arthey invited the Cabinet Member for Economic Growth Councillor Ward, and the Cabinet Member for Communities and Wellbeing, Councillor McLaren, to introduce the UK Shared Prosperity Fund report.
28.2 The Cabinet Member for Communities and Wellbeing moved the recommendations in the report, which was seconded by Councillor Osborne.
28.3 Councillor Busby questioned whether the six project themes helped towards achieving economic objectives 1, 2 and 3.The Director for Economic Developments and Regeneration responded that due to the short timescale, existing priorities were used from existing plans including the economic recovery.
28.4 Councillor McLaren questioned whether the recent resignation of Government Ministers would affect the proposal. The Director for Economic Developments and Regeneration responded that there may be some delays in the process however, it would not have an effect on the funding received.
By a unanimous vote.
It was RESOLVED: -
1.1 To note progress on the development of the draft investment plan which is attached at Appendix A. 1.2 To note the consultation process underway that will inform the final Investment Plan. 1.3 To agree delegation to the Assistant Director for Economy and Regeneration in consultation with the Portfolio holders for Economic Development & Communities to finalise the Investment Plan prior to submission to government.
REASON FOR DECISION The receipt of Shared Prosperity Funding to implement the initiatives contained within the draft Investment Plan will provide a unique opportunity to support economic growth and community activities for our Districts. This key funding opportunity could help to address the substantial loss of funding following the UK’s EU Exit and loss of access to European Funding for employment & skills projects. A robust set of investment priorities in the draft plan will enable the Council to provide funding for skills, employment, culture and community projects in the local area and wider county to support the Levelling Up agenda and create opportunities for all bringing true inclusive growth to local communities.
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BCA/22/14 HAMILTON ROAD QUARTER (SUDBURY) REGENERATION SCHEME PDF 127 KB Cabinet Member for Economy Additional documents:
Decision: It was RESOLVED: -
1.1 That Cabinet endorsed ‘in principle’ the draft masterplan scheme design layout attached as Appendix A. 1.2 That Cabinet confirmed its preference for a two-phased approach towards developing the whole site, including its preference to explore a partnership with Babergh Growth Ltd to deliver Phase 1 of the site - which would be primarily residential. 1.3 That Cabinet approved up to a maximum of £500k from the strategic priorities reserve, with all capital elements funded from the capital regeneration fund. This would be used for progressing the regeneration scheme design to RIBA 3 Stage equivalent. It would also include the development of a high-level cost plan and property and development strategies, including spatial co-ordination, as part of a full business case to be presented to Cabinet later in the year. 1.4 That the Assistant Director for Economic Development and Regeneration be delegated authority to agree heads of terms following any successful negotiations with Babergh Growth in respect of delivering Phase 1 of the site. 1.5 That Cabinet noted the summary information contained within Appendix B to this report relating to the Council’s re-submission of proposals to UK Government for Levelling Up Funding at Round 2 stage.
REASON FOR DECISION This decision will assist the opportunity, within Sudbury, to gain much needed investment to deliver part of the Sudbury Vision Programme, with the development of the Hamilton Road Quarter. Alternative Options Considered and Rejected: (a) Reverse the previous decision of Cabinet. Not recommended. Cabinet at its meeting of 13 September 2018 (Report B/Ca/18/34 refers) resolved a preferred regeneration option (cinema and mixed-use development) and approved an associated development prospectus. The reason for this decision was to assist the opportunity, within Sudbury, to gain much needed investment to deliver part of the Councils Vision for Sudbury, with the development of the Hamilton Road Quarter.
(b) Repeat re-marketing of the site based on the 2018 prospectus. Not recommended. The market has consistently failed to respond to the opportunity to invest and bring forward the site, due to the site complexities including bus station needing to be relocated to on-street stops.
(c) Babergh District Council continue to de-risk the site for investment and seek to secure a development partner (retaining flexible options on the type of delivery model to be used). This work to include developing all relevant strategies for site consolidation and assembly, design masterplan and viability appraisals for delivering the required mixed-use leisure-led regeneration. Recommended option.
Any Declarations of Interests Declared: Councillor Busby declared an other registrable interest as Chairman of Babergh Growth Ltd. Any Dispensation Granted: Councillor Busby had received dispensation from the Monitoring Officer.
Minutes: 29.1 The Chair, Councillor Arthey invited the Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Councillor Ward to introduce Hamilton Road Quarter (Sudbury) Regeneration Scheme report.
29.2 In the absence of the Cabinet Member for Economic Growth, Councillor Osborne moved the recommendations in the report, which was seconded by Councillor McLaren.
29.3 Other Members present at the meeting queried whether Babergh Growth had the experience to undertake the project, and what the timeline for the delivery of the project would be. Councillor Busby responded that Babergh Growth had worked with the Norse Group, who did have experience delivering these projects. The Regeneration and Capital Projects Manager added that the timeline for the delivery of Phase 1 was March 2025, and Phase 2 was November 2025.
29.4 Councillor Osborne queried what the plan was if the bid for the levelling up fund was unsuccessful.The Director for Economic Development and Regeneration responded that the scheme would either be scaled down, or alternative funding would be sought.
29.5 Councillor Busby raised concern about the design of the scheme and that the layout of the residential buildings may block the light for the green area. The Director for Economic Development and Regeneration responded that the plan would be updated to the best layout when the planning application was made. By a unanimous vote. It was RESOLVED: -
1.1 That Cabinet endorsed ‘in principle’ the draft masterplan scheme design layout attached as Appendix A. 1.2 That Cabinet confirmed its preference for a two-phased approach towards developing the whole site, including its preference to explore a partnership with Babergh Growth Ltd to deliver Phase 1 of the site - which would be primarily residential. 1.3 That Cabinet approved up to a maximum of £500k from the strategic priorities reserve, with all capital elements funded from the capital regeneration fund. This would be used for progressing the regeneration scheme design to RIBA 3 Stage equivalent. It would also include the development of a high-level cost plan and property and development strategies, including spatial co-ordination, as part of a full business case to be presented to Cabinet later in the year. 1.4 That the Assistant Director for Economic Development and Regeneration be delegated authority to agree heads of terms following any successful negotiations with Babergh Growth in respect of delivering Phase 1 of the site. 1.5 That Cabinet noted the summary information contained within Appendix B to this report relating to the Council’s re-submission of proposals to UK Government for Levelling Up Funding at Round 2 stage.
REASON FOR DECISION This decision will assist the opportunity, within Sudbury, to gain much needed investment to deliver part of the Sudbury Vision Programme, with the development of the Hamilton Road Quarter.
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BCa/22/15 HADLEIGH A1071 ROADSIDE COMMERCIAL WORKSPACE DEVELOPMENT PDF 117 KB Cabinet Member for Economy Decision: It was RESOLVED: -
1.1 That Cabinet noted progress on wider scheme design development, marketing advice received and pre-let tenant engagement. 1.2 That Cabinet approved the disposal of Part A of site (shown on the site plan attached as Confidential Appendix A), following extensive marketing, on the basis of the draft Heads of Terms (attached as Confidential Appendix B). 1.3 That Cabinet delegated authority to the Assistant Director Economic Development and Regeneration to conclude the legal agreement on transfer, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance, Assets and Investments and Cabinet Member for Economic Development. 1.4 That Cabinet authorised the re-use of 100% of the capital receipt proceeds from the freehold disposal within the wider scheme development.
REASON FOR DECISION The Council has secured a small parcel of employment land which it can directly invest in to address market failure and develop as a viable scheme to provide needed workspace, employment opportunities and support for the local community of Hadleigh and surrounding area. Alternative Options Considered and Rejected: 2.2 (a) DO NOT PROGRESS WITH DESIGNING A SCHEME – rejected by Cabinet at its meeting of 08 June 2021 (b) PROGRESS WITH THE DETAILED DEVELOPMENT OF A VIABLE SCHEME AND BUSINESS CASE, TO BEST ACHIEVE STRATEGIC REGENERATION PRIORITIES, TO BE REPORTED BACK TO CABINET – resolved by Cabinet at its meeting of 08 June 2021 and progressed accordingly Now: (c) PROCEED with the freehold disposal of the convenience retail / potential drive-thru area of the site, on the basis of the draft Heads of Terms provided at Confidential Appendix B to this report. Recommended given a productive period of marketing undertaken, following Cabinet’s June 2021 authorisations and funding, and the positive impact on whole scheme viability and deliverability from gaining a capital receipt. (d) DO NOT PROCEED with the freehold disposal at this time or opportunity. Not recommended given the previous Cabinet resolutions and marketing period undertaken.
Any Declarations of Interests Declared: None Any Dispensation Granted: None
Minutes: 30.1 The Chair invited the Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Councillor Ward to introduce the Hadleigh A1071 Roadside Commercial Workspace Development report.
30.2 In the absence of Cabinet Member for Economic Growth, Councillor McCraw moved the recommendations in the report, which was seconded by Councillor McLaren.
30.3 Other Members present at the meeting questioned what the timeline for delivery on the development was. The Director - Economic Development and Regeneration responded that work had already commenced on the site and would continue, however the timeline was dependent on negotiations with purchasers.
30.4 Councillor Busby queried what would happen if a purchaser decided a change of use. The Director for Economic Development and Regeneration responded that there was a condition in the contract that would require the purchaser to obtain planning consent. By a unanimous vote. It was RESOLVED: -
1.1 That Cabinet endorsed ‘in principle’ the draft masterplan scheme design layout attached as Appendix A. 1.2 That Cabinet confirmed its preference for a two-phased approach towards developing the whole site, including its preference to explore a partnership with Babergh Growth Ltd to deliver Phase 1 of the site - which would be primarily residential. 1.3 That Cabinet approved up to a maximum of £500k from the strategic priorities reserve, with all capital elements funded from the capital regeneration fund. This would be used for progressing the regeneration scheme design to RIBA 3 Stage equivalent. It would also include the development of a high-level cost plan and property and development strategies, including spatial co-ordination, as part of a full business case to be presented to Cabinet later in the year. 1.4 That the Assistant Director for Economic Development and Regeneration be delegated authority to agree heads of terms following any successful negotiations with Babergh Growth in respect of delivering Phase 1 of the site. 1.5 That Cabinet noted the summary information contained within Appendix B to this report relating to the Council’s re-submission of proposals to UK Government for Levelling Up Funding at Round 2 stage.
REASON FOR DECISION This decision will assist the opportunity, within Sudbury, to gain much needed investment to deliver part of the Sudbury Vision Programme, with the development of the Hamilton Road Quarter.
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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: The meeting did not require to enter a closed session.
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BCa/22/15 HADLEIGH A1071 ROADSIDE COMMERCIAL WORKSPACE DEVELOPMENT - RESTRICTED APPENDICES A - D
Cabinet Member for Economy
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RE-ADMITTING MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC (TERM WHICH INCLUDES THE PRESS) Debate on Item 10 and to conduct the vote on the recommendations.
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