Venue: Britten Room - Endeavour House. View directions
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Apologies for absence Minutes: There were none. |
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To receive any declarations of pecuniary or non-pecuniary interest by Councillors Minutes: Councillor Brewster, Councillor Horn, Councillor Whitehead and Councillor Whybrow declared non-pecuniary interests in Agenda Items 13 and 15, “MCa/17/55 – BMS Invest – Performance, Risk and Governance Update” and “MCa/17/57 – Appointment of Non-Executive Director” as Board Members.
Councillor Horn declared a non-pecuniary interest in Agenda Item 14, “MCa/17/56 – Local Tourism Strategy Review” as a Trustee of the Museum of East Anglian Life. |
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MCa/17/49 - Confirmation of the Minutes of the meeting held on 5 February 2018 PDF 310 KB Minutes: The minutes of the meeting held on 5 February 2018 were confirmed as a correct record. |
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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: There were none. |
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Matters referred by the Overview and Scrutiny or Joint Audit and Standards Committee Minutes: No matters had been referred by either the Overview and Scrutiny or Joint Audit and Standards Committees.
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MCa/17/50 - Forthcoming Decisions List PDF 185 KB Please note the most up to date version can be found via the website:
http://www.babergh.gov.uk/the-council/forthcoming-decisions-list/
Minutes: The Forthcoming Decisions List was noted and the following comments made:
· That the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) draft revised consultation, of which responses were due by 10 May 2018, was included to ensure as many members as possible could respond. · It was questioned as to whether the HQ Site regeneration proposal be brought to Cabinet first and then onto Council. However, it was discussed and agreed it would go to Full Council for debate and then onto Cabinet for the final decision. · Why CAB21, End of Year Risk Progress, was scheduled ahead of the budget as it should feed into the budget setting. However, it was agreed it made sense to review the risks beforehand. |
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MCa/17/51 - Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) - Expenditure Framework PDF 131 KB Additional documents:
Decision: It was RESOLVED:-
1.1 That the potential or likely variations in relation to the General Fund, Housing Revenue Account and Capital Programme compared to the Budget be noted. 1.2 That, subject to any further budget variations that arise during the rest of the financial year, the following net transfers of £1,158k be noted: (a) The balance of the General Fund surplus of £938k referred to in section 11.7 of the report 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. (b) Transfer of £78k, being the favourable variance for Planning legal costs to the earmarked reserve, referred to in section 11.8 of this report. (c) Transfer of £175k, being the £75k favourable variance for Homelessness and the additional £100k contribution to the earmarked homelessness reserve, referred to in section 11.8 of this report. 1.3 That the causes of the variations between Quarter 2 and Quarter 3 within the HRA Strategic Priorities Reserve be investigated by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee. Reason for Decisions: To ensure that Members were kept informed of the current budgetary position for both the General Fund and HRA.
Alternative Options Considered and Rejected: The alternative option is the budget proposals for 2018/19 and Medium Term Financial Strategy not be reported and we fail in our statutory duty to set the Council tax for 2018/19. Any Declarations of Interest declared: None
Any Dispensation Granted: Yes Minutes: Councillor Whybrow, the Cabinet Member with responsibility for Planning, introduced report MCa/17/51 and moved the recommendation, which included additional wording of “Officers to consider whether it would be beneficial to administer the Section 106 monies and CIL within same team.” This was seconded by Councillor Flatman.
Councillor Whybrow gave thanks to both the Members and Officers involved.
A concern was raised as it was felt it was not a professional document, with no public speaking being allowed. As such it was questioned whether it would stand up in court due to lack of accountability.
Cabinet noted the template would be clear and robust and would be part of an ongoing review. They were therefore comfortable with supporting the recommendation. However, the final report, which would go before Full Council, required further information on the financial cap with a full explanation on the limitations.
By 9 votes to 1
It was RESOLVED:-
(1) The detailed CIL Expenditure Framework (including details of implementation and review) forming Appendices A and E to report MCa/17/51 and the joint CIL Expenditure Framework Communications Strategy (Appendix B) be approved and refer the proposals to Full Council for final adoption. (Appendices C and D comprise the CIL “Regulation 123 lists” and were approved in January 2016 and accompany the other documents for reference purposes only).
(2) That the Joint Member Panel (alongside Overview and Scrutiny) inform the Review of the CIL Expenditure Framework within the timescales contained in the Appendix E of report MCa/17/51.
(3) Officers to consider whether it would be beneficial to administer the Section 106 monies and CIL within same team.
Reason for Decision: Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) monies have been collected since the implementation of CIL in April 2016. There is no prescribed way for Councils to decide upon the spend of money collected through CIL so the Councils have to agree their own approach.
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MCa/17/52 - Financial Monitoring 2017/18 - Quarter 3 PDF 403 KB Decision: It was RESOLVED:-
1.1 That the potential or likely variations in relation to the General Fund, Housing Revenue Account and Capital Programme compared to the Budget be noted. 1.2 That, subject to any further budget variations that arise during the rest of the financial year, the following net transfers of £1,158k be noted: (a) The balance of the General Fund surplus of £938k referred to in section 11.7 of the report 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. (b) Transfer of £78k, being the favourable variance for Planning legal costs to the earmarked reserve, referred to in section 11.8 of this report. (c) Transfer of £175k, being the £75k favourable variance for Homelessness and the additional £100k contribution to the earmarked homelessness reserve, referred to in section 11.8 of this report. 1.3 That the causes of the variations between Quarter 2 and Quarter 3 within the HRA Strategic Priorities Reserve be investigated by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee. Reason for Decisions: To ensure that Members were kept informed of the current budgetary position for both the General Fund and HRA.
Alternative Options Considered and Rejected: The alternative option is the budget proposals for 2018/19 and Medium Term Financial Strategy not be reported and we fail in our statutory duty to set the Council tax for 2018/19. Any Declarations of Interest declared: None
Any Dispensation Granted: Yes Minutes: Councillor Whitehead, the Cabinet Member with responsibility for Finance, introduced report MCa/17/52 and moved the recommendation which was seconded by Councillor Horn.
Additional information on the HRA fund was tabled during the meeting. Due to the amended figures being a considerable sum Members did not feel they could vote on this part of the paper and as such moved and seconded an amendment and requested the HRA fund go to Overview and Scrutiny in order for them to investigate the cause of the variation.
By a unanimous vote
It was RESOLVED:-
1.1 That the potential or likely variations in relation to the General Fund, Housing Revenue Account and Capital Programme compared to the Budget be noted. 1.2 That, subject to any further budget variations that arise during the rest of the financial year, the following net transfers of £1,158k be noted: (a) The balance of the General Fund surplus of £938k referred to in section 11.7 of the report 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. (b) Transfer of £78k, being the favourable variance for Planning legal costs to the earmarked reserve, referred to in section 11.8 of this report. (c) Transfer of £175k, being the £75k favourable variance for Homelessness and the additional £100k contribution to the earmarked homelessness reserve, referred to in section 11.8 of this report. 1.3 That the causes of the variations between Quarter 2 and Quarter 3 within the HRA Strategic Priorities Reserve be investigated by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee. Reason for Decisions: To ensure that Members were kept informed of the current budgetary position for both the General Fund and HRA. |
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MCa/17/53 - Public Realm Transformation Project PDF 184 KB Decision: It was RESOLVED:-
1.1 That the findings of the Public Realm Review be noted, including the overall conclusions that standards of street cleansing and grounds maintenance are generally good and that the in-house service in Mid Suffolk represents value for money. 1.1 To agree the priority actions for 2018/19, set out at paragraphs 13.1 – 13.4 of report MCa/17/53, to take forward public realm provision within Mid Suffolk. 1.2 To agree the principles for future Public Realm provision in Mid Suffolk, outlined at paragraph 12 of this report. 1.3 To agree to establish a Member Advisory Task and Finish Group to: (a) Develop standards and performance measures for public realm services; (b) Establish a policy for the adoption of open spaces and other public realm assets; (c) Review and extend the policy on trees; and (d) Develop a policy on public toilets. 1.4 To utilise the public realm principles and public realm policies in the development of both the emerging Environment Strategy and the emerging Communities Strategy. Reason for Decisions: To set out the Council’s principles and plans for the future development of public realm services.
Alternative Options Considered and Rejected: The alternative option was to not agree the principles and plans for the future development of public realm services.
Any Declarations of Interest declared: None
Any Dispensation Granted: Yes Minutes: Councillor Burn, the Cabinet Member with responsibility for Environment, introduced report MCa/17/53 and moved the recommendation, with an amendment, which was seconded by Councillor Otton.
Members agreed just having one group of members for a Task and Finish Panel was sensible.
By a unanimous vote.
It was RESOLVED:-
1.1 That the findings of the Public Realm Review be noted, including the overall conclusions that standards of street cleansing and grounds maintenance are generally good and that the in-house service in Mid Suffolk represents value for money. 1.1 To agree the priority actions for 2018/19, set out at paragraphs 13.1 – 13.4 of report MCa/17/53, to take forward public realm provision within Mid Suffolk. 1.2 To agree the principles for future Public Realm provision in Mid Suffolk, outlined at paragraph 12 of this report. 1.3 To agree to establish a Member Advisory Task and Finish Group to: (a) Develop standards and performance measures for public realm services; (b) Establish a policy for the adoption of open spaces and other public realm assets; (c) Review and extend the policy on trees; and (d) Develop a policy on public toilets. 1.4 To utilise the public realm principles and public realm policies in the development of both the emerging Environment Strategy and the emerging Communities Strategy. Reason for Decisions: To set out the Council’s principles and plans for the future development of public realm services.
Alternative Options Considered and Rejected: The alternative option was to not agree the principles and plans for the future development of public realm services.
Any Declarations of Interest declared: None
Any Dispensation Granted: Yes |
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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 these items, it is likely that there would be the disclosure to them of exempt information as indicated against each item. The authors of the reports proposed to be considered in Part II of the Agenda are satisfied that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information. Minutes: By a unanimous vote
It was RESOLVED:
That 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 these items, it was likely there would be the disclosure to them of exempt information as indicated against each item. The authors of the reports proposed to be considered in Part II of the agenda were satisfied that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information.
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MCa/17/54 - Increase in provision of Temporary Accommodation units Decision:
It was RESOLVED:-
1.1 The recommendation as set out in the report MCa/17/54 be approved.
Alternative Options Considered and Rejected: That the recommendation as set out in report MCa/17/54 not be approved. Any Declarations of Interest declared: None
Any Dispensation Granted: None Minutes: By a unanimous vote.
It was RESOLVED:-
1.1 The recommendation as set out in the report MCa/17/54 be approved.
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MCa/17/55 - BMS Invest - Performance, Risk and Governance Update Decision: It was RESOLVED:-
1.1 The recommendation as set out in report MCa/17/55 be noted.
Alternative Options Considered and Rejected: That report MCa/17/55 not be noted or seen as an accurate reflection. Any Declarations of Interest declared: Councillors Brewster, Horn, Whitehead and Whybrow all declared non-pecuniary interests in this item as Board Members.
Any Dispensation Granted: None Minutes: By 8 votes to 2.
It was RESOLVED:-
1.1 The recommendation as set out in report MCa/17/55 be noted.
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MCa/17/56 - Local Tourism Strategy Review Decision: It was RESOLVED:-
1.1 That the recommendations set out in report MCa/17/56 be approved with a minor amendment.
Alternative Options Considered and Rejected: That the recommendation as set out in report MCa/17/56 not be approved. Any Declarations of Interest declared: Councillor Horn declared a non-pecuniary interest in this item as a Trustee of the Museum of East Anglian Life.
Any Dispensation Granted: None Minutes: Members made an amendment to the recommendation.
By 9 votes to 1
It was RESOLVED:-
1.1 That the recommendations set out in report MCa/17/56 be approved with a minor amendment.
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Mca/17/57 - Appointment of Non-Executive Director This is an urgent decision
The decision is urgent and cannot reasonably be deferred because previous delegation did not allow for additional capacity to be appointed to the Board, necessary at the initial stages. After the Cabinet meeting, if the decision is made, under paragraph 17 of the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules within Part 3 of the Council’s Constitution the decision will be exempt from call-in on the grounds of urgency.
This decision will be taken in private as it contains exempt information by virtue of which the Council are likely to exclude the public during the discussion of the agenda item to which the reports relates. The description of the exempt information under Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended) is as follows: -
3. Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information) Decision: It was RESOLVED:-
The recommendation as set out in the report MCa/17/57 be approved, and that the decision was taken on the grounds of urgency and as such cannot reasonably be deferred because previous delegation did not allow for additional capacity to be appointed to the Board, necessary at the initial stages. Under paragraph 17 of the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules within Part 3 of the Council’s Constitution THIS DECISION IS EXEMPT FROM CALL-IN ON THE GROUNDS OF URGENCY. Minutes: By a unanimous vote.
It was RESOLVED:-
The recommendation as set out in the report MCa/17/57 be approved, and that the decision was taken on the grounds of urgency and as such cannot reasonably be deferred because previous delegation did not allow for additional capacity to be appointed to the Board, necessary at the initial stages. Under paragraph 17 of the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules within Part 3 of the Council’s Constitution THIS DECISION IS EXEMPT FROM CALL-IN ON THE GROUNDS OF URGENCY. |