Venue: King Edmund Chamber, Endeavour House, 8 Russell Road, Ipswich. View directions
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Apologies for absence Minutes: An apology for absence was received from Councillor Diana Kearsley. |
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To receive any declarations of pecuniary or non-pecuniary interest by Councillors Minutes: There were no declarations of interest. |
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MCa/18/31 - Confirmation of the Minutes of the meeting held on 10 September 2018 PDF 360 KB Minutes: The minutes of the meeting held on 10 September 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 from Councillors Minutes: The following question was received:
Question:
Councillor John Matthissen to Councillor John Whitehead
“Staff vacancies and recruitment:
Response from Councillor Whitehead
· What is the current number of vacancies as at 30/9/18 and the comparative as at 31/3/18, analysed by department?
Answer:
We do not have the historical information, but please see the attached spreadsheet as at 30/09/2018.
· What is the average time taken to fill vacancies since 31/12/17
Answer:
We do not record this specific information as it can vary greatly, dependent on the new starter and the actual type of job vacancy.
On average, the time line is as follows:
Time line
· What is the length of service of leavers, 1/4/18 to 30/9/18, analysed as in the attached previous answer, retaining those comparatives?
Answer:
Please see the report below
Councillor Eburne thanked Councillor Whitehead for his response.
Councillor Eburne then asked another question regarding if the Council had a five-year land supply?
Councillor Horn confirmed that an email reply to this question would be sent imminently.
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Matters referred by Overview and Scrutiny or the Joint Audit and Standards Committee Minutes: There were none. |
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MCa/18/32 - Forthcoming Decisions List PDF 457 KB 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: It was requested that the draft CAB38 – Community Strategy be distributed in advance. It was agreed that officers would be consulted regarding this.
A request was made for a draft of the Environment Strategy to be made available well in advance. It was agreed that this will be available.
A concern was raised over the Joint Housing Strategy as it was advised that a draft would be issued following the previous meeting. It was confirmed that this will be available by early next week.
It was RESOLVED:-
That the Forthcoming Decisions Notice be noted. |
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MCa/18/33 - Earmarking of Funds from the Business Rates Retention Pilot PDF 220 KB Additional documents: Decision: MCa/18/33 – EARMARKING OF FUNDS FROM THE BUSINESS RATES RETENTION PILOT
It was RESOLVED:-
1.1 That delegation be given to the Strategic Director, in consultation with the Finance Cabinet Member and other relevant Cabinet Members and Suffolk County Council, to change the approved projects or identify new projects for earmarked funds to a limit of £20,000 per project.
Reason for Decision: To enable the specific identified projects to be progressed and the conditions of the pilot status to be complied with.
Alternative Options Considered and Rejected: Option 1: Earmarking of the funds as set out in this report. Option 2: Funds remain unearmarked within a reserve. Both options above have been considered and the recommended option within this report is Option 1, to allocate funds to specific projects. The reason the other option has not been recommended is because a condition of the pilot status being awarded is that the additional retained money should be invested in further growth initiatives. Leaving the funds within a reserve will not achieve this key aim of the pilot.
Any Declarations of Interest declared: None
Any Dispensation Granted: None Minutes: Councillor Whitehead, Cabinet Member for Finance, introduced report MCa/18/33 and moved the recommendations, which were seconded by Councillor Horn.
Concern was expressed over the length of time taken for this report to be presented to Cabinet. It was commented that better communication was required in future. It was also noted that the Proformas mentioned in the report have not been included as an Appendix to the report.
It was explained that although there appears to be a time lag in bringing this report to Cabinet following publication, approval from Suffolk County Council was required before action could progress.
It was agreed that the inclusion of the proformas would be beneficial. It was confirmed that each proposed scheme will have an individual businesscase.
Members were advised that the report relates to the process of allocating funds rather than to project content.
Some Members felt that it would have been valuable to know the cost of employing the Inclusive Growth Engagement Officer.
Members wanted to know what happened with the balance above the £980,000 due to Mid Suffolk and how this would be allocated.
It was explained that Strategic Directors and relevant Cabinet Members were to discuss and agree any future allocation for the balance of funds.
In response to questions regarding the creation of a Central Suffolk Chamber of Commerce the Leader reminded the Cabinet that this had already been agreed by Full Council.
Page 22, paragraph 4.9 was questioned and Councillor John Whitehead said there was plenty of time to identify projects and that the £20,000 which had been earmarked for each project did not prevent bigger projects to be approved.
By 9 votes to 0, 1 abstention.
It was RESOLVED:-
1.1 That funds are earmarked to the schemes as detailed in Appendix A.
1.2 That delegation be given to the Strategic Director, in consultation with the Finance Cabinet Member and other relevant Cabinet Members and Suffolk County Council, to change the approved projects or identify new projects for earmarked funds to a limit of £20,000 per project.
Reason for Decision: To enable the specific identified projects to be progressed and the conditions of the pilot status to be complied with. |
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MCa/18/34 - Strategic Property and Land Investment Fund PDF 132 KB Additional documents:
Decision: MCa/18/34 – STRATEGIC PROPERTY AND LAND INVESTMENT FUND
It was RESOLVED:-
1.1 That Cabinet allocates the £3M from the Growth & Efficiency Fund for use by the Strategic Land and Property Fund as set out within this report and Appendices.
1.2 That the process for acquisitions, as set out in Appendix A of this report, in respect of the Strategic Property and Land Fund of £3million, be approved and the Strategic Director, with responsibility for Assets and Investments, in consultation with the Cabinet Members for Assets and Investments, Finance and Economy, be delegated the authority to make minor amendments to the process.
1.3 That the authority to pursue and finalise purchases of strategic property and land, is delegated to the Strategic Director, with responsibility for Assets and Investments, Finance and Economy.
Reason for Decision: To enable the Council to react and secure, when required, strategic property and land, as an investment opportunity, and to assist future house building and economic growth within the district.
Alternative Options Considered and Rejected: Option 1 Acquisition to be approved by Cabinet prior to purchase. Option 2 Adopting a suitable process; Both options above have been considered and the recommended option within this report is option 2, to adopt an appropriate process which does not require prior Cabinet approval for acquisitions. The reason the other option has not been recommended is detailed below. Option 1 - This does not allow the Council to react and secure strategic assets on a level playing field with the commercial sector.
Any Declarations of Interest declared: None
Any Dispensation Granted: None
Minutes: Councillor Gowrley, Cabinet Member for Assets and Investments, introduced report MCa/18/34 and moved the recommendation which was seconded by Councillor Flatman.
It was commented that the report was to be commended and that it was good to see a written process in place.
A question was asked regarding recommendation 3.1 and what figure would be left in the Growth and Efficiency fund.
The figure remaining was confirmed as £1.429M.
By a unanimous vote:
It was RESOLVED:-
1.1 That Cabinet allocates the £3M from the Growth & Efficiency Fund for use by the Strategic Land and Property Fund as set out within this report and Appendices.
1.2 That the process for acquisitions, as set out in Appendix A of the report, in respect of the Strategic Property and Land Fund of £3million, be approved and the Strategic Director, with responsibility for Assets and Investments, in consultation with the Cabinet Members for Assets and Investments, Finance and Economy, be delegated the authority to make minor amendments to the process.
1.3 That the authority to pursue and finalise purchases of strategic property and land, is delegated to the Strategic Director, with responsibility for Assets and Investments, in consultation with the Cabinet Members for Assets and Investments, Finance and Economy.
Reason for Decision: To enable the Council to react and secure, when required, strategic property and land, as an investment opportunity, and to assist future house building and economic growth within the district.
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Date of the Next Meeting The next meeting will be held on Monday 5 November at 2:30pm in the King Edmund Chamber, Second Floor, Endeavour House.
Minutes: The next meeting would be held on Monday 5th November 2018 at 2:30pm in the King Edmund Chamber, Second Floor, Endeavour House.
The business of the meeting was concluded at 2.58 pm. |