Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

There were no declarations of interest declared.

The minutes of the meeting held on 07 December 2020 were confirmed as a correct record. The minutes would be signed at the next practicable opportunity.

None received.

There were no questions from Councillors.

There were no matters referred.

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

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

The Forthcoming Decisions List was noted.

The Leader of Mid Suffolk District Council

It was RESOLVED:

That the revised Inter Authority Agreement be approved and that the Leader be authorised to sign the agreement on behalf of the Council.

Reason for Decision: To ensure that appropriate and accurate governance is in place to facilitate the ongoing joint working between Babergh District Council and Mid Suffolk District Council.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:

1.1          Option 1 – do nothing

This option is not appropriate as the Inter Authority Agreement needs to be updated to reflect the changes that have occurred since the first agreement was signed in 2012.

1.2          Option 2 – Update the Inter Authority Agreement

This is the preferred option as the current agreement is fit for purpose and has operated effectively but needs some updating to reflect the current situation. This option provides continuity while bringing the agreement up to date.

1.3          Option 3 – Implement an alternative form of agreement

The form of Inter Authority Agreement the authorities already have in place, coupled with the s.113 agreement for the sharing of staff is the most appropriate vehicle for their shared working arrangements. An alternative form of agreement is not necessary.

Any Declarations of Interest Declared: None

Any Dispensation Granted: None

Full minute to follow.

It was RESOLVED:

That the revised Inter Authority Agreement be approved and that the Leader be authorised to sign the agreement on behalf of the Council.

Reason for Decision: To ensure that appropriate and accurate governance is in place to facilitate the ongoing joint working between Babergh District Council and Mid Suffolk District Council.

Cabinet Member for Finance

It was RESOLVED:

That the proposed Fees and Charges for 2021/22 as shown in Appendix A of the report were approved by Cabinet.

Reason for Decision: To ensure that the Council achieves sufficient income and thereby reduces subsidy on non-essential services which may compromise the Councils ability to fund statutory services.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:

1.1          To review and approve the proposed changes to the fees and charges for the forthcoming financial year (recommended) or,

1.2          To leave them at the current year’s level.

Any Declarations of Interest Declared: None

Any Dispensation Granted: None

Full minute to follow.

It was RESOLVED:

That the proposed Fees and Charges for 2021/22 as shown in Appendix A of the report were approved by Cabinet.

Reason for Decision: To ensure that the Council achieves sufficient income and thereby reduces subsidy on non-essential services which may compromise the Councils ability to fund statutory services.

Cabinet Member for Environment

Full minute to follow.

Cabinet Member for Finance

It was RESOLVED:

1.1          That the draft General Fund Budget proposals for 2021/22 and four-year outlook set out in the report be endorsed for recommendation to Council on 23 February 2021, subject to further consideration at the next Cabinet meeting on 4 February 2021 following consideration at Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 18January 2021.

1.2          That the draft General Fund Budget for 2021/22 is based on an increase to Council Tax of 1.66% which equates to £2.80 per annum (23p per month) for a Band D property.

Reason for Decision: To bring together all the relevant information to enable Cabinet Members to review, consider and comment upon the Councils General Fund budget before the February Cabinet and recommendations to Council.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:Setting a balanced budget is a statutory requirement, therefore no other options are appropriate in respect of this.

Any Declarations of Interest Declared: None

Any Dispensation Granted: None

Full minute to follow.

It was RESOLVED:

1.1          That the draft General Fund Budget proposals for 2021/22 and four-year outlook set out in the report be endorsed for recommendation to Council on 23 February 2021, subject to further consideration at the next Cabinet meeting on 4 February 2021 following consideration at Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 18January 2021.

1.2          That the draft General Fund Budget for 2021/22 is based on an increase to Council Tax of 1.66% which equates to £2.80 per annum (23p per month) for a Band D property.

Reason for Decision: To bring together all the relevant information to enable Cabinet Members to review, consider and comment upon the Councils General Fund budget before the February Cabinet and recommendations to Council.

Cabinet Member for Finance

Full minute to follow.

It was RESOLVED:

1.1          That the draft HRA Budget proposals for 2021/22 and four-year outlook set out in the report be endorsed for recommendation to Council on 18 February 2021, subject to further consideration at the next Cabinet meeting on 8 February 2021.

1.2          That the CPI + 1% increase of 1.5% in Council House rents, equivalent to an average rent increase of £1.25 a week be implemented.

1.3          That garage rents are kept at the same level as 2020/21.

1.4          That Sheltered Housing Service charges be increased by £1 per week to ensure recovery of the actual cost of service.

1.5          That Sheltered Housing utility charges are kept at the same level as 2020/21.

1.6          That the budgeted surplus of £116k be transferred to the Strategic Priorities reserve in 2021/22.

1.7          That in principle, Right to Buy (RTB) receipts should be retained to enable continued development and acquisition of new council dwellings.

Reason for Decision: To bring together all the relevant information to enable Cabinet Members to review, consider and comment upon the Councils Housing Revenue Account budget before the February Cabinet and recommendations to Council.

Cabinet Member for Economic Growth

It was RESOLVED:

1.1         That the key recommendations of the consultant report were noted by Cabinet.

1.2         That Cabinet approved the grant of a lease on 11 Market Place to JCP which will be conditional on:

·       the JPC providing a formal business plan acceptable to Mid Suffolk District Council,

·       the provision of an acceptable funding strategy for the refurbishment of the building in 2 phases,

·       making the necessary governance improvements proposed by the report.

1.3     That authority be delegated to the Assistant Director for Economic Development and Regeneration in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Economic Growth and the Cabinet Member for Assets and Investments to finalise the terms and legal agreements for a long-term lease for the building (suggest 40 years) at token rent.

Reason for Decision:

          To support the objectives of Stowmarket vision and cultural regeneration of town by enabling the John Peel Centre to develop and grow as a key cultural organisation in the town.

          To ensure the councils investment in the John Peel Centre though the grant of a lease at a peppercorn rent is properly monitored through the agreed KPIs.

         To ensure the recommendations of the consultant’s report, including the need for JPC to secure sufficient funding for the works are delivered.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:

1.1          Option 1 - Agreement from Cabinet to enter into lease negotiations with the John Peel Centre to agree a future use for the 11 Market Place building that support the ambitions and objectives of the Stowmarket vision.

1.2          Option 2 – Market property commercially to seek alternative user

Any Declarations of Interest Declared:None

Any Dispensation Granted:None

Full minute to follow.

It was RESOLVED:

1.1         That the key recommendations of the consultant report were noted by Cabinet.

1.2         That Cabinet approved the grant of a lease on 11 Market Place to JCP which will be conditional on:

·       the JPC providing a formal business plan acceptable to Mid Suffolk District Council,

·       the provision of an acceptable funding strategy for the refurbishment of the building in 2 phases,

·       making the necessary governance improvements proposed by the report.

1.3     That authority be delegated to the Assistant Director for Economic Development and Regeneration in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Economic Growth or the Cabinet Member for Assets and Investments to finalise the terms and legal agreements for a long-term lease for the building (suggest 40 years) at token rent.

Reason for Decision:

          To support the objectives of Stowmarket vision and cultural regeneration of town by enabling the John Peel Centre to develop and grow as a key cultural organisation in the town.

          To ensure the councils investment in the John Peel Centre though the grant of a lease at a peppercorn rent is properly monitored through the agreed KPIs.

         To ensure the recommendations of the consultant’s report, including the need for JPC to secure sufficient funding for the works are delivered.

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 item, it is likely that there would be the disclosure to them of exempt information as indicated against the item.  The author of the report proposed to be considered in Part 2 of the Agenda is satisfied that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

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

Cabinet Member for Economic Growth

Full minute to follow.

Cabinet Member for Housing

It was RESOLVED:

That the recommendations detailed in the report be approved.

Reason for Decision: As detailed in the report.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected: The options considered were as detailed in the report.

Any Declarations of Interest Declared: None

Any Dispensation Granted: None

Full minute to follow

It was RESOLVED:-

That the recommendations detailed in the report be approved.

Reason for Decision: As detailed in the report.