There were no declarations of interests made by Councillors.

It was RESOLVED: -

That the minutes of the meeting held on the 5 September 2022 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

None received.

None received.

The Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

44.1           The Chair, Councillor Morley invited the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny, Councillor Welham to provide an update of the recent Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting.

44.2           Councillor Welham referred to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee recommendation to Cabinet detailed int the tabled papers. He then provided an update from the recent Committee meeting including concerns over the uncertainty in predicting parking capacity, queries over the governance of the parking strategy implementation.  The Committee had requested that the business case for the Implementation Plan be made available for scrutiny at an appropriate time, including Information Bulletins at key stages of the implementation phase.

44.3           Further that the Parking Strategy needed to encourage implementation of proposals to discourage car use by providing opportunities for journeys to be undertaken by other means. The Committee had queried why a heat map to identify problem areas in relation to enforcement had not been produce and that data had been collected before the sharp increase in fuel prices and the cost-of-living crisis.

44.4           On street parking, and parking for vehicle sharing and lorry parking for the A14 corridor and elsewhere and the limited scope of the Strategy due to carparks being under the control of others, including Suffolk County Council, were also raised as concern of the Committee.

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

Forthcoming Decisions List » Mid Suffolk

There were no comments made for the Forthcoming Decisions List.

Cabinet Member for Environment.

It was RESOLVED: -

1.1          That the background evidence reports provided to support the new parking strategy be noted.

1.2          That the new parking strategy for Mid Suffolk and its proposed recommendations, accepting that some recommendations may require full business cases to be approved by Cabinet at a later date be approved.

1.3          That delegated authority for the Director of Economic Growth and Climate Change in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Environment to deliver proposed recommendations through the creation of a focused implementation plan, subject to any business case approvals required as part of 3.2 above be approved.

REASON FOR DECISION

To set out the councils’ ambitions for parking for the short, medium and long term, by helping to shape the future growth of the district, enhance the quality of the local environment, and provide a prospectus for investment.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:

To continue without a parking strategy – this option was not taken up due to the previous Cabinet decision in August 2021 to pursue a clear and joined-up parking strategy that looks at all elements of parking which is everything from on-street and off-street, through to the economic, environmental, and community impacts.

Any Declarations of Interests Declared: None

Any Dispensation Granted: None

46.1           The Chair, Councillor Morley invited the Cabinet Member for Environment, Councillor Fleming to introduce the report.

46.2           Councillor Fleming provided an introduction to the report and moved recommendations 3.1, 3.2 and 3.3, as detailed in the report.

46.3           Councillor Gould, Cabinet Member for Assets and Investment seconded the recommendations.

46.4           Councillor Gould commended the officers for the work undertaken on the Parking Strategy and the consultation process.

By a unanimous vote.

It was RESOLVED: -

1.1          That the background evidence reports provided to support the new parking strategy be noted.

1.2          That the new parking strategy for Mid Suffolk and its proposed recommendations, accepting that some recommendations may require full business cases to be approved by Cabinet at a later date be approved.

1.3          That delegated authority for the Director of Economic Growth and Climate Change in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Environment to deliver proposed recommendations through the creation of a focused implementation plan, subject to any business case approvals required as part of 1.2 above be approved.

Cabinet Member for Finance.

It was RESOLVED: -

That application for exemption from pooling for all Right to Buy receipts from the sale of existing council homes built or acquired since July 2008 and homes built or acquired by the Council going forwards is approved.

REASON FOR DECISION

Exemption from pooling for the sale of these homes would mean that the Council retains more flexibility in how it uses these capital receipts and can apply them to any Housing Revenue Account (HRA) capital expenditure or to repay debt without time restrictions.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:

There are no other available options.

Any Declarations of Interests Declared: None

Any Dispensation Granted: None

47.1           The Chair, Councillor Morley invited the Cabinet Member for Finance, Councillor Whitehead to introduce the report.

47.2           Councillor Whitehead provided an introduction to the report and moved recommendation 3.1, as detailed in the report.

47.3           Councillor Hadingham, Cabinet Member for Housing seconded the recommendation.

By a unanimous vote.

It was RESOLVED: -

            That application for exemption from pooling for all Right to Buy receipts from the sale of existing council homes built or acquired since July 2008 and homes built or acquired by the Council going forward is approved.

Cabinet Member for Finance.

It was RESOLVED: -

1.1          To consult on Option 3 as set out in Appendix B of this report as the basis for a revised (Working Age) Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2023/24.

1.2          To authorise the Director for Corporate Resources following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance to initiate the formal consultation on the proposed revision to the Mid Suffolk District Council (Working Age) Council Tax Reduction Local Scheme.

REASON FOR DECISION

1.1           To increase the maximum reduction available to 100% and reduce the number of customers undergoing recovery processes.

1.2          To avoid unnecessary means testing and provide equitable access to CTR for all customers who receive welfare benefits.

1.3          To reduce the requirement for recalculation of awards for customers on UC with fluctuating earnings.

1.4          To ensure that no customer is disadvantaged on the introduction of the new CTR Scheme

1.5          To meet the statutory consultation requirements and inform future decision making

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:

1.1           Option 1

Renew the existing Working Age LCTR Scheme to allow an up to 100% maximum reduction for all households.

1.2          Option 2

Renew the existing Working Age LCTR Scheme to allow an up to 100% maximum reduction for all legacy benefit households and introduce a simplified scheme for UC customers that will allow ‘passported’ claims to be automated based on the UC financial data without additional verification. 

1.3          Option 3

Renew the existing Working Age LCTR Scheme to allow an up to 100% maximum reduction for all legacy benefit households and introduce a simplified scheme for UC customers that will allow ‘passported’ claims to be automated based on the UC financial data without additional verification. Create a transitional protection scheme to support those households who would be worse off under the simplified UC scheme.

1.4          Option 4

Continue with the existing Working Age LCTR Scheme of up to 95% maximum reduction for all households.

Any Declarations of Interests Declared: None

Any Dispensation Granted: None

48.1           The Chair, Councillor Morley, invited the Cabinet Member for Finance, Councillor Whitehead to introduce the report.

48.2           Councillor Whitehead introduced the report and moved recommendation 3.1 and 3.2, as detailed in the report.

48.3           Councillor Richardson, Cabinet Member for Economic Growth seconded the recommendations.

48.4           Councillor Fleming queried whether the changes would be cost neutral to Council and if the proposal would be subject to a review on how the scheme was working.

48.5           Councillor Whitehead responded that the scheme would be marginally cost beneficial to the Council and detailed the implications for the Council. Further that this would be a temporary situation for two years after which point the tax would revert to 5%.

48.6           In response to Councillor Fleming’s further questions, the Director for Corporate Resources ensured Members that the Consultation would be clear on the fact that the exemption was a temporary solution.

48.7           During the debate concerns were raised regarding the clarity of the Scheme and the implication for the one-year duration of the exemption.

By a unanimous vote.

It was RESOLVED: -

1.1      To consult on Option 3 as set out in Appendix B of this report as the basis for a revised (Working Age) Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2023/24.

1.2      To authorise the Director for Corporate Resources following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance to initiate the formal consultation on the proposed revision to the Mid Suffolk District Council (Working Age) Council Tax Reduction Local Scheme.