Venue: Teams Meeting
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APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE Minutes: There were no apologies for absence. |
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DECLARATION OF INTERESTS BY COUNCILLORS Minutes: There were no declarations of interest declared. |
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MCa/20/04 TO CONFIRM THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 28 SEPTEMBER 2020 PDF 261 KB Minutes: The minutes of the meeting held on 28 September 2020 were confirmed as a correct record. The minutes would be signed at the next practicable opportunity. |
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MCa/20/05 TO CONFIRM THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 05 OCTOBER 2020 PDF 216 KB Minutes: The minutes of the meeting held on 05 October 2020 were confirmed as a correct record. The minutes would be signed at the next practicable opportunity. |
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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: 16.1 Councillor Mellen had intended asking questions on behalf of Councillor Pratt who was unable to attend the meeting. However Councillor Mellen confirmed that he had already received a sufficient response from hearing the questions raised by the Babergh Councillors which were as follows:
· Councillor Robert Lindsay detailed the issues with the use of glyphosate to kill weeds and the loss of biodiversity, and asked if the wording could be changed from meadow planting to meadow management.
· In response the Assistant Director for Environment and Commercial Partnerships clarified that meadow management involved assessing the nature of a piece of land and acting accordingly, and confirmed that the report would be corrected to meadow management rather meadow planting.
· Councillor Lindsay asked a second question regarding the date by which the Council plans to phase out the use of glyphosate and if there were any plans in place to publicise this.
· The Babergh District Council Cabinet Member for Environment directed the question to the Assistant Director for Environment and Commercial Partnerships who advised that the Biodiversity Task Force had been consulted and it had been agreed that the use of glyphosate would be stopped. A short trial with an acetic acid based weed killer had been undertaken and the teams were now ready to start removing glyphosate use from both districts. The Assistant Director also confirmed that publicity would be shared regarding the actions being taken.
· Councillor Lindsay then asked who had been given the task of digitising the Suffolk Hedgerow Survey and when this was scheduled to happen.
· The Babergh District Council Cabinet Member for Environment advised that although the task was large and complex plans were in place for this to be undertaken. It was confirmed by the Assistant Director for Environment and Commercial Partnerships that the task had been passed to the Corporate Manager for Public Realm.
· The Cabinet Member for Environment commented that the digitisation would be a Suffolk wide project.
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MATTERS REFERRED BY THE OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY OR JOINT AUDIT AND STANDARDS COMMITTEES Minutes: There were no matters referred. |
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FORTHCOMING DECISIONS LIST Please note the most up to date version can be found via the website:
https://www.midsuffolk.gov.uk/the-council/forthcoming-decisions-list/ Minutes: The Forthcoming Decisions List was noted. |
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MCa/20/06 BIODIVERSITY TASK FORCE - PROPOSALS TO CABINET PDF 234 KB Cabinet Member for Environment Additional documents:
Decision: It was RESOLVED:-
1.1 That the Biodiversity Action Plan, as created by the Biodiversity Task Force, be adopted.
1.2 That the Biodiversity Task Force group continue to meet to monitor the Action Plan and consider new ideas for increasing biodiversity.
Reason for Decision: This Council recognises the increasing pace with which natural habitat is being lost and that it too has now become a biodiversity emergency. This decision will enable the Council to include ‘biodiversity net gain’ as a strategic priority.
Alternative Options Considered and Rejected: The options considered by the Biodiversity Task Force are detailed in the Biodiversity Action Plan, attached as Appendix A to the report.
Any Declaration of Interest Declared: None
Any Dispensation Granted: None Minutes: 19.1 The Cabinet Member for Environment introduced the report which presented the work of the Biodiversity Task Force, and thanked all those involved with the development of the Biodiversity Action Plan.
19.2 Councillor Fleming moved the recommendations in the report. Councillor Burn seconded the recommendations.
19.3 Members commended the members of the Task Force and officers for the work undertaken.
19.4 The Assistant Director for Environment and Commercial Partnerships responded to Councillor Brewster’s queries regarding the number of trees detailed in paragraph 4.17 of the report.
19.5 Following a further question from Councillor Brewster, the Cabinet Member for Environment outlined the consultation which had taken place with Town and Parish Councils and provided details of further work to be undertaken.
19.6 Councillor Burn enquired whether there was a working protocol for integrating the work carried out by Mid Suffolk District Council and other Authorities across the County. Councillor Fleming recognised the need for collaboration of this kind and advised that plans were being made to ensure this was possible.
19.7 In response to Councillor Gould’s questions regarding the financial aspects of the plan it was confirmed that some aspects would require funding from both Councils, and some would be funded individually.
19.8 The Cabinet Member for Environment, and the Assistant Director for Environment and Commercial Partnerships responded to Members questions on issues including green burials, the timescale for commencement of works and any trials that would take place, the cost involved with planting trees, Tree Preservation Orders, open spaces on new building developments, and arrangements for assisting schools with education on biodiversity issues.
19.9 The Corporate Manager for Public Realm responded to a question raised by Councillor Welham regarding the number of open spaces in the districts and how open spaces were defined.
19.10 In response to questions from Councillor Eburne, the Corporate Manager for Public Realm confirmed that consideration had been given to funding via a Woodland Trust Grant however as a Local Authority the eligibility criteria was not met. The Assistant Director for Environment and Commercial Partnerships advised that information would be provided regarding whether the funding for the plans would come from the General Fund or the Climate Change budget.
19.11 Councillor Eburne went on to enquire how Ward Members could become involved with large site within their wards which are not owned by Mid Suffolk District Council. The Assistant Director for Environment and Commercial Partnerships advised that the Public Realm Team would welcome any input and local knowledge.
19.12 Following a question regarding the issue of invasive species, the Cabinet Member for Environment confirmed that consideration had been given to this by the Task Force.
By a unanimous vote
It was RESOLVED:-
1.1 That the Biodiversity Action Plan, as created by the Biodiversity Task Force, be adopted.
1.2 That the Biodiversity Task Force continue to meet to monitor the Action Plan and consider new ideas for increasing biodiversity.
Reason for Decision: This Council recognises the increasing pace with which natural habitat is being lost and that ... view the full minutes text for item 19. |
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Cabinet Member for Planning Additional documents:
Decision: It was RESOLVED:-
1.1 That the content of this report and Appendices A and B were noted by Cabinet and that the content of the Appendices A and B of the report be submitted to the Government as Mid Suffolk’s Infrastructure Funding Statement.
1.2 That the publication of the Infrastructure Funding Statement (Appendices A and B of the report) on the Councils web site on the 11th December 2020 was agreed by Cabinet.
Reason for Decision: There are a number of different ways which Infrastructure is delivered following growth within each District. Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) monies have been collected since the implementation of CIL on the 11th April 2016. The CIL Expenditure Framework was originally adopted in April 2018. It was reviewed with amendments; these were adopted on the 18th March 2019 and the 20th April 2020. This Framework requires the production of a CIL Expenditure Programme for each District at least twice a year containing decisions for Cabinet to make or note on CIL Bids for infrastructure. Section 106 monies are collected through the completion of legal agreements before planning permission is granted for development. These secure developer contributions or direct provision of infrastructure. These legal agreements control the amount of money to be received and the timing and nature of the infrastructure provision. Neighbourhood CIL is paid out twice a year on the 28th April and the 28th October to all Parishes with the exception of Parish meetings where these monies are held by the Councils for us to work with those Parishes to devise and implement infrastructure proposals .All Parishes need to make a yearly return to each Council on the expenditure of their Neighbourhood CIL and this should be published on their Parish web site. As part of the evidence supporting the development of a Joint Local Plan an Infrastructure Delivery Plan has been produced which is being updated. All of these measures and where appropriate, decisions form ways in which necessary infrastructure supporting growth in the Districts are delivered /or prioritised for the benefit of our communities.
Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:
1.1 The need to produce an Infrastructure Funding Statement (IFS) is prescribed by legislation through changes to the CIL Legislation in September 2019. The Government have been working on a template for a digital response with an ability to input back office data and for each Council to submit this using existing software (for Babergh and Mid Suffolk -this would be via Exacom). It is understood that there are over 100 Local Authority users of Exacom in the country and the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government have been working alongside users to develop a digital template to complete the IFS each year. This is still being developed/tested and some Local Authorities produced their own IFS for last year (when there was no legal requirement to do so) using their own individual style/approach. Over time the content of these Infrastructure Funding Statements are likely to develop into a focused ... view the full decision text for item 20. Minutes: 20.1 Report MCa/20/07 Infrastructure Funding Statement was introduced the Cabinet Member for Planning and thanked the Professional Lead for Key Sites and Infrastructure and the team for their work in producing the report.
20.2 Councillor Burn moved the recommendations in the report. Councillor Flatman seconded the recommendations and expressed her thanks to the CIL team.
20.3 Members commended the excellent work undertaken by the CIL team.
20.4 In response to queries from Councillor Welham and Councillor Field, Councillor Burn advised that this would be discussed outside of the meeting.
20.5 Members discussed the access to information regarding CIL for Town and Parish Councils, and training for Clerks.
20.6 The Professional Lead for Key Sites and Infrastructure provided Members with details of the communications strategy which includes briefings for Members and Town and Parish Councils.
By a unanimous vote
It was RESOLVED:-
1.1 That the content of this report and Appendices A and B were noted by Cabinet and that the content of the Appendices A and B of the report be submitted to the Government as Mid Suffolk’s Infrastructure Funding Statement.
1.2 That the publication of the Infrastructure Funding Statement (Appendices A and B of the report) on the Councils web site on the 11th December was agreed by Cabinet.
Reason for Decision: There are a number of different ways which Infrastructure is delivered following growth within each District. Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) monies have been collected since the implementation of CIL on the 11th April 2016. The CIL Expenditure Framework was originally adopted in April 2018. It was reviewed with amendments; these were adopted on the 18th March 2019 and the 20th April 2020. This Framework requires the production of a CIL Expenditure Programme for each District at least twice a year containing decisions for Cabinet to make or note on CIL Bids for infrastructure. Section 106 monies are collected through the completion of legal agreements before planning permission is granted for development. These secure developer contributions or direct provision of infrastructure. These legal agreements control the amount of money to be received and the timing and nature of the infrastructure provision. Neighbourhood CIL is paid out twice a year on the 28th April and the 28th October to all Parishes with the exception of Parish meetings where these monies are held by the Councils for us to work with those Parishes to devise and implement infrastructure proposals .All Parishes need to make a yearly return to each Council on the expenditure of their Neighbourhood CIL and this should be published on their Parish web site. As part of the evidence supporting the development of a Joint Local Plan an Infrastructure Delivery Plan has been produced which is being updated. All of these measures and where appropriate, decisions form ways in which necessary infrastructure supporting growth in the Districts are delivered /or prioritised for the benefit of our communities. |
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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 items, it is likely that there would be the disclosure to them of exempt information as indicated against the 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:
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 in the report on the grounds that if the public were present during the item, it is likely that there would be disclosure to them of exempt information.
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MCa/20/08 CONFIRMATION OF THE CONFIDENTIAL MINUTE OF THE MEETING HELD ON 28 SEPTEMBER 2020 Minutes: The confidential minute of the meeting held on 28 September 2020 were confirmed as a correct record. The minutes would be signed at the next practicable opportunity.
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MCa/20/09 CONFIRMATION OF THE CONFIDENTIAL MINUTE OF THE MEETING HELD ON 05 OCTOBER 2020 Minutes: The confidential minute of the meeting held on 05 October 2020 were confirmed as a correct record. The minutes would be signed at the next practicable opportunity.
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