Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils
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Agenda and minutes

Venue: King Edmund Chamber, Endeavour House, 8 Russell Road, Ipswich. View directions

Contact: Committee Services 

Items
No. Item

61.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

To receive apologies for absence.

Minutes:

61.1 Before the meeting commenced a minute’s silence was held in memory of Peter Jones, former long serving councillor and Chairman of the Council.

 

61.2 At the invitation of the Chairman, Councillor Maybury made a short statement as follows:-

 

“I am very grateful to the Chairman for granting my request to say a few words following a misleading story that appeared in the East Anglian Daily Times two weeks ago. This story attempted to convey my views on mental health, but sadly I feel that I have been misquoted.

 

Let me be absolutely clear. Through personal family experience and caring for someone myself, I absolutely understand the impact of poor mental health.

 

I do not feel duty bound to go into personal details about this in public, suffice to say that I have my own lived experience of the struggles that come with supporting someone with a mental health condition. I know others do too and they have my full support.

Perhaps more important than my own experiences, this council is very supportive of efforts to help our staff and residents. I either support my cabinet colleagues with initiatives in this respect or lead on them myself. I will continue to do this.

I trust this clarifies where I stand on this important matter and the support this administration gives to Babergh residents with poor mental health. We’re on their side. Thank you”

 

62.

DECLARATION OF INTERESTS BY COUNCILLORS

Minutes:

62.1 There were no declarations of interest.

63.

BC/18/25 TO CONFIRM THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 25 SEPTEMBER 2018 pdf icon PDF 481 KB

Minutes:

63.1 Subject to the published Minutes being checked to ensure they were the correct version and the numbering being amended at Minute 55, the Minutes of the meeting held on 25 September 2018 were approved as a true record.

64.

BC/18/26 ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM THE CHAIRMAN AND LEADER pdf icon PDF 26 KB

In addition to any announcements made at the meeting, please see Paper BC/18/26 attached, detailing events attended by the Chair and Vice-Chair.

Minutes:

64.1 The Chairman introduced his report for noting and then made a short statement updating the Council about the unauthorised disclosure of confidential papers pertaining to the Belle Vue Development proposals and the investigation that had been undertaken by the Monitoring Officer including the actions that had been implemented.

 

64.2 The Chairman then invited Councillor Ward to present his report as follows:-

 

1) Firstly, the Leader on behalf of the Council welcomed Councillor Hurren back from his recent illness and wished him continued recovery from his heart surgery.

 

2) The Leader on behalf of the Council, congratulated Councillor Arthey and Councillor Patrick on being shortlisted at this year’s LGiU and CCLA Councillor Achievement Awards, to take place on 6th November at the Guildhall in London. Councillor Arthey had been shortlisted for the Place Shaping and Environment Award and Councillor Patrick had been shortlisted jointly with Councillor Glen Horn from Mid Suffolk for the Finance and Transformation Award. There were nearly 200 nominations this year and so this shortlisting was a fantastic reflection of their calibre. The Leader wished them both the best of luck.

 

3) Since the last Council meeting, the Leader reported that he and Cllr Osborne had held another three further Q&A sessions around the district – in East Bergholt, Long Melford and Gt. Cornard. East Bergholt was challenging, with 152 fairly angry residents in attendance. Most were there to listen as they wanted to understand, with only one or two who were unwilling to accept anything that was said. As expected most of the questions were about planning policy with a few additional topics raised. The Leader and Deputy Leader had taken away a list of 12 points to follow up and had since been in correspondence with Mr Dent, one of the leading lights behind the Action East Bergholt group, about progress on these points. Mr Dent had since written to the Leader as an East Bergholt resident, having reflected on Saturday’s meeting and also taking account of what so many people have since shared with him had concluded that the meeting with a packed assembly of villagers was very ‘successful’ He also had reiterated the need to maintain dialogue, which the Leader had promised to do.

The Leader then went on to say that Long Melford, in contrast, had been disappointing as nobody had attended the meeting. Gt Cornard had also been a bit disappointing. The concerns that had been raised were mostly highways-related. But residents were also interested in the plans for Hamilton Road and keen to hear of the progress with the Baker’s Mill footpath bridge.

The next Q&A session would be a return to Lavenham on Saturday, followed by Pinewood, Capel and Brantham.

 

4)The Leader reported that the Stars of Babergh and Mid Suffolk awards had been  held in St Mary’s Church, Hadleigh. The event was a great success and was a thoroughly enjoyable evening. The venue was wonderful – the church had been transformed for the evening  ...  view the full minutes text for item 64.

65.

TO RECEIVE NOTIFICATION OF PETITIONS IN ACCORDANCE WITH COUNCIL PROCEDURE RULES

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule No. 10, the Chief Executive will report the receipt of any petitions.  There can be no debate or comment upon these matters at the Council meeting.

Minutes:

65.1 There were no petitions received.

66.

QUESTIONS BY THE PUBLIC IN ACCORDANCE WITH COUNCIL PROCEDURE RULES

The Chairmen of Committees to answer any questions by the public of which notice has been given no later than midday three clear working days before the day of the meeting in accordance with Council Procedure Rule No. 11.

Minutes:

66.1 There were no questions received.

67.

QUESTIONS BY COUNCILLORS IN ACCORDANCE WITH COUNCIL PROCEDURE RULES

The Chairman of the Council, the Chairmen of Committees and Sub-Committees and Portfolio Holders to answer any questions on any matters in relation to which the Council has powers or duties or which affect the District of which due notice has been given in accordance with Council Procedure Rule No. 12.

Minutes:

67.1 There were no questions received.

68.

TO RECEIVE REPORTS FROM CABINET MEMBERS pdf icon PDF 113 KB

CMU19 – Cabinet Member for Assets and Investment

CMU20 – Cabinet Member for Communications

CMU21 – Cabinet Member for Communities

CMU22 – Cabinet Member for Economy

CMU23 – Cabinet Member for Environment

CMU24 – Cabinet Member for Finance

CMU25 – Cabinet Member for Housing

CMU26 – Leader & Cabinet Member for OD (Law and Governance)

CMU27 – Cabinet Member for Organisational Delivery

CMU28 – Cabinet Member for Planning

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

68.1 Councillor Ward introduced the reports from Cabinet Members and highlighted the key activities within each portfolio.

 

68.2 The Chairman then invited each Cabinet Member to introduce their report:-

 

68.3 CMU19 Councillor Lawrenson Cabinet Member for Investments (in the absence of Councillor Lawrenson written responses would be provided)

 

Q.1 Councillor Hinton to Councillor Lawrenson

At paragraph 3.3 on page 13 of the report CMU19 it talks about the plans for the headquarters site in Hadleigh as progressing well.  Are councillors going to see some options for this site rather than a terms of ownership etc or is the Council going to plough ahead and do what the Cabinet thinks it is going to do?

 

Response

Written response to be provided.

 

Q2. Councillor Hinton to Councillor Lawrenson

Will councillorssee a business case as far as the increase in headroom for £4.8million is concerned in social housing provision?

 

Response: Councillor Jan Osborne, Cabinet Member for Housing

The £4.8 million as you know was put in as a bid under the previous guidelines from central government and that bid was sent in by the end of September.  As you know now, there has been an announcement that the cap has been lifted, so the Council will now have to put in a revised bid. The Council is awaiting the guidelines for that after 30 October 2018, which is when the cap has been lifted and from there officers and myself will be working together to see what bid we are going put forward to get some funding from the lifted cap.

 

Q.2 Councillor Hinton to Councillor Jan Osborne, Cabinet Member for Housing

You talk there about funding as if it was a grant from central government.  This increase in the headroom presumably is to allow us to borrow rather than to actually be given money so is it actually going to cost us something at some stage?

 

Response: Cllr Jan Osborne, Cabinet Member for Housing

If you borrow money you always have to pay it back.  Yes of course it will but it will be to the Council’s advantage.  It means that that the Council can deliver more houses in the future, the Council had previously planned for 210 over the next 3 years.  With the lifting of the borrowing gap the Council can now look to see how many it can deliver above that figure if indeed it can.

 

68.4 CMU19 Councillor Grandon, Cabinet Member for Communications

 

Q.1 Councillor Hinton to Councillor Grandon, Cabinet Member for Communications

On page 16 of the report the last bullet point.  Key stories, Leaders Question Time.  We heard from the Leader, Cllr Ward about the meeting in East Bergholt and the fact that there were a lot of people there and he went away with a list of questions/point to be looked at and also, would be talking to Councillor Dent of the Action group.  Will the Cabinet Member confirm that the two local Ward Members will be kept informed as to what goes  ...  view the full minutes text for item 68.

69.

OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE REPORT pdf icon PDF 282 KB

Minutes:

69.1 Councillor McCraw introduced his report and highlighted the key issues within it as follows: -

 

·       The front page of the report provided a summary of the recommendations that were relevant to Item 10 Strategic Property and Land Investment Fund report.

·       Details of the meeting held on 20th September 2018 where the Committee reviewed the West Suffolk Community Safety Partnership (WSCSP). A wide range of witnesses attended the meeting that were crucial to the process. The Committee focused on the four identified priorities that WSCSP had been concentrating on in the past.  Councillor McCraw drew attention to two in particular:-  County lines and violence against women and girls or VORG, which did include men and boys. The Committee were extremely concerned about these matters and the statistics were particularly shocking even though they represented a small number of people.  The key messages that the witnesses supplied were contained in the repot along with the conclusions of the Committee. The Committee felt very strongly that they should be looking for a positive and proactive outcome and have requested that officers prepare a tool kit for use by Members for the various signs and signals that they can use within their communities, including phone numbers, places of refuge, and who to contact in a given set of circumstances. The Chair of Scrutiny hoped that the toolkit would be available in the near future. 

·       The second item that was reviewed at this meeting was the void project, this continued to be maintained at its current level, but further improvements were being sought, and this was duly noted.

·       The meeting held on  22nd October 2018 reviewed the Strategic Property and Land Investment Fund. The Chairman of the Committee presented the history of the process it had gone through in the course of the last two months. The Committee had focussed on three principle areas in the report  - the purpose and need of such a fund, the financial impacts, the costs of borrowing and the mitigation costs in terms of the MRP.  Following the review Overview and Scrutiny Committee had made the recommendations to Council that were listed on the front of the report. 

·       Finally, the Committee reviewed matters on staff turnover and welfare

specifically relating to the Planning Department.

 

69.2 The Chairman invited questions from members.

 

69.3 Councillor Beer asked if it was known how many sick days Babergh staff lose per year and how does this compare with other councils?

 

69.4 In response Councillor McCraw told Council that the Committee was focusing on figures that had originally been supplied to the Mid Suffolk Committee, but since those figures were being prepared, the Committee had agreed that the information should be shared with Babergh as well.  The focus of the figures in the information bulletin was specifically on the Planning Department and Housing Tenancy Services.  The figures were also compared with those against two combined and unspecified rural district councils that were in a similar position to Babergh and Mid Suffolk.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 69.

70.

RECOMMENDATIONS FROM CABINET / COMMITTEES pdf icon PDF 113 KB

71.

BCa/18/35 Strategic Property and Land Investment Fund pdf icon PDF 143 KB

At its meeting on 13 September 2018, Cabinet considered Paper BCa/18/35 (revised copy attached with amendments made following the Joint Member Briefing highlighted in yellow). 

 

Cabinet approved the approach of the establishment of a Strategic Property and Land Investment Fund as recommended in paragraph 3.1 of the report, and delegated to the Strategic Director with responsibility for Assets and Investments, in consultation with the Cabinet Members for Assets and Investments, Finance and Economy, authority to pursue and finalise purchases of strategic property and land as set out in Sections 4.5 and 4.6  of Paper BCa/18/35.

 

Council approval is required to the funding arrangements for this dedicated fund, which will enable the Council to act immediately when opportunities are available for strategic purchases of land and properties.

 

Cabinet therefore RECOMMENDS TO COUNCIL:

 

That approval be given to the establishment of a Strategic Property and Land Investment Fund of £3m, to be funded from borrowing as required.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

71.1 Councillor Ward introduced the report and informed Council that it had been recognised that the Council may not always be able to respond quickly enough through the normal governance procedures when property and land that could be of strategic interest became available for purchase. This report sought to establish a fund for investing in strategic property and land within the district. In addition to approval for establishing a fund of £3m to be funded from borrowing as and when required, the report set out the strict criteria to guide property and land purchases and a streamlined approval process outlined in appendix a  of the report that would enable the Council  to act quickly and compete with the commercial sector not just to acquire an asset but to be able to secure the best purchase price for the Council. The criteria was listed in paragraph 4.7 of the report and further checks and balances would be put in place as described in paragraph 4.8 of the report. This proposal would meet several of the Council’s strategic priorities and outcomes for delivering homes and developing the local economy as described in paragraph 5.1 of the report.

 

71.2 Councillor Ward then MOVED the recommendations in the report as modified by the Overview and Scrutiny as follows:-

 

“that Council approves the establishment of a strategic property and land investment fund of £3m to be funded borrowing as required and paragraph 3.2 delegates to the strategic director with responsibility for assets and investments in consultation with a minimum of 3 cabinet members including the cabinet members for assets and investments, finance and economy, the authority to pursue and finalise purchases of strategic property and land as set out within sections 4.7 and 4.8 of the report 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.”

 

71.3 Councillor Barrett seconded the recommendations and reserved the right to speak.

 

71.4 Councillor Parker queried why the figure was £3m and was there any significance in that figure?

 

71.5 In response Councillor Simon Barrett informed Council that it was felt that £3m was a reasonable figure, looking at what had been historically brought, the amounts had been significantly less than that, but the Council did make an acquisition which was around that sort of mark. There had to be some limit,we also have to authorise a certain amount of borrowing, this is a sensible level for the type of investment that the Council is looking to make.

 

71.6 Councillor Patrick raised concerns relating to the proposals and felt that the Council already had enough to focus on without adding any more. He also felt that the Overview and Scrutiny’s recommendations would slow the process down and defeat the purpose of the report, to move quickly.

 

 

 

71.7 Councillor Hinton sought clarification as the report requested Cabinet approval and also asked if the Council were to borrow £3m, what  ...  view the full minutes text for item 71.

72.

BC/18/27 POLITICAL BALANCE AND COMPOSITION OF COMMITTEES pdf icon PDF 123 KB

Monitoring Officer

Additional documents:

Minutes:

72.1 The Monitoring Officer introduced the report and informed Council that, following further changes to the Conservative Group membership, a revision to the allocation of committee placements had been tabled. The report had been calculated numerically and had to take into account the proportionality of each individual committee as well as the overall proportionality.

 

72.2 Councillor Ward MOVED the recommendations within the report which Councillor Simon Barrett SECONDED.

 

72.3 Councillor Hinton proposed an amendment to the report after negotiating with Labour Group members to the effect that the Independent Conservatives would take the Labour Members Planning seat in exchange for the Independent Conservative members seat on the Joint Audit and Standards Committee.

 

72.4 The Monitoring Officer advised that this would not represent good proportionality.

 

72.5 Councillor Bavington then informed Council that he would not be seconding the amendment.

 

It was Resolved:-

 

That the Committee’s size and numerical allocation of seats be approved as detailed in appendix (a) to the report.

 

73.

COUNCILLOR APPOINTMENTS

Minutes:

It was Resolved:-

 

That Councillor Ferguson be appointed to Planning Committee as a Conservative Group Member.

74.

UPDATES TO TIMETABLE OF MEETINGS 2019/20

To note the revised Annual Council meeting now scheduled for Wednesday 22 May 2019.

Minutes:

74.1 The Corporate Manager for Democratic Services asked Council to note the  revised date of the Annual Council meeting which  was now scheduled for Wednesday 22nd May 2019 .

75.

MOTION ON NOTICE

To consider the Motion on Notice received from Councillor Cresswell:

This council notes:

·         1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem in any given year.

·         The World Health Organisation predicts that depression will be the second most common health condition worldwide by 2020.

·         Mental ill health costs some £105 billion each year in England alone.

·         People with a severe mental illness die up to 20 years younger than their peers in the UK.

 

This council believes:

·         As a local authority we have a crucial role to play in improving the mental health of everyone in our community and tackling some of the widest and most entrenched inequalities in health.

·         Mental health should be a priority across all the local authority’s areas of responsibility, including housing, community safety and planning.

·         All councillors, whether members of the Executive or Scrutiny and in our community and casework roles, can play a positive role in championing mental health on an individual and strategic basis.

 

This council resolves:

·         To sign the Local Authorities’ Mental Health Challenge run by Centre for Mental Health, Mental Health Foundation, AMHP, Mind, Rethink Mental Illness, Royal College of Psychiatrists and Young Minds.

·         We commit to appoint an elected member as ‘mental health champion’ across the council.

·         We will seek to identify a member of staff within the council to act as ‘lead officer’ for mental health.

 

The council will also:

·         Support positive mental health in our community, including in local schools, neighbourhoods and workplaces.

·         Work to reduce inequalities in mental health in our community.

·         Work with local partners to offer effective support for people with mental health needs.

·         Tackle discrimination on the grounds of mental health in our community.

·         Proactively listen to people of all ages and backgrounds about what they need for better mental health.

 

Proposer: Councillor Luke Cresswell

Seconder: Councillor Tony Bavington

 

Minutes:

75.1 On the proposal of Councillor Cresswell and seconded by Councillor Bavington the following Motion was moved:-

 

This Council notes:

 

·      1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem in any given year.

·       The World Health Organisation predicts that depression will be the second  

       most common health condition worldwide by 2020.

·       Mental ill health costs some £105 billion each year in England alone.

·       People with a severe mental illness die up to 20 years younger than their

       peers in the UK.

 

This Council believes:

 

·      As a local authority we have a crucial role to play in improving the mental health of everyone in our community and tackling some of the widest and most entrenched inequalities in health.

·     Mental health should be a priority across all the local authority’s areas of responsibility, including housing, community safety and planning.

·     All councillors, whether members of the Executive or Scrutiny and in our community and casework roles, can play a positive role in championing mental health on an individual and strategic basis.

 

This Council resolves:

 

·       To sign the Local Authorities’ Mental Health Challenge run by Centre for Mental Health, Mental Health Foundation, AMHP, Mind, Rethink Mental Illness, Royal College of Psychiatrists and Young Minds.

·       We commit to appoint an elected member as ‘mental health champion’ across the council.

·      We will seek to identify a member of staff within the council to act as ‘lead officer’ for mental health.

 

The Council will also:

 

·       Support positive mental health in our community, including in local schools, neighbourhoods and workplaces.

·       Work to reduce inequalities in mental health in our community.

·       Work with local partners to offer effective support for people with mental 

        health needs.

·       Tackle discrimination on the grounds of mental health in our community.

·       Proactively listen to people of all ages and backgrounds about what they need for better mental health.

 

75.2 Councillor Cresswell in his introductory speech informed Council that he wanted the Council to establish a clear position on mental health within the Council and to build a foundation that could be further extended in the future so that the Council could start prioritising rather than stigmatising mental health. The motion stets out then principles of where this Council stands on mental health and how to support those that need it.

 

75.3 In response Councillor Ward stated that although the Council was not directly involved with health or social care provision there was much that a district council could do to create an environment that promoted mental as well as physical wellbeing from ensuring sufficient housing of the right mix of tenure types was available to creating safe and pleasant communities and also the provision of leisure and recreational facilities. Babergh was working hard in all of these areas and had achieved much in the last few years. For example the leisure sports and physical activity strategy had quite a bit to say about mental health and the Council’s partner Abbey Croft Leisure also did a lot towards promoting mental health. Babergh District Council  ...  view the full minutes text for item 75.

76.

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 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.

 

Minutes:

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 business specified in the Minutes on the grounds that if the public were present during discussion of this item, it is likely that there would be disclosure to them of exempt information as indicated in the report.

77.

BC/18/28 TO CONFIRM THE CONFIDENTIAL MINUTE OF 25 SEPTEMBER 2018

Minutes:

It was Resolved:-

 

That subject to a Councillor’s question being added to the Minutes, the confidential Minutes of 25 September 2018 were approved as a true record.