There were no apologies for absence.

There were no declarations of interest declared.

The minutes of the meeting held on 8 March 2021 were confirmed as a correct record and would be signed at the next practicable opportunity.

None received.

There were no questions from Councillors.

There were no matters referred.

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

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

7.1      Councillor Brewster advised that item CAB271 on the Forthcoming Decisions List, General Fund Financial Monitoring 2021/22 – Quarter 1, had the incorrect Cabinet Member noted.

7.2      The Chair confirmed that the item would be amended to read ‘Cabinet Member for Finance’.

Cabinet Member for Digital Transformation and Improvement

A presentation of performance across the whole Council for the period 1 January – 31 March 2021 (Q4). To note the information contained within the presentation, giving the opportunity to reflect and comment on progress made against the key priorities aligned to the Corporate Plan 2019 – 2027.’

8.1       The Chair welcomed the Assistant Director for Customers Services  to the meeting.   

8.2      The Assistant Director for Customer Services introduced the Quarter Four Performance Presentation and provided an overview of the key performance measures to Members.

8.3      In response to a question from Councillor Field regarding the iESE award nomination for the Planning Enforcement Team, the Assistant Director for Customer Services confirmed that the submission written for the award would be shared to demonstrate why the team was recognised for their customer focus.

8.4      Following a further question from Councillor Field regarding the performance measures for customer services, the Assistant Director for Customer Services advised that although the telephone call abandonment rate and call answer times were above target for quarter 3, the average rates over the year were below target. Members were advised that call rates were higher during quarter 3 due to the issuing of Council Tax bills and rent letters in this period. The number of telephone queries were therefore significantly increased as a result.

8.5      Councillor Welham queried whether the complaints which had been received and upheld were related to particular services areas. The Assistant Director for Customer Services confirmed that these complaints were predominantly in relation to missed bin collections and housing repairs works. Members were advised that these services had been affected by Covid-19 restrictions to working practices.

8.6      The Cabinet Member for Wellbeing, Councillor Richardson, responded to questions from Councillor Welham regarding wellbeing support for rural communities, and provided an update on the work which had taken place in the development of the Wellbeing Strategy.

8.7      Councillor Flatman, the Cabinet Member for Communities, responded to a question from Councillor Welham regarding the plans for the opening of Needham Lake Visitor Centre. Councillor Flatman outlined the various plans in place including guided walks activities, working with schools, and outreach amenities.

8.8      Councillor Brewster recognised the level of work undertaken by the Economies Team during the pandemic with regard to Government grants and thanked all officers involved in the roll out of the various grants.

8.9      Councillor Richardson expressed thanks to the Strategic Director, the Assistant Director for Planning for Growth, the Corporate Manager for Communities, and Councillor Flatman for their work on the Wellbeing Strategy over the last few months.

8.10    On behalf of the Cabinet, Councillor Morley thanked all officers for the work undertaken during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Cabinet Member for Housing

It was RESOLVED:-

1.1          That  the Allocations Policy amendments, as set out in Appendix A of the report be approved by Cabinet.

Reason for Decision:      

1.1      To ensure that the Allocations policy meets legal requirements.

1.2          To clarify wording in the policy so that key decisions are made fairly and consistently by all Gateway Local Authorities.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected: The proposed changes are predominantly related to National Legislative or Policy changes, therefore, to ensure compliance with our Statutory Framework, these changes are recommended and there are no other options to consider at this time.

Any Declarations of Interest Declared: None

Any Dispensation Granted: None

9.1      The Cabinet Member for Housing, Councillor Hadingham, introduced the report which set out the proposed changes to the Gateway to Homechoice Allocations Policy.

9.2      The recommendations in the report were proposed by Councillor Hadingham and seconded by Councillor Flatman.

By a unanimous vote

It was RESOLVED:-

That the Allocations Policy amendments, as set out in Appendix A of the report be approved by Cabinet.

Reason for Decision:

1.1          To ensure that the Allocations policy meet legal requirements.

1.2      To clarify wording in the policy so that key decisions are made fairly and consistently by all Gateway Local Authorities.

Cabinet Member for Environment

Recommendation

That a cross party working group consisting of the Cabinet Member for Environment and a Member from each political group be constituted to consider the issues raised in the consultation document for a response to be submitted by the Assistant Director for Environment and Commercial Partnerships under her delegated powers.

The link to the consistency consultation site which includes the documents is below:

https://consult.defra.gov.uk/waste-and-recycling/consistency-in-household-and-business-recycling/

It was RESOLVED:-

That a cross party working group consisting of the Cabinet Member for Environment and a Member from each political group be constituted to consider the issues raised in the consultation document for a response to be submitted by the Assistant Director for Environment and Commercial Partnerships under her delegated powers.

Reason for Decision: To ensure that a comprehensive response is prepared before the consultation response deadline announced by the Government.

Any Declarations of Interest Declared: None

Any Dispensation Granted: None

10.1    The Cabinet Member for Environment, Councillor Fleming, provided Members with details of the Suffolk Waste and Recycling Consistency in Household and Business Recycling Consultation, and the recommendation to assemble a cross party working group to consider the consultation.

10.2    Councillor Fleming proposed the recommendation. This was seconded by Councillor Whitehead.

10.3    In response to a question from Councillor Field, the Leader confirmed that the working group would be a joint group with Babergh District Council.

10.4    Councillor Mellen asked a question regarding the timescales for a response and when the working group would meet. Councillor Fleming advised that the group would be meeting as soon as possible and that a request for nominations had been sent to the political groups leaders.

10.5    Councillor Mansel queried the number of Councillors from Mid Suffolk District Council and Babergh District Council, as the number of political groups in each authority differs.

10.6    It was agreed that an additional Member from Mid Suffolk District Council would be included in the working group to ensure the same number of representatives from each authority. The cross party working group would consist of the Cabinet Member for Environment, a Cabinet Member, a Liberal Democrat Member and a Green Party Member.

By a unanimous vote

It was RESOLVED:-

That a cross party working group consisting of the Cabinet Member for Environment and a Member from each political group be constituted to consider the issues raised in the consultation document for a response to be submitted to the Assistant Director for Environment and Commercial Partnerships under her geledated powers.

Reason for Decision: To ensure that a comprehensive response is prepared before the consultation response deadline announced by the Government.

Cabinet Member for Environment

11.1    The Cabinet Member for Environment introduced the report which was for noting only.

11.2    Councillor Fleming provided details of the tree mapping work and canopy survey currently being undertaken.

11.3    Following a question from Councillor Mellen, Councillor Fleming confirmed that the results from the biodiversity surveys were expected in September 2021.

11.4    The report was noted.

Cabinet Members for Economic Growth

It was RESOLVED:-

1.1          That the high-level business case and options appraisal attached as Appendix A of the report be fully considered.

1.2          That the Assistant Director for Economic Development and Regeneration be authorised to progress with the development of an optimal scheme and carry out a tender process to secure an appropriate operator for the completed building.

1.3      That £195,000 be authorised from the Growth and Efficiency fund for the necessary redevelopment as outlined in 1.2 above.

Reason for Decision:

1.       The Council has through negotiation with Suffolk County Council and Eye Town Council secured a unit in Eye town centre which can be used for creation of new workspace which in turn will support the local community of Eye and surrounding area.

2.       The Councils workspace demand study in October 2019 identified a need for more workspace including incubators and hot desk spaces across the district.

3.       Refurbishing the building will create a new space for Eye Town Council in the heart of the Town Centre.

4.       The planned development has already secured funding for low carbon improvements and match funding from the Suffolk Growth and Investment Fund.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:

(a)      DO NOTHING – the site is transferred to the Council without it having any clear plan and retains an underutilised site with an employment allocation. Not considered a viable proposition given high level appraisal undertaken already.

(b)      PROGRESS THE DEVELOPMENT, CARRY OUT A TENDER PROCESS FOR THE WORKS NEEDED AND AN OPERATOR– This option is being progressed as per this report. This will directly support the Council’s ‘Invest in Eye’ programme and provide jobs and employment opportunities at a growing key location in the district if a suitable scheme can be delivered. It will also support the Town Council and general town centre activity and productivity.

Any Declarations of Interest Declared: Councillor Peter Gould declared a local non-pecuniary interest as a Member of Eye Town Council.

Any Dispensation Granted: None

12.1    Councillor Gould declared a local non-pecuniary interest as a Member of Eye Town Council and advised that he would take part in the debate for the item but not the vote.

12.2    The Cabinet Member for Economic Growth, Councillor Brewster,  introduced report MCa/21/5, Cross Street Eye Workspace Development.

12.3    Councillor Brewster outlined the proposed plans for the development project and moved the recommendations in the report.

12.4    Councillor Flatman seconded the recommendations and commented that the project provided a fantastic opportunity for small and start up businesses.

12.5    The Cabinet Member for Economic Growth and the Assistant Director for Economic Development and Regeneration responded to questions from Councillor Field regarding the proposed layout of the building, in particular the kitchen areas.

12.4    Following a question from Councillor Field, the Assistant Director for Economic Development and Regeneration provided an explanation of the various savings from decarbonisation activities identified by external sustainability consultants.

12.5    Members resolved to enter into closed session.

12.6    Members returned to open session in order to vote.

It was RESOLVED:-

1.1          That the high-level business case and options appraisal attached as Appendix A of the report be fully considered.

1.2          That the Assistant Director for Economic Development and Regeneration be authorised to progress with the development of an optimal scheme and carry out a tender process to secure an appropriate operator for the completed building.

1.3          That £195,000 be authorised from the Growth and Efficiency fund for the necessary redevelopment as outlined in 1.2 above.

Reason for Decision:

1.1      The Council has through negotiation with Suffolk County Council and Eye Town Council secured a unit in Eye town centre which can be used for creation of new workspace which in turn will support the local community of Eye and surrounding area.

1.2.     The Councils workspace demand study in October 2019 identified a need for more workspace including incubators and hot desk spaces across the district.

1.3.     Refurbishing the building will create a new space for Eye Town Council in the heart of the Town Centre.

1.4.     The planned development has already secured funding for low carbon improvements and match funding from the Suffolk Growth and Investment Fund.

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 the item, it is likely that there would be the disclosure to them of exempt information.

Cabinet Member for Economic Growth

Cabinet Member for Planning

It was RESOLVED:-

That Cabinet approved the recommendations as detailed in the report.

Reason for Decision: As detailed in the report.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected: As detailed in the report.

Any Declarations of Interest Declared: Councillor Harry Richardson declared a local non-pecuniary interest as a Ward Member for Thurston.

Any Dispensation Granted: None

It was RESOLVED:-

That Cabinet approved the recommendations as detailed in the report.

Reason for Decision: As detailed in the report.