Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils
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Items
No. Item

17.

DECLARATION OF INTERESTS BY COUNCILLORS

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interests.

 

 

18.

MC/21/7 TO CONFIRM THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 24 MAY 2021 pdf icon PDF 285 KB

Minutes:

It was RESOLVED:-

 

That the Minutes of the Annual meeting held on 24 May 2021 be confirmed and signed as a true record.

 

 

19.

MC/21/8 CHAIRMAN'S ANNOUNCEMENTS pdf icon PDF 60 KB

Minutes:

 

The Chairman thanked everyone that had supported his BBQ event at Cedars Park and informed Council that over £550 had been raised for the Chairman’s charity.

 

20.

LEADER'S ANNOUNCEMENTS

Minutes:

 

The Leader informed Council that she was not giving an update because of the length of the agenda and that all information had already been circulated.

 

Councillor Eburne asked for an update on the Afghan refugee situation and what support was being put in place for them.

 

In response Councillor Morley informed Council that plans were underway, and Councillors would be kept updated as more information became available from the Home Office.

 

21.

TO RECEIVE NOTIFICATION OF PETITIONS IN ACCORDANCE WITH COUNCIL PROCEDURE RULES

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule No. 11, 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:

 

There were no petitions received.

 

 

22.

QUESTIONS BY COUNCILLORS IN ACCORDANCE WITH COUNCIL PROCEDURE RULES pdf icon PDF 108 KB

The Chairman of the Council, Chairs 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 13.

Minutes:

Question 1 Councillor Penny Otton to Councillor Suzie Morley, Leader of the Council

 

The menopause is a natural stage of life but can lead to long term changes in physical and emotional health for women, including transgender. It is rarely discussed. What support does the council and its partners have in place to help and advice?

 

Response

 

There is guidance on Connect which details how we can support women through this stage in their lives. The guidance also offers tips and support from our people.  The Employee Assist Programme which all staff and councillors can access has a section in the app that can also provide guidance and support.

 

As with all of our guidance, we do review and whilst this is comprehensive, it is one that we will look at as part of our policy and guidance review.

 

Question 2 Councillor Mellen to Councillor Morley, Leader of the Council

 

This Council declared a climate emergency in July 2019 and is making progress towards the goal of being a carbon neutral local authority by 2030.  However, this will be futile if we do not also see a reduction in carbon emissions from all sources in the District.  Given the recent “code red” warning from the IPCC and the urgency of this task, what measures is the administration taking to encourage everyone in Mid Suffolk – residents, homeowners, landowners, businesses and all other organisations - to reduce their own carbon emissions with the aim of achieving net zero by 2030?

 

Response

 

You are right to say that we are making progress. We have just switched our waste fleet to Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil, immediately reducing its carbon emissions by 90% - the first rural Council to do so.

 

We are installing a solar carport at our Mid Suffolk Leisure Centre in Stowmarket, enabling electric car users to charge their vehicles but also to capture clean energy for use within the leisure centre.

 

 We will soon see the results of the extensive mapping exercise undertaken with the Suffolk Wildlife Trust to understand our habitats and enabling us to protect and enhance wildlife corridors in our District.

 

We are offering free trees and hedgerows to towns and parishes and have seen a fantastic take up off this offer, again increasing the infrastructure for our biodiversity.

 

We are a community leader in this space. We must encourage and influence our communities by setting an example. But our biggest message is simply making a conscious change. As small as it may seem – not wasting water, not wasting food, stop using plastics, avoid the car where possible, switch to a green energy tariff.

 

But to highlight just two areas where we are specifically encouraging change.

 

Firstly, our Local Energy Showcase. Businesses and community organisations are being urged to tackle climate change by joining Babergh and Mid Suffolk’s first ever showcase event celebrating sustainability and green energy.

The Local Energy Showcase, organised by Mid Suffolk District Council, along with Babergh Council, will promote how different types of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 22.

23.

QUESTIONS BY THE PUBLIC IN ACCORDANCE WITH COUNCIL PROCEDURE RULES

The Chairman of the Council to answer any questions from 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 12.

Minutes:

There were no questions received.

 

24.

MC/21/9 OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE REPORT pdf icon PDF 239 KB

Chair of Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Minutes:

 

Councillor Welham introduced his report which covered the last three meetings of the Committee. Details of the reviews were detailed in the report and Councillor Welham invited questions from Councillors.

 

Councillor Eburne asked if the review of Cabinet arrangements as detailed in the work plan would include the proposal from Babergh DC to review the governance arrangements of the Council. In response Councillor Welham informed Council that this matter would be discussed at the Chair’s briefing tomorrow.

 

Councillor Eburne also asked if a review of GP and dentist provision in Mid Suffolk could also be added to the work plan.

 

In response Councillor Welham informed Council that this suggestion would be taken to the Committee for discussion.

 

The report was noted by Council.

 

25.

RECOMMENDATIONS FROM CABINET / COMMITTEES

25a

MC/21/10 ANNUAL TREASURY MANAGEMENT REPORT – 2020/21 pdf icon PDF 945 KB

Chair of Joint Audit and Standards Committee

 

At its meeting on 26 July 2021, Joint Audit and Standards Committee considered Paper JAC/21/2, the Annual Treasury Management Report 2020/21.  Paper MC/21/10 now includes all the relevant updated information following consideration by the Joint Audit and Standards Committee, together with the necessary recommendations.

 

 

Minutes:

 

Councillor Muller introduced the report and informed Councillors that the Treasury Management 2020/21 outturn report was discussed at Joint Audit and Standards Committee on 26 July 2021.

 

The report provided details of investment performance, effects of decisions taken during the period and confirmed compliance with the Council’s Treasury Management Policy.

 

The COVID pandemic and the impacts of a global lockdown dominated 2020/21. The start of the financial year saw many central banks cutting interest rates as lockdowns caused economic activity to grind to a halt. The UK Government provided a range of fiscal stimulus measures, the size of which had not been seen in peacetime.

 

The vaccine approval and subsequent rollout programme were both positives, but there remained much uncertainty in and around the level of losses that banks and building societies would suffer due to the economic slowdown.

 

The Bank of England held the Bank Rate at 0.1% throughout the year but extended its Quantitative Easing programme by £150 billion to £895 billion in November 2020.

The UK unemployment rate was 5.0% in the three months to January 2021. Unemployment is expected to increase as the various Government job support schemes come to an end.

 

Inflation has remained low over the 12-month period. Latest figures showed the annual headline rate of UK Consumer Price Inflation (CPI) fell to 0.4% year on year in February, below expectations (0.8%) and still well below the Bank of England’s 2% target.

 

Councillor Muller then informed Council that specifically for Mid Suffolk, the Council was able to take advantage of holding additional cash from government grants received relating to Covid 19 until they were paid out to support local businesses. This has increased treasury management investment activity during the year.

 

The Council operated within the daily bank account limits.

 

Mid Suffolk’s short- term debt increased by £19.6m, offset by the repayment of £12.4m medium/long term borrowing to take advantage of lower rates after the PWLB rates were increased. The increase in debt was mainly due to the £19.3m of approved investments in the non-treasury investments of CIFCO Ltd and £600k to the Gateway 14 Ltd.

 

All investment activities undertaken were in accordance with the approved Counter Party list.

 

Investment in funding circle has reduced by 53k as unallocated funds had been reclaimed and existing loans repaid leaving the balance as at 31st March 2021 as £162K.

 

The Council was compliant with the upper limits for interest rate exposure. The investment activity undertaken throughout the year was done so in priority order of security and liquidity over yield as prescribed in the Treasury Management Strategy.

 

Finally, Councillor Muller drew attention to two figures in Appendix C paragraph 1.14 Table 24 in the Mid Suffolk table and informed Council that the figures should read CCL £5m and Investec £2m he confirmed that no change had been made to the investment in these funds.

 

Councillor Muller then MOVED the recommendations in the report which Councillor Caston SECONDED.

 

Councillor Matthissen drew Council’s attention to the risk table  ...  view the full minutes text for item 25a

Recorded Vote
TitleTypeRecorded Vote textResult
To agree recommendations 3.1 and 3.2 as detailed in Report MC/21/10 Ad-Hoc Carried
  • View Recorded Vote for this item
  • 25b

    MC/21/11 GAMBLING ACT 2005 'NO CASINO' RESOLUTION pdf icon PDF 329 KB

    Chair of Licensing and Regulatory Committee

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    Councillor Guthrie introduced the report and informed Council that in 2018, a Councillor requested that full Council consider a “No Casino” resolution”.

     

    Full Council requested that Licensing and Regulatory Committee provide a full evidence base for full Council to be able to make a full deliberation on.

     

    Licensing and Regulatory Committee met on 16th August 2021 and recommended that full Council determine whether to adopt a “No Casino” resolution” based on the evidence that was captured in the report.

     

    Councillor Guthrie said that if the Council resolved not to adopt a “No Casino” resolution” this matter would not be debated again unless the allocation of casinos under the Gambling Act was increased by the Secretary of State.

     

    The key evidence within the report in as far as the full allocation of casinos for the country was that the allocation had already been fully utilised under the Act, of 8 small casino’s 8 large Casino’s and 1 regional Casino.

     

    No provision was available for a licence to be granted anywhere in England. Furthermore, as the full allocation under the Act had been granted it would need a suitable economic climate and the political will of the Government for the Secretary of State to lay legislation for a further allocation of casinos. A further allocation was highly unlikely to happen in the foreseeable future as the current Government was tightening restrictions to gambling.

     

    The original concern regarding casinos stemmed form a planning application for Snoasis which included plans to have a casino on site. This application has now been withdrawn and the new proposed development in this area, Valley Ridge has removed all references to the provision of a casino.

     

    Councillor Guthrie added that Mid Suffolk District Council had not received any applications for a casino from when the Gambling Act 2005 had come into force until present day. Research had also shown that none of the surrounding district and borough councils that border with Mid Suffolk have adopted a “No Casino Resolution.

     

    Councillor Guthrie informed Council that Mid Suffolk only had two betting shops and all other gambling activities were either EWP machines in amusements with prizes in licensed premises or other small lottery registrations.

     

    Councillor Guthrie then MOVED the recommendations in the report which Councillor Muller SECONDED.

     

    Councillor Mansel sought clarification on the recommendations in the report.

     

    Councillor Eburne asked whether the Licensing and Regulatory Committee had a view on this, what the benefits were of a “No Casino” approach and whether there were any applications in the pipeline?

     

    In response, Councillor Guthrie said that the “No Casino” resolution was a full Council decision, and as there were no allocation left for casinos there was little benefit to the Council. She was not aware of any applications in the pipeline.

     

    Councillor Stringer sought clarification on the risk management element in the report.

     

    Councillor Amorowson felt that despite there being conflicting evidence regarding casinos in the report, it had been proven that gambling places a greater burden on social services  ...  view the full minutes text for item 25b

    Recorded Vote
    TitleTypeRecorded Vote textResult
    That Council adopt a 'No Casino' Resolution Ad-Hoc Carried
  • View Recorded Vote for this item
  • 26.

    MC/21/12 CAPITAL INVESTMENT FUND COMPANY (CIFCO CAPITAL LTD) BUSINESS TRADING AND PERFORMANCE REPORT 2020/21 - PART 1 pdf icon PDF 657 KB

    Cabinet Member for Assets and Investments

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    The Chair welcomed Sir Christopher Howarth - Chairman of CIFCO Capital Limited, Henry Cooke – Director of CIFCO Capital Limited, Nigel Golder – Director of Asset Management at JLL, and Helen Rumsey of Ensor’s to the meeting.

     

    Councillor Gould introduced the report which detailed CIFCO Capital’s performance for the last 12 months and the proposed business plan for the next 12 months.

     

    Councillor Gould informed Members that since its inception in 2017, CIFCO had provided the Councils with close to £5.5m of net income and had delivered approximately £2.2m to the Councils in the last financial year. This was testament to the strong management of the CIFCO portfolio.

     

    The Business Plan takes a prudent approach to CIFCO’s financial management over the next few years ensuring the portfolio provides income to the Councils, and a creates a long-term legacy for the Districts to benefit from in the future.

     

    Councillor Gould provided Members with details of some of the key points in relation to CIFCO’s performance.

     

    Councillor Gould then MOVED the recommendations in the report.

     

    Councillor Ekpenyong SECONDED the recommendations.

     

    The Assistant Director for Assets and Investments responded to questions from Councillor Mellen on issues including the current value of the equity invested in CIFCO, the timescales for publishing the financial accounts, and the capital expenditure which has been made to improve the estate.

     

    Councillor Mellen then asked how the Council would continue to fund its investment at the current rate over the coming years in the current inflation environment which could lead to higher interest rates.

     

    The Assistant Director for Corporate Resources responded that advice was taken from treasury management advisors regarding the type of borrowing, and that the Council is currently benefitting from lower rates as a result of short-term borrowing.

     

    In response to questions from Councillor Welham, the Assistant Director for Assets and Investments advised that the equity value could not reduce to lower than zero, and that no further funds would be required to be invested as equity. The Assistant Director confirmed that the low equity value would not affect how decisions are made.

     

    Councillor Mansel asked for clarification regarding the categories referred to in paragraph 4.11 of the report. In response, Nigel Golder confirmed that the leisure sector was included under the section of the chart titled alternatives. The Assistant Director for Assets and Investments advised that this could be amended for future reports.

     

    The Assistant Director for Corporate Resources responded to a question from Councillor Field regarding the percentage return figures and confirmed that these were comparable to the figures previously seen from CCLA and Schroder.

     

    Councillor Field then queried whether it was a valid assumption that values would recover, particularly in light of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. The Assistant Director for Assets and Investments advised that it was expected that the value of the portfolio would increase. Nigel Golder commented on the robustness of the current investments, and the changes in the market following the pandemic.

     

    Following a question from Councillor Amorowson, the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 26.

    Recorded Vote
    TitleTypeRecorded Vote textResult
    To agree recommendations 3.1 and 3.2 as detailed in Report MC/21/12 Ad-Hoc Carried
  • View Recorded Vote for this item
  • 27.

    MC/21/13 JOINT WELLBEING STRATEGY pdf icon PDF 164 KB

    Cabinet Member for Health & Wellbeing

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    Councillor Richardson introduced the report and said he was delighted to introduce to the Council Mid Suffolk’s first Wellbeing Strategy.

     

    By way of background, Councillor Richardson said that Members would be aware that this Strategy was conceived before the pandemic and had been in development for well over a year.

     

    An all member workshop was held in August last year to discuss our priorities followed by an additional workshop in May to consider how the £1 Million wellbeing funding could help to deliver them.

     

    Councillor Richardson stated that this strategy sets out the Council’s priorities and objectives for wellbeing over the next 6 years. If approved it would be followed by a more detailed delivery plan that sets out how the Council would achieve those priorities and objectives and, as mentioned, would be supported by the £1 Million wellbeing funding that the Council agreed back in February. This was important as understanding the Council’s wellbeing priorities would enable the Council to make the most effective use of resources.

     

    Councillor Richardson said that simply put, the Council’s wellbeing vision was that the residents of Mid Suffolk will have the best possible conditions for good wellbeing and will have lives that are healthy, happy and rewarding. It was recognised of course that the Covid-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on communities, and the Council wants to be explicitly clear that this strategy will play a central role in helping support our residents through the aftermath of this immensely challenging period.

     

    To that end we have identified three overarching long-term outcomes which are: for families to lead active, healthy, safe and independent lives and manage their own health and wellbeing. For communities to have sustainable and inclusive places and spaces which maximise health and wellbeing opportunities and benefits. And to achieve a reduction in health inequalities.

     

    Councillor Richardson informed Council that the strategy spanned the period to 2027 with long term outcomes that were supported by a set of shorter-term outcomes that would  focus on the next two years and which would be accompanied by more detailed objectives which were set out in the strategy and in turn would  be delivered in partnership with both internal and external stakeholders.

     

    Councillor Richardson pointed out that is was well recognised that the broader determinants of wellbeing were particularly important in ensuring a healthy and happy population and these were also the types of wellbeing issues over which councils have some control and influence, for example: through stimulating our local economy, managing our environment, developing and managing our homes, or by providing leisure facilities to our residents.

     

    This strategy, therefore, did not aim to duplicate the wellbeing aspects contained already within the economy, housing, environment and communities’ strategies. However, these other strategies would be reviewed to ensure that wellbeing outcomes were being optimised and performance in relation to those aspects would be included when reporting on performance in respect to wellbeing.

     

    Councillor Richardson said that in particular the strategy sited the 10 measures of national  ...  view the full minutes text for item 27.

    Recorded Vote
    TitleTypeRecorded Vote textResult
    To agree recommendations 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 and 3.4 as detailed in report MC/21/13 Ad-Hoc Carried
  • View Recorded Vote for this item
  • 28.

    MC/21/14 PAY POLICY REPORT pdf icon PDF 117 KB

    Leader of the Council

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

     

    The report was withdrawn by the Leader.

     

    29.

    MC/21/15 REVISIONS TO INTERNAL NEIGHBOURHOOD PLANNING PROCEDURES pdf icon PDF 194 KB

    Cabinet Member for Planning

    Minutes:

     

    Councillor Burn introduced the report and informed Council that it had come a long way since the first few parishes began the neighbourhood planning journey.  The Council’s internal decision- making procedures had served us well, and the Council had continued to find ways to improve on the way we interact with our NP Groups, including placing greater emphasis on the earlier informative stages.  Most importantly of all, the Council continued to think about what we can do better. 

     

    Councillor Burn said that the report before Councillors today was self-explanatory.  It looked at two key regulatory processes that fall to this Council:  

     

            decision making on the recommendations set out in the independent examiners report, and the advancement of that Plan to referendum (Regulation 17A), and 

     

            subject to a majority yes vote, the adoption of the Plan (Regulation 18A).

     

    The report proposed changes to the agreed procedures which, with appropriate checks in place, should ensure that the Council can be ‘better, smarter and swifter’ in the way its guided neighbourhood plans through these stages.

     

    In Mid Suffolk to date, 15 NPs have been through the examination process.  Of those, 11 have now been adopted and 4 were in the final stages of being modified prior to being made ready to go to referendum.

     

    In all cases, no objections were raised by either the District or Parish Council to implementing in full the examiners recommendations. That would suggest that earlier and on-going engagement with these groups was working.

     

    Councillor Burn trusted that the Council would agree with him that the proposed changes to how the Council managed Regulation 17A and 18A stages were both sensible and practical. 

     

    In simple terms, this would remove the need for Cabinet to specifically approve the progression of a neighbourhood plan to referendum and would simplify the process by which the Council adopted a Neighbourhood Plan where it has received a majority yes vote.

     

    Councillor Burn then MOVED the recommendations in the report which Councillor Guthrie SECONDED

     

    Councillor Mansel asked if there were any plans to speed up the earlier engagement exercises between the Neighbourhood Plan Groups and the Council.

     

    In response the Corporate Manager for Strategic Planning confirmed that in the past six months two new members of staff had been recruited and were being trained up on the neighbourhood plan process.

     

    Councillor Welham queried under the new arrangements where the delegation was given to officers whether the officers had sufficient capacity to deal with their additional responsibilities

     

    In response the Chief Executive confirmed that they would have sufficient capacity and said that the recommendations actually meant less work for officers not more.

     

    By unanimous vote

     

    It was RESOLVED: -

     

    (1)       That the procedure for automatically taking a post-examination Neighbourhood Plan to Cabinet seeking approval to proceed to Referendum be changed. The proposal would automatically allow a Plan to proceed to referendum where the parish and district council have agreed to implement any required modifications. Where there are other considerations, a report will still be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 29.

    Recorded Vote
    TitleTypeRecorded Vote textResult
    To agree recommendations 3.1 and 3.2 as detailed in report MC/21/15 Ad-Hoc Carried
  • View Recorded Vote for this item
  • 30.

    COUNCILLOR APPOINTMENTS

    30a

    TO NOTE THE FOLLOWING APPOINTMENTS

    Development Control Committee A

    Councillor Barry Humphreys (replacing Councillor Dave Muller)

     

    Development Control Committee B

    Councillor Dave Muller (replacing Councillor Barry Humphreys)

     

    Minutes:

    The appointments detailed on the agenda were noted.

     

    30b

    ELECTION OF VICE-CHAIRMAN OF DEVELOPMENT CONTROL COMMITTEE A

    Minutes:

    On the proposal of Councillor Meyer and seconded by Councillor Flatman, a nomination for Councillor Humphreys to be appointed Vice-Chairman of Development Control Committee A was tabled.

     

    On the proposal of Councillor Matthissen and seconded by Councillor Eburne, a nomination for Councillor Mansel to be appointed Vice-Chairman of Development Control Committee A was tabled.

     

    The nominations were PUT to Council.

     

    It was RESOLVED: -

     

    That Councillor Barry Humphreys be appointed as Vice-Chair to Development Control Committee A.

     

    31.

    ELECTION OF VICE-CHAIRMAN OF DEVELOPMENT CONTROL COMMITTEE B

    Minutes:

    On the proposal of Councillor Meyer and seconded by Councillor Flatman, a nomination for Councillor Muller to be appointed as Vice-Chair for Development Control Committee B was tabled.

     

    This was PUT to the Council.

     

    It was RESOLVED: -

     

    That Councillor Dave Muller be appointed as Vice-Chair to Development Control Committee B.

     

    32.

    APPOINTMENT TO OUTSIDE BODY - SUFFOLK JOINT EMERGENCY PLANNING POLICY PANEL

    To appoint Councillor Morley as the Council’s representative on the Suffolk Joint Emergency Planning Policy Panel.

    Minutes:

     

    On the proposal of Councillor Richardson and seconded by Councillor Flatman,

     

    It was RESOLVED: -

     

    That Councillor Suzie Morley be appointed as the Council’s representative on the Suffolk Joint Emergency Planning Policy Panel.

     

    Councillor Eburne asked if Councillor Morley would report back from any meetings of the Suffolk Joint Emergency Planning Policy Panel.

     

    In response, Councillor Morley informed Council that the Panel had not yet met but she would report back once they had met.

     

    33.

    MC/21/16 DECISIONS TAKEN BY THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE UNDER DELEGATED POWERS IN ACCORDANCE WITH PART 2 OF THE CONSTITUTION pdf icon PDF 114 KB

    Chief Executive

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

     

    It was RESOLVED: -

     

    That the decisions taken under delegated powers by the Chief Executive as detailed in Appendix A of the report be noted.

     

    34.

    MOTIONS ON NOTICE

    34a

    TO CONSIDER THE MOTION ON NOTICE RECEIVED FROM COUNCILLOR PRATT

    Introduction:

    Mid Suffolk recognises that street-lighting is a significant aspect of our climate change and biodiversity action plans, and that lighting can be adapted and controlled to reduce energy use and impacts on human health and wildlife – particularly bats and nocturnal insect populations which are declining[1], [2]. Council also notes that many communities and campaign groups are calling on local councils to protect dark skies. 

     

    Motion:

    The Council recognises that light pollution is increasing and that it causes harm to wildlife and insects and can increase health risks in people.  The Council therefore will seek to reduce the intensity and extent of outdoor lighting within its own public realm and housing assets and other lighting schemes where it has influence, to the extent practical.  The Council will also include guidance in its Biodiversity Supplementary Planning Document to protect and enhance dark skies for the benefit of wildlife and human health and wellbeing. 

     

    Proposer: Cllr Pratt

    Seconder: Cllr Fleming

     

    Objectives:

    To achieve these objectives the Council will include lighting control within the Biodiversity Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) which it has committed to preparing, and work with the planning team and partner organisations such as Suffolk County Council and its suppliers to reduce light pollution to the extent practical.  The Council recognises the sometimes conflicting roles that artificial lighting plays both positively in making people feel safer and signage, but also negatively in terms of harm to biodiversity, health and wellbeing, and visual resources.  In line with current standards and evidence the Council will ensure that new or replacement artificial lighting whether in the form of street lighting, commercial and residential lighting or advertising signage is installed to meet the lowest possible level of intensity and visual intrusion.

     

    Notes:

    • Streetlighting using LED lamps emit a brighter, whiter light with higher levels in the blue region of visible light (400-480 nm) than their traditional counterparts. This shift in the emitted spectral composition towards blue light has well-known impacts on the biological rhythms and functions in both humans and animals, particularly in nocturnal insect species and bats.

     

    • Some estimates predict that 1 million species, or 40% of all insects, will become extinct over the next few decades. Artificial lighting at night is recognised as an important contributing factor to the decline in insect populations.

     

    • Illumination, particularly in short wavelength (ultraviolet and blue light) can cause disorientation in insects and affect their patterns of movement, foraging and reproduction with catastrophic implications for insect populations. By contrast, long-wavelength light (e.g. amber, and red) tends to have a lower impact on nocturnal insects.

     

    • LEDs can be engineered to emit light of any desired spectral range, their brightness can be controlled, and their usage can be limited to appropriate timeframes. Lighting can be triggered to come for shorter periods using motion sensor technology, be progressively dimmed. Lighting can be fixed at full cut-off to reduce skyglow and shielding (e.g. back baffles) installed to reduce light intrusion through windows.

     

    Minutes:

    The Motion on Notice was deferred to the next Council meeting as the meeting was adjourned at 9:54 pm.

     

    34b

    TO CONSIDER THE MOTION ON NOTICE RECEIVED FROM COUNCILLOR MELLEN

    This Council notes:

    Councils are responsible for organising all elections in England.

    The government is currently proposing an Elections Bill to require people to show identification including a photograph in order to vote in a General Election.

    Allegations of electoral registration or voter fraud are very rare in Mid Suffolk.

    This Council believes:

    Voting at elections is the cornerstone of democracy at both local and national level.

    Participation in elections should be encouraged in all those who are qualified regardless of age, ethnicity or income.

    Unnecessary barriers to voting are likely to reduce voter participation in elections, proper representation of all parts of the community and so legitimacy of those elected to office.

    Voter ID is a solution without a problem and as such insinuates barriers to voting which should be of great concern to anyone who supports an open and effective democratic system of government.

    This Council Resolves:

    To oppose the introduction of photo ID as a requirement to vote at polling stations.

    To request the Leader to write to the relevant minister indicating this opposition and the reasons why and requesting this measure should be excluded from the Elections Bill.

    That should mandatory photo ID be passed into law, this council will investigate low-cost and no-cost options for residents, bearing in mind the barriers outlined and focus efforts to promote the ID to those who are most likely to need it.

     

    Proposer: Cllr Mellen

    Seconder: Cllr Scarff

     

    Minutes:

    The Motion on Notice was deferred to the next Council meeting as the meeting was adjourned at 9:54pm.

     

     

    35.

    RESOLUTION TO EXCLUDE THE PUBLIC

    Recommended Motion

     

    That under section 100(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the public be excluded from the meeting for item(s) {item number} on the grounds that they involve/it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act in the paragraph registered against the/each item.

     

    Note:Information is exempt only if:

    It falls within one of the 7 categories of exempt information in the Act and; In all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information

     

    Part 2

    Minutes:

    As Members had completed their discussion of Paper MC/21/12 Capital Investment Fund Company (CIFCO Capital Ltd) Business Trading and Performance Report 2021/21, the Chair refrained from going into closed session.