In addition to any announcements made at the meeting, please see Paper BC/21/8 attached, detailing events attended by the Chairman and Vice-Chairman.
Minutes:
18.1 On the proposal of Councillor Hinton and seconded by Councillor Maybury, a motion without notice to suspend Council Procedure Rule 1.4 of the Constitution was tabled. This was PUT to the Council.
It was RESOLVED:-
That Council Procedure Rule 1.4 be suspended.
18.2 The Chairman introduced his announcements which was for noting only.
18.3 The Chairman then invited the Leader to make his announcements.
18.4 Councillor Ward introduced his report and informed Councillors that he shared their frustrations at having to hold another Council meeting at Wherstead Park.
18.5 Whilst he welcomed the relaxation of social distancing measures as everyone began to live with Covid, the Council was still mindful of the current levels of local and national infection and therefore the need to remain vigilant and protect against the spread of infection remained.
18.6 In the workplace, which included Council meetings, there was specific government guidance which Councillors still needed to adhere to. Some Councils in Suffolk had cancelled their meetings this month as a result of the challenge of adhering to that guidance. Babergh District Council had taken a proportionate approach, as democracy needed to not just be done but seen to be done. The Council was therefore meeting to deal with motions, questions and urgent items of business. Whilst the Leader felt it was great to be meeting in person, the Council would return to Endeavour House to hold its Council meeting once the relevant guidance permits.
Covid-19
18.7 The Leader thought that everyone was surprised and pleased that there had been an unexpectedly quick turn-around in the rising infection numbers of the Delta variant in the third wave of Covid. This gave further optimism that the vaccination programme, coupled with a pragmatic response by the public in continuing to observe some restrictions and protection measures, was really bringing the virus under long-term control. Here in Babergh, cases had also started to decline in recent days and, while still the highest in the county, they were below the East of England and national figures.
18.8 Infections were still mostly in the 15-29 age group, but it was worrying that this group was showing increasing resistance to campaigns to get vaccinated. It did seem that relentless online disinformation, especially the particularly pernicious claim that the vaccines affect fertility, was having an impact, even among the well-educated. Councillors must do their best to support the government’s message and constantly promote the benefits and efficacy of the vaccination programme for all age groups.
18.9 On behalf of the Local Outbreak Engagement Board, Councillor Ward urged Councillors to continue with caution and reminded Councillors of the need to ‘jab, test and protect the rest’. He also urged Councillors to carry on wearing masks, use sanitisers and respect social distancing. In the words of our soundbite: ‘this summer we need to spread kindness, not Covid.’
Recent Announcements
18.10 Councillor Ward informed Council that a lot had been happening over the past two months since the Council had last met. There had been a lot of announcements that demonstrated that the Council was delivering on all of its Strategic Priorities.
18.11 The Leader was particularly pleased about the shortlisting of the Housing Solutions team for a national Community Heroes of the Year award by local government magazine the Municipal Journal. This was a fitting recognition for Heather Tucker, who had done so much for the Council and will be leaving soon to be the Head of Housing at ESC. She goes with our heartfelt thanks and best wishes for the future.
18.12 The other announcement the Leader was excited about was the Innovate Local programme to support business innovation on our high streets.
Business owners who would like to showcase their business on a market stall can be part of the pilot Innovate Local scheme at Hadleigh and Stowmarket. They will benefit from a free pitch at either market for a set period, along with advice, training and support before and after the pilot. The first participant in Hadleigh had already signed up and will start trading on 6th August.
18.13 In addition to the market stalls, the programme will be opening an innovation hub in Eye and a pop-up hub in Sudbury later this year. These hubs will provide small businesses with access to a work- space, mentoring programme as well as advice and training. The hubs are being delivered in partnership with the Innovation Labs and businesses will also be able to use Innovation Labs collaborative working space based in Stowmarket.
18.14 The Council’s Carbon Reduction Management and Biodiversity Action Plans are under way with funding approved for a new water filtration system at the Kingfisher pool, biodiversity mapping and a tree canopy survey.
18.15 The Council has also just agreed to the completion of the project to replace streetlights in the district with LEDs, replacing the remaining 14 units. This will be funded from the Climate Change and Biodiversity reserve.
Women’s Tour
18.16 The Leader announced that it was great news that our districts will host the final stage of this year’s Women’s Tour on 9th October. The world’s top female cyclists will pass through Long Melford, Sudbury, the Waldingfields, Bildeston, Wattisham Flying Station and Stowmarket on their way to the finish line in Felixstowe.
Accounts
18.17 The Leader informed Council that the 2019/20 accounts were signed off yesterday. There have been audit delays outside of the Council’s control and which have affected other local authorities as well, but we have finally got there!
18.18 The Chairman thanked the Leader for his updates.
Supporting documents: