Minutes:
85.1 Councillor Ward made the following Leaders announcements:
Housing
I just want to provide a brief update on our HRA as we will be considering the budget for it in a short while. So far in 2021/22 we have added 94 new homes to our housing stock, including the recently announced completions in Shotley and Brantham, bringing the total for the past seven years to 228.
Our retrofitting programme to improve insulation, install new heating systems and address damp and mould is proceeding well and significant progress can now be seen on the Springlands estate in Sudbury. Phase 1, involving 39 properties, has been completed and phase two will start in the spring, involving 28 properties. The final phase 3 will address about another 30 properties.
In addition, we are installing external wall insulation and replacement windows elsewhere in the district.
We are completing a desktop study into the energy performance of our housing stock, and aligning our ambitions to improve the worst performinghomes to an EPC rating of C or above. Indications are that works required will affect approximately 2,700 homes.
I was very pleased to be able to go on Radio Suffolk just over a week ago to talk about the money we have been awarded from the government’s new Rough Sleepers Accommodation Programme. This will allow us to build specialised emergency accommodation units for those who have been excluded and marginalised due to complex needs and will add to the existing 80 temporary units and 11 rough sleeper units our districts already have.
This latest round of funding will also allow us to build on work made possible due to the previously successful Rough Sleeper Initiative Funding bid, which was used to create a dedicated outreach and mental health support service for rough sleepers.
Town Recovery
Our towns are getting busier, and business does seem to be picking up for many. Vacancy rates – 10% in Sudbury and 11.6% in Hadleigh – are lower than the national average, which is clearly due to the greater prevalence of small independents rather than chain stores.
Last week we informed you that the Digital Skills Programme, initially launched for businesses on the Virtual High Street, is now open to all businesses in the districts. This is part of our post-covid recovery strategy and is being run by MENTA using funding from the Suffolk Inclusive Growth Investment Fund.
The programme is based on virtual workshops, which are free to attend, that cover topics such as online security, digital and social media marketing, e-commerce, and information management. The past two years have demonstrated that these skills, together with a strong online presence, which the Virtual High Street has provided for the first time for many businesses in our towns, are no longer ‘nice to haves’ for businesses: they are essential to enable them to survive and thrive.
Along with our Innovate Local scheme and Innovation Labs, our councils are providing real and valuable support for our businesses.
The works at Gainsborough’s House and St. Peter’s in Sudbury are proceeding well, with the former scheduled to open soon. Our artistic and cultural heritage in the district is strong and in the Suffolk Free Press last week James Cartlidge again reinforced the desire to build a joined up offering that also incorporates Benton End in Hadleigh and Flatford Mill. Last week, I was pleased to visit the latest venture in Sudbury’s art scene: the new Voluptas Gallery that has been widely featured recently on TV and in the press. I had a good chat with the owner about her plans and ambitions. I really hope she will be successful.
The Eastern Gateway business park at Sproughton that Ipswich Borough Council owns is seeing further development, with part of it sold for construction of five industrial and logistics units. Although tenants have not been identified yet, the purchaser, who has a programme of acquisition of development sites along the A14, is confident that the units will be occupied quickly. There is a growing demand, particularly for logistics units, and we must ensure that economic growth is not held back by an inability to satisfy this demand through a lack of identified sites.
Peer Challenge
You will be aware that Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils have invited the Local Government Association to carry out a Corporate Peer Challenge. These are sector-led improvement reviews, undertaken by councillors and officers from councils from elsewhere in the country.
The peer review team will be visiting us between 14th and 16th March. The process involves engaging with a wide range of people connected with the Councils, and many of you will be involved in the process through participation in focus groups.
The peer review team will be looking for your considered, honest and constructive feedback, so please do highlight good practice but also those areas for improvement and challenge.
The team will also be conducting site visits to Sudbury and Stowmarket.
Car Parks
And finally, we can’t have a Babergh meeting without at least one mention of parking. But this time it is good news.
The new machines have been successfully installed last week at both Sudbury and Hadleigh car parks. Customers can now pay for parking using coins, debit or credit card, contactless, or the MiPermit app. User guide videos have been produced and will be shared on social media and our Website.