In addition to any announcements made at the meeting, please see Paper BC/22/46 attached, detailing events attended by the Chairman and Vice-Chairman.
Minutes:
79.1 The Chair referred Councillors to paper BC/22/46 for noting.
79.2 The Chair thanked Councillors and officers for their support during her time as Chairman and wished all Councillors well for the future.
79.3 The Leader of the Council made the following announcements:
End of Term
Last month I reminded members about our end of term report, and I thought that this month, as it is the last council meeting before the election, I would take the opportunity to talk about what I think have been the highlights of the past four years.
It has been a very different and unusual term, characterised by the changes in the way we work that were imposed by Covid but which have now been embedded in agile and flexible work patterns. This has been supported by the recently opened new gold floorplate design. Our officers rose to the challenge of Covid magnificently to support our businesses, communities and vulnerable residents, including the homeless and rough-sleepers.
As we emerged from Covid, our Economic Development team put together a very comprehensive and successful economic recovery plan, covering town centre regeneration, business support and skills development. I have to say, for me this has been one of the best things this council has done in my time as a councillor. It didn’t just include things that our councils have done on our own, but, crucially, it also linked with wider county initiatives from SPSL and the LEP.
Over the past four years we have built or bought about 180 new council houses across the district and our HRA Business Plan commits us to further increases in our stock to help meet the affordable housing requirements of the Joint Local Plan.
Talking of the JLP, the part 1 modifications required by the inspectors have been completed and are now out for consultation. Part 1 will be ready for council to adopt towards the end of the summer. Meanwhile, work requested by the inspectors for part 2 has started.
Our Carbon reduction management plan and biodiversity action plan are starting to deliver a real impact on improving the environment. Moving from diesel to HVO for our vehicle fleet and the installation of solar panels on our leisure centres and on carports in their car parks are now delivering significant reductions in the carbon emissions of the two councils as well as generating a substantial proportion of the electricity used by the leisure centres. We have completed a ground-breaking Tree Canopy Survey so that we now know where to target new tree and hedgerow planting for maximum benefit.
I just want to list several other highlights – it is by no means an exhaustive list, but it does represent the breadth of what we have been able to do:
· Virtual High Street, Innovation Labs, Innovate Local, and the Innovate to Elevate programmes, two innovation awards events, and events and competitions for school children and young adults entering the workforce
· Cultural, Heritage and Visitor Economy Strategy
· New customer access points, digital improvements, with a new website imminent, and digital skills sessions for residents
· LCWIP
· Hadleigh commercial workspace project
· The new Hadleigh swimming pool
· Refurbishment of the Kingfisher leisure centre
· Communities and Wellbeing Strategies
· The new combined in-house public realm service
· Our support for Gainsborough’s House and St. Peters in Sudbury
· The many community grants and CIL grants we have made for projects and groups across the district
· Cost of living action plan
So, a very busy term which has delivered a huge amount for our residents. However, there are still some unresolved issues that the new council and cabinet will have to address:
· The further development of our partnership with Mid Suffolk
· Parking charges
· The regeneration of the Hamilton Road area of Sudbury
· Building services and our programme of repairs and energy saving retrofitting for our council houses.
The new council term will, I am sure, see a significant change in the membership of the council. These are still difficult times, although, as you have heard, we have had many achievements that have helped our businesses and communities. All the new councillors will have to grapple with the ongoing challenge of how to deliver services with continuing pressures on funding and costs, but they will inherit a council that is in good shape to meet that challenge. However, we must remain responsible and credible and not make promises that are impossible to deliver or which may impair our ability to deliver, or indeed waste money.
Finally, despite the problems along the way, I want to thank you all for your support and allowing me to form two very effective coalitions. It has been difficult at times, but I have enjoyed it and I am proud of our record. It will be interesting to see how many of us will still be here when the new council convenes in May.
I would also like to thank the Chief Executive, SLT and officers who have given me a huge amount of support and help and encouragement and I think that we are well rewarded with the staff we have here at Babergh.
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