Use the below search options at the bottom of the page to find information regarding recent decisions that have been taken by the council’s decision making bodies.
Alternatively you can visit the officer decisions page for information on officer delegated decisions that have been taken by council officers.
Decision Maker: Mid Suffolk Cabinet
Made at meeting: 13/01/2020 - Mid Suffolk Cabinet
Decision published: 14/01/2020
Effective from: 22/01/2020
Decision:
It was RESOLVED:-
1.1 That the draft HRA Budget proposals for 2020/21 and four-year outlook set out in the report and detailed below be endorsed for recommendation to Council on 27 February 2020, subject to further consideration at the next Cabinet meeting on 10 February 2020.
1.2 That the CPI + 1% increase of 2.7% in Council House rents, equivalent to an average rent increase of £2.19 a week be implemented.
1.3 That garage rents are kept at the same level as 2019/20.
1.4 That Sheltered Housing Service charges be increased by £2 per week to ensure recovery of the actual cost of service.
1.5 That Sheltered Housing utility charges be increased by 5% (average £0.62 increase per week).
1.6 That the budgeted deficit of £612k be transferred from the HRA Reserves in 2020/21.
1.7 That in principle, Right to Buy (RTB) receipts should be retained to enable continued development and acquisition of new council dwellings.
1.8 That the revised HRA Business Plan in Appendix B of the report be noted.
Reason for Decision: To bring together all the relevant information to enable Cabinet Members to review, consider and comment upon the Councils Housing Revenue Account budget before the February Cabinet and recommendations to Council.
Alternative Options Considered and Rejected: The Housing Revenue Account Budget for 2020/21 and four-year outlook is an essential element in achieving a balanced budget and sustainable medium-term position, therefore no other options are appropriate in respect of this.
Any Declarations of Interest Declared: None
Any Dispensation Granted: None
Decision Maker: Mid Suffolk Cabinet
Made at meeting: 13/01/2020 - Mid Suffolk Cabinet
Decision published: 14/01/2020
Effective from: 22/01/2020
Decision:
It was RESOLVED:-
1.1 That the draft General Fund Budget proposals for 2020/21 and four-year outlook set out in the report be endorsed for recommendation to Council on 27 February 2020, subject to further consideration at the next Cabinet meeting on 10 February 2020.
1.2 That the draft General Fund Budget for 2020/21 is based on an increase to Council Tax of 1.66%, which equates to £2.76 per annum (5p per week) for a Band D property, to support the Council’s overall financial position, which will be considered further at the February Cabinet meeting.
1.3 That from 1 April 2020 properties that are unoccupied and unfurnished (Class C discount) receive a 25% reduction for the first 28 days as set out in section 11 of the report.
Reason for Decision: To bring together all the relevant information to enable Cabinet Members to review, consider and comment upon the Council’s General Fund budget before the February Cabinet and recommendations to Council.
Alternative Options Considered and Rejected: The General Fund Budget for 2020/21 and four-year outlook is an essential element in achieving a balanced budget and sustainable medium-term position. Setting a balanced budget for the coming year is a statutory requirement, therefore no other options are appropriate in respect of this.
Any Declarations of Interest Declared: None
Any Dispensation Granted: None
Decision Maker: Mid Suffolk Cabinet
Made at meeting: 13/01/2020 - Mid Suffolk Cabinet
Decision published: 14/01/2020
Effective from: 22/01/2020
Decision:
It was RESOLVED:-
That this Neighbourhood Plan be advanced to a local referendum covering the parish of Fressingfield.
Reason for Decision: To enable the Council to meet its statutory obligations under Section 17A of the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012 (as amended) and to allow the Fressingfield Neighbourhood Plan to proceed to a local referendum.
Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:
1.1 A local planning authority may propose to make a decision on a recommendation that differs from that set out by the Examiner in their report. If so, it must give its reason why and undertake further consultation before issuing a final decision. As appropriate, this may require the matter to be re-examined. For the reasons set out in section 4 of the report, this option has been discarded.
Any Declarations of Interest Declared: None
Any Dispensation Granted: None
Decision Maker: Mid Suffolk Cabinet
Made at meeting: 13/01/2020 - Mid Suffolk Cabinet
Decision published: 14/01/2020
Effective from: 22/01/2020
Decision:
It was RESOLVED:-
1.1 That Eye Town Council be requested to make the necessary modifications to their Neighbourhood Plan in accordance with the Examiner’s recommendations.
1.2 That, subject to the satisfactory completion of the above (to be agreed by the Corporate Manager for Strategic Planning), this Neighbourhood Plan be advanced to a local referendum covering the parish of Eye.
Reason for Decision: To enable the Council to meet its statutory obligations under Section 17A of the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012 (as amended) and to allow the Eye Neighbourhood Plan to proceed to a local referendum.
Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:
1.1 A local planning authority may propose to make a decision on a recommendation that differs from that set out by the Examiner in their report. If so, it must give its reason why and undertake further consultation before issuing a final decision. As appropriate, this may require the matter to be re-examined. For the reasons set out in section 4 of the report, this option has been discarded.
Any Declarations of Interest Declared: None
Any Dispensation Granted: None
Decision Maker: Babergh Cabinet
Made at meeting: 09/01/2020 - Babergh Cabinet
Decision published: 09/01/2020
Effective from: 17/01/2020
Decision:
It was RESOLVED:-
That the decision taken under delegated powers by the Chief Executive to approve the Regulatory Reform Order during the pre-election period be noted.
Reason for Decision: The Cabinet Meeting has been cancelled due to the ‘pre-election period’ for the General Election taking place on 12th December 2019. This meant that the Policy could not be considered until January 2020 which could result in funding being delayed.
Under Part 2 of the Constitution, Delegations to Officers, Paragraph 7.2 (page 68-69), the decision must be reported to the next ordinary meeting of the appropriate Committee/Cabinet.
Any Declarations of Interest Declared: None
Any Dispensation Granted: None
Decision Maker: Babergh Cabinet
Made at meeting: 09/01/2020 - Babergh Cabinet
Decision published: 09/01/2020
Effective from: 17/01/2020
Decision:
It was RESOLVED:-
1.1 That a three-year rolling funding agreement for the Sudbury and District CA be approved.
1.2 That authority be delegated to the Assistant Director, Planning and Communities to sign off the agreement following discussion with the Cabinet Member for Communities.
Reason for Decision: To provide the Sudbury and District CA with greater certainty about three-year funding from Babergh District Council, consistent with the Council’s support for the value and impact that it achieves.
Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:
1. Cease revenue funding the Sudbury and District CA
2. Continue with an annual revenue funding agreement
3. Commence a three-year funding agreement.
Any Declarations of Interest Declared: None
Any Dispensation Granted: None
Decision Maker: Babergh Cabinet
Made at meeting: 09/01/2020 - Babergh Cabinet
Decision published: 09/01/2020
Effective from: 17/01/2020
Decision:
It was RESOLVED:-
That the adoption of the Citizen Advice Council Tax Protocol detailed at Appendix (a) of the report be approved.
REASON FOR DECISION
The protocol reflects best practice at a local level and is intended to facilitate regular liaison with the Council, its Enforcement Agents and Citizens Advice on practices and policy concerning Council Tax collection.
In setting down clear procedures and keeping these regularly under review, all parties to the protocol can ensure that arrears are dealt with appropriately whilst complaints are handled efficiently.
Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:
1.1 To adopt the Citizen Advice protocol.
1.2 To not adopt the Citizen Advice protocol and wait for the Government reforms.
Any Declarations of Interest Declared: None
Any Dispensation Granted: None
Decision Maker: Babergh Cabinet
Made at meeting: 09/01/2020 - Babergh Cabinet
Decision published: 09/01/2020
Effective from: 17/01/2020
Decision:
It was RESOLVED:-
That the implementation of a policy for the issuing of Council Tax penalties be approved.
Reason for Decision: The Council is committed to a pro-active approach in preventing and reducing the risks associated with fraud, error and other irregularities in the administration of Council Tax. Implementation of this policy supports this commitment.
Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:
1.1 To continue service delivery as is, without utilising the opportunity to use Council Tax penalty regulations as part of an anti-fraud strategy.
1.2 Implement a policy for the issuing of Council Tax penalties as part of an anti-fraud strategy in order to maximise the tax base and protect the public purse.
Any Declarations of Interests Declared: None
Any Dispensation Granted: None
Decision Maker: Mid Suffolk Cabinet
Made at meeting: 06/01/2020 - Mid Suffolk Cabinet
Decision published: 06/01/2020
Effective from: 14/01/2020
Decision:
It was RESOLVED:-
1.1 That a three-year funding agreement for the Mid Suffolk CA be approved.
1.2 That authority be delegated to the Assistant Director, Planning and Communities sign off the agreement following discussion with the Cabinet Member for Communities.
Reason for Decision: To provide the Mid Suffolk CA with greater certainty
about three-year funding from Mid Suffolk District Council, consistent with the
Council’s support for the value and impact that it achieves.
Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:
1. Cease revenue funding the Mid Suffolk CA
2. Continue with an annual revenue funding agreement
3. Commence a three-year funding agreement.
Any Declarations of Interest Declared: None
Any Dispensation Granted: None
Decision Maker: Mid Suffolk Cabinet
Made at meeting: 06/01/2020 - Mid Suffolk Cabinet
Decision published: 06/01/2020
Effective from: 14/01/2020
Decision:
It was RESOLVED:-
That the CIL Expenditure Business Plan (December 2019) and accompanying technical assessment of the CIL Bid (M14-18) forming Appendices A and B of the report and which includes a decision on that valid Bid for Cabinet to make and approve as follows: -
Decision approved by Cabinet: Ringfenced funds for the Stowupland catchment only, Strategic Infrastructure Fund and Local Infrastructure Fund
CIL Bid, Location and Infrastructure Proposed |
Amount of CIL Bid and total cost of the Infrastructure |
Delegated Decision |
M14-18 Stowupland High School Expansion to the High School (in the form of a new Sixth form block with 15 additional Sixth Form places) and the creation of 125 secondary school places at the High school. |
Amount of CIL Bid Total cost £2,979,718.00 (excluding VAT costs which are recoverable by the SCC) |
Cabinet approved CIL Bid M14-18 at Stowupland High School subject to the completion of a Community User Agreement. |
Cabinet noted and endorsed this CIL Business Plan which includes the position in respect of approved CIL Bids from Rounds 1, 2 and 3.
Reason for Decision: Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) monies have been collected since the implementation of CIL on the 11th April 2016. The CIL Expenditure Framework originally adopted in April 2018 and reviewed with amendments adopted on the 18th March 2019 requires the production of a CIL Business Plan for each District which contains decisions for Cabinet to make or note on CIL Bids for CIL expenditure. These decisions relating to the expenditure of CIL monies form one of the ways in which necessary infrastructure supporting growth is delivered.
Alternative Options Considered and Rejected: There is a diverse spectrum of approaches to CIL expenditure across the country from Unitary Authorities who have absorbed CIL into their individual Capital Programmes to others who ringfence all funds to be spent locally. A range of different approaches was identified in Appendix A of the Framework for CIL Expenditure report provided to Cabinet’s on the 5th and 8th of February 2018 and discussed in full during the workshops with the Joint Member advisory panel. Members adopted the documents set out in paragraph 1.1 above by Council decision in April 2018 which were subsequently reviewed and adopted on the 19th March 2019 (Babergh) and 18th March 2019 (Mid Suffolk).
Any Declarations of Interest Declared: None
Any Dispensation Granted: None
Decision Maker: Mid Suffolk Cabinet
Made at meeting: 06/01/2020 - Mid Suffolk Cabinet
Decision published: 06/01/2020
Effective from: 14/01/2020
Decision:
It was RESOLVED:-
1.1 That the adoption of the Citizen Advice Council Tax Protocol detailed at Appendix (a) of the report be approved.
Reason for Decision:The protocol reflects best practice at a local level and is intended to facilitate regular liaison with the Council, its Enforcement Agents and Citizens Advice on practices and policy concerning Council Tax collection.
In setting down clear procedures and keeping these regularly under review, all parties to the protocol can ensure that arrears are dealt with appropriately whilst complaints are handled efficiently.
Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:
1.1 To adopt the Citizen Advice protocol.
1.2 To not adopt the Citizen Advice protocol and wait for Government reforms.
Any Declarations of Interest Declared: None
Any Dispensation Granted: None
Decision Maker: Mid Suffolk Cabinet
Made at meeting: 06/01/2020 - Mid Suffolk Cabinet
Decision published: 06/01/2020
Effective from: 14/01/2020
Decision:
It was Resolved:-
1.1 That the implementation of a policy for the issuing
of Council Tax penalties be approved.
Reason for Decision: The Council is committed to a pro-active approach in preventing and reducing the risks associated with fraud, error and other irregularities in the administration of Council Tax. Implementation of this policy supports this commitment.
Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:
1.1 To continue service delivery as is, without utilising the opportunity to use Council Tax penalty regulations as part of an anti-fraud strategy.
1.2 Implement a policy for the issuing of Council Tax penalties as part of an anti-fraud strategy in order to maximise the tax base and protect the public purse.
Any Declarations of Interest Declared: None
Any Dispensation Granted: None
Decision Maker: Mid Suffolk Cabinet
Made at meeting: 06/01/2020 - Mid Suffolk Cabinet
Decision published: 06/01/2020
Effective from: 14/01/2020
Decision:
It was RESOLVED:-
That the decision taken under delegated powers by the Chief Executive to approve the Regulatory Reform Order during the pre-election period be noted.
Reason for Decision: The Cabinet Meeting has been cancelled due to the ‘pre-election period’ for the General Election taking place on 12th December 2019. This meant that the Policy could not be considered until January 2020 which could result in funding being delayed.
Under Part 2 of the Constitution, Delegations to Officers, Paragraph 7.2 (page 68-69), the decision must be reported to the next ordinary meeting of the appropriate Committee/Cabinet.
Any Declarations of Interest Declared: None
Any Dispensation Granted: None