Decisions

It was RESOLVED: -

To note the report and the Healthy Behaviours Partnership Agreement.

REASON FOR DECISION

So that Cabinet is updated on progress made with the partnership and development of a new Feel-Good Suffolk Healthy Behaviours offer for Suffolk and understands the principles by which the partnership will operate and its key objectives to co-produce, deliver, and support the Healthy Behaviours offer for Suffolk, including:

(a)      Reducing smoking prevalence.

(b)      Reducing inactivity; and

          (c)      Reducing the number of adults who are overweight or obese

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:

None

Any Declarations of Interests Declared: None

Any Dispensation Granted: None

It was RESOLVED: -

That Cabinet approved to commence a seven-week period of consultation, commencing 10^th November 2023 and ending 29^th December 2023, on the proposed scope and conditions of a Local Listed Building Consent Order.

REASON FOR DECISION

A Local Listed Building Consent Order would make it easier for the owners of designated heritage assets to implement energy efficiency or other improvements to their buildings, in line with the Council’s commitment to reach its net zero carbon commitments by 2030. Such improvements would also be beneficial to the buildings, in improving resilience to climate change.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:

2.1             The first option is to continue relying on the traditional Listed Building Consent application process. Whilst this approach has been and remains the standard, feedback from councillors and the public suggests that it is perceived as inefficient and burdensome in terms of time and cost. Many works may of themselves be unobjectionable and therefore a streamlined approach would be advantageous in those circumstances.

2.2             The second option involves preparing for a seven-week consultation period to explore the feasibility and appropriateness of implementing a LLBCO. It is crucial to clarify that initiating this consultation does not automatically imply that such an Order will be enacted. Rather, the consultation aims to gather opinions on the LLBCO as a potential tool for achieving our carbon neutrality goals and assisting homeowners in making energy-efficient upgrades and other improvements to their properties. In that regard the benefits are various and would include energy efficiency and cost savings, as well as protecting these important historic buildings from the worst effects of climate change.

2.3             Given the district's rich heritage landscape, characterised by a diverse range of assets varying in age and significance, a prudent approach may involve piloting the LLBCO in a specific parish, village, or Conservation Area initially. This would allow for a more controlled evaluation of the Order's impact recognising that there may not be a ‘one size fits all’ solution.

2.4             The adoption of a LLBCO would signal the Council's ambition to meet its net zero carbon targets, particularly given the high proportion of listed buildings within the district. The Order would delineate explicit conditions aimed at minimising harm to affected heritage assets such that the works in question would be clearly and convincingly justified. Legal requirements mandate the annual review and monitoring of the LLBCO, providing an opportunity to assess effectiveness and make necessary adjustments. Should the Order result in unintended negative consequences for our historic buildings, options to amend or rescind it are available. Furthermore, this approach offers the advantage of co-designing the LLBCO details with external organisations and the community, thereby ensuring that the policy is shaped in a manner that addresses concerns related to the protection of listed buildings.

Any Declarations of Interests Declared: None

Any Dispensation Granted: None

It was RESOLVED: -

That Babergh Cabinet agreed to the release of £943k from reserves to expedite the completion of outstanding repairs and enable delivery of the next phase of the Building Services Transformation and Improvement Programmes.

REASON FOR DECISION

Cabinet approval is required to release this level of resource from reserves.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:

2.2  Delay the request for release of the required resources until February 2024, when the HRA budget for 2024/25 is agreed – This option is not recommended because it would slow down improvements to the quality of tenants’ homes by taking significantly longer to clear outstanding repairs, while also risking greater deterioration of the Council’s housing assets. A delay in the release of resources to deliver long term change would mean losing several months of lead in time required for commissioning of contracts and staff recruitment; in turn this would delay positive impacts for tenants and their homes.

2.3 Do nothing - This option is not recommended because it would not help to clear the backlog of outstanding repairs to tenants’ homes.  In addition, the more fundamental, long term transformational improvements to service provision referred to above could not be taken forward because these also require additional resource.

Any Declarations of Interests Declared: None

Any Dispensation Granted: None