Ad-Hoc status:Carried
It was Resolved: -
That the minutes of the meeting held on the 6 March 2023 be confirmed and signed as a correct record of the meeting.
Resolution status:Carried
It was RESOLVED: -
1.1 That the preferred recommended proposal including the financial bid outlined in confidential Appendix B attached to this report be approved.
1.2 That delegated authority be given to the Director for Economic Growth and Climate Change, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Economy and Cabinet Member for Assets and Investments, to progress and conclude any legal processes and agreements in respect of the recommended proposal.
1.3 That should the preferred bidder withdraw or otherwise not proceed on the terms proposed that, prior to any binding agreement, the Director for Economic Growth and Climate Change be given delegated authority to proceed to negotiate with an alternative bidder or to agree amended terms for the disposal provided that best consideration reasonably obtainable is achieved and that the Council’s wider regeneration priorities for the site and wider town are delivered.
It was resolved:
That with the following amendments the minutes of the meeting held on the 6 February 2023 be signed as a correct record.
Paragraph 92: amend conformed to confirmed.
Paragraph 97.7 amend Assists to Assets
1.1 That, subject to any further budget variations that arise during the rest of the financial year, the net expenditure overspend position of £667k and forecast reserve movements, referred to in Appendix A, section 2 of the report, be noted.
1.2 The revised 2022/23 Capital Programme referred to in Appendix A, section 5 be noted.
1.1 That, subject to any further budget variations that arise during the rest of the financial year, the adverse variance of £1.713m, referred to in Appendix A, section 2 of the report, be noted.
1.2 The 2022/23 revised Capital Programme referred to in Appendix A, section 3 be noted.
1.1 That the CIL Expenditure Programme (March 2023) and accompanying technical assessment of the five CIL Bids B22-11, B22-03, B22-10, B22-16 and B22-14 (forming Appendices A and B) which include decisions on these CIL Bids for Cabinet to make as follows: -
Decisions for Cabinet to approve: - Ringfenced Infrastructure Funds (Stutton and Capel St Mary)
CIL Bid, Location and Infrastructure Proposed
Amount of CIL Bid and total cost of the infrastructure
Cabinet Decision
B22-11 STUTTON
Extension to the Village Hall. New Activity Room
Amount of CIL Bid £100,000.00
Total cost of the project £135,732.12
Total of other funding
Valencia Community Funding or Parish Council £35,732.12
Recommendation to Cabinet to approve CIL Bid B22-11 for £100,000.00 from the Ringfenced Infrastructure Fund (Stutton)
B22-03 CAPEL ST MARY
Play Area Improvements at the Playing Field
Total cost of the project £187,916.13
S106 Funding £25,483.23
Parish Council £41,590.83
Capel Community Trust £20,842.07
Recommendation to Cabinet to approve CIL Bid B22-03 for £100,000.00 from the Ringfenced Infrastructure Fund (Capel St Mary)
Decisions for Cabinet to approve: - Ringfenced Infrastructure Fund (Monks Eleigh and Sudbury) and Local Infrastructure Fund
B22-10 MONKS ELEIGH
Play Area Improvements
Amount of CIL Bid £51,068.35
Total cost of the project £78,078.00
S106 £27,009.65
Recommendation to Cabinet to approve CIL Bid B22-10 for £51,068.35, £25,656.00 from the Ringfenced Infrastructure Fund (Monks Eleigh) and £25,412.35 from Local Infrastructure Fund
B22-16 SUDBURY
Artificial Pitch and site development
Total cost of the project £1,013,272.68
Club Funds £65,000
Anglian Water £150,000
Football Foundation £698,272.68
Subject to the grant of planning permission, recommendation to Cabinet to approve CIL Bid B22-16 for £100,000, £5,416.21 from the Ringfenced Infrastructure Fund (Sudbury) and £94,583.79 from the Local Infrastructure Fund
Decisions for Cabinet to approve: - Infrastructure Fund
B22-14 EDWARDSTONE
Millennium Green Play Equipment Upgrade
Amount of CIL Bid £11,445.29
Total cost of the project £15,298.38
S106 Funding £2,249.96
Edwardstone Parish Council £1,353.13
Edwardstone Millennium Green Trust £250.00
Recommendation to Cabinet to approve CIL Bid B22-14 for £11,445.29 from the Local Infrastructure Fund
That Cabinet noted and endorsed this CIL Expenditure Programme which includes the position in respect of approved CIL Bids from Rounds 1 to 9 inclusive (including September and November 2022), (Appendix A Section B) together with details of emerging infrastructure /CIL Bids (Appendix A Section C).
1.1 To agree Option 1 above – approve and adopt the private sector housing enforcement policy (Appendix 1) with consideration to the feedback from Overview & Scrutiny held on 20th February 2023. (Appendix 5).
1.2 To approve and authorise the use of civil penalty and financial penalty powers provided by the Housing and Planning Act 2016 (Appendix 2), Electrical Safety Regulations (Appendix 3) and Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) Regulations (Appendix 4).
1.3 To agree to charge for relevant housing enforcement action based on officer time taken and that any revenue arising from civil penalties will be retained within the service to meet the legal or administrative costs and expenses incurred under the relevant housing law.
1.4 To agree for the Director for Housing in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Housing to have delegated authority to make minor amendments to the enforcement and civil penalties policies.
1.5 To agree for the Director of Housing to delegate powers to Officers to carry out the enforcement powers.
1.1 To note the update on recent changes to the regulation of social housing, including for stock-holding Local Authorities.
1.1 To note the outcome of the Council’s recent referral to the Regulator of Social Housing.
1.2 To agree the future governance and monitoring arrangements set out at paragraph 7 of this report.
1.3 To agree the new set of key performance indicators for the Housing Service set out at paragraph 6 of this report.
1.1 That the Culture, Heritage and Visitor Economy Strategy, attached as Appendix 1, is adopted and that Members endorse the clear long-term vision and accompanying set of ambitions, aims and objectives set out in this strategy
1.1 The Director for Economic Growth & Climate Change, in consultation with the relevant Cabinet Member, be delegated authority to make amendments and updates to the Strategy, in response to changing needs.
1.2 The Director for Economic Growth & Climate Change, in consultation with the relevant Cabinet Member, be delegated authority to develop a delivery plan to be completed by June 2023.
That with the following amendment the minutes of the meeting held on the 9 January 2023 be conformed and signed as a correct record of the meeting:
Paragraph 83.5: Councillor Busby queried whether other working adults in the same household were expected to contribute to Council Tax payments.
1.1 That the General Fund Budget proposals for 2023/24 and four-year outlook set out in the report be endorsed for recommendation to Council on 20 February 2023.
1.2 That the General Fund Budget for 2023/24 was based on a 2.99% increase to Band D Council Tax, which was equivalent to £5.30 per annum (10p per week) for a Band D property.
1.1 That the HRA Budget proposals for 2023/24 set out in this report, be endorsed for recommendation to Council on 21 February 2023.
1.2 That an increase of 7% for council house rents, equivalent to an average rent increase of £6.68 for social rent and £9.41 for affordable rent, a week be implemented.
1.3 That the CPI increase of 10.1% in garage rents, equivalent to an average rent increase of £4.86 or £4.91 (private rental), a month be implemented.
1.4 That an increase of 7% for sheltered housing service charges, equivalent to £12.19 a month, be implemented.
1.5 That an increase for sheltered housing utility charges, equivalent to £7.42 a month (8% for heating and 11% for water), be implemented, following no utility increase for 3 years (since 2019/20).
1.6 That in principle, Right to Buy (RTB) receipts should be retained within the Housing Revenue Account, to enable continued development and acquisition of new council dwellings.
1.1 That Cabinet approved the introduction of the discretionary Retail, Hospitality and Leisure and Supporting Small Business rate relief policies as set out in appendix 1 & 2 for the 2023/24 financial year.
1.2 That Cabinet gave authority to the Director for Corporate Resources in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance to agree future changes to the discretionary Retail, Hospitality and Leisure and Supporting Small Business rate relief policies for the life of the 2023 rating list.
That Cabinet agreed a new tariff table of maximum fares. Members were asked to approve a new tariff table of maximum fares with the following changes:
i. Miles& 1/10thMile, replacingyards.
ii. Tariff1 revertsto tariff2 (+50%)at 22:30hrs eachday insteadof 23:00hrs.
iii. Tariff4 is shownas anextra, dueto sizeof vehicle/timeof day,usage over 365 days of the year.
1.1 That Council approves Option 3 (as set out in Appendix C of the report) to be used as the basis for a revised (Working Age) Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2023/24.
1.2 That Council approves the introduction of an additional Local Council Tax Support award for 2023/24 of up to at least £25 per recipient where residual liability for Council Tax exists, as permitted under Section 13A (1) (c) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992.
1.3 That Council gives authority to the Director for Corporate Resources in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance to agree Local Discretionary Policy as permitted under Section 13A (1) (c) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 to determine the method of distribution for any funds remaining from the additional Council Tax Support Fund for 2023/24.
1) That the Treasury Management activity for the first six months of 2022/23 as set out in report JAC/21/38 and Appendices be noted.
2) That it be noted that Babergh District Council’s treasury management activity for the first six months of 2022/23 was in accordance with the approved Treasury Management Strategy, and that the Council has complied with all the Treasury Management Indicators for this period.
3.1 The Council agree the recommendations Appendix A
3.2 The Council note the reason in Appendix B that the Community Governance Review were unable to complete the review which is ongoing.
That minutes of the meeting held on the 5 December 2022 be confirmed and signed as a correct record of the meeting.
1.1 To recommend to Council that Option 3 (as set out in Appendix C of this report) be used as the basis for a revised (Working Age) Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2023/24.
1.1That, the proposed Fees and Charges for 2023/24 as shown in Appendix A, be approved.
1.1To approve the Tenancy Policy (Appendix A)
1.1 That Cabinet approves the Scrutiny/Cabinet protocol attached
1.1 That members of Babergh and Mid Suffolk Cabinets are asked to note the progress so far to improve strategic risk management and agree the new draft risk management policy and strategy which aligns with the Orange Book.
1.1 Delegate authority to the Director of Assets and Investments in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Assets & Investments to agree the detailed terms of the letter of comfort.
1.2 Delegate authority to the Directors of Assets and Investments and Finance in consultation with the Portfolio Holders for Assets & Investments and Finance to review the final IFRS16 calculation and implement the headlease in accordance with this report.
That the confidential minutes of the meeting held on the 5 December 2022 be confirmed and signed as a correct record of the meeting.
That minutes of the meeting held on the 7 November 2022 be confirmed and signed as a correct record of the meeting.
1.1 That, subject to any further budget variations that arise during the rest of the financial year, the net expenditure overspend position of £693k and forecast reserve movements, referred to in section 5.5 and Appendix A of the report, be noted;
1.2 The revised 2022/23 Capital Programme referred to in Appendix B and section 5.9 be noted.
1.1 That, subject to any further budget variations that arise during the rest of the financial year, the adverse variance of £825k, referred to in section 6.5 of the report, be noted.
1.2 The 2022/23 revised Capital Programme referred to in Appendix A and section 6.12 be noted.
1.1 To review and note the content of the Phase 1 Cost of Living 5 Point Action Plan Dashboard Report at Appendix 1.
1.2 To note the focus of the Phase 2 Cost of Living Action Plan at Appendix 2.
1.1 That Cabinet note progress, since its last meeting of 08 July 2022, on refinement of an optimal scheme layout and design to support the Council’s regeneration priorities. Further, that Cabinet notes the updated order of costs estimate and viability assessment (attached as Confidential Appendix A).
1.2 That Cabinet authorise the Director for Economic Growth and Climate Change to conclude an optimal scheme design and layout, based upon occupier and local marketing intelligence gathered, and proceed to submit a planning application during early 2023.
1.3 That Cabinet approve the draft Heads of Terms lease agreement for the office unit (with associated parking and service areas) identified in Confidential Appendix B, and with the tenant identified within that draft agreement.
1.4 That Cabinet delegate to the Director for Economic Growth and Climate Change the authority to agree or vary the final terms for the lease agreement of the land shown in Confidential Appendix B.
1.5 That Cabinet approve the substituted bid terms of offer for the freehold transfer of the A1 use-class convenience retail/drive-thru unit identified in Confidential Appendix C, and as being the best consideration reasonably obtainable.
1.6 That Cabinet delegate to the Director for Economic Growth and Climate Change the authority to agree or vary the final terms for the freehold disposal of the land shown in Confidential Appendix C. Further, that the Director for Economic Growth and Climate Change be delegated authority to accept a substitute bid received on the same or similar terms, in the event this latest sale agreement does not proceed.
1.7 That Cabinet authorise the Director for Economic Growth and Climate Change to proceed with marketing for the Light Industrial (B1 use class) units.
That pursuant to Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, the public should be excluded from the meeting for the business specified below on the grounds that if the public were present during this item, it is likely that there would be the disclosure to them of exempt information as indicated against the item. The author of the report proposed to be considered in Part 2 of the Agenda is satisfied that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.
That the minutes of the meeting held on the 3 October 2022 be confirmed and signed as a correct record of the meeting.
That Cabinet approved Option 1 - The strategy in its current form and acknowledge the changing landscape of social housing regulation in terms of the significance of good tenant engagement.
1.1 That the CIL Expenditure Programme (November 2022) and accompanying technical assessment of the CIL Bids B22-07, B22-08, and B22-09(forming Appendices A and B) which include decisions on these CIL Bids for Cabinet to make as follows be approved:
Decisions for Cabinet to approve: - Ringfenced Infrastructure Fund
B22-08
GREAT WALDINGFIELD
Village Hall Car Park Extension
Amount of CIL Bid £30,824.92
Total cost of the project £41,099.89 including VAT
Great Waldingfield Village Hall Reserves £10,274.97
Recommendation to Cabinet to approve CIL Bid B22-08 for £30,824.92 from the Ringfenced Infrastructure Fund (Great Waldingfield)
Decisions for Cabinet to approve: - Local Infrastructure Fund
B22-07
GREAT CORNARD
Upgrade of parking facilities at the Great Cornard Allotment Car Park
Amount of CIL Bid £55,927.50
Total cost of the project £74,870.00
Parish Council £18,942.50
Recommendation to Cabinet to approve CIL Bid B22-07 for £55,927.50 from the Local Infrastructure Fund
1.2 Cabinet also noted and endorsed this CIL Expenditure Programme which includes the position in respect of approved CIL Bids from Rounds 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 (September 2022). (Appendix A Section B) together with details of emerging infrastructure /CIL Bids (Appendix A Section C).
It was RESOLVED:-
B22-09
LINDSEY
Red Rose Friends Community Farm
Total cost of the project £141,981.59
Portacabin Grant Funding £16,500
Colchester Catalyst £10,000
Fundraising £3,500
The Befriending Scheme Funding £11,981.59
Recommendation to Cabinet to approve CIL Bid B22-09 for £100,000.00 from the Local Infrastructure Fund(subject to the imposition of a claw back provisionsuch that if the use fails within 10 years (at Lindsey) all the monies will be clawed back through a condition on the CIL Bid offer letter)
Ad-Hoc status:Rejected
1.1 That, subject to any further budget variations that arise during the rest of the financial year, the adverse variance of £527k, referred to in section 6.5 of the report, be noted.
1.1 That the CIL Expenditure Programme (September 2022) and accompanying technical assessment of the CIL Bids (forming Appendices, A and B) which include decisions on this CIL Bid for Cabinet to make and to note as follows: -
Decisions for Cabinet to approve: - Ringfenced Infrastructure Funds and Local Infrastructure Fund.
B22-02 CAPEL ST MARY upgrade to Children’s Play Area at Playing field and Provision of Additional Car parking
Total cost of the project £143,116.00 Net Cost (Parish can reclaim VAT)
Total of other funding obtained from Community Grant funding - £15,000.00
and funding from the Parish Council and Capel Community Trust - £28,116.00
Recommendation to Cabinet to approve CIL Bid B22-02 for £100,000.00 from the Ringfenced Infrastructure Fund (Capel St Mary)
B22-05 COCKFIELD - Provision of Bus Shelter
Amount of CIL Bid £25,028.08
Total cost of the project £35,028.08
Total of other funding obtained through Parish Council Neighbourhood CIL £10,000
Recommendation to Cabinet to approve CIL Bid B22-05 for £25,028.08 from the Ringfenced Infrastructure Fund (Cockfield) subject to the prior completion of a lease for the land (not less than 25 years)
B22-06 SUDBURY Gainsborough House
Amount of CIL Bid £152,504.86
Total cost of remainder of the project £2,016,000 to November 2022,
Total cost of the completed project £10.628,838
Recommendation to Cabinet to approve CIL Bid B22-06 for £152,504.86; £43,618.07 from the Ringfenced Infrastructure Fund (Sudbury) and £108,886.79 from the Local Infrastructure Fund.
Decisions for Cabinet to note: Delegated Decisions – Ringfenced and Local Infrastructure Funds.
B21-03 SUDBURY – to provide a Community Bus Transport parking area -Alexander Road Chilton Industrial Estate
Amount of CIL Bid £2,024.72
Total cost of the project £2,689.72
Total of other funding obtained by Bid applicants from BDC Communities – Minor Grant - for £665
Recommendation to Cabinet to note the Delegated decision for CIL Bid B21-03 for £2,024.72 from the Local Infrastructure Fund
B21-05 BENTLEY
Amount of CIL Bid £5706.00
Total cost of the project ££9,988.00
Total of other funding obtained by Bid applicants from BDC Communities – s106 for ££1,159.59
Bentley Parish Council Funds - £3,122.41
Recommendation to Cabinet to note the Delegated decision for CIL Bid B21-05 for £5706.00 from the Local Infrastructure Fund
B22-04 SUDBURY – Provision of CCTV facilities for Kingfisher Leisure Centre
Amount of CIL Bid £5416.21
Total cost of the project £6,499.45 including VAT (which can be claimed back)
Recommendation to Cabinet to note the Delegated decision for CIL Bid B22-04 for £5,416.21 from the Ringfenced Infrastructure Fund (Sudbury)
1.2 Cabinet are also asked to note and endorse this CIL Expenditure Programme which includes the position in respect of approved CIL Bids from Rounds 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9. (Appendix A Section B) together with details of emerging infrastructure /CIL Bids (Appendix A Section C).
That Cabinet considers the report from Joint Overview and Scrutiny and agrees its response to the recommendations in the report as detailed in paragraph 4, and in line with the Council’s response to the Cost of Living Crisis and the five point plan that will look at a better system of connectivity between partners, including the CAB, the Council and system wide partners
1.1 The Cabinet resolves to publish in full the web maps and canopy cover survey data on the Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils’ website.
1.2 The Cabinet resolves to develop a formal Tree Planting Strategy to guide all future tree planting within the District to ensure that, where possible, the greatest benefit is achieved.
1.3 The Cabinet resolves to identify feasible canopy cover percentages for each ward, options for delivery of planting to achieve this target and the creation of a vision for the future.
1.4 The Cabinet resolves to delegate authority to the Portfolio Holder for Climate Change, Biodiversity and Sustainable Travel along with the Director of Operations to complete these actions.
That the minutes of the meeting held on the 7 March 2022 be confirmed as a true record of the meeting.
That with the following amendment the minutes of the meeting held on the 7 February 2022 be confirmed as a true record.
Paragraph 76 amend RESOVED to RESOLVED.
That Babergh District Council formally acknowledged the compliance audit received from Homes England in relation to the affordable housing development at Ipswich Road, Brantham.
1.1 That Cabinet gave authority to the Assistant Director for Corporate Resources in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance to agree the discretionary Council Tax Energy Policy, in accordance with the relevant Government guidelines.
1.2 That Cabinet gave authority to the Shared Revenues Partnership (SRP) Operations Manager to administer the scheme for the Council Tax Energy Rebate and the discretionary Council Tax Energy Policy.
1.1 That the joint Councils’ draft LCWIP and Sustainable Transport vision be endorsed.
1.2 That the completion of the final documentation be delegated to the Assistant Director for Economic Development and Regeneration in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Climate Change, Biodiversity and Sustainable Travel.