Ad-Hoc status:Carried
Motion status:Carried
· That Cabinet are presented with, and give sufficient consideration to, the details of a ‘1-hour free’ tariff option within the Cabinet report;
· That Cabinet give further consideration to the local economic impact of the proposed changes to the car parking fees;
· That Cabinet give further consideration to the impact of the proposed changes to the car parking fees on those facing poverty in rural settings;
· That Cabinet give further consideration to the impact of the proposed changes to the car parking fees on vulnerable individuals in the district;
· That officers meet with Great Cornard Parish Council prior to Cabinet meeting;
· That the previous recommendations made by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee are further reviewed and fully considered.
Resolution status:Carried
1.1. That the Director for Operations and Climate Change takes on board the comments made by the Babergh Overview and Scrutiny Committee.
1.2. That Officers provide more detailed clarification on the amendments made to the information and proposals set out in the Cabinet report as a result of the consultation process.
1.3. That Officers be requested to set out in the report to Cabinet a proposed range of tariffs that include a free parking period of 1 hour and its associated costs.
1.4. That Officers further explore with Suffolk County Council the possibility of introducing on-street resident parking permits across the District, that more information on this type of scheme be included in the report to Cabinet, and investigate implementing an appropriate policy.
1.5. That Officers review whether a rebate system could be implemented in Hadleigh, Sudbury, and Lavenham in car parks serving doctors surgeries and medical centres.
1.6. That the Director for Operations and Climate Change continues to consider and create shared value for residents by enhancing the councils offer for non-contact, long term parking permits using intelligent parking control processes such that residents are recognised as community stakeholders.
1.7. That Officers include more information and context about the rural setting of the districts, the current reliance on car use to travel, and the accessible parking provisions needed to adequately meet this need.
1.8. That the Monitoring Officer be asked to investigate allegations of pre-determination raised by the Overview and Scrutiny committee in regard to members of the Cabinet.
1.9. That Officers give further consideration to the issues raised concerning school pick-ups and drop-off as well as carers and medical staff visiting patients.
1.10. That Officers are encouraged to retain the cash and card system for paying parking permits to avoid moving to a cashless system.
1.11. That Cabinet are made aware of the committee’s concerns regarding the process followed during the handling of the parking petition considered by Full Council on 20th February.
1.1. That the Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee notes the report and commends the Officers for the work undertaken in delivering the Strategy.
1.2. That Officers take on board the comments made by the Committee, particularly regarding accessibility, marketing, and public consultation, and incorporate these into the future delivery of the Strategy.
1.3. That the Cultural Working Group, in conjunction with the Community Grants Review, are requested to explore expanding the scope of locality grants to incorporate funding support for young people looking to engage with culture and the arts.
1.4. That Officers explore various methods of further communicating the Strategy and its aims to a wider audience.
1.5. That the Cabinet Member for Planning be asked to note the committee’s concerns towards the potential for overdevelopment of the districts and that the SPD for Historic and Natural Environment be examined to better protect the tourism and culture offer that is currently available.
It was RESOLVED: -
That the minutes of the meeting held on the 27th November 2023 be approved.
1.1To approve the Joint Capital Strategy for the period 2023/24 to 2027/28, including the Prudential Indicators, as set out in Appendix A.
1.2To approve the Joint Investment Strategy for service and commercial investments for the period 2023/24 to 2027/28, as set out in Appendix B.
1.3To approve the Joint Treasury Management Strategy for the period 2023/24 to 2027/28, including the Joint Annual Investment Strategy as set out in Appendix C.
1.4To approve the Joint Treasury Management Indicators as set out in Appendix D.
1.5To approve the Joint Treasury Management Policy Statement as set out in Appendix G.
1.6To approve the Joint Minimum Revenue Provision Policy Statement as set out in Appendix H.
1.7That the key factors and information relating to and affecting treasury management activities set out in Appendices E, F, and I be noted.
1.8That a working group be formed with Arlingclose and Officers including Portfolio Holders, Chairs of the Joint Audit and Standards Committee, and Members from all groups to discuss ESG options.
To agree that the Corporate Manager – Internal Audit prepares a paper for JASC in May 2024 to discuss the option of including co-opted members into the committee’s membership.
· That the draft revenue budgets set out in the report for the 2024/25 General Fund and Housing Revenue Account budgets be noted.
· That engagement with the public, specifically through media releases and Town and Parish Liaison meetings, be encouraged to help outline and provide clarity to the public regarding the budget pressures on the Council.
· That the district authority actively considers the deployment of certain services to Town & Parish councils who have an appetite to accept functions currently carried out by Babergh District Council.
That the minutes of the meeting held on the 25th September 2023, as set out in the tabled papers, be approved.
That the Treasury Management activity for the first six months of 2023/24 as set out in this report and Appendices be noted.
That it be noted that Babergh District Council’s treasury management activity for the first six months of 2023/24 was in accordance with the approved Treasury Management Strategy, and that the Council has complied with all the Treasury Management Indicators for this period.
That the contents of this Internal Audit report, supported by Appendix A, be noted.
1.1That given changes in the administrations, newly elected members of the Joint Audit and Standards Committee note the progress to improve strategic risk management in alignment with the HM Government Orange Book since January 2022, and support the ongoing schedule of continuous improvement for the Councils’ joint risk management arrangements.
1.2That training be provided to all Members on Risk Management.
That confidential minutes of the meeting held on 25 September 2023 be confirmed and signed as a true record.
1.1 That the Overview and Scrutiny Committee commends the housing department for the work they are conducting to help reduce homelessness in the Districts and requests that officers take on board the comments made at the meeting.
1.2 That the Overview and Scrutiny Committee supports the vision and priorities of the draft Homelessness Reduction and Rough Sleeping Strategy and ensures that the Delivery Plan is reflective of the current challenges facing the Districts.
1.3 That the Overview and Scrutiny Committee strongly supports the work being undertaken to meet the domestic abuse housing alliance accreditation.
1.4 That Cabinet makes further plans to provide financial support for the services provided under the homelessness reduction and rough sleeping strategy beyond the end of the Rough Sleeper Initiative Funding in 2025.
1.5 That Cabinet explores further means of providing assistance to those under 25 with becoming adequately housed in order to avoid an influx of young people becoming homeless.
1.6 That Cabinet explores providing more resources to the housing department to assist with communicating about the services available from the Councils and Central Suffolk Lettings to those who are, or are at risk of becoming, homeless.
1.1. That the draft budget assumptions as set out in the report for the 2024/25 General Fund budget be noted.
1.2. That the Director for Corporate Resources further assesses how the Council manages its income to further decrease the general fund deficit.
1.1. That Overview and Scrutiny Committee support the strategic aims of the Homes and Housing Strategy ensuring the delivery plan is reflective of the current challenges facing the housing sector, whilst continuing to deliver the aims set out in the Homes and Housing Strategy.
1.2. That Cabinet considers reducing the proposed timescales for the stock conditions audit of the Councils’ properties.
1.3. That Cabinet reconsiders the use of inhouse occupational therapists.
1.4. That Cabinet identify what housing is affordable in the private market to various demographics in the Districts to determine the most appropriate tenures to secure and deliver.
1.5. That officers incorporate a RAG status into future reports taken before Joint Overview and Scrutiny and provide more detailed focus on the associated risks of delivery of the Strategy.
1.6. That the Cabinet undertake a clear refocus on housing and ensure that there is enough support for officers to achieve the housing needs of our residents
1.7. That officers are requested to involve all Members in any open sessions carried out by the department.
1.8. That the Chief Planning Officer provides the Overview and Scrutiny Committee with an update on the number of dwellings with outstanding planning permission that have not yet begun construction.
1.9. That officers identify residents who are most vulnerable so that services can be proactively designed around their needs.
1.10. That Cabinet and officers explore methods of communicating to residents the option to downsize their properties.
1.11. That officers scrutinise and investigate private landlords before working collaboratively with them.
1.12. That Cabinet reconsiders the means in which data is collected in support of community led housing.
That the minutes of the meeting held on the 31st July 2023 be confirmed and signed as a true record.
That the committee noted the content of the draft action plan and considered any actions that may need to be taken following review of the plan.
1.1That the committee note the contents of the report and confidential appendix A.
1.2That a future report be brought back to the Joint Audit and Standards Committee within two months.
Ad-Hoc status:Rejected
1.1 That the Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee thanks Anglian Water, the Environment Agency, Natural England, and the River Stour Trust for their attendance and for the answers provided.
1.2 That the Chairs of Overview and Scrutiny provide a report and verbal update on the contents and outcomes of the Committee meeting at the next Full Council meetings in October.
1.3 That the Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee requests for more information from the external representatives, specifically including the phosphate reducing programme, and asks that this be fed back to the Committee via an Information Bulletin.
1.4 That the Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee requests for a wider publicity campaign for residents, staff, and Councillors regarding materials that cannot be put into the sewage system.
1.5 That the Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee requests for Cabinet to investigate the possibility of running a campaign regarding the provision of water butts for residents.
1.6 That the Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee requests for Council to consider supporting “citizen science” projects.
1.7 That Mid Suffolk District Council receives an update on their concerns over water quality in the District from OFWAT.
1.1That the treasury management activity for the year 2022/23 as set out in this report and appendices be noted.
1.1That it be noted that Babergh District Council’s treasury management activity for 2022/23 was in accordance with the approved Treasury Management Strategy, and that, aside from exceeding the net upper limit of interest rate exposure at the end of 2022/23 as mentioned in Appendix C, paragraph 4.1, the Council has complied with all the Treasury Management Indicators for this period.
1.1 That the committee consider and support the conclusion that the Councils’ system of internal control is effective; and
1.2That the committee confirm that the 2022/23 opinion of the Corporate Manager – Internal Audit, based on his assessment of effectiveness, can be relied upon as a key source of evidence in the Annual Governance Statement.
1.1. That the Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee notes the report and commends the Officers involved for their work within the Partnership.
1.2. That an All Member Briefing and further training be delivered for all Councillors regarding the topics covered by the Western Suffolk Community Safety Partnership, including how to report Anti-Social Behaviour and an updated contact list.
1.3. That a review of the current costs of Babergh and Mid Suffolk resources and the potential impact of further statutory responsibilities is undertaken and reported back to the Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee.
1.4. That the level of engagement with community groups within the Districts is incorporated into the next review of the Western Suffolk Community Safety Partnership and is reported to the Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee.
1.5. That a review is undertaken of the Western Suffolk Community Safety Partnership’s position within the Babergh and Mid Suffolk Significant Business Risk Register.
1.6. That more formal communication procedures are put in place between the Western Suffolk Community Safety Partnership and our parish / town Councils.