Issue - meetings

Report number:     CAB/WS/22/027

Portfolio holder: Councillor Carol Bull

Lead officers: Alex Wilson and Jack Eddy

Resolved:

That:

1.           The draft vision, scope and guiding principles for the proposed 2023-2024 review of West Suffolk Council’s relationship with Town and Parish Councils as set out in section 2.1 of Report number CAB/WS/22/027, be approved.

2.           Pending a more detailed audit, the initial analysis of the disposition of street lighting in West Suffolk contained in section 2.2 of Report number CAB/WS/22/027 be noted.

3.           The next steps for working with Suffolk County Council and Town and Parish Councils on a review of street lighting in West Suffolk as set out in section 2.3 of Report number CAB/WS/22/027, be approved.

(Report number CAB/WS/22/027)

The Cabinet considered this report which explained that the majority of street lights in West Suffolk were owned and maintained by Suffolk County Council as highway authority.  However, West Suffolk Council (WSC) had the power to provide lighting as a local authority, acting with the consent of the Highways Authority via the powers conferred by the Highways Act 1980.  Town and Parish Councils had similar powers to their areas.

It was indicated at the Council meeting in February 2022, that following the delay caused by the response to the pandemic, the Cabinet intended to carry out the planned review of WSC’s future relationship with Town and Parish Councils.  Report number CAB/WS/22/027 provided more information on the proposed scope for that long-term review.

However, in response to concerns raised and ahead of that main review, the Cabinet had also indicated that it would look at the ownership and future management of street lights in West Suffolk during 2022 to 2023, including those owned by Parish and Town Councils.  Report number CAB/WS/22/027 also provided background to that interim review and proposed how it would be taken forward in the remainder of the municipal year and in the context of that wider review.

Councillor Carol Bull, Portfolio Holder for Governance, also drew relevant issues to the attention of the Cabinet and specifically outlined the next steps to be taken in the review, ahead of it feeding into the wider Town and Parish Council review in 2023 to 2024:

1.   Over the summer of 2022, to undertake an audit or survey of lighting at district-level, including all Parish and Town Council lighting (ideally in partnership with Suffolk County Council).

2.   Investigate the potential costs to upgrade the street lights.  This would require specific working with Suffolk County Council and the Town and Parish Councils to understand accurate cost implications.

3.   Work with Suffolk County Council to review feasibility, costs and savings involved in incorporating Town and Parish Council street lights into the Suffolk County Council Central Management System.

4.   To report back to Cabinet in early Autumn 2022 on the findings.

Resolved:

That:

1.           The draft vision, scope and guiding principles for the proposed 2023-2024 review of West Suffolk Council’s relationship with Town and Parish Councils as set out in section 2.1 of Report number CAB/WS/22/027, be approved.

2.           Pending a more detailed audit, the initial analysis of the disposition of street lighting in West Suffolk contained in section 2.2 of Report number CAB/WS/22/027 be noted.

3.           The next steps for working with Suffolk County Council and Town and Parish Councils on a review of street lighting in West Suffolk as set out in section 2.3 of Report number CAB/WS/22/027, be approved.