Agenda, decisions and minutes

Upon opening the meeting, Councillor John Griffiths, Leader of the Council and Chairman, formally welcomed Councillor Carol Bull to her first meeting of Cabinet since her recent appointment as Portfolio Holder for Future Governance.

No apologies for absence were received.

To confirm the minutes of the meetings held on 10 October 2017 and 17 October 2017 (copy attached).

The public and exempt minutes of the meetings held on 10 October and 17 October 2017 were confirmed as correct records and signed by the Chairman.

At each Cabinet meeting, up to 15 minutes shall be allocated for questions from and discussion with, non-Cabinet members.  Members wishing to speak during this session should if possible, give notice in advance.  Who speaks and for how long will be at the complete discretion of the person presiding.

The following non-Cabinet Members made statements on Agenda Item 6, Statement of Licensing Policy and Cumulative Impact Policy Renewal:

Councillor David Nettleton – one of the Ward Members for Risbygate Ward; and

Councillor Andrew Speed – one of the Ward Members for Abbeygate Ward.

Councillor Nettleton spoke in support of the recommendation put forward by the Licensing and Regulatory (L&R) Committee in respect of a revision to the officers’ original recommendation presented to the L&R for the area to be included in the Cumulative Impact Policy for Bury St Edmunds Town Centre, as identified in Appendix A (Map 1) attached to Report No: CAB/SE/17/062.

Councillor Speed spoke in support of the additional recommendation put forward by the officers following the L&R Committee’s proposed amendment to the officers’ original recommendation, for the area to be included in the Cumulative Impact Policy for Bury St Edmunds Town Centre, as identified in Appendix B (Map 2) attached to Report No: CAB/SE/17/062.

Councillor Sarah Broughton, member of the L&R Committee, expressed support for Councillor Nettleton’s representation and of the Committee’s recommendation provided in Report No: CAB/SE/17/062.

Further discussion was held on this item when the item was reached.

(Councillor Andrew Speed arrived during the consideration of this item, following the conclusion of Councillor David Nettleton’s representation.)

Members of the public who live or work in the Borough are invited to put one question or statement of not more than three minutes duration relating to items to be discussed in Part 1 of the agenda only. If a question is asked and answered within three minutes, the person who asked the question may ask a supplementary question that arises from the reply.

A person who wishes to speak must register at least 15 minutes before the time the meeting is scheduled to start. 

There is an overall time limit of 15 minutes for public speaking, which may be extended at the Chairman’s discretion.

The following statements were made during this item:

(a)     Richard Summers, member of the Bury Society and the Bury St Edmunds Town Centre Masterplan Working Group (BSETCMWG), made a statement on behalf of the Bury Society and the Churchgate Area Association (CAA) to Councillor Alaric Pugh, Portfolio Holder for Planning and Growth and Chairman of the BSETCMWG, in connection with Agenda Item 8, Bury St Edmunds Town Centre Masterplan.

The statement was generally positive, including that the key points made by the Bury Society and CAA during the consultation on the masterplan, had largely been incorporated into the final draft. 

(b)     Brian Daniels, resident of Bury St Edmunds located in the vicinity of three licensed premises operating late into the night, made a statement to Councillor Alaric Pugh, Portfolio Holder for Planning and Growth, in support of the officers’ subsequent recommendation for the proposed Cumulative Impact Policy in Bury St Edmunds to cover the area identified in Appendix B (Map 2) attached to Report No: CAB/SE/17/062.

In respect of both of the above statements, these were considered during the deliberations of each matter when the respective agenda item was reached.

Report No:   CAB/SE/17/061

Portfolio Holder: Peter Stevens       Lead Officer: Mark Walsh

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL: (19 December 2017)

That:

(1)     Report No: CAB/SE/17/061 and its appendices, be noted;

(2)     the allocation of an additional £1,095,000 to the Council’s Capital Programme funded in line with paragraphs 5.14 - 5.17 of Report No: CAB/SE/17/061, be approved;

(3)     Subject to receiving a planning consent:

          (a)     the Council’s option to procure land at Hollow Road Farm, be    exercised;

(b)     with Suffolk County Council and Forest Heath District Council, a contract be entered into for the construction of the West Suffolk Operational Hub at Hollow Road Farm; and

(4)     it be agreed for the Council’s Section 151 Officer to make the necessary changes to the Council’s 2017/18 prudential indicators as a result of recommendation (2) above.

The Cabinet considered Report No: CAB/SE/17/061, which sought approval for additional funding and associated matters in order to progress the West Suffolk Operational Hub project to the construction phase.

Recent progress with the project was noted, including that, subject to the Secretary of State (upon consultation) confirming that he did not intend to call-in the detailed planning application for his own determination, the Development Control Committee granted planning consent for the West Suffolk Operational Hub to be built at Hollow Road Farm, Fornham St Martin.  38 separate planning conditions had been applied to this consent.  

Councillor Peter Stevens, Portfolio Holder for Operations, drew relevant issues to the attention of Cabinet, including that there remained a clear need to urgently invest in new waste and street scene services facilities in West Suffolk and that current arrangements were unsustainable and costly to the taxpayer.

The reasons for the request for additional capital funding required were reiterated to the Cabinet, as provided in the report, including that although costs had increased, these were shared with Forest Heath District Council and Suffolk County Council, and taking the cost of borrowing into account, the known benefits of the scheme would still break even with the status quo financial position whilst providing modern facilities and capacity for significant future growth.  The scheme would also enable the relocation of the current St Edmundsbury depot allowing the delivery of further development at Western Way.

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL:

That:

(1)    Report No: CAB/SE/17/061 and its appendices, be noted;

(2)    the allocation of an additional £1,095,000 to the Council’s Capital Programme funded in line with paragraphs 5.14 - 5.17 of Report No: CAB/SE/17/061, be approved;

(3)    Subject to receiving a planning consent:

          (a)    the Council’s option to procure land at Hollow Road         Farm, be exercised;

(b)    with Suffolk County Council and Forest Heath District Council, a contract be entered into for the construction of the West Suffolk Operational Hub at Hollow Road Farm; and

(4)    it be agreed for the Council’s Section 151 Officer to make the necessary changes to the Council’s 2017/18 prudential indicators as a result of recommendation (2) above.

Report No:   CAB/SE/17/062

Portfolio Holder: Alaric Pugh           Lead Officer: Peter Gudde

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL: (19 December 2017)

That:

(1)     the proposed Cumulative Impact Area of Bury St Edmunds Town Centre contained within the Statement of Licensing Policy at Appendix 3 to Report No: LIC/SE/17/011, be amended to cover the area shown on Map 2, attached as Appendix B to Report No: CAB/SE/17/062; and

(2)     subject to the agreement of (1) above, the revised Statement of Licensing Policy incorporating the amended Cumulative Impact Policy, attached as Appendix 3 to Report No: LIC/SE/17/011, be adopted.

The Cabinet considered Report No: CAB/SE/17/062, which sought approval for a revised Cumulative Impact Policy for Bury St Edmunds Town Centre for incorporation into the Council’s overarching Statement of Licensing Policy.

St Edmundsbury Borough Council adopted the current Statement of Licensing Policy in 2012 (Report D160 refers).  Under the scope of the Policy, the Council adopted a special area policy (Cumulative Impact Policy) covering certain parts of the town centre of Bury St Edmunds where the cumulative impact of significant number of licensed premises concentrated in the area was considered to have a potential impact on the promotion of the licensing objectives. 

On 31 October 2017, the Licensing and Regulatory Committee  had considered Report No: LIC/SE/17/011, which set out proposals to re-adopt both the Statement of Licensing Policy and Cumulative Impact Policy (CIP) area for Bury St Edmunds town centre, based on a review of the current legislative framework, the effectiveness of the current policy on crime and disorder in the area and a consultation carried out in accordance with statutory guidelines that applied.

As a result of hearing representations at the meeting of the Licensing and Regulatory (L&R) Committee, including that of Councillor David Nettleton, one of the Ward Members for Risbygate ward, a summary of which was contained in the Cabinet report, the Committee had recommended to Cabinet that Map 1, attached as Appendix A to the report be the revised cumulative impact area for Bury St Edmunds Town Centre.

Subsequent to the deliberations of the L&R Committee and its recommendation, officers recommended to Cabinetthat Map 2, attached as Appendix B be the revised cumulative impact area for Bury St Edmunds Town Centre. This area included the Abbeygate ward and removed most of Risbygate ward (as recommended by the L&R Committee) apart from a small section of St Andrews Street North. The reason for this was to retain all current late night premises that had a detrimental cumulative impact on the town, such as noise, crime, anti-social behaviour and damage, within the cumulative impact area.

Councillor Alaric Pugh, Portfolio Holder for Planning and Growth drew relevant issues to the attention of Cabinet, including that application of the CIP was about creating a balance between mitigating the effects of problems that may cause a detrimental cumulative impact for residents and ensuring business growth was not stifled. 

In addition to the statements and comments made on this matter earlier in the meeting during the Open Forum and Public Participation, Councillor Joanna Rayner, the other Member for Abbeygate Ward spoke in support of the officers’ revised recommendation contained in the report.  As a member of Cabinet, she then expressed her support for Councillor Pugh’s comments, acknowledging the Council’s responsibilities towards supporting growth and business, whilst ensuring the town remained an attractive place to live. 

Whilst it had carefully considered the recommendations of the Licensing and Regulatory (L&R) Committee and the statements made earlier by non-Cabinet Members and a member of the public, the Cabinet considered  ...  view the full minutes text for item 404.

Report No:   CAB/SE/17/063

Chairman of the Steering Group: Alaric Pugh

Portfolio Holders: Alaric Pugh and Sara Mildmay-White             

Lead Officer: Julie Baird

The Cabinet received and noted Report No: CAB/SE/17/063, which informed the Cabinet of the following substantive items discussed by the West Suffolk Joint Growth Steering Group on 31 October 2017:

(1)     DCLG Consultation: ‘Planning for the Right Homes in the Right Places’;

(2)     Bury St Edmunds Town Centre Masterplan;

(3)     Work Programme 2017/2018; and

(4)     Future Housing Delivery Options.

Councillor Alaric Pugh, Portfolio Holder for Planning and Growth, drew relevant issues to the attention of Cabinet, including that consideration of the draft Bury St Edmunds Town Centre Masterplan was next on this Cabinet agenda.  He also made reference to the Work Programme and how consideration of the draft St Genevieve Lakes Masterplan was also on this Cabinet agenda; together with outlining  proposed plans for the future direction of the West Suffolk Joint Growth Steering Group.

Report No:   CAB/SE/17/064

Portfolio Holder: Alaric Pugh          

Lead Officers: Julie Baird and Chris Rand

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL: (19 December 2017)

That the masterplan for Bury St Edmunds Town Centre, as detailed in Appendix A to Report No: CAB/SE/17/064, be adopted as a Supplementary Planning Document.

The Cabinet considered Report No: CAB/SE/17/064, which sought approval for the Bury St Edmunds Town Centre Masterplan, following consultation.

The Bury St Edmunds Vision 2031 document was adopted by St Edmundsbury Borough Council (SEBC) in September 2014. The preparation of a masterplan for Bury St Edmunds town centre was referred to in Policy BV27 of this document.

The aim of the masterplan, which was attached as Appendix A to the report, was to set guidelines for the future growth and development of Bury St Edmunds town centre and to provide the framework for individual development proposals to be assessed when they came forward.  The Council was legally responsible for the masterplan; which would become a formal Supplementary Planning Document upon adoption by Council.

The masterplan had been co-produced; as such, through the establishment of a Bury St Edmunds Town Centre Masterplan Working Group (BSETCMWG), which comprised representatives of several organisations and partners connected with Bury St Edmunds town centre, as outlined in the report.

The timeline for reaching this point in the development of the masterplan was set out in the report, including details of the consultation process that took place between Monday 31 July and Friday 8 September 2017 on the draft masterplan.  Details of all replies, together with officer comment and consequential changes to the masterplan document were included in the Consultation Report which could be viewed online as Appendix B.

Councillor Alaric Pugh, Portfolio Holder for Planning and Growth and Chairman of the BSETCMWG, drew relevant issues to the attention of Cabinet, including that adoption of the masterplan was a key element in guiding investment, aspirations and development opportunities to accommodate growth within Bury St Edmunds Town Centre helping to implement an important part of Bury St Edmunds Vision 2031, whilst ensuring the history and ‘heart’ of Bury St Edmunds was preserved and retained.

He added that the consultation process was both extensive and innovative and Members and officers were commended for their roles in achieving a wide range of consultation responses.

He then thanked Mr Summers for his statement made during Public Participation and the organisations Mr Summers was representing, acknowledging how the work of the BSETCMWG and the responses to the consultation had helped to develop the final version the masterplan.

The Cabinet supported Councillor Pugh’s comments, expressing their own commendations to Members, officers and partners for their roles in developing the masterplan and the consultation process; and subject to adoption, looked forward to the aspirations coming to fruition at the appropriate time.

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL:

That the masterplan for Bury St Edmunds Town Centre, as detailed in Appendix A to Report No: CAB/SE/17/064, be adopted as a Supplementary Planning Document.

Report No:   CAB/SE/17/065

Chairman of the Committee: Diane Hind             

Lead Officer: Christine Brain

The Cabinet received and noted Report No: CAB/SE/17/065, which informed the Cabinet of the following substantive items discussed by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 8 November 2017:

(1)     Draft West Suffolk Strategic Framework 2018-2020;

(2)     Development of a West Suffolk Growth Investment Strategy;

(3)     Anglia Revenues Partnership Debt Recovery Process;

(4)     Annual Presentation by the Cabinet Member for Operations; and

(5)     Work Programme Update.

Councillor Diane Hind, Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny (O&S) Committee, drew relevant issues to the attention of Cabinet, including that a separate report in connection with Item (1) above was contained elsewhere on this Cabinet agenda, and that the Committee’s recommendations emanating from Item (2) above had been considered and approved by Cabinet on 14 November 2017 during a joint meeting with Forest Heath District Council’s Cabinet.

Councillor Peter Stevens, Portfolio Holder for Operations, had provided his annual presentation to the O&S Committee on 8 November 2017, where he had welcomed the new format that had been introduced for the annual presentations from Portfolio Holders.

Report No:   CAB/SE/17/066

Portfolio Holder: Ian HoulderLead Officer: Rachael Mann

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL: (19 December 2017)

That the Mid-Year Treasury Management Report for 2017-2018, including the change to the Annual Treasury Management and Investment Strategy and associated Code of Practice, attached as Appendix 1 to Report No: TMS/SE/17/004, be approved.

The Cabinet considered Report No: CAB/SE/17/066, which sought approval for the Mid Year Treasury Management Performance Report 2017/2018 and received an update on investment activity covering the period 1 April to 30 September 2017.

Councillor Ian Houlder, Portfolio Holder for Resources and Performance, drew relevant issues to the attention of Cabinet, including an explanation of the Mid-Year Treasury Management Performance Report 2017/2018 and a summary of the investment activities for the first six months of 2017/2018  that had previously been considered by the Treasury Management Sub-Committee and Performance and Audit Scrutiny Committee.

The Cabinet concurred with the Committees’ examination of this report and was supportive of recommending approval to Council of the Mid-Year Treasury Management Performance Report 2017/2018.

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL:

That the Mid-Year Treasury Management Report for 2017-2018, including the change to the Annual Treasury Management and Investment Strategy and associated Code of Practice, attached as Appendix 1 to Report No: TMS/SE/17/004, be approved.

Report No:   CAB/SE/17/067

Portfolio Holder: Ian HoulderLead Officer: Rachael Mann

RESOLVED:

That:

(1)     the budget assumptions (outlined in Appendix A to Report No: PAS/SE/17/034) and timetable (at paragraph 6.1), along with the progress made to date on delivering a balanced budget for 2018-2019 and sustainable budget in the medium term, be noted; and

(2)     the proposals, as detailed in Section 5 and Table 2 at paragraph 5.1 of Report No: PAS/SE/17/034, be included in securing a balanced budget for 2018-2019.

The Cabinet considered Report No: CAB/SE/17/067, which sought approval for proposals for securing a balanced budget for 2018/2019 and a sustainable budget in the medium term.

Councillor Ian Houlder, Portfolio Holder for Resources and Performance, drew relevant issues to the attention of Cabinet, including that St Edmundsbury Borough Council continued to face considerable financial challenges as a result of increased cost and demand, plus pressures and constraints on public sector spending.

The budget gap for years 2018/2019 to 2020/2021 were projected in Table 1 of Report No: PAS/SE/17/034, with the current budget assumptions for 2018/2019 to 2020/2021 and for the period of the medium term financial strategy, detailed in Appendix A attached to that report. In order to address this and progress securing a balanced budget for 2018/2019 and a sustainable budget in the medium term, a number of budget proposals had been scrutinised by the Performance and Audit Scrutiny Committee, as contained in Table 2 of paragraph 5.1 of Report No: PAS/SE/17/034, which were now presented to Cabinet for inclusion in the budget setting process. 

In addition, the impact of the potential implementation of 100% business rates retention was acknowledged, which presently created significant uncertainty to the Council’s medium term financial planning assumptions; however it was noted that the situation highlighted in the report would be monitored and reviewed as information became available, including ensuring the Council continued to lobby and respond to consultations of the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) in order to make its position clear.

RESOLVED:

That:

(1)     the budget assumptions (outlined in Appendix A to Report No: PAS/SE/17/034) and timetable (at paragraph 6.1), along with the progress made to date on delivering a balanced budget for 2018-2019 and sustainable budget in the medium term, be noted; and

(2)     the proposals, as detailed in Section 5 and Table 2 at paragraph 5.1 of Report No: PAS/SE/17/034, be included in securing a balanced budget for 2018-2019.

Report No:   CAB/SE/17/068

Portfolio Holder: Ian HoulderLead Officer: Rachael Mann

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL: (19 December 2017)

That:

Taking into consideration the consultation and engagement feedback detailed in section 7 of Report No: CAB/SE/17/068, the following changes to the current Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme be agreed to take effect from 1 April 2018:

(a)     Update the “applicable amounts” to 2015 prices as detailed in paragraph 5.1 of Report No: CAB/SE/17/068;

(b)     incorporating changes that have occurred as a result of the Government’s welfare reforms as detailed in paragraph 5.2, regarding family premiums; dependence allowances where there are two or more children; and eligibility of foreign nationals; and

(c)     modernise the scheme as detailed in paragraph 5.3, so that claimants in receipt of Universal Credit do not need to make a separate application to qualify for Council Tax Discount.

The Cabinet considered Report No: CAB/SE/17/068, which sought approval for the Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme 2018/2019, following its annual review.

Since 1 April 2013, St Edmundsbury Borough Council (SEBC) had operated a Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme (LCTRS) to replace the previous, centrally administered Council Tax Benefit (Report D224 provided further background). St Edmundsbury’s scheme was aimed at:

·         making provision to protect vulnerable people; and

·         supporting work incentives for claimants created by the Government’s wider welfare reform.

Councillor Ian Houlder, Portfolio Holder for Resources and Performance, drew relevant issues to the attention of Cabinet, including that each year the Council was required to review its LCTRS.  As a result of the review, as detailed in the report, and following the consideration and rejection of other options for the 2018/2019 LCTRS, amendments had been proposed, as detailed in paragraphs 5.1 to 5.3 inclusive, for the reasons provided.

As amendments to the LCTRS for 2018/2019 had been proposed, the Council was required to consult/engage with preceptors and stakeholders in order to inform final scheme design by 28February of the preceding year.  Details of the engagement exercise undertaken was contained in section 7 of the report.  Overall, the results of the consultation had indicated a lack of concern for the changes proposed.

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL:

That:

Taking into consideration the consultation and engagement feedback detailed in section 7 of Report No: CAB/SE/17/068, the following changes to the current Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme be agreed to take effect from 1 April 2018:

(a)    Update the “applicable amounts” to 2015 prices as detailed in paragraph 5.1 of Report No: CAB/SE/17/068;

(b)    incorporating changes that have occurred as a result of the Government’s welfare reforms as detailed in paragraph 5.2, regarding family premiums; dependence allowances where there are two or more children; and eligibility of foreign nationals; and

(c)     modernise the scheme as detailed in paragraph 5.3, so that claimants in receipt of Universal Credit do not need to make a separate application to qualify for Council Tax Discount.

Report No:   CAB/SE/17/069

Portfolio Holder: Ian HoulderLead Officer: Rachael Mann

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL: (19 December 2017)

That:

(1)     the tax base for 2018/2019, for the whole of St Edmundsbury is 36,490.95 equivalent band D dwellings, as detailed in paragraph 1.4 of Report No: CAB/SE/17/069; and

(2)     the tax base for 2018/2019 for the different parts of its area, as defined by parish or special expense area boundaries, are as shown in Appendix 2.

The Cabinet considered Report No: CAB/SE/17/069, which sought approval for the Council Tax Base for Tax Setting Purposes 2018/2019.

Councillor Ian Houlder, Portfolio Holder for Resources and Performance, drew relevant issues to the attention of the Cabinet including that the tax base formed the basis for the formal calculation of Council Tax for 2018/2019.

The Council Tax Base of the Council was the total taxable value at a point in time of all the domestic properties in its area, projected changes in the property base and the estimated collection rate. 

The total taxable value referred to above was arrived at by each dwelling being placed in an appropriate valuation band determined by the Valuation Office, with a fraction as set by statute being applied in order to convert it to a Band ‘D’ equivalent figure.  These Band ‘D’ equivalent numbers were then aggregated at a district wide level and were also sub totalled for parishes.  This had to be done by the Council responsible for sending the bills out and collecting the council tax ('the billing authority’).  In two tier areas, district councils fulfilled this function.

Each authority divided its total Council Tax required to meet its budget requirements by the Tax Base of its area to arrive at a Band ‘D’ Council Tax.  The Tax Base for Council Tax collection purposes had been calculated as 36,490.95 for 2018/2019, which was an increase of 233.68 on the previous year.

The calculations applied to reach this figure were detailed in the report. 

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL:

That:

(1)    the tax base for 2018/2019, for the whole of St Edmundsbury is 36,490.95 equivalent band D dwellings, as detailed in paragraph 1.4 of Report No: CAB/SE/17/069; and

(2)    the tax base for 2018/2019 for the different parts of its area, as defined by parish or special expense area boundaries, are as shown in Appendix 2.

Report No:   CAB/SE/17/070

Portfolio Holder: John Griffiths        Lead Officer: Davina Howes

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL: (19 December 2017)

That the draft West Suffolk Strategic Framework 2018-2020, as contained in Appendix A to Report No: CAB/SE/17/070, be adopted.

The Cabinet considered Report No: CAB/SE/17/070, which sought approval for the draft West Suffolk Strategic Framework 2018-2020 to be adopted by Council.

The most recent strategic plan for West Suffolk covered the period 2014-2016.  It had previously been agreed to extend the vision and priorities in that plan until the outcome of the devolution process in Norfolk and Suffolk was clear.  It was now considered timely for a new strategic framework document to be developed and adopted, especially given that both St Edmundsbury Borough Council (SEBC) and Forest Heath District Council (FHDC) had now agreed to proceed with proposals for creating a single council for West Suffolk. 

Councillor Griffiths, Leader of the Council, drew relevant issues to the attention of Cabinet, including that work had been undertaken by FHDC and SEBC Portfolio Holders since summer 2017 on the revised Strategic Framework for 2018-2020 and had been presented to both FHDC and SEBC Overview and Scrutiny Committees for their suggestions and comments, which had contributed towards its development, as detailed in the report.

In summary, the draft document, which was attached as Appendix A to the report, contained the proposed:

(a)     West Suffolk councils’ vision: Supporting and investing in our west Suffolk communities and businesses to encourage and manage ambitious growth in prosperity and quality of life for all;

(b)     Strategic priorities:

·         Growth in West Suffolk’s economy for the benefit of all our residents and UK plc.

·         Resilient families and communities that are healthy and active.

·         Increased and improved provision of appropriate housing in West Suffolk in both our towns and rural areas.

(c)     Projects and actions to support the priorities: projects and actions already underway as well as those that had been agreed but not yet started; and

(d)     Ways of working: how the West Suffolk councils would work together in taking forward and delivering the ambitious set of projects and activities, in order to support improvements in the quality of life in West Suffolk.

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL:

That the draft West Suffolk Strategic Framework 2018-2020, as contained in Appendix A to Report No: CAB/SE/17/070, be adopted.

Report No:   CAB/SE/17/071

Portfolio Holder: Robert Everitt       Lead Officer: Davina Howes

RESOLVED:

That:

(1)     the allocation of Community Chest funding for 2018/2019, as previously approved in 2016/2017 as part of two-year funding agreements, be noted, namely:

(2)     the allocation of Community Chest funding for 2018/2019, as detailed in Report No: GWP/SE/17/002, be approved, namely:

(3)     subject to the budget setting process for 2019/2020, and subject to the satisfactory submission of evidence-based reports detailing the benefits and success of each individual project in 2018/2019, the allocation of Community Chest funding for 2018/2019 and 2019/2020, be approved, namely:

(4)     No Community Chest funding for 2018/2019 be awarded to:

(a)     Abundant Life Church (Epic Dad);               

(b)     Sharing Parenting, Clare;  

(c)     The Restoration Trust; and           

(d)     Rural Coffee Caravan.  

The Cabinet considered Report No: CAB/SE/17/071, which presented the recommendations of the Grant Working Party emanating from its meeting on 6 November 2017.

Councillor Robert Everitt, Portfolio Holder for Families and Communities, drew relevant issues to the attention of the Cabinet, including that the Grant Working Party had considered a total of 18 applications for Community Chest funding in 2018/2019.  A wide variety of organisations had submitted applications, as detailed in Appendix 1 to Report No: GWP/SE/17/002.  The Community Chest budget for 2018/2019 was £281,483, which included £7,000 that had previously been allocated as part of two-year funding agreements, and applicants could apply for a maximum of two years.

Councillor Jim Thorndyke, Chairman of the Grant Working Party, was in attendance and summarised the process that had been undertaken to formulate the Working Party’s recommendations.

Each application had been summarised in Appendix 1 to Report No: GWP/SE/17/002  with the full applications attached as appendices to that report.  Each application was required to be evaluated in accordance with the eligibility and selection criteria set out in Appendix 2, and was considered in turn, as set out in the Cabinet report.

Following due consideration, recommendations for funding had been put forward to the Cabinet for the reasons provided in the report.

Councillor Thorndyke explained that the Working Party had decided to defer its consideration of two of the applications pending receipt of further information and clarification.  These applications had now been fully evaluated by email by the Working Party, and it’s recommendations for these particular organisations (Suffolk Family Carers and The Restoration Trust) had now been incorporated into the Cabinet report presented at this meeting.

Subject to the approval of the recommendations, a total of £4,800 would remain available in the Community Chest fund for 2018/2019, which if left unallocated in the 2018/2019 year, this balance would be carried forward to the 2019/2020 financial year.

Officers were acknowledged for their work in encouraging organisations to apply for funding and assisting the Working Party in their deliberations.  The Working Party was also commended for its exceptionally thorough consideration of the applications.

A discussion was held on the reasons for not supporting the allocation of funding to some organisations; however it was reiterated that whilst some smaller rural projects may not meet the criteria for Community Chest Funding, they may still be eligible for funding from the Rural Initiatives Grant Scheme.

RESOLVED:

That:

(1)     the allocation of Community Chest funding for 2018/2019, as previously approved in 2016/2017 as part of two-year funding agreements, be noted, namely:

(2)     the allocation of Community Chest funding for 2018/2019, as detailed in Report No: GWP/SE/17/002, be approved, namely:

(3)     subject to the budget setting process for 2019/2020, and subject to the satisfactory submission  ...  view the full minutes text for item 413.

Report No:   CAB/SE/17/072

Portfolio Holder: Alaric Pugh           Lead Officer: Chris Rand

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL: (19 December 2017)

That the masterplan for St Genevieve Lakes, as contained in Appendix A to Report No: CAB/SE/17/072, be adopted as informal planning guidance.

The Cabinet considered Report No: CAB/SE/17/072, which sought approval for the St Genevieve Lakes (formerly Park Farm, Ingham) Masterplan.

The adopted Rural Vision 2031 Local Plan document identified the area at Park Farm, Ingham for leisure, recreation and tourism development. The site was currently a sand and gravel quarry which had recently completed extraction activities and was being restored to arable farmland, species rich grassland and a series of open water lakes. The Rural Vision 2031 Local Plan document identified that the restoration had brought forward the opportunity for the creation of recreational, leisure and tourism facilities serving both the locality and the wider area.

Councillor Alaric Pugh, Portfolio Holder for Planning and Growth, drew relevant issues to the attention of Cabinet, including that the allocation would not only bring economic and community benefits to the area, but it would also help mitigate potential effects on the Breckland Special Protection Area (SPA) by providing an alternative visitor attraction that could absorb the pressure of visitors to the area.

The Concept Statement, which set out the planning issues and constraints and provided guidance as to what would need to be addressed in the subsequent masterplan, was adopted by Council in February 2016.  Following adoption of the Concept Statement, the site had been renamed St Genevieve Lakes to better reflect its location and current form.

The draft masterplan, which was attached as Appendix A to the report, had been prepared by consultants on behalf of the landowner building upon and developing the principles established by the Concept Statement. Consultation on the draft masterplan commenced on 16 August and ran until 14 September 2017. Details of the responses received and the subsequent replies were contained in Appendix B.

The Cabinet was extremely excited by the aspirations provided in the draft masterplan, which aimed to transform the area into an excellent leisure facility when brought to fruition.

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL:

That the masterplan for St Genevieve Lakes, as contained in Appendix A to Report No: CAB/SE/17/072, be adopted as informal planning guidance.

To consider the most recently published version of the Cabinet’s Decisions Plan

Report No:   CAB/SE/17/073

Portfolio Holder: John Griffiths        Lead Officer: Ian Gallin

The Cabinet considered Report No: CAB/SE/17/073, which was the executive Decisions Plan covering the period December 2017 to May 2018. 

Members took the opportunity to review the intended forthcoming decisions of the Cabinet; however, no further information or amendments were requested on this occasion.

To consider whether the press and public should be excluded during the consideration of the following items because it is likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the public were present during the items, there would be disclosure to them of exempt categories of information as prescribed in Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, and indicated against each item and, in all circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

See minute 417. below.

To confirm the exempt minutes of the meeting held on 17 October 2017.

The exempt minutes of the meeting held on 17 October 2017 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman under Agenda Item 2; however no reference was made to specific detail and therefore this item was not held in private session.