Agenda and decisions

Members are reminded of their responsibility to declare any disclosable pecuniary interest, other registerable or non-registrable interest which they have in any item of business on the agenda, no later than when that item is reached and, when appropriate, to leave the meeting prior to discussion and voting on the item.

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

Members of the public who live or work in the district 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. This can be done online by sending the request to democratic.services@westsuffolk.gov.uk or telephoning 01284 757176 or in person by telling the Committee Administrator present at the meeting. We would urge anyone who wishes to register to speak to notify Democratic Services by 9am on the day of the meeting so that advice can be given on the arrangements in place. 

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

Report number:     CAB/WS/24/034

Portfolio holder: Councillor Indy Wijenayaka

Lead officers: Julie Baird and Andrea Mayley

Resolved:

That:

1.       The current position and deliverability challenges of the Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering (AME) project as set out in section 2 of Report number: CAB/WS/24/034, be noted.

2.       Taking into account the risks set out in section 5 of Report number: CAB/WS/24/034, it be agreed for the AME project to progress to the next Gateway (Gateway 4), utilising up to £450,000 from accumulated funding generated from Pot B Enterprise Zone receipts.

Report number:     CAB/WS/24/035

Portfolio holder: Councillor Indy Wijenayaka

Lead officer: Julie Baird

Resolved:

That the Market Development Plan, as contained in Appendix A to Report number: CAB/WS/24/035, be adopted, and £290,000 from the Strategic Priorities and MTFS Reserve, and £10,000 from UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) be allocated over three years to implement the measures.

Report number:     CAB/WS/24/036

Portfolio holders: Councillor Diane Hind and Richard O’Driscoll

Lead officers: Rachael Mann, Jen Eves and Jill Korwin

Resolved:

That:

1.       the freehold interest of up to five units of temporary accommodation be purchased, the cost to be funded through:

a.       the Local Authority Housing Fund Three; and

b.       government grant, discount or relief schemes, any other options for external funding, with the balance from and/or the Investing in Growth Fund as set out in Section 2.6 of Report number: CAB/WS/24/036;

2.       a capital budget of up to £887,750 (eight hundred and eighty seven thousand seven hundred and fifty pounds) be established for this purpose, to be funded as per the funding streams set out in (1) above, and be made available to facilitate the purchase of up to five units of temporary accommodation including fees, survey and valuation costs;

3.       it be noted that, in line with recommendations (1) and (2) above, officers will proceed on this matter in accordance with the Council’s existing Scheme of Delegation; and

4.       the Council’s Section 151 Officer be authorised to make the necessary changes to the Council’s prudential indicators as a result of recommendation (2) above.

Report number:     CAB/WS/24/037

Leader of the Council: Councillor Cliff Waterman

Lead officer: Ian Gallin

Resolved:

That, subject to the inclusion of the amendments recommended by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, as set out in the addendum to Report number: CAB/WS/22/037, the draft West Suffolk Annual Report 2023 to 2024 attached to Report number: CAB/WS/24/037, be approved.

Report number:     CAB/WS/24/038

Portfolio holder: Councillor Gerald Kelly

Lead officer: Jill Korwin

Resolved:

That:

1.       The commitment to addressing the Climate and Environment Emergency and, in particular, to reaching net zero by 2030 in respect of Council operations, be confirmed.

2.       The review, and implementation, of the action plan as set out in sections 2 and 3 of Report number CAB/WS/24/038, together with the draft plan at Appendix A, be approved.

Report number:     CAB/WS/24/039

Portfolio holder: Councillor Gerald Kelly

Lead officer: Jen Eves

Resolved:

That, the undertaking of statutory consultation to renew the West Suffolk Gambling Act Statement of Policy and West Suffolk Local Area Profile, as set out in sections 2 and 4 of Report number: CAB/WS/24/039, be approved.

Under Part 3, Section 5, Scheme of Delegation to Officers, paragraph 14 of the Council’s Constitution, it states:

‘Where, in the opinion of the Chief Executive, by reason of limitation of time or urgency, a decision is required on any matter, after such consultation as they consider necessary (or as is required by the Council’s Budget and Policy Framework Procedure Rules in Part 4 of the Constitution), they shall have power to make a decision provided that any such decision shall be reported to the next meeting of the Cabinet, appropriate Committee or Council unless there is a need for confidentiality, in which case the reporting of the decision may be deferred until the need for confidentiality expires.’

On 12 June 2024, the Chief Executive exercised his urgency powers and made a decision to enable at public auction, to bid for and acquire, if successful, the freehold interest of a parcel of land and property known as Stourview Medical Centre in Haverhill.

The decision made at the time was exempt due to its commercial sensitivity; however, that exemption has now been lifted.

The decision taken was specifically:

1.       To approve for the Service Manager for Property to bid on behalf of the Council at public auction to acquire land and property at Stourview Medical Centre in Haverhill. The auction to take place at 2pm on Wednesday 12 June 2024 at Cheffins Auction House, Cambridge. The bidding to be carried out in person.

2.       Approve the purchase of the freehold interest of land and property at Stourview Medical Centre for a maximum of £305,000 (three hundred and five thousand pounds), excluding VAT, fees and Stamp Duty Land Tax, to be funded from the Investing in Growth fund.

3.       Establish a capital budget of £318,900 (three hundred and eighteen thousand, nine hundred) to be made available to facilitate the purchase, including fees and Stamp Duty Land Tax, to be funded from the Investing in Growth fund.

4.       Establish a capital budget of £50,000 (Fifty Thousand Pounds) to fund the cost of any immediate repairs and maintenance; and (any balance from the max bid price will also be made available if required for necessary works to relet).

5.       Establish a revenue budget of £15,000 (Fifteen Thousand Pounds), for the period of 1 year to cover the holding costs of the building, as detailed in the supporting business case.

6.       That should the purchase be made, the Council’s Section 151 Officer will make the necessary changes to the Council’s prudential indicators as a result of (2), (3), (4) and (5) above.

The decision was made in consultation with the Leader of the Council; Portfolio Holder for Resources; Haverhill ward members; Group Leaders; Scrutiny Chairs; the Monitoring Officer and Section 151 Officer.

For further details, see Officer Decision Record published here

Recommendation:

In accordance with the Constitution, Cabinet is requested to note the use of the Chief Executive’s urgency powers in respect of making the decision outlined above.