Agenda item

Report No: COU/FH/17/026

Following the June meeting of Forest Heath District Council at which the draft proposals to form a single Council for West Suffolk were agreed, a period of public engagement was undertaken which concluded strong support from residents and stakeholders towards the proposals.

Henceforth, the Leader presented this report which set out the final business case, amended in response to the public engagement and the work of the Future Governance Steering Group, and sought approval to the proposal to form a single Council for West Suffolk.

The Leader spoke in support of the proposal which he considered to be the natural ‘next step’ for Forest Heath following the successful years of working in partnership with St Edmundsbury Borough Council. He highlighted what a great opportunity this proposal gave West Suffolk in shaping its own future and creating a greater democratic voice for its residents.

The Leader also gave thanks to those Members who sat on the Future Governance Steering Group for all their efforts and input, and moved that the final business case be approved and this was duly seconded by Councillor Andy Drummond.

Prior to opening the debate the Chairman reminded the meeting that the business case, if approved, would be submitted to the Secretary of State for determination. 

Furthermore, Members were reminded that an extraordinary meeting of Forest Heath Council had been arranged for 18 October 2017 at which the detailed arrangements for a single council would be discussed, if approved.

The Deputy Leader along with Councillors Lance Stanbury, Stephen Edwards and Colin Noble all spoke strongly in support of the proposal.

Councillor Andy Drummond also echoed the support but asked that the photograph on Page 15 of the Business Case (attached as Appendix 2 to Report No COU/FH/17/026) be replaced with an alternative, as the company it depicted (GE Aviation, Newmarket) was no longer in operation.

Councillors David Bowman and Ruth Allen similarly spoke in support whilst also making reference to the importance of public engagement and communication.  Councillor Bowman voiced disappointment that no public were in attendance.

Councillor Peter Ridgwell questioned the need for the Mildenhall Hub development in light of the single council proposal which he considered to be in conflict.  The Leader responded at length and clarified that the Mildenhall Hub scheme was a much needed community facility for Mildenhall and the surrounding area.  It would include a new leisure centre, a swimming pool and a new high school amongst other facilities – it was not simply a replacement for the District Offices.  Accordingly, the project was still planned for delivery if the single council proposal was approved.

The Chairman then addressed the meeting in her capacity as Chairman of the Future Governance Steering Group and highlighted the work that the Group had undertaken.  She spoke in support of the proposal which she considered would bring about significant benefits and opportunities.

Prior to the vote being taking on the motion for approval the Leader requested a recorded vote and this was supported by five other Members, in line with the Council’s Procedure Rules.

Upon being put to the vote Members voted as follows:

With 25 voting for the motion and with 1 against, it was

RESOLVED:

That the final business case for a single council for West Suffolk, attached as Appendix 2 of Report No COU/FH/17/026, be approved for submission to the Secretary of State for Local Government.

The Chairman reminded all present that immediately following the meeting of Council there would be an extraordinary meeting of the Cabinet at which the decision made by Council would seek Executive ratification prior to submission.