Agenda item

Report No: OAS/FH/18/014

The Chief Executive, Ian Gallin presented Report No: OAS/FH/18/014 on behalf of the Leader of the Council, which outlined the draft West Suffolk Annual Report (2017-2018) which had been written as a joint West Suffolk document and was before the Overview and Scrutiny Committee for their comments.

The draft West Suffolk Annual Report (Appendix A) highlighted the key activities and developments that had been achieved over the financial year 2017-2018, with regard to the priorities set out in the West Suffolk Strategic Plan.  The draft report contained a number of case studies and examples from West Suffolk to illustrate the achievements described.  Following a decision by Portfolio Holders, this year’s annual report would be designed typeset document.

The report also included responses to specific key questions identified by scrutiny members on areas they wished to be appraised on during the annual presentation to the Committee on the Annual Report. 

Members examined the document and did not suggest any amendments to be made to the draft Annual Report.

However, the Committee did ask follow-up questions relating to Barley Homes.  Members were informed that it had been agreed to continue progressing the three committed sites and those coming through the pipeline.  An application had been submitted for the Town Hall site and a revised business plan would be coming to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee later in the year.

The Committee also discussed delivering growth; what was going on nationally with a number of large retail shops restructuring or closing down; deterring anti-social behaviour and the poor appearance of buildings, and questioned what the council could do to help retail shops locally. 

In response members were informed the council was working on its Asset Management Strategy and Asset Management Plan.  It was also working with the Bid in Bury St Edmunds, Newmarket and Haverhill.  West Suffolk did not have a significant issue with empty retail properties. However, there was a campaign in Haverhill to make vacant properties less attractive to deter anti-social behaviour. 

The Chief Executive thanked the Overview and Scrutiny Committee for scrutinising the draft Annual Report. 

It was then proposed by Councillor Rona Burt, seconded by Councillor Nigel Roman and with the vote being unanimous, it was:

          RECOMMENDED

That the Draft West Suffolk Annual Report 2017-2018, as attached at Appendix A to Report No: OAS/FH/18/014 be approved, subject to comments made during the meeting.