Agenda item

Paper number: COU/WS/21/001

Council Procedure Rules 8.1 to 8.3. The Leader will submit a report (the Leader’s Statement) summarising important developments and activities since the preceding meeting of the council.

Members may ask the Leader questions on the content of both his introductory remarks and the written statement itself.

A total of 30 minutes will be allowed for questions and responses. There will be a limit of five minutes for each question to be asked and answered. A supplementary question arising from the reply may be asked so long as the five minute limit is not exceeded.

Councillor John Griffiths, Leader of the Council, presented his Leader’s statement as outlined in paper number: COU/WS/21/001.

In his introductory remarks:

a.       Councillor Jim Meikle: In addition to the tribute message that had previously been circulated to members, and the letter of condolence that had been sent to his family, Councillor Griffiths paid further tribute to the late Councillor Meikle.

b.       Thanks: Councillor Griffiths once again placed his thanks on record to all staff and members of West Suffolk Council for their sterling work over the past year. He specifically acknowledged their exemplary efforts for supporting businesses and communities during the Covid-19 crisis, while continuing to deliver services.

c.       Covid-19: Councillor Griffiths highlighted West Suffolk’s role within the Covid-19 vaccination and testing programme, including that a site in Brandon was now being utilised as a testing centre. The Council was continuing to support vulnerable persons through the Home But Not Alone initiative and individual ward members were heavily involved in local initiatives to support those in need within respective wards. Councillor Griffiths then provided a synopsis of the financial support provided to eligible local businesses from the various Government business support grants that were currently being administered by the Council.

d.       Budget: Councillor Griffiths drew attention to the budget for 2021 to 2022 and the proposed plans for the medium term, which was due to be considered later in the agenda. With partners, the Council would support recovery from the impacts of Covid-19 in West Suffolk, including taking the recent decision to again defer the implementation of the previously approved increases to car parking charges that had originally been due to take effect from 1 April 2020. Members were however, mindful that the Council needed to generate much needed income to provide vital services and ensure that West Suffolk continued to remain an attractive place to live, work and visit. He paid tribute to officers and members for the enormous amount of work involved in achieving a balanced budget for 2021 to 2022, particularly in such difficult and challenging times.

e.       Environment: Councillor Griffiths reported on the grants recently secured for West Suffolk which, working with partners, would assist local householders in making energy efficiency measures.

(In the interests of maintaining openness and transparency, Councillor Paul Hopfensperger wished to declare that he was a small business owner in Bury St Edmunds as his question related to a matter in connection with this.)

The Leader responded to the following question from Councillor Paul Hopfensperger relating to:

a.       Brexit support: Whether anything was being done by West Suffolk Council to highlight to Government the issues, challenges and difficulties faced by small businesses following the UK’s exit from the European Union. Councillor Griffiths stated that the Council’s Economic Development team were working with, amongst others, partners in the Chamber of Commerce, the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership and Suffolk Public Sector Leaders regarding this issue. He referred the matter to Councillor Susan Glossop, Portfolio Holder for Growth who reiterated Councillor Griffiths’ statement regarding the support that was being given to small businesses; however, a written reply with further detail would be provided to Councillor Paul Hopfensperger’s question and circulated to all members.

No further questions were asked.