The West Suffolk Housing Strategy is due to be reviewed in 2018.  Through the review of the Housing Strategy, there will be the opportunity to reflect priorities, actions and projects set out in the recently adopted Strategic Plan 2018-2020.  Furthermore, there are a number of additional changes to housing legislation that will be reflected in the Housing Strategy.

The draft Strategy will have previously been considered by the FHDC and SEBC Overview and Scrutiny Committees.

The Cabinet will be asked to consider and recommend to Council, a business case for additional car parking provision in Bury St Edmunds, in accordance with the aspirations set out in the Bury St Edmunds Town Centre Masterplan. 

West Suffolk’s Housing Strategy 2014 is due to be reviewed in 2018.  Through the review of the Housing Strategy, the opportunity to reflect priorities, actions and projects set out in the recently adopted West Suffolk Strategic Framework 2018-2020 will be taken.  Furthermore, there are a number of additional duties and fundamental changes to housing legislation that will be reflected in the Housing Strategy.

The draft Strategy will have previously been considered by the FHDC and SEBC Overview and Scrutiny Committees.

The Homelessness Act 2002 requires all councils to review and produce a new Homelessness Strategy at least every five years.  A review of the existing Strategy is due in 2018.

In addition to this, the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 comes into force in April 2018 and there are a number of fundamental changes to legislation and additional duties that will need to be reflected in a new Homelessness Strategy for West Suffolk.

The draft Strategy will have previously been considered by the FHDC and SEBC Overview and Scrutiny Committees.

The Cabinet may be asked to consider further recommendations of the Performance and Audit Scrutiny Committee for recommending to Council on proposals for achieving a sustainable budget in 2018/2019.

The  Homelessness  Act 2002 requires all councils to review and produce a new homelessness strategy at least every five years.  A review of the existing strategy is due in 2018.

In addition to this, the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 comes into force in April 2018 and there are a number of fundamental changes to legislation and additional duties that will need to be reflected in a new Homelessness Reduction Strategy for West Suffolk, which the Cabinet will be asked to consider and adopt.

The draft Strategy will have previously been considered by the FHDC and SEBC Overview and Scrutiny Committees.

The Cabinet will be asked to consider a business case for a preferred option for the future use of 17-18 Cornhill, Bury St Edmunds.

Under the Housing and Planning Act 2016, local authorities have been given new powers to impose civil sanctions as an alternative to prosecution for certain housing offences.  The Cabinet will be asked to consider and approve a new civil sanctions policy following an engagement exercise in order to implement these new powers.  The Cabinet will also be asked to recommend to Council approval of new delegations to officers so that they can use the new powers. This policy has been jointly produced with Forest Heath District Council.

As part of the consideration of the budget papers, recommendations from which will be forwarded to Council, the Cabinet will be asked to consider plans for Suffolk-wide pilot scheme for the retention of 100% business rates in 2018/2019, which had previously been agreed to progress under Officer delegated authority.  This will also be considered by St Edmundsbury Borough Council’s Cabinet.

As part of consideration of the budget papers, recommendations from which will be forwarded to Council, the Cabinet will be asked to consider plans for Suffolk-wide pilot scheme for the retention of 100% business rates in 2018/2019, which had previously been agreed to progress under officer delegated authority.  This will also be considered by Forest Heath District Council’s Cabinet.

The Cabinet will be asked to consider and approve the revised West Suffolk councils’ Lettings Policy (based on the joint policy agreed by the Cambridge Housing Sub-Regional Partnership).  This will also be considered by Forest Heath District Council’s Cabinet.

The draft Policy will have previously been considered by the FHDC and SEBC Overview and Scrutiny Committees.

The Cabinet will be asked to consider writing-off outstanding debts, as detailed in the exempt appendices.

The Cabinet will be asked to recommend to full Council the approval of the Treasury Management and Investment Strategy 2018/2019 and Treasury Management Code of Practice, which must be undertaken before the start of each financial year.

The Cabinet will be asked to consider the proposals for the 2018/2019 budget and Medium Term Financial Strategy, prior to its approval by full Council. This report includes the Minimum Revenues Provision (MRP) Policy and Prudential Indicators.

The Cabinet will be asked to recommend to Council, approval of an overarching strategy for facilitating growth and investment by the West Suffolk councils, which has been developed to correlate with the new West Suffolk Strategic Framework 2018-2020 and following approval of the previously agreed Investment Principles.

The Cabinet will be asked to consider a detailed proposal for investment in the Council owned leisure facilities at Haverhill to deliver a revenue saving to the Council and enhanced user experience.

The Cabinet will be asked to consider the recommendations of the Performance and Audit Scrutiny Committee regarding the seeking of approval for the Treasury Management Report 2017-2018 which summarised the investment activity for the period 1 April to 31 December 2017.

The Cabinet will be asked to consider the proposals for the 2018/2019 budget and Medium Term Financial Strategy, prior to its approval by Council.  This report includes the Minimum Revenues Provision (MRP) Policy and Prudential Indicators.

The Cabinet will be asked to recommend to Council the approval of the Treasury Management and Investment Strategy 2018/2019, which must be undertaken before the start of each financial year.

The Cabinet will be asked to recommend to Council, the approval of the Treasury Management Report 2017-2018 which summarised the investment activity for the period 1 April to 31 December 2017.

The Cabinet will be asked to recommend to Council, approval of an overarching strategy for the facilitation of growth and investment by the West Suffolk Councils, which has been developed to correlate with the new emerging West Suffolk Strategic Plan 2018-2020 and following approval of the previously agreed Investment Principles.

The Cabinet will consider an outline business case, including recommendations to Council, in relation to the Western Way Development Programme.  A separate proposal (which integrates with this paper) regarding the potential investment in renewable energy schemes may also be considered at this time. 

The Cabinet will be asked to consider the recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee in respect of seeking approval of a West Suffolk Information Framework, which has been jointly produced with Forest Heath District Council. A supporting ICT Strategy will be developed later which will propose a Technology approach and architecture to support the Information Framework.