Decisions

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

Resolved:

That the write-off of the amounts detailed in the exempt appendices to Report number: CAB/WS/23/015, be approved, as follows:

1.       Exempt Appendix 1: Council Tax totalling £14,079.44

2.       Exempt Appendix 2: NNDR totalling £87,969.26

Cabinet will consider the latest information from the Western Way project and determine whether it meets the gateway tests approved by Council in December 2022 so that it can proceed to the formal second stage of tendering. 

Resolved:

That:

1.       subject to completion of heads of terms with Suffolk County Council for their elements of the phase 1 scheme, it be agreed that the Western Way project proceeds to second stage tendering, and its final gateway test, on the basis that all of the financial tests and safeguards required by Council in December 2022 are still capable of being met; and

2.       the final budget for the phase 1 Western Way scheme and for interim works to the remainder of the site, including enabling works, remain as agreed by Council in December 2022.

The Cabinet will be asked to consider and approve West Suffolk Council Food Safety and Health and Safety Service Plans 2023 to 2024.

Food Safety

This plan covers all areas of food law that West Suffolk Council has a duty to enforce and sets out how West Suffolk Council intends to deliver official controls within its area.

The Food Law Code of Practice states that each competent authority must have an up-to-date, documented food service plan which is readily available to food business operators and consumers.

Health and Safety

The Commercial Environmental Health (CEH) team within the Environmental Health service works in partnership with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), other local authorities, private businesses and with other internal services where appropriate to regulate statutory health and safety provisions and to provide enforcement, education, guidance, and emergency intervention to ensure the health and safety of employees and other persons. This service plan therefore covers the work of the council as a regulator for certain health and safety activities.

Resolved:

That the Food Safety and Health and Safety Service plan 2023 to 2024, as contained in Appendix A to Report number: CAB/WS/23/016, be approved.

In accordance with the attached Officer Decision Record, the Director (Resources and Property), in consultation with the Portfolio Holders for Resources and Property and Growth, has made a decision on the implementation of the Alternative Fuel Payment following the allocation of funding from Government.

Delegation has been given to the Director for Resources and Property, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Resources and Property, to implement in full the Alternative Fuel Payments – (Alternative Fund).

This power is being exercised through this decision in order to develop an Alternative Fuel Payments (Alternative Fund) scheme in West Suffolk through which grants will be paid to eligible residents.

Details of the scheme are contained in the attached Officer Decision Record.

The Portfolio Holder for Growth will be asked to approve the provision of a one off £30,000 grant to Discover Newmarket, from the existing Economic Development grants budget, on the condition that the grant is used to pay off their historic loan with West Suffolk Council (for the same sum).

Resolved:

That the provision of a one off £30,000 grant to Discover Newmarket, from the existing Economic Development grants budget, on the condition that the grant is used to pay off their existing loan to West Suffolk Council be approved (for the same sum – monies will not physically exchange hands).

The Portfolio Holder for Planning will be asked to approve the draft Statement of Common Ground to be completed between Sunnica and the four affected local authorities, being West Suffolk Council, Suffolk County Council, East Cambridgeshire District Council and Cambridgeshire County Council.

The Statement of Common Ground will identify the matters which are agreed between the parties, matters currently the subject of negotiation and those matters that are not agreed.

Resolved:

That

1.       The draft Statement of Common Ground (SoCG) be approved (A draft of which is included at Appendix 1 to Report number CAB/WS/23/012).

2.       The Director (Planning and Growth), in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning, be authorised to make amendments to the draft Statement of Common Ground, prior to its submission into the Examination by the required deadline of 13 March 2023.

The Portfolio Holder for Planning will be asked to consider approving a new masterplan for a site north of Red Lodge, which has been subject to public consultation.

Resolved:

The Red Lodge North Masterplan be adopted as planning guidance, as contained in Appendix 1 to Report number CAB/WS/23/013.