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TO RECEIVE NOTIFICATION OF PETITIONS IN ACCORDANCE WITH COUNCIL PROCEDURE RULE NO. 13
In accordance with Council Procedure Rule No. 13, the Chief Executive will report the receipt of a petition as detailed below. There can be no debate or comment upon this matter at the Council meeting.
Application No. B/11/01469/FUL – Change of use from shop (Class A1) to hot food take-away with seating area to enable consumption of food on the premises (Classes A3 and A5) with internal/external alterations and installation of extraction equipment, 117 Bures Road, Great Cornard.
Petition signed by approximately 94 residents of Babergh opposing the planning application on grounds of the impact to the local environment, road safety, pollution and amenity.
Subsequent to the receipt of the petition, the planning application was withdrawn by the applicant.
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Paper
L123
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6
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RECOMMENDATIONS AND REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES
Strategic and Financial Planning – Budget Options (Strategy Committee Minute No 81(a))
(a) Strategic and Financial Planning – Budget Options
Mr N A Ridley, Chairman of the Strategic and Financial Planning Task Group, introduced Paper L123, which set out the latest assessment of the Council’s anticipated financial position for the next three years and the savings which are likely to be required, together with the Task Group’s three Budget Options for 2012/13. The Strategy Committee also had regard to Paper L119, considered by the Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committees on 13 December 2011.
Members noted the Task Group’s recommendation in paragraph 2 of Paper L123, asking the Committee to endorse Budget Option 2 and make an appropriate recommendation to the additional Council meeting on 26 January. Both Mr Ridley and the Director of Finance confirmed that any of the Options considered by the Task Group were seen as acceptable.
Ms J A Jenkins, Chairman of the Strategy Committee, then asked Members to consider an amended set of recommendations (subsequently numbered as Paper L123R) which were circulated at the meeting, proposed and seconded. Ms Jenkins explained that the alternative recommendations reflected views that had been expressed by a number of Members since the Task Group’s report had been circulated. Members noted that the revised recommendations largely reflected Option 1 as considered by the Task Group and shown in Appendix B to Paper L123.
During the course of the ensuing debate, the Chairman of the Strategic and Financial Planning Task Group indicated his support for the revisions, which were generally welcomed by the Committee.
RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL
(1) That the key aspects of Budget Option 1 for the 2012/13 financial year, as set out and described in Paper L123 be endorsed to reflect:
- The very substantial Integration, transformation and other savings and income generation proposals of £1m summarised in Appendix B and further referred to in Paper L123, and Paper L119 which was considered by the Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committees on 13 December 2011
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A Council Tax increase of 3.5% to provide a degree of financial sustainability in future years instead of accepting the Government’s one-off Council Tax Freeze grant
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The retention of free parking for up to 3 hours in Sudbury and Hadleigh but there being an increase in the long-stay charge from £1.50 to £2.
(2) That, in addition, further savings and income of £40k relating to public conveniences and the brown bin scheme (as reflected in Budget Option 2) be also incorporated in the 2012/13 Budget and also that:
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The further reduction in community grants of £30k is deleted, with a full strategic review of the community grants budget in 2012/13 by the Overview and Scrutiny (Community Services) Committee, having regard to the information attached in Appendix D to Paper L123.
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The remaining Budget shortfall, estimated at £134k, is funded by the limited temporary use of the New Homes Bonus and/or the additional use of reserves
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The remaining New Homes Bonus is used to support economic growth and the vitality of market towns, jobs, new homes and investing in achieving long-term savings, as set out and described in section 8.9 of Paper L123
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The reserves strategy, as also outlined in Paper L119, adjusted as necessary by the above proposals is approved.
(3) That, in terms of the significant financial challenge facing the Council over the next 3 years, the following approaches be adopted:-
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Vigorously pursue the programme of service integration and transformation with Mid Suffolk District Council to achieve annual savings of at least £1m by the end of 2014/15, recognising that this involves significant staff reductions, and
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Continue to constructively engage with local communities, particularly Town Councils, on how they can contribute to the transformation of services in order to assist in meeting the budget shortfall of around £1.3m that still has to be found by end of 2014/15.
In connection with the above recommendations, Members may want to refer to Paper L119, which was considered by the Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committees on the 13 December 2011. Members should also note the document received from Sudbury Town Council in relation to proposals for car parking, which can be accessed via the following link:-
Letter from the Mayor of Sudbury
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Note: Members having questions of detail on the Strategy Committee recommendations on Paper L123 are asked to contact Barry Hunter – 01473 825819 in advance of the Council meeting. |
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