Meeting Details

Cabinet Members

Councillor Langdon Morris congratulated the finance team on their recent internal audit effective rating as noted at the September Audit and Governance Committee.

On the proposition of Councillor Candy, seconded by Councillor Daly it was

RESOLVED

 
That the Minutes of the meeting held on 3 September 2024 be agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Councillor Wilson, the Cabinet Member with responsibility for Economic Development and Transport introduced report ES/2110 which related to the Youth Employment Service project, aimed at young people aged 16 to 24 in East Suffolk.  The project provides job coaching, skills workshops, employer interactions, as well as access to other support services and programmes offered by the contracted provider (currently Inspire Suffolk). It is a vital support service for 16 – 24-year-olds who are NEET (Not in Employment, Education or Training) or are deemed at-risk of becoming NEET, that has grown in response to the increasingly more challenging needs of young people. From April 2024 onwards ESC has allocated UKSPF funding to the core Youth Employment Service and has secured additional funding from the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) to enhance the service for two years.

Councillor Langdon Morris asked for confirmation of the funding breakdown and queried whether there had been a conversation with the Section 151 Officer.  Councillor Wilson confirmed that it was a £420k project split equally over the 3 years, as outlined in Section 4.1 of the report.  The Head of Service confirmed that there had been a conversation with the Section 151 Officer about the programme and that it had been factored into the budget for 2025 onwards, adding it was funded from both East Suffolk Council and the Nuclear  Decommissioning Authority.

The Chair welcomed the project noting the huge skills shortage for young people across East Suffolk and how the project was vital in helping them start on their employment journey.

Councillor Byatt referred to the outcomes of the YES service, which currently stood at 52% and asked what more the YES service could do to improve their outcomes.  Councillor Wilson responded that 52% was quite a high success rate for the group of young people it supported.  The Head of Economic Development and Regeneration added that the procurement would review the lessons learned to date to ensure the continuous improvement of the service.

On the proposition of Councillor Wilson, seconded by Councillor Whitelock it was

RESOLVED

That Cabinet: 

1. Approved an additional revenue budget of £420k for a three-year extension from April 2025 to March 2028, of the core Youth Employment Service in East Suffolk and match the external funding secured from the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority.

2. Gave delegated authority to the Head of Economic Development and Regeneration, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Transport, to undertake the procurement to provide the Youth Employment Service from April 2025 to March 2028 and to award the contract to the successful bidder.

Councillor Wilson, the Cabinet Member with responsibility for Economic Development and Transport introduced report ES/2111 which related to the East Suffolk Town Development Programme.   The report set out the proposed new Towns Development Programme which aimed to deliver against the Council priority. It sets out the significant achievements to date in supporting the vitality of all the district’s town centres, highlights research to guide the new programme and identifies the key elements of the proposed, refreshed initiative. 

The report recognised the importance of the district's town centre’s for East Suffolk’s economy and communities. They operate as key service centres, employment hubs, entertainment clusters, visitor destinations and centres for health and wellbeing. The Council’s Strategic Plan recognises the importance of these centres for wider economic and community health and has committed to increasing the economic viability of the district’s towns. This is set against a backdrop of several ongoing challenges facing high streets such as the continued move to online shopping, the need to provide experiences in town centres and reducing the reliance on ‘bricks and mortar’ retail. The report recommended that Cabinet approved an additional revenue budget of £537k to support the delivery of the new East Suffolk Town Development Programme over the next three years from April 2025 to March 2028.

Councillor Langdon-Morris asked for the funding breakdown and confirmation of the conversation with the Section 151.  Councillor Wilson updated that prior to the project going live an extra £900k of external funding had been secured.  The Head of Economic Development and Regeneration confirmed that the discussion had been had with the Section 151 Officer, and the project had been budgeted for three years.

The Head of Economic Development and Regeneration added they had worked with the towns since 2019 and had developed a strong rapport with all key stakeholders to enable them to prioritise and access funding, offering them wide ranging support with both economic and community benefits. The programme is flexible and recognises that all towns are different with varied opportunities and challenges to address.

Councillor Langdon-Morris noted the Section 151 Officer comments that “If external funding does become available this will take precedence over using reserves.”  The Head of Economic Development and Regeneration responded that the external funding environment remained uncertain and they were awaiting the outcome of the Autumn statement, where it was rumoured there could be an extension to the UK Prosperity Fund, which if happened, could offset the East Suffolk budget.

Councillor Candy supported the project, she noted from the list of towns that many had parishes attached and asked how their comments would be included.  Councillor Wilson responded that the views of all 12 strategic towns had been considered.  The Head of Economic Development and Regeneration stated that to date they had not worked directly with Parishes, but there was an opportunity to do this via the Town Councils, which would widen the stakeholder group and enable their ambitions to be brought forward.

Councillor Whitelock completely supported the programme and recognised the important role town centres played.  The Chair concurred with the importance of the town centres, and commended the WIFI programme that had been rolled out, noting the movement of visitors around town centres that could be seen from the statistics shared.

Councillor Byatt asked if all 12 towns were taking part in the programme or were there some that needed further encouragement. The Head of Economic Development and Regeneration noted the different and individual needs of the towns, with some being more progressed and others at an earlier stage of the programme.  He confirmed that all towns had action plans and it was now about enabling them to take them forward.

Councillor Wilson had seen the team in action in Rendlesham and noted the support they had given to each town’s approach. Councillor Langdon-Morris supported the programme, referring to the Programme Support Officer in Framlingham and how Councillors had been able to delegate actions to that person.

Councillor Jepson, asked if the correct support was in place for the people working on the project as he had heard some concerns. The Head of Economic Development and Regeneration stated they worked with Felixstowe BID, and had provided additional support to BID, eg Love Felixstowe. BID had experienced their own challenges in terms of governance and structure.  However, in recent times the programme had provided a single point of contact approach which had helped to move issues forward.

On the proposition of Councillor Wilson, seconded by Councillor Whitelock it was 

RESOLVED

That Cabinet: 

1. Approved an additional revenue budget of £537k to support the delivery of the new East Suffolk town development programme over the next three years (April 2025 – March 2028)

Councillor Noble, the Cabinet Member with responsibility for the Environment gave her apologies for the meeting.  This item was presented by Councillor Daly, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Energy and Climate Change.

Councillor Daly, the Cabinet Member with responsibility for Energy and Climate Change introduced report ES/2112 which related to the consultation on the proposed revocation of the Suffolk Coast District Council Air Quality Management Area Order No. 3, 2014 located in Stratford St Andrew.  Councillor Daly read out the background to the report which referred to the introduction of the Local Air Quality Management regime introduced in 1995 and the need for Local authorities to declare an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) where any of the AQS objectives are exceeded and subsequently set out the measures they intend to put in place to secure compliance with the AQS objectives through an Air Quality Action Plan. Monitoring of the air pollutant nitrogen dioxide had commenced in 2011 on the A12 at Little Glemham, Farnham and Stratford St Andrew. Additional monitoring was undertaken on the A12 in Stratford St. Andrew which confirmed the exceedance at Long Row. All other locations monitored on the A12 were within the AQS objective. Monitoring has continued since then and the 2023 data confirmed the overall downward trend in concentrations within the AQMA and provides 4 years of data outside of 10% of the objective (<36μg/m3), noting the exceptions of Covid19 in 2020-21. Following DEFRA advice the following guidance was provided. “The Air Quality Action Plan for this AQMA is due to be updated, for which Defra have granted an extension until 31/12/24. Following confirmation of the 2023 results for this AQMA, the intention to proceed with the revocation process was accepted by the Steering Group on 30/04/24 and a revocation assessment report has been prepared. ESC must now either revoke this AQMA by 31/12/24 or provide an updated Air Quality Action Plan.”

Councillor Candy questioned, due to the volume of Sizewell traffic on the roads, whether monitoring should increase rather than be removed. Councillor Daly clarified that the revocation related to the DEFRA act only and air quality monitoring would continue at sites in Stratford St Andrew for the foreseeable future to ensure that any unexpected upwards trends in pollutants were responded to.

The Environmental Protection Officer confirmed that although the order would be removed, the diffusion tube monitoring equipment would remain in place and monitoring would continue to take place.  It was DEFRA who had confirmed the need for revocation.  They added that modelling as part of the Sizewell C has identified a potential slight increase in the early years when traffic flow is still passing, however it wouldn’t reach 40µg/m3 which was the Air Quality Strategy (AQS) objective.  The Chair clarified the difference between the monitoring equipment;- cubes and diffusion tubes, with the diffusion tubes monitoring  vehicle emissions rather than air born aggregate dust.

Councillor Candy asked if the Government were saying there wasn’t going to be any increase in poor emissions because of Sizewell C.  The Environmental Protection Officer confirmed they wouldn’t go into specifics, the standard is was 40µg/m3 and the levels fall below 10% of that so 36µg/m3 or below for a 3 year period, then you would have to look at revocation. They confirmed that the levels were there at a district and county level currently.

Councillor Whitelock suggested careful/sensitive handling of communications to the public making it clear that it wasn’t an East Suffolk Council choice, but something that was being done due to DEFRA expectations.  The air monitoring data should be regularly published on social media channels and a leaflet for every letter box along the affected stretch was requested/suggested. The Environmental Protection Team were reviewing what information they put out as they realise it wasn’t being found easily by the public.

Councillor Daly emphasised the importance of keeping on top of the impact from Sizewell C, as there would be lots more lorries, necessitating a review of where the lorries would be and monitoring of those pinch points. It was anticipated that 92% of the Sizewell fleet would be Euro 6 standard.

In response to a question from Councillor Candy, it was confirmed that the modelling that had taken place had added in all new traffic from NSIP developments.

The Environmental Protection Officer referred to East Suffolk Council’s Air Quality Strategy which was currently being reviewed and this would look at the air quality as a whole across the entire district, following the more targeted modelling the Air Quality Strategy would be updated. It was re-emphasised that no equipment would be removed, monitoring would continue and anything of concern would be identified.

Councillor Ashton noted that DEFRA’s resource needed to be focused on the highest priority areas, and if this was not in East Suffolk that was positive. There was still uncertainty regarding the impact of idling traffic near Yoxford as all lorries from North/South and Park and Ride buses would congregate at Yoxford. Councillor Ashton suggested the air quality data was published regularly via Social Media etc to demonstrate transparency and be open and honest.  He supported the recommendation but asked that monitoring and publicity happened quickly.  Councillor Daly clarified that the recommendation was to approve the commencement of a formal consultation.

In response to Councillor Langdon-Morris regarding real time monitoring of particulates across the District, the Chair confirmed that ESC had invested in the cubes so the data would be shared.

Councillor Byatt referred to the heavy transport and the timescales for completion of the bypass and the term short term and was pleased that particulates were being looked at as they were hidden dangers for all.  The Environmental Protection Officer confirmed that the timescales from the Steering Group for the bypass to be opened was end of 2026 and short term referred to the period from now until that point.

On the proposition of Councillor Daly, seconded by Councillor Wilson it was 

RESOLVED

That Cabinet: 

1. Approved commencement of formal consultation seeking views on revocation of the Suffolk Coastal District Council Air Quality Management Area Order No.3, 2014 located at Stratford St. Andrew 

2. Following the formal consultation, provided Delegated Authority to the Head of Environmental Services and Port Health, in consultation with the Cabinet Member with responsibility for the Environment, to consider consultation responses, liaise with Defra, and make the final decision with regard to the Revocation Order. 

Councillor Beavan, Cabinet Member with the responsibility for Housing introduced report ES/2115 relating to the Housing Regulation – Quarterly Update which was for information only.

The report provided an update to Members on housing regulation matters which led in May 2022 to a Regulatory Notice being published by the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) for a breach of the Home and Rent Standards. 

 East Suffolk Council had met with the Regulator of Social Housing on 26 June 2024 to discuss the removal of the Regulatory Notice.  East Suffolk Council believes it is now compliant with the Standards, which would hopefully lead to the removal of the Regulatory Notice later in the year.

 Councillor Beavan, reported good progress with the last 10% of the rent to pay back and congratulated the Head of Housing and her team for the work they had carried out in getting this far.

 On the proposition of Councillor Beavan, seconded by Councillor Candy it was 

 RESOLVED

That Cabinet:

1. Noted the information contained within this report and endorses the actions set out to ensure the Council is compliant with the Regulator of Social Housing Consumer ‘Safety and Quality Standard’

2. Noted the information contained within this report and endorses the actions set out to ensure the Council is compliant with the Regulator of Social Housing ‘Rent Standard’

3. Noted that the next quarterly update will be presented to January 2025’s Cabinet Meeting.