Meeting Details

There were no announcements.

On the proposition of Councillor Langdon-Morris, seconded by Councillor Daly it was unanimously

RESOLVED

 That the minutes of the meeting held on 31 March 2026, be agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair. 

Councillor Beavan Cabinet Member with responsibility for Housing introduced report ES-2783 which related to Independent Living – East Suffolk Service Review and Update.

The report reviewed how disabled facilities grants were delivered by the independent living East Suffolk service. The service was set up in 2020 to help residents apply for grants for essential adaptation works to enable them to live more safely and independently in their homes. The demand for the service was high and the report sought approval for several policy changes aimed at improving the efficiency of the service, allowing more residents to be helped as quickly as possible. These improvements will not only better support the needs of the aging population but also help reduce the pressure and costs for health and social care services.

Councillor Candy seconded the recommendations.

There was no debate.

Councillor Jepson queried if there was a risk of creating more demand than the service could provide for. Councillor Beavan responded that traditionally there was a lot of underspent money around the service and a push to get more cases. The concept of keeping people in their homes for longer saved money in other areas, therefore creating more demand was a positive. The Independent Living Manager responded it was hoped there would be an increase in enquiries. It was currently a reactive service, and there had not been the opportunity to operate pro-actively. There would be a slow approach to the pro-active work to gauge demand. Workload could be adjusted if the service became overwhelmed. The objective was for people to remain in their own homes to reduce the impact on social care services. Councillor Beavan added the new Renters Rights Act would provide additional securities for private sector tenants who might need additional support.

The Chair concluded that the Council wanted to give everybody the chance to remain in their homes as long as possible and to help people to age well.

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

RESOLVED

That Cabinet:

1. Adopted the attached Housing Assistance Policy – Disabled Adaptations as Council Policy under the Regulatory Reform Order (Housing Assistance) (England & Wales) 2002.

2. Approved the proposed re-structure and appointment of three additional members of staff: an Occupational Therapist (for a fixed term of 2 years), a Senior Case Officer and a Technical Officer. These additional posts to be funded from the Disabled Facility Grant budget with no impact on the General Fund.

3. Delegated authority to the Head of Housing, in consultation with the Cabinet Member with responsibility for Housing, to make minor amendments to the Housing Assistance Policy – Disabled Adaptations as required to ensure the best use of the Disabled Facilities budget as required. 

Councillor Daly, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Energy and Climate Change introduced report ES-2784 which related to East Suffolk Council’s Net Zero Plan.

Councillor Daly reported that responding to the climate emergency declaration and working towards net zero continued to be a key pillar of the council's strategic direction. As well as reducing emissions, the journey to net zero brought opportunities to improve energy efficiency, reduce energy bills, and even potentially generating revenue through renewable energy installations.

Progressing with the transition to net zero had benefits directly for East Suffolk Council and residents of the district but also fed into the wider goals across Suffolk, the UK and even considering global emission reductions.

As the need to react to environmental challenges continued, the net zero plan will play a significant role. It was designed as an overarching framework and focused on clear actions. Open, active and productive collaboration was required both internally and with key partner organisations. The recommendation was put forward with the aim of ensuring delivery on the ambition set out in ‘Our Direction 2028’ and also meeting Suffolk wide climate objectives.

Councillor Noble seconded the recommendations.

Councillor Langdon-Morris commented that the legislation was clear and well set out. Due to being part of the energy coastline, it was needed and aligned to ‘Our Direction’ Councillor Langdon-Morris congratulated the team.

Councillor Ashdown queried  how the current global situation could affect what East Suffolk was trying to achieve. Councillor Daly responded that it was an interesting time and agreed things could change quickly. He emphasised that as a Green administration it was important to stick to the plan. Councillor Daly felt there were huge benefits involved and it should be seen as investment into the future. He intended that 2030 became a feature of the new council structure.

Councillor Candy asked when the report would be given to Town and Parish Councils. Councillor Daly responded that it was a good point and they should be reaching out across the District. Councillor Daly referenced that the launch of the community energy work would be one aspect. 

Councillor Whitelock followed Councillor Candy adding that there could be a session on it at the Town Council conference. Councillor Whitelock stated it was very clear on what was needed and was a good summary.

Councillor Jepson added that it was an interesting paper with a huge amount of data included. The Councillor noted disappointment regarding the latest omissions decrease on p55. Councillor Jepson commented that there were a lot of action and wondered if they should be streamlined to be refocused and more concentrated. Councillor Daly responded that it was a complex area with interrelated actions impacting on each other. There were lots of actions which were relevant. Councillor Daly recognised they would have to prioritise and seek funding responding to technical changes.

The Chair encouraged everyone to look at their collective emissions.

Councillor Noble supported the paper and felt that addressing leisure centres had a big impact which would see a return. Councillor Noble commented that Town and Parish councils were looking to reduce their own emissions. It was hoped to convert the fleet vehicles to electric in the future. Councillor Noble felt the report was well thought out.

The Head of Environmental Services and Port Health added that it was a step change because there would never be smooth trajectory down. The team were working closely with all Heads of Service in the Council to improve the continued trajectory.

Councillor Ashdown commented that several years ago there had been a visit to Corby to look at what they were doing. It could be worth considering contacting them again to see if they could provide a presentation on their continued experience.

Councillor Graham commented that within the procurement process potential contractors are strongly encouraged to account for their own emissions and seek the lowest emission option in their activities. Councillor Graham queried the completion timeline of the Felixstowe Garden Neighbourhood leisure centre and if it would be operational by 2030.

Councillor Beavan responded that it was unlikely it would be completed and LGR would impact in terms of leisure provision. Officers would be working with on the existing provision to work to being as efficient as possible.

Councillor Whitelock added that leisure centres leak carbon and cost a significant amount of money to keep warm. Government grant funding had been obtained to support a significant amount of work which was underway.

Councillor Daly thanked the Council for being engaged and looking at this.

On the proposition of Councillor Daly, seconded by Councillor Noble it was unanimously

RESOLVED

That Cabinet:

 Approved the adoption of the Net Zero Plan as set out in Appendix A. 

Councillor Langdon-Morris introduced report ES-2785 which related to East Suffolk Social Value Policy. The purpose of the report was to present the new East Suffolk Social Value Policy to Cabinet for approval to use across the Council in its procurement, contract, commercial and grant activities.

Councillor Candy welcomed the policy and commented on social value and the wider benefit to the community. Councillor Langdon-Morris responded that a couple of years ago Councillor Byatt raised the importance of looking at social value, which was something Councillor Langdon-Morris had taken forward and had been continually looking at. The Councillor commented on the analysis of Green Light Trust’s social value – which was representing an £11 return for every £1 funded. There was software available to support social value return on investment in it's development stage.

Councillor Jepson added that it would be useful to have real examples of the wider benefits of social value, which could be shared with Councillors.

Councillor Noble stated  that the specific example of Green Light Trust was useful, however it would not be the same for every project as each was different.

Councillor Candy added that it would be good information for the new social champion to take with them in their work.

On the proposition of Councillor Langdon-Morris seconded by Councillor Candy it was unanimously

RESOLVED

That Cabinet:

 1. Noted the content of the policy and approves use across the Council in its procurement, contract, commercial and grant activities. 

Councillor Langdon-Morris introduced report ES-2786 which related to Suffolk Supply Chain Ethics Policy. The purpose of the report was to present the new East Suffolk Supply Chain Ethics Policy to Cabinet for approval for use in procurement and contract management activities.

Councillor Beavan commented that it would be good to have some more detail provided. Councillor Langdon-Morris responded that there were lots of moving parts to the overall procurement process. These initiatives would be able to be used in the future to compliment the unitary structure. The Leader add that it was a new policy which could be developed and strengthened. The Strategic Director noted the origin was in the Procurement Strategy from 2024 and a key part of that was the development of an ethical supply chain. Another key part of the procurement strategy was to try and make it easier for companies to work with East Suffer Council. The team working with Councillor Langdon-Morris had struck the right balance between making sure that companies are clearly not in breach of their legal obligations but also demonstrate that they take an ethical approach to the way that they work. 

Councillor Langdon-Morris commented that over the last two/three years he had noticed that they were picking up procurement services from other Councils which signified that processes were sound.

Councillor Jepson was surprised to see there were no risk implications and felt some care was needed to the potential risk of people slipping through the net. Councillor Topping responded that it was a new policy and there could be the opportunity to develop it. It would not be possible to foresee every possible outcome in the future; however it was a good first start.

Councillor Daly was happy to second the report and it began to look at the key areas, such as ethical conduct, human rights and labour practices.

On the proposition of Councillor Langdon-Morris, seconded by Councillor Daly it was unanimously

RESOLVED

That Cabinet:

1. Noted the content of the policy and approves use in procurement and contract management activities. 

On the proposition of Councillor Daly, seconded by Councillor Candy it was recommended that under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended) the public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 & 4 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.