Meeting Details

Vice Chair of the Council, Councillor John Fisher, sought nominations for the Chair of the Council for the 2026/27 Municipal Year.

On the proposition of Councillor Topping, seconded by Councillor Daly, Councillor Dr Speca was nominated as Chair of the Council. There being no further nominations, it was

RESOLVED

That Councillor Speca be elected as Chair of East Suffolk Council for the 2026/27 Municipal Year. The newly elected Chair then signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office form and was duly invested with the Ribbon of Office 

Councillor Dr Speca took the opportunity to thank Members for trusting him with the position of Chair for another year and stated he would continue to serve in the same manner that Members had come to expect. The Chair added that all who wish to speak would have the opportunity to do so. No motions or procedural tactics would be used to prevent members from contributing. The opposition would be treated with the same respect as the administration, enabling them to fulfil their vital role.

Councillor Dr Speca concluded that he would also continue to be an active Chair, promoting democracy across East Suffolk.

Councillor Speca, newly elected Chair of the Council, sought nominations for the Vice Chair of the Council for the 2026/27 Municipal Year.

On the proposition of Councillor Byatt seconded by Councillor Topping, Councillor Pitchers was nominated as the Vice Chair of the Council. There being no further nominations, it was 

RESVOLED 

That Councillor Pitchers be elected as Vice Chair of East Suffolk Council for the 2026/27 Municipal Year. The newly elected Vice Chair then signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office form and was duly invested with the Ribbon of Office.

The Chair thanked Councillor Fisher for his work as Vice Chair. Councillor Fisher thanked members for the honour of representing the Council over the previous three Municipal Years. Councillor Fisher thanked the Officers who provided support to him in his Vice Chair role and welcomed Councillor Pitchers in his tenure as the new Vice Chair.

 Councillor Pitchers thanked members for voting for him and was looking forward to taking on the role of Vice Chair. 

The Leader: The Leader made no announcements.


Cabinet Members: Councillor Daly discussed the Community Energy Programme launch at East Suffolk House that was scheduled for 29 May 5:30pm to 8:30pm and encouraged members to attend and promote within their networks. 

Councillor Daly also referenced the recent Staff Awards where The Energy Team was awarded Team Of The Year along with two commendations including Rising Star. 

Councillor Ashton advised that the East Suffolk Council mobile app had been launched, with over 10k downloads. It would enable better communication between council and residents. There would be the opportunity for feedback and there would be tweaks made to elements of the app's functionality. Councillor Ashton had high hopes for the success of the app, thanking Officers involved in the project delivery. Councillor Ashton encouraged Members to promote the app with their residents. 

Councillor Whitelock reported on the review of the community partnerships for 2025 / 2026 which had been sent to Councillors. Councillor Whitelock referenced highlights from the review, which detailed that around 500 people attended Community Partnership meetings and there had been £2.57 match funding for every £1 secured via CP funding. There was also 8,584 volunteering hours linked to Community Partnership funded projects. Councillor Whitelock encouraged Members to read the review and thanked all who attended and are involved in Community Partnerships. 

The Chief Executive: Discussed the recent annual Staff Awards where seven awards were given out to the following officers:  

Team Award: Winner: Energy Projects Team

Improvement and Innovation Award: Winner: Regulatory Compliance Team

Outstanding Leadership Award: Winner: Ann Parker

Attitude Award: Winner: Tracey Cotterell

Rising Star Award: Winner: Keira Saunders

Advocate Award: Winner: Daniel Wareing

Outstanding Initiative or Project Award: Winner: Sue Medley

The Overall Winner was Tracey Cotterell.

The Chief Executive mentioned a number of nominated officers who were also commended. The awards were a great opportunity to award everyday excellence to staff.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Mallinder, Lawson and Rumble.

Since the last Full Council meeting the Chair for 2025/26 attended:

East Suffolk Youth Council meeting at East Suffolk House on 21 April 2026.

Councillor Fisher attended the following events since the last Full Council meeting:

Waveney Light Opera’s performance of ‘Big Fish’ at Beccles Public Hall on 22 April 2026.

Mayor of Ipswich’s Guided Walk round Ipswich followed by a curry on 10 May 2026.

On the proposition of Councillor Topping seconded by Councillor Jepson it was unanimously

RESOLVED 

 
That the minutes of the meeting held on 25 March 2026, be agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.  

The Leader introduced report ES-2802 which related to the Political Balance and allocation of seats on Committees for the remainder of the 2026/27 Municipal Year.

Membership of the Committees and Sub-Committees of East Suffolk Council was determined under the terms of the Local Government (Committees and Political Groups) Regulations 1990. The Regulations ensure that seats on Committees and Sub-Committees were allocated on a politically proportionate basis.

The report detailed the total number of seats broken down by Committee.  The Monitoring Officer had undertaken the necessary calculations to apportion the seats to meet the requirements of the Regulations. The proposed apportioning was detailed within the appendix to the published report.   The Group Leaders had put forward their nominations to the Committees which were shown at Appendix A.

Councillor Topping referenced that Councillor Beavan was on Planning Committee North, not Councillor Graham as was published in the report in error.

Councillor Topping thanked all Members who had taken seats on the Committee places available.

On the proposition of Councillor Topping seconded by Councillor Ashton, it was unanimously

RESOLVED

That Full Council approved: 

1. That, with effect from 18 May 2026, to meet statutory requirements, seats on Committees of the Council be allocated in accordance with the contents of this report and Appendix A.

2. That the Leader be granted Delegated Authority to make any necessary changes to the membership of the Committees for the remainder of the 2026/27 Municipal Year, in consultation with the other Group Leaders.

The Leader introduced report ES-2803 which related to Appointments to Working Groups for 2026/27.

Working Groups were set up to examine specific issues in-depth prior to recommendations being put forward to the relevant decision-making body.  

The Council appointed to a number of Working Groups each year as part of its corporate governance framework and in support of the democratic process and decision-making arrangements.  The Working Groups had clear terms of reference outlining their roles, responsibilities and reporting mechanisms, thereby increasing openness, transparency and making the best use of resources.

Following nominations received from Group Leaders, and following discussion between Group Leaders, Appendix A to the report was presented to members for consideration.

On the proposition of Councillor Topping seconded by Councillor Ashton, it was unanimously 

RESOLVED

1. That the membership of Working Groups for the 2026/27 Municipal Year, as agreed by the Political Group Leaders and detailed at Appendix A, be appointed. 
 
2. That the Leader of the Council be granted Delegated Authority to make any necessary changes to the membership of the Working Groups for the remainder of the 2026/27 Municipal Year, in consultation with the other Group Leaders.

The Leader introduced report ES-2804 which related to Appointments to Outside Bodies for 2026/27 (Non-Executive)

The Council appointed annually to a wide range of diverse outside bodies; some appointments were made because of a statutory requirement to appoint one or more members to them; most appointments are discretionary taking into consideration how representation adds value.  Appointment of Members provided support to the organisation concerned and enabled members to fulfil their community leadership roles.  Members appointed were able to work with and alongside local community groups, helping to empower them in terms of addressing local issues and delivering sustainable solutions.

Following nominations received from Group Leaders, and following discussion between Group Leaders, Appendix A to the report was presented to Members for consideration.    

The Leader made some amendments. There was a vacancy on the Broads Authority and the Broadland Futures Initiative Elected Members Forum. There was an East Suffolk and Northeast Suffolk Disabilities advice service, Councillor Folley would be the representative for the 2026 / 2027 Municipal Year. The Leader thanked Councillor Thompson for representing East Suffolk on both forums. Councillor Thompson would continue to attend the Southern Disability Forum, and Councillor Folley would be attending the Northern one. 

Councillor Ashton acknowledged the care and attention the Leader took when looking at appointments to Outside Bodies. Whilst political balance is a factor, the Leader - in conversation with the other group leaders - puts a lot of work into utilising the best skills across all Members in attending the various groups. Councillor Ashton supported the work the Leader had done.  

Councillor Byatt commented that he understood a Member of Planning Committee should take the place on the Broads Authority and queried if there could be a timetable of reports coming from Outside Bodies to Full Council. Councillor Byatt asked if a record of attendance to Outside Bodies could be kept and if substitutes could be permitted. 

The Leader responded that the Broads Authority Member would be a Member of Planning Committee North, but if they couldn't fill that role, then another Member could attend. The Leader stated that updates could be provided to the Democratic Services Team. The Leader concluded that she believed substitutes could be permitted. The Chair added that from a constitutional perspective there was no reason why a substitute would not be permitted. Convention would dictate that the Leader be made aware when substitutions were made.   

Councillor Jepson queried if there could be a record of attendance at Outside Body meetings. The Leader responded that she thought it would be challenging to achieve an ongoing register of attendance at the various meetings and groups. The Chair added that as Outside Bodies were not part of statutory attendance requirements for Councillors, there would not be a constitutional reason to enforce attendance on to Members. 

On the proposition of Councillor Topping seconded by Councillor Ashton, it was unanimously

RESOLVED

That Full Council approved:

1. That Councillors be appointed to those Outside Bodies (Non-Executive) listed in Appendix A for the 2026/27 Municipal Year.

2. That the Leader of the Council be authorised to fill any outstanding vacancies left unfilled by Council.

 3. That the Leader be granted delegated authority to make any necessary changes to the membership of the Outside Bodies for the remainder of the 2026/27 Municipal Year, in consultation with the other Group Leaders. 

The Leader introduced report ES-2805 which related to Local Government Reorganisation - establishment of (Voluntary) Joint Committees.

On the 25 March 2026, the Government announced its decision to implement the three unitary proposals for Suffolk with the creation of Central and East Suffolk, Ipswich and South Suffolk and West Suffolk which will come into effect from 1 April 2028.

To enable the implementation of the three unitary authorities a Structural Changes Order (“SCO”) will be laid before Parliament during 2026. The SCO would include provision for three joint committees to be established to prepare for implementation of the new authorities. As the joint committees could not legally come into force until the SCO had been enacted, the Government had encouraged Suffolk councils to enter into voluntary joint committee arrangements as soon as practicable to progress with the local government reorganisation.

It was proposed that the voluntary joint committees would be established with immediate effect and will meet on a date to be arranged once membership had been confirmed. The membership of the joint committees would be determined by the Secretary of State with authority delegated to the Leader of the Council to appoint members to the joint committees.

Councillor Daly queried the process if one party did not wish to engage or be a part of the arrangement. Councillor Topping responded that at the present time everything was moving ahead as scheduled and it remained a government objective, and the Leader believed it was only the government who could stop the process. 

Councillor Fisher queried what the difference was between the two recommendations apart from including different people. The Leader responded that recommendation one was for the Ipswich and Southern Unitary and the second was for Eastern and Central Suffolk Unitaries. 

Councillor Byatt queried if there was any indication of political proportionality. The Leader responded that there did not have to be political proportionality at the present time. The Southern Committee would have one Member from East Suffolk, the Eastern and Central would have two members.

Councillor Jepson noted that there had been a great deal of work regarding the item, briefings had taken place and the purpose of the paper was understood.  

Councillor Topping added that a huge amount of work had taken place and whilst many may have wanted to keep East Suffolk as it was, it was clear that government had LGR on their agenda and there was a need to be a part of shaping it. The Leader was delighted the government had chosen the three unitary option. The Leader thanked all members who had inputted and been part of the LGR Working Group as well. There had been an LGR Working Group meeting earlier that day, where the matter had been discussed in detail. 

On the proposition of Councillor Topping seconded by Councillor Ashton, it was unanimously

RESOLVED

That Full Council:

1. Established a Joint Committee with Ipswich Borough Council, Babergh District Council, Mid Suffolk District Council and Suffolk County Council effective immediately, that shall be constituted and established under the provisions of Section 101(5) (arrangements for discharge of functions by local authorities) of the Local Government Act 1972 and in accordance with ESC’s Constitution.

 
2. Established a Joint Committee with Mid Suffolk Council and Suffolk County Council effective immediately, that shall be constituted and established under the provisions of Section 101(5) (arrangements for discharge of functions by local authorities) of the Local Government Act 1972 and in accordance ESC’s Constitution.
 
3. Noted and agreed that upon enactment of The Suffolk (Structural Changes) Order 2026 the voluntary Joint Committees shall become the statutory Joint Committees required to be established under the provisions of that Order.  
 
4. Noted and agreed the draft Terms of Reference (Appendix A to this report) and Procedure Rules for the (voluntary) Joint Committees (Appendix B to this report) and that they shall be finalised by its members at the first meeting of the (voluntary) Joint Committees. 
 
5. Noted and agreed that the Leader of ESC will determine ESC appointments to the (voluntary) Joint Committees in consultation with the Chief Executive and the Monitoring Officer. 
 
6. Noted that the Constitution will be updated to include the details of these joint arrangements. 

Councillor Packard, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Planning and Coastal Management introduced report ES-2806 which related to the East Suffolk Local Plan – Local Plan Timetable and Notice of Intention to Commence Local Plan Preparation.

The report also provided information on the upcoming scoping consultation which was planned to take place in June and July with the details for the consultation to be finalised and agreed following the approval of the local plan timetable and the notice of intention to commence local plan preparation.

The report also sought approval for delegated authority at certain procedural stages of local plan preparation to enable plan making to progress through the required stages in accordance with the government's 30-month plan making timetable. Information was also provided in the report on activities related to plan declaration undertaking to date prior to the beginning of the formal stages and consideration was to ‘plan making’ in the context of Local Government Reorganisation (LGR).

Councillor Jepson queried what would happen with the upcoming changes to geographical areas through LGR. Councillor Packard responded that LGR would be ongoing during the Local Plan preparation process and there had been work with other authorities to align timetables. There would be a Suffolk Board to provide coordination. 

Councillor Langdon-Morris thanked the Planning Team for the report. He queried the alignment of the Local Plan with other partner’s geography in their service delivery, such as health providers, police and fire service. The Councillor commented that there would need to be some retrofitting of the Local Plans and consideration could be needed of that. 

Councillor Packard responded that they would be working together with other areas, and it was recognised there were a lot of unknowns. There was a need for the Local Plans throughout Suffolk and work would continue on. 

Councillor Folley referenced Councillors in Felixstowe being a part of the Local Plan Working Group process. Councillor Packard responded that East Suffolk Council remains and therefore Felixstowe would continue to be a part of the process. 

Councillor Byatt echoed the team work in the Local Plan process and commended the Planning Team for their ongoing work. The Councillor recognised the intensity of the Local Plan Working Groups and the need to work closely with the other Districts and Boroughs. 

Councillor Molyneux commented that it was important to consider the implications of LGR and also the opportunity to put in the polices East Suffolk would like carried through into the Unitary process. 

Councillor Packard concluded that the working group met every month with a heavy workload. The group was cross party and democratic with different officers attending and presentations given. It was hoped that by the end of April 2028 the Local Plan would be in place. 

On the proposition of Councillor Packard seconded by Councillor Molyneux it was 

RESOLVED

That the Council:

1. Approved for publication the Timetable for preparation of the East Suffolk Local Plan as contained at Appendix A; 

2. Approved that notice be given to commence preparation of a new East Suffolk Local Plan in accordance with the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2026, as set out in the Notice of Intention to Commence Local Plan Preparation contained at Appendix B;

3. Authorised the Head of Planning and Building Control, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Planning and Coastal Management, to publish the Local Plan Timetable and the Notice of Intention to Commence Local Plan Preparation in accordance with any template or data standards published by 
Government;

4. Delegated authority to the Head of Planning and Building Control, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Planning and Coastal Management, to action and complete the stages of plan preparation as set out in paragraph 2.24;

5. Approved the revocation of the March 2025 East Suffolk Local Development Scheme;

6. Approved the revocation of the 2021 East Suffolk Statement of Community Involvement. 

Full Council received report ES-2807 which was presented by Councillor Topping, Leader of the Council, and provided individual Cabinet Members' reports of their areas of responsibility, as well as reports from those Members appointed to represent East Suffolk Council on Outside Bodies. The Leader stated that the written reports could be taken as read and she invited relevant questions on their contents.

Councillor Byatt referenced the increase in EV charging points in car parks and queried if there would be any revenue streams created from them. Councillor Daly responded that he believed there was a plan for revenue streams, but would confirm.

Councillor Folley queried if 'Better Recycling' had progressed as planned, were there any delays as lots of areas were reporting glitches. Councillor Noble responded that the team were working getting the bins out as quickly as possible with daily deliveries taking place. The replacement bin lids were a longer-term rolling programme. Every household should have or imminently would have their information pack. As far as Councillor Noble was aware the initiative was going to plan. 

Councillor Jepson queried the status of the PAWS campaign, which was focussed on responsible dog ownership. Councillor Noble responded that it was not fully launched and communication material was being prepared to go out. There would be lots of education and engagement that would take place regarding responsible dog ownership.

Councillor Gandy queried if the functionality of the fly tipping form on the mobile app could be looked at and made simpler for users. Councillor Ashton responded that he agreed it would be looked at. At the present time the app provides a portal for users to go to the current webpages. The intention is to get to where the app features are managed in app and will be more user friendly and the reporting elements will be improved.