3
Announcements
Ukraine
Chairman of the Council
The Chairman of the Council reported that he wished to make a statement regarding the situation in Ukraine. He would then invite the 3 Group Leaders to say a few words, in respect of his statement.
The Chairman stated that East Suffolk Council utterly condemned Vladimir Putin’s senseless and unjustifiable invasion of Ukraine. The mass casualties caused to the civilian population and the ever-increasing humanitarian crisis was at odds with any civilized behaviour and the way the Ukrainian people were fighting this unwarranted aggression could only be admired. It was also recognised that the actions of Putin did not reflect the position of Russian individuals living in East Suffolk.
The Chairman stated that this Council was ready, along with other District Councils and the County Council, the voluntary sector, the Suffolk Resilience Forum, Suffolk Refugee Support and the Suffolk MPs, to provide support to refugees in East Suffolk, in any way the government requested, that was within the power of the Council. He advised that anyone who wished to help with money or items, should donate to an accredited organisation, for example the International Red Cross, The UN Refugee Agency or the Disasters Emergency Appeal Fund.
The Chairman then invited the Group Leaders to speak.
Leader of the Council
The Leader reported that he spoke on behalf of the Conservative Group and he whole heartedly and unreservedly supported the content and sentiment of the Chairman's statement. The residents of East Suffolk were fortunate to live in a safe and secure part of a free and democratic nation. The images and stories that had been shared on the media channels reminded everyone of how lucky we were to enjoy such freedoms. Many people were keen to offer whatever aid and support they could, to try to minimise the levels of harm and suffering of the people of Ukraine.
East Suffolk Council had always prided itself in seeking to provide practical support, rather than just consolatory words. It was important to look at all opportunities to fully engage and support the governments ambitions, in respect of the refugee sponsorship. At this time, over 150,000 offers of sponsorship had been recorded on the GOV.Uk website. The logistics of delivering this were currently being worked through, at speed. The Leader commented that we also needed to ensure that those residents who identified as either Ukrainian or Russian, were fully supported through this crisis. The latest census information recorded 40 residents who identified as Ukrainian and 80 who identified as Russian.
The Leader reported that it was very likely that a number of refugees would come to East Suffolk and those individuals and families may have extreme and complex needs, as a result of what they had been through. Many would have family and friends still in direct danger. It was important to offer all the practical support that this Council and the residents of East Suffolk could give.
The Leader then announced the creation of a new Assistant Cabinet Member position, with responsibility for Refugee Support. This new role would report directly to the Leader and would seek to pull together the various areas of the other Cabinet Portfolios which were likely to be impacted upon, namely Communities, Health and Housing. The new post holder would become the ‘go to’ person who would maintain an up-to-date overview of the response required and be a single point of contact for Members with questions.
The Leader stated that he was very pleased to report that Councillor Judy Cloke had been offered and duly accepted this role. Councillor Cloke had a proven track record in delivering for her local community and she had a wealth of experience in working with civil servants, across a number of complex and challenging areas. Although she could not be present this evening, Councillor Cloke was ready and willing to do all she could to support the refugee process and aid community cohesion. Her new post would take effect from the 1 April 2022.
Councillor Topping, Leader of the GLI Group
Councillor Topping reported that she was very pleased and was supportive of Councillor Cloke’s appointment as the new Assistant Cabinet Member for Refugee Support.
Councillor Topping stated that it was difficult for people to express what they felt about Ukraine, as it was so inconsequential when compared to the enormity of what was happening to the Ukrainian people on a daily basis. She stated that there were some Ukrainian people who lived in her Ward and one of them had travelled to Poland to collect some family members who had travelled there to safety. They had found it extremely difficult to get the required visas for their family members to travel to the UK and she was very concerned about this and queried how people would manage to get to the UK if they had no family living there.
Councillor Topping had also met a Ukrainian lady, who lived in Beccles, who had been moved to tears when she had seen the Ukrainian flag flying from the bell tower and she had stopped and taken a photo of the flag, using her mobile phone. She had then sent the photo to her Ukrainian father and her family in Ukraine to show the support being shown in Beccles.
Councillor Topping then took the opportunity to thank everyone who had done something, no matter how small, in support of Ukraine.
Councillor Byatt, Leader of the Labour Group
Councillor Byatt congratulated Councillor Cloke on her appointment and he stated that he supported having a single point of contact for the Council to deal with refugee support.
Councillor Byatt reported that this was a time for unity, of all fair-minded people, to say to Putin and those who supported him, that his invasion of Ukraine was grossly unacceptable and that the lies being told to try to justify his actions were unfounded. He stated that there was no excuse for the invasion and occupation of Ukraine, and he condemned those who contrived to justify Putin’s cowardly and unjustified attack on a sovereign country.
Councillor Byatt stated that, as with the Covid pandemic, the Labour Group committed itself to supporting any actions taken by East Suffolk Council, other tiers of Council, statutory bodies and the many voluntary organisations across East Suffolk, in support of refugees from Ukraine. The Labour Group would also engage with any initiatives in their wards.
The Chairman thanked the Group Leaders and then advised that he would continue with the usual announcements.
The Chairman of the Council:
The Chairman reported that he had attended the Treebilee Ceremony at Woods Meadow, Oulton, Lowestoft on Tuesday 15 March 2022.
The Leader of the Council:
Sentinel Leisure Trust
The Leader took the opportunity to make a statement regarding the news that Sentinel Leisure Trust (SLT) had ceased trading. He reported that the Council was saddened and disappointed that SLT had taken the decision to cease trading and our thoughts were with all those who had been affected as a result.
SLT had previously managed leisure facilities on behalf of East Suffolk Council, until the decision was taken in October 2019, which was prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, to review and seek applications for the future management of the council's leisure services in the north of the district. This was undertaken, as per the agreed terms of the contract, to ensure the council had secured the best possible value for money, and quality of service, for local taxpayers and communities.
SLT had been entitled to bid, however, they had chosen not to. Everyone Active were appointed to manage the council's facilities and staff had transferred their employment, by TUPE regulations, to the new provider.
In October 2021, SLT also confirmed it would no longer be operating Bradwell's Phoenix Pool and Gym, nor the Marina Centre in the Great Yarmouth Borough, after again deciding not to bid for the new operational contract to run these sites.
Following their decision to cease trading, representatives of SLT chose to speak with the media, to present their views in relation to financial settlements with the two councils. The Leader commented that these were not matters which he believed should be debated in the press. However, he confirmed that discussions with SLT were ongoing. The council did not believe that SLT were owed the amount of money that they were seeking and, as protectors of the public purse, the council simply could not pay out money that it did not believe to be due.
Additionally, SLT’s representatives were aware, as part of these discussions, that the council would be pursuing recompense for money which the council considered to be owed, by SLT, to the council.
This matter had not been resolved prior to the SLT’s announcement, however, a ‘without prejudice’ meeting was being arranged, to include the recently-appointed insolvency practitioner. It was now hoped that these discussions would bring this matter to a conclusion.
Finally, the Leader repeated his thoughts and sympathy for those who had lost their jobs, as a result of SLT’s decision to close. It was noted that this was clearly a worrying time for them, and he confirmed, that where vacancies arose within facilities managed by the council’s providers, applications from former SLT staff would be welcomed.
Citizens Advice Outside Body
The Leader stated that this council appointed to a number of Outside Bodies each year and Members then provided reports to Full Council on a regular basis. There were currently 3 separate Citizens Advice organisations, which covered the East Suffolk District. They were:
Citizens Advice: Leiston, Saxmundham and District – supported by Councillor Tony Cooper
Citizens Advice: Felixstowe and District – supported by Councillor Mark Jepson
Citizens Advice: North East Suffolk – also supported by Councillor Tony Cooper
The Leader reported that he had been advised that, from 31 March 2022, all 3 Citizens Advice organisations would merge into one organisation for the whole of East Suffolk. Therefore, he needed to appoint 1 Councillor to support the new Citizens Advice for East Suffolk. Using his Delegated Authority and following discussions with the affected Councillors, Councillor Tony Cooper had been appointed to this Outside Body for the remainder of the 2021/22 municipal year.
PATROL (Parking and Traffic Regulations Outside London) Adjudication Joint Committee Outside Body
The Leader reported that he had been advised of a new Outside Body that needed to be appointed to, which was the PATROL (Parking and Traffic Regulations Outside London) Adjudication Joint Committee Outside Body.
As this Outside Body related to transport matters, the Leader reported that he had appointed Councillor Norman Brooks, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Transport, with immediate effect, using his Delegated Authority for the remainder of the 2021/22 municipal year.
Community Governance Review Working Group
The Leader reported that Members would be aware that this council was carrying out a Community Governance Review (CGR) and, as such, he needed to appoint to a Community Governance Review Working Group.
The working group would consist of 5 Members and it would be politically balanced. Therefore, there would be 3 Conservatives, which included the Leader, 1 GLI Member and 1 Labour Member. A named substitute for each political group was also required.
Following discussions with the Group Leaders, the following appointments had been agreed:
Conservatives: Councillor Gallant (Leader), Councillor Cooper and Councillor Fryatt. The named substitute was Councillor Blundell.
GLI: Councillor Fisher. The named substitute was Councillor Beavan.
Labour: Councillor Byatt. The named substitute was Councillor Deacon.
It was confirmed that these appointments would take place with immediate effect and meetings of the Community Governance Review Working Group would be convened shortly.
The Deputy Leader of the Council:
There was no update on this occasion.
Cabinet Members:
Councillor Cook, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Resources
Hardship Fund Campaigns
Councillor Cook reported that during February 2022, Anglia Revenues Partnership (ARP) had run two targeted take up campaigns to help spend the remaining Council Tax Hardship pot from 2020/21, which had been carried forward into this year as an exceptional hardship fund.
The campaigns had targeted:
* those who have already demonstrated hardship this year by claiming Discretionary Hardship Payments or Exceptional Hardship payments, and who had Council Tax arrears in this financial year, and
* those who had fallen into arrears with their Council Tax this financial year but had no historic arrears (so showed signs of having additional financial pressure this year).
On 27 February 2022 there was just over £122,000 of the fund remaining and by running these two campaigns and introducing a very quick claim process, the ARP had now awarded a total of nearly £111,000, which had provided much needed financial support to 374 households.
Covid Additional Relief Fund (CARF) Business Rate Reliefs
Councillor Cook reported that invitations to apply for this relief had been issued this week. The issue of subsidy control for a major ratepayer had been resolved, which meant that the council should be able to provide a greater degree of support than originally envisaged, to over 2,000 businesses from its allocation of government funding of over £7.9 million.
Council Tax Energy Rebates
Councillor Cook advised that the Council Tax Rebate scheme announced by the government would mean that most households in bands A - D would receive a £150 non-repayable rebate. Discretionary funding was also being provided to billing authorities, to support households who were in need but who were not eligible under the main scheme, or to top up main scheme payments. Any unspent funding as at 30 November 2022 would need to be repaid to government, but in the event of an overspend, no additional funding would be provided.
Main Scheme
. Councils were expected to make direct payments to eligible households who pay their Council Tax by direct debit by late April/early May.
. Where there was no direct debit instructions held for an eligible household, the Council was expected to make all reasonable efforts to contact the household as early as possible to invite them to make a claim.
. Councils should include an option for residents who were digitally excluded in their claim process.
. Councils could offer a direct credit to the Council Tax account, for those who request it via the claim route, or who do not make a claim within a set timescale.
Discretionary Scheme
. Councils could determine locally how to make use of this funding, but it could include households in band E-H on a low income
. Discretionary payments could exceed £150
. The fund could also be used to top up the £150 main scheme payments for those suffering financial hardship or on a low income
Current position
. Statutory wording and leaflets had been included with council tax bills and website had been updated.
. Details of the main scheme were being discussed and finalised by all ARP authorities.
. Options were being considered to make maximum use of the discretionary funds and ensure we target those most in need of the additional financial help.
. Alternative payment methods were being looked at to help us reach the most vulnerable customers, and we were keen to make direct credits to Council Tax accounts for those who request it or who do not engage in the claim process.
. ARP would administer the payments and provide a dedicated customer phone line for all partners and provide pre and post payment assurance checks.
. ARP’s software provider was aiming to provide functionality to administer the scheme and commence payments by late-April.
Councillor Brooks, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Transport
Councillor Brooks reported that he had been appointed to Transport East. He had attended a meeting, where a bid had been submitted for £3 million of funding for transport in Suffolk. He would keep Members apprised of any developments.
Councillor Rudd, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Community Health
Councillor Rudd updated Members on the prevalence of Avian Flu in the District, which was currently low. She advised that the Environmental Health Team were assisting Suffolk County Council colleagues, as required.
The Chief Executive of the Council:
There was no announcement on this occasion.
Councillor Byatt queried if it was possible to ask questions regarding any announcements made during this meeting? The Leader confirmed that it was not possible. However, Members could email any questions they had directly to the appropriate Councillor or officer and they would receive a response outside of the meeting.