8
a) Motion submitted by Councillor Byatt
The Chairman invited Councillor Byatt to read out his Motion.
Councillor Byatt proposed his Motion, which was seconded by Councillor Craig, and he read out the following:
This Council recognises that the cost of living crisis has had a noticeable impact on the price of freshly-grown food. Some residents already make use of their own outdoor spaces to grow their own vegetables and fruit, and also there are those who are fortunate enough to have access to Allotments.
We believe that there is a simple and positive way to support residents in the long-term to save money and at the same time, to encourage a healthy life-style.
This Council resolves, therefore, to establish a Working Group to liaise with Parish Councils, local Allotment Groups, land-owning Charitable Trusts and other land-holding bodies with the purpose of seeking opportunities to provide additional Allotments across East Suffolk.
In addition, this Working Group will widen its brief to consider the current status of public green and brown spaces across the District, with the purpose of encouraging community groups to adopt these spaces, to establish Pocket Parks, Community Gardens and Orchards.
The Chairman advised that in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 11.4, the Leader of the Council, Leaders of the Opposition Groups and the Chairman of the Council had met to discuss this Motion and agree a way forward. The recommendation from this meeting was that the Motion would be discussed this evening. He therefore proposed from the Chair that this Motion be discussed this evening and it was seconded by the Leader of the Council. The Chairman invited Members to vote on the proposal to debate the Motion this evening and it was unanimously CARRIED.
The Chairman invited Members to debate.
The Leader of the Council stated that whilst he was very supportive of people being given the opportunity to grow their own vegetables, he had some concerns about the Motion. This was because allocating officers to support any specific newly formed Working Group was going to impact on the capacity within the Communities Team. This would ultimately inhibit their ability to respond flexibly to the needs of the community in the run up to the autumn and winter period. It would also not be realistic to get food grown and harvested before the crisis started to bite.
The Leader then proposed an amendment to the Motion, which was duly seconded by Councillor Smith. The amended Motion was as follows:
This Council recognises that the cost-of-living crisis has had a noticeable impact on the price of freshly grown food. Some residents already make use of their own outdoor spaces to grow their own vegetables and fruit, and there are those who are fortunate enough to have access to Allotments.
This Council will seek to support residents over the long-term to save money and at the same time, to encourage a healthy lifestyle through our ‘Ease the Squeeze’ cost of living programme, including a project supporting people living in some of our most deprived communities to learn to grow and cook vegetables and fruit at home .
This Council resolves, to ask the Chairs of the eight Community Partnerships at their next Regular Meeting to debate how they can use their local influence to encourage Town and Parish Councils, local Allotment Groups, land-owning Charitable Trusts, and other land-holding bodies to join them in seeking opportunities to provide additional Allotments and other growing spaces across East Suffolk.
In addition, This Council will ask the Chairs of the Community Partnerships to consider the current status of public green and brown spaces across their areas, with the purpose of encouraging community groups to adopt these spaces, to establish Pocket Parks, Community Gardens and Orchards.
The Chairman invited Members to debate the proposed amendment to the Motion.
Councillor Byatt stated that he was supportive of the proposed amendment, as it fulfilled the objective of the original Motion. He felt that taking the matter to the 8 Community Partnerships was a positive step and he reported that he was happy to support the amendment.
Councillor Jepson, Chairman of the Felixstowe Peninsula Community Partnership, reported that his Community Partnership had already been working with local primary schools and had assisted with the installation of raised beds. This had encouraged young people to become involved in gardening and he supported the amendment.
Councillor Fryatt queried whether the Council had any unused land that could be donated for the purpose of encouraging gardening? Councillor Rivett, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Economic Development, reported that all of the assets owned by the Council were listed and available to view on the Council's website. People were encouraged to contact the Assets Team with any suggestions for changes to land use for the purpose of growing food.
Councillor Smith confirmed that she was very supportive of the amended Motion, for the reasons already raised this evening.
Councillor Gallant stated that the amended Motion acknowledged the value of the project and utilised existing and established routes to achieve the desired outcomes.
There being no further debate, the amendment was put to the vote and it was unanimously CARRIED.
There being no further discussion, the Chairman invited Members to put the Motion to the vote and it was unanimously CARRIED.
b) Notice of Motion Submitted by Councillor David Beavan
The Chairman invited Councillor Beavan to read out his Motion.
Councillor Beavan proposed his Motion, which was seconded by Councillor Daly, and he read out the following:
This Council notes:
1. Following the announcement in May of the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill by DLUHC, ESC will be able to utilise a new discretionary council tax premium of up to 100% on second homes which are not let out or lived in for at least 70 days a year.
2. As of 2021 there were 4,113 second homes in East Suffolk, which inflate the local housing market beyond the reach of local people, depopulating the resident communities for lack of alternative social housing to rent.
3. This could provide up to £7.6m annually for the East Suffolk area from 2024/25, of which ESC would receive £700k.
This Council resolves to:
1. Utilise the full 100% council tax premium on second homes and empty dwellings to fund Community Land Trusts to provide local social housing for rent in the wards affected by second homes. At a cost of roughly £210k per new home, ESC would be able to provide up to three new rented social homes per year.
2. Reach out to Suffolk County Council and the Police and Crime Commissioner to explore the possibility of working together to utilise the entire £7.6m pot for the construction of up to 36 homes a year.
The Chairman advised that in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 11.4, the Leader of the Council, Leaders of the Opposition Groups and the Chairman of the Council had met to discuss this Motion and agree a way forward. The recommendation from this meeting was that the Motion would be discussed this evening. He therefore proposed from the Chair that this Motion be discussed this evening and it was seconded by the Leader of the Council. The Chairman invited Members to vote on the proposal to debate the Motion this evening and it was
unanimously CARRIED.
The Chairman invited Members to debate.
Councillor Beavan stated that taxation needed to be fair and second homes were pricing locals out of the market, when they earned an average wage. He reported that a shared ownership property was up for sale in Southwold for around £400,000, where a wage of £50,000 pa was required to pay the mortgage, which was significantly out of reach of the majority of local people. He had heard of tenants being evicted from their homes, as landlords would be able to gain much greater rents from the holiday market. He was greatly concerned that coastal communities were being hollowed out and would ultimately be left with no residents in future, they would just become holiday parks.
Councillor Beavan reported that house prices were too high for the vast majority of local people. He knew of several local businesses which were having to offer their workers accommodation as part of their remuneration package, as they were unable to afford to rent or buy in Southwold. Councillor Beavan acknowledged that tourism was the lifeblood of the local area, however, he felt that there needed to be a way for tourism to co-exist with a healthy, local community. He stated that additional homes for rent were desperately needed and increasing the Council Tax paid by second home owners could help to fund this much needed additional housing for rent.
Councillor Gallant noted the good intentions contained within the Motion and took the opportunity to remind Members of the actions taken by the Conservative Government and the proactive way that they had reacted to the ongoing issues caused by excessive second home ownership. He stated that this demonstrated how the Conservatives listen, understand and react to local issues. It was also noted that the Cabinet Member with responsibility for Resources had been extremely proactive in leading the Councils representations to Government.
Councillor Gallant stated that the prudent financial stewardship and management of the Council's finances meant that the Council would not commit funds to the Medium-Term Financial Strategy, or any other project, until the funds had been received. The Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill, which dealt with the introduction of a Council Tax premium on ‘periodically occupied’ properties, was not expected to complete its passage through Parliament until the Spring of 2023. There would then be a requirement for the property owners concerned to be given 12 months’ notice of the intended premium. The financial benefits to local authorities would, therefore, not be realised until 2024/25 at the earliest, which also assumed that the Bill received Royal Assent on that timescale.
Councillor Gallant stated that it was anticipated that these measures, together with the Empty Home’s Premium coming in from 2023/24, might incentivise second homes becoming primary residences and may also lead to properties being brought back into use, thus increasing the local supply. In view of these factors, and until the effect of these potential trends had been established, it would be completely contrary to good governance and the financial prudence of the Administration to consider allocating any of this funding in advance of its receipt. He felt that it would amount to an empty promise, something that the Conservative Administration would not make.
Councillor Gallant stated that the current Administration would cease in May 2023 and the new Administration would have ample time to decide upon the allocation of future funds that may be acquired as a result of this initiative. He reported that he saw no value in seeking to tie the hands of the future Administration, who would be more than capable of allocating any funds in an appropriate way. Therefore, he called for Members across the chamber to vote against this Motion.
Councillor Jepson reported that he was Chairman of the Community Safety Partnership and he had attended several meetings of the Police and Crime Commissioner. He stated that the finances of Suffolk Police were constrained, therefore, he felt that Councillor Beavan's Motion was not viable.
Councillor Byatt said that he understood Councillor Beavan's sentiments and he acknowledged the hard work undertaken to date to try and resolve the issues created by second homes. However, he stated that the Council could not commit to building more homes for rent until the funds were available. He also queried whether second home owners would be able to find another loophole, in the future, to avoid paying double Council Tax? Councillor Byatt stated that he and his Group would be abstaining from voting on this Motion. He clarified that they were not opposed to the Motion in principle and they hoped that the new Administration would review the matter again in due course.
Councillor Plummer stated that she understood that the Council could not commit funds that it had not yet received, however, she asked if Members could support the principle of the Motion instead? She felt that those people who visited and enjoyed the area, needed to contribute to the upkeep of the area and facilities.
Councillor Daly reported that the East Suffolk District had the most second homes and short term lets in Suffolk and he felt that this issue was out of control. He was concerned that many places were becoming like ghost towns and they were empty and isolated in the winter. It was important for the Council to try and do something about it and therefore he felt that Members should support the principle and spirit of the Motion.
Councillor Beavan queried how the Chancellor had been able to commit funds for Social Care before it had been received? Therefore, if the Chancellor was able to, why couldn't this Council? He stated that it was important to build relationships between second home owners and their local communities, so they could co-exist. He said that second homes were currently a real threat, which were forcing local families to leave the area, which had a negative impact on jobs, schools, friends, families and the local community. He stated that this was not right. He asked Members to support the Motion, as it would soon be too late, if no action was taken.
There being no further comments or debate, the Motion was put to the vote and the Motion was LOST.