The following Motions have been submitted in pursuance of Council Procedure Rule 11:
a) Motion submitted by Councillor Byatt
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.
b) Motion Submitted by Councillor David Beavan
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.