Agenda Unconfirmed Item 3

Minutes of the Cabinet Meeting held in the Deben Conference Room, East House, Riduna Park, Melton on Tuesday 5 February 2019 at 6.30 pm

Members of Cabinet present: R Herring (Leader), G Holdcroft (Deputy Leader), A Fryatt, S Gallant, T-J Haworth-Culf, R Kerry, S Lawson, C Poulter, A Smith.

Officers present: S Baker (Chief Executive), K Cook (Democratic Services and Cabinet Business Manager), P Gore (Head of Environmental Services & Port Health), T Howarth (Principal Environmental Officer), A Jarvis (Strategic Director), E Limmer (Design and Conservation Officer), N Khan (Strategic Director), N Rickard (Head of Communities), A Reynolds (Environment Protection Manager), S Taylor (Chief Finance Officer & S151 Officer).

1. Apologies for Absence

There were no apologies for absence.

2. Declarations of Interest

There were no declarations of interest.

3. Minutes

It was proposed, seconded and unanimously

RESOLVED

That the Minutes of the Cabinet Meeting held on 2 January 2019 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

4. Announcements

The Leader of the Council announced that an event to celebrate the 45 years of District Council would be held on 15 March 2019. It was proposed that the event would capture the activities and successes of the Council. A small booklet on the Council’s history, major projects and contributions would also be produced. It was intended that the celebration event would act as a thank you to the Council’s staff, partners and parishes for their important contributions to the successful delivery of the Council’s services over the last 45 years.

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5. Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards for Private Rented Properties

Cabinet received report CAB 09/19 by the Leader of the Council which stated that the Government had introduced Regulations to penalise landlords who rented out properties that were the worst performing in terms of energy efficiency. The report outlined the content of the Regulations and sought delegation to enforce these Regulations using compliance and penalty notices as described in the Regulations as part of a balanced enforcement vs educational approach. The Cabinet Member with responsibility for Housing advised Cabinet that the private rented sector had a disproportionate share of the UK’s F and G rated homes (on their energy performance certificates) and up to 45% of those living in properties with these ratings were likely to be suffering from fuel- poverty. The installation of energy efficiency measures could help address this by reducing heat losses and providing more affordable means of heating. It was estimated that, in the Suffolk Coastal area, there were in the region of 400 F and G rated properties. It was explained to Cabinet that, in respect of exemptions, landlords who could not practically achieve an EPC rating of F or G could register an exemption on a web-based register. Examples of reasons for non-compliance included that the property was a Listed Building and the necessary measures would not get consent; that the landlord had been unable to access no cost funding for the measure or been unable to get the necessary consent (from a freeholder for example). In relation to the no-cost exemption the Government was proposing reform which would mean that the no-cost exemption would no longer be a no-cost exemption and instead would only apply if the required improvements would cost more than £2,500. There were approximately 18 exemptions in Suffolk Coastal.

In respect of enforcing the regulations, Cabinet was advised that the maximum financial penalties that could be levied were £2,000 where a substandard property had been unlawfully let for less than three months; £4,000 if the let was more than three months;£2,000 for failing to comply with a Compliance Notice; £1,000 for registering a false exemption.

Following a question from a member of Cabinet, it was stated that the Council did not want people to live in accommodation that would adversely affect their health. It was confirmed that grant aided schemes were available to assist members of the public in undertaking work.

It was proposed, seconded and unanimously

RESOLVED

1. That the authority to issue penalty notices in accordance with the Regulations be delegated to the Principal Environmental Health Officer (Housing). 2. That the authority to issue Compliance Notices in accordance with the Regulations be delegated to Private Sector Environmental Health Officers and Technical Officers.

6. Extensions to the Melton, , and , , and Orford Conservation Areas. Identification of positive unlisted buildings in Melton, Earl Soham, Peasenhall and Sibton, Westleton, Orford and Conservation Aras

Cabinet received report CAB 10/19 by the Cabinet Member with responsibility for Planning who reported that the Conservation Area Management Plans for the Conservation Area Appraisals written for Melton, Earl Soham, Peasenhall and Sibton, Westleton, Orford and Grundisburgh in 2010/2011 stated that ‘on completion in 2010/2011 of appraisals for all 34 of the District’s Conservation Areas a review would be commenced of their boundaries as a separate exercise’. This 2

review had been completed and proposals for the extension of the boundaries of all of the above excluding Grundisburgh were proposed.

The current Conservation Area Appraisals for Melton, Earl Soham, Peasenhall and Sibton, Westleton, Orford and Grundisburgh, did not identify positive unlisted buildings within the Conservation Area. All Conservation Area appraisals completed after 2011 included an inventory of these buildings and work had been undertaken to bring the older appraisals up to date. An Inventory of ‘Unlisted Structures which make a Positive Contribution to the Conservation Area’ had been written for each of these Conservation Areas. Positive unlisted buildings are buildings or structures that are not protected by statutory listing but are considered to make a positive contribution to the character or appearance of the Conservation Area. Identifying these as positive unlisted buildings means that extra care will be taken when considering development proposals that would affect them. Demolition of a positive unlisted building would be viewed unfavourably.

Officers judged that a public consultation exercise had demonstrated that, amongst those who responded, including those who would be directly affected, there was a clear majority in support of the proposals.

The report recommended the extension of the existing Conservation Areas in Melton, Earl Soham, Peasenhall and Sibton, Westleton and Orford; and the adoption of an Inventory of ‘Unlisted Structures Which Make a Positive Contribution to the Conservation Area’ as a Supplementary Planning Document for Melton, Earl Soham, Peasenhall and Sibton, Westleton, Orford and Grundisburgh.

The Cabinet Member with responsibility for Planning stated that, in his view, Conservation Areas played an enormous role in keeping Suffolk the way that it should be kept and he wished to continue this. Councillor Fryatt stated that a thorough consultation exercise had been undertaken and he drew Cabinet’s attention to the positive responses highlighted within the report. Cabinet was also advised that, since publication of the report, Orford Parish Council had stated that it did not have any comments to make, and the Orford Trust Office had stated that it had no objections to the proposals.

In response to a question from the Cabinet Member with responsibility for Coastal Management, who stated that, in principle, he supported Conservation Areas, but in the right place, it was confirmed for Cabinet that all within the Conservation Areas had been consulted and it had been fully explained to them exactly what the impacts would be. The Cabinet Member with responsibility for Planning echoed his earlier comments, stating his wish to protect important parts of the community.

It was proposed, seconded and unanimously

RESOLVED

1. That the extension of the Melton, Earl Soham, Peasenhall and Sibton, Westleton and Orford Conservation Areas as shown on the maps attached at Appendix A by areas bounded by the red dashed line and including those properties and land included in the schedule attached at Appendix B be agreed. 2. That the adoption of the Inventories of ‘Unlisted Structures Which Make a Positive Contribution to the Conservation Area’ for Melton, Earl Soham, Peasenhall and Sibton, Westleton, Orford and Grundisburgh as Supplementary Planning Documents be agreed.

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7. Acceptance of Funding Awards from and East Suffolk CCG Transformation Fund and Suffolk Transformation Challenge Award

Cabinet received report CAB 11/19 by the Cabinet Members with responsibility for Community Health and Customers, Communities and Leisure which reported that Suffolk Coastal District Council had recently led two bids on behalf of public and voluntary sector partners for Social Prescribing across the non-Ipswich part (Suffolk Coastal, Babergh and districts) of the Ipswich and East Suffolk Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) area. Both bids were successful and together had secured a total of £686,767 - £549,507 from the Ipswich and East Suffolk CCG Transformation Fund and £137,260 from the Suffolk Transformation Challenge Award (TCA). The proposal was that this funding would be allocated to Voluntary and Community Sector organisations through a procurement process to be led by Suffolk Coastal District Council.

The Cabinet Member with responsibility for Community Health advised Cabinet that the model was based on the national NHS guidance and learning from local schemes and proposed Community Connectors; the proposal was that there should be up to two Community Connectors in each of the six INT areas in Suffolk Coastal, Babergh and Mid Suffolk. Community Connectors were new posts and they would work with individuals across their target areas to identify their support needs and develop a personalised action plan to improve their health and wellbeing.

It was proposed, seconded and unanimously

RESOLVED

1. That Suffolk Coastal District Council should act as accountable body for Social Prescribing in the CCG ‘East Suffolk’ area, which covers Suffolk Coastal, Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Council areas, be agreed, retrospectively. 2. That the Head of Communities be authorised to claim two grants - £549,507 from Ipswich and East Suffolk CCG and £137,260 from the Transformation Challenge Award. 3. That Suffolk Coastal District Council will carry out the procurement process to secure a lead VCSE delivery organisation for each of the six Integrated Neighbourhood Teams that make up this area be agreed.

8. Public Space Protection Orders – Dog Controls

Cabinet received report CAB 12/19 by the Cabinet Members with responsibility for Community Health and the Green Environment which outlined that in September 2018 Cabinet agreed to a public consultation on six draft Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) under the Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014 at the request of a number of Town and Parish Councils to deal with dog related matters within their areas. A public consultation on the draft proposals had closed for comments on 21 December 2018. The report provided the results of the consultation and sought Cabinet approval for the adoption of the six draft PSPOs which were attached as Appendix A.

The Cabinet Member with responsibility for Community Health advised Cabinet that the majority of consultation responses supported the introduction of the Public Space Protection Orders and he referred Cabinet to page 73 of the report where the results were detailed; he concluded that there was significant support for the proposals.

Debate took place regarding the enforcement of the controls and it was confirmed that the enforcement officers of the Council would have the opportunity to pass evidence to the appropriate officers. Members of the public could also do this. The Cabinet Member with responsibility for Community Health was of the view 4

that the vast majority of the public were very conscientious and would comply with the Orders; he was of the view that the Orders would change people’s behaviours. Further debate took place related to enforcement, and the roles of town and parish councils, it was stated that town and parish councils would have a role to play, ie encouraging and monitoring etc. The Environment Protection Manager advised Members that he would be very happy to visit town and parish councils to discuss their roles and the Leader stated that a piece of work should be undertaken to set out for town and parish councils how they could assist and to ensure that they were aware of the reporting mechanisms.

It was proposed, seconded and unanimously

RESOLVED

That the following Public Space Protection Orders be adopted:

1. Dogs on Leads on Recreation Ground 2. Dogs on Leads on Martello Park Gardens, 3. Dogs on Leads on Felixstowe Town Hall Gardens 4. Dogs on Leads on Felixstowe Seafront Gardens 5. Exclusion of Dogs from Langer Park Children’s Play Area 6. Extension of Dogs and Dogs on Leads on Defined Areas of Beach from 1 May to 30 September.

9. East Suffolk Performance Report – Quarterly Performance Quarter 3 2018-19

Cabinet received report CAB 13/19 by the Leader of the Council; this was a joint report for both Suffolk Coastal and Waveney District Councils and provided an overview of the councils’ performance and progress against the deliverables within the East Suffolk Business Plan. The report covered Quarter 3, the period from 1 October to 31 December 2018, and summarised performance against the Critical Success Factors and the strategic deliverables within the East Suffolk Business Plan. Cabinet was advised that, overall, the Council continued to make significant and positive progress in delivering the Business Plan objectives; any instances where performance was not adequately meeting targets were highlighted in the report detailing the actions being taken.

Cabinet was advised that this would be the final Quarterly Performance Report considered by Suffolk Coastal District Council; the report for Quarter 4 would be presented to the new East Suffolk Council.

After the key points of the report being presented to Cabinet by the Chief Finance Officer Cabinet acknowledged that this was a very good report. The Cabinet Member with responsibility for Customers, Communities and Leisure took the opportunity to thank the Customer Services Team for its excellent work and asked the Chief Executive to convey this message.

It was proposed, seconded and unanimously

RESOLVED That the East Suffolk Performance Report for Quarter 3 be received.

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10. Exempt / Confidential Items

It was proposed, seconded and unanimously

RESOLVED

That, under Section 100(a)(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 it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

11. Exempt Minutes

It was proposed, seconded and unanimously

RESOLVED

That the Exempt Minutes of the Meeting held on 2 January 2019 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

The Meeting concluded at 7.12 pm.

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