Social Value Ideas for Babergh District Council

Birds of prey attraction approved

The committee approved a full planning application to change arable land into a birds of prey display experience and small reptile exhibit, with visitor parking, aviaries and reception buildings. Offi…

“Thank you, chair. Good morning, members. Um, this application is DC25 04984. um a full planning application at Orly End in Lorshaw for the change of u…”

CIL rate increase consultation

The council approved a six-week consultation on revised Community Infrastructure Levy charging rates, with the intention of submitting the proposal to the planning inspectorate. The paper states rates…

“"I'm asking Council to follow the recommendations in paragraph 3.1 and 3.2 of the report to agree to a period of consultation on raising the rates of …”

Biodiversity SPD adopted

The council agreed to adopt its first biodiversity and trees supplementary planning document, which strengthens ecological requirements on new development. It sets a 20% biodiversity net gain expectat…

“"I'm pleased to present this report which recommends that the council's first biodiversity and trees supplementary planning document is now adopted th…”

Replacement dwelling policy conflict

Officers concluded the scheme is not a policy-compliant replacement dwelling because the existing dwelling is retained and repurposed rather than demolished, and the new house is on adjacent paddock l…

“Your officer's assessment within your papers concludes that the proposal cannot be regarded as a policy compliant replacement dwelling because firstly…”

Banking hub approved with conditions

The committee approved the modular banking hub in Morrison’s car park after debating accessibility and suitability. Permission is subject to conditions, including welfare facilities, drainage, cycle p…

“So, this proposal is to grant planning permission subject to the conditions that have been read out by the area planning manager removing the restrict…”

Neighbourhood plan grant scheme

Cabinet approved a new council-funded grant scheme to support neighbourhood plan groups after central government support ended. The scheme offers grants of up to £20,000 per eligible plan, with fundin…

“We already provide advice and support to these groups through our dedicated and hardworking officer Paul Bryant. Um, and we have a large number of nei…”

Amateur radio antenna approved

A retrospective application to retain a domestic amateur radio antenna in Edwardstone was approved. The committee accepted that the slimline mast was not materially harmful to amenity and that the app…

“This morning, I have for you application DC 2504293 for a retrospective householder application for the retention of a 5-m ultra-high frequency, or UH…”

Industrial office conversion refused

A prior approval application to convert first-floor offices above an industrial unit in Sudbury into residential accommodation was refused. Officers concluded the proposal failed noise and industrial-…

“So this is class MA prior approval. Uh, conversion of offices to a self-build dwelling. Um, as self build is not one of the prior approval matters can…”

Planning Fee Charges

Cabinet approved additional planning fees for work currently done without charge, including section 106 modifications, compliance confirmations, invalid or withdrawn applications, and amendments durin…

“Um, I'm asking cabinet to approve the additional fee schedule recommended in paragraph two of the report before you. The full schedule is set out in a…”

Draft 2025/26 general fund budget

Cabinet considered and endorsed the draft 2025/26 general fund budget and medium-term financial plan, including reserve movements and a proposed 2.99% increase in Babergh’s council tax element. The bu…

“item seven paper BCA 223 2432 the 2025 to 26 draft general fund budget and medium-term financial position I'll now introduce the report as Cabinet mem…”

Finance team capacity and audit pressure

External audit identified operational pressure on the finance team, delayed audit responses, and the need for stronger workflow, quality assurance and resourcing. Management said two new roles had bee…

“This evening I'm presenting the report on the 202425 external audit statuto recommendations along with the accompanying finance action plan set out in…”

General fund budget approved

Council approved the 2026-27 general fund budget, which was presented as balanced with a small surplus. The budget includes higher expenditure on waste services, leisure model changes and recycling fu…

“Thank you, Chair. I'm pleased to introduce report BC 2537, the 2026-27 general fund budget and medium-term financial position. Yet again, budget setti…”

Treasury investment losses and reserves

The council discussed capital losses on pooled fund investments, especially CCLA, Schroders and UBS, and whether those losses should be recognised in the accounts or supported by reserves. Officers sa…

“Pages 31 to 36 is about our compliance with the council's credential and treasury indicators and the spec specific instances of non-compliance are des…”

HRA outturn improved sharply

The Housing Revenue Account outturn moved to a much smaller deficit of £47,000, compared with the budgeted deficit of £10.1 million, mainly because a proposed £6 million loan repayment will now be fun…

“I'm pleased to introd introduce report BCA 24-4 to cabinet the HA outturn for 2024 to 25. This covers the full year performance against budget for the…”

Housing rent and capital programme

The Housing Revenue Account budget increases rents, introduces a new rent tolerance for reletting, and raises service and utility charges to full cost recovery. The plan also increases capital spendin…

“the h capital program for 2025 to 26 through to 2029 to 30 is shown in table 7 and it shows a significant increase in spend for the next two years tai…”

HRA business plan approval

The council said it approved a new Housing Revenue Account business plan in January and that the plan is sustainable over the long term, maintaining a minimum revenue balance of £1 million in the earl…

“In January, we approved the new HRA business plan. We now have a plan that is sustainable over the long term. It maintains the minimum revenue balance…”