Social Value Ideas for Suffolk County Council

Local Government Reorganization Impact on Planning Process

Suffolk is undergoing local government reorganization with formation of a new mayoral combined county authority. The current county council will not exist throughout the latter stages of the local pla…

“We have impending changes, especially the formation of the new mayoral combined county authority and the local government reorganization and the stat …”

Current Aggregate Supply Capacity

Suffolk currently holds over 8 years of aggregate supply capacity, exceeding the national requirement of 7 years. Additional sites are planned to provide a further 10 years of security. The existing m…

“we're currently we currently hold over eight years of aggregate supply capacity exceeding the national requirement of seven with site's plan to provid…”

Minerals and Waste Local Plan Review Approval

Cabinet approved five key recommendations for the Suffolk Minerals and Waste Local Plan review. This includes approving the sustainability appraisal/strategic environmental assessment review, noting t…

“To deliver this preparatory work, I'm asking cabinet to approve five key recommendations. One, to approve the the review assessment, which is appendix…”

Statutory Local Plan Review Compliance

All local plans must be reviewed within five years of adoption per regulation. The current Suffolk Minerals and Waste Local Plan is beyond this milestone. The Leveling Up and Regeneration Act introduc…

“By regulation, all local plans must be reviewed within five years of adoption. Our current plan is now beyond that milestone. Firstly, the Leveling Up…”

A140 scheme development funding approved

Cabinet approved expenditure of up to £1.35m, including £371,708 already incurred, to progress the A140/A1120 major road network scheme to full business case stage. The spend is explicitly at risk unt…

“Speaker 4: Indeed, Mr. Chairman. I will go through them because I think it's important that I do go through them with your permission. This what cabin…”

Land acquisition and CPO prep

The scheme creates a land acquisition opportunity and potential compulsory purchase process for rights and land needed for construction, operation and maintenance. Officers were authorised to negotiat…

“Speaker 4: Point four, to authorize the Director of Growth, Highways and Infrastructure to take all appropriate actions necessary for the purpose of n…”

20 mph Speed Limit Policy Revision

Cabinet adopted a revised 20 mph speed limit policy that shifts from a restrictive centralized assessment process to a community-led approach. The policy simplifies criteria and empowers parish and to…

“The revised policy simplifies the current assessment process and gives communities greater flexibility to request 20 mph limits where they are genuine…”

Dedicated Schools Grant Deficit Crisis - £250 Million

Council facing critical financial pressure from growing dedicated schools grant (DSG) deficit estimated at £250 million, representing an accumulated overdraft that must be funded through borrowing. In…

“the designated schools grant will swell further to an estimated quote negative reserve figure of around 250 million pounds. That is in plain language …”

Dedicated Schools Grant Deficit Crisis

DSG deficit forecast to reach £252m at end of 2026-27 (up from £168m in 2025-26). Costs the council £8.9m annually in interest charges. Statutory override extended to March 2028 but situation remains …

“The forecast deficit is just under 73 million pounds. So that increases our negative DSG reserve to 252 million pounds at the end of 2627. Hence, that…”