Babergh Cabinet met on the 10th of December 2024 and made a number of decisions. The cabinet approved a 2.7% rent increase for council homes, adopted a new Repairs and Maintenance Policy, and noted the Council's progress on reducing carbon emissions in the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Report 2023/24. They also approved two Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) bids, one for solar panels at Glemsford Village Hall and one for an upgrade to the practice facilities at East Bergholt Cricket Club.

Housing

Babergh Cabinet approved a 2.7% rent increase for council homes in line with the Government's rent standard for 2024/25, and approved a proposal to introduce a rent tolerance of 5% on top of the formula rent for social rent properties at the point of relet. The decision was made to address the ongoing financial challenges faced by the Housing Revenue Account (HRA). The Cabinet noted the forecast outturn adverse variance of £6.073m against the budgeted deficit of £10.1m for the 2024/25 HRA. They also noted that the HRA's 30-year business plan requires more borrowing in order to be able to maintain the Council's housing stock and deliver new homes. They decided to refinance a £6m loan due for repayment in 2025/26 and to transfer £116k from the Big 20 and Building Council Homes reserves into the Council's Strategic Priorities Reserve.

Repairs and Maintenance

Babergh Cabinet adopted a new Repairs and Maintenance Policy for council housing. The policy clarifies the responsibilities of tenants and the Council with regards to maintaining their homes and sets out the different types of repairs that the Council offers. The new policy also outlines the Council’s approach to rechargeable repairs, where tenants are expected to pay for damage to their property that is not considered to be caused by normal wear and tear, and explains what will happen in the case of missed appointments or failure to provide access. The policy also states that the Council will provide an annual gas safety inspection and will carry out electrical inspections at least every five years. The policy was developed in consultation with the Tenant Board and Resident Readers Panel.

Carbon Emissions

Babergh Cabinet noted the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Report 2023/24. The report showed that emissions for 2023/24 were 3,388 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2e), a 42.9% reduction compared to the 2018/19 baseline. However, the report also showed that emissions were 4.7% higher than the Council’s projected target for the year. Leisure centres were again identified as the single biggest source of emissions. The report highlights the Council’s efforts to mitigate carbon emissions, including the installation of solar panels on Council buildings and the use of Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO)¹ in the waste collection fleet. The report also states that the Council plans to introduce more Scope 3 emissions reporting in the future. This refers to indirect emissions from sources such as water supply, employee commuting, and waste disposal.

Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) is a type of biodiesel made from waste vegetable oils and animal fats.

Community Infrastructure Levy

Babergh Cabinet approved a CIL bid of £28,024.40 to fund a solar energy project at Glemsford Village Hall. The project will install a solar photovoltaic system including onsite battery storage and is expected to reduce the hall’s energy consumption and carbon footprint.

The Cabinet also approved a CIL bid of £61,886.25 to fund the upgrade of cricket practice facilities at East Bergholt Cricket Club. The upgrade will improve the quality and safety of the facilities.

The Cabinet noted that CIL Bid Round 14 had recently taken place and that a seventh review of the CIL Expenditure Framework will take place over the winter of 2024/25 with recommendations going before both Councils for consideration in Spring 2025.