The Mid Suffolk Cabinet met to discuss financial monitoring reports, a performance report, and the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) expenditure programme. The cabinet approved the CIL Expenditure Programme, which included allocations for infrastructure projects in Stowmarket, Ipswich, Thorndon and Coddenham. They also noted the General Fund and Housing Revenue Account (HRA) financial monitoring reports, and the Quarter 1 performance report.

Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Expenditure Programme

The Mid Suffolk Cabinet approved the [CIL Expenditure Programme September 2025][https://baberghmidsuffolk.moderngov.co.uk/documents/g4136/Decisions%2009th-Sep-2025%2009.30%20Mid%20Suffolk%20Cabinet.pdf?T=2], which allocates funds collected from developers towards infrastructure projects. Councillor Andrew Stringer, Cabinet Member for Heritage, Planning and Infrastructure, presented the report, which included decisions on six CIL bids.

The approved bids include:

• Stowmarket Creeting Road Depot Transformation Project: £133,443.26 from the Strategic Infrastructure Fund for the Creeting Road Depot Transformation project in Stowmarket. This project aims to transform the existing depot to accommodate additional vehicles and staff required for the new simpler recycling and food waste collections mandated in June 2026. The funding is subject to building control regulations approval.
• Ipswich Recycling Centre Phase 2 Redevelopment of Site: £100,672.00 from the Strategic Infrastructure Fund for the Recycling Centre Phase 2 Redevelopment of Site in Ipswich. This contribution is an exception to the CIL Expenditure Framework, contingent on Suffolk County Council (SCC) completing the purchase of the new site. The report notes that while the CIL Expenditure Framework now prefers funding for recycling sites to come from section 106 agreements¹, this bid was submitted before that change was made.
• Extension to Stowmarket High School: £4,831,400.00, with £3,098,080.88 from the Strategic Infrastructure Fund and £1,733,319.12 from the Ringfenced Infrastructure Fund (Needham Market, Haughley, Bacton, Finningham, Creeting St Mary, Stowupland, Mendlesham) for an extension to Stowmarket High School. This is subject to planning permission being granted. According to the report, the extension is needed to accommodate the increasing demand for secondary school places due to local housing growth.
• Upgrade of Fen View Play Area, Thorndon: £93,056.99, with £62,004.00 from the Ringfenced Infrastructure Fund (Thorndon) and £31,052.99 from the Local Infrastructure Fund for the upgrade of Fen View Play Area in Thorndon. The project aims to create a more inclusive and accessible play area.
• Children’s Playground, Coddenham: £55,066.59 from the Local Infrastructure Fund for a children’s playground in Coddenham. The project will update the existing play area with new equipment to enhance play options and inclusivity.
• Bridleway 020 Surface Improvements, Debenham: Noted the delegated decision for approved CIL Bid B25-07 for £14,000.00 from the Ringfenced Infrastructure Fund (Debenham) for surface improvements to Bridleway 020 in Debenham.

The cabinet also noted and endorsed the CIL Expenditure Programme, including details of emerging infrastructure and CIL bids.

General Fund Financial Monitoring 2025/26 Q1 Outturn

The Mid Suffolk Cabinet noted the [General Fund Financial Monitoring 2025/26 Q1 Outturn][https://baberghmidsuffolk.moderngov.co.uk/documents/g4136/Decisions%2009th-Sep-2025%2009.30%20Mid%20Suffolk%20Cabinet.pdf?T=2] report presented by Councillor Janet Pearson, Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources. The report highlighted a surplus of £632,000 for quarter one and a forecast surplus of £3.1 million against a budget surplus of £2.4 million. The capital programme spend to date was £3.7 million, with a forecast of £29.8 million for the financial year.

Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Financial Monitoring 2025/26 Q1 Outturn

Councillor Janet Pearson, Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources, also presented the [Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Financial Monitoring 2025/26 Q1 Outturn][https://baberghmidsuffolk.moderngov.co.uk/documents/g4136/Decisions%2009th-Sep-2025%2009.30%20Mid%20Suffolk%20Cabinet.pdf?T=2] report. The report noted a surplus of £374,000 for quarter one and a forecast deficit of £1.7 million against a deficit budget of £2.1 million. The capital programme spend to date was £1 million, with a forecast of £20.6 million.

Quarter 1 - 2025/26 Mid Suffolk Performance Report

Councillor Andrew Mellen, Leader of Mid Suffolk District Council and Cabinet Member for Performance and Resilience, presented the [Quarter 1 - 2025/26 Mid Suffolk Performance Report][https://baberghmidsuffolk.moderngov.co.uk/documents/g4136/Decisions%2009th-Sep-2025%2009.30%20Mid%20Suffolk%20Cabinet.pdf?T=2]. The report provided an overview of performance against the Mid Suffolk Plan for April to June 2025. The cabinet noted the performance, including key performance indicators shown as red, and the commentary around these. The report also included the Council Housing Assurance Report as an appendix, providing a view of performance in relation to the landlord service, including Tenant Satisfaction Measures.