Here is a summary of the upcoming Mid Suffolk Council meeting. The meeting will address the annual treasury management report, discuss local government reorganisation, and consider a motion regarding the mayoral election system. Councillors will also consider appointments to the Licensing and Regulatory Committee and the Sustainable Travel Working Group.

Local Government Reorganisation

The council will consider a report on local government reorganisation (LGR) in Suffolk, specifically the Case for Change, developed in collaboration with other district and borough councils in Suffolk. The report pack states that the government has asked councils in two-tier areas within the Devolution Priority Programme to submit a 'Case for Change'. The document includes a draft of the Case for Change, which proposes a three unitary model for Suffolk. The report pack says that the council will also consider an 'unmodified submission' to the Secretary of State, as the preferred solution in the Case for Change would require a modification to district boundaries. The report pack states that the council will consider delegating authority to the Chief Executive, Arthur Charvonia, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, Councillor Andrew Mellen, to make minor changes to the Case for Change and contribute to any joint covering letter.

The rationale behind pursuing reorganisation, as outlined in the English Devolution White Paper, includes:

• delivering efficiency savings
• service transformation
• reducing workforce pressures
• increasing local accountability

The report pack mentions that the Suffolk district and borough councils jointly appointed KPMG to help develop options for Local Government Reorganisation in Suffolk. The report pack also notes that the government's preference is for all councils in an area to work together to develop a single proposal for reorganisation, but it will consider any suitable proposals submitted by the relevant local authorities.

The report pack refers to a survey, 'Have Your Say Suffolk', which sought to understand the views of respondents as to what was the most important attribute for future local government in Suffolk. The report pack states that 2,208 responses were received and a summary of the outcomes of the survey is attached as an appendix in the Case for Change.

Motion on Mayoral Election System and Timing

Councillor John Matthissen, seconded by Councillor Andy Mellen, will propose a motion concerning the election system for the Mayor of the Norfolk and Suffolk Strategic Authority¹. The motion notes that while the government intends to return to the Supplementary Voting (SV) system² for mayoral elections, it is unlikely to be in place for the May 2026 elections. The motion also highlights concerns about the democratic deficit of the First Past the Post (FPTP) system³, citing the West of England mayoral election in 2024 where the mayor was elected with only 25% of the vote. The motion requests that the Leader of the Council write to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, requesting actions to ensure the first mayor is elected via the supplementary vote system, either by expediting legislation or delaying the elections.

Annual Treasury Management Report

The council will consider the Annual Treasury Management Report for 2024/25. The report provides a comprehensive assessment of treasury management activities for the financial year, in accordance with the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) Code of Practice on Treasury Management. The report sets out the performance of the treasury management function, the effects of the decisions taken, and any circumstances of non-compliance with the treasury management policy. The report also includes performance on Prudential Indicators which were set in the 2024/25 Treasury Management Strategy. The report pack states that the figures contained in this report are subject to the external auditor's review.

The report pack states that the key risks are:

• The income projections for the Councils investment in the Capital Investment Fund (CIFCO) may not be met
• Income, capital and economic outcomes projected for Gateway 14 Ltd may not be delivered
• General Fund: Babergh DC may fail to be financially sustainable
• General Fund: Mid Suffolk DC may fail to be financially sustainable
• Babergh District Council may expose itself to financial risk through its own subsidiary companies and other commercial activities
• Mid Suffolk District Council may expose itself to financial risk through its own subsidiary companies and other commercial activities
• The Councils may be subject to fraud, corruption and bribery
• Non-compliance with legislation and regulatory standards.
• The Councils may face significant increases in their borrowing costs

The report pack states that both Councils have joined Arlingclose's Environmental Social and Governance (ESG) and Responsible Investment Service.

Councillor Appointments

The council will be asked to agree to the following councillor appointments:

• Agnes Watson replacing David Bradbury on the Licensing and Regulatory Committee
• Harry Richardson replacing Gilly Morgan on the Sustainable Travel Working Group