East Suffolk Council
News
East Suffolk Council elects new Chairman for 2022/23
East Suffolk Council has elected its new Chairman for the 2022/23 municipal year.
Comments welcome on revocation of Woodbridge Air Quality Management Area
Residents are invited to give their views on the proposed removal of an Air Quality Management Area in Woodbridge, which is no longer required due to significant improvements in air quality.
Explore East Suffolk with new digital trails
To help residents and visitors stay active and explore more of East Suffolk, over 70 miles of digital trails are now available to enjoy through the walking app Go Jauntly.
Free parking over the Jubilee weekend
East Suffolk residents and visitors celebrating Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee can benefit from free parking in council-owned car parks on selected dates.
Another step towards environmental aims with dedicated officer role appointment
East Suffolk Council has stepped up its commitment to delivering on environmental ambitions by appointing a dedicated lead officer to help shape policy in the fight against climate change.
Suffolk residents encouraged to use their Quiet Lanes
People in Suffolk are being encouraged to explore more of the beautiful countryside on their doorstep through the growing Quiet Lanes initiative.
Housing improvement programme making progress
East Suffolk Council is making progress with a detailed improvement programme following the authority’s decision earlier this year to report itself to the Regulator for Social Housing.
The Council’s review, which encompasses information dating back to East Suffolk’s predecessor authority Waveney District Council, is considering how we set our rental charges, to ensure we meet the requirements set out in the nationally recognised ‘Rent Standard’.
The Council previously explained that some tenants who moved in after 2014 may have been incorrectly charged a higher rent. An independent, external audit of every rent account is now underway, and this will identify which tenants have been affected and calculate any overpayments that should be credited back to the rent account.
The review is also looking at all aspects of Health and Safety related to our properties, including Fire Risk Assessments, Asbestos Management, Water Safety, Gas and Electrical Safety as well as the management and maintenance of equipment including Lifts and Stairlifts.
Following the Council’s decision to report itself, the Regulator has considered the information provided to them by East Suffolk and has now shared its findings. As anticipated, they confirm breaches of Housing Regulations, and their findings have been published in the form of a Regulatory Notice.
Cllr Steve Gallant, Leader of East Suffolk Council, said:
Helping to deliver affordable homes in East Suffolk
A new planning document has been adopted in East Suffolk to help guide the development of affordable homes being delivered across the district.
East Suffolk Council has adopted a new Affordable Housing Supplementary Planning Document (SPD). The Affordable Housing SPD provides guidance to support the implementation of the Council’s planning policies on affordable housing.
Cllr David Ritchie, cabinet member for Planning and Coastal Management said: “Our two Local Plans contain policies relating to the provision and development of affordable housing and this Supplementary Planning Document will support the implementation of those policies. This new document, which includes guidance on the design of affordable housing, legal agreements and carrying out local housing needs assessments, will be a material consideration in the determination of planning applications going forward.”
View the Affordable Housing SPD, and supporting documents, including the Consultation Statement and the Adoption Notice.
Coastline celebration for Festival of the Sea at Landguard
As part of the Festival of Suffolk and The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, the Festival of the Sea this June will celebrate the rich coastline and maritime links of Suffolk and Essex.
Signed, sealed, delivered…restored: Insights into Post Office conservation project
A series of revealing workshops will provide insight into some of the specialist conservation work being carried out to restore Lowestoft’s historic former Post Office building.