Forward Plan, key decisions and exempt decisions

Our Forward Plan shows both key decisions and other decisions/matters that the Cabinet, individual Cabinet members, or officers under delegated authority, are intending to take over the coming months.

The Forward Plan is updated on a rolling basis and provides at least 28 clear days notice of the intention to consider key decisions and the taking of any decision/matter in private. The Plan provides a short description of the decision to be considered, who will be taking the decision, when the decision will be taken, and contact details for further information, which may include background papers.

A key decision is a decision which:

  • will result in the council incurring expenditure, making savings or receiving income which is/are significant, having regard to the council's budget for the service or function to which the decision relates, or
  • will be significant in terms of it's effects on communities living or working in an area comprising two or more wards in the district.

Key decisions have to be supported by written reports. Reports for decisions taken by Cabinet are included with meeting papers.

Once a decision is taken it will be included within a Decision Notice and published on our website for five clear working days prior to the implementation of the decision. This is to allow time for the decision to be ‘called-in’.

Once a decision has been made and published within a Decision Notice, it will be implemented after five working days have elapsed, unless a valid call-in request by members of the council is received. Once the request for a call-in has been received, a meeting of the Scrutiny Committee is called, as soon as possible to discuss it. The decision is then either referred to Full Council or back to the decision making body or individual for reconsideration.

Full details of the call-in procedure can be found in Part 3 of the East Suffolk Council Constitution under the Scrutiny Procedure Rules.

Key decision reports for decisions taken by individual officers or Cabinet members

None at present.

Notices of urgent/confidential key decisions

Where it is not possible to comply with the notification period of 28 working days, ahead of the expected date of a key decision, a notice will be issued. The notice will set out why it has not been possible to comply with the notification period and the reasons why the decision is urgent and cannot be deferred.

12 January 2026 Notice of consideration of a key decision that has not been included on the Forward Plan as such:  Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) Legal Services Procurement.
24 November 2025 Notice of consideration of a key decision that has not been included on the Forward Plan as such - Evaluation of option of asset transfer to ESSL and associated matters.
22 October 2025 Notice of consideration of an exempt decision that has not been included on the Forward Plan as such Shareholder Reference Group - Contract extension for a Non-executive Director position and External consultant report.
27 June 2025 Notice of consideration of a key decision that has not been included on the Forward Plan as such – Property Acquisition.
26 June 2025 Notice of consideration of a key decision that has not been included on the Forward Plan as such – Resilient Coasts Project Delivery.
5 June 2025 Notice of consideration of an Exempt Key Decision that has not been included on the Forward Plan for the required 28 days – to consider the Property acquisition for the purpose of temporary accommodation.
9 May 2025 Notice of consideration of an Exempt Key Decision that has not been included on the Forward Plan for the require 28 days – to consider Procurement of a groundwork contractor to support upgrading of electrical cables on Romany Lane Site.
21 February 2025 Notice of consideration of a Key Decision that has not been included on the Forward Plan as such – to consider and determine the Council’s interim plans for Local Government Reorganisation by the central government deadline of 21 March 2025.