Parish Report from Councillor David Wood.
COVID-19 Update Latest Government advice is available here: www.gov.uk/coronavirus Latest SCC information is available here: https://www.suffolk.gov.uk/coronavirus-covid-19/
Changes to Home But Not Alone phoneline
From 5pm on 31 July, the Home But Not Alone phoneline will no longer provide:
- Free emergency food deliveries
- Medicine deliveries
Shielded residents in Suffolk have been written to by Government and are aware of these changes.
However, these support services are designed to be reintroduced and stood up once again if there is a significant local outbreak.
For the short-term, the team at Home But Not Alone will still be able to offer help/advice and signpost to neighbourhood or countywide support. As a reminder, the number is 0800 876 6926.
Sudden closure of Age UK Suffolk
Age UK Suffolk ceased operations from Friday 24 July. This is a huge loss for our county, and I know that many residents will be concerned about the loss of vital support for themselves or elderly friends/relatives.
Age UK stated that it had faced a number of financial challenges in recent years, and the impact of the pandemic on fundraising was the final straw.
Suffolk County Council has published details of alternative sources of support: https://www.suffolk.gov.uk/coronavirus-covid-19/age-uk-suffolk/
Delay for children’s centre cuts after error spotted in report
The Cabinet was due to approve changes to children’s centres on 14 July. However, an error was spotted in the report at the last minute, which resulted in the Chief Executive pulling the report from the meeting. It will now be discussed at the Cabinet meeting on 25 August.
There are currently 38 children’s centres in Suffolk. Under the proposed changes, this would be reduced to only 17 full-time and 11 part-time family hubs. Family hubs provide services for 0-19 year olds, whereas children’s centres currently provide services for 0-5 year olds. 8 centres would be repurposed for nurseries or SEND facilities, and another two centres will close completely.
Climate emergency recommendations published
On 14 July, the Cabinet approved the recommendations of a cross-party policy development panel outlining how the council should respond to the climate emergency and reduce emissions. This follows a motion from my group in March 2019, which declared a climate emergency and committed the council to be carbon neutral by 2030.
Key recommendations include:
- All future decisions must take into account carbon emissions
- Annual publication of a carbon budget alongside the financial budget
- Publish a cross-council action plan by the end of 2020 for net zero emissions across Suffolk
- Changing to a 100% renewable energy tariff
- Replacing all pool cars and service vehicles with fully electric vehicles by 2025
- Develop an investment programme for renewable energy generation on the county farms estate
- For all existing council buildings (including maintained schools), switch away from oil, LPG and natural gas use by 2030 and invest in onsite renewable energy generation
- Provide advice for academies/free schools to develop their own net zero emissions plans
Conservatives and Labour vote against anti-Sizewell motion
At the Council meeting on 9 July, my group proposed a motion calling on the council to oppose the development of Sizewell C and set up a cross-party group to consider whether the council should maintain its current ‘in-principle’ support for nuclear power.
However, the motion was not passed after both the Labour and Conservative groups voted against it.
I am very concerned about the environmental impact of Sizewell C on the Suffolk Coast and Heaths AONB, and the negative economic implications for the tourism and hospitality industries that will accompany this.
The development of Sizewell C is due to be discussed at the Cabinet meeting on 22 September.