The West Suffolk Council Cabinet met on Tuesday 21 July 2026. The Cabinet approved plans for the refurbishment of the former HSBC building in Haverhill High Street and endorsed the council's Cyber Security Strategy. The Cabinet also approved the write-off of outstanding debts across Council Tax, Business Rates, Housing Benefit overpayments, and sundry debts.

Haverhill High Street Enhancements and Former HSBC Building

The Cabinet noted the progress made on the Haverhill High Street enhancement project and agreed to proceed with Option 2: Refurbish the former HSBC building, along with public realm schemes. This decision was made after considering three options: demolishing the building, refurbishing it, or doing nothing. Option 2 was favoured for its affordability, deliverability within the available timeframe, lower risk profile, environmental benefits, and the potential for future income generation. The refurbishment aims to improve the town centre experience by increasing footfall and dwell time, enhancing perceptions of safety and quality, supporting business confidence, and enabling a stronger evening economy. The allocated funding for this project is £1.693 million.

Revenues Collection Performance and Write-Offs

The Cabinet approved the write-off of outstanding debts totalling £51,631.96 for Council Tax, £216,773.82 for Business Rates, £11,049.75 for Housing Benefit overpayments, and £17,285.76 for sundry debts. These write-offs were recommended after extensive recovery processes had been exhausted. The report noted that provision for irrecoverable debts is included in the accounts, and writing off uncollectable debts allows staff to focus on recoverable debt. The council's collection rates for Council Tax and Business Rates were reported as being generally on target for the end of the year.

Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) in West Suffolk

The Cabinet noted and agreed the findings of a study on Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) in West Suffolk. The study concluded that HMOs play a key role in meeting local housing needs, particularly for lower-income workers and those on benefits, and that there is no evidence of widespread over-concentration or significant amenity impacts. The Cabinet resolved that the council will continue to monitor HMO supply, distribution, concentration, and impacts on amenity, reporting any significant issues back to the Cabinet for consideration. The study found that HMOs account for a small share of the district's housing stock, with concentrations generally low even at a local level. The findings did not support the introduction of an Article 4 Direction to remove permitted development rights for changes of use to small HMOs across the district or in specific areas with higher concentrations.

West Suffolk Council Cyber Security Strategy 2026 to 2028

The Cabinet approved the West Suffolk Cyber Security Strategy 2026 to 2028. The strategy aims to minimise the likelihood and impact of cyber-attacks, protecting customer data and the availability of council services. It builds on the council's existing proactive approach to cyber security, aligning with the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government's Cyber Assessment Framework (CAF). The strategy emphasizes risk management, minimising the attack surface, identifying threats and vulnerabilities, and remediating risks through technical controls, policies, and training. The council has maintained accreditations such as Public Services Network (PSN), NCSC Cyber Essential Plus (CE+), and the NHS Data Security and Protection Toolkit.

Draft West Suffolk Annual Report 2025 to 2026

The Cabinet approved the draft West Suffolk Annual Report 2025 to 2026, subject to the inclusion of amendments suggested by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee. The report highlights the council's achievements in supporting local communities and businesses, aligning with the council's four strategic priorities: affordable, available, and decent homes; environmental resilience; sustainable growth; and thriving communities. The Cabinet also noted that changes will be required to the Housing, Homelessness Reduction and Rough Sleeping Strategy and Action Plan in response to the Renters' Rights Act 2025 and the Government's Plan to End Homelessness.

Annual Environmental and Climate Change Update Report 2025 to 2026

The Cabinet approved the Environment and Climate Change Report 2025 to 2026 for implementation and noted and endorsed the Environmental Annual Statement 2025 to 2026 and accompanying appendices. The report details progress made in addressing the climate emergency and enhancing the local environment, including reductions in carbon emissions, investment in renewable energy, biodiversity improvements, waste reduction initiatives, and sustainable transport projects. Key achievements include decarbonisation works at leisure centres, installation of solar canopies, expansion of the Solar for Business programme, preparation for the Better Recycling service, and continued support for community environmental initiatives. The Environment and Sustainability Reference Group (ESRG) provided feedback, highlighting the importance of energy demand, water management, and community cooling spaces.