The West Suffolk Council Cabinet met on Tuesday 21 July 2026, approving plans for the enhancement of Haverhill High Street and the refurbishment of the former HSBC building, alongside the adoption of a new Cyber Security Strategy. The Cabinet also approved the write-off of significant amounts of unrecoverable debt across Council Tax, Business Rates, Housing Benefit overpayments, and sundry debt.

Haverhill High Street Enhancements and Former HSBC Building

The Cabinet agreed to proceed with Option 2 for the Haverhill High Street enhancements and the former HSBC building, which involves refurbishing the building and undertaking public realm improvements. This decision was made after considering three options: demolishing the HSBC building, refurbishing it, or doing nothing. Option 2 was favoured due to its affordability, deliverability within the available timeframe, lower risk profile, environmental benefits, and the potential for future income generation from the refurbished building. The project aims to improve the town centre experience by increasing footfall and dwell time, enhancing perceptions of safety and quality, supporting the evening economy, and providing a foundation for longer-term regeneration.

Revenues Collection Performance and Write-Offs

The Cabinet approved the write-off of £51,631.96 in Council Tax, £216,773.82 in Business Rates, £11,049.75 in Housing Benefit overpayments, and £17,285.76 in sundry debt. These amounts were deemed irrecoverable after extensive recovery processes had been exhausted. The decision was made to allow staff to focus on collecting recoverable debts and to ensure accurate financial reporting. It was noted that any written-off debt that subsequently becomes recoverable will be reinstated, and enforcement procedures will be re-established.

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 vital 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 agreed that the Council will continue to monitor HMO supply, distribution, and impacts, reporting any significant issues back to the Cabinet. The study's findings did not support the introduction of an Article 4 Direction¹ to remove permitted development rights for changes of use to small HMOs across the district or in specific areas of Bury St Edmunds, Haverhill, and Newmarket.

West Suffolk Council Cyber Security Strategy 2026 to 2028

The Cabinet approved the West Suffolk Cyber Security Strategy 2026 to 2028. This strategy aims to minimise the likelihood and impact of cyber-attacks on the council, thereby protecting customer data and the availability of services. It builds upon the council's existing proactive approach to cyber security, aligning with the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government's Cyber Assessment Framework (CAF) and national best practices. The strategy focuses on identifying threats and vulnerabilities, protecting systems through robust controls, and ensuring effective response and recovery mechanisms are in place.

Draft West Suffolk Annual Report 2025 to 2026

The Cabinet approved the draft West Suffolk Annual Report 2025 to 2026. This report highlights the council's key activities and achievements during the financial year, aligning with the West Suffolk Council's Strategic Priorities 2024-2028. The report focuses on supporting local communities and businesses, and it was 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, noting and endorsing the Environmental Annual Statement 2025 to 2026 and its accompanying appendices. The report detailed progress made in environmental improvements, including reductions in carbon emissions, investment in renewable energy, waste reduction initiatives, and sustainable transport projects. Key achievements included decarbonisation works at leisure centres, expansion of the Solar for Business programme, preparation for the Better Recycling service, and the installation of electrical recycling banks.