The West Suffolk Council Cabinet met on Tuesday 19 May 2026, approving changes to parking tariffs as part of the High Street Competitiveness Fund and adopting a new Private Sector Housing Enforcement Policy. The Cabinet also agreed to update emissions standards for taxis and private hire vehicles and reviewed the appointments for its joint committees and working groups.

High Street Competitiveness Fund

The Cabinet approved changes to parking business rules and tariff bands, as well as the evaluation framework for a free parking pilot scheme. These measures are part of the High Street Competitiveness Package, funded with up to £600,000 per annum for two years to support town centre vitality. The pilot scheme includes free parking for the first hour in specific car parks in Newmarket and Haverhill, and a free parking period on Monday mornings in Bury St Edmunds. The changes are intended to boost footfall and economic growth across West Suffolk's market towns. The evaluation framework will assess the pilot's success based on town centre economic impact, financial sustainability, and value for money, with quarterly monitoring and a full 12-month review planned.

West Suffolk Council Taxis and Private Hire Vehicle Emissions

New regulations were agreed for taxis and private hire vehicles, removing the maximum age limit on first registration and introducing an emissions standard equivalent to Euro 6 or above, effective from 1 July 2026. This change aims to reduce pollution from the fleet, aligning with Department for Transport best practice and neighbouring councils' policies. Public consultation showed strong support for the emissions standard, with 84% of respondents agreeing with the proposal. Feedback on extending the measure to vehicle renewals was also noted, with 65% in favour. Future emission standards will be delegated to the Director (Housing, Communities and Regulatory), in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Regulatory.

West Suffolk Council's Approach to Private Sector Housing Enforcement

A new Private Sector Housing Enforcement Policy was approved to align with the Renters' Rights Act 2025, which aims to enhance tenant protection and improve standards in the private rented sector. The policy introduces a more robust and proportionate approach to enforcement, with a focus on swift compliance and financial penalties for non-compliant landlords. Minor amendments were also made to the Corporate Enforcement Policy to reference the new private sector policy. A 12-month review will be conducted to assess the impact of the new approach. The policy aims to ensure landlords understand their responsibilities and to drive out poor practices from the market, with potential financial penalties ranging from £3,000 to £40,000 for serious offences.

Annual Review and Appointment of the Cabinet's Joint Committee and Working Groups/Panels

The Cabinet agreed to continue operating several joint committees and working groups for the 2026 to 2027 year. These include the Staff Consultative Panel, the West Suffolk Grant Working Party, and the West Suffolk Local Plan Working Group. The appointments to the Anglia Revenues and Benefits Partnership Joint Committee were noted as having been made for the remainder of the current administration's term. The Cabinet also agreed that informal advisory panels could be established by the Leader to consider specific issues as required.

Decisions Plan: 1 May 2026 to 31 May 2026

The Cabinet reviewed the Decisions Plan for the period 1 April 2026 to 31 May 2026. No further information or amendments were requested on this occasion.