The Council meeting on Tuesday 24 March 2026 saw the approval of the budget and Council Tax for the upcoming year, including an amendment to introduce a High Street Competitiveness Package. Significant decisions were also made regarding the adoption of the Barrow cum Denham Neighbourhood Plan and the approval of the Pay Policy Statement for 2026-2027.

Budget and Council Tax Setting 2026 to 2027

The Council approved the budget and Council Tax for 2026 to 2027, setting the Band D Council Tax at £209.70, an increase of 12 pence per week. This decision was made after a lengthy debate and the approval of an amendment proposed by Councillor Joe Mason, which introduced a High Street Competitiveness Package. This package, funded from reserve balances, will allocate up to £600,000 per annum for two years to support town centre vitality, footfall, and economic growth across West Suffolk's market towns. Key elements of this package include free parking on Monday mornings at The Arc multi-storey car park in Bury St Edmunds, a trial of the first hour free parking in Newmarket and Haverhill, the continuation of existing free parking arrangements in Mildenhall and Brandon, a freeze on parking charges in Bury St Edmunds for two years, and a reduction in pavement licence fees to £100.

While the amendment was passed by 28 votes to 27 with one abstention, concerns were raised by some councillors regarding the reliance on reserves to balance the budget, questioning its long-term sustainability. Despite these concerns, the substantive motion, as amended, was ultimately approved by 30 votes to 24 with one abstention. The approved budget also includes the revenue and capital budget for 2026 to 2030, a general fund balance of £5 million, and approved fees and charges price increases.

Barrow cum Denham Neighbourhood Plan Adoption

The Council formally adopted the Barrow cum Denham Neighbourhood Plan, making it part of the statutory development plan for the area. This decision follows a successful referendum held on 29 January 2026, where 433 residents voted in favour of the plan and 140 against. The plan, which guides development in the Barrow cum Denham Neighbourhood Area until 2041, has been through a rigorous examination process and met the required basic conditions. Councillor Frank Stennett, Portfolio Holder for Planning, highlighted that the adoption of the plan will allow the Barrow cum Denham Parish Council to receive 25 per cent of any Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) receipts from future development in its area.

Pay Policy Statement 2026 to 2027

The Council approved the Pay Policy Statement for 2026 to 2027. This statutory document outlines the council's approach to senior pay, the remuneration of the lowest paid employees, and the relationship between them. It confirms that the Chief Executive's salary remains at £165,821 per annum, with no additional bonuses or ex-gratia payments. The statement also details the pay ranges for other senior roles, including Deputy Chief Executive/Chief Operating Officer, Directors, and Heads of Service. The report noted that the council's pay ratio between the highest earner (Chief Executive) and the median earner is 4.9:1, which is within the recommended range. The statement also addresses gender pay, reporting a mean gender pay gap of -1.46% and a median gender pay gap of -1.59% for the period April 2024 to March 2025, indicating that females, on average, earn slightly more per hour than males.

Community Governance Review

The Council agreed to approve draft recommendations for consultation as part of the ongoing Community Governance Review (CGR). These recommendations, developed by the CGR Task and Finish Group, address submissions received regarding parish arrangements. Key proposals include grouping the three Fornham parishes (Fornham All Saints, Fornham St Martin, and Fornham St Genevieve) under a single Parish Council, potentially to be renamed The Fornhams Parish Council or similar. Other recommendations include increasing the number of councillors for Freckenham Parish Council from five to seven, removing the parish warding arrangement for Honington parish, and increasing the number of councillors for Fakenham Magna Parish Council from five to six. A three-month consultation period on these draft recommendations will commence on 1 April 2026.

Motion on Notice - Indoor Sports Provision in Newmarket

A motion on notice concerning indoor sports provision in Newmarket was discussed. The motion, proposed by Councillor Adrian Whittle, highlights the significant lack of indoor sports facilities in Newmarket, exacerbated by population growth and the loss of facilities from former school sites. The Council recognised the importance of high-quality sports facilities for health, wellbeing, and community cohesion. In response, the Council committed to engaging with sports clubs and community partners to assess needs, undertaking preparatory work for a Sports Hub to be incorporated into a new Masterplan for Newmarket, and co-producing this Masterplan with Suffolk County Council, Newmarket Town Council, and local stakeholders. The commitment to improved indoor sports provision will be safeguarded through any future local government reorganisation.

Leader's Statement

Councillor Cliff Waterman, Leader of West Suffolk Council, presented his Leader's Statement, highlighting key developments and activities. He reported on the rollout of new green-lidded recycling bins and food waste caddies as part of the Better Recycling service, which will enable residents to recycle a wider range of materials from kerbside. The council has also purchased land adjacent to the Operational Hub in Fornham St Martin to accommodate new staff and vehicles required for the enhanced recycling service and future growth.

Councillor Waterman also shared an update on the Bright Idea for Mildenhall Hub, where solar photovoltaic (PV) canopies will be installed in the main car park to harness solar power, saving over £130,000 and 120 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually. This initiative aligns with the council's strategic priority to improve environmental resilience and work towards net zero emissions by 2039.

Other points raised in the Leader's Statement included the free Easter holiday activities programme for children from families needing support, funded by the Government's Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme, and the council's support for landlords in preparation for the Renters Rights Act. He also announced that grassroots sports clubs across West Suffolk are being supported with grants from the Get Back Into Sport fund, totalling just under £26,400 for 41 clubs and organisations. Finally, he mentioned a new exhibition at Moyse's Hall Museum, 'Faces: The people behind our portraits', which showcases the work of local and international artists.

Treasury Management Reports

The Council approved the Treasury Management Report for December 2025 and the Financial Resilience – Strategy Statement 2026 to 2027 and Treasury Management Code of Practice. Councillor Diane Hind, Portfolio Holder for Resources, thanked the Financial Resilience Sub-Committee and the Performance and Audit Scrutiny Committee for their scrutiny of these reports.

Review of Political Balance and Calendar of Meetings

The Council approved the revised political balance and allocation of seats and substitutes on committees for the remainder of 2025 to 2026, following a change in political group membership. Additionally, the proposed calendar of meetings for 2026 to 2027 was approved.