Decision details

That Cabinet -

a)     formally supports the Freeport East Full Business Case to be submitted by East Suffolk District Council to the Government;

b)     agrees to the approach to local business rate retention, as set out in the Full Business Case and summarised in the Leader’s report;

c)      agrees that the Leader of the Council and Officers can participate in the governance proposals set out in the Full Business Case on the principle that Tendring District Council becomes a member of the body set up to govern the Freeport;

d)     notes that any decision to formally become part of the governing body will be taken by the Leader of the Council, in accordance with previous delegations, following consultation with his Portfolio Holder Working Party;

e)     approves the Leader of the Council appointing a Member representative to that governing body;

f)       assigns £160,000 to pay for projects in support of Freeport East to be agreed through the Freeport governance structure and notes that the Full Business Case sets out the expectation that this sum should be repaid to the Council from future retained business rates; and

g)     recommends to Full Council that Freeport East be confirmed within the Council’s Budget and Policy Framework, and included as part of the Corporate Plan 2020-2024, as previously adopted by Full Council.