Additional documents:
Minutes:
Councillor I C Bates, Leader and Chairman of the Cabinet, presented the Report of the meetings of the Cabinet held on 21st February, 13th March and 3rd April 2008.
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In connection with Item No. 74 and in response to a series of questions from Councillors P J Downes, Mrs B E Boddington, J E Garner, J A Gray, D A Giles and Mrs M Banerjee, the Leader, Councillor I C Bates and Councillor P L E Bucknell, Executive Councillor for Planning Strategy, Environment and Transport replied that by adopting the Environment Strategy, the Council was taking the first step in responding to a number of challenges with regard to environmental issues; that there might be occasions when difficult decisions would be required and a balance of view taken as to the cost benefit of various options; that Cambridgeshire had accepted waste for disposal from London for many years; that it was equally important to consider the sustainability of local rural communities and the contrasting lifestyles of towns and villages; and that the Strategy and its associated action plan represented the beginning of a five-year programme of projects to address climate change, the efficient use of resources and the protection and improvement of the environment and would be reviewed annually to respond to emerging issues and technology. The Leader also undertook to respond, in writing, to the suggestion that the principles of biodiversity were damaging food production and farming. In his response, the Leader paid tribute to the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Corporate and Strategic Framework), Members, Officers and former Councillor N J Guyatt for their contribution to the preparation of the Strategy. Whereupon, and having been put to the vote, it was
RESOLVED
that the Environment Strategy be approved and adopted by the Council subject to the Director of Environmental and Community Services being authorised to approve any minor textual changes and the final format of the document, after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Planning Strategy, Environment and Transport.
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In connection with Item No. 77 and in response to a question from Councillor D J Priestman, regarding proposed improvements to the Riverside Park, Huntingdon, the Leader replied that the masterplan for the Park would be subject to public consultation prior to a decision being taken as to how the scheme was to be progressed. Councillor J J Dutton added that further details of the proposals had been presented at a meeting of the Huntingdon Environmental Improvements Advisory Group held on the previous day.
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In connection with Item No. 79 and in response to questions from Councillors Mrs M Banerjee and P J Downes regarding the State of the District Engagement Events and their disappointment at the Cabinet’s decision to question the accuracy of the resource and financial implications thereof, the Leader of the Council pointed out that further information had been sought from the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Service Delivery) after which the matter would be considered again by the Cabinet.
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