Issue - meetings

To receive a report inviting the Cabinet to consider recommendations relating to infrastructure projects seeking funding of £100,001 or more in whole or in part from an amount of the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) monies.

The Cabinet has

a)  noted the updates on delivery in relation to the projects previously allocated or in receipt of CIL funding commitments (see Appendix 1);

b)  noted any new allocated CIL projects for £100,000.00 or less approved by delegation on 5th February 2026 (see Appendix 2);

c)  noted the project to be approved in accordance with Stage 2 CIL governance review with the level of funding to be agreed in line with delegated authority as stated at para 2.5 of this report;

d)  agreed officer recommendations at Paragraph 4.3 to APPROVE funding for 3 Padel Courts in Huntingdon;

e)  agreed officer recommendations at Paragraph 4.4 to APPROVE funding for a construction skills workshop in Huntingdon;

f)  agreed officer recommendations at Paragraph 4.5 to APPROVE funding for enhancements and improvements to Paxton Pits;

g)  agreed officer recommendations at Paragraph 4.6 to APPROVE funding for relocation of the 6^th form college at Abbey College in Ramsey;

h)  agreed officer recommendation at Paragraph 4.7 to APPROVE funding for reconfiguration and refurbishment of the fire station in St Ives;

i)  agreed officer recommendation at Paragraph 4.8 to APPROVE funding for the SAPHIRE new constructional skills centre in St Neots;

k)  agreed officer recommendations at Paragraph 4.10 to APPROVE funding for the increase of two classrooms for Warboys Primary Academy;

l)  agreed officer recommendation at Paragraph 4.11 to APPROVE an extension of time for Wheatsheaf Road; and

m)  agreed to

(1)  support the principle of the allocation of CIL funding towards a youth centre in St Neots;

(2)  support in principle the allocation being for a maximum of £500k;

(3)  a CIL funding award being made, based on (1) and (2), subject to:

(a)  securing ownership or arrangements to acquire the building, or a suitable alternative;

(b)  securing planning permission and any other necessary consents to facilitate the works needed to facilitate the youth centre;

(c)  securing a full commitment from the Town Council towards the proposed scheme; including the identification of and provision of necessary match funding and longer-term funding to ensure the proposal is viable now and in the future;

(d)  the provision of additional information for the scheme to satisfy outstanding concerns such as choice of location, impact on the town centre vitality, assessment of provision of existing and future youth and community spaces, and demonstrate long term viability of the proposal;

(e)  sufficient information and clarification being presented to Officers to demonstrate satisfactory compliance with all other aspects of our established CIL governance;

(f)  all matters being resolved within a period of 6 months (which may be extended by agreement); and

(4)  delegated authority for the final decision to the Head of Planning, Infrastructure & Public Protection in consultation with the Corporate Director (Place), Leader, Executive Councillor for Finance, and Executive Councillor for Planning to approve a CIL funding award for this project and determine the final level of CIL funding to be awarded.

See Minute No. 25/77 – Members’ Interests.

A report by the Head of Planning, Infrastructure & Public Protection was submitted (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) inviting the Cabinet to consider recommendations relating to infrastructure projects seeking funding of £100,001 or more in whole or in part from an amount of the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) monies.

The Executive Councillor for Planning, Councillor Sanderson introduced the report, drawing attention to the comments of the Overview & Scrutiny Panel (Performance & Growth), particularly the concerns that there was no provision currently in St Neots that provided a dedicated space for young people.

The Cabinet drew attention to the helpful supplement document circulated prior to the meeting setting out a breakdown of the CIL allocations to date, alongside growth data, and requested that it be shared with Town/Parish Councils. The Chair also requested that when that information was circulated, Town/Parish Councils be encouraged to engage early with officers and take advantage of their advice.

To allow for Cabinet Members to vacate the room during the discussion of the applications which they had declared an interest on, the debate and vote on each recommendation was taken in turn.

Recommendations A, B and C.

The recommendations were noted.

Recommendation D

Councillor Harvey vacated the room.

The recommendation was approved.

Councillor Harvey re-entered the room and took back her seat at the meeting.

Recommendation E

The Cabinet welcomed the funding as it was conducive to bringing young people into the construction industry.

The recommendation was approved.

Recommendation F

The Executive Councillor for Resident Services and Corporate Performance, Councillor Ferguson sought advice whether he needed to leave the room during the discussion and vote as he was Ward Councillor, however the Chief Executive advised that being the Ward Councillor did not give him a conflict of interest that was sufficient to require him to leave the room. Councillor Ferguson confirmed he had not campaigned on behalf of the application.

The Executive Councillor for Communities, Health and Leisure, Councillor Kerr also sought advice as Portfolio Holder, however the Chief Executive advised that this was her normal Portfolio Holder business and would not constitute a conflict of interest in terms of debating and making a decision.

The Cabinet commented on the potential of Paxton Pitts Nature Reserve as a tourist attraction, particularly with the uniqueness of its wildlife, and highlighted the health and welfare benefits for residents across Huntingdonshire that the improvements would bring.

The recommendation was approved.

Recommendation G

The recommendation was approved.

Recommendation H

The recommendation was approved.

Recommendation I

The Cabinet welcomed the opportunity the courses would help provide for local people as a result of the occupational skills training facility, and that it would draw more investment from other educational providers.

The Executive Councillor for Economy, Regeneration and Housing, Councillor Wakeford made reference to the funding which had been secured from the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority (CPCA) ‘Cold Spot’ capital investment to help build the Skills Centre Hub, and as the Council’s representative  ...  view the full minutes text for item 79