Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Performance and Growth) meeting held on 3rd November 2021.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 3rd November 2021 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive from Members declarations as to disclosable pecuniary and other interests in relation to any Agenda item.

No declarations were received.

A copy of the current Notice of Key Executive Decisions is attached. Members are invited to note the Plan and to comment as appropriate on any items contained therein.

Following a question from Councillor Wakeford, Councillor Fuller advised that the Parking : Agency Agreement for Civil Parking Enforcement in Huntingdonshire report was scheduled for the March 2022 cycle of meetings, however this timing was dependent upon prompt delegation from Cambridgeshire County Council.

The Panel thereupon received and noted the current Notice of Key Executive Decisions (a copy of which has been appended in the Minute Book) which has been prepared by the Executive Leader for the period 1st December 2021 to 31st March 2022.

The Panel is invited to comment on the Housing Strategy Action Plan Update.

By means of a report by the Housing Strategy and Delivery Manager (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Housing Strategy One Year On report was presented to the Panel.

Following a comment from Councillor Roberts on positive messaging around the development of rural exception sites, the Panel heard that all parishes were communicated with on this matter. It was stressed that these types of developments are positive for local communities in providing much needed housing options for those who have a connection with the parish. The Panel was also advised that the district council aims to involve local communities and parishes from the outset to allow for their engagement and to work together towards a positive outcome.

Following a further question from Councillor Roberts, it was clarified that some sites identified under the Longhurst contract were not financially viable for this type of development but that alternative development options were being investigated.

In response to a question from Councillor Wakeford, the Panel heard that the figures in point 1.1 of the Action Plan were not comparable with the figures in 1.2 . Although an affordable housing target is set for each development, every development is unique and has many different factors to be considered, therefore a target of 40% is not always achievable. However, the Panel also heard that some developments are able to overdeliver on this target thereby the overall target is being met. The Panel were informed that the purpose of the Housing Strategy Action Plan is to boost the affordable housing already being committed to by developers.

Following further questions from Councillor Wakeford regarding the green status of point 1.1, the Panel were informed that the target was an average in order to ensure that the lifetime target of the Local Plan be met. It was clarified that factors outside of the control of the Council must be taken into account, and that the overall target is on track. The point of how this was monitored and recorded was noted and will be discussed separately.

The report was welcomed by Councillor Dew, who stated that with only being one year into the plan the progress  was as expected. He reminded the Panel that planning lag and the delays to housing caused by the pandemic must also be taken into account, furthermore, those developments being approved now would help to ensure targets are met in the future.

Having welcomed the report, the Panel thereupon

RESOLVED

that the Cabinet be encouraged to endorse the recommendations contained within the report.

The Panel is invited to comment on the Infrastructure Funding Statement.

By means of a report by the Service Manager Growth (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Infrastructure Funding Statement was presented to the Panel.

Councillor Roberts praised the report and expressed particular satisfaction that the progress delivery could be tracked. This sentiment was echoed by Councillor Corney, who agreed that the report did a good job of collating the information.

Councillor Sanderson commented that it was pleasing to see a variety of projects of varying sizes and spread throughout the district.

Following a question by Councillor Sanderson, the Panel were advised that the application process was available on the Council’s website and that the application process was communicated to Town and Parish Councils.

Councillor Dew commented on a well presented report and reiterated that it was pleasing to see a variety of projects throughout the district.

Having welcomed the report, the Panel thereupon

RESOLVED

that the Cabinet be encouraged to endorse the recommendations contained within the report.

The Panel are to receive the Overview and Scrutiny Work Programme.

With the aid of a report by the Democratic Services Officer (Scrutiny) (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Overview and Scrutiny Work Programme was presented to the Panel.