Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Performance and Growth) meeting held on 6th November 2024.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 6th November 2024 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)  The Panel are to receive the Overview and Scrutiny Work Programme

b)  Members to discuss future planning of items for the 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.

To note the responses to questions arising from previous meetings.

The responses received to questions from previous meetings were noted.

The Panel is asked to comment on the Affordable Housing Delivery Report.

Executive Councillor: S Wakeford

By means of a report by the Regeneration and Housing Delivery Manager (a copy of which was appended in the Minute Book), the Affordable Housing Delivery Report was presented to the Panel.

The Panel heard that there had been a mid term review of the Housing Strategy last year and it was further clarified that the Homes England fund outside of the Section 106 saw allocation on a site by site basis. It had been identified that there was a high need for affordable rented accommodation within the district therefore a 70:30 split with shared ownership properties was employed in the majority of cases, this need is monitored and adjusted as required. It was noted that the GL Hearn report, which was the current needs assessment for Cambridgeshire was in need of updating, however the Panel were advised that a Local Housing Needs Assessment would be undertaken as part of the forthcoming Local Plan work, thus updating the available data. It was observed that two schemes to provide housing for key workers had also been developed recently.

It was clarified, that the term Growth Sites referred to the two sites at Alconbury Weald and Wintringham. These sites were long term developments which would see improvements to infrastructure and the local area as they progressed and it was recognised that there was a high demand for the properties being developed on these sites.

Concerns were exressed over Housing Providers wishing to provide less affordable housing within their development than recommended. The Panel were assured that in such instance, the developer would have to provide an independent viability assessment to reinforce this proposal, this survey would then be reviewed by independent consultants to verify the developers suggestions. It was noted that there were minimal viability challenges on 40% sites.

It was observed by Councillor Catmur that the LP25 standards within the current plan were, in his experience, inadequate for wheelchair users, this would be further looked at and discussed with the Executive Councillor outside of the meeting.

The Panel heard that the report did not looking at individual sites, however it was noted that concerns over parking for residents were taken into account. Furthermore, it was advised that ways to manage current issues would be investigated with Civil Parking Enforcement and local constabulary teams.

The Panel heard, that the recent delivery of affordable housing ahead of schedule ensured that appropriate properties were delivered for residents ahead of time. Work would continue to be undertaken alongside developers and planning colleagues to ensure that the needs of the district are met.

It was confirmed, that rules to manage local connection criteria were set on a case by case basis on rural exception sites. The Panel also heard that housing needs surveys were taken into account in the case of rural exception sites, however the weight given to those surveys was down to the case officer and could be coupled with local knowledge from parishes to ensure it’s accuracy if the survey was undertaken some  ...  view the full minutes text for item 51.

The Panel is invited to comment on the Market Towns Programme Update Report.

Executive Councillor: S Wakeford

By means of a report by the Regeneration and Housing Delivery Manager (a copy of which was appended in the Minute Book), the Market Towns Programme Update Report was presented to the Panel.

The Panel engaged in considerable debate relating to the provision of a stage within St Neots Market Square. Councillor Chapman was of the opinion that St Neots Town Council had not been consulted about the proposed stage but noted that the responsibility for the stage would lie with them under the proposal within the report. Further concern was expressed that the current proposal would require HDC funding and felt that the legitimacy of the stage project should be established before a financial commitment was made. The Panel also felt that support of the stage in general by residents of St Neots was debatable. It was noted that a current survey asked respondents to choose a preference between three stage designs however there was no option to choose no stage thus implying support for the scheme through completion of the survey which may not be the case. It was also observed that an early consultation on the project in July appeared to have had 25 respondents and felt that due diligence was needed for this capital investment. The Panel were advised that the current survey was to ascertain a preferable option from the three available however further public consultation would be held in the future to establish whether residents would support a stage within the Market Square or not. It was also clarified that funding for the project, should it proceed would come from unspent legacy monies and CIL funding. It was noted that an alternative option for a performance area within the square would be a temporary stage, however this would need to be erected and dismantled and stored whilst not in use. It was assured that formal legal consultation would be undertaken as part of a planning application for a permanent stage should the proposal progress to that point. The Panel further heard that multiple options to generate footfall within the Market Square were being investigated and worked up so that an informed decision could be made on how to proceed with the best interests of residents and local businesses considered.

The Panel also observed that the revised plans for the Priory Centre would involve a space for performances and bands and noted that this would create competition with the proposed Market Square stage which is in close proximity to the Priory Centre. The Panel heard that the intention was to provide the town with multiple options and alternative uses for the spaces and was not intended to create conflict or competition. Further concern was expressed that the renewed lease documents had taken 8 months to prepare and be presented to the St Neots Town Council, however the Town Council was being asked to make a swift decision on their acceptance of the terms. The Panel heard that the Town Council had been asked for their  ...  view the full minutes text for item 52.