Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Environment, Communities and Partnerships) meeting held on 6th March 2025.

The minutes of the meeting of 3rd April 2025 were approved as a correct record and were signed by the Chair.

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

Councillor N Hunt declared a non-registerable interest in minute 24/58 by virtue of being a ward member for Huntingdon.

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 and Notice of Key Decisions for the period 1st April  2025 to 31st July 2025 were presented to the Panel.

To note the responses outstanding from previous meetings.

The Panel noted the responses to questions previously asked.

The Panel is invited to comment on the CPE Update and Off-Street Parking Places Order Report.

Executive Councillor: S Taylor

By means of a report by the Head of Economy, Regeneration and Housing Operations Manager (a copy of which was appended in the Minute Book), the Civil Parking Enforcement (CPE) Update and Off-Street Parking Places Order Report was presented to the Panel.

Clarification in relation to point 11 of Appendix 1 was sought, following which the Panel were advised that this related to carparks without visible bay markings such as the carpark at Hinchingbrooke Country Park. Concern was expressed that there was a lack of clarification for on street parking restrictions which a concern for residents, however the Panel were advised that the Council would be adopting Cambridgeshire County Council’s policy for on street parking and that this document detailed the on-street restrictions. It was confirmed to the Panel that the application had been submitted to the Department of Transport and was expected to be heard in Parliament in July. It was noted that the team would likely be looking to commence enforcement in August once approved.

The Panel heard that an accessible online portal would provide maps across the County which would list all the detail and restrictions for each parish. The details of this would be shared in due course once it is active. Councillor Hassall expressed his support for this portal and felt that it would be particularly useful to more rural residents and further enquired whether the signs and lines throughout the district were now at an enforceable standard, following which the Panel were assured that work was underway to ensure that this would be completed prior to the Civil Enforcement coming into effect.

Councillor Hassall further proposed that each Councillor be provided with the levels of enforcement that they could expect in each parish so that this information could be passed on to parishes. Following a discussion, where the Panel heard that this detail had been included within the original report and that engagement with parishes was ongoing with a robust Communications Plan, it was proposed by Councillor Hassall to add an additional recommendation to the Cabinet report, this was seconded by Councillor Bywater and the Panel voted unanimously in favour of forwarding the proposed recommendation to the Cabinet;

5) to provide detail to each parish council as to what they can expect under the implementation of the Civil Parking Enforcement Order.

Clarification was sough on the terms set out in 5.1.4 of the report and how they would be affected by Local Government Review, following which, the Panel were informed that the project would continue on a business as usual basis until otherwise advised, however the Panel were assured that the majority of the proposed partner Councils were also working in partnership on CPE therefore minimal disruption to the Order was anticipated.

Following the discussion, it was

RESOLVED

that Cabinet be encouraged to consider the comments from Overview and Scrutiny when making a decision upon the recommendations within the report;  and; that the Cabinet consider adding the proposed recommendation 5 to the report;

5)  ...  view the full minutes text for item 56.

To resolve:-

that the public be excluded from the meeting because the business to be transacted contains exempt information relating to the financial and business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

RESOLVED

that the press and public be excluded from the meeting because the business to be transacted contains exempt information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

The Panel is invited to comment on the Huntingdon Sport and Health Hub Feasibility Report.

Executive Councillor: S Howell

The Panel were reminded of the Part Two nature of the item and that the contents of the report and subsequent discussion should remain confidential.

The Panel gave consideration to an exempt report by the Head of Leisure, Health and Environment, (a copy of which was appended in the annex to the Minute Book), on the Huntingdon Sport and Health Hub Feasibility Report which was presented to the Panel.

Following the discussion, it was

RESOLVED

that the comments of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel be passed to Cabinet for their consideration when making a decision upon the recommendations within the report.