Agenda, decisions and minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 23^rd September 2004.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 23rd September 2004 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To consider a report by the Leisure Centres Co-ordinator.

The Chairman announced that the Item had been withdrawn from the Agenda pending further investigation.

To receive a report by the Planning Policy Manager on recent Government announcements with regard to modernising rural delivery.

Endorsed the action to date in the preparation of the application for the Pathfinder bid and the Council’s continued involvement in the project.

The Cabinet received a report by the Planning Policy Manager (a copy of which is appended to the Minute Book) detailing recent action to respond to a Government announcement on the establishment of a Pathfinder project on Modernising Rural Delivery.

In view of the timescale for the bidding process, the Executive Councillor for Planning, after consultation with the Head of Planning Services had agreed to the Council’s involvement in the bid application.  The Cabinet were advised that the bid had been successful and were invited to consider the Council’s involvement in the Pathfinder project.

RESOLVED

  that the action to date in the preparation of the application for the Pathfinder bid be endorsed and the Council’s continued involvement in the project approved.

To consider a report by the Director of Operational Services on the Best Value Review for Housing to meet External and Local Need/Demand.

Document attached separately.

Endorsed the Service Improvement Plan contained in the report of the Best Value Review – Housing to meet External & Local Need/Demand (Cross Cutting) and noted the comments made by the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Service Delivery and Resources).

With the assistance of a report by the Director of Operational Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book), the Cabinet were acquainted with the Best Value Review – Housing to meet External and Local Need/Demand. 

Having regard to the comments made by the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Service Delivery and Resources) the Cabinet were advised that a feasibility study on the use of houses in multiple occupation would be included in the Improvement Plan along with an action to show how improvement would link to the Service Plans included in the Review.

RESOLVED

  (a)that the comments made by the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Service Delivery and Resources) be noted; and

  (b)that the Service Improvement Plan contained in the report of the Best Value Review – Housing to Meet External and Local Need/Demand be endorsed.

To receive a report by the Head of Housing Services on the development of the Cambridge Sub Region Housing Strategy.

Recommended that Full Council approve the Cambridge Sub-Region Housing Strategy 2004-8/9.

By means of a report by the Head of Housing Services (a copy of which is appended to the Minute Book) the Cabinet were acquainted with the development of the Cambridge Sub-Region Housing Strategy.

The Cabinet were advised that the Strategy had been endorsed by the Infra-Structure Partnership and that the following themes had been identified by the seven Member authorities.

¨  Growth

¨  Meeting housing need/homelessness

¨  Decent homes

¨  Supported housing; and

¨  Black and Minority Ethnic groups including travellers.

Having been advised that the Strategy had been developed by the Member authorities in consultation with stakeholders and that the document now submitted would influence government investment in the eastern region, including investment by the Regional Housing Board in the Cambridge Sub-Region area, it was

RESOLVED

  that the Cambridge Sub-Region Housing Strategy 2004-8/9 be approved.

To receive a report by the Head of Environment and Transport seeking the District Council’s support for the County Council’s revised application for PFI credits.

Authorised the Director of Operational Services after consultation with the Leader of the Council to agree the information included in the outline business case in respect of the District Council and the Leader of the Council be authorised to sign the agreed outlined business case.

(Councillor R L Clarke, by virtue of his position as a Member of the Cambridgeshire County Council declared a personal interest in the following item, remained in the meeting, but did not speak on the item.)

With assistance of a report by the Head of Environment and Transport (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Cabinet were reminded that at their meeting held on the 13th November 2003, they had authorised the submission, by Cambridgeshire County Council, of an application to DEFRA for Private Finance Initiative Credit.  Peterborough City Council had since withdrawn from the application and a revised document was now submitted for approval.

RESOLVED

  (a)that the Director of Operational Services be authorised, after consultation with the Leader of the Council, to agree the information included in the outline business case in respect of the District Council; and

  (b)that the Leader of the Council be authorised to sign the agreed outline business case.

To consider a report by the Head of Environment and Transport on the implementation of the car parking strategy.

Adopted the level of car parking charges as set out in Option C in Annex B in the report and their implementation date with effect from 1^st April 2005.

Approved the removal of car parking charges in Ramsey and the immediate cessation of enforcement (in so far it relates to charges) pending the car parking order.

Approved the advertisement of new car parking orders in respect of off-street car parks.

Authorised the Head of Environment and Transport to seek approval from Huntingdonshire Environment and Transport Area Joint Committee to make new on-street car parking orders based on the charges approved by the Cabinet.

Authorised the Head of Environment and Transport to seek approval from Cambridgeshire County Council to the extension of charges to further areas of town centre on-street parking during 2005-06.

Authorised the Director of Operational Services be authorised in consultation with the Leader of the Council, to seek agreement with the developer of Chequers Court with regard to the provision and operation of additional public car parking in Huntingdon Town centre and to submit a report to a future meeting of the Council.

Authorised the Head of Environment and Transport to conduct a study into the provision of additional free long stay car parking at Riverside/Hartford Road playing field for future consideration by the Cabinet.

Approved the release of funds required for the implementation of the Strategy as set out in Annex C to the report, subject to the deletion of the proposal for the post of Rural Transport Officer.

Approved the Car Parking Strategy.

Further to Minute No. 03/140 and by means of a report by the Head of Environment and Transport (a copy of which is appended to the Minute Book) the Cabinet were acquainted with the results of the consultation on the budget and priorities relating to car parking charges and the Car Parking Strategy.

Having considered the financial implications of the Strategy including the issuing of resident parking permits and the related request for the release of funding from the Medium Term Plan, it was

RESOLVED

  (a)that the level of car parking charges as set out in Option C in Annex B of the report now submitted be approved with effect from 1st April 2005;

  (b)that the removal of car parking charges in Ramsey and the immediate cessation of enforcement (in so far it relates to charges) pending the car parking order revision be approved;

  (c)that the advertisement of new car parking orders in respect of off-street car parks be approved;

  (d)that the Head of Environment and Transport be authorised to seek approval from Huntingdonshire Environment and Transport Area Joint Committee to make new on-street car parking orders based on the charges approved;

  (e)that the Head of Environment and Transport be authorised to seek approval from Cambridgeshire County Council to the extension of charges to further areas of town centre on-street parking during 2005-06;

  (f)that the Director of Operational Services be authorised, after consultation with the Leader of the Council, to seek agreement with the developer of Chequers Court with regard to the provision and operation of additional public car parking in Huntingdon Town Centre and to submit a report on the terms of agreement to a future meeting of the Cabinet;

  (g)that the Head of Environment and Transport be requested to conduct a study into the provision of additional, free long stay car parking at Riverside/Hartford Road playing field for future consideration by the Cabinet;

  (h)that the release of funds required for the implementation of the Strategy as set out in Annex C, subject to the deletion of the provision for the post of Rural Transport Officer, be approved; and

  (i)that subject to the foregoing resolutions (a – h) the Car Parking Strategy, be approved.

To receive a report by the Planning Policy Manager on the developments since the formation of the Ramsey Area Partnership and the preparations of a Healthcheck Strategy & Action Plan.

Document attached separately.

Endorsed the Ramsey Area Partnership Healthcheck Strategy and Action Plan.

The Cabinet received a report by the Planning Policy Manager (a copy of which is appended to the Minute Book) making reference to the development of the Ramsey Area Partnership, since its formation in Autumn 2003, the Healthcheck Strategy and Action Plan.

In considering the report and Plan, the Chairman reported that the Huntingdonshire Strategic Partnership Board had raised concerns that the Plan included limited reference to learning and the development of skills.

Having been advised that the Healthcheck Strategy and Action Plan had been approved by the Ramsey Area Partnership Board following consultation with Partners and Stakeholders, it was

RESOLVED

  that the Ramsey Area Partnership Healthcheck Strategy and Action Plan be endorsed.

To consider a report by the Director of Commerce and Technology requesting the release of funding for an MTP scheme.

Approved the release of Capital funding for the hardware and software required to link to Cambridgeshire Direct.

Authorised the Director of Commerce and Technology after consultation with the Executive Member for Resources, Welfare, and IT to issue a letter of intent to Cambridgeshire County Council in lieu of the main contract and in order to accept a time-limited offer for the Customer Relationship Management Software.

Authorised the Director of Commerce and Technology after consultation with the Executive Member of Resources, Welfare and IT to sign a contract with Cambridgeshire County Council to implement the District Council’s Call Centre including managed services within the approved budget.

By way of a report by the Director of Commerce and Technology (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Cabinet considered a request for the release of funding from the Medium Term Plan and the issue of a ‘letter of intent’ to establish the Council’s call centre to existing hardware and software required for Cambridgeshire Direct. 

Having considered the comments of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Planning and Finance) the Cabinet agreed that in order to meet the Council’s objectives, to support services for the residents of Huntingdonshire, to meet targets and to maintain the continual improvement of services, it was

RESOLVED

  (a)that a request to release capital funding for the hardware and software required to link to Cambridgeshire Direct be approved;

  (b)that the Director of Commerce and Technology, after consultation with the Executive Member for Resources, Welfare and IT, be authorised to issue a letter of intent to Cambridgeshire County Council in lieu of the main contract in order to accept a time limited offer for the customer relationship management software; and

  (c)that the Director of Commerce and Technology, after consultation with the Executive Member for Resources, Welfare and IT, be authorised to sign a contract with Cambridgeshire County Council to implement the District Council’s Call Centre including managed services within the approved budget.