Agenda, decisions and minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 25^th November 2004.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 25th November 2004 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To consider a report by the Head of Planning Services informing the Cabinet of potential policy approaches for inclusion in a ‘core policies’ Development Plan Document and detailing the process for producing plans under the new planning system.

(Appendix 4 is appended separately to the agenda).

Noted the intention to undertake informal consultation with key stakeholders on potential policy approaches for inclusion in a Core Strategy DPD, as required by the new planning legislation.

Noted that following this consultation and a sustainability appraisal, potential policy approaches will be presented to Cabinet and Full Council for decision, prior to formal consultation in the summer of 2005.

Authorised the Head of Planning Services, in consultation with the Executive Councillor for Planning Strategy, to make unlimited changes to the policy scoping sheets as necessary during the process of final editing prior to the key stakeholder consultation.

With the assistance of a report by the Head of Planning Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book), the Cabinet considered potential approaches which might be considered appropriate for inclusion as “core policies” in the Council’s first Development Plan Document (“DPD”).

Having noted the key steps and timescales for the preparation of the DPD, Executive Councillors requested that District Councillors be advised of the seminars convened for key stakeholders to enable them to observe the proceedings. Subsequently and having been assured that opportunities would be available in future for full public consultation on the preferred options, it was

RESOLVED

  (a)that the intention to undertake informal consultation with key stakeholders on potential policy approaches for inclusion in a Core Strategy DPD, as required by the new planning legislation be noted;

  (b)that following the initial informal consultation and a sustainability appraisal, the intention to present potential policy approaches to Cabinet and full Council for decision, prior to formal public consultation in the summer of 2005 be noted; and

  (c)that the Head of Planning Services, after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Planning Strategy, be authorised to approve drafting amendments to the policy scoping sheets for inclusion in the DPD as necessary during the process of final editing prior to the key stakeholder consultation.

To consider a report by the Head of Administration on the outcome of public consultation on the draft Statement of Licensing Policy.

(A copy of the revised Statement is appended separately to the agenda)

Recommended that the Council adopt the Statement of Licensing Policy as set out at Annex C to the report with effect from 7^th January 2005 for a period of 5 years.

Requested that a report reviewing the financial implications, workload and costs be submitted to a meeting 9 months after the date for the first receipt of applications.

Further to Min No. 04/54 and with the assistance of a report by the Head of Administration (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book), the Cabinet considered the results of consultation on the Council’s draft Statement of Licensing Policy and suggested amendments to the draft Statement.

Having discussed the financial and other uncertainties surrounding the implementation of the new licensing regime, it was

RESOLVED

  (a)that full Council be recommended to approve the Statement of Licensing Policy appended to the report now submitted with effect from 7th January 2005 for a period of three years; and

  (b)that a report updating the Cabinet on issues associated with the administration and enforcement of the new licensing regime be submitted nine months after its implementation.

To consider the Urban Design Framework for Anglian House, Huntingdon and approve it as a basis for consultation and further discussion.

(A copy of the Urban Design Framework is appended separately to the agenda).

Approved the Urban Design Framework  as a basis for further discussion and consultation.

A report by the Head of Planning Services was submitted (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) to which was appended a draft Urban Design Framework for the existing Anglian Water Group Headquarters site in Huntingdon. The framework was intended to present the planning policy concept and to set design parameters for any future redevelopment of the site.

RESOLVED

  that the Urban Design Framework be approved as a basis for further discussion and consultation.

To consider a joint report by the Heads of Legal & Estates and Housing Services requesting authority to dispose of Council owned land for the purpose of providing affordable housing.

Agreed to the sale of land to Huntingdonshire Housing Partnership on the terms set out in section 3 of the report.

Authorised the Director of Central Services to approve the consideration after consultation with the Executive Councillors for Resources Welfare and I.T and Finance.

By way of a joint report by the Head of Legal and Estates and the Head of Housing Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book), the Cabinet considered proposed terms for the transfer of Council-owned land at California Road, Huntingdon to the Huntingdonshire Housing Partnership (“HHP”) for the purpose of providing affordable housing in conjunction with the proposed redevelopment of adjourning garage courts.

RESOLVED

  that, the sale of land at California Road, Huntingdon be approved on the terms set out in paragraph 3 of the report now submitted and that the Director of Central Services, after consultation with the Executive Councillors for Resources, Welfare and IT and for Finance be authorised to agree the consideration for the transaction.

To consider a report by the Head of Legal & Estates on a request from St Neots Town Council for the District Council to transfer to it land held for local open space and recreational purposes in the Town.

Agreed to transfer the land at Riversmede  to St Neots Town Council for the sum of £1 on the basis that it will be used for recreational and amenities purposes only subject to consent for the grant of a lease of part to the Reserves Forces and Cadets Association for East Anglia for the construction of a headquarters building.

Agreed that land at Shady Walk Recreation area, Dukes Road / Kings Road play area, Brickhills open space and Garden of Rest, New Street / Tan Yard as set out in paragraph 2.2 of the report be transferred to St Neots Town Council for the sum of £1 each on the basis that the sites will be used for open space purposes only.

Further to Min. No 04/100 and with the assistance of a report by the Head of Legal and Estates (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book), the Cabinet considered proposed terms for the transfer of five areas of land at Riversmead, Shady Walk, Dukes Road/Kings Road, Brickhills and New Street/Tan Yard to St Neots Town Council.

Having been acquainted with the substance of the agreement reached with the Town Council for the discharge of concurrent leisure functions on the reorganisation of local government in 1974 and the associated distribution of assets, it was

RESOLVED

  that, the disposal of the five areas of land to St Neots Town Council be approved on the terms and conditions outlined in paragraph 5.1 of the report now submitted.

To consider a report by the Countryside Services Manager concerning the offer of grassland at Little Paxton Bridge.

Agreed to accept the offer of two acres of wet grassland beside the River Great Ouse at Little Paxton.

By means of a report by the Countryside Services Manager (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book), the Cabinet gave consideration to an offer of two acres of wet grassland beside the River Great Ouse at Little Paxton bridge.

RESOLVED

  that the transfer of two acres of land to the District Council as set out in the report now submitted be approved.

To consider a joint report by the Director of Commerce and Technology and Head of Policy on the Access to Services Best Value Review.

Agreed to “sign off” the Access to Services Best Value Review.

The Cabinet considered a joint report by the Director of Commerce and Technology and the Head of Policy (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) on the outcomes of the Best Value Review on improving access to services.

Having noted the impact of the District Council’s “Customer First” project on the methodology adopted for this Best Value Review and subsequent developments via the Comprehensive Performance Assessment and the Improvement Plan approved by the Cabinet on 4^th November 2004, it was

RESOLVED

that the completion of the Access to Services Best Value Review be endorsed and the exercise “signed off”.

To consider a report by the Head of Financial Services outlining spending variations.

Noted the projected outturn of the 2004/05 budget and the likely spending variations identified in the current year.

The Cabinet received and noted a report by the Head of Financial Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) detailing the projected outturn of the 2004/05 budget and expected budget variations already identified in the current year.

RESOLVED

  that the likely spending variations in the Revenue Budget 2004/05 be noted.

To resolve:-

that the public be excluded from the meeting because the business to be transacted contains exempt information relating to the amount of expenditure proposed to be incurred by the authority under particular contracts for the supply of services and the terms proposed for the acquisition of property.

RESOLVED

  that the public be excluded from the meeting because the business to be transacted contains exempt information relating to expenditure proposed to be incurred by the Council  under contracts for the supply of services and terms proposed for the acquisition of property.

To consider a report by the Head of Revenue Services regarding further funds required to implement the ongoing requirements of cash transportation and banking.

Approved the unavoidable increases in expenditure which will be included in the Medium Term Plan.

With the assistance of a report by the Head of Revenue Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Cabinet were acquainted with the outcome of a recent tendering exercise for the Council’s cash collection services which it was estimated would result in unavoidable increases in the Medium Term Plan amounting to £14,000 in 2005/06 and £19,000 in future years.

RESOLVED

  that the increases in expenditure in the Medium Term Plan be approved.

a)  To consider a report by the Director of Operational Services updating Cabinet on progress and seeking approval for the acceptance of a tender for the design and construction of Sapley Square redevelopment.

b)  To consider a report by the Head of Legal and Estates updating the Cabinet on the current position with regard to Property matters at Oxmoor, seeking delegated authority to approve terms for the acquisition of a leasehold interest and approval in principle to terms for the lease of community facilities

Oxmoor, Sapley Square Redevelopment – Award of tender and Release of Funds

Agreed to accept the tender from Gleeson for £2457,000 for  the design and construction of the Sapley Square redevelopment.

Noted the estimated net capital cost on the scheme of £153,000 and that the income from land sales would need to be £540,000 lower than estimated before there was a net revenue impact on the Council.

Agreed that Councillor L M Simpson be nominated the appropriate Executive Councillor to deal with all matters relating to the Oxmoor; and

Requested that a progress report on developments in the Oxmoor be submitted to the Cabinet at a later date.

Oxmoor (Huntingdon) Action Plan – Property Update

Noted progress on the implementation of the Oxmoor Action Plan

Authorised the Director of Central Services, in consultation with the Executive Councillor for Resources, Welfare and IT to approve detailed terms for the acquisition of the leasehold interest at 2a Sapley Square

Approved the terms proposed for the lease of community facilities to Hunts Forum, and authorised the Director of Central Service in consultation with the Executive Councillor for Resources, Welfare and IT to approve detailed terms for the lease.

Further to Min. No 03/221 and 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 progress to date on the redevelopment of Sapley Square, Oxmoor, Huntingdon.

Having noted revised details of the capital costs and revenue impact of the proposals, it was

RESOLVED

  (a)that the tender negotiated with Gleeson Construction Services Ltd for design and construction works associated with the redevelopment of Sapley Square, Oxmoor, Huntingdon be approved;

  (b)that Councillor L M Simpson be nominated the appropriate Executive Councillor to deal with all future matters relating to Oxmoor, Huntingdon; and

  (c)that a report on progress with regard to the redevelopments of Sapley Square, Oxmoor, Huntingdon be submitted to a future meeting of the Cabinet.

The Cabinet considered a report updating Executive Councillors on the current position with regard to property matters at Oxmoor.

Having noted that implementation of the Oxmoor Action Plan was well underway, and that by early 2006 it was envisaged the principal elements relating to the construction of the Acorn Centre and the development of new shops and community facilities at Sapley Square should have been completed, it was

RESOLVED

  (a)that progress in implementation of the Oxmoor Action Plan be noted;

  (b)that the Director of Central Services, after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Resources, Welfare and IT, be authorised to approve detailed terms for the acquisition of the leasehold interest at 2a Sapley Square; and

  (c)that the terms proposed for the lease of the community facilities to Hunts Forum be approved and the Director of Central Services, after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Resources, Welfare and IT, authorised to approve detailed terms for the lease.