Agenda, decisions and minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 2^nd September 2004.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 2nd September 2004 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To consider the recommendation to be made to full Council on the Financial Strategy, in the light of the comments made by the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Planning and Finance)

Recommended to full Council: that the Council endorse a financial strategy based around that described in paragraph 5.7 of the Report with a minimum increase in Band D Council Tax for 2005/06 amounting to £12 per annum.

Further to Minute No. 04/35, further consideration was given to a report by the Director of Commerce and Technology (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) setting out a range of potential options available in terms of adopting a strategy for managing the Council’s finances in the period to 2011/12.  A report by the Head of Administration summarising the deliberations of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Planning and Finance) on the matter was also circulated.

Having noted the views expressed by the Overview and Scrutiny Panel and given:-

¨  ongoing review work in relation to the Council’s base budget, Medium Term Plan and fees and charges; and

¨  the availability imminently of information on the outcomes of the consultation with residents on options for spending on local services and Council Tax levels;

it was

RESOLVED

  that full Council be recommended to endorse a financial strategy based around that described in paragraph 5.7 of the report now submitted with a minimum increase in Band D Council Tax for 2005/6 amounting to £12 per annum.

To consider a report by the Head of Financial Services on the outurn position for 2003/04, the implications for 2004/05 and proposals to deal with cost variations.

Noted the capital outturn for 2003/04

Approved the additional capital spending of £135,000

Noted the position on individual schemes

A report by the Head of Financial Services was submitted (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) detailing the outturn of capital expenditure during 2003/4, and the implications for 2004/5.

Having noted those projects which had been delayed in 2003/4 and information on those schemes which had incurred additional costs, it was

RESOLVED

  (a)  that the capital outturn for 2003/4 be noted;

  (b)that the additional capital spending of £135,000 as outlined in paragraph 2.3 of the report now submitted be approved; and

  (c)that the position with regard to individual schemes as set out in Annex A to the report now submitted be noted.

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 a report by the Head of Financial Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) detailing the projected outturn of the 2004/5 budget and the expected budget variations already identified in the current year.  In so doing the Cabinet noted that the figure attributed in the tabulation in paragraph 1.2 of the report to “Additional recharges of staff to Capital” had incorrectly been stated as “+£50,000” instead of “-£50,000”.

RESOLVED

  that, subject to the aforementioned amendment to reflect a figure of -£50,000 in respect of additional recharges of staff to capital, the likely spending variations for the revenue budget 2004/5 be noted.

To consider a report by the Head of Administration on a proposed draft statement of Licensing Policy for the Council.

(The comments of the Licensing and Protection Panel will be reported at the meeting).

Recommended to full Council that the draft Statement of Licensing Policy be approved for consultation purposes.

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 Council’s draft Statement of Licensing Policy prior to its distribution for consultation purposes.

Having regard to the consultation timetable and the comments made by the Licensing and Protection Panel concerning amendments to the draft policy in relation to the performance of regulated entertainment in the presence of an audience and advice to extend the consultation period from 6 to 8 weeks, it was

RESOLVED

    that full Council be recommended to endorse the draft Statement of Licensing Policy as amended for consultation purposes.

To consider a report by the Head of Planning Services on consultation responses received in respect of the draft Urban Design Framework and Masterplan for the Princes Street / George Street area and seeking approval for the  adoption of a revised framework and masterplan.

(The Annexes to the report are attached separately to the agenda).

Agreed to adopt the revised Urban Design Framework and Masterplan for Princes Street / Georges Street (incorporating the specific changes) as interim planning guidance subject to specific variations to reflect a degree of flexibility in terms of residential or office development along Walden Road.

Authorised the Head of Planning Services, in consultation with the Executive Member for Planning Strategy to make any minor consequential amendments to the text and illustrations as necessary as a result of these changes.

Further to Minute No. 03/202, the Cabinet considered a report (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) outlining the consultation responses to the draft Urban Design Framework and Masterplan for the Princes Street/George Street area.

Having considered the proposed responses and amendments outlined in Annex 2 and 3 to the report, together with a schedule of suggested further amendments to facilitate a more flexible approach to development along Walden Road, it was

RESOLVED

  (a)that, subject to the incorporation of the specified changes identified within the consultation responses and specific variations to reflect a degree of flexibility in terms of residential or office development along Walden Road, the revised Urban Design Framework and Masterplan be approved as Interim Planning Guidance; and

  (b)that the Head of Planning Services be authorised to approve any minor consequential amendments to the text and illustrations as a result of the changes referred to in (a) above after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Planning Strategy.

To consider a report by the Head of Operations on the recent consultation paper published by the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on Clean Neighbourhoods.

Endorsed a response on behalf of the District Council, supported the response by the LGA and reiterated their concerns about any consequential increases in the functions and duties of local authorities without the provision of additional funding.

By means of a report by the Head of Operations (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Cabinet were acquainted with the content of a recent consultation paper issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs proposing a series of measures designed to supplement the powers of local authorities in addressing public nuisances and environmental issues.

Having considered the proposals outlined in the consultation paper, and the suggested responses, the Cabinet emphasised that the latter should address their apprehension with regard to the prospect of additional responsibilities being imposed on local authorities without the accompanying resources.  Accordingly, it was

RESOLVED

  (a)that the proposed response to the consultation paper as outlined in the report now submitted be approved; and

  (b)that the views expressed by the Local Government Association on the matter be endorsed.

To consider a report by the Director of Operational Services seeking delegated authority to apply to the courts for Anti-Social Behaviour Orders.

Delegated the authority to the Director of Operational Services after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Public Health and Community Safety to apply to the Courts for Anti Social Behaviour Orders.

With the assistance of a report by the Director of Operational Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) and having regard to the need to reduce possible delays in dealing with cases of anti-social behaviour, it was

RESOLVED

  that in accordance with the provisions of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 and the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2000, the Director of Operational Services be authorised to apply to the courts for Anti-Social Behaviour Orders after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Public Health and Community Safety.

To consider a report by the Head of Housing Services seeking approval of a supplementary capital estimate and the expenditure of revenue contingency for urgent replacement works to the electricity supply ay the mobile home site.

Approved a supplementary capital estimate of £60,000 to cover the capital cost of replacement cables. An additional £20,000 from the revenue contingency also has been approved to cover the cost of works already carried out, to provide temporary power supplies and to identify the source of the fault.

(The Chairman announced that he proposed to admit the following item as a matter of urgency in accordance with Section 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972, in order to effect immediate repairs to the electricity supply at the mobile home site).

With the assistance of a report by the Head of Housing Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Cabinet were advised of the failure of the electricity supply to the St Neots mobile home site.

Having noted the steps taken to date to rectify the problem and been assured that the estimated cost of the works had been prepared following the receipt of competitive quotations, it was

RESOLVED

  (a)that a supplementary capital estimate of £60,000 be approved in respect of the cost of renewing the electricity cables; and

  (b)that an allocation of £20,000 from the Revenue Contingency be approved to cover the additional cost of the works already carried out and the need to provide temporary power supplies and to identify the source of the fault.

To resolve:

that the public be excluded from the meeting because the business to be transacted contains exempt information relating to terms proposed by the District Council for the acquisition of land and property and to employees of the District Council.

RESOLVED

  that the public be excluded from the meeting because the business to be transacted contains exempt information relating to employees of the District Council and terms for the acquisition of land and property.

To consider a report by the Head of Environment & Transport on negotiations with the County Council in respect of the termination of the agency agreement and the consequential impact on the District Council.

¨  Noted that termination of the Highways Agency will now take place on 31^st March 2005

¨  Noted that arrangements are being made to transfer five employees to Cambridgeshire County Council under TUPE.

¨  Approved  the retention of a temporary employee within the Highways Team until June 2005

¨  Authorised the Director of Operational Services, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, to agree new heads of terms in respect of a new agreement with the County Council for the discharge of the functions referred to within the report and to report to a future meeting of the Executive.

¨  Approved the creation of a full-time post for land drainage/sewage at an additional cost of £14K annually from 2005/06

(Councillor I C Bates declared a personal interest in the following item as a Member of Cambridgeshire County Council).

Further to Minute No. 04/20 and with the assistance of a report by the Head of Environment and Transport (a copy of which is appended in the Annex to the Minute Book), the Cabinet were updated with the details of negotiations with Cambridgeshire County Council in relation to the termination of the highways agency and the consequential impact on the District Council.

Having regard to the employment issues arising from the termination of the existing agreement, the potential for negotiating a new agreement and other organisational and service issues, it was

RESOLVED

  (a)that the termination of the existing Highways Agency Agreement on 31st March 2005 and the arrangements to be made to transfer 5 employees to Cambridgeshire County Council under the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 be noted;

  (b)that the retention of a temporary employee currently assigned to the Highways Team be approved until June 2005;

  (c)that a full-time post to deal with land drainage/sewerage functions be established at an additional cost of £14,000 per annum with effect from 1st April 2005; and

  (d)that the Director of Operational Services be authorised after consultation with the Leader of the Council, to agree heads of terms in respect of a new agreement with the County Council for the discharge of the functions outlined in Section 3 of the report now submitted . 

To consider a report by the Head of Legal and Estates seeking approval to the terms for the acquisition of land in order to implement a new footway project at Catworth.

Approved the terms for the acquisition of land in order to implement a new footway project at Catworth.

The Cabinet received a report by the Head of Legal and Estates (a copy of which is appended in the Annex to the Minute Book) setting out proposed terms for the acquisition of land to implement a new footway project at Catworth in partnership with the Parish Council.

RESOLVED

  that the terms set out in paragraph 3 of the report now submitted be approved.

To consider recommendations by the Employment Panel in relation to a report by the Heads of Environment and Transport and Personnel Services on the outcome of a staffing review in the Environment and Transport division.

(The decision of the Employment Panel will be reported at the meeting).

Approved funding for a redundancy package to be awarded to an employee in the Environment & Transport Division.

By means of a joint report by the Heads of Environment and Transport and of Personnel Services (a copy of which is appended in the Annex to the Minute Book), the Cabinet considered a proposal to grant early retirement to the holder of post reference OPS.126 in the Environment and Transport Division.

Having been acquainted with the recommendations of the Employment Panel on this matter, it was

RESOLVED

  that funding for a compensatory payment to the holder of post reference OPS.126 be approved as set out in paragraph 4.3 of the report now submitted.