Agenda, decisions and minutes

Having been advised of Councillor R L Clarke’s ill health, the Cabinet placed on record their wishes for a speedy recovery.

Having been advised of Councillor R L Clarke’s recent admission to hospital, the Cabinet expressed their good wishes for his speedy recovery.

Further to Minute No. 03/187 and in the light of the Council’s decision at its meeting on 7th April 2004 confirming its willingness, subject to appropriate conditions, to fund the Acorn Community Health Centre, to consider a report by the Head of Financial Services (TO FOLLOW) on contractual and other issues reserved to the Cabinet.

The Cabinet noted that this item had been withdrawn from the agenda.

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 22^nd April 2004.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 22nd April 2004 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To consider the Urban Design Framework for land at Chequers Court, Huntingdon and to approve it as a basis for consultation and further discussion.

(A copy of the Urban Design Framework has been appended separately to the Agenda).

Subject to the amendment of the document to incorporate the implications of the taxi strategy on the location of ranks within the development area the Framework was approved 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 attached a copy of a proposed Urban Development Framework relating to the redevelopment of land at Chequers Court, Huntingdon.

With regard to the policy framework, the Cabinet were reminded that the Licensing and Protection Panel had approved a Taxi Strategy for the District which had identified the need to address the issue of taxi ranks and access in the Chequers Court area.

Having discussed the content of the Framework proposals and stressed the importance of the integration of the Chequers Court redevelopment into other future development proposals in Huntingdon, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

  that subject to the amendment of the document to incorporate the implications of the taxi strategy on the location of ranks within the development area the Framework be approved as a basis for further discussion and consultation

To consider a report by the Head of Planning Services providing a framework for the re-development of the Castle Hill House/Pathfinder House site.

(A copy of the Urban Design Framework has been appended separately to the Agenda).

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

Consideration was given to a report by the Head of Planning Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) to which was appended a copy of a proposed Urban Development Framework relating to possible options identified for the future use of the site now occupied by Pathfinder House in the context of its potential relocation.  It was acknowledged that the document formed a basis for discussion and consultation and did not represent a definitive plan for the future of the sites.  In that context it was,

RESOLVED

  that the Cabinet approve the Framework as a basis for further discussion and consultation.

To consider a report by the Head of Planning Services seeking approval of the masterplan for the re-development of Princes Street and Pathfinder House

The Masterplan has been approved as the basis for further discussion and consultation; and that the Executive Councillor for Planning Strategy be authorised to approve the content of the draft Supplementary Planning Guidance for 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 a proposed development Masterplan for land at Princes Street and Pathfinder House, Huntingdon.

Members were reminded that Supplementary Planning Guidance had previously been approved for the Princes Street/George Street area.  In view of the limited timescale involved prior to the inclusion of the Masterplan in a further draft Supplementary Planning Guidance for consultation, it was

RESOLVED

  (a)that the Masterplan be approved as the basis for further discussion and consultation; and

  (b)that the Executive Councillor for Planning Strategy be authorised to approve the content of the draft Supplementary Planning Guidance for consultation.

To receive a report of the meeting of the District Council Headquarters and other Office Accommodation Members’ Advisory Group held on 7th April 2004.

The Cabinet has noted the report of the meeting of the District Council’s Headquarter and Other Office Accommodation Members’ Advisory Group and approved the budget programme and timetable for the feasibility study and decision on the procurement of future accommodation.

The Cabinet received a report of the meeting of the District Council’s Headquarter and Other Office Accommodation Members’ Advisory Group (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book), the Cabinet

RESOLVED

That the budget programme and timetable for the feasibility study and decision on the procurement of future accommodation be approved as set out in the annex to the report now submitted.

To consider a report by the Head of Operational Services on the implications of the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003.

Delegated authority has been given to:-

  (a)  the Chief Executive or in his absence the Director of Operational Services, after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Environment under Part 1 of the Anti-Social Behaviour Act relating to the closure of premises where drugs are used unlawfully;

  (b)  the Chief Executive or in his absence the Director of Operational Services, after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Environment under Part 4 of the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003 to respond to requests to designate areas for the purpose of dispersal of groups;

  (c)  the Director of Operational Services or in her absence the Head of Operations Division, after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Environment, under Section 48 of the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003 to issue graffiti removal notices and recover expenditure;

  (d)  the Director of Operational Services or in her absence the Head of Operations Division, after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Environment under Section 56 of the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003 to enter land to clear litter and to recover expenditure;

  (e)  the Director of Operational Services or in her absence the Head of Planning Services or Head of Operations Division, after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Environment under Part 8 of the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003 to issue orders to remedy problems associated with high hedges, to enter neighbouring land to carry out functions under the Act and to undertake any other subsequent works necessary to implement this part of the Act; and

A further report will be submitted to the Cabinet after twelve months containing an update on progress in the implementation and impact on resources of the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003.

Consideration was given to a report by the Director of Operational Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) on the implications for the Council on the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003. 

Whilst the Act extended the powers of the Council to deal with anti-social behaviour in the District, Members expressed concern that little additional funding was likely to be made available by the Government to assist in the implementation of the Act and to meet rising public expectations for the active use of the new measures by the Council.  Under the circumstances Members requested the submission of a progress report after twelve months had elapsed, explaining the impact of the legislation on the Council’s resources.

RESOLVED

  (a)  that delegated authority be given to the Chief Executive or in his absence the Director of Operational Services, after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Environment, under Part 1 of the Anti-Social Behaviour Act relating to the closure of premises where drugs are used unlawfully;

  (b)  that delegated authority be given to the Chief Executive or in his absence the Director of Operational Services, after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Environment, under Part 4 of the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003 to respond to requests to designate areas for the purpose of dispersal of groups;

  (c)  that delegated authority be given to the Director of Operational Services or in her absence the Head of Operations Division, after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Environment, under Section 48 of the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003 to issue graffiti removal notices and recover expenditure;

  (d)  that delegated authority be given to the Director of Operational Services or in her absence the Head of Operations Division, after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Environment under Section 56 of the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003 to enter land to clear litter and to recover expenditure;

  (e)  that delegated authority be given to the Director of Operational Services or in her absence the Head of Planning Services or Head of Operations Division, after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Environment under Part 8 of the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003 to issue orders to remedy problems associated with high hedges, to enter neighbouring land to carry out functions under the Act and to undertake any other subsequent works necessary to implement this part of the Act; and

  (f)  that a further report be submitted to the Cabinet after twelve months containing an update on progress in the implementation and impact on resources of the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003.

To consider a report by the Head of Administration on the issuing of public entertainment licences for musical entertainment on privately owned land.

That the promotion of musical events on Council land or the letting of land for this purpose continue to be subject to the same process of consultation and consideration as a public entertainments application.

That the Director of Central Services (or in his absence the Head of Administration) be authorised to determine an application.

That where adverse comments are received, the Applications Sub Group of the Licensing and Protection Panel be authorised to formulate recommendations to the Director of Central Services (or in his absence the Head of Administration) as to the determination of the application.

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 procedure to be undertaken with regard to entertainment events that are to be held on Council owned land.  With a view to consultation with nearby residents on applications for entertainment in such circumstances and in the absence of a suitable mechanism currently, it was

RESOLVED

  (a)that the promotion of musical events on Council land or the letting of land for this purpose continue to be subject to the same process of consultation and consideration as a public entertainments application;

  (b)that the Director of Central Services (or in his absence the Head of Administration) be authorised to determine an application; and

  (c)that where adverse comments are received, the Applications Sub Group of the Licensing and Protection Panel be authorised to formulate recommendations to the Director of Central Services (or in his absence the Head of Administration) as to the determination of the application.

To consider a report by the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Service Delivery and Resources) following its study on the use of sun beds.

That the continued provision of sunbeds at the joint provision Leisure Centres in the District in an environment where national guidance on health and safety are strictly adhered to be endorsed.

That the Leisure Centres Management Committees be requested to consider providing alternative facilities to sunbeds as they cease to be financially viable.

That the question of smoking at Leisure Centres be referred for consideration at the Leisure Centres Joint Chairmens’ meeting and a subsequent report submitted to the Cabinet in due course.

The Cabinet considered a report by the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Service Delivery and Resources) on the outcome of a study on the use of sunbeds at the jointly provided Leisure Centres in the District (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book).  The Panel had received representations from Huntingdonshire PCT’s Director of Public Health, as well as the Executive Councillor for Leisure and relevant officers, as a result of which the Panel had concluded -

¨  that they were satisfied with the current health and safety policy for the use of sunbeds at the Leisure Centres;

¨  that, on balance, and in order to provide the public with high quality facilities, they did not consider that sunbeds should be withdrawn from the Leisure Centres;

¨  that, in the light of increasing public awareness of the dangers of sunbeds and the associated decline in their usage, and in advance of them ceasing to be financially viable, consideration should be give to replacing the sunbeds with other uses; and

¨  that consideration should be given to prohibiting smoking in all Council owned or operated public premises.

Following consideration, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

  (a)that the continued provision of sunbeds at the joint provision Leisure Centres in the District in an environment where national guidance on health and safety are strictly adhered to be endorsed;

  (b)that the Leisure Centres Management Committees be requested to consider providing alternative facilities to sunbeds as they cease to be financially viable; and

  (c)that the question of smoking at Leisure Centres be referred for consideration at the Leisure Centres Joint Chairmens’ meeting and a subsequent report submitted to the Cabinet in due course.

To note a summary by the Head of Revenue Services of debts written off during the quarter ended 31^st March 2004.

Noted those debts that had written off as irrecoverable during the period January to March 2004.

The Cabinet received and noted a report by the Head of Revenue Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) summarising debt which has been written off as irrecoverable during the period January to March 2004.

To consider a report by the Director of Operational Services seeking approval for securing the necessary professional services for phase 1 and 2.

That the Director of Operational Services be authorised to secure, using the “single tender” procedure contained in the Code of Procurement, the services of Messrs Macmon and Dudley Smith in connection with the Sapley Square project.

That the Director of Operational Services be authorised to secure the necessary Clerk of Work services using an approach that delivers best value for money for the Council.

With the assistance of a report by the Director of Operational Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Cabinet was acquainted with the arrangements for securing the necessary professional services for phase 2 of the Sapley Square redevelopment in Huntingdon.

The Cabinet noted that as a result of the physical proximity of the two phases, it would be impractical to instruct different contractors for each phase.  Having been advised that the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister had no objection, in principle, to that arrangement, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

  (a)that the Director of Operational Services be authorised to secure, using the “single tender” procedure contained in the Code of Procurement, the services of Messrs Macmon and Dudley Smith in connection with the Sapley Square project; and

  (b)that the Director of Operational Services be authorised to secure the necessary Clerk of Work services using an approach that delivers best value for money for the Council.