Agenda, decisions and minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 19th May 2005.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on the 19^th May 2005 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on the 19^th May 2005 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive from Members declarations as to personal and/or prejudicial interest and the nature of those interests in relation to any Agenda item.  

Please see notes 1 and 2 below.

No declarations were received.

To consider a report by the Head of Planning Services on a framework for the redevelopment of the Castle Hill House/Pathfinder House site.

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

Adopted the Planning and Urban Design Framework for Pathfinder House, Huntingdon as Interim Planning Guidance and authorised the Head of Planning Services, after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Planning Strategy, to approve any minor amendments.

Further to Minute No 04/201, 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 revised version of the Planning and Urban Design Framework relating to the redevelopment of the Pathfinder House site.

Having been reminded of the key features of the framework and in noting the outcomes of the consultation exercise undertaken on the proposals which had in the main been reflected in the framework document the Cabinet

RESOLVED

  (a)  that the Planning and Urban Design Framework for Pathfinder House,  Huntingdon, as appended to the report now submitted, be adopted as Interim Planning Guidance; and

  (b)   that the Head of Planning Services be authorised, after consultation   with the Executive Councillor for Planning Strategy, to approve any minor amendments to the Framework.

To consider a report by the Head of Policy on the Corporate Plan prior to its submission to full Council for approval.

That the performance data for 2004/05 and revised targets for 2005/06 be noted and full Council be invited to adopt the updated document – “Growing Success”: A Corporate Plan. 

Further to Minute No 03/177, consideration was given to a report by the Chief Officers (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) which reviewed the aims and outcomes of the Council’s Corporate Plan – “Growing Success” in relation to the continuing development of the Comprehensive Performance Management Framework.

As a consequence of the Council’s designation as an excellent authority relevant information on which the Council was required to publish as part of a Best Value Performance Plan now had been incorporated into the Corporate Plan.

Members’ attention was drawn to the work to further prioritise the Council’s objectives and a series of revised targets for 2005/06 based on performance levels for the previous year. Having being advised that quarterly reports on performance against targets in the plan and other indicators would be submitted to future meetings of both the Overview and Scrutiny Panels and the Cabinet, it was

RESOLVED

(a)  that the content of the plan now submitted and the performance data for 2004/05 and revised targets for 2005/06 be noted; and

(b)  that Council be invited to adopt the updated document – “Growing Success”: A Corporate Plan. 

By way of a report by the Director of Operational Services to consider the output specifications proposed for the Council’s future office and other accommodation requirements.

Noted the development by the Chief Executive of the tender evaluation criteria based on the attributes, and their order, detailed in paragraph 2.2 of the report of the Director of Operational Services; 

approved the Employer’s requirements reproduced at Annex B; 

approved the invitation of tenders which provide opportunities for tenderers to propose payment arrangements including a single payment at the completion of all premises;

agreed to the imposition of a three month period subsequent to the award of contract to conclude a development agreement;

authorised the Chief Executive, after consultation with the Leader of the Council, to determine the timing of land transfers within the development agreement and the final space requirement; and

agreed to the release of £200,000 referred to in MTP 300 - Pathfinder House Improvements and One Stop Shop. 

The Cabinet received the report of the meeting of the District Council Headquarters and Other Office Accommodation Members Advisory Group held on the 31st May 2005 (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) and considered the Group’s recommendations in relation to the outward specifications proposed for the Council’s future office and other accommodation requirements.

Having also been acquainted with the outcomes of discussions by the Overview and Scrutiny Panels on the matter, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

(a)  that proposals by the Chief Executive to develop the tender evaluation criteria based on the attributes, and their order, detailed in paragraph 2.2 of the report of the Director of Operational Services appended to the report of the Advisory Group, be noted;

(b)  that the Employer’s requirements reproduced at Annex B to the report now submitted, be approved;

(c)  that the invitation of tenders which provide opportunities for tenderers to propose payment arrangements including a single payment at the completion of all premises, be approved;

(d)  that the imposition of a three month period subsequent to the award of contract to conclude a development agreement be approved;

(e)  that the Chief Executive, after consultation with the Leader of the Council, be authorised to determine the timing of land transfers within the development agreement;

(f)  that the Chief Executive, after consultation with the Leader of the Council, be authorised to determine the final space requirement; and

(g)  that the release of £200,000 from the Medium Term Plan, Item 300 - Pathfinder House Improvements and One Stop Shop be approved. 

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

Noted the likely spending variations for the revenue budget 2005/06.

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 2004/05 budget and the expected budget variations already identified in the current year.

RESOLVED

  that the likely spending variations for the revenue budget 2005/06 be noted.

To consider a report by the Head of Financial Services on levels of performance achieved by the Fund Managers during the quarter ending 31^st March 2005.

Noted the contents of the report.

A report by the Head of Financial Services was submitted (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) which reviewed the respective levels of performance achieved during the period January to March 2005 by External Fund Managers in the matter of the Council’s Capital Receipts.

RESOLVED

  that the content of the report be noted.

To review the performance of the Council’s Fund Managers during 2004/2005. Report by the Head of Financial Services enclosed.

Noted the contents of the report.

A report by the Head of Financial Services was submitted (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) which reviewed the prospective levels of performance in the year ending 31st March 2005 by three external Fund Managers in the matter of investment of the Council’s Capital Receipts.

RESOLVED

  that the content of the report be noted.

With the assistance of a report by the Director of Operational Services, to consider a response to the Highways Agency Consultation on the A14 upgrade proposal.

Subject to the incorporation of minor amendments by the Director of Operational Services, recommended to full Council that the   comments outlined in the report now submitted be used as the basis for aresponse to the Highways Agency Consultation on the upgrade of   the   A14; and

Authorised the Director of Operational Services, after consultation with the Executive Councillor Planning Strategy, to agree a   Statement of Principles with other Cambridgeshire Local Authorities as   a joint submission to the Highways Agency based on the principles set   out in the report. 

The Committee considered a report by the Director of Operational Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) outlining proposals by the Highways Agency to improve the A14 between Ellington and Fen Ditton.  The Chairman commented that the main consultees were already working on a consensus approach in their response to this exercise.

Following discussion and having indicated their support for the Council’s previous resolution in this respect, as set out in annex A to the report, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

(a)  that, subject to the incorporation of minor amendments by the Director of Operational Services, the Council be recommended to endorse the comments in the report now submitted as the basis for a response to the Highways Agency Consultation on the upgrade of the A14; and

(b)  that the Director of Operational Services, after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Planning Strategy, be authorised to agree a Statement of Principles with other Cambridgeshire local authorities as a joint submission to the Highways Agency based on the principles set out in the report. 

To resolve:-

that the public be excluded from the meeting because the business to be transacted relates to employees of the Council.

RESOLVED

  that the press and public be excluded from the meeting   because the business to be transacted contains exempt information relating to employees of the Council.

To consider a joint report by the Heads of IMD and Personnel Services on proposed changes to staffing in the Information Management Division.

Noted the decisions of the Employment Panel to create a new post of Systems Support Officer and to delete the post of ICT Services Manager, within the Information Management Division and approved the associated financial implications as outlined in paragraph 5.3 and 5.4 of the report.

The Cabinet considered a joint report by the Heads of Information Management and of Personnel Services (a copy of which is appended in the annex to the Minute Book) outlining proposed changes to the staffing structure of the Information Management Division.

Having noted the decisions of the Employment Panel at its meeting on the 8th June 2005, it was

RESOLVED

  that approval by the Employment Panel to create a new post of Systems Support Officer and delete the post of ICT Services Manager, within the Information Management Division, be noted and the associated financial implications as outlined in paragraphs 5.3 and 5.4 of the report now submitted approved.

To consider a report by the Chief Executive.

subject to her prior resignation as an employee of the District Council, approved the retention of Mrs E Wilson in a consultancy capacity in connection with the proposed procurement and development of a   new headquarters and other accommodation;

acknowledged the specialist nature of this work and on the ground that the engagement of Mrs Wilson would represent the Council’s best interests agreed to adopt the single tender option in paragraph 5.3E of the Council’s Code of Procurement; and

authorised the Chief Executive, after consultation with the Leader of the Council and the Chairman of the Employment Panel, to approve terms to retain Mrs Wilson’s services as the Council’s Consultant Project Director for the procurement and development of new headquarters and other accommodation .

Consideration was given to a report by the Chief Executive (a copy of which is appended in the annex to the Minute Book) regarding a proposal in relation to the project management of the procurement and development of a new District Council headquarters and other accommodation.

Having noted the deliberations and recommendations of the Employment Panel on the matter, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

(a)  that subject to her prior resignation as an employee of the District Council, the retention of Mrs E Wilson in a consultancy capacity in connection with the proposed procurement and development of a new headquarters and other accommodation be approved;

(b)  that in acknowledgement of the specialist nature of this work and on the ground that the engagement of Mrs Wilson would represent the Council’s best interests, the adoption of the single tender option in paragraph 5.3E of the Council’s Code of Procurement be approved; and

(c)  that the Chief Executive, after consultation with the Leader of the Council and the Chairman of the Employment Panel, be authorised to approve terms to retain Mrs Wilson’s services as the Council’s consultant Project Director for the procurement and development of new headquarters and other accommodation.