Agenda, decisions and minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 9^th June 2005

The Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 9^th June 2005 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive from Members Declarations of Personal/ or Prejudicial interest and the nature of those interests in relation to any Agenda item.

Please see notes 1 and 2 below.

Councillor Bates declared a personal interest in Minute No 30 by virtue of his membership of Cambridgeshire County Council. Councillor Holley declared a personal and prejudicial interest in Minute No 37 by virtue of his wife’s appointment and proposed nomination as a Trustee to Kimbolton School Foundation and left the meeting for the duration of the discussion and voting on this matter.

To consider a report by the Development and Community Manager outlining the draft Partnering Agreement for the Private Finance Initiative for the future waste disposal arrangements for Cambridgeshire.

Approved in principle the Draft PFI Partnering Agreement, as appended to the report now submitted;

authorised the Head of Legal and Estates, after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Environment and Transport, to approve any outstanding drafting issues; and

gave authority to the Director of Operational Services to sign the final partnering agreement at the appropriate time.

Further to Minute No 04/153 consideration was given to a report by the Development and Community Manager ( a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) to which was attached a draft Partnering Agreement on behalf of principal Cambridgeshire Authorities for a Private Finance Initiative (PFI credits) relating to future waste disposal arrangements in Cambridgeshire.

Having been reminded of the main aims and objectives of the Agreement and having noted the inclusion of a satisfactory “opt out” clause, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

(a)  that the Draft PFI Partnering Agreement, as appended to the report now submitted, be approved in principle;

(b)  that the Head of Legal and Estates be authorised, after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Environment and Transport, to approve any outstanding drafting issues; and

(c)  that the Director of Operational Services be authorised to sign the final partnering agreement.

To consider a report by the Director of Operational Services on the development of a new Local Transport Plan for Cambridgeshire and the content of the Annual Progress Report and Huntingdonshire Statement.

Noted the contents of the draft provisional Cambridgeshire Local Transport Plan 2006-2011 and the draft 2005 Annual Progress Report;

Approved the Huntingdonshire statement, appended to the report;

Authorised the Director of Operational Services, after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Environment and Transport, to make amendments to the draft provisional LTP, District Statement and Draft APR, prior to their formal submission to the Government by 31^st July 2005; and

Gave authority to the Executive Councillors for Environment & Transport and for Planning Strategy to sign the provisional LTP on behalf of the Council.

A report by the Director of Operational Services was submitted (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) inviting the Cabinet to consider the content of the provisional Cambridgeshire Local Transport Plan 2006-2011 (LTP) and the 2005 Annual Progress Report on the Plan’s Delivery which had been prepared in conjunction with the County Council together with a statement specific to Huntingdonshire. At the same time, Members’ attention was drawn to the findings of an air quality review and assessment as a result of which Air Quality Management Areas were likely to be declared in Huntingdon and St. Neots later in year. 

With regard to concern expressed about the possible withdrawal of support for market town strategies and the potential implications of this in terms of accessing sources of transport and related funding, the Cabinet noted verbal assurances received  from County Council Officers as to the continuation of support for the strategies, and

RESOLVED

(a)  that the draft provisional Cambridgeshire Local Transport Plan 2006-2011 and the draft 2005 Annual Progress Report be noted;

(b)  that the Huntingdonshire statement, appended to the report now submitted, be approved;

(c)  that, after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Environment and Transport, the Director of Operational Services be authorised to make amendments to the draft provisional LTP, District Statement and Draft APR, prior to their formal submission to Government by 31^st July 2005; and

(d)  that the Executive Councillors for Environment & Transport and for Planning Strategy be authorised to sign the provisional LTP on behalf of the Council.

To consider a report by the Head of Housing on the demand for disabled facilities grants.

Noted the content of the report and agreed that further quarterly reports be submitted to Cabinet if the demand for disabled facilities grants is expected to exceed the 2005/06 budget.

Further to Minute No 04/138, consideration was given to a report by the Head of Housing Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) outlining the overall take up of Disabled Facilities Grants (DFG) in 2004/05.

Members were advised that 274 grants had been processed in 2004/05 and that the budget provision for 2005/06 was £1,195,000, which included a contribution of £327,000 from the Government. Having noted that a review of the DFG framework was currently being undertaken by Central Government, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

(a)  that the content of the report now submitted be noted; and

(b)  that further quarterly reports be submitted to Cabinet if the demand for disabled facilities grants is expected to exceed the 2005/06 budget.

To consider a report by the Head of Information Management seeking approval for the content of the Council’s Implementing Electronic Government (IEG) Statement.

Approved the contents of the 2005 Implementing Electronic Government Statement for submission to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister; and authorised the Director of Commerce and Technology, after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Operations and Information Technology, to make minor amendments to the statement prior to its submission.

By way of a report by the Head of Information Management (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book). Members were acquainted with the contents of the 2005 Implementing Electronic Government Statement for submission to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) by 18th July 2005.

Having been reminded of the objective of the statement and in noting that the final version of the document would need to be submitted to the meeting of the Council scheduled for 28th September for approval, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

(a)  that the 2005 Implementing Electronic Government Statement be approved for submission to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister; and

(b)  that, after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Operations and Information Technology, the Director of Commerce and Technology be authorised to make minor amendments to the statement prior to its submission to the ODPM.

By way of a report by the Head of Planning Services to consider a Conservation Area Management Plan for Ramsey.

Approved the contents of the draft Management Plan for the Ramsey Conservation Area for use in planning decisions and as a basis for further consultation.

With aid of a report by the Head of Planning Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Cabinet considered a draft Management Plan for the Ramsey Conservation Area.

Having been informed that the plan had been produced to clearly identify, co-ordinate and programme a series of specific projects for the town which would enhance proposals emerging from the Ramsey Action Plan, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

  that the draft Management Plan for the Ramsey Conservation Area be approved for use in planning decisions and as a basis for further consultation.

To consider a report by the Head of Planning Services seeking approval for consultation purposes the content of the Draft Boundary Review and Character Statement for Ramsey.

(Copies of the documents are attached to the Agenda separately)

Approved the content of the boundary review and the draft character statement for the   Ramsey Conservation Area as a basis for further 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 attached draft copies of a boundary review and a character statement for the Ramsey Conservation Area.

Having noted the main aims and objectives of the documents and after discussing the extent of the area included within the boundary review, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

  that the boundary review and the draft character statement for the Ramsey Conservation Area be approved as a basis for consultation.

The Appointments Panel established by the Council on the 18^th May 2005 comprises Councillors Baker, Davies, Rogers and Simpson, together with the relevant Executive Councillor in relation to the post to be filled. The remit of the Panel is to make recommendations to full Council on the appointment of a Chief Executive and, subject to the Employment Procedure Rules, to make appointments to Chief Officer and Heads of Service posts.

In anticipation of the forthcoming vacancy in the post of Director of Operational Services, the Chief Executive will report on the requirement for Cabinet to nominate an Executive Councillor to serve on the Panel for this purpose.

Appointed  the Leader of the Council to serve on the Appointment Panel for the purpose of appointing to the post of Director of Operational Services.

In anticipation of the forthcoming vacancy in the post of Director of Operational Services, the Cabinet considered the appointment of a Member of the Cabinet to serve on the Appointments Panel alongside Councillors Baker, Davies, Rogers and Simpson.

Whereupon, it was

RESOLVED

that the Leader of the Council be appointed to serve on the Appointment Panel for the purpose of appointing to the   post of Director of Operational Services.

To consider a report by the Head of Administration in relation to the appointment/nomination of representatives to serve on a variety of organisations.

Appointed representatives to serve on a variety of organisations

Having received and considered a report by the Head of Administration (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) in relation to the appointment/nominations of representatives to serve in a variety of organisations, it was

RESOLVED

(a)  that, with the exception of the following adjustments, nominations be made to the organisations as set out in the Appendix to the report now submitted;

Organisation Representative(s)

Cambridgeshire Chamber of Commerce – Huntingdonshire Area – Councillor Hansard;

Cambridgeshire Councils Association – Leader of the Council, Councillors Eddy and Guyatt (substitute – the Deputy Leader);

Community Safety Task Groups – North Huntingdonshire Area (Yaxley) – Councillor Watt;

Home Improvement Agency – Advisory Committee – Councillor Mrs Reynolds;

Huntingdonshire Housing Partnership – Luminus (parent) – Councillor Hyams;

Huntingdonshire (Local) Strategic Partnership – Economic Development – Councillor Hansard;

Town Centre Management Initiatives – St Ives – Councillor Mrs Reynolds;

National Autistic Society – Councillor Mrs Chandler;

Road Safety Committee – Huntingdon and Godmanchester Area – Councillors Mrs Godley, Hyams and Simpson;

Road Safety Committee – Norman Cross Area – Councillors Butler and Watt;

Road Safety Committee – St Ives Area – Councillors Mrs Chandler and Rogers;

St Neots Museum Management Committee – Councillor Hansard;

St Neots Volunteer Bureau Management Committee – Councillor Mrs Gregory;

Trustees of KimboltonSchool Foundation – Mrs A Holley;

Yaxley Youth Work Support Forum – Councillor Watt; and

(b)  that, in the event that changes are required to the Council’s representation during the course of the year, the Deputy Leader and Vice-Chairman of the Cabinet be authorised to nominate alternative representatives as necessary.