Agenda, decisions and minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on the 24^th November 2005.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on the 24^th November 2005 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive from Members declarations as to personal and/or prejudicial interests 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 Information Management seeking approval for the content of the Council’s Implementing Electronic Government (IEG) Statement 2005.

Approved the contents of the final 2005 Implementing Electronic Government (IEG) Statement for submission to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

Further to Minute No.05/33 and by way of 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 final 2005 Implementing Electronic Government (IEG) Statement for submission to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

RESOLVED

  that Council be recommended to approve the submission of 2005 IEG Statement

To consider a report by the Director of Commerce and Technology on levels of performance achieved by the call centre in its first month of operation and seeking approval for certain changes in call-handling arrangements.

reviewed the levels of performance achieved by the call centre in its first month of operation and approved the trial use of call queuing for a three month period

A report by the Director of Commerce and Technology was submitted ( a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) which reviewed the levels of performance achieved by the call centre in its first month of operation.

Having considered proposals to improve the service further, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

  that the contents of the report be noted, the number of operational lines increased and the trial use of call queuing arrangements for a three month period as outlined in paragraph 4 of the report now submitted be approved.

To consider a report by the Head of Housing Services seeking approval for the draft Black and Minority Ethnic Housing Strategy 2005/06.

(A copy of the Draft Strategy has been appended separately to the agenda)

approved the content of the Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) Housing Strategy.

By way of a report by the Head of Housing Services (copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) Members were acquainted with the content of a proposed Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) Housing Strategy.

Having been advised that the document would be submitted to Go-East, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

  that the contents of the 2005/06 Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) Housing Strategy be approved.

To consider a report by the Public Health Manager on powers from the DVLA to remove untaxed vehicles from the public highway.

Approved the adoption of devolved powers from the DVLA to remove untaxed vehicles from the public highway.  Authorised the Director of Operational Services to appoint officers to enforce the provisions of the DVLA devolved powers and the Head of Environmental Health Services to sign up to the DVLA code of practice on behalf of the District Council; Also authorised the Head of Environmental Health Services to enter into an agreement with the existing abandoned vehicles contractor to collect, store, destroy, return, sell or otherwise dispose of untaxed nuisance vehicles in accordance with the DVLA code of practice in return for the fees set out in the Vehicles Excise Duty (Immobilisation, Removal and Disposal of Vehicles) Regulations 1997 (as amended);and requested that local Parish Councils and other organisations be advised of the new arrangements.

Consideration was given to a report by the Public Health Manager (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) on the availability and proposed adoption of devolved powers from the DVLA to remove untaxed vehicles from the public highway.  In so doing, the Cabinet noted that point 3 in Annex B should have read “prefix” and not “suffix”.

Having considered the information contained in the report, a code of practice produced by the DVLA, issues surrounding insurance and responsibility for damage to vehicles whilst removing and transporting them to the vehicle pound, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

(a)    that devolved powers from the DVLA for dealing with the clamping and removing of untaxed vehicles from the public highway be adopted;

(b)    that the Director of Operational Services be authorised to appoint officers to enforce the provisions of the powers referred to in (a) above;

(c)    that the Head of Environmental Health Services be authorised to subscribe to the DVLA code of practice on behalf of the District Council;

(d)    that the Head of Environmental Health Services be authorised to enter into an agreement with the Council’s existing abandoned vehicles contractor to collect, store, destroy, return, sell or otherwise dispose of untaxed nuisance vehicles in accordance with the DVLA code of practice in return for the fees set out in the Vehicles Excise Duty (Immobilisation, Removal and Disposal of Vehicles) Regulations 1997 (as amended);and

(e)    that local Parish Councils and other interested organisations be advised of the new arrangements.

Members noted that since the publication of the agenda the report of the Public Conveniences Advisory Group and associated improvement proposals have been deferred to enable their consideration by the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Service Delivery and Resources).

Members noted that since the publication of the agenda the report of the Public Conveniences Advisory Group and associated improvement proposals had been deferred to facilitate their prior consideration by the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Service Delivery and Resources).

By way of a report by the Head of Housing Services to consider a request for the release of funding for a Homelessness Prevention Officer post.

approved the release of funding from the Medium Term Plan to enable the vacant post of Homelessness Prevention Officer to be recruited on a permanent contract.

By way of a report by the Head of Housing Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Cabinet considered a request for the release of funding from the Medium Term Plan to facilitate recruitment to the vacant post of Homelessness Prevention Officer on a permanent contract.

Having considered information contained in the report about the contribution made by the post to the avoidance or ameloration of the problems associated with homelessness in the District, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

that the release of relevant funding from the Medium Term Plan be approved to make permanent the existing temporary post of Homelessness Prevention Officer.

To consider a report by the Planning Policy Manager requesting the adoption of the revised design brief as Interim Planning Guidance.

Approved the Design Brief for the redevelopment of the Alfred Hall Memorial Field as Interim Planning Guidance to the Huntingdonshire Local Plan and authorised the Director of Operational Services to make any minor consequential amendments to the text and illustrations, after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Planning Strategy

Further to Minute No.05/54 the Cabinet considered a report by the Planning Policy Manager (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) outlining the responses received to consultation on the Design Brief for the redevelopment of the Alfred Hall Memorial Field.

Having considered the responses received and in noting that traffic calming proposals for the Hall Road area would be considered as part of the Planning Application for any new development, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

(a)  that the design brief, as amended to reflect the content of the appendices to the report now submitted, be approved as Interim Planning Guidance to the Huntingdonshire Local Plan; and

(b)  that the Director of Operational Services be authorised to make any minor consequential amendments to the text and illustrations, after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Planning Strategy

To consider a report by the Head of Planning Services seeking approval for consultation purposes of the draft Management Plan for the Ramsey Conservation Area.

Designated the proposed Ramsey Conservation Area in accordance with the boundary in the revised Ramsey Boundary Review document attached as appendix 2, adopted the contents of the revised Ramsey Conservation Area Character Statement also agreed to adopt the Ramsey Conservation Area Management Plan as a set of proposals for the enhancement of the Conservation Area and the basis for further discussion and project work and authorised the Director of Operational Services to approve any minor consequential amendments to the text and illustrations as a result of the changes above after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Planning Strategy.

Further to Minute No.05/34, the Cabinet considered a report by the Head of Planning Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) outlining the consultation responses to the draft Management Plan for the Ramsey Conservation Area.

Having considered the schedule of responses and amendments outlined in the appendices to the report, it was

RESOLVED

(a)    that, subject to the incorporation of the specified changes identified within the consultation responses, the proposed Ramsey Conservation Area be designated according to the boundary in the revised Ramsey Boundary Review document attached as appendix 2;

(b)    that, subject to the incorporation of the specified changes contained in appendix 3 to the report, the revised Ramsey Conservation Area Character Statement be adopted;

(c)    that the Ramsey Conservation Area Management Plan be adopted as a set of proposals for the enhancement of the Conservation Area and the basis for further discussion and project work; and

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

With the assistance of a report by the Head of Planning Services, to consider the outcome of consultations on the draft Development Brief for the Grand Cinema, Ramsey.

Approved the contents of the Design Brief for the Grand Cinema in Ramsey and authorised the Director of Operational Services to approve any minor consequential amendments to the text and illustrations after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Planning Strategy. 

Further to Minute No.05/70, the Cabinet considered a report by the Planning Policy Manager (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) outlining the consultation responses to the draft Design Brief for the Grand Cinema in Ramsey.  In noting proposed revisions to the development brief, together with comments by the Executive Councillor for Planning Strategy as to the future submission of a Medium Term Plan bid to facilitate preparatory work in a review of the Council’s car parking strategy, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

(a)    that the contents of the Design Brief for the Grand Cinema in Ramsey, as amended to reflect the content of the Annex to the report now submitted, be approved; and

(b)    that the Director of Operational 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 Heads of Housing Services and of Legal and Estates regarding the disposal of Council-owned land at Moorhouse Drive, Huntingdon.

Approved the sale Council-owned land at Moorhouse Drive, Huntingdon to the Huntingdonshire Housing Partnership (HHP) for residential development, and authorised the Director of Central Services, after consultation with the Executive Councillors for Resources and Policy, and for Finance, be authorised to approve the detailed terms of the sale.

By way of a joint report by the Heads of Housing Services and of Legal and Estates (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book), the Cabinet considered suggested arrangements for the sale of Council-owned land at Moorhouse Drive, Huntingdon to the Huntingdonshire Housing Partnership (HHP) for residential development, 29% of which would comprise affordable housing.

Having noted that funding had been secured by HHP for social housing grant from the Housing Corporation towards the affordable housing element of the scheme and while noting views expressed by the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Service Delivery and Resources) on a preferred higher threshold of affordable housing for the site, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

(a)    that the sale of land at Moorhouse Drive, Huntingdon to Huntingdonshire Housing Partnership be approved in principle; and

(b)    that the Director of Central Services, after consultation with the Executive Councillors for Resources and Policy, and for Finance, be authorised to approve detailed terms for sale of the land.

With the assistance of a report by the Head of Administration to consider interim arrangements relating to the Council’s Scheme of Delegation pending the recruitment of a replacement Director of Commerce and Technology.

Agreed that with effect from the 20th January 2006 and pending the recruitment of a new Director, the Chief Executive be authorised to exercise powers delegated to the Director of Commerce and Technology in the Council’s Scheme of Delegation, with the exception of those relating to the Financial Proper Officer and Section 151 functions. 

With the assistance of a report by the Head of Administration (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Cabinet considered interim arrangements suggested in relation to the Council’s scheme of delegation pending the recruitment of the replacement of the Director of Commerce and Technology.

Whereupon, it was

RESOLVED

that with effect from the 20th January 2006 and pending the recruitment of a new Director, the Chief Executive be authorised to exercise powers delegated to the Director of Commerce and Technology in the Council’s Scheme of Delegation, with the exception of those relating to the Financial Proper Officer and Local Government Act, 1972, Section 151, functions. 

The Appointments Panel established by the Council on 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 Services posts.

In anticipation of the forthcoming vacancy in the post of Director of Commerce and Technology, 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 Executive Councillor for Office Accommodation and other Special projects to serve on the Appointments Panel alongside Councillors Baker, Davies, Rogers and Simpson, for the purpose of appointing to the post of Director of Commerce and Technology.

In anticipation of the forthcoming vacancy in the post of Director of Commerce and Technology, 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 Executive Councillor for Office Accommodation and Other Special Projects be appointed to serve on the Appointment Panel for the purpose of appointing to the post of Director of Commerce and Technology.

To appoint an Executive Councillor as ex-officio Member of the Employment  Panel.

Appointed the Executive Councillor for Office Accommodation and Other Special Projects as ex-officio Member of the Employment Panel.

Following the appointment of Councillor Bates as Leader of the Council, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

that the Executive Councillor for Office Accommodation and Other Special Projects be appointed ex-officio Member of the Employment Panel.

Arising from a review of Risk Management procedures, the Corporate Governance Panel has recommended that a Cabinet member  be appointed Risk management “Champion”.

Designated the Executive Councillor for Finance as Risk Management “Champion”.

Arising from a review of Risk Management procedures, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

  that the Executive Councillor for Finance be designated as Risk Management “Champion”.