Agenda, decisions and minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 18^th May 2006.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on the 18^th May 2006 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 Policy.

Approved a process for reviewing and updating the Council’s Corporate Plan – Growing Success and noted performance data for 2005/06 and revised targets for 2006/07

Consideration was given to a report by the Head of Policy (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) setting out a draft timetable for a detailed review of the Council’s Corporate Plan – Growing Success, local performance indicators and targets, the Improvement Plan and objectives for supporting the achievement of the Council’s priorities.

Having been advised of the results of performance data for 2005/06 and the series of revised targets for 2006/07, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

(a)  that the suggested process for reviewing and updating the Council’s Corporate Plan – Growing Success be approved; and

(b)  that the performance data for 2005/06 and the revised targets for 2006/07 be noted.

To consider a report by the Head of Personnel Services on the Protection Policy for Children, Young People and Vulnerable Adults.

Approved the content of the policy document on safeguarding children, young people and adults in Huntingdonshire produced on behalf of the Council in accordance with the Children’s Act 2004

By way of a report by the Heads of Policy and of Human Resources and Payroll Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Cabinet were invited to consider the content of the first draft policy document on safeguarding children, young people and adults in Huntingdonshire produced on behalf of the Council in accordance with the Children’s Act 2004. Having been reminded of the background to the policy, Executive Councillors were acquainted with the contents of an associated action plan outlining key activities aimed at implementing the policy. Comment was made on the procedure, portability and cost of Criminal Record Bureau checks for Members, the process for which was to be the subject of a separate report to a forthcoming meeting of the Corporate Governance Panel.

Having noted that the document had been endorsed by the Employees’ Liaison Advisory Group and Employment Panel, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

that the contents of the Council’s Safeguarding Children, Young People and Vulnerable Adults Policy be approved.

By way of a report by the Head of Financial Services to consider a request for the release of funding for a Medium Term Plan Service.

Approved the release of funds from the Medium Term Plan (scheme ref 443) in respect of the Common Housing Register/Choice Based Lettings scheme and requested that a further report, including links with Customer First, be submitted once final costs from the procurement of the IT software for the project are known.

With the assistance of a report by the Head of Financial Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Cabinet

RESOLVED

(a)  that the relevant funding as outlined in the annex to the report now submitted be released from the Medium Term Plan (scheme ref 443) in respect of the Common Housing Register/Choice Based Lettings scheme; and

(b)  that a further report, including links with Customer First, be submitted once final costs from the procurement of the IT software for the project are known.

To consider a report by the Head of Financial Services reviewing the performance of the Investment Fund Managers.

Noted the respective levels of performance for the year ending 31^st March 2006 by three External Fund Managers on the matter of investment of the Council’s Capital Receipts.

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 in the year ending 31st March 2006 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.

To consider a report by the Planning Policy Manager outlining the results of the technical study on the implications of the retention or removal of the viaduct.

Noted the findings of the Atkins A14 Huntingdon Viaduct Study and commended it to the Secretary of State for consideration as part of the decisions of the options for the development of the A14 Improvements Scheme.  Supported the principles of the CHUMMS Options Strategy presented at the Highway Agency’s Public Consultation in 2005 and authorised the Director of Operational Services to respond to the Secretary of State requesting the further development of details of the new highway links and junctions in Huntingdon as part of the A14 Scheme in consultation with the Cambridgeshire County Council and Huntingdonshire District Council; and the promotion of necessary statutory orders for such links along with those that will be necessary for the wider A14 scheme and its associated local access roads.

With the aid of a report by the Director of Operational Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Cabinet were acquainted with the findings of a study into the retention or removal of the existing Huntingdon viaduct in conjunction with the Highways Agency’s proposals for upgrading the A14 between Ellington and Fen Ditton.

The study had concluded that the original CHUMMS option would be viable and that the highway network in Huntingdon could be modified to accommodate the removal of the A14 Viaduct and the construction of new highway links and junctions designed to improve the local road network. In that respect, Members recognised the benefits of the proposals, inter alia, in terms of separating local and through traffic, improving traffic movements between and around Huntingdon, Godmanchester and Hinchingbrooke and presenting regeneration and development opportunities in the locality.

In receiving a letter from Buckden Parish Council expressing concerns over the study’s content and findings, Executive Members noted that the proposals would be the subject of an extensive consultation exercise.  Whereupon, it was

RESOLVED

(a)  that the findings of the Atkins A14 Huntingdon Viaduct Study be noted and welcomed;

(b)  that the study be commended to the Secretary of State for consideration as part of the decisions of the options for the development of the A14 Improvements Scheme; and

(c)  that the principles of the CHUMMS Options Strategy presented at the Highway Agency’s Public Consultation in 2005 be supported and the Director of Operational Services authorised to urge the Secretary of State: -

¨  to develop further details of the new highway links and junctions in Huntingdon as part of the A14 Scheme in consultation with the Cambridgeshire County Council and the District Council; and

¨  to promote the necessary statutory orders for such links along with those that will be required for the wider A14 scheme and its associated local access roads.

To consider the Character Statement and Management Plan for Warboys and to approve it as a basis for further discussion and consultation.

(A copy of the Character Statement and Management Plan is attached to the agenda separately)

Approved the contents of the Character Statement and Management Plan for the Warboys Conservation Area for consultation.

Having considered a report by the Planning Policy Manager to which was attached a Character Statement and Management Plan for the Warboys Conservation Area (copies of which are appended in the Minute Book), the Cabinet

RESOLVED

that the Character Statement and Management Plan for the Warboys Conservation Area be approved for consultation.

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

Subject to the following exception approved the list of nominations for representatives on outside bodies as set out in the Appendix to the report - Arts Forum for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough – Councillor Mrs Reynolds and the Head of Environmental & Community Health (substitute – Councillor Mrs Chandler);  Huntingdonshire Citizens’ Advice Bureaux – Councillor Rogers (Trustee – Mr Mugglestone);  Ramsey Area Partnership Board – Councillor Bucknell;  Alconbury and Ellington Internal Drainage Board – Councillors M Baker and K Baker, Messrs Allen, E K Heads and Mrs Vanbergen; Strategic Aviation Special Interest Group – Councillor Bucknell;  St Ives Area Road Safety Committee – Councillors Mrs Chandler, Newman and Rogers; and

Authorised the Deputy Leader and Vice-Leader of the Cabinet to nominate alternative representatives as necessary throughout the year if changes arise.

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/nomination of representatives to serve on a variety of organisations, it was

RESOLVED

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

Organisation Representative(s)

Arts Forum for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough – Councillor Mrs Reynolds and the Head of Environmental & Community Health (substitute – Councillor Mrs Chandler);

Huntingdonshire Citizens’ Advice Bureaux – Councillor Rogers (Trustee – Mr Mugglestone);

Ramsey Area Partnership Board – Councillor Bucknell;

Alconbury and Ellington Internal Drainage Board – Councillors M Baker and K Baker, Messrs Allen, E K Heads and Mrs Vanbergen;

Strategic Aviation Special Interest Group – Councillor Bucknell

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

(b)  that, in the event that changes are required to the Council’s representatives during the course of the year, the Director of Central Services after consultation with the Deputy Leader of the Council be authorised to nominate alternative representatives as necessary.