Agenda, decisions and minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 20th July 2006.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 20th July 2006 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive 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.

Councillor Bates declared a personal interest in Minute No 57 by virtue of his membership of Cambridgeshire County Council.

Councillor Bucknell as a Member of the Development Control Panel requested that it be recorded that his participation in the debate and voting on Minute nos 65 and 68 would be undertaken without prejudice to the consideration and/or determination of any relevant planning application subsequently by the Panel.

Councillor Hansard declared a personal interest in Minute No 64 by virtue of his membership of St Neots Town Council.

To consider a report by the Head of Financial Services .

   Recommended to full Council that the revised steady profile of savings, described at Annex B and the saving items set out in Annex A of the report of the Head of Financial Services be supported; that Officers be directed to robustly review all budgets and Medium Term Plan schemes (revenue and capital) to identify any further opportunities for savings.

Further to Minute No. 06/41 and by way of reports by the Heads of Financial Services and of Administration (copies of which are appended in the Minute Book) the Cabinet were acquainted with work on the preparation of the draft budget and Medium Term Plan (MTP) for the period to 2018/19, together with the deliberations of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Corporate and Strategic Framework) thereon. 

In discussing the content of the report and in particular the need to identify and implement savings to achieve a balanced plan,  Members reiterated their disappointment that the Government continued to withhold some £547 k in grant due to the Council as a way of a safety net in light of future grant reductions.  With regard to possible savings and in addition to those listed in Annex A, Members’ attention was drawn to a “Reserve List” of suggestions made by the Overview and Scrutiny Panel.  Having noted that Officers had been asked to review the suitability of the Panel’s suggestions as part of the ongoing review of budgets and Medium Term Plan schemes and in noting references by the Executive Councillor for Finance as to the extensive range of grants made available by the Council in addition to those for community initiatives, it was 

RESOLVED

  that full Council be recommended to;

  (a)  support the saving items set out in Annex A to the report now submitted.

  (b)  support the strategy for a steady profile of savings as represented by Annex B to the report now submitted; and

  (c)  request Officers to review all budgets and Medium Term Plan schemes (revenue and capital) to identify any further opportunities for savings.

To consider a report by the Head of Policy on progress of the review of the Corporate Plan.

Reviewed the Council’s performance against targets within the Corporate Plan – “ Growing Success” during the  period April to June 2006.

The Cabinet received a report by the Head of Policy (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) presenting performance management data for the period April to June 2006.

Having been acquainted with the deliberations of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Corporate and Strategic Framework) on the document, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

  that the contents of the report be noted.

To receive a report by the Development and Community Manager seeking the Cabinet’s approval to sign and seal the agreement for the Countywide Domestic Violence Sanctuary Project.

Authorised the Executive Director of Central Services to sign and seal an Agreement between Luminus, East Cambridgeshire District Council, Cambridge City Council and the District Council in relation to the Cambridgeshire Domestic Violence Sanctuary Project.

Consideration was given to a report by the Head of Environmental and Community Health Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) regarding the role, development and funding of a county-wide sanctuary scheme aimed at providing home security measures for victims of domestic violence.

Having discussed financial and other issues associated with the proposed procurement of the service via the Luminus Group, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

  that the contents of the report be noted and the Director of Central Services authorised to enter into an Agreement  with partner authorities and the Luminus Group in relation to the Cambridgeshire Domestic Violence Sanctuary Project.

To consider a report by the Head of Legal and Estates and the Countryside Services Manager regarding a proposal to extend Paxton Pits Nature Reserve.

Plans showing the layout of the existing pits are attached to the agenda separately.

Authorised the Director of Central Services, after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Resources and Policy, to approve detailed terms for leases of land, adjacent to the Little Paxton Nature Reserve, by the District Council.

By way of a joint report by the Head of Legal and Estates and the Countryside Services Manager (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Cabinet considered a proposal to extend Little Paxton Nature Reserve from 240 to 700 acres by way of the acceptance by the District Council of leases of land adjacent to the existing reserve following the completion of gravel extraction operations.

Having considered proposed terms and conditions for the leases, and the sources of funding identified to finance key elements of the extended nature reserves, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

  that the Director of Central Services, after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Resources and Policy, be authorised to approve detailed terms for leases of land, adjacent to the Little Paxton Nature Reserve, by the District Council.

By way of a report by the Head of Administration to consider a draft Gambling Act 2005 Statement of Licensing Principles and to approve it as a basis for further discussion and consultation.

     subject to a minor textual amendment, approved the contents of the Gambling Act 2005 – draft Statement of Principles for consultation purposes.

Consideration was given to a report by the Head of Administration (a copy of which is appended in the Book) to which was attached a draft Statement of Principles under the provisions of the Gambling Act 2005.

Having regard to the timetable for consultation and in noting the endorsement of the principles by the Licensing Committee, it was

RESOLVED

  that the draft Statement of Principles be approved for consultation purposes.

To consider a report by the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Service Delivery)

Noted the findings of a study by the Older Persons’ Working Group regarding the needs of older people and the services available to them and requested officers to submit a further report detailing the operational and financial implications of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel’s (Service Delivery)to a future meeting.

A report by the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Service Delivery) was submitted (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) which summarised the findings of a study by the Panel’s Older Persons’ Working Group regarding the needs of older people and the services available to them.

With regard to the Panel’s recommendations, the Cabinet was informed that the District Council was represented on the Out and About Steering Group by the Leisure Centres’ Co-ordinator .  In discussing the scope for optimizing the availability and use of services for older people within available resources, Executive Councillors referred to the need for these to be compatible with the emerging financial strategy and accordingly, it was

RESOLVED

  that the report be received and Officers requested to report further to a future meeting on the operational and financial implications of the Panel’s recommendations.

To consider the draft Conservation Area Management Plan for Godmanchester (Post Street) and to approve it as a basis for further discussion and consultation.

Approved the draft copy of the Management Plan for Godmanchester Post Street Conservation Area.as basis for further consultation.

Consideration was given to a report by the Planning Policy Manager (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) to which was attached a draft copy of the Management Plan for Godmanchester Post Street Conservation Area.

Having noted the main aims and objectives of the document, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

  that the draft Management Plan for the Godmanchester Post Street Conservation Area be approved as basis for public consultation.

By way of a report by the Planning Policy Manager to consider the Draft Conservation Area Management Plan for Keyston and to approve it as a basis for further discussion and consultation.

Approved the draft Management Plan for the Keyston Conservation Area as a basis for further consultation.

With the aid of a report by the Planning Policy Manager (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Cabinet considered a draft Management Plan for the Keyston 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 enhancement of the conservation area, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

  that the draft Management Plan for the Keyston Conservation Area be approved as a basis for public consultation.

To consider the draft Conservation Area Management Plan for Godmanchester (Earning Street) and to approve it as a basis for further discussion and consultation.

Approved the draft Management Plan for the Godmanchester Earning Street Conservation Area as a basis for further consultation.

Consideration was given to a report by the Planning Policy Manager (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) to which was attached a draft copy of the Management Plan for the Godmanchester, Earning Street, Conservation Area.

Having noted the main aims and objectives of the document, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

  that the Draft Management Plan for the Godmanchester Earning Street Conservation Area be approved as a basis for public consultation.

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

Approved the draft Management Plan for the Stonely Conservation Area as a basis for further consultation.

With the aid of a report by the Planning Policy Manager, (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Cabinet considered a draft Management Plan for the Stonely 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 enhancement of the conservation area, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

  that the draft Management Plan for the Stonely Conservation Area be approved as a basis for public consultation.

To consider a report by the Planning Policy Manager on consultation responses received in respect of the draft Urban Design Framework for St. Mary’s village and seeking approval for the adoption of a revised framework as Interim Planning Guidance.

Approved the revised urban design framework and master plan for St. Mary’s Village as amended as Interim Planning Guidance and authorised the Head of Planning Services, after consultation with the Executive Member for Planning Strategy to make any minor consequential amendments to the text and illustrations as necessary.

Further to Minute No. 06/12, the Cabinet considered a report by the Head of Planning Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) outlining the responses received to the consultation on the Urban Design Framework and Master Plan for land to the west of St. Mary’s Church, St. Neots and suggested amendments as a consequence thereof.

RESOLVED

  (a)  that the revised urban design framework and master plan for St. Mary’s Village as amended to reflect the content of Annex 1 to the report now submitted, be approved as Interim Planning Guidance; and

  (b)  that the Head of Planning Services be authorised, after consultation with the Executive Member for Planning Strategy to make any minor consequential amendments to the text and illustrations as a result of the amendments referred to in the preceding resolution

To consider the report of the meeting of the Customer First & Accommodation Advisory Group held on 26th July 2006.

Authorised the Director of Operational Services, after consultation with the Executive Councillor for the new Headquarters and Information Technology,  to determine an appropriate name for the new Operations Centre; and approved the continued use of call queuing arrangements.

A report of the meeting of the Customer First and Accommodation Advisory Group held on 26th July 2006 (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) was received.  Having considered issues regarding call handling arrangements at the Call Centre, and the naming of the new Operations Centre, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

  (a)  that the Director of Operational Services, after consultation with the Executive Councillor for the new Headquarters and Information Technology, be authorised to determine an appropriate name for the new Operations Centre; and

  (b)  that the continued use of call queuing arrangements be approved.

To note the resignation of Councillor R W Eaton from St. Neots Leisure Centre Management Committee and consider the appointment of Councillor Mrs D E Collins to the vacancy following her nomination by the Liberal Democrat Group.

appointed Councillor Mrs D E Collins to the vacancy on the St. Neots Leisure Centre Management Committee for the remainder of the Municipal Year.

Having been advised of the resignation of Councillor R W Eaton from the St. Neots Leisure Centre Management Committee and in considering the nomination from the Liberal Democrat Group, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

  that Councillor Mrs D E Collins be appointed to fill the vacancy on the St. Neots Leisure Centre Management Committee for the remainder of the Municipal Year.

To resolve:

that the public be excluded from the meeting because the business to be transacted contains exempt information relating to terms proposed in the course of negotiations for the acquisition or disposal of property or the supply of goods or services.

RESOLVED

  that the public be excluded from the meeting because the business to be transacted contains exempt information relating to terms proposed in the course of negotiations for the acquisition or disposal of property or the supply of goods or services.

To consider a report by the Head of Technical Services

Noted progress of the procurement of new Headquarters and Other Accommodation for the District Council.

Further to Minute No. 05/199 the Cabinet received and noted a report by the Head of Technical Services (a copy of which is appended in the Annex to the Minute Book).  The report outlined progress on and recent developments in the procurement of new headquarters and other accommodation for the District Council and the opportunities which were to be taken to seek savings in the interests of containing the overall project cost within the provision made in the Medium Term Plan.

  RESOLVED

  that the contents of the report be noted.