Agenda, decisions and minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 28^th September 2006.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 28th September 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 Mrs Chandler declared a personal interest in Minute No 91 by virtue of her membership of the Muir Group Housing Association Regional Committee.

By way of a report by the Head of Technical Services to consider the HDC Travel Plan.

  Approved the promotion of car sharing, the introduction of a cycling scheme and the use of pool cars; agreed to the use of existing budgets to fund the capital and revenue expenditure for the Plan in 2006/07; approved the content of the Plan for publication and authorised the Head of Technical Services, after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Environment and Transport, to make any minor consequential amendments to the text in response to the representations received.

The Cabinet received a report by the Head of Technical Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) to which was appended a proposed travel plan for the District Council.

In considering the plan, together with statistical information on employee travel data and in noting the views of the Employment Panel, Employee Liaison Advisory Group and the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Service Support), the Cabinet

RESOLVED

  (a)  that subject to such minor textual amendments to the document as may be approved by the Head of Technical Services, after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Environment and Transport, the District Council Travel Plan be approved for publication; and

  (b)  that the promotion of car sharing, the introduction of a cycle to work scheme and the use of pool cars as detailed in paragraphs 6, 7 and 8 of the report be approved; and

  (c)  that the proposed use of virement among existing budgets to fund capital and revenue expenditure in 2006/07 as set out in paragraph 10 of the report be approved;

To consider a report by the Head of Policy.

Noted the progress being made in updating the Council’s Corporate Plan.

By way of a report by the Head of Policy (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Cabinet were acquainted with progress in updating the Council’s Corporate Plan.

Having noted the findings of a joint working group established by the Overview and Scrutiny Panels to undertake a detailed review of the plan and associated objectives and targets, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

  that progress in the review of the Corporate Plan be noted.

To consider a report by the Head of Financial Services outlining spending variations for 2006/07.

Noted the capital schemes monitoring report and the expenditure variations in the Capital programme and their capital and revenue impact.

By means of a report by the Head of Financial Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) and having been acquainted with variations in the Capital Programme in the current year, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

  (a)  that the report be received and the expenditure variations and capital and revenue impact noted; and

  (b)  that the position with regard to individual schemes as set out in Annex A to the report now submitted be noted.

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

Noted the spending variations estimated in the revenue budget as at 11th October 2006.

The Cabinet received and noted a report by the Head of Financial Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) detailing expected budget variation already identified in the current year.

RESOLVED

  that the spending variations estimated in the revenue budget as at 11th October 2006 be noted.

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.

Agreed to release the relevant funding for the appointment of an additional Environmental Health and Safety (Housing) Officer.

By way of a report by the Head of Financial Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Cabinet considered a request for the release of funding for a Medium Term Plan scheme.

Having considered the scheme involved, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

  that the relevant funding be released to support the establishment of a new post of Environmental Health and Safety (Housing) Officer.

With the assistance of a report by the Heads of Planning Services, of Policy and of IMD, to consider the Royal Town Planning Institute’s Guidelines on Effective Community Involvement & Consultation and the Planning Services Community Liaison & Engagement Strategy.

Approved the contents of the Community Liaison Engagement Strategy for Planning Services.

With the aid of a joint report by the Heads of Planning Services, of Policy and of Information Management Divisions (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Cabinet considered the content of the Community Liaison Engagement Strategy aimed at enhancing the integrity, visibility, accessibility and inclusiveness of the planning process.

In discussing the eight actions identified in the Strategy, Members’ attention was drawn to terms for the introduction of public speaking at Development Control Panel meetings which would be considered further at the meeting of full Council on 6th December 2006.  Having noted the Royal Town Planning Institute’s Guidelines on “Effective Community Involvement and Consultation”, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

  that the Community Liaison Engagement Strategy for Planning Services, as appended in the report now submitted, be approved.

To consider a report by the Head of Housing Services on progress of the Sub Regional Choice Based Lettings project and the implications for the District Council.

Noted the progress of the introduction of a sub regional Choice Based Lettings scheme and the Head of Housing Services be authorised to update the Cabinet as the scheme progresses and to negotiate a partnership agreement for the scheme.

Further to Minute No. 06/18 and by way of a report by the Head of Housing Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Cabinet were updated on progress with the introduction of a sub regional Choice Based Lettings scheme.

Having noted details of the District Council’s involvement and the requirement for a partnership agreement between the parties involved, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

  (a)  that progress on the introduction of the Choice Based Lettings scheme be noted; and

  (b)  that the Head of Housing Services be authorised to continue with negotiations to establish a Choice Based Lettings scheme throughout the Cambridge Sub-Region and to present updates as necessary to Cabinet.

By way of a report by the Director of Operational Services to consider the Nottingham Declaration on climate change.

Authorised the Leader of the Council and the Chief Executive to sign the Nottingham Declaration on Climate Change on behalf of the District Council and noted the timetable to submit the Environment Strategy to Cabinet in January

By way of a report by the Director of Operational Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Cabinet were acquainted with progress on the development of a community-wide Environmental Strategy and priorities relating to the Nottingham Declaration on Climate Change.

In considering the contents of the report, Executive Councillors noted the requirement for authorities subscribing to the Declaration to commit to the preparation of a two year action plan with the aim of addressing, progressively, the causes and impacts of climate change.  Whereupon, it was

RESOLVED

  (a)  that the schedule proposed for submitting the Environment Strategy to Cabinet in January 2007 be noted; and

  (b)  that the Leader of the Council and the Chief Executive be authorised to sign the Nottingham Declaration on Climate Change on behalf of the District Council.

By way of a report by the Head of Planning Services to consider the Huntingdonshire Design Guide Supplementary Planning Document and to approve it as a basis for further discussion and consultation.

Approved the content of the draft supplementary planning document:  Huntingdonshire Design Guide be approved as a basis for public consultation 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 arising from the sustainability appraisal.

With the aid of a report by the Head of Planning Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Cabinet received a draft Design Guide aimed at improving the quality and distinctiveness of Huntingdonshire’s environment.

RESOLVED

  (a)  that the draft supplementary planning document,  “The Huntingdonshire Design Guide”, be approved as a basis for public consultation; 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 arising from the sustainability appraisal, prior to the issue of the document for public consultation.

To consider the draft Huntingdonshire Landscape and Townscape Assessment Supplementary Planning Document and to approve it as a basis for further discussion and consultation.

Approved the content of the draft Supplementary Planning Document:  Huntingdonshire Landscape and Townscape Assessment be approved as the basis for public consultation and authorised the Head of Planning Services, after consultation with the Executive Member for Planning Strategy, to make any consequential amendments to the text and illustrations arising from the sustainability appraisal.

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 a draft copy of the Supplementary Planning Document, “The Huntingdonshire Landscape and Townscape Assessment”.

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

RESOLVED

  (a)  that the draft Supplementary Planning Document,  “The Huntingdonshire Landscape and Townscape Assessment be approved as a basis for public consultation; and

  (b)  that the Head of Planning Services be authorised, after consultation with the Executive Member for Planning Strategy, to make any consequential amendments to the text and illustrations arising from the sustainability appraisal, prior to the issue of the document for public consultation.

To consider a report by the Planning Policy Manager on consultation responses received in respect of the Character Statement and Boundary review for St Neots and seeking approval for its adoption as Interim Planning Guidance.

Agreed to designate the St. Neots Conservation Area according to the boundary in the St. Neots Boundary Review document without modification;  approved the revised St. Neots Conservation Area Assessment,  approved the Management Plan for the St. Neots Conservation Area as a set of proposals for the enhancement of the area and as the basis for further discussion and project work; and authorised the Head of Planning Services, after consultation with the Executive Member for Planning Strategy, to make any minor consequential amendment to the text and illustrations.

Further to Minute No. 06/49, 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 the consultation on the Boundary Review, Character Statement and Management Plan for the St. Neots Conservation Area and suggested amendments as a consequence thereof.

RESOLVED

  (a)  that the St. Neots Conservation Area be designated according to the boundary in the St. Neots Boundary Review document without modification;

  (b)  that the revised St. Neots Conservation Area Assessment, as amended to reflect the content of the Annex to the report now submitted, be approved;

  (c)  that the Management Plan for the St. Neots Conservation Area be approved as a set of proposals for the enhancement of the area and as the basis for further discussion and project work; and

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

To resolve:

  that the public be excluded from the meeting because the business to be transacted contains exempt information relating to the financial affairs of a particular person (including the authority holding that information) and/or information in respect of which a claim to legal professional privilege could be maintained in legal proceedings.

RESOLVED

  that the public be excluded from the meeting because the business to be transacted contains exempt information relating to the financial affairs of particular persons (including the authority holding that information) and/or information in respect of which a claim to legal professional privilege could be maintained in legal proceedings.

To consider a report by the Heads of Housing Services and of Legal and Estates regarding the disposal of Council owned land at Cranfield Way, Buckden.

Authorised the Executive Director of Central Services, after consultation with the Leader of the Council and the Executive Councillor for Resources and Policy, to approve terms for the sale of land at Cranfield Way, Buckden to the Nene Housing Society for affordable housing.

By way of a joint report by the Heads of Legal and Estates and the Head of Housing Services (a copy of which is appended in the Annex to the Minute Book), the Cabinet considered proposed terms for the transfer of Council-owned land at Cranfield Way, Buckden to the Nene Housing Society for the purpose of providing affordable housing.

While endorsing the principle of disposal of the land in question, Executive Councillors expressed the view that issues associated with the tenure of the affordable housing to be provided on the site and the terms of any future disposals to tenants under the right to acquire would benefit from further clarification in conjunction with the Leader and Executive Councillor for Resources and Policy.  Accordingly, it was

RESOLVED

  that the Director of Central Services, after consultation with the Leader of the Council and the Executive Councillor for Resources and Policy, be authorised to approve terms for the sale of land at Cranfield Way, Buckden to the Nene Housing Society.

With the assistance of a report by the Heads of Legal and Estates and of Commerce and Technology, to consider the terms for the proposed sale of the freehold of the site to the occupier.

Authorised the Director of Central Services after consultation with the Executive Councillors for Resources, Welfare and IT and for Finance to approve terms for the sale of the Council’s freehold interest in Unit 10, Glebe Road, Huntingdon and the re-investment of the proceeds in an industrial/commercial property.

Further to item No. 06/36, the Cabinet considered a joint report by the Head of Legal and Estates and the Director of Commerce and Technology (a copy of which is appended in the Annex to the Minute Book) regarding a request to purchase the freehold of a factory unit at 10 Glebe Road, St. Peter’s Industrial Estate, Huntingdon.  Whereupon, it was

RESOLVED

  that the Director of Central Services, after consultation with the Executive Councillors for Resources and Policy and for Finance be authorised to approve terms for the sale of the Council’s freehold interest in Unit 10, Glebe Road, Huntingdon and the re-investment of the proceeds in an industrial/commercial property which is likely to yield an equivalent return.