Agenda, decisions and minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 9 November 2006.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 9th November 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 I C Bates declared a personal interest in each of the matters referred to in Minute Nos. 114 and 118 by virtue of his membership of Cambridgeshire County Council and Cambridgeshire Horizon’s respectively.

To consider a report by the Head of Policy on the final version of the Council’s Corporate Plan – “Growing Success”.

Invited full Council to adopt the update document – “Growing Success” a Corporate Plan.

Further to Item No. 06/86, a report by the Head of Policy was submitted (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) to which was attached a copy of the replacement Corporate Plan – “Growing Success” developed to support the Council’s Community Strategy. 

Having noted the plan’s key targets, of place making, the environment, partnership working, neighbourhood and lifestyles, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

  that the Council be recommended to adopt – “Growing Success” as its Corporate Plan.

To consider a report by the Head of Financial Services

that the Council be invited to approve the draft Medium Term Financial Plan as the basis for the production of the 2007/08 Budget, the revised Medium Term Plan for 2008 – 2012 and a financial plan to 2018/2019,

Further to Minute No. 06/54 and by way of a report by the Head of Financial Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Cabinet were acquainted with the present position in relation to the Council’s draft budget and Medium Term Plan for the period up to 2011 – 2012, together with the deliberations of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Corporate and Strategic Framework) thereon.

In considering the information contained in the report, and while noting that the required budget savings had been identified in the current year and for 2007/08, it was agreed that Executive Councillors should review critically with appropriate Heads of Service all schemes/projects currently listed in the draft Plan.  On the understanding that the outcomes of that review might result in changes to the Plan as presently envisaged which in turn might impact on the budget requirement, it was -

RESOLVED

  that the Council be invited to approve the draft Medium Term Financial Plan as the basis for the production of the 2007/08 Budget, the revised Medium Term Plan for 2008 – 2012 and a financial plan to 2018/2019. 

By way of a report by the Head of Financial Services to consider requests for the release of funding for three Medium Term Plan Schemes.

  Agreed to release the relevant funding to support the building of a new football pavilion at Priory Park, St. Neots and the appointment of a new part-time Environmental Health and Safety (Housing) Officer;and

  Agreed not to consider a request to release funds towards preparatory work for the proposed expansion of the Impression Suite at Huntingdon Leisure Centre until the submission of a further report to the meeting of the Cabinet on 11^th January 2007 outlining the implications of preparing a business plan for the scheme and a business plan for all the Leisure Centres and Impressions fitness suites thereafter together with proposals for the future delivery of leisure services as a whole.

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

In considering a request to release £25,000 towards the initial tender process and preparatory work on a scheme to extend the Impressions Fitness Suite at Huntingdon Leisure Centre, Executive Councillors expressed concern that an appropriate business plan for the scheme should be submitted as a pre-requisite to the release of any funding for this project.  Having referred also to the recent findings of a condition survey of the five Leisure Centres in the District undertaken as part of the Medium Term Plan process and the perceived need to review future leisure service provision, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

  (a)  that the relevant funding be released to support the building of a new football pavilion at Priory Park, St. Neots and the appointment of a new part-time Environmental Health and Safety (Housing) Officer; and

  (b)  that the request to release funds towards preparatory work for the proposed expansion of the Impression Suite at Huntingdon Leisure Centre be deferred pending the submission of a further report to a future meeting of the Cabinet outlining the implications of preparing a business plan for the scheme; and

  (c)  that a further report be submitted to Cabinet addressing the perceived requirement for a business plan covering all the Leisure Centres and Impressions fitness suites, and the issues associated with potential options for the delivery of leisure services in the future.

To consider a report by the Head of Financial Services on levels of performance achieved by the External Fund Managers during the quarter ended 30th September 2006.

Noted the respective levels of performance achieved during the period July – September 2006 by external fund managers and 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 achieved during the period July – September 2006 by 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 Head of Housing Services seeking approval of supplementary capital and revenue estimates to enable the final stage of the contaminated land remedial works to commence.

Noted progress of a programme of work for the remediation of contaminated land at the Council’s Mobile Home Park and approved a supplementary capital estimates of £151,000 in 2006/07 and £369,000 in 2007/08.  Also, authorised the Director of Commerce and Technology, after consultation with the Executive Councillors for Housing and Public Health and for Finance, to approve further supplementary estimates on this scheme as and when necessary.

Further to Minute No 06/26, the Cabinet considered an updated report by the Head of Housing Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) on a programme of work for the remediation of contaminated land at the Council’s Mobile Home Park and requesting a supplementary capital estimate to allow the final stages of the works to commence.

In considering the information contained in the report,  Members were reminded that Government funding towards the whole of the project had been sought from the Contaminated Land Capital Projects Programme.  Whereupon, it was

RESOLVED

(a)  that the contents of the report be noted;

(b)  that supplementary capital estimates of £151,000 in 2006/07 and £369,000 in 2007/08 be approved; and

(c)  that the Director of Commerce and Technology, after consultation with the Executive Councillors for Housing and Public Health and for Finance, to approve further supplementary capital estimates on this scheme up to a maximum of £200,000.

To consider a report by the Head of Planning Services on revisions to the Local Development Scheme for Huntingdonshire and seeking approval for its submission to the Secretary of State.

Endorsed the contents of the draft revised Local Development Scheme for submission to the Secretary of State and authorised the Head of Planning Services, after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Planning Services, to make minor changes to the draft Local Development Scheme, prior to its submission, as a result of informal consultation with Go-East.  Also approved a Statement of Community Involvement.

By way of a report by the Head of Planning Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Cabinet were invited to consider the content of a revised Local Development Scheme for Huntingdonshire together with a statement of community involvement.  Whereupon, it was

RESOLVED

  (a)  that the draft revised Local Development Scheme be endorsed for submission to the Secretary of State;

  (b)  that prior to its submission to the Secretary of State, the Head of Planning Services be authorised, after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Planning Strategy, to make minor changes to the draft Local Development Scheme, as he considers necessary following informal consultation with Go-East; and

  (c)  that the statement of community involvement appended to the report now submitted be approved.

To consider a report by the Planning Policy Manager on proposals for Minerals and Waste Planning.

Requested the Planning Policy Manager to convey to  Cambridgeshire County Council and Peterborough City Council that reference should be made in the Plan to the implications of the transport of waste on local highways, particularly when this involves minor roads and to express concerns over the continued tipping of waste in the County from London and the desirability for the capital to establish the necessary processes to minimise waste generation and dispose of the waste more locally.

(See Minute No. 107 for Members’ interests).

By means of a report by the Planning Policy Manager (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Cabinet were acquainted with proposals published by Cambridgeshire County Council and Peterborough City Council for minerals and waste planning to 2021.

In discussing the implications of the proposals for Huntingdonshire and the contents of a suggested response, Executive Councillors referred to transport issues impacting on the area when moving waste and the need to minimise the use of local minor roads by waste landfill traffic.  Having expressed concern over the continued absorption of waste in the County from the London area and the requisite for the appropriate body to establish the necessary processes to minimise and manage this waste, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

  that the Planning Policy Manager be authorised to convey to Cambridgeshire County Council and Peterborough City Council the observations contained in Appendix 1 to the report now submitted, together with the District Council’s concerns about issues associated with transportation and the disposal of waste from Greater London within Cambridgeshire.

To consider a report by the Head of Planning Services regarding South Cambridgeshire District Council’s Issues and Options Report for a Gypsy and Traveller Development Planning Document.

Authorised the Head of Planning Services to respond to South Cambridgeshire District Council along the lines set out in the report.

Consideration was given to a report by the Head of Planning Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) which described the key elements of an issues and options report for a Gypsy and Traveller Development Plan Document produced by South Cambridgeshire District Council as part of its Local Development Framework.

In discussing the contents of the report, Members emphasised that South Cambridgeshire should meet the needs of gypsies and travellers within its area by allocating sufficient sites and not seek to disperse the site allocations to neighbouring authorities.  Whereupon, it was

RESOLVED

  that the Head of Planning Services be authorised to respond to South Cambridgeshire District Council along the lines set out in the report now submitted.

With the assistance of a report by the Head of Planning Services to consider and comment on Fenland District Council’s preferred options for the Core Strategy of its Local Development Framework.

Endorsed a response to the core strategy of Fenland District Council’s Local Development Framework on which observations had been requested by the end of November 2006.

The Cabinet considered a report by the Head of Planning Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) which summarised the preferred options for the core strategy of Fenland District Council’s Local Development Framework on which observations had been requested.

Having noted the contents of the report, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

  that the report be received and the provisional content of the response to Fenland District Council endorsed.

To consider a report by the Head of Administration on the outcome of consultations on the draft Gambling Act 2005 Statement of Principles.

Recommended to full Council that the Statement of Licensing Principles appended to the report now submitted be approved with effect from 31st January 2007 for a period of three years.

Further to Minute No. 06/58 and with the assistance of a report by the Head of Administration (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Cabinet considered the results of consultation on the Council’s draft Gambling Act 2005 Statement of Licensing Principles along with suggested amendments thereto.

RESOLVED

  that full Council be recommended to approve the Statement of Licensing Principles appended to the report now submitted with effect from 31st January 2007 for a period of three years.

To consider a report by the Head of Legal and Estates regarding the development of a Memorandum of Understanding for Cambridgeshire Horizons Limited.

Authorised the execution of a Memorandum of Understanding as outlined in paragraph 2.3 of the report now submitted, subject to the final wording being agreed by the Head of Legal and Estates  and requested the Chief Executive, after consultation with the deputy Leader of the Council, to determine future constitutional and other similar matters arising from the Council’s membership of Cambridgeshire Horizons Limited.

(See Minute No. 107 for Members’ interests).

Further to Minute No. 05/159 and with the assistance of a report by the Head of Legal and Estates (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Cabinet was acquainted with the background to a memorandum of understanding for Cambridgeshire Horizons Limited.  Having noted details of the District Council’s involvement and in discussing the allocation of the funding involved, it was

RESOLVED

  (a)  that the Cabinet authorise the execution of a Memorandum of Understanding as outlined in paragraph 2.3 of the report now submitted, subject to the final wording being agreed by the Head of Legal and Estates;  and

  (b)  that the Chief Executive be authorised, after consultation with the deputy Leader of the Council, to determine future constitutional and other similar matters arising from the Council’s membership of Cambridgeshire Horizons Limited.

To consider the report of the meeting of the Safety Advisory Group held on 15^th November 2006.

Authorised the Health and Safety Advisor to undertake a fire drill exercise during a meeting of full Council in the near future in order to test the Council’s fire procedures..

In receiving and noting the report of the Safety Advisory Group held on 15th November 2006, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

that the Head of Human Resources and Payroll be authorised to arrange an exercise to test the Council’s bomb procedures.