Agenda, decisions and minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 30^th November 2006.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 30th 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 the matters referred to in Minute No 125 by virtue of his membership of Cambridgeshire County Council.

To consider a report by the Estates and Property Manager regarding the Council’s Asset Management Plan.

Noted the Council’s management of assets against National Property Performance Indicators for 2005/06 and approved the performance indicator information contained in Appendix A to the report.

The Cabinet received a report by the Head of Legal and Estates (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) on the Council’s management of assets against national Property Performance Indicators for 2005/06. 

Having noted that the integration of asset management information with financial information would be addressed through the introduction of an electronic GIS system coupled with a computerised asset management system, Members

RESOLVED

  that the contents of the report be noted, together with the performance indicator information contained in Appendix A.

To consider a report by the Head of Housing Services regarding the homelessness prevention initiatives and housing options currently being used by the Council and suggesting other good practices.

Noted the introduction of Homelessness Prevention Initiatives and Housing Options; authorised additional incentives to private landlords and agents, a homelessness prevention fund policy framework and an extension of the private sector lease agreement with King Street Housing Society to provide permanent homes, agreed to make appropriate representations regarding the problems of engaging with private landlords be made to the Local Government Association and the Members of Parliament for the Huntingdon and North West Cambridgeshire Constituencies and requested the submission of further reports outlining the anticipated costs of providing additional incentives to private landlords and agents and on the overall progress of the initiatives.

By means of a report by the Head of Housing Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book), the Cabinet were acquainted with the homelessness prevention initiatives and housing options currently being used by the Council.

In considering other good practice initiatives and options that could be introduced to further improve performance in this area, Members’ attention was drawn to the high level of homeless persons reliant on housing benefit and the reluctance of landlords and agents to offer tenancies to households in such circumstances.  Whereupon, it was

RESOLVED

  (a)  that the homelessness prevention initiatives and housing options already introduced be noted;

(b)  that additional incentives to private landlords and agents, a homelessness prevention fund policy framework and an extension of the private sector lease agreement with King Street Housing Society to provide permanent homes be authorised;

(c)  that appropriate representations regarding the problems of engaging with private landlords be made to the Local Government Association and the Members of Parliament for the Huntingdon and North West Cambridgeshire constituencies; and

(d)  that further reports be submitted to Cabinet outlining the anticipated costs of providing additional incentives to private landlords and agents and on the overall progress of the initiatives.

By way of a report by the Head of Operations, to inform the Cabinet of changes to the terms of reference and role of the Cambridgeshire Councils Association (CCA) Waste Forum and 2007/8 budget for the Recycling Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Partnership.

  Noted the significant successes of the Cambridgeshire Council’s Joint Waste partnership and approved the Council’s continued support for this area of joint working, noted the change of name of the Cambridgeshire Council’s Association Waste Forum to the Cambridgeshire Council’s Association Waste and Environment Forum and approved the revised terms of reference and approved a contribution of £11,942 for 2007/8 to the Recycling Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Partnership.

With the aid of a report by the Head of Operations (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Cabinet were informed of changes to the terms of reference and role of the Cambridgeshire Councils Association Waste Forum.  Details were also provided of the budget for 2007/08 of the Recycling Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Partnership.

Having noted the contents of the report, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

  (a)  that the significant successes of the Cambridgeshire Councils Joint Waste Partnership be noted and the Council’s continued support for this area of joint working approved;

  (b)  that the change of name of the Cambridgeshire Councils Association Waste Forum to the Cambridgeshire Councils Association Waste and Environment Forum be noted and the revised terms of reference approved; and

  (c)  that a contribution of £11,942 for 2007/8 be made to the Recycling Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Partnership.

To consider a report by the Head of Operations which updates the Cabinet on the progress of the Private Finance Initiative contract.

  Noted the outcome of the procurement process for the new waste facilities and authorised the Director of Operational Services, after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Operations, to sign the final Partnering Agreement.

(See Minute No. 121 for Members’ interests).

By way of a report by the Head of Operations (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book), the Cabinet were updated on progress of the Private Finance Initiative contract between Cambridgeshire County Council and Cambridgeshire principal authorities to fund investment in new waste and recycling collection, processing and disposal facilities that would meet the needs of partners.

Having considered the main aims and objectives of a draft Partnering Agreement, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

  (a)  that the outcome of the procurement process for the new waste facilities be noted; and

  (b)  that the Director of Operational Services, after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Operations, be authorised to sign the final Partnering Agreement on behalf of the Council.

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

Approved the draft copy of the Management Plan for the Kimbolton Conservation Area as a basis for public consultation.

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

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

RESOLVED

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

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

Approved the draft Management Plan for the Offord Cluny Area as a basis for public 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 Offord Cluny 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 Offord Cluny 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 Management Plan for Godmanchester (Earning Street) and to adopt it as Interim Planning Guidance.

approved the Management Plan for the Godmanchester (Earning Street) Conservation Area as amended to reflect the content of the Annex to the report and  authorised the Head of Planning Services, after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Planning Strategy, to make any minor consequential amendments to the text and illustrations as a result of the amendments referred to.

Further to Minute No. 06/62, 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 Management Plan for the Godmanchester (Earning Street) Conservation Area and suggested amendments to the Plan as a consequence thereof.

RESOLVED

  (a)  that the Management Plan for the Godmanchester (Earning Street) Conservation Area be amended to reflect the content of the Annex to the report now submitted and approved; and

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

By way of a report by the Planning Policy Manager to consider the response received in respect of the Godmanchester (Post Street) Conservation Area Management Plan.

approved the Management Plan for the Godmanchester (Post Street) Conservation Area as amended to reflect the content of the Annex  and authorised the Head of Planning Service, after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Planning Strategy, to make any minor consequential amendment to the text and illustrations as a result of the amendments referred to.

Further to Minute No. 06/60, consideration was given to 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 Management Plan for the Godmanchester (Post Street) Conservation Area and suggested amendments to the Plan as a consequence thereof.

RESOLVED

  (a)  that the Management Plan for the Godmanchester (Post Street) Conservation Area be amended to reflect the content of the Annex now submitted and approved; and

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

To consider a report by the Planning Policy Manager on consultation responses received in respect of the draft Management Plan for Keyston and to adopt it as Interim Planning Guidance.

Approved the Management Plan for the Keyston Conservation Area as amended to reflect the content of the Annex and authorised the Head of Planning Services, after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Planning Strategy, to make any minor consequential amendment to the text and illustrations as a result of the amendments referred to.

Further to Minute No. 06/61, 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 Management Plan for the Keyston Conservation Area and suggested amendments to the Plan as a consequence thereof.

RESOLVED

  (a)  that the Management Plan for the Keyston Conservation Area be amended to reflect the content of the Annex of the report now submitted and approved; and

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

To consider a report by the Planning Policy Manager on consultation responses received in respect of the draft Management Plan for Stonely and to adopt it as Interim Planning Guidance.

Approved the Management Plan for the Stonely Conservation Area as amended to reflect the context of the Annex  and authorised the Head of Planning Services, after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Planning Strategy, to make minor consequential amendment to the text and illustrations as a result of the amendments referred to.

Further to Minute No. 06/63, consideration was given to 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 Management Plan for the Stonely Conservation Area and suggested amendments to the Plan as a consequence thereof.

RESOLVED

  (a)  that the Management Plan for the Stonely Conservation Area be amended to reflect the context of the Annex to the report now submitted and approved; and

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

To consider a report by the Head of Policy seeking approval for the Council’s Disability Equality Scheme.

Approved the content of the draft Disability Equality Scheme and associated action plan and agreed that the Scheme should be monitored by the Corporate Governance Panel.

Further to Minute No. 05/182 and by way of a report by the Head of Policy (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book), the Cabinet was invited to consider the content of a draft Disability Equality Scheme for the Council, together with an action plan for its implementation.

Having noted the main aims and objectives of the scheme and the responses received to a consultation exercise on the document, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

(a)  that the content of the draft Disability Equality Scheme and associated action plan be approved; and

(b)  that the implementation of the scheme be monitored in the future by the Corporate Governance Panel.

With the assistance of a report by the Head of Policy to consider a Partnership Framework

approved the contents of the partnership framework and authorised the Head of Policy to review the results of the evaluation exercises and to report thereon to future meetings; and authorised the Director of Central Services, after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Resources and Policy, to select partnerships for evaluation and in the light of experience to make changes to the framework as may be necessary.

The Cabinet considered a report by the Head of Policy (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) to which was attached a framework to be used to evaluate the partnerships in which the Council had an involvement.

RESOLVED

  (a)  that the contents of the partnership framework be approved and the Head of Policy authorised to review the results of the evaluation exercises and to report thereon to future meetings; and

  (b)  that the Director of Central Services, after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Resources and Policy, be authorised to select partnerships for evaluation and in the light of experience to make changes to the framework as may be necessary.

To consider the report of the meeting of the Customer First & Accommodation Advisory Group held on 30 November 2006.

Noted the report of the meeting of the Customer First and Accommodation Advisory Group held on 30th November 2006

In receiving and noting the report of the meeting of the Customer First and Accommodation Advisory Group held on 30th November 2006 the Cabinet congratulated staff on the service provided by the Call Centre.