Agenda, decisions and minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 15^th March 2007

The Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 15th March 2007 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 and prejudicial interest in Minutes Nos. 181 and 182 by virtue of his family relationship with the company involved and his membership of the Cambridgeshire County Council respectively.  Councillor Bucknell declared a personal and prejudicial interest in Minute No 181 by virtue of his friendship with the applicant. Both Councillors left the meeting for the duration and voting on the respective items of business.

To consider a report by the Head of Planning seeking approval for the Council’s Interim Planning Policy Statement.

Endorsed the content of the interim planning policy statement.

Further to Minute No. 06/170 and by way of a report by the Head of Planning Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Cabinet was invited to consider the content of an interim planning policy statement.

Having been reminded that the statement would provide the framework for continuity of the development control function, whilst changes to the core strategy were made, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

  that Council be recommended to endorse the content of the Interim Planning Policy Statement.

To consider a report by the Head of Policy and Strategic Services seeking approval for the Council’s Gender Equality Scheme.

Approved the contents Gender Equality Scheme together with an associated action plan.

By way of a report by the Head of Policy and Strategic Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Cabinet was invited to consider the contents of the Gender Equality Scheme together with an associated action plan..

Members were advised that the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 (as amended) would place a duty on public bodies to promote gender equality with effect from 6th April 2007.  Having been informed that the scheme would integrate with current Race and Disability and Equality Schemes, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

  that the contents of the draft Gender Equality Scheme and associated Action Plan be approved.

By way of a report by the Head of Financial Services to consider a request for the release of funding for the flexible working project.

Approved the release of the relevant funding for the installation of broadband for Members and the award of disabled facilities and discretionary housing repair loans/grants.

With the aid 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 three Medium Term Plan schemes.

In considering a request to release £67,000 for flexible working, Executive Councillors intimated that they would welcome further information to be circulated separately on revenue costs for this project.  Having referred also to the need to ensure that spending projections for projects were regularly reviewed, the Cabinet 

RESOLVED

that the relevant funding be released for the installation of broadband for Members and the award of disabled facilities and discretionary housing repair loans/grants.

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.

RESOLVED

  that the public be excluded from the meeting because the business to be transacted contains exempt information relating to negotiations for the disposal of land or property.

Approved the disposal of Council-owned land at Priory Park, St Neots as part of the Urban Design Brief and Masterplan for the Longsands Quarter and authorised the Director of Central Services, after consultation with Members of the Cabinet,  to approve terms for the sale.

The Cabinet considered a report by the Head of Legal and Estates (a copy of which is appended in the Annex to the Minute Book) seeking approval for the proposed disposal of Council-owned land at Priory Park, St Neots as part of the Urban Design Brief and Masterplan for the Longsands Quarter.  Whereupon, it was

RESOLVED

  that the disposal of the land at Priory Park, St Neots be approved and the Director of Central Services authorised, after consultation with Members of the Cabinet,  to approve terms for the sale.

Authorised the Director of Central Services, after consultation with the Executive Councillors for Resources, Welfare and IT and for Finance and for Leisure,  to approve terms for the sale of land at Stukeley Road, Huntingdon.

The Cabinet considered a report by the Head of Legal and Estates (a copy of which is appended in the Annex to the Minute Book) seeking approval for the proposed disposal of Council-owned land at Stukeley Road, Huntingdon.

RESOLVED

that the Director of Central Services, after consultation with the Executive Councillors for Resources, Welfare and IT and for Finance and for Leisure, be authorised to approve terms for the sale of land at Stukeley Road, Huntingdon.

Approved the disposal of Council-owned land at Westwood Road, St Ives and authorised the Director of Central Services, after consultation with Members of the Cabinet, to approve terms for the sale.

By way of a report by the Head of Legal and Estates (a copy of which is appended in the Annex to the Minute Book) the Cabinet considered the proposed disposal of Council-owned land at Westwood Road, St Ives.

RESOLVED

  that the disposal of the land at Westwood Road, St Ives be approved and the Director of Central Services authorised, after consultation with Members of the Cabinet, to approve terms for the sale.