Agenda, decisions and minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 5^th April 2007.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 5^th April 2007 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

With regard to Item No 180, the Director of Central Services assured Executive Councillors that a further report would be submitted to Cabinet prior to any disposal of land at Priory Park, St Neots.

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 P J Longford declared a personal interest in Minute No. 189 by virtue of being a dog-owner.  Councillor Mrs D C Reynolds declared a personal and prejudicial interest in Minute No 188 by virtue of her employment under the auspices of the PCT and left the room for the duration of discussion and voting thereon.

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

Noted the likely spending variations for the revenue budget 2006/07.

The Cabinet received a report by the Head of Financial Services (a copy of which appended in the Minute Book) on the projected out-turn for 2006/07.

RESOLVED

  that the variations in the revenue budget for 2006/07 be noted.

To consider a report by the Head of Financial Services highlighting variations from the approved Capital Programme for 2006/07.

Received and noted the expected variations in the Capital Programme in the current year and the estimated 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 noted; and

b)  that the estimated capital and revenue impact also be noted.

By way of a report by the Head of Financial Services to consider a request for the release of funding for a Corporate ICT Systems Officer..

Agreed to release the relevant funding to fund the post of Corporate ICT Systems 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 this new permanent post.

RESOLVED

that funding as detailed in the Annexe to the report now submitted be released in respect of the post of Corporate ICT

Systems Officer.

With the assistance of a report by the Head of Environmental & Community Health Services to consider a response to the Cambridgeshire Primary Care Trust’s consultation: ‘Seeking Sustainable Health Services for the People of Huntingdonshire’.

Authorised the Director of Operational Services, after consultation with the Leader, to make representation to the Cambridgeshire Primary Care Trust based on the representations suggested in the report.

With the aid of a report by the Head of Environmental and Community Health Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Cabinet considered a suggested response on behalf of the Council to a consultation paper issued by the Cambridgeshire Primary Care Trust entitled “Seeking Sustainable Health Services for the People of Huntingdonshire”.

Having considered the proposals outlined in the paper Executive Councillors agreed that any service changes for Hinchingbrooke Healthcare NHS Trust should not reduce the quality and accessibility of services for residents in Huntingdonshire. 

With regard to the comprehensive strategic review planned by the Strategic Health Authority, the Cabinet felt that it would be inappropriate for this to proceed given the recent review and the negative impact which another exercise could have on local hospital services.

On the issue of the future of the Hinchingbrooke Healthcare NHS Trust, Executive Councillors commented that the dissolution of the Trust would result in a loss of accountability and would be detrimental to the local management and coordination of healthcare in the District.  At the same time, Members recorded their concern that the paper did not address future population growth given the proposed increase in new housing for Huntingdonshire and the impact this would have on service requirements.

Finally, having expressed their support for the efforts of personnel at Hinchingbrooke hospital in performing their duties, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

that the Director of Operational Services, after consultation with the Leader, be authorised to respond to the consultation as outlined the report now submitted and in the light of the deliberations by Executive Councillors.

To consider a report by the Public Health Manager regarding the introduction of Dog Control Orders to replace existing dog control provisions and the implications for the District Council.

Deferred consideration of this matter to enable further information regarding the application of the offence of “not keeping a dog on a lead” and arrangements to fully consult with the public on the dog control measures.

With the assistance of a report by the Head of Environmental and Community Health Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book), the Cabinet considered a proposal to introduce four dog control orders to replace existing dog control provisions as required under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005.

Having discussed the proposals in the report and having regard to concern expressed in relation to the proposed Order relating to dogs on leads and its impact on other aspects of dog control, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

  that consideration of the matter be deferred pending the submission of further information to a future meeting.

To consider a report by the Head of Environmental and Community Health Services seeking approval for the Council’s Play Strategy.

  Approved the contents of the draft Play Strategy for Huntingdonshire and the proposed key elements of the action plan outlined in paragraph 3.3 to 3.6, requested that the associated financial implications be costed and the Head of Environmental and Community Health Services report further to the Cabinet in July 2007 on spending proposals for monies received from the Big Lottery Fund.

By way of a report by the Head of Environmental and Community Health Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) that Cabinet was invited to consider the content of a draft Play Strategy for Huntingdonshire and its proposed submission to the “Big Lottery Fund” in October 2007 for funding to create, improve and develop children and young peoples’ play spaces locally.

Having been advised that the Strategy had been the subject of extensive consultation with interested parties and that the associated Action Plan would address the needs of local groups/individuals with disabilities, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

a)  that the content of the draft Play Strategy for Huntingdonshire be approved;

b)  that the proposed key elements of the Action Plan outlined in paragraph 3.3 to 3.6 be approved and the associated financial implications costed; and

c)  that the Head of Environmental and Community Health Services be requested to report further to the Cabinet on the proposed Action Plan, with costings.

To consider a report by the Head of Planning Services seeking approval for the Council’s Core Strategy and Development Control Policies Development Plan Documents and the Huntingdon West Area Action Plan.

Approved for publication of the Core Strategy Development Plan Document 2007 – Issues and Options, Development Control Policies Development Plan Document and the Huntingdon West Area Action Plan .

Further to Minute number 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 the following documents:-

·  Core Strategy Development Plan Document 2007 – Issues and Options

·  Development Control Policies Development Plan Document – Issues and Options

·  Huntingdon West Area Action Plan – Issues and Options

Having the noted the background to preparation of the documents, their main aims and objectives, a timetable for consultation with stakeholders and arrangements for Member involvement by way of series of workshops, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

that the Core Strategy Development Plan Document 2007 – Issues and Options, Development Control Policies Development Plan Document and the Huntingdon West Area Action Plan be approved for public consultation.

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 being transacted contains exempt information

relating to negotiations for the disposal of land.

To receive a oral report by the Director of Central Services on the outcome of the call-in, by the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Service Support), of the decision of the Cabinet relating to the sale of land at Westwood Road, St Ives.

Noted the deliberations of the Overview & Scrutiny Panel (Service Support) in relation to their “call in” of the decision made by the Cabinet on the proposed disposal of Council owned land at Westwood Road, St Ives made by Cabinet at their meeting on the 5^th April 2007. Agreed to rescind the resolution in Minute No 182 of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 5^th April 2007 and to substitute with the following  –

“that the Director of Central Services be authorised to negotiate terms for the possible disposal of District Council-owned land at Westwood Road, St Ives and that a report thereon, to address also the long term accommodation requirements of Youth Organisations occupying adjacent land, be submitted to a future meeting”.

Further to Minute No. 06/182 and with the assistance of a report by the Director of Central Services (a copy of which is appended to the Annex to the Minute Book) the Cabinet considered the deliberations of the Overview & Scrutiny Panel (Service Support) in relation to their “call-in” of the decision made by the Cabinet on the proposed disposal of Council-owned land at Westwood Road, St Ives at its meeting on the 5^th April 2007.

Arising from the deliberations of the Panel with regard to the sale of the land and in particular issues concerning the potential effect on adjoining premises leased form Cambridgeshire County Council on behalf of a number of youth organisations, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

(a)  that the views expressed by the Overview and Scrutiny Panel be noted; and

(b)  that the resolution in Minute No 182 of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 5^th April 2007 be rescinded and the following substituted therefor –

“that the Director of Central Services be authorised to negotiate terms for the possible disposal of District Council-owned land at Westwood Road, St Ives and that a report thereon, to address also the long term accommodation requirements of Youth Organisations occupying adjacent land, be submitted to a future meeting”.