Agenda, decisions and minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 7^th June 2007.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 7th June 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.

Councillors I C Bates and C R Hyams declared personal interests in Minute No 36 by virtue of their membership of Cambridgeshire County Council.  Councillor P L E Bucknell requested that it be recorded that his participation in debate and voting would be undertaken without prejudice to the consideration and/or determination of any relevant planning application subsequently by the District Council’s Development Control Panel of which he was a member.

To consider a report by the Head of Financial Services.

Agreed to release the relevant funding from the Medium Term Plan for the delivery of a choice-based lettings scheme, the installation of multi-functional devices and network software as part of the transfer of all printing and postal arrangements to Eastfield House and the replacement of existing folder and envelope inserting equipment used in the printing department.

With the assistance 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.

 RESOLVED

  that the relevant funding be released for the delivery of a choice-based lettings scheme, the installation of multi-functional devices and network software as part of the transfer of printing and postal arrangements to Eastfield House and the replacement of existing folder and envelope inserting equipment.

To consider a report by the Head of Legal and Estates regarding the disposal of Council owned land at Harrison Way, St Ives. ( A site map is attached to the agenda separately)

Noted the current position regarding the guided bus way project, approved the commencement of negotiations for the sale of land at Harrison Way, St. Ives and authorised the Director of Central Services, after consultation with the Executive Councillors for Resources and Policy and for Finance, to approve terms for the sale of land at Harrison Way, St. Ives.

The Cabinet considered a report by the Head of Legal and Estates (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) seeking approval to negotiate the disposal of three parcels of land in the ownership of the District Council, to Cambridgeshire County Council required in conjunction with the delivery of the guided bus way scheme.

Having considered the content of the report, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

  (a)  that the current position regarding the guided bus way project be noted;

  (b)  that the commencement of negotiations for the sale of land at Harrison Way, St. Ives, be approved; and

  (c)  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 land at Harrison Way, St. Ives.

To consider a request by the Overview & Scrutiny Panel (Service Delivery) to pursue an investigation into the requirements for high dependency toilets in the District.

Agreed to approach Papworth Trust for their advice on the need for high dependency facilities for people whose disabilities were so severe as to prevent them from using conventional toilets designed for the disabled and in particular on the possibility of extending the availability of facilities at Saxongate, Huntingdon for these people.

A report by the Head of Administration was submitted (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) which summarised the findings of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Service Delivery) in relation to toilet provision in the District.

In so doing, Members were advised of the general shortage nationally of high dependency facilities for people whose disabilities were so severe as to prevent them from using conventional toilets designed for the disabled. Given the extensive cost of providing these facilities and the expertise locally of the Papworth Trust, Executive Councillors were of the opinion that it would be worthwhile to seek their advice and, having thanked the Panel for their input, the Cabinet,

RESOLVED

that the report be received and the Papworth Trust approached as indicated for their advice, both generally and in particular on the possibility of extending the availability of facilities at Saxongate, Huntingdon for people with high dependency needs.

To resolve:

that the public be excluded from the meetings because the business to be transacted contains information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

RESOLVED

  that the public be excluded from the meeting because the business to be transacted contains information relating to the financial or business affairs of a company with which the Council is contracted.

To consider a report of the Customer First and Accommodation Advisory Group (following its meeting held on 11^th June 2007) to which is attached a report by the Head of Technical Services.

Agreed to defer work on the construction of Building A and authorised the Chief Executive, after consultation with the Leader of the Council, to approve a scheme for residential use for this part of the site; agreed that Castle Hill House be retained at least until the development options have been confirmed and authorised the Chief Executive to exercise the waiver in the Development Agreement for that purpose; authorised the Chief Executive, after consultation with the Leader of the Council, to sign a variation to the Development Agreement to enable the options detailed in the report to be fully evaluated; and noted the expected additional cost in future years along with the requirement for these to be reflected in the forthcoming review of the Medium Term Plan.

In conjunction with the report of the Customer First and Accommodation Advisory Group held on 11th June 2007 (a copy of which is appended in the Annex to the Minute Book) and with the assistance of a report by the Head of Technical Services (a copy of which is also appended in the Annex to the Minute Book) the Cabinet were acquainted with progress on the new headquarters and other accommodation project.

Having considered issues associated with the proposed development of land fronting St Mary’s Street and the future use of Castle Hill House, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

  (a)  that work on the construction of Building A be deferred and the Chief Executive authorised, after consultation with the Leader of the Council, to approve a scheme for residential use for this part of the site;

  (b)  that Castle Hill House be retained at least until the development options have been confirmed and the Chief Executive authorised to exercise the waiver in the Development Agreement for that purpose;

  (c)  that the Chief Executive be authorised, after consultation with the Leader of the Council, to sign a variation to the Development Agreement to enable the options detailed in the report now submitted to be fully evaluated; and

  (d)  that the expected additional cost in future years as outlined in the report now submitted be noted along with the requirement for these to be reflected in the forthcoming review of the Medium Term Plan.