Agenda, decisions and minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 4^th October 2007.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 4^th October 2007 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive from 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.

No declarations were received.

To consider a report by the Head of Financial Services outlining spending variations for 2007/08.

Noted the expenditure variations and capital and revenue impact and the position with regard to individual schemes as set out at Annex A to the report.

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 and capital and revenue impact noted; and

(b)  that the position with regard to individual schemes as set out at Annex A to the report now submitted be noted.

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

received and noted the expected budgetary variation already identified in the current year

The Cabinet received and noted a report by the Head of Financial Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) detailing expected budgetary variations already identified in the current year.  Whereupon, it was

RESOLVED

  that the report be received and spending variations noted.

To seek the views of the Cabinet, by way of a report by the Planning Policy Manager, on the draft Car Parking Strategy.

Approved the Draft Action Plan for public consultation and requested that the Members’ Car Parking Working Group be reconvened to consider the recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel for Service Support in the light of the outcomes of the public consultation and further work on the charging scenarios as well as the following issues raised by the Cabinet:-

• the potential use of the car park to be provided in St Ives for the proposed guided bus service other than by users of the service;
• the possible use of the district’s leisure centre car parks other than  by customers;
• the application of charging for Members and staff of the District Council who used public car parks in conjunction with their official duties or employment;;
• the introduction of resident permit zones within designated areas around St Neots and Huntingdon Railway stations;
• the effect of differential charging rates to reflect off-peak hours; and
• the management and level of disabled parking.

  ….

Further to Minute No. 06/172 and by way of a report by the Planning Policy Manager (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Cabinet, were acquainted with the contents of a draft Car Parking Strategy Action Plan for Huntingdonshire which set out the short and long term proposals for improving car parking in the District.

In discussing the key recommendations contained in the Action Plan, Members highlighted particular issues for consideration in progressing the next steps including:-

• the potential use of the car park to be provided in St Ives for the proposed guided bus service other than by users of the service;
• the possible use of the district’s leisure centre car parks other than by customers;
• the application of charging for Members and staff of the District Council who used public car parks in conjunction with their official duties or employment;
• the introduction of resident permit zones within designated areas around St Neots and Huntingdon Railway stations;
• the effect of differential charging rates to reflect off-peak hours; and
• the management and level of disabled parking.

Having also been acquainted with the deliberations of the Overview & Scrutiny Panel (Service Support) and the Chairman of the Panel on the matter, which it was felt should be tested during the course of consultation, it was

RESOLVED

  (a)  that the Draft Action Plan be approved for public consultation and further work undertaken on the associated charging scenarios; and

  (b)  that the Members’ Car Parking Working Group be reconvened to consider the foregoing issues and the recommendations of the Overview & Scrutiny Panel for Service Support in the light of the outcomes of the public consultation and further work on the charging scenarios.

To consider a report by the Head of Operations seeking approval to establish a text message and e-mail warning system for the public for flooding and other major emergency incidents.

Noted the establishment of a text message and email warning system for the public for flooding and other major emergency incidents.

With the assistance of a report by the Head of Operations (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Cabinet were acquainted with a proposal to establish a text messaging and email warning system for the public on occasions of flooding and other major emergency incidents.

Having been advised of the methodology, associated financial implications and overall benefits of the proposals, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

  that the establishment of a public emergency warning system be noted.

To consider a report by the Planning Policy Manager on consultation responses received in respect of the Character Statement and Boundary review for St Ives and seeking approval for its adoption as Interim Planning Guidance.

Designated the proposed St Ives Conservation Area according to the revised St Ives Boundary Review Document, agreed to adopt the revised St Ives Conservation Area Character Statement and authorised the Head of Planning Services to approve any minor consequential amendments to the text and illustrations after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Planning Strategy.

The Cabinet considered a report by the Planning Policy Manager (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) outlining the consultation responses to the draft Management Plan for the St Ives Conservation Area.

Having considered the schedule of responses and amendments outlined in the appendices to the report, it was

RESOLVED

(a)  that, subject to the incorporation of changes identified in the Appendix to the report now submitted, the boundaries and character statement for the St Ives Conservation Area be approved; and

(b)  that the Head of Planning Services be authorised to approve any minor consequential amendments to the text and illustrations as a result of the changes referred to in (a) above after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Planning Strategy.