Agenda, decisions and minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 13^th March 2008.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 13th March 2008 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.

Councillors D B Dew and L M Simpson declared personal interests in Minute No 124 by virtue of their membership of the St Ives Town Initiative and the Huntingdon Town Partnership respectively.

To consider a report by the Environment Team Leader seeking approval for the Environment Strategy.

Recommended to Council that the Environment Strategy be endorsed, authorised  the Director of Environmental Services, after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Planning Strategy, Environment and Transport, to agree minor consequential amendments to the final document; having noted the requirement for further refinement of some proposals contained in the Environment Strategy, its priorities and project plan, authorised the Director of Environmental & Community Services, after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Planning Strategy, Environment & Transport, to approve the release of the relevant Medium Term Plan provision for that purpose; and requested the Director of Environmental and Community Services to submit a report to Cabinet on 15^th May 2008 identifying the linkages between the priorities in the Environment Strategy, those in the Council’s Corporate Plan, “Growing Success” and the provision available in the Medium Term Plan.

Further to Minute No. 07/17, consideration was given to a report by the Head of Environmental Management (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) to which was attached a copy of the proposed Environment Strategy for Huntingdonshire setting out a series of aims to overcome the following three main environmental challenges:-

¨  Tacking climate change;

¨  Using resources efficiently; and

¨  Protecting and improving the environment.

By way of background, Members were reminded that the strategy had been developed over a twelve month period during which there had been constructive and positive engagement with local communities and interested parties. Having discussed the content of the Strategy proposals, Executive Councillors emphasised the importance of partnership working including involvement with local trade and commerce and the need to promote and encourage sustainability within the home.

In noting the views expressed by the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Corporate and Strategic Framework) Executive Councillors acknowledged the benefits of linking the value of projects against national performance indicators and noted the Panel’s concern relating to the protection of agricultural land.  Whereupon, it was

RESOLVED

  (a)  that the Council be recommended to endorse the Environment Strategy;

  (b)  that the Director of Environmental Services be authorised, after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Planning Strategy, Environment and Transport, to agree minor consequential amendments to the final document;

(c)  that, having noted the requirement for further refinement of some proposals contained in the Environment Strategy, its priorities and project plan, the Director of Environmental & Community Services be authorised, after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Planning Strategy, Environment & Transport to approve the release of the relevant Medium Term Plan funding for that purpose; and;

(d)  that the Director of Environmental and Community Services be requested to submit a report to Cabinet on 15th May 2008 identifying the linkages between the priorities in the Environment Strategy, those in the Council’s Corporate Plan, “Growing Success” and the provision available in the Medium Term Plan.

To consider a report by the Town Centre Initiatives Working Group who’s report and recommendations have been endorsed by the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Service Support).

To ensure their long-term stability and effectiveness, agreed to invite the four town centre Partnerships to enter into three year funding agreements which, in return for the maintenance of existing grants and other assistance from the Council, will require each Partnership to produce a three year business plan with annual action plans and targets designed to support delivery of the Local Economy Strategy and to sustain and encourage the economic viability of the town centres.

A report by the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Service Support) was submitted (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) which summarised the findings of a review by a Working Group into the purpose, cost and achievements of the Town Centre Initiatives across the District.

In discussing the views expressed by the Working Group, Executive Councillors’ attention was drawn to the benefits for the Partnerships of moving from the annual grant, awarded by the District Council, to a longer term arrangement.  Having acknowledged that the beneficial work of the Partnerships, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

  that, to ensure their long-term stability and effectiveness, the four town centre Partnerships be invited to enter into three year funding agreements which, in return for the maintenance of existing grants and other assistance from the Council, will require each Partnership to produce a three year business plan with annual action plans and targets designed to support delivery of the Local Economy Strategy and to sustain and encourage the economic viability of the town centres.

To receive the report of the meeting of the Safety Advisory Group held on 5^th March 2008.

Received and noted the report of the Safety Advisory Group held on 5th March 2008.

The report of the Safety Advisory Group held on 5th March 2008 was received and noted.