Agenda, decisions and minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 17^th May 2007.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on the 17^th May 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 interest in relation to any Agenda item.  Please see notes 1 and 2 below.

Councillor Hyams declared a personal and prejudicial interest in Minute No 07/32 by virtue of his membership on the Luminus Homes (parent) board and left the Chamber for the duration of discussion and voting on this matter.

To consider a report by the Head of Financial Services.

Noted the present position on the development of a new approach to identify spending plans for future years and approved the timetable and stages for considering the financial strategy, 2008/09 budget and 2009/13 Medium Term Plan. Requested that a briefing note on the matter be circulated to all Members.

Further to Minute No. 06/109 and by way of a report by the Head of Environmental Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Cabinet were acquainted with the present position on the development of a new approach to identify spending plans for future years and proposals for the stages and timings of the review and approval of the financial strategy, 2008/09 budget and 2009/13 Medium Term Plan.

Having requested that a briefing note on the matter be circulated to all Members, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

(a)  that the update on savings suggestions appended to the report now submitted be noted; and

(b)  that the timetable and stages for considering the financial strategy, budget and Medium Term Plan be approved.

To consider a report by the Head of Financial Services reviewing the performance of the Investment Fund Managers.

Noted the respective levels of performance in the year ending 31^st March 2007 by three external fund managers in the matter of investment of the Council’s capital receipts.

A report by the Head of Financial Services was submitted (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) which reviewed the respective levels of performance in the year ending 31^st March 2007 by three external fund managers in the matter of investment of the Council’s capital receipts.

Having considered the individual levels of performance achieved during the quarter 1st January – 31st March 2007 and in noting that the funds invested via Alliance Bernstein had been returned to the Council during this period due to the company’s decision to withdraw from the local authority market, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

  that the content of the report be noted.

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.

Approved the contents of four dog control orders and associated maps; authorised the Director of Operational Services to appoint authorised Officers to enforce the dog control provisions of the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005, including the issue of fixed penalty notices. Authorised the Head of Environmental and Community Health Services to advertise the draft orders and to convey with all statutory consultees on the content of the draft orders and after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Housing and Public Health, to make the dog control orders subject to consideration of consultation responses and representations and to amend or revoke dog control orders, subject to the necessary advertisement and consultation requirements of the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act.  Approved the enforcement of dog control orders by either prosecution or by the issue of fixed penalty notices set at £75 for offences under dog control orders with an incentive of a reduction to £50 if the fixed penalty is paid within 10 days of issue.  Authorised the Head of Environmental and Community Health Services, after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Housing and Public, to initiate legal proceedings for offences under dog control orders.

Further to Minute No. 06/189 and 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. 

In considering the implications of the measures on the District and the community as a whole, Members were informed that the orders substantially replicated the powers available in existing byelaws and applied them to new development which had occurred since their inception. Whereupon, it was

RESOLVED

(a)  that the report now submitted be noted and the contents of the four dog control orders and the associated maps attached to the orders approved;

(b)  that the Director of Operational Services be authorised to appoint Officers to enforce the dog control provisions of the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005, including the issue of fixed penalty notices;

(c)  that the Head of Environmental and Community Health Services be authorised to advertise the draft orders and to confer with all statutory consultees on the content of the draft orders;

(d)  that the Head of Environmental and Community Health Services be authorised, after consideration of consultation responses and representations and consultation with the Executive Councillor for Housing and Health, to make the dog control orders;

(e)  that the Head of Environmental and Community Health Services be authorised, subject to the necessary advertisement and consultation requirements of the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act and after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Housing and Health, to amend or revoke dog control orders;

(f)  that the dog control orders be enforced either by prosecution or by the issue of fixed penalty notices;

(g)  that the Head of Environmental and Community Health Services be authorised, after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Housing and Health, to initiate legal proceedings for offences under dog control orders; and

(h)  that a fixed penalty notice of £75 for offences under adopted dog control orders be approved, with an incentive of a reduction to £50 if the fixed penalty is paid within 10 days of issue.

By way of a report by the Head of Planning to consider the revised (Second) draft of a Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) on Developer Contributions Towards Affordable Housing.

Approved the draft copy of the supplementary planning document, “Developer Contributions towards Affordable Housing” as a basis for public consultation and authorised the Director of Operational Services, after consultation with Executive Member for Planning Strategy, Environment and Transport, to make any consequential amendments to the text and illustrations arising from the sustainability appraisal, prior to the issue of the document for public consultation.

Consideration was given to a report by the Head of Planning Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) to which was attached a draft copy of the supplementary planning document, “Developer Contributions towards Affordable Housing”.

Having noted the main aims and objectives of the document, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

(a)  that the draft supplementary planning document “Developer Contributions towards Affordable Housing” be approved as a basis for public consultation; and

(b)  the Director of Operational Services be authorised, after consultation with Executive Member for Planning Strategy, Environment and Transport, to make any consequential amendments to the text and illustrations arising from the sustainability appraisal, prior to the issue of the document for public consultation.

With the assistance of a report by the Planning Policy Manager to consider the 2007 Buildings at Risk Register.

Noted the contents of the 2007 Huntingdonshire Buildings at Risk Register and endorsed the 2007 Buildings at Risk Strategy.

By way of a report by the Planning Policy Manager (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Cabinet were informed of the publication of the 2007 Huntingdonshire Buildings at Risk Register, the results of the 2007 Buildings at Risk Survey and an analysis of the Buildings at Risk Strategy.

Having noted that the revised Buildings at Risk Register contained details of 276 structures categorised according to their condition and risk of collapse or structural failure, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

  that the contents of the 2007 Buildings at Risk Register be noted and the future strategy proposed in the report now

submitted endorsed.

To consider a report by the Planning Policy Manager recommending changes to the criteria and allocation of the Historic Building Grants Scheme.

Approved proposed amendments to the Historic Buildings Grant Scheme outlined in paragraph 3.3 of the report and requested the Director of Operational Services to circulate further information to Executive Members on the Scheme’s implementation.

With the assistance of a report by the Planning Policy Manager (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Cabinet was acquainted with the outcomes of a review of the Council’s Historic Buildings Grant Scheme.  

In discussing proposals to amend the scheme to make funding more widely available and responsive to those buildings on the Huntingdonshire Buildings at Risk Register 2007, Members expressed apprehension with regard to the proposed relaxation of the condition requiring repayment of grant where properties were disposed of by developers within 3 years of the completion of the works, but having received assurances from the Director of Operational Services that the changes had been designed to make more effective use of the grant budget, the Cabinet 

RESOLVED

(a)  that the proposed amendments to the Historic Buildings Grant Scheme outlined in the report now submitted be approved; and

(b)  that the Director of Operational Services be requested to circulate to Executive Members a note addressing the areas of concern now referred to.

To consider a report by the Planning Policy Manager seeking approval for the Supplementary Planning Documents: Huntingdonshire Design Guide and the Landscape &Townscape Assessment.

Agreed to adopt the revised Huntingdonshire Design Guide and the Huntingdonshire Landscape and Townscape Assessment as Supplementary Planning Documents; and authorised the Head of Planning Services to approve any minor consequential amendments to the text and illustrations after consultation with the Executive Councillor of Planning Strategy, Environment and Transport.

The Cabinet considered a report by the Head of Planning Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) outlining the responses received to consultation on Supplementary Planning Documents – the Huntingdonshire Design Guide and the Huntingdonshire Landscape and Townscape Assessment.

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

RESOLVED

(a)  that the revised Huntingdonshire Design Guide incorporating the changes set out in Appendix A to the report now submitted be adopted as a Supplementary Planning Document;

(b)  that the revised Huntingdonshire Landscape and Townscape Assessment incorporating the changes set out in Appendix B to the report now submitted be adopted as a Supplementary Planning Document; and

(c)  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 above after consultation with the Executive Councillor of Planning Strategy, Environment and Transport.

To consider a report by the Planning Policy Manager regarding the proposed creation of a public footpath across land in the ownership of the District Council.

Agreed to enter into a Public Path Agreement with Cambridgeshire County Council under the provisions of Section 25 of the Highways Act 1980 to dedicate a public right of way over Council-owned land at Flamsteed Drive, Huntingdon.

The Cabinet received a report by the Planning Policy Manager (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) regarding a proposal to dedicate a public right of way over Council-owned land at Flamsteed Drive, Huntingdon.

Having acknowledged the benefits to pedestrians of a new footpath between Flamsteed Drive and Hinchingbrooke Business Park and in noting that the footpath would link with existing rights of way and a cycle way to access Huntingdon town centre, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

that a Public Path Agreement be made with Cambridgeshire County Council under the provisions of Section 25 of the Highways Act 1980 to dedicate a public right of way over District Council-owned land at Flamsteed Drive, Huntingdon.

To consider a report by the Head of Administration in relation to the appointment/nomination of representatives to serve on a variety of organisations.

Made nominations to a variety of organisation as set out in the Appendix to the report and agreed that in the event that changes are required to Council’s representatives during the course of the year, the Director of Central Services after consultation with the Deputy Leader of the Council be authorised to nominate alternative representatives as necessary.

Having received and considered a report by the Head of Administration (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) in relation to representation on a variety of organisations, it was

RESOLVED

(a)  that nominations be made to the organisations as set out in the Appendix to the report now submitted; and

(b)  that, in the event that changes are required to Council representation during the course of the year, the Head of Administration after consultation with the Deputy Leader of the Council be authorised to nominate alternative representatives as necessary.

To consider the Council’s Corporate Plan – “Growing Success”.

Approved the suggested process for reviewing and updating the Council’s Corporate Plan “Growing Success” and  noted the performance data for 2006/07 and the revised targets for 2007/08.

Consideration was given to a report by the Head of Policy and Strategic Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) setting out a draft timetable for a review of the Council’s Corporate Plan “Growing Success”, local performance indicators and targets, the Improvement Plan and objectives for supporting the achievement of the Council’s priorities.

Having been advised of the results of performance data for 2006/07 and the series of targets for 2007/08, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

(a)  that the suggested process for reviewing and updating the Council’s Corporate Plan “Growing Success” be approved; and

(b)  that the performance data for 2006/07 and the revised targets for 2007/08 be noted.

To resolve:

that the press and 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 press and 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 disposal of land.

To consider a report by the Head of Legal and Estates regarding the disposal of Council owned land adjacent to the Grand Cinema site in Ramsey.

Supported in principle the proposed development of a community building, public toilets and residential flats at the Grand Cinema Site in Ramsey and authorised the Director of Central Services to negotiate the proposed disposal of the Council-owned land and the provision of replacement facilities and report back thereon to a future meeting of the Cabinet.

The Cabinet considered a report by the Head of Legal and Estates (a copy of which is appended in Annex to the Minute Book) regarding the proposed disposal of Council-owned land adjacent to the former Grand Cinema in Ramsey, as part of the redevelopment  of the site  to include a library, community facility, public toilets and residential flats.  Whereupon, it was

RESOLVED

(a)  that the proposed re-development of the former cinema site as a community building as outlined in the report now submitted be supported in principle; and

(b)  that the Director of Central Services be authorised to negotiate the proposed disposal of the land and the provision of replacement facilities and to report thereon to a future meeting of the Cabinet.