Agenda, decisions and minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 12^th June 2008.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 12^th June 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.

Councillor K J Churchill declared a personal interest in Minute No. 36 by virtue of being a Justice of the Peace.

Councillors I C Bates, K J Churchill and C R Hyams declared personal interests in Minute No. 40 by virtue of their membership of Cambridgeshire County Council; and

Councillor P L E Bucknell declared a personal interest in Minute No. 40 having previously held discussions regarding the scheme with interested parties in his capacity as Executive Councillor for Planning Strategy and Transport.

To consider a report by the Head of Policy and Strategic Services seeking endorsement of the action plans associated with the strategies.

Approved the draft delivery plans for Huntingdonshire Community Strategy and the Action Plan associated with the Local Economy Strategy.

Further to Minute No. 07/57 and by way of a report by the Head of Policy and Strategic Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Cabinet were acquainted with the background to the production of the Huntingdonshire Sustainable Community Strategy and the work that had been undertaken to refine the outcomes and objectives contained within the document and to develop delivery plans for each of the strategic themes.

Members were reminded that the Strategy involved partners and stakeholders, including the business and voluntary sectors, in the process of improving the economic, social and environmental wellbeing of the District.  Having noted that the plans were still draft and subject to change reference was made to the need to adopt a unified approach to the design and layout of all six delivery plans when finally adopted and published. Having been advised that the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Corporate and Strategic Framework) had considered and supported the Strategy and draft action plans, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

that the draft delivery plans for Huntingdonshire Community Strategy and the Action Plan associated with the Local Economy Strategy be approved.

To consider a report by the Head of Housing Services on the outcome of the Cambridgeshire Supporting People Home Improvement Agency Review.

Approved the proposed response to the review of the Home Improvement Agency services as outlined in the Appendix to the and requested the Chief Executive to convey the Cabinet’s views on the continuing delays in providing assessment for home adaptations and explore further the opportunities to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of HIA’s through shared services or other options and report thereon to a future meeting.

By way of a report by the Head of Financial Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Cabinet were acquainted with the findings of a review of Home Improvement Agency (HIAs) services undertaken on behalf of Cambridgeshire’s Supporting People’s Commissioning Body as part of a wider strategic review of services.

By way of introduction, Members were reminded that HIAs in Cambridgeshire were funded by Supporting People grant the Primary Care Trust (PCT), Cambridgeshire County Council and the District Councils.

In considering the key findings outlined in the paper and the suggested responses, Members expressed their concern at the continuing and unacceptable time taken to complete occupational therapy assessments for vulnerable older and disabled people in the District.

Executive Councillors also concluded that an approach which sought to maintain high levels of customer care, improve efficiency and lower costs through shared or combined services rather than market testing of HIA services should be examined.

RESOVLED

(a)  that the proposed response to the review of the Home Improvement Agency services outlined in the Appendix to the report now submitted be approved.; and

(b)  that the Chief Executive be requested to convey the Cabinet’s views on the continuing delays in providing assessment for home adaptations and explore further the opportunities to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of HIA’s through shared services or other options and report thereon to a future meeting.

With the assistance of a report by the Housing Strategy Manager, to consider the results of the Cambridge Sub-Region Strategic Housing Market Assessment.

Noted details of the Cambridge Sub-Region Strategic Housing Market Assessment and its implications for the District.

With the assistance of a report by the Head of Housing Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Cabinet were acquainted with details of the Cambridge Sub-Region Strategic Housing Market Assessment and its implications for the District.

Members were reminded that the assessment outlined the evidence of need and demand for market and affordable housing based on seven local authority areas within the sub-region and replaced the need for local assessments.  Having been advised that the document would be reviewed and updated on an annual basis, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

  that the contents of the report now submitted be noted.

To consider a report by the Planning Policy Manager requesting the adoption of the revised design brief as Interim Planning Guidance.

Approved the content of the Design Brief for the redevelopment of the former Primrose Lane Hospital in Huntingdon,. subject to the retention of the Primrose Centre building as part of the future development of the site but that consideration be given to its demolition in the event of a submission of a scheme of high quality planning consent and authorised the Head of Planning Services to make any minor consequential amendments to the text and illustrations, after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Planning Strategy and Transport.

The Cabinet considered a report by the Planning Policy Manager (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) outlining the responses received to a consultation on the Design Brief for the redevelopment of the former Primrose LaneHospital in Huntingdon.

Having noted that the consultation exercise had revealed a preference to retain the Primrose Centre building as part of any future development of the site, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

(a)  that the content of the Design Brief for the former Primrose Lane Hospital, Huntingdon be approved as Interim Planning Guidance to the Huntingdonshire Local Plan, subject to the retention of the Primrose Centre building as part of the future development of the site but in the event this proves not to be possible that consideration be given to its replacement with a scheme of high design quality; and

(b)  that the Head of Planning Services be authorised to make any  minor consequential amendments to the text and illustrations, after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Planning Strategy and Transport.

To consider a report by the Head of Planning Services regarding options to fund a scheme for improvements to the junction of the A141 and Kings Ripton Road.

Approved the funding options to provide a £75,000 contribution towards the County Council Scheme for improvements to the A141 Kings Ripton Road, Huntingdon as outlined in the Appendix to the report.

With the assistance of a report by the Head of Planning Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Cabinet were acquainted with options to part fund a scheme for improvements to the junction of the A141 and Kings Ripton Road, Huntingdon.

Having considered various funding options proposed in the report and in noting the level contribution being sought from Cambridgeshire County Council, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

that the funding options to provide a £75,000 contribution towards the County Council Scheme for improvements to the A141 Kings Ripton Road, Huntingdon as outlined in the Appendix to the report now submitted be approved.

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

Agreed to invite the County Council to establish a county-wide forum, involving the County Council, District Councils, local Members of Parliament, Cambridgeshire Constabulary and HGV operators to lobby Government to investigate the problem of heavy goods vehicle parking throughout the district and take steps to resolve it; agreed that the matter be raised with the Cambridgeshire Together: Local Area Agreement Board; and requested that the District Council as local planning authority seek to influence the development of suitable HGV parking opportunities adjacent to the trunk roads across the District.

Consideration was given to a report by the Working Group appointed by the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Service Support) to undertake a review of the issue of heavy good vehicles parking throughout the District.  A copy of the report is appended in the Minute Book.

Having noted the Working Group’s recommendations in relation to the identification of sites for HGV parking and the need for facilities on the trunk road network in order to avoid the problems arising from a lack of provision which were exacerbated by the rationalisation of the lay-bys along the A14, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

(a)  that the County Council be invited to establish a county-wide forum, involving the County Council, District Councils, local Members of Parliament, Cambridgeshire Constabulary and HGV operators to lobby Government to investigate the problem urgently and take steps to resolve it;

(b)  that the support for the forum be sought via the Cambridgeshire Together: Local Area Agreement Board; and

(c)  that the District Council, as Local Planning Authority seek to influence the development of suitable HGV parking opportunities adjacent to the trunk roads in the District.