Agenda, decisions and minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 17^th July 2008.

Subject to the deletion of the names of Councillors Bucknell and Churchill from the list of those present, the Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 17th July 2008 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Subject to the deletion of the names of Councillors Bucknell and Churchill from the list of those present, the Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 17th July 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 overleaf.

Councillor I C Bates declared a personal interest in Minute No 65 by virtue of his membership of Cambridgeshire Horizons Board.

Councillor K J Churchill declared a personal interest in Minute No 65 by virtue of his appointment as District Council representative on Luminus Homes.

To consider a report by the Head of Financial Services.

Noted the contents of the report and agreed that in considering the financial forecast for the period ending 2018/2019 full Council’s attention be drawn to the uncertainty created by the current and future levels of inflation and the Government’s reaction to them through capping future grant settlements.

Further to Minute No. 08/23 and 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 a financial forecast for the period up to 2018/19 together with the deliberations of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Corporate and Strategic Framework) thereon.

Having considered information contained in the report, and discussed the uncertainty as to future levels of Government grant and other funding, concerns over the increasing level of fuel and utility costs, the impact of the current economic downturn on land charges income and the implications of possible changes following the review of schemes in the Medium Term Plan, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

  (a)  that the contents of the report be noted; and

  (b)  that in considering the financial forecast for the period ending 2018/2019 the Council’s attention be drawn to the uncertainty created by the current and future levels of inflation and the Government’s reaction to them through capping future grant settlements.

To consider a report by the Head of Policy and Strategic Services seeking approval for the Sustainable Community Strategy.

Recommended to full Council that the revised Sustainable Community Strategy for Huntingdonshire be approved.

Further to Minute No. 08/36 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 invited to consider the content of a revised Sustainable Community Strategy for Huntingdonshire. Whereupon, it was

RESOLVED

  that the Council be recommended to approve the revised Sustainable Community Strategy for Huntingdonshire.

To consider a report by the Head of Policy and Strategic Services reviewing the Council’s Corporate Plan – “Growing Success”.

Recommended to Council that the updated version of “Growing Success” – the Council’s Corporate Plan be adopted.

Consideration was given to a report by the Head of Policy and Strategic Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) to which was attached a revised and enhanced copy of “Growing Success” – the Council’s Corporate Plan.

Having considered the Plan and supporting information and noted comments from and endorsement by the Overview and Scrutiny (Corporate and Strategic Framework), the Cabinet

RESOLVED

  that the Council be recommended to adopt the updated version of “Growing Success” as their Corporate Plan.

To consider a report by the Head of Environmental Management proposing a new environmental improvement scheme for St Ives.

Noted progress of Phase 2 of the St. Ives Environmental Improvements Scheme; approved the principle of the scheme for the purpose of public consultation and its submission to the Huntingdonshire Traffic Area Joint Committee for approval; agreed to seek financial contributions towards the cost of the scheme from Cambridgeshire County Council and St Ives Town Council; and requested that a further report on the scheme’s progress be submitted to a future meeting.

By way of a report by the Head of Environmental Management (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Cabinet considered proposals for Phase 2 of an environmental improvements scheme for the Market Hill and Bridge Street areas of St. Ives.

Members were acquainted with the background to the proposals which had been the subject of scrutiny by an Advisory Group comprising of local County, District and Town Councillors along with Overview and Scrutiny representatives and representatives from local consultative groups such as the Town Centre Partnership, Access Group and the Civic Society.  Having considered three options proposed for the Market Hill area and revised traffic orders for Bridge Street, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

  (a)  that the progress of Phase 2 for St. Ives Environmental Improvements Scheme be noted;

  (b)  that the principle of the scheme for the purpose of public consultation and its submission to the Huntingdonshire Traffic Area Joint Committee for approval be approved;

  (c)  that financial contributions towards the cost of the scheme be sought from Cambridgeshire County Council and St Ives Town Council; and

  (d)  that a further report on the scheme’s progress be submitted to a future meeting.

To consider a report by the Head of Customer Services seeking approval of the Customer Service Strategy Action Plan.

Approved the contents of a Customer Service Strategy Action Plan.

Further to Minute No. 07/106 and by way of a report by the Head of Customer Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Cabinet was invited to consider the content of a Customer Service Strategy Action Plan.

Having been advised that the Action Plan had been considered by the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Corporate and Strategic Framework) at their meeting held on 2nd September 2008, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

  that the contents of the Customer Service Strategy Action Plan be approved.

To consider a report of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Service Delivery) on the options to provide additional cleansing services in the District’s town centres on Sundays.

Recorded their concern that the paper did not address operational issues associated with the scope of the areas to be cleaned and the delivery of the service.  Commented that an additional cleansing service on a Sunday was likely to cause some early morning noise which could be seen as being detrimental to some residents. Requested the Overview and Scrutiny Panel  to investigate further the introduction of Sunday cleansing services in light of the Cabinet’s views and to prepare a proposal for consideration as part of the Council’s Medium Term Plan in due course; Agreed that financial contributions towards the cost of implementing additional cleansing be sought from the various Town Councils and that the use of Alcohol Disorder Zones be investigated.

A report by the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Service Delivery) was submitted (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) which summarised the findings of a study by a Panel Working Group regarding the introduction of additional cleansing services in the District’s town centres on Sundays to deal with the effects of the Saturday night time economy in terms of litter.

In discussing those areas identified as requiring additional cleansing on a Sunday, Members recorded their concern that the paper did not address operational issues associated with the scope of the areas to be cleaned and the delivery of the service.  Particular mention was made to the extensiveness of the areas identified and the need to target specific streets.  The Cabinet commented that an additional cleansing service on a Sunday was likely to cause some early morning noise which could be seen as being detrimental to some residents.

With regard to the overall cost of introducing an additional cleansing service, it was suggested that investigations should be undertaken into the possibility of external funding given the financial constraint already placed upon the Council.

Having been advised of the option of identifying establishments deemed to be responsible for the problems and charging them for making good the area effected via the use of Alcohol Disorder Zones and in acknowledging the impact of litter on Sunday trade and tourism, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

  (a)  that the Overview and Scrutiny Panel be requested to investigate further the introduction of Sunday cleansing services in light of the Cabinet’s views above and to prepare a proposal for consideration as part of the Council’s Medium Term Plan in due course;

  (b)  that financial contributions towards the cost of implementing additional cleansing be sought from the various Town Councils; and

  (c)  that the use of Alcohol Disorder Zones be investigated.

To consider a report by the Head of Environmental & Community Health Services regarding the adoption of local standards for the provision of sports facilities in Huntingdonshire.

Agreed to the adoption of local standards for the provision of core sports facilities in Huntingdonshire.

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 the adoption of local standards for the provision of core sports facilities in Huntingdonshire.

In so doing, Members’ attention was drawn to the following key drivers for the adoption of local standards:-

¨  the need to plan strategically and ensure sustainability of provision;

¨  the need to inform the local development framework (LDF), and supplementary planning documents and set out expectations for Section 106 contributions from developers towards future sports facility provision;

¨  the priorities and objectives for the sustainable community strategy;

¨  the need to identify what provision is needed in St. Neots, given the significant population increases planned for this area;

¨  the requirement to identify the needs of those living in rural areas where accessibility to sports facilities is more limited;

¨  the need to increase participation in sport at local level (LAA target);

¨  the emerging opportunities for Partnerships – Building Schools for the Future, National Governing Bodies, Sports Clubs etc.

Having been advised that the adoption of standards will assist in maintaining an appropriate range of sports facilities in the District to meet future need and will eventually lead to the development of a Leisure Facilities Strategy, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

  that the Local Standards appended to the report now submitted be adopted for the provision of core sports facilities in Huntingdonshire.

To consider a report by the Head of Administration inviting the Cabinet to establish a Working Group to review the existing Council structure in the light of experience and recent legislative change.

Appointed Councillors Mrs M Banerjee, K J Churchill, T Clough, S Criswell, T Sanderson, Ms M Thomas, G Thorpe and R G Tuplin to a Working Group to review the existing Council Structure.

By way of a report by the Head of Administration (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Cabinet was invited to establish a Working Group to review the existing Council Structure in the light of experience and recent legislative change.

Having noted that the review was expected to be concluded by the end of 2008 with a view to implementing any changes in the new municipal year, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

  that a Council Structure Working Group comprising Councillor Mrs M Banerjee, K J Churchill, T Clough, S Criswell, T Sanderson, Ms M Thomas, G Thorpe and R G Tuplin be established to assist with the review.

To receive the report of the meeting of the Safety Advisory Group held on 11^th June 2008.

Noted the report of the meeting of the Safety Advisory Group held on 11th June 2008.

The report of the meeting of the Safety Advisory Group held on 11th June 2008 was received and noted.

To receive the notes of the meeting of the Advisory Group held on 5^th August 2008.

Received the notes of the meeting of the Customer First and Accommodation Advisory Group held on 5th August 2008

The notes of the meeting of the Customer First and Accommodation Advisory Group held on 5th August 2008 were received and noted.

  that the press and public be excluded from the meeting because the business to be transacted contains exempt information relating to the financial affairs of particular persons (including the authority holding that information).

RESOLVED

  that the public be excluded from the meeting because the business to be transacted contains exempt information relating to negotiations for the disposal of land or property.

To consider a report by the Head of Housing Services and of Legal and Estates regarding the disposal of Council owned land at Mayfield Road, Huntingdon.

Approved the disposal of Council-owned land at Mayfield Road, Huntingdon.

The Cabinet considered a joint report by the Heads of Housing Services and of Legal and Estates (a copy of which is appended in the Annex to the Minute Book) seeking approval for the disposal of Council-owned land at Mayfield Road, Huntingdon.

RESOLVED

  that the disposal of land at Mayfield Road, Huntingdon be approved on the terms set out in the report now submitted.