Agenda, decisions and minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 17th April 2009.  (TO FOLLOW).

The Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 17th April 2009 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 Nos. 149 and 151 by virtue of being a member of Cambridgeshire County Council.

Councillor C R Hyams declared a personal interest in Minute Nos. 149 and 151 by virtue of being a member of Cambridgeshire County Council and in Minute No. 147 by virtue of having a family member who was employed by a planning consultant.

To consider a report by the Head of Financial Services highlighting variations from the approved Capital Programme for 2008/09.

Agreed to Note the variations within 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 to the Capital Programme in the current year, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

  (a)  that the report be received and the expenditure and timing variations noted; and

  (b)  that the estimated capital and revenue impact also be noted.

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

The forecast spending variations, the potential VAT reclaim and the position on debts collected and written off were noted.

The Cabinet received a report by the Head of Financial Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) on the projected revenue budget outturn for 2008/09 together with details of variations from a previous forecast.  The report also highlighted the effect on services of economic trends.  With regard to a proposal to establish a "Recession Rserve" to maintain affected services, Executive Members were of the view that a decision in this respect should be deferred pending receipt of the outturn figures.  Having noted the potential implications of a claim for the refund of VAT payments, it was

RESOLVED

  that the forecast variations in the revenue budget for 2008/09 be noted.

It was decided not to proceed with the improvements scheme.

A further report was requested on a limited scheme of maintenance.

Consideration was given to a joint report by the Heads of Planning, Operations and Environmental Management Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) on the outcome of public consultation on proposals to improve Riverside Park, Huntingdon.  As a result of the views expressed and given the current economic climate, it was suggested that a further review of the programme of work should be undertaken.

RESOLVED

  that a further report be submitted in due course.

Subject to minor changes to paragraphs 3.11 and 7.1.14 the Huntingdon West Area Action Plan - Preferred Approach was approved for further consultation.

The Head of Planning Services was authorised, after consultation with the Executive Member for Planning Strategy, to make any further minor amendments and approve the Sustainability Appraisal.

(Councillor T D Sanderson was in attendance for consideration of this Item).

With the aid of a report by the Head of Planning Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Cabinet were reminded of the background to the Huntingdon West Area Action Plan.  Executive Councillors were acquainted with the contents of the Plan and, in particular, they discussed the Council's proposal for a west of town centre link road.  In expressing their support for the new road, Executive Councillors took into account the views of Councillor T D Sanderson.  Having noted the comments of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Service Support) on the Plan, and subject to amendments in paragraph 3.11 to include expressions of support for measures to address problems at Hinchingbrooke Park Road and for opportunities to enhance access to and from the de-trunked A14 and to paragraph 7.1.14 to refer to the need to provide the link road after the A14 had been de-trunked and with the support of developer contributions, it was

RESOLVED

  (a)  that the Huntingdon West Area Action Plan Preferred Approach be approved for further consultation; and

  (b)  that the Head of Planning Services, after consultation with the Executive Member for Planning Strategy, be authorised to make any minor amendments and approve the sustainability appraisal.

To consider a report by the Head of Planning Services regarding the partnership working that has taken place between all the Cambridgeshire Authorities as part of the Regional Spatial Strategy Review.

Consideration was given to a report by the Head of Planning Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) on progress made by Cambridgeshire local authorities towards completing its response to the request by the East of England Regional Assembly (EERA) for information to inform the Regional Spatial Strategy Review.  Executive Councillors were acquainted with the background to the review and the contents of the draft Cambridgeshire submission.  Following recent discussions on the review by the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Service Support), the Cabinet adopted a number of principles for responding to EERA, together with a suggestion for testing options for higher growth.

RESOLVED

(a)  that the positive partnership working that has taken place between all of the Cambridgeshire Authorities with regard to developing a co-ordinated response to these fundamentally important strategic planning issues be noted;

(b)  that the on-going assessment work that is being commissioned to consider in more detail the potential environmental capacity and implications of further strategic growth in Huntingdonshire be endorsed;

(c)   that the County Council Cabinet be requested to take appropriate account of the District Council’s statements of support and its stated concerns as set out in Paragraph 4.2 of the report now submitted and to amend the basis of its suggested advice to EERA;

(d)  that the submission of a suitably amended Cambridgeshire position to EERA in response to their request for initial strategic planning advice from the 4/4 Authorities be supported; and

(e)  that the following principles when responding to the EERA proposal be adopted -

  (i)  that the emerging ‘Cambridgeshire Growth Strategy’ is underpinned by a positive commitment to a highly sustainable approach that will both direct policy development and influence the proposed spatial pattern of development;

  (ii)  that the emerging ‘Cambridgeshire Growth Strategy’ principally reinforces and builds upon the established subsequential approach to the direction of further growth within Cambridgeshire;

  (iii)  that the emerging ‘Cambridgeshire Growth Strategy’ acknowledges that there is limited capacity for additional growth above the established RSS levels and therefore that any targets for growth up to 2031 must reflect the lower rather than the higher NHPAU scenarios;

  (iv)  that the emerging ‘Cambridgeshire Growth Strategy’ acknowledges the need to utilise the capacity of, and the opportunities created by, existing and committed transport and other infrastructure provision;

  (v)  that the emerging ‘Cambridgeshire Growth Strategy’ acknowledges the essential needs to co-locate homes with jobs.  As the economic models favour jobs growth in the south of the County and acknowledge the challenges associated with potential job creation in the north of the County, then that is where the majority of new homes need to be located;

(vi)  that the emerging ‘Cambridgeshire Growth Strategy’ recognises that whilst the market towns could sustainably accommodate some further growth, and indeed such growth could aid their regeneration, these market towns do have environmental capacities that need to be respected; and

(vii)  that EERA should test options for higher growth across the whole of Cambridgeshire rather than only in Huntingdonshire.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 146a

The Sports Facility Strategy for Huntingdonshire was adopted for implementation.

Having given consideration to a report by the Head of Environmental and Community Health Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) to which was attached the draft Sports Facilities Strategy for Huntingdonshire 2009 - 2014 and with the aid of comments by the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Service Delivery), it was

RESOLVED

  that the Sports Facilities Strategy for Huntingdonshire 2009 - 2014 be adopted for implementation.

To consider a report by the Head of Planning and Financial Services on consultation responses received in respect of the draft Masterplan for land formerly east of Sapley Square, Oxmoor and seeking approval for its adoption as interim planning guidance.

Progress through the various stage of consultation was noted and the proposed amendments to the ‘Preferred Option’ for the Master Plan as set out in section 3 of the report in response to comments made by local people and stakeholders during the consultation held during February and March 2009 were endorsed.

The master plan document, attached as Annex C to the report, was approved as informal planning guidance for the comprehensive development of the land mostly to the east of Sapley Square.

The principles of implementation set out in section 5 of the report were endorsed.

By means of a report by the Heads of Planning and of Financial Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Cabinet were acquainted with the outcome of consultation on options for inclusion in a Master Plan for the development of land to the East of Sapley Square, Huntingdon.  Having noted the principles to be adopted during the implementation of the plan, it was

RESOLVED

  (a)  that progress through the various stage of consultation be noted and the proposed amendments to the ‘Preferred Option’ for the Master Plan as set out in section 3 of the report now submitted in response to comments made by local people and stakeholders during the consultation held during February and March 2009 be endorsed;

  (b)  that the master plan document, attached as Annex C to the report now submitted, be approved as informal planning guidance for the comprehensive development of the land mostly to the east of Sapley Square; and

  (c)  that the principles of implementation set out in section 5 of the report now submitted be endorsed.

To consider a report by the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Service Support) on options for the Huntingdon West Area Action Plan.  (TO FOLLOW)

To consider a report by the Head of Planning Services on a suggested preferred approach for taking forward the Huntingdon West Area Action Plan.

To consider a report by the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Service Delivery) on the outcome of consultation on a Masterplan for the Riverside Park, Huntingdon.  (TO FOLLOW)

To consider a joint report by the Heads of Planning Services, Operations and Environmental Management Services on consultation responses received on a Masterplan for improvements to the Riverside Park.

The progress of the scheme and the results of the consultation were noted.

The St Ives Environmental Improvements project was deferred for three years to allow time for the production of a scheme which meets the majority of the requirements of the interested parties and would not proceed without commitments by the County Council and St Ives Town Council to make financial contributions to the project.

Agreed to forward the results of the Bridge Street consultation to the County Council to take forward any amendments to the parking order regarding the loading bays and the disabled bays.

The Panel considered a report by the Head of Environmental Management (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) on the views expressed during consultation on options for environmental improvements to Market Hill, St. Ives.  As there had been no consensus on a preferred option and in the current financial climate together with St. Ives plans to mark its 800th Anniversary, it was decided to defer the improvement works for three years to enable a scheme more adequately reflecting the wishes of residents and for contributions to be sought from the County and Town Councils.  It was, however, agreed to report to the County Council the results of the consultation on arrangements for traffic management in Bridge Street to take any necessary action.

RESLOVED

(a)  that the progress of the scheme and the results of the consultation be noted;

(b)  that the St Ives Environmental Improvements project be deferred for three years to allow time for the production of a scheme which meets the majority of the requirements of the interested parties and will not proceed without commitments by the County Council and St Ives Town Council to make financial contributions to the project; and

(c)  that the results of the Bridge Street consultation be sent to the County Council to take forward any amendments to the parking order regarding the loading bays and the disabled bays.

The findings of the review of the scheme and the planned enhancements to Home-Link were noted.

The amended Lettings Policy was adopted.

The Cabinet received and noted a report by the Head of Housing Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) on the findings of a review of Home-Link and the Council's lettings policy.  Having taken into account the views of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Service Delivery), it was

RESOLVED

  (a)  that the findings of the review of the scheme and the planned enhancements to Home-Link be noted; and

  (b)  that the amended lettings policy appended to the report now submitted be adopted.

To consider a report by the Acting Manager of Sustainable Economic Development seeking authority to sign up for the small business engagement accord.

Agreed to sign the Small Business Engagement Accord.

The Executive Councillor with responsibility for Resources & Policy and the Sustainable Economic Development Manager was nominated as the council’s representatives to promote effective engagement with the business community.

Noted that, in addition to annual and specific consultation initiated by the Council, the Economic Prosperity and Skills Group at the Huntingdonshire Strategic Partnership has been identified as the main route for engagement with the business community.

In considering a report by the Acting Economic Development Manager (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) proposing the adoption of the Federation of Small Businesses Accord, Executive Councillors were informed that adopting the Accord would formalise existing practice.

RESOLVED

  (a)  that the signing of the Small Business Engagement Accord be endorsed;

  (b)  that the Executive Councillor with responsibility for Resources and Policy and the Sustainable Economic Development Manager be nominated as the Council's representatives to promote effective engagement with the business community; and

  (c)  that, in addition to annual and specific consultation initiated by the Council, it be noted that the Economic Prosperity and Skills Group of the Huntingdonshire Strategic Partnership has been identified as the main route for engagement with the business community.