Agenda, decisions and minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 22^nd October 2009.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 22nd October 2009 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 22nd October 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 T V Rogers declared a personal and prejudicial interest in Minute No. 61 by virtue of a family connection with a potential retail development on the site.

Councillor I C Bates declared a personal interest in Minute No. 63 by virtue of his membership of Cambridgeshire Horizons.

Councillor I C Bates and K J Churchill declared personal interests in Minute No. 68 by virtue of their membership of Cambridgeshire County Council.

To consider a report by the Head of Financial Services.

  Recommended the draft Medium Term Financial Plan to full Council as the basis for the development of the 2010/2011 budget, the revised MTP to 2014/2015 and the Financial Strategy to 2023/2024.

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 present position on the draft 2010/2011 budget, the Medium Term Plan for the period up to 2014/2015 and the longer term financial forecast to 2023/2024.

In reviewing the issues involved, Members’ attention was drawn to the conclusions reached by the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Economic Well-Being) on the proposals for Huntingdon bus station, public toilets and the arts service. In that respect, Members concurred with the Panel that the level of spending proposed for Huntingdon bus station should be considered further and that investigations into other lower cost options should be undertaken.  In that respect, the Executive Councillors for Environment and Information Technology and for Planning Strategy and Transport agreed to revisit the proposals. 

With regard to the proposal to transfer responsibility for public toilets, Members’ attention was drawn to the initial reactions of the town councils to the proposal and noted that they would be meeting to discuss a collective response.

Reference having been made to the proposal to end the Council’s direct activities in the arts, Members noted that the Council would retain a role through grant funding for a limited range of activities for arts in rural areas and for young people. Under the circumstances, it was

RESOLVED

  that the draft Medium Term Financial Plan be recommended to Council as the basis for the development of the 2010/2011 budget, the revised MTP to 2014/2015 and the Financial Strategy to 2023/2024.

With the assistance of a report by the Head of Planning Services, to consider the findings of the Member Car Parking Working Group into the revised charging arrangements and other operational changes that came into effect on 1^st October 2008 following the review of the Council’s Car Parking Policy.

Approved the recommendations of the Members Car Parking Working Group for further development, with a view to a report being considered at a future meeting as part of a revised Off-Street Parking Places Order 2010 for implementation from 1st June 2010 and invited the Group to consider those issues highlighted, specifically the promotion of environmental objectives as part of their preparations for the scheduled, comprehensive review of car parking in 2010.

Further to Minute No. 07/99 and by way of a report by the Head of Planning Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Cabinet were acquainted with the findings of the Members Car Parking Working Group into the revised charging arrangements and other operational changes that came into effect on 1st October 2008 following the review of the Council's Car Parking Policy.

In so doing, attention was drawn to a series of recommendations addressing a number of issues that have arisen as a result of the previously approved action plan.  In considering the Group's conclusions, specifically the need to review the season ticket scheme given the anomalies relating to town boundaries, the Cabinet expressed disappointment that the Group apparently, had not considered environmental issues and the opportunity to promote changes to travel patterns.  However, Executive Councillors acknowledged that the Group’s work constituted an interim review and noted that wider environmental issues such as encouraging the use of low emission vehicles, public transport, cycling and walking would be dealt in the next scheduled review of the car parking action plan.

With regard to the Group’s recommendation to introduce charging at Cambridge Street and the Riverside, St Neots with some free parking for a two hour period at the Riverside to support its recreational use, Executive Councillors expressed concern over the lack of detail for the management of this arrangement at this stage.

In discussing the Overview and Scrutiny (Environmental Well-Being) Panel’s response to the Group’s proposals, the Cabinet has reiterated the need to make representations to Cambridgeshire County Council over the perceived adverse effects on the District Council’s parking income and policies should they proceed with their decision to permit parking at the new Cambridgeshire Guided Bus Scheme “Park and Ride” site free of charge. Whereupon, it was

RESOLVED

  (a)  that the recommendations of the Members Car Parking Working Group set out in Sections 3 and 4 of the report now submitted be approved for further development, with a view to a report being considered at a future meeting as part of a revised Off-Street Parking Places Order 2010 for implementation from 1st June 2010; and

  (b)  that the Members Car Parking Working Party be invited to consider those issues highlighted, specifically the promotion of environmental objectives as part of their preparations for the scheduled, comprehensive review of car parking in 2010.

To consider a report by the Head of Planning Services on the draft Cambridgeshire Integrated Development Programme.

Noted the work of Cambridgeshire Horizons and the Cambridgeshire authorities in producing an integrated development programme.

By way of a report by the Head of Planning Services, the Cabinet has been acquainted with the work of Cambridgeshire Horizons and the Cambridgeshire authorities in producing an integrated development programme.

The programme brings together the various planning documents available to identify the infrastructure needs on a sub-regional basis.  Members were advised that the exercise has been useful in determining strategic and local infrastructure along with levels of tariff in viability terms that could be applied in Cambridgeshire and would be an essential tool to guide future development.  Whereupon, it was

RESOLVED

  that the contents of the report be noted. 

With the assistance of a report by the Head of Planning Services, to consider the contents of the Huntingdon West Area Action Plan.

Endorsed the contents of the Huntingdon West Area Action Plan for submission to full Council for approval; authorised the Head of Planning Services, after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Planning Strategy, to make any minor textual amendments to the documents and to approve the Statement of Consultation, Sustainability Appraisal, Habitat Regulations Assessment and Equality Impact Assessment prior to their publication and to complete the final submission for the Huntingdon West Area Action Plan and associated documents including a summary of the main issues raised in final representations and submission to the Secretary of State.

Further to Minute No. 09/146 and by way of a report by the Head of Planning Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Cabinet were acquainted with the content of the proposed submission document for the Huntingdon West Area Action Plan along with the responses received on the proposals set out in a Statement of Consultation.  Whereupon, it was

RESOLVED

  (a)  that the contents of the report be noted and the draft proposed submission document for the Huntingdon West Area Action Plan submitted to full Council for approval;

  (b)  that the Head of Planning Services be authorised, after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Planning Strategy, to make any minor textual amendments to the documents and to approve the Statement of Consultation, Sustainability Appraisal, Habitat Regulations Assessment and Equality Impact Assessment prior to their publication; and

  (c)  that the Head of Planning Services be authorised, after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Planning Strategy, to complete the final submission for the Huntingdon West Area Action Plan and associated documents including a summary of the main issues raised in final representations and submission to the Secretary of State.

To consider a joint report by the Heads of Planning and Housing Services on the requirement for Councils to make provision for travellers’ transit sites.

Noted the recommendation of the Gypsy and Traveller DPD Steering Group and supported the principle of searching for a transit site for Gypsies and Travellers and instructed officers to consider further the logistics of providing a site and prepare a bid for a Government grant at the appropriate time.

Further to Minute No. 09/23 consideration was given to a report by the Heads of Planning Services and of Housing Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) which outlined the implications of the East of England Plan Policy on Gypsies and Travellers and in particular a requirement for Council’s to make provision for transit sites.

Members were advised that it was likely that some form of transit provision would be required in the District particularly given demand along the A1/A1(M) corridor and the basis of the RSS guidance.  Having concurred with the recommendations of the Gypsy and Traveller DPD Steering Group, that a search for a site on which to establish a transit site should be undertaken, subject to Government funding forthcoming, and in recognising the advantages of having a formal and managed site, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

  (a)  that the recommendation of the Gypsy and Traveller DPD Steering Group be noted and the principle of searching for a transit site for Gypsies and Travellers supported; and

  (b)  that officers be instructed to consider further the logistics of providing a site and prepare a bid for a Government grant at the appropriate time.

To consider a report by the Head of Planning Services.

Endorsed the Council’s response to a series of questions by EERA on four possible growth scenarios for the region for the period up to 2031. Requested that officers continue to work with all of the other Cambridgeshire authorities in order that, as far as possible, an appropriately co-ordinated joint response on behalf of the County can be submitted to EERA and authorised the Executive Member of Planning Strategy, to agree any alterations to the Council's position which may become necessary should new circumstances arise, submit any appropriate amended responses to EERA before the response deadline and to continue to liaise with the other Cambridgeshire authorities.

Further to Minute No. 08/24 and by way of a report by the Head of Planning Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Cabinet were invited to consider suggested responses to a series of questions by EERA on four possible growth scenarios for the region for the period up to 2031 as part of the on going review of the Regional Spatial Strategy.

Having considered the contents of the report and the deliberations of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Environmental Well-Being) on the matter, it was

RESOLVED

  (a)  that the contents of the report be noted and the Council's response to EERA's proposals endorsed;

  (b)  that officers continue to work with all of the other Cambridgeshire authorities in order that, as far as possible, an appropriately co-ordinated joint response can be submitted to EERA; and

  (c)  that the Executive Member of Planning Strategy, be authorised to agree any alterations to the Council's position may become necessary should new circumstances arise, submit any appropriate amended responses to EERA before the response deadline and to continue to liaise with the other Cambridgeshire authorities.

To consider a report by the Head of Environmental Management seeking the Council’s support for the 10:10 Campaign and a commitment to reduce its carbon emissions by 2010.

Authorised the formal register the Council’s support for the 10:10 climate change campaign and supported the promotion of the campaign widely within the district.

By way of a report by the Head of Environmental Management (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Cabinet were acquainted with progress on the background to a community wide 10:10 climate change campaign. Members were advised that the campaign was targeting individuals, companies and institutions to pledge a reduction in their carbon footprint by 10% during 2010.  Having acknowledged the contribution that the campaign would make in achieving the targets in the Council's Environmental Strategy and Carbon Management Plan, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

  (a)  that the Leader of the Council and the Chief Executive be authorised to formally register the Council's support for the 10:10 Climate Change Campaign and therefore commit to a reduction in the Council’s carbon emissions of at least 10% during 2010;

  (b)  that the promotion of the 10:10 Climate Change Campaign to the widest possible audience within the District be supported.

To consider a report by the Heads of Environment & Community Services and of Democratic and Central Services outlining the implications for the Council of the Regulatory Enforcement and Sanctions Act 2008.

Noted the implications of the Regulatory Enforcement and Sanctions Act 2008, which came into effect in October 2008.

The Cabinet were acquainted by way of a joint report by the Heads of Environmental and Community Health Services and of Democratic and Central Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) with the implications of the Regulatory Enforcement and Sanctions Act 2008 which had come into effect in October 2008.

Members were advised that the Act was an important element in delivering the Government's commitment to the implementation of the Hampton Agenda on regulatory reform and the reduction of the burden on businesses.  It was reported that a range of enforcement policies would need to be updated to reflect the requirements of the Act and that there would be a continuing requirement for enforcement policies to be reviewed and updated where appropriate.  Having noted that the Licensing and Protection Panel had authorised officers to review enforcement policies as and when appropriate, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

  that the contents of the report now submitted be noted.

To consider a report by the Head of Democratic and Central Services.

Recommended the Statement of Principles under the Gambling Act 2005 to full Council for approval to come into effect from the 31st January 2010 for a period of three years.

Further to Minute No. 117/06 and with the assistance of a report by the Head of Democratic and Central Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Cabinet were invited to consider the content of a revised Statement of Principles under the provisions of the Gambling Act 2005.  Having noted that the statement had been updated to take into account the latest regulations and guidance issued by the Gambling Commission, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

  that the Council be recommended to approve the Statement of Principles appended to the report now submitted with effect from the 31st January 2010 for a period of three years.

To resolve:-

that the public be excluded from the meeting because the business to be transacted contains exempt information relating to the financial or business affairs of particular persons.

RESOLVED

  that the public be excluded from the meeting because the business to be transacted contains exempt information relating to the financial or business affairs of particular persons.

With the aid of a report by the Estates and Property Manager to consider development proposals for land adjacent to the Grand Cinema in Ramsey.

Agreed terms for the disposal of 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 housing and authorised the Director of Central Services, after consultation with the Executive Councillors for Finance and for Resources and Policy, to approve the terms for the shared use of the County Council premises.

Further to Minute No. 07/32, the Cabinet considered a report by the Estates and Property Manager (a copy of which is appended in the 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 housing.

Having considered issues surrounding the relocation of the Ramsey Customer Service Centre, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

  (a)  that the disposal of land adjacent to the former Grand Cinema in Ramsey be approved on the terms set out in paragraph 3 of the report now submitted; and

  (b)  that the Director of Central Services be authorised, after consultation with the Executive Councillors for Finance and for Resources and Policy, to approve the terms for the shared use of the County Council premises.