Agenda, decisions and minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 21^st January 2010.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 21st January 2010 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 21st January 2010 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.

No declarations were received.

No declarations were received.

With the assistance of a report by the Head of Financial Services to consider the 2010/11 Budget and Medium Term Plan.

Recommended the proposed budget, Medium Term Plan and Financial Strategy to Council for approval; recommended an increase of £3.02 (2.5%) in Council Tax, representing a level of £124.17 for Band D properties for 2010/2011 be approved; and that the Director of Commerce and Technology, after consultation with the Leader, Executive Councillor for Finance and the relevant Chief Officers, be authorised to manage the special reserve.

Further to Minute No. 09/58 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 number of variations to the assumptions made previously for the purpose of preparing the draft Financial Strategy, Medium Term Plan (MTP), the budget and associated level of Council Tax for 2010/2011, together with the deliberations of the Overview and Scrutiny (Economic Well-Being) Panel thereon.

Having noted comments arising from the consultation with the business community on expenditure proposals and in acknowledging the contribution of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel for their considerations, the Cabinet

RECOMMENDED

  (a)  that the proposed budget, Medium Term Plan and Financial Strategy appended to the report now submitted be approved;

  (b)  that an increase of £3.02 (2.5%) in Council Tax, representing a level of £124.17 for a Band D property for 2010/2011 be approved; and

  (c)  that the Director of Commerce and Technology, after consultation with the Leader, Executive Councillor for Finance, and relevant Chief Officers be authorised to manage the special reserve referred to in paragraph 5.3 of the report.

To consider a report by the Head of Financial Services containing a proposed Treasury Management Strategy, which is required under the Council’s Code of Financial Management.

recommended to the Council that the following be approved; the Treasury Management Strategy for 2010/2011, the Treasury Management Indicators and Prudential Indicators for 2010/2011; and the scrutiny of Treasury Management be undertaken by the Overview and Scrutiny (Economic Well-Being) Panel.

With the aid of a report by the Head of Financial Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Cabinet considered the contents of a proposed Treasury Management Strategy for 2010/2011.  The views of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Economic Well-Being) were received (copies of which also are appended in the Minute Book).

Having noted changes to the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy's Treasury Management Code of Practice, and in particular a requirement for Council’s to nominate where the responsibility for scrutinising Treasury Management would be undertaken, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

  that the Council be recommended to approve:-

·  the Treasury Management Strategy for 2010/11 as appended to the report now submitted;

·  the Treasury Management Indicators and Prudential Indicators for 2010/11; and

·  the scrutiny of Treasury Management be undertaken by the Overview and Scrutiny (Economic Well-Being) Panel.

To consider a report by the Head of Planning Services outlining the findings of a meeting by the Car Parking Working Group convened to discuss the operational issues of introducing an area of free car parking for recreational use at the Riverside Car Park, St Neots as part of the revised Off-Street Parking Places Order 2010.

Agreed to include the provision of 38 spaces offering 2 hours free parking in a demarcated area at Riverside Car Park, St. Neots as part of a revised Off-Street Parking Places Order 2010 for planned implementation on 1st June 2010, requested the Members Car Parking Working Group to consider those issues raised by the Overview and Scrutiny (Environmental Well-Being) Panel and the promotion of environmental issues at the end of the statutory consultation period; and authorised the Director of Environment and Community Services, after consultation with Executive Councillor for Planning Strategy and Transport, to make and confirm Off-Street Parking Places Orders in future years involving any changes of minor significance and reviews of charges in line with inflation.

Further to Minute No. 09/59 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 in relation to the operational aspect of introducing an element of two hours free parking for recreational users of Riverside Park, St. Neots.

In so doing, Executive Councillors were reminded that proposals to introduce charging at Cambridge Street and Riverside Car Park in St. Neots were being developed as part of a revised Off-Street Parking Places Order 2010 targeted for implementation from 1st June 2010. 

Having recognised the importance of the Riverside as a recreational area and the difficulties of enforcement if all spaces were made free for the first two hours, the Working Group had recommended that an element of free parking be provided.  This demarcated area would consist of 38 spaces providing free parking for up to 2 hours. In that context the Cabinet was acquainted with the views of the Overview and Scrutiny (Environmental Well-Being) Panel which had identified a variety of local circumstances which suggested a more extensive free parking policy.  As provision had been made in the budget for additional income from charges with effect from 1^st June, the Cabinet recognised that progress was required urgently if a shortfall in the budget was to be avoided.  The Cabinet therefore concluded that the order should be made and advertised and the views of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel considered together with any comments from the public at the end of the statutory consultation procedure before an order is confirmed. Whereupon, it was

RESOLVED

(a)  that the provision of 38 spaces offering 2 hours free parking in a demarcated area at Riverside Car Park, St. Neots be included as part of an Off-Street Parking Places Order 2010 for planned implementation on 1st June 2010;

(b)  that the Car Parking Working Group be requested to consider those issues raised by the Overview and Scrutiny (Environmental Well-Being) Panel and the promotion of environmental issues at the end of the statutory consultation period; and

(c)  that the Director of Environment and Community Services be authorised, after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Planning Strategy and Transport, to make and confirm Off-Street Parking Places Orders in future years involving any changes of minor significance and reviews of charges in line with inflation.

To consider a report by the Head of Planning Services on the Local Development Scheme for Huntingdonshire (a copy of the draft scheme is enclosed with Member’s copies only).

Endorsed the content of a revised Local Development Scheme for Huntingdonshire for submission to the Secretary of State and authorised the Head of Planning Services, after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Planning Strategy and Transport, to make any minor changes to the draft Local Development Scheme, as he considers necessary following informal consultation with Go-East.

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 the content of a revised Local Development Scheme for Huntingdonshire.

The Cabinet noted that changes to the scheme had arisen as a result of new regulations on development plan document production and from the need to amend the anticipated timetables for the production of various Development Plan Documents since the adoption of the Core Strategy.  Whereupon, it was

RESOLVED

  (a)  that the revised Local Development Scheme, appended to the report now submitted, be endorsed for submission to the Secretary of State; and

  (b)  that prior to its submission to the Secretary of State, the Head of Planning Services be authorised, after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Planning Strategy and Transport, to make any minor changes to the draft Local Development Scheme, as he considers necessary following informal consultation with Go-East.

To consider a report by the Head of Planning Services on the proposed Development Management Submission Document (a copy of the draft submission is enclosed with Members’ copies only).

noted the content of the proposed submission document for Development Management along with the responses received on the proposals set out in a Statement of Consultation and recommended its approval to Council. Also recommended to Council that authority be given to the Head of Planning Services, after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Planning Strategy and Transport, 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 publication; and to complete the final submission for Development Management DPD and associated documents including a summary of the main issues raised in final representations and to submit these to the Secretary of State.

Further to Minute No. 08/100, 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 Development Management along with the responses received on the proposals set out in a Statement of Consultation.

Members were reminded that the DPD formed part of the Local Development Framework, would support the Core Strategy and East of England Plan and would set out the Council's policies for managing development in Huntingdonshire including the assessment and determination of planning applications. 

Having received the views of the Overview and Scrutiny (Environmental Well-Being) Panel on the matter, the Cabinet

RECOMMENDED

(a)  that the draft proposed submission document for Development Management be approved;

(b)  that the Head of Planning Services be authorised, after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Planning Strategy and Transport, 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 publication; and

(c)  that the Head of Planning Services be authorised, after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Planning Strategy and Transport, to complete the final submission for Development Management DPD and associated documents including a summary of the main issues raised in final representations and to submit these documents to the Secretary of State.

With the assistance of a report by the Head of Customer Services to review the Council’s policy for assessing entitlement to discretionary rate relief.

Approved the proposed discretionary rate relief policy for applications relating to 2010/2011 onwards; agreed to review the rateable value mentioned in the policy every five years on the occasion of the new ratings lists, authorised the Head of Revenue Services and the Local Taxation Manager to grant relief under the policy, agreed to optimise "Part Occupation" relief (S44a) in appropriate cases for a maximum of twelve months, subject to prevailing legislation on unoccupied rating, agreed that “Rural Rate Relief (S47) continue to be granted in appropriate cases, subject to the Rural Settlement List with a provision of 100% relief for rural post offices; authorised the Head of Customer Services, after consultation with the Executive Member for Finance, to grant "Hardship Relief" (S49) on the merits of individual cases; and authorised the Director of Commerce and Technology to deal with appeals from applicants dissatisfied with the determination made by the Head of Revenue Services and the Local Taxation Manager.

The Cabinet received a report by the Head of Customer Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) reviewing the Council's policy for assessing entitlement to discretional rate relief which was last reviewed in October 2005.

Having considered the information contained in the report, current awards and associated costs for 2009/10, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

  (a)  that the proposed discretionary rate relief policy as set out in Appendix A to the report now submitted be approved for applications relating to 2010/2011 onwards;

  (b)  that the rateable value as mentioned in the policy be reviewed every five years on the occasion of the new ratings lists;

  (c)  that the Head of Revenue Services and the Local Taxation Manager be authorised to grant relief under the policy;

  (d)  that "Part Occupation" relief (S44a) be optimised in appropriate cases for a maximum of twelve months, subject to prevailing legislation on unoccupied rating;

  (e)  that “Rural Rate Relief (S47) continue to be granted in appropriate cases, subject to the Rural Settlement List with a provision of 100% relief for rural post offices;

  (f)  that the Head of Customer Services, after consultation with the Executive Member for Finance, be authorised to grant "Hardship Relief" (S49) on the merits of individual cases; and

  (g)  that the Director of Commerce and Technology be authorised to deal with appeals from applicants dissatisfied with the determination made by the Head of Revenue Services and the Local Taxation Manager.

To consider a report by the Head of Operations on the health and safety aspects of emptying the 1100 litre wheeled bins at bring sites.

Noted revised working arrangements for moving 1,000 litre wheeled bins at bring sites.

Further to Minute No. 09/35, and with the assistance of a report by the Head of Operations (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Cabinet were acquainted with revised working arrangements for moving 1,000 litre wheeled bins at bring sites.

Members were advised that collections have been re-scheduled so that employees attend all know heavily used locations together and instructions issued that if an employee finds that a bin is too heavy to move when working alone, he should not attempt to move it. Having been advised that these new arrangements address the concerns previously expressed by the Safety Advisory Group, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

  that the contents of the report now submitted be noted.

To consider a report by the Head of Planning Services on the proposed governance arrangements to support the master planning process for the St Neots Eastern Expansion.

Noted proposed governance arrangements required to support the master planning process from the St. Neots Eastern Expansion and the development of a project members steering group. Delegated the appointment of four Members to the Steering Group to the Chief Executive, after consultation with the Deputy Leader of the Council.

Consideration was given to a report by the Head of Planning Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) outlining governance arrangements required to support the master planning process from the St. Neots Eastern Expansion.

Members were advised that a Delivery Board would be developed to manage the implementation of the plan involving representatives of Cambridgeshire Horizons and the District Council.  Having considered also Member involvement and governance arrangements for a Project Members’ Steering Group which would report directly to the Board, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

  that the proposed governance proposals for the development of the St. Neots Eastern Expansion be noted and the appointment of four Members to the Project Steering Group delegated to the Chief Executive, after consultation with the Deputy Leader of the Council.