Agenda, decisions and minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 18^th November 2010.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 18th November 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 overleaf.

No declarations were received.

With the assistance of a report by the Head of Customer Services to consider revised rural settlement lists.

Approved the revised rural settlement list for Huntingdonshire.

The Cabinet considered a report by the Head of Customer Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) on the boundaries of rural settlements for the purposes of the Local Government and Rating Act 1997.

In considering an amended draft rural settlement list for Huntingdonshire, Members were advised that changes had been necessary as a result of the growth and expansion experienced in some rural areas. 

RESOLVED

  that the revised rural settlement list, as appended  to the report now submitted, be approved and made available for inspection as required.

To consider a report by the Head of Environmental Management on the Council’s Environment Strategy.

noted the contents of the report and the assessment of current performance against the aims and objectives of the Council's Environment Strategy; endorsed the current and future priorities outlined in the review document for the remainder of the strategy, specifically the focus on carbon management and the implementation of spend to save projects in the area to enable further significant reductions in cost-savings to the Council; and supported the publication of the strategy review document and greater participation by communities encouraged to promote the strategy's aims and objectives.

With the assistance of a report by the Head of Environmental Management (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Cabinet considered a mid-way review of the Council's Environment Strategy for Huntingdonshire – “A Plan for our Environment”. The strategy sets out a series of aims to overcome the following three main environmental challenges:-

¨  tackling climate change;

¨  using resources efficiently;

¨  protecting and improving the environment.

Members were advised that the recent budget consultation had highlighted that environmental projects were perceived as a low priority to the District’s residents. However, the Environment Management Team remained committed to delivering the aims set out in the Strategy with the implementation of environmental projects including energy saving schemes for council-owned buildings, a staff-led (green force) environmental awareness initiative, the “green house” project properties in St Ives and St Neots and invest to save schemes in line with the Council’s Carbon Management Plan.

Having noted the views expressed by the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Environmental Well-Being) on the document and in congratulating Officers for their work to date on the Environment Strategy, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

  (a)  that the contents of the report and the assessment of current performance against the aims and objectives of the Council's Environment Strategy be noted;

  (b)  that the current and future priorities outlined in the review document for the remainder of the strategy be endorsed, specifically the focus on carbon management and the implementation of spend to save projects in the area to enable further significant reductions in cost-savings to the Council; and

  (c)  that the publication of the strategy review document be supported and greater participation by communities encouraged to promote the strategy's aims and objectives.

To consider a report by the Head of Planning Services on the proposed governance arrangements to support the urban design planning process for the St Ives West town development.

appointed Councillors D B Dew, Mrs J Dew, J W Davies and C J Stephens to the St. Ives West Working Group and invited County, Town and appropriate Parish Councils to nominate representatives to the Group.

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 for the sustainable development of the St. Ives West Area.

Members were advised that a Working Group would be developed to manage progress of a draft urban design framework and would include representatives of the County Council, St. Ives Town Council, Houghton and Wyton and Wyton-on-the Hill Parish Councils and the District Council.  Having considered Member involvement, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

that Councillors D B Dew, Mrs J Dew, J W Davies and C J Stephens be appointed to the St. Ives West Working Group and the County, Town and appropriate Parish Councils invited to nominate representatives to the Group.

To consider a report by the Head of Planning Services on the proposed governance arrangements to support the urban design planning process for the RAF Brampton site.

Authorised the Chief Executive, after consultation with the Deputy Leader to appoint four members to the RAF Brampton Working Group and invited the County, Town and appropriate Parish Councils to nominate representatives to the Group.

By way of a report by the Head of Planning Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) consideration was given to governance arrangements to support the master planning process for the sustainable development of the RAF Brampton site.

It was reported that a Working Group would be developed to manage the progress of an urban design framework and would include representatives from the District Council, County Council, Brampton Parish Council and Huntingdon Parish Council.  Having considered District Council involvement, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

that the appointment of four Members to the RAF Brampton Working Group be delegated to the Chief Executive, after consultation with the Deputy Leader of the Council and the County, Town and appropriate Parish Councils invited to nominate representatives to the Group.

To consider a report by the Head of Customer Services.

Authorised the Director of Commerce and Technology, Head of Customer Services, Benefits Manager and Housing Benefits Credit Controller to act in the courts to recover debt.

Having considered a report by the Head of Customer Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) regarding the recovery of housing benefit debt through civil court action, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

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

  (b)  that the Director of Commerce and Technology, Head of Customer Services, Benefits Manager and Housing Benefits Credit Controller be authorised to act in the courts to recover debt.

To consider a report by the Head of People, Performance and Partnerships containing details of the Council’s performance against its priority objectives.

Noted the Council's performance against the targets within the Corporate Plan including the achievements against targets for each of the Council's priority objectives.

The Cabinet received and noted a report by the Head of People, Performance and Partnerships (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) which reviewed the Council's performance against the targets within the Corporate Plan.  The report which included data and narrative on the achievements against targets for each of the Council's priority objectives had been considered also by the Overview and Scrutiny Panels whose comments were relayed to the Cabinet.