Agenda, decisions and minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 19^th October 2011.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 20th October 2011 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 B S Chapman reminded the Cabinet that he had declared a personal interest in Minute No 52 of the Minutes by virtue of his role as advisor to the Huntingdonshire Citizens’ Advice Bureaux.

Councillors J D Ablewhite, B S Chapman and T D Sanderson declared personal interests in Minute No 64 by virtue of their membership of St Ives, St Neots and Huntingdon Town Councils respectively.

To consider a report by the Head of Financial Services reviewing performance for the period 1^st April to 30^th September 2011.

Noted the respective levels of performance achieved during April to September 2011 by external fund managers in the matter of the investment of the Council’s capital receipts and approved the revised table and targets for borrowing.

A report by the Head of Financial Services was submitted (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) which reviewed the respective levels of performance achieved during April to September 2011 by external fund managers in the matter of the investment of the Council’s capital receipts.

Members’ attention was drawn to the indicators which are currently used by the Council to measure certain treasury management risks.  Executive Councillors were advised of a proposal to combine the indicators for “Cash flow borrowing” and “Borrowing to fund capital schemes” which would overcome the difficulty of differentiating cash flow borrowing when it is in the Council’s interest to use its own funds or to borrow short to cover capital expenditure.

Having received the views of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Economic Well-Being) on the matter and in noting that the Executive Leader had joined the Deputy Executive Leader, Executive Councillor for Resources and the Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Economic Well-Being) on the Consultation on Treasury Matters Group, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

that Council be recommended to note the contents of the report and approve the revised table and targets for borrowing set out in paragraph 7.3.

To consider a report by the Head of Operations seeking approval for the Memorandum of Understanding for Emergency Management.

Authorised the Managing Director (People, Performance, Partnerships) to sign the Memorandum of Understanding for Emergency Management.

Consideration was given to a report by the Head of Operations (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) to which was appended a copy of the Memorandum of Understanding for Emergency Management.

Members were acquainted with the background to the memorandum which had been developed by Cambridgeshire County Council and Cambridgeshire’s District Councils to deliver emergency planning in accordance with the relevant legislation and to ensure the provision of mutual aid in the event of an incident.

Having considered the issues involved in responding to an emergency, the scope for mutual aid and the financial cost associated with the provision of such aid, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

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

  (b)  that the Managing Director (Communities, Partnerships and Projects) be authorised to sign the Memorandum of Understanding for Emergency Management.

To consider a report by the Senior Policy Officer on the achievement of the Council’s Single Equality Scheme Action Plan.

Noted the progress made to date on delivery of actions and targets set out in the Council’s Single Equality Scheme Action Plan, the findings from Equality Impact Assessments conducted in 2010/2011 and the undertaking of an external review  (Diversity Peer Challenge) of the Plan on 28th and 29th February 2012.

By way of a report by the Senior Policy Officer (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Cabinet were updated on the progress made to date on delivery of actions and targets set out in the Council’s Single Equality Scheme Action Plan.

Having considered the information contained in the report, the findings from Equality Impact Assessments conducted in 2010/2011, the role of Members in a required external assessment (Diversity Peer Challenge) of the Plan and the views of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Social Well-Being) on the matter, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

  (a)  that the progress made with the Single Equality Scheme Action Plan be noted;

  (b)  that the findings from the Equality Impact Assessment conducted in 2010/2011 and summarised in the Appendices to the report be noted; and

  (c)  that the undertaking of an external review (Diversity Peer Challenge) on 28th and 29th February 2012 be noted.

To consider a report by the Head of Environmental Management on the Council’s Carbon Management Plan.

Noted progress made towards the implementation of the Council’s Carbon Management Plan and the positive impact this has had on energy use and bills at the Council’s main sites; supported the undertaking of cross functional energy reviews as a way of maximising cost savings and the continued use of the Salix ring-fenced funding and Environment Strategy Capital Funding to implement further energy saving projects and authorised the Managing Directors, after consultation with Executive Councillors, to approve the installation of Solar PV on the Council’s main sites and if necessary report back to the next meeting.

A report by the Head of Environment Management was submitted (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) reviewing progress towards the implementation of the targets set out in the Council’s Carbon Management Plan.  The report which included data and narrative on energy efficiency and renewable measures being introduced during the current financial year had been considered also by the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Environmental Well-Being) whose comments were relayed to the Cabinet.

Executive Councillors were advised that the Council was half way towards achieving its target of reducing CO²emissions by 30% over a five year period.  In discussing the scope to reduce energy use further during the remaining three years of the Plan, attention was drawn to the project to install Photovoltaic (PV) solar panels at the Council’s main sites. Having noted that as a result of changes to the Government’s feed in tariff the extent of the proposed scheme had been significantly reduced, Members concurred with the Overview and Scrutiny Panel that further analysis as to the viability of the project should be undertaken.  At the same time, Executive Councillors questioned the life expectancy of the solar panels and the cost associated with maintaining them.

Having questioned the deadline for registering a PV scheme for the Government’s subsidies, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

  (a)  that the progress made towards the implementation of the Council’s Carbon Management Plan and the positive impact this has had on energy use and bills at the Council’s main sites be noted;

  (b)  that the undertaking of cross functional energy reviews as a way of maximising cost savings and the continued use of the Salix ring-fenced funding and Environment Strategy Capital Funding to implement further energy saving projects be supported; and

  (c)  that the Managing Directors (Resources) and (Communities, Partnerships and Projects) be authorised, after consultation with Executive Councillors’ to approve the installation of Solar PV Panels on the Council’s main sites and if necessary a further report be submitted to the next meeting of the Cabinet.

To consider a report by the Head of Planning Services on the consultation responses received on the Huntingdonshire Community Infrastructure Levy Charging Schedule.

Approved the contents of the Huntingdonshire Community Infrastructure Levy – Preliminary Draft Levy Charging Schedule for a four-week statutory consultation in November/December 2011. Authorised the Head of Planning Services, after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Planning and Housing, to make any necessary amendments to the document following advice received from the Department of Communities and Local Government and to make any minor amendments following the statutory consultation to prepare the document for submission for Examination.

Further to Minute No. 11/18, the Cabinet considered a report by the Head of Planning Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) outlining the responses received to the consultation on the Huntingdonshire Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) – Preliminary Draft Levy Charging Schedule and suggested amendments to the Schedule as a consequence thereof.

Members were reminded that the new scheme would put the Council in a more powerful position with regard to influencing where money from the CIL is spent. However, it would bring with it additional responsibilities including the establishment of an appropriate policy outlining the charges to be imposed, the process to be employed and monitoring and accountability mechanisms to ensure sound governance arrangements.

The responses had been discussed by the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Environmental Well-Being) arising from which the Panel were reassured that the Charging Schedule would be subject to an examination in public to ascertain whether it is sound, prior to its adoption in Spring 2012.

Having been advised that the final document would require to be reformatted in accordance with advice received from the Department of Communities and Local Government, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

(a)  that the Huntingdonshire Community Infrastructure Levy - Draft Charging Schedule be approved for a four week statutory consultation period in November/December 2011;

(b)  that prior to the statutory consultation, the Head of Planning Services be authorised, after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Planning and Housing, to make any necessary amendments to the Huntingdonshire Community Infrastructure Levy – Draft Charging Schedule following advice received from the Department of Communities and Local Government; and

(c)  that the Head of Planning Services be authorised, after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Planning and Housing, to make any minor amendments following the statutory consultation to prepare the document for submission for Examination.

To resolve:

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

RESOLVED

  that the press and public be excluded from the meeting because the business to be transacted contains exempt information relating to the financial and business affairs of any particular person (including the authority that holds that information) and to terms proposed in the course of negotiations for the acquisition or disposal of property. 

To receive a report by the Head of Operations outlining options for the future operation of the CCTV service.

Noted the estimate of potential income and savings for the CCTV service for 2012/13 and beyond; approved in principle funding for CCTV for 2012/2013, requested a further report on the final contribution levels achieved and approved the proposed draft Service Level Agreement with Town Councils.

Consideration was given to a report by the Head of Operations (a copy of which is appended in the Annex to the Minute Book) outlining a range of options for the future operation of the CCTV service.  The report had been considered by the Overview and Scrutiny Panels (Social Well-Being) and (Economic Well-Being) whose comments were relayed to the Cabinet.

In considering the options available, Executive Councillors were advised that Officers have met with local Town Councils to discuss the potential for joint working and funding and have written to the Police Authority, Environment Agency, Luminus and Parish Councils to ask for financial contributions.  Although some Town Councils were reluctant to formalise any contribution until it has been determined which cameras they would have responsibility for, agreement in principle to support the CCTV service had been received from some of the Town Councils and a draft Service Level Agreement prepared. In that respect, Executive Councillors recognised the benefits of joint working and the co-location of CCTV to preserve the service.

In noting the significant costs associated with “moth balling” the CCTV system, issues surrounding out-sourcing and reducing CCTV staffing numbers and having requested that the matter be kept under review in the event that more resources become available, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

  (a)  that the estimate of potential income and savings for the CCTV service for 2012/13 and beyond be noted;

  (b)  that funding for CCTV for 2012/13 as outlined in the report now submitted be approved in principle subject to later consideration of the Council’s budget; and

  (c)  that the proposed draft Service Level Agreement with Town Councils, appended to the report now submitted, be approved.

To consider a report by the Heads of Housing Services and of Corporate Services seeking the approval of terms for the disposal of Council-owned land at the Whaddons/ Thongsley, Huntingdon.

Approved the proposed disposal of Council-owned land at the Whaddons/Thongsley.to the Luminus Group, subject to the Executive Councillor for Resources being satisfied that the Councils legal costs are being met.

The Cabinet considered a joint report by the Head of Housing Services and Corporate Services Manager (a copy of which is appended in the Annex to the Minute Book) seeking approval for the proposed disposal of Council-owned land at the Whaddons/Thongsley.

RESOLVED

  that the disposal of land at the Whaddons/Thongsley, Huntingdon to the Luminus Group be approved on the terms set out in the report now submitted, subject to the Executive Councillor for Resources being satisfied that the Councils legal costs for the sale are being met.