Agenda, decisions and minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 8 December 2011.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 8th December 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.

No declarations were received.

To consider a report by the Head of Financial Services.

Noted the spending in the revenue budget for 2011/12 and the position on debts collected and written-off.

The Cabinet received and noted a report by the Head of Financial Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) detailing expected variations in revenue expenditure in the current year.

Executive Councillors noted that the expected outturn of revenue expenditure was now £21.4m which was 1.2m less than assumed in the draft 2011/12 budget.  The reduction was mainly due to one-off items and service managers implementing saving plans. Having expressed their thanks to staff for their efforts in achieving the budgetary outcomes, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

(a)  that the spending variations in the revenue budget for 2011/12 be noted; and

(b)  that the position on debts collected and written-off as set out in Annex B to the report now submitted be noted.

To consider a report by the Head of Financial Services on the Capital Programme for 2011/12.

noted the approved Capital Programme 2011/2012 and the consequential estimated revenue impact.

Consideration was given to a report by the Head of Financial Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) highlighting variations to the approved Capital Programme 2011/12 and the consequential estimated revenue impact.  It was

RESOLVED

  that the report be received and the expenditure variations noted.

To consider a report by the Head of Environmental and Community Health Services on voluntary sector support for 2013/14.

Noted the contents of the report and approved an indicative voluntary sector budget of £273,000 for 2013/14; agreed to adopt a mix of methods for the allocation of financial support to the voluntary sector to include a level of bureaucracy proportionate to the level of funding required and agreed the establishment of a modest "community chest" to create an accessible source of funds to help local community projects.

Further to Minute No. 11/51, consideration was given to a report by the Head of Environmental and Community Health Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) seeking approval for an indicative budget for voluntary sector support for 2013/14 and outlining options for the delivery of the funds.  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. 

By way of background, the Cabinet were reminded that Officers had met with representatives of the voluntary sector organisations and that an extensive review had been undertaken by a Working Group established by the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Social Well-Being).  Members were informed that various delivery methods for providing financial support to the voluntary sector had been considered as part of the review.  In that respect, Executive Councillors acknowledged that one solution may not fit all circumstances and different levels of assessment should be applied.  By moving from a commissioning approach for the allocation of funds to a mixed grant system with a community chest for local organisations who require a small injection of revenue up to £5,000, Members felt that this would introduce a level of bureaucracy proportionate to the level of funding required.

With regard to the management of the funds, Executive Councillors were advised that sound governance arrangements would be in place when determining applications for grants and the community chest.  A suggestion was made that the application form for the community chest should be straight-forward and the funding made available to apply for throughout the year.

In considering the level of the indicative budget, Members noted that if approved it represented almost a 28% reduction in the amount the voluntary sector would receive in the future, which was considerable less severe than that indicated in the existing 2013/14 budget.  The Deputy Executive Leader emphasised that the revised figure represented a considerable achievement and demonstrated that the Council had been responsive to the joint work with the voluntary sector which had taken place since the existing budget was set. However, Members acknowledged that the voluntary sector were having to respond to the changing economic climate and stressed that they would not wish to see the current standard of service decline.

Having acknowledged the work of the voluntary sector and in reiterating the Council’s commitment to supporting them, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

  (a)  that the contents of the report now submitted be noted;

  (b)  that an indicative voluntary sector budget of £273,000 for 2013/14 be approved;

  (c)  that a mix of methods for the allocation of financial support to the voluntary sector, to involve a level of bureaucracy proportionate to the level of funding required, be adopted; and

  (d)  that the establishment of a modest "community chest" be agreed to create an accessible source of funds to help very local community projects.

To consider a report by the Head of Operations on progressing the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Waste Partnership in order to gain the maximum advantage for the authorities collectively.

Adopted the contents of the RECAP Advanced Partnership Working Charter and agreed to submit outlining business cases for any advance waste projects to the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Environmental Well-Being) prior to any discussion being made to proceed.

Pursuant to Minute No 06/124 and by way of a report by the Head of Operations (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book), the Cabinet were acquainted with the background to a partnership charter for the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Waste Partnership (RECAP) aimed at enhancing partnership working.

By way of introduction, Members were reminded that RECAP, established in 1990, consisted of Cambridgeshire County Council, Peterborough City Council and Cambridgeshire's District Councils.  Particular mention was made of the success of the Partnership's work to reduce waste and of proposals to develop specific advanced waste projects.  The Charter has been discussed by the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Environmental Well-Being) arising from which some concern had been expressed over the cultural differences of the various organisations and problems with reaching an agreement when negotiating such matters. Having noted that individual business cases for any advance waste projects will be considered by the Panel, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

  that the RECAP Advanced Partnership Working Charter be adopted and outline business cases for any advance waste projects be submitted to the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Environmental Well-Being) prior to any decision being made to proceed.

To consider a report by the Head of Planning Services seeking approval to use the Cambridgeshire Green Infrastructure Strategy as supporting evidence for planning services.

Agreed to the adoption of the Cambridgeshire Green Infrastructure Strategy as supporting evidence for planning purposes.

By way of a report by the Head of Planning Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Cabinet was invited to consider the contents of the Cambridgeshire Green Infrastructure Strategy which would be used as supporting evidence for planning purposes. The Strategy had been considered by the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Environmental Well-Being) whose comments were relayed to the Cabinet.

Members were advised that the document was an update of the first Green Infrastructure Strategy for the Cambridge sub-region developed in 2006. The new Strategy had been produced by Cambridgeshire Horizons to provide a robust evidence base for funding of green infrastructure through a community infrastructure levy and other sources of funding.  

In discussing the extent of the Strategy, Executive Councillors were disappointed that the Strategy did not refer to the local agricultural industry and concurred with the Panel that food security was of local, national and international concern and should be reflected to a greater extent in the Council’s policy.

Whereupon, it was

RESOLVED

  that the Cambridgeshire Green Infrastructure Strategy be adopted as supporting evidence for planning purposes.

To consider a report by the Head of Planning Services seeking approval for the charging schedule for the Huntingdonshire Community Infrastructure Levy.

Unanimously approved the contents of the Huntingdonshire Community Infrastructure Levy - Charging Schedule, Declaration of Modification together with supporting documents, for submission to the Examiner; authorised the Head of Planning Services, after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Strategic Planning and Housing, to make any minor amendments as necessary to the Huntingdonshire Community Infrastructure Levy - Charging Schedule and associated paperwork for submission for examination; and approved the legal declaration required under the Planning Act 2008 and CIL Regulations 2010 (as amended).

Further to Minute No 11/62, the Cabinet considered a report by the Head of Planning Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) outlining responses received to the final round of consultations on the Huntingdonshire Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Draft Charging Schedule and a suggested modification that has been made as a result relating to the health levy rate.

The Managing Director (Communities, Partnerships and Projects) drew Members’ attention to a statement of modification clarifying the reasons for a reduction in the health levy rate, textural corrections to the draft Charging Schedule and reported that the Declaration required under Planning Act 2008 would now refer to Section 211 and 212 only. In supporting the submission of the documents to the Examiner, the Cabinet unanimously

RESOLVED

  (a)  that the Huntingdonshire Community Infrastructure Levy - Charging Schedule and Statement of Modification be approved, together with supporting documents, for submission to the Examiner;

  (b)  that the Head of Planning Services be authorised, after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Strategic Planning and Housing, to make any minor amendments as necessary to the Huntingdonshire Community Infrastructure Levy - Charging Schedule and associated paperwork for submission for examination; and

  (c)  that the legal declaration required under the Planning Act 2008 and CIL Regulations 2010 (as amended) be approved.

To consider a report of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Social Well-Being) summarising the findings of a study by the Panel’s Neighbourhood Forum Working Group.

Agreed to adopt the "Shape Your Place" initiative in Huntingdonshire.

With the assistance of a report by the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Social Well-Being) (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book), the Cabinet considered details of the "Shape Your Place" initiative currently being piloted in Fenland.

Members were informed that the initiative was a web based site established by Cambridgeshire County Council to promote community engagement by enabling local public bodies to establish dialogue with local residents.  Having recognised the potential benefits of introducing the initiative in Huntingdonshire and in noting the initial cost of establishing the scheme was estimated to be around £3,500 plus ongoing costs, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

  that the "shape my place" initiative be adopted in Huntingdonshire.

To receive a report by the Head of Environmental Management on the outcome of a bid for Intelligent Energy Europe Financial Assistance.

Approved in principle the Council’s participation in Cambridgeshire's Intelligent Energy Europe (IEE) Project, to provide much needed source of funding/capacity for developing energy infrastructure initiatives and authorised the Managing Director (Communities, Partnerships and Projects) and the Head of Legal and Democratic Services, to negotiate a heads of terms document, a consortium agreement governing joint working and the completion of the final form of documentation needed for the country-wide application to the EU's IEE fund for technical assistance, subject to consultation with the Executive Councillor for the Environment, on the proposed governance arrangements and full financial terms.

By way of a report by the Head of Environmental Management (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book), the Cabinet were advised that an application, made jointly by five Cambridgeshire local authorities and Cambridge University, to the European Commission's Executive Agency for Competitiveness and Innovation for Intelligent Energy Europe Financial Assistance had been successful.

Members were acquainted with the background to the project which would support the delivery of energy efficiency and energy generation schemes across Cambridgeshire.  It was explained that the project provided an opportunity for the District Council to receive €157,000 towards the cost of developing two significant business-driven energy infrastructure projects in the District.  Having noted that a decision to draw down the European funding would only be taken when the Council was certain that the two projects would deliver as required, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

  (a)  that the Council's participation in Cambridgeshire's Intelligent Energy Europe (IEE) Project be approved in principle, to provide much needed source of funding/capacity for developing energy infrastructure initiatives; and

  (b)  that the Managing Director (Communities, Partnerships and Projects) and the Head of Legal and Democratic Services, be authorised to negotiate a heads of terms document, a consortium agreement governing joint working and the completion of the final form of documentation needed for the country-wide application to the EU's IEE fund for technical assistance, subject to consultation with the Executive Councillor for the Environment, on the proposed governance arrangements and full financial terms.

To consider a report by the Head of Legal and Democratic Services on proposed changes to the Articles of Association, Members’ Agreement and the Memorandum of Understanding for Cambridgeshire Horizons Limited.

Approved changes to the Articles of Association, Members' Agreement and Memorandum of Understanding for Cambridgeshire Horizons Ltd and authorised the Council to enter into the Memorandum of Understanding.

Further to Minute No 06/118, the Cabinet considered a report by the Head of Legal and Democratic Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) to which was attached proposed revised Articles of Association, Members' Agreement and Memorandum of Understanding for Cambridgeshire Horizons Ltd.

Having noted the reasons behind the changes, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

  (a)  that the proposed amendment to the Articles and Memorandum of Cambridgeshire Horizons be approved; and

  (b)  that the Council be authorised to enter into the Memorandum of Understanding.

To resolve:-

that 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 a 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.

Approved the One Leisure performance targets for income, controllable costs and net controllable costs as outlined in the report; requested the General Manager, One Leisure to draft a business plan for the start of 2012/13 through which the performance targets will be achieved and produce separate accounts for accounting reporting purposes and managing the controllable budget and that this business plan be presented to Cabinet and the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Economic Well-Being) for review by June 2012; requested that the performance against targets be reported to Overview and Scrutiny (Economic Well-Being) Panel on a quarterly basis; agreed not to introduce a deferential pricing for non-residents of the District;  agreed that the One Leisure Working Group should continue in its current form and investigate  which business model One Leisure should employ as well as assisting with the methodology for the quantification of "social value".

(Councillors S Greenall and T V Rogers and Mr R Hall, Members of the One Leisure Working Group, were in attendance and spoke on this item)

A report by the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Economic Well-Being) was submitted (a copy of which is appended in the Annex to the Minute Book) which summarised the findings of the study by the Panel into the financial performance of One Leisure.

Executive Councillors were acquainted with the key findings of the group in relation to overheads and recharging, crèche facilities, general admissions, pricing, business planning and alternative methods of service delivery.  In so doing, mention was made of the need to build capital costs into the overall One Leisure financial model and to develop a methodology for the quantification of “social value”.  Having thanked the Working Group for their efforts in producing a thorough and comprehensive report, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

  (a)  that the One Leisure performance targets for income, controllable costs and net controllable costs as outlined in paragraph 4.17 of the report now submitted be approved;

  (b)  that the General Manager, One Leisure be requested to draft a business plan for the start of 2012/13 through which the performance targets are to be achieved and produce separate accounts for accounting reporting purposes and managing the controllable budget and that this business plan be presented to the Cabinet and the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Economic Well-Being) for review by June 2012;

  (c)  that the performance against targets be reported to Overview and Scrutiny (Economic Well-Being) Panel on a quarterly basis;

  (d)  that deferential pricing for non-residents of the District not be introduced;

  (e)  that the One Leisure Working Group be retained in its current form to investigate which business model One Leisure should employ; and

  (f)  that the One Leisure Working Group be requested to assist the Executive Councillor for Healthy and Active Communities with the development of a methodology for the quantification of "social value".