Agenda, decisions and minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 18^th April 2013.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 18^th April 2013 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive from Members declarations as to disclosable pecuniary, non-disclosable pecuniary or non pecuniary interests in relation to any Agenda item. See Notes below.

No declarations were received.

To note those Members appointed to hold responsibility for executive powers and duties determined by the Executive Leader.

The following portfolios were approved by the Cabinet in May 2012:

·  Strategic Economic Development

·  Strategic Planning and Housing

·  Healthy and Active Communities

·  Environment

·  Resources

·  Customer Services

Those Members appointed as Executive Councillors for Healthy and Active Communities and Strategic Planning and Housing were also appointed ex-officio Members respectively of the Licensing and Protection Panel/Licensing Committee and Development Management Panel.

The Executive Leader was appointed ex-officio Member of the Employment Panel.

RESOLVED

(a)  that executive responsibilities for the Municipal Year 2013/14 be allocated as follows:-

(b)  that the Executive Leader of the Council be appointed to serve as an ex-officio Member of the Employment Panel; and

(c)  that Executive Councillors be appointed to serve as ex officio Members of the Panels as follows:

To appoint four members to serve on the Hinchingbrooke Country Park Joint Group.

RESOLVED

that Councillors M G Baker, Mrs M Banerjee, R Howe and R J West be appointed to serve on the Hinchingbrooke Country Park Joint Group for the ensuing Municipal Year.

To appoint seven Members to serve on the Development Plan Policy Advisory Group.

A Sub-Group of the Cabinet that is exercising any decision- making powers delegated to it by the Cabinet must include only Cabinet Members.  Those whose terms of reference are merely advisory can include non-Cabinet Members.  Proportionality requirement do not apply to any Sub-Groups or Committees to which the Cabinet may appoint.

RESOLVED

that Councillors P L E Bucknell, W T Clough, D B Dew, N J Guyatt, Mrs P Longford and A Williams be appointed to serve on the Development Plan Policy Advisory Group for the ensuing Municipal Year.

To appoint six cross party members to the Member Development Working Group.

RESOLVED

that Councillors M G Baker, S Cawley, N J Guyatt, A Hansard, P Kadewere, P Reeve and R G Tuplin be appointed to serve on the Member Development Group for the ensuing Municipal Year.

To appoint five Members to serve on the Safety Advisory Group.

RESOLVED

(a)  that Councillors Mrs B Boddington, J W Davies, A Hansard, Mrs P A Jordan and T V Rogers be appointed to serve on the Safety Advisory Group for the ensuing Municipal Year; and

(b)  that the Managing Director be requested to review the Panel’s remit and membership.

To appoint three Members to serve on the Joint Committee.

RESOLVED

that Councillors S Cawley, R Howe and T D Sanderson be appointed to serve on the One Leisure Huntingdon Sports Centre Joint Committee for the ensuing Municipal Year.

To receive a report by the Assistant Director (Environment, Growth and Planning) on the intended consultation and engagement process for Stage 3 of the Huntingdonshire Local Plan to 2036.

Hardcopies of the Plan have been circulated to Members of the Cabinet only.

Endorsed the use of the emerging Draft Local Plan policies for development management purposes, to supersede the previous Development Management DPD; noted the progress made to date on preparing the new Local Plan and the anticipated next steps in the consultation and plan making process and authorised Officers to proceed to Stage 3 Draft Local Plan non statutory consultation stage, using appropriate consultation material the exact content of which to be agreed by the Assistant Director (Environment, Growth and Planning) after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Strategic Planning and Housing.

Further to Minute No 12/23 and by way of a report by the Assistant Director, Environment, Growth and Planning the Cabinet were acquainted with the content of the draft Huntingdonshire Local Plan to 2036, together with an initial Sustainability Appraisal (copies of both documents are appended in the Minute Book).

The Executive Councillor for Strategic Planning and Housing reported that since the first anniversary of the National Planning Policy Framework, the current Development Management Plan Document cannot be afforded significant weight in the Development Management process.  As such, Councillor Guyatt indicated that the Development Management Development Plan Document (DPD) should cease to be used in the consideration of planning applications.  Instead, the policies in the emerging Draft Local Plan should now be used as it would give more substance to the plan preparation process.

Having regard to the key stages and timescales for the Plan’s consultation and engagement process, Members noted that a consultation leaflet would be delivered to all households in the district.  Residents would be able to become involved by various methods including a consultation website or in one of the eight public “drop in” sessions being held across the district. Having stressed the importance of engaging local residents in the plan making process, the Cabinet 

RESOLVED

(a)  that the use of the emerging Draft Local Plan policies for development management purposes, to supersede the previous Development Management DPD be endorsed;

(b)  that the progress made to date on preparing the new Local Plan and the anticipated next steps in the consultation and plan making process be noted; and

(c)  that Officers be authorised to proceed to Stage 3 Draft Local Plan non statutory consultation stage, using appropriate consultation material the exact content of which to be agreed by the Assistant Director (Environment, Growth and Planning) after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Strategic Planning and Housing.