Agenda, decisions and minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meetings held on 21^st May and 4^th June 2014.

The Minutes of the meetings of the Cabinet held on 21^st May and 4^th June 2014 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 2013:

·  Strategic & Delivery Partnerships

·  Strategic Planning & Housing

·  Healthy & Active Communities

·  Environment

·  Resources

·  Customer Services

·  Strategic Economic Development & Legal

Those Members appointed as Executive Councillors for Healthy and Active Communities and Planning Strategy 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 2014/15 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 T Hayward, B Hyland, T D Sanderson 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.

RESOLVED

that Councillors Mrs B E Boddington, P L E Bucknell, E R Butler,  D B Dew, B Farrer and Mrs P Longford 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, I Curtis, D B Dew, A Hansard, P Kadewere and R G Tuplin be appointed to serve on the Member Development Working Group for the ensuing Municipal Year.

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

RESOLVED

that Councillors Mrs B Boddington, J W Davies, A Hansard, R Harrison, Mrs P A Jordan and  be appointed to serve on the Safety Advisory Group for the ensuing Municipal Year.

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 consider a report by the Head of Resources.

noted the provisional outturn and spending variations for the Revenue and Capital Budgets for 2013/14; authorised the transfer of a contribution of £0.9 m to the Special Reserve and £1.5 m to a “Capital Investment” Earmarked Reserve; authorised the Head of Resources to adjust these contributions if the actual outturn varies by more than 2.5% and to commence a Zero Based Budgeting Review Programme across the Council, to be funded from the Special Reserve and to update the Cabinet on a quarterly basis.

The Cabinet received a report by the Head of Resources (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) outlining the provisional revenue and capital outturn for 2013/14 together with the deliberations of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Economic Well-Being) thereon.

Executive Councillors were pleased to note that as a result of under spending the Council had been successful in saving an additional £2.2 million, £0.9 million of which would be placed in the Special Reserve with the remaining £1.5 million being used to establish a “Capital Investment” Earmarked Reserve.

Having concurred with the Panel that a programme of Zero Based Budgeting would improve the management of the budget, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

(a)  that the report be received and the provisional outturn and spending variations for the Revenue and Capital Budgets for 2013/14 be noted;

(b)  that a contribution of £0.9 million be transferred to the Special Reserve;

(c)  that a “Capital Investment” Earmarked Reserve be established and a contribution of £1.5 million be transferred to this;

(d)  that in the event that the actual outturn figure varies by more than 2.5% of that noted in (a) above, the Head of Resources, after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Resources and the Managing Director, be authorised to adjust the revenue contributions to the Special and Capital Investment Reserves accordingly; and

(e)  that the Head of Resources be authorised to commence a Zero Based Budgeting Review Programme across the Council, to be funded from the Special Reserve and to update the Cabinet on a quarterly basis.

To consider a report by the Policy and Performance Officer seeking approval of the Consultation and Engagement Strategy.

Approved the contents of the Corporate Consultation and Engagement Strategy for 2014-2017 and the associated action plan and guidance appendices.

By way of a report by the Policy and Performance Officer (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Cabinet was invited to consider a revised and enhanced Corporate Consultation and Engagement Strategy for 2014-2017 together with an associated action plan and guidance appendices.

In so doing, Members were advised that the Strategy had been developed in consultation with the Overview and Scrutiny (Social Well-Being) Consultation Processes Working Group and reflected the Council’s vision outlined in the Corporate Plan. Having noted the conclusions reached by the Panel in relation to Member involvement and consulting with public sector partners, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

that the contents of the Corporate Consultation and Engagement Strategy for 2014-2017 and the associated action plan and guidance appendices be approved.

To receive a report from the Landscape Officer on Wind Energy Development in Huntingdonshire 2014 Supplementary Planning Document.

A hardcopy of the Supplementary Planning Document has been circulated to Cabinet Members only. To access a copy of the document online, please click on the following link which will direct you to the District Council’s Planning Consultation Portal:-

http://consult.huntsdc.gov.uk/portal

Approved the adoption of the Wind Energy Development in Huntingdonshire Document as Supplementary Planning Policy Guidance and authorised the Head of Development to approve any minor consequential amendments to the text and illustrations prior to publication, after consultation with the Executive Member for Planning and Housing Strategy.

Further to Minute No 13/24 and by way of a report by the Landscape Officer, Planning Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) Members were acquainted with the outcomes of the consultation exercise undertaken on the draft Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) – “Wind Energy Development in Huntingdonshire”.

Members were reminded that the new SPD had been prepared to update, clarify and replace the existing SPD document adopted by the Council in 2006. The document reflects the publication of the National Policy Framework (NPPF) and Planning Practice Guidance on Renewable and Low Carbon Energy.

Having noted the document had been endorsed by the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Environmental Well-Being) and the Development Management Panel, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

(a)  that the Wind Energy Development in Huntingdonshire Document be adopted as Supplementary Planning Policy Guidance; and

(b)  that the Head of Development be authorised to approve any minor consequential amendments to the text and illustrations prior to publication, after consultation with the Executive Member for Planning and Housing Strategy.

To receive a report from the Head of Development outlining the Council’s response to the Highways Agency Development Consent Order Pre-Application Statutory Consultation (TO FOLLOW).

Authorised the Head of Development, after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Strategic Planning and Housing and the Executive Leader, to respond to the Highways Agency Consultation on the upgrade of the A14 as outlined in the Annexes to the report, subject to the strengthening of paragraph 4(g) of Annex C to include the words “the District Council reserves its position on matters of detail, such as the mitigation of the impact of the development on affected villages, on which it will negotiate with the Highways Agency”

(Councillor T Hayward, Ward Councillor for Buckden, was in attendance and spoke on this item.)

With the assistance of a report by the Head of Development (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Cabinet was acquainted with a suggested response to the pre-application statutory consultation exercise being undertaken by the Highways Agency on the A14 Improvement Scheme.

Members were advised that the project had changed slightly since it was first reported to Cabinet on 17^th October 2013, with the previously suggested tolling element of the scheme being dropped and a significant change in the proposed alignment of the route in the Brampton area. However, the remainder of the proposal contained many features for which the Council had been lobbying for including the proposed off-line A14 route to the south of Huntingdon and Godmanchester, the upgrading of the A1 between Alconbury and the A14 and the removal of the Huntingdon Viaduct.

Councillor Hayward was invited to address the Cabinet. He drew attention to the objections raised by Buckden Parish Council to the proposed removal of the Huntingdon Viaduct. It was argued that there were no supporting figures for the anticipated future traffic movements and the possible pollution levels and that the advantages of retaining the viaduct outweighed the three reasons given for its removal.  In conclusion, Councillor Hayward urged the Cabinet to reconsider its support for the demolition of the viaduct. In response the Transport Team Leader explained that retention of the viaduct would result in the reclassification of the existing road as a local road for which the County Council had confirmed that they would not be prepared to fund the maintenance of.

The Cabinet also were apprised of the outcome of debate on the matter at the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Environmental Well-Being) and the contents of written representation by Councillor Bates. In that respect, Members concurred with the Panel and Councillor Bates that the Council’s response should be strengthened so that the District Council reserves its position on matters of detail, such as the mitigation of the impact of the development on affected villages thus protecting areas of the District affected by the development.

In drawing their conclusions, the Cabinet recognised the benefits of the proposals, inter alia, in terms of separating local and thorough traffic, improving traffic movements between and around Huntingdon, Godmanchester, St Ives and Hinchingbrooke, addressing air quality issues, and presenting regeneration and development opportunities in the locality. In acknowledging that there could also be opportunities to improve the existing A1 and A428, Executive Councillors reiterated that the District Council’s financial contribution to the scheme remained dependant on the removal of the Huntingdon Viaduct, the creation of an improved new local road network for the town and the construction works commencing by 2016.

Having noted that Highways Agency would continue to work with Officers of the District Council to ensure the best possible solution for Huntingdonshire, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

that the Head of Development, after consultation  ...  view the full minutes text for item 15.

To consider a joint report by the Managing Director, Head of Legal and Democratic Services and IMD Service Manager.

Endorsed the cessation of negotiations with LGSS supported the continuation of discussions with South Cambridgeshire District Council on a possible shared service model.

By way of a joint report by Managing Director, Head of Legal and Democratic Services and IMD Service Manager (a copy of which is appended in the the Minute Book) the Cabinet were acquainted with the outcome of discussions with LGSS on the possible development of a shared service arrangement for Legal and ICT services. The report had been considered by the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Economic Well-Being) whose comments were relayed to the Cabinet.

Given the prospect of a joint strategic framework between this Authority and South Cambridgeshire District Council and the opportunities this would present for a genuine shared service model, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

(a)  that the cessation of negotiations with LGSS be endorsed; and

(b)  that the continuation of discussions with South Cambridgeshire District Council on a possible shared service model be supported.

To receive a report from the Operations Manager on the Council’s Waste Policies.

Approved the proposed amendments to the Council’s Waste Collection Policies in respect of additional green bins, namely Policy 31D and 31H and deferred the proposed changes relating to the collection points for wheeled bins/sack and remote properties (farms and lodges) to enable further clarification as to the properties affected.

By way of report by the Operations Manager (a copy of which is appended in the Minute book) the Cabinet was invited to consider proposed revisions to the Council’s Waste Collection Policies in relation to the collection points for wheeled bins/sacks and for remote properties (farms and lodges) and additional green bins.

Members were advised that following the introduction of a charge for collecting second green bins, enquiries had been received from residents wishing to have more than one additional bin.  It was explained that now the charge has been in place for nearly a year there was the opportunity to increase the number of chargeable bins allowed to two per property which could be promoted within the renewal notices.

With regard to the proposed changes to policies 12A and 12B, relating to collection points, the Executive Councillor for Operations and Environment referred to the deliberations of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Environmental Well-Being) on the matter.  In acknowledged that further work was required, including a survey of all affected properties to identify a full range of options, Councillor Tysoe suggested that these changes be deferred pending completion of this work.  Having noted that the Panel’s Waste Collection Policy Working Group had agreed to assist the Head of Operations and the Executive Member with the review, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

(a)  that the proposed amendments to the Council’s Waste Collection Policies in respect of additional green bins, namely Policy 31D, 31H and 31I, as outlined in the report now submitted be approved; and

(b)  that the proposed changes relating to the collection points for wheeled bins/sack and remote properties (farms and lodges) be deferred for further clarification as to the properties affected.

To resolve:-

that the 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 information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

To consider a report by the Lead Housing Strategy Manager.

approved the disposal of land at Hermitage Road, Earith to BPHA on the terms set out in the report now submitted.

The Cabinet considered a report by the Lead Housing Strategy 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 Hermitage Road, Earith for affordable housing development. The report had been considered also by the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Economic) whose comments were relayed to the Cabinet.

In discussing the contents of the report, Executive Councillors stressed the importance of providing affordable housing for the village and asked that the award of local nomination rights to the Council for the affordable homes built on this site be explored. Whereupon, it was

RESOLVED

  that the disposal of land at Hermitage Road, Earith to BPHA be approved on the terms set out in the report now submitted.

To receive a verbal report from the Head of Operations.

Received an update from the Head of Operations on the procurement process and evaluation of the tender submissions received for the bulking, transportation, sorting and onward sale for the reprocessing of recyclable materials for authorities from the RECAP partnership. Particular mention was made of the financial benefits of the new contract for the Council and the possibility that the range of items collected may increase.

Further to Minute No 13/40 and with the assistance of a briefing paper (a copy of which is appended in the Annex to the Minute Book), the Head of Operations updated the Cabinet on the procurement process and evaluation of the tender submissions received for the bulking, transportation, sorting and onward sale for the reprocessing of recyclable materials for authorities from the RECAP partnership. Particular mention was made of the financial benefits of the new contract for the Council and the possibility that the range of items collected may increase.