Agenda, decisions and minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meetings held on 20thJuly 2017, 26th July 2017 and 31st August 2017.

The Minutes of the meetings held on 20th July 2017, 26th July 2017 and 31st August 2017 were approved as correct records and signed by the Chairman.

To receive from Members declarations as to disclosable pecuniary and other interests in relation to any Agenda item.

No declarations were received.

To consider a report on the Council’s provision for homelessness in line with the Homelessness Reduction Act.

(Executive Councillor: Cllr R Fuller)

That the Homelessness Strategy for Huntingdonshire be adopted.

Consideration was given to a report by the Head of Customer Services to which was appended the Huntingdonshire Homelessness Review & Strategy and the Homelessness Strategy Action Plan 2017 (copies of which are appended in the Minute Book). The Homelessness Strategy provided clear purpose as to how the Council would address homelessness issues within the District. Executive Councillors were informed that it was a statutory requirement to publish a Homelessness Strategy every five years, to review homelessness in the area and produce a Strategy detailing how it would prevent homelessness and fulfil its wider duties under the homelessness legislation.

RESOLVED

that the Homelessness Strategy 2017 be adopted.

To consider a report by the Head of Customer Services reviewing business rates relief.

(Executive Councillor: Cllr J A Gray)

That the Business Rates Discretionary Revaluation Relief Scheme for 2017/18 be approved.

That authority be delegated to the Executive Councillor for Strategic Resources to agree the revised Business Rates Revaluation Schemes for the next 3 consecutive years

A report by the Revenue and Benefits Manager, to which was appended the HDC Discretionary Revaluation Relief Scheme 2017/18 (copies of which are appended in the Minute Book), was considered for approval. Members were informed that the proposed method of distributing the funding in line with the Council’s Discretionary Revaluation Relief Scheme, as detailed within the report, gave the greatest amount of relief to small local businesses most affected by the Business Rates revaluation providing the best use of funds. This reflected the aims contained within the Government’s consultation paper and helped to promote a strong local economy. It was anticipated that the scheme for 2018/19 and beyond would retain the same basic principles as the scheme for 2017/18 but would be based upon reduced funding. The Cabinet heard that future adjustments to the scheme would be minimal and it was thereby

RESOLVED

a)  that the Business Rates Discretionary Revaluation Relief Scheme for 2017/18 be approved; and

b)  that the Executive Councillor for Strategic Resources be delegated to agree the revised Business Rates Revaluation Schemes for the next three consecutive years.

To consider a report outlining the vision of a strategic review of the Council’s managed car parks.

(Executive Councillor: Cllr J White)

That the Parking Vision developed by the Members of the ‘Strategic Review of Parking’ Task and Finish Group be endorsed to enable the group to progress to the development of a Parking Strategy for the District.

By means of a report by the Head of Operations to which was appended the Car Park Visioning and the Parking User Survey Report (copies of which are appended in the Minute Book), the Cabinet was updated on the progress of the Strategic Review of Parking Task and Finish Group. Executive Councillors were informed that the car park vision would define the future strategy and shaping of car parking within the District through to 2030. Members were advised that the report determined resident and business requirements to support economy and growth in the District. Timescales for the process would be provided once all research had been completed. Whereupon, it was

RESOLVED

that the Parking Vision developed by the Members of the ‘Strategic Review of Parking’ Task and Finish Group be endorsed to enable the Group to progress to the development of a Parking Strategy for the District.

To receive a report from the Planning Services Manager.

(Executive Councillor: Cllr R Fuller)

That the District Council be authorised to act upon the Examiner’s report and recommended modifications, and progress the Godmanchester Neighbourhood Plan to referendum.

Consideration was given to a report by the Senior Planning Policy Officer to which was appended the modified version of the Neighbourhood Plan, the examiner’s report and the draft decision statement setting out the modifications considered by the Examiner as necessary to enable the submission of the neighbourhood plan to meet the required basic conditions (copies of which are appended in the Minute Book). The Executive Councillor for Housing and Planning advised the Cabinet that this was a commendable example of collaborative working and thanked Godmanchester Town Council for the work which they had undertaken to supplement the Council’s Local Plan. Members were asked to agree to act upon the Examiner’s report regarding the Godmanchester Neighbourhood Plan leading to a referendum on whether or not it should be brought into force as part of the statutory development plan. Having noted the timetable for the proposal, it was

RESOLVED

that the District Council be authorised to act upon the Examiner’s report and recommended modifications and progress the Godmanchester Neighbourhood Plan to referendum.

To consider a report proposing a new policy outlining procedures on the disposal of small land parcels.

(Executive Councillor: Cllr J A Gray)

That the ‘Disposals of Small Land Parcels Policy’, along with the respective updates to the Council’s ‘Disposals and Acquisitions of Land and Buildings Policy’ be approved.

That to the Corporate Governance Committee be recommended to approve all required changes to the Constitution (including the Code of Procurement and Code of Financial Management) to reflect the new ‘Disposals of Small Parcels Policy along with the respective updates to the Council’s ‘Disposals and Acquisitions of Land and Buildings Policy’.

Consideration was given to a report by the Head of Resources to which was appended the Common Themes of Small Land Sales Policies by Other Local Authorities, Disposal of Small Land Parcels Policy and Disposal and Acquisition of Land & Buildings Policy (copies of which are appended in the Minute Book). Executive Members were advised of how the Policy would ensure that Council resources were wholly and effectively committed to meeting Council priorities; thereby having appropriate policies in place to achieve this. The Policy would allow for disposal of small land parcels which were surplus to requirements and gave procedures for these to be dealt with in a timely and sequential manner. Whereupon it was

RESOLVED

a)  that the ‘Disposals of Small Land Parcels Policy’, along with the respective updates to the Council’s ‘Disposals and Acquisitions of Land and Buildings Policy’ be approved; and

b)  that the Corporate Governance Committee be recommended to approve all required changes to the Constitution (including the Code of Procurement and Code of Financial Management) to reflect the new ‘Disposals of Small Parcels Policy’ along with the respective updates to the Council’s ‘Disposals and Acquisitions of Land and Buildings Policy’.

To receive performance management information on the Council’s Corporate Plan for 2016/18 and updates on current projects.

(Executive Councillors: Cllr J A Gray and Cllr S Cawley)

That the progress made against Key Activities and Corporate Indicators in the Corporate Plan and current projects, as summarised in the report and its Appendices be noted.

That the Council’s financial performance at the end of June, as detailed in the report now submitted and its Appendices be noted.

Executive Councillors were invited to consider the Integrated Performance Report 2017/18 Quarter 1, by the Corporate Team Manager and the Head of Resources along with its related Appendices (copies of which are appended in the Minute Book). The report briefed Members on progress against the Key Actions and Corporate Indicators listed in the Council’s Corporate Plan for 2016-18 for the period 1 April – 30 June 2017. The report incorporated progress reporting for current projects being undertaken and Financial Performance Monitoring Suite information at the end of June. The Commercial Investment Strategy included details of investments to date and the level of return that they were expected to generate.

Members were advised that the report format continued to grow and evolve in order to react to the needs of the Council. It was observed that the report should focus on the performance aspect, as investigations into project detail should fall to Overview and Scrutiny Panels to undertake if desired. Members observed that future projects should entail robust planning and be sustainable to ensure that objectives were deliverable. It was also noted that the transformational and cultural change be considered when planning for future projects to ensure that they were not underestimated. Following this update on project delivery and financial performance, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

a)  that the progress made against Key Activities and Corporate Indicators in the Corporate Plan and current projects, as summarised in the report now submitted and its Appendices be noted; and

b)  that the Council’s financial performance at the end of June 2017, as detailed in the report now submitted and its Appendices be noted.