Agenda, decisions and minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meetings held on 8th February 2018 and 1st March 2018.

The Minutes of the meetings of the Cabinet held on 8th February and 1st March 2018 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.

Councillor D Brown declared a non-statutory disclosable interest in Minute No. 72 by virtue of the fact that he is a Director of HDC Ventures.

To review the Council’s Lettings Policy and approve amendments as necessary in light of changes in legislation, new statutory guidance and rulings made in the Courts.

(Executive Councillor: Cllr R Fuller)

That Cabinet approve the amended Lettings Policy, as attached as Appendix 1 to the report (now submitted).

Executive Councillors were invited to consider a report by the Housing Needs and Resources Manager, along with its related Appendix (copies of which are appended in the Minute Book), presenting the revised Lettings Policy. Members were advised that the changes to the Policy were necessary in light of new legislation and recent caselaw relating to allocation schemes to social rented housing. The main points of change to the Policy reflected changes as a result of the introduction of the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 in April 2018 with amendments to both the duties that the Council must perform in order to prevent and relieve homelessness, and decisions in caselaw that have clarified that Councils are unable to exclude from their housing register applicants that fall within defined ‘reasonable preference’ categories, as defined within the Housing Act 1996. The proposed amendments to the Policy would ensure that the Policy remained legal and that the risk of legal challenge was minimised. Whereupon, it was

RESOLVED

that the amended Lettings Policy, as attached as Appendix 1 to the report now submitted, be approved.

To provide an update on growth and infrastructure delivery.

(Executive Councillor: Cllr R Fuller)

That the continued positive partnership working to identify infrastructure and opportunities to invest CIL income in 2018/2019 by officers and opportunities to leverage other funding be endorsed.  

By means of a report by the Planning Service Manager (Growth) (a copy of which was appended in the Minute Book), the Cabinet was updated on growth and infrastructure delivery. Members were advised that Officers continued positive partnerships and worked to identify infrastructure funding and opportunities to invest Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) income in 2018/19. Members noted that the inception meeting of the Growth and Infrastructure Group in its revised format had taken place and that proposals would be developed to ensure the best return economically of strategic growth and infrastructure for residents of the District. Whereupon, it was

RESOLVED

that the continued positive partnership working to identify infrastructure and opportunities to invest CIL income in 2018/2019 by Officers and opportunities to leverage other funding be endorsed. 

To provide an update to the articles of association for HDC Ventures.

(Executive Councillor: Cllr D Brown)

To approve the amended Articles of Association for HDC Ventures.

A report by the Corporate Director – Services, to which was appended the revised Articles of Association and Shareholder Agreement (copies of which are appended in the Minute Book), was considered for approval. Members were advised that the amendments to the Articles of Association of HDC Ventures allowed for the replacement of Councillor appointed as Directors should they cease to be a Member of the District Council. Members agreed that this was a sensible approach to take and noted that it had previously been raised by the Council at its meeting on 28th June 2017. Whereupon, it was

RESOLVED

that the Articles of Association for HDC Ventures as amended be approved.

Following changes made to the Political Membership of the Council, to amend the membership of the Huntingdonshire District Council Growth and Infrastructure Thematic Group.

Current membership comprises Councillors E R Butler, D B Dew, R Fuller and D A Giles.

(Following the changes to the political membership – the new composition to be 3 Conservatives and 1 Liberal Democrat).

Following changes made to the Political Membership of the Council, it was necessary to amend the membership of the Huntingdonshire District Council Growth and Infrastructure Thematic Group, to comprise 3 Conservatives and 1 Liberal Democrat.

RESOLVED

that Councillor Mrs S J Conboy be appointed to the Huntingdonshire District Council Growth and Infrastructure Thematic Group in place of Councillor D A Giles.

The membership of the Group now comprised Councillors E R Butler, Mrs S J Conboy, D B Dew and R Fuller.

Following changes made to the Political Composition of the Council, to amend the membership of the Development Plans Policy Advisory Group.

Current membership comprises Councillors C E Bober, P L E Bucknell, E R Butler, Mrs S J Conboy, R Fuller, I D Gardener and P D Reeve.

(Following the changes to the political membership – the new composition to be 4 Conservatives, 1 Liberal Democrat, 1 Independent Group and 1 Independent).

Following changes made to the Political Membership of the Council, it was necessary to amend the membership of the Development Plan Policy Advisory Group, to comprise 4 Conservatives, 1 Liberal Democrat, 1 Independent Group and 1 Independent.

RESOLVED

that Councillor R G Tuplin be appointed to the Development Plan Policy Advisory Group in place of Councillor P D Reeve.

The membership of the Group now comprised Councillors C E Bober, P L E Bucknell, E R Butler, Mrs S J Conboy, R Fuller, I D Gardener and R G Tuplin. 

In concluding the meeting, Executive Members conveyed their appreciation to Mrs R Buddle for providing Democratic Services support to the Cabinet over the course of the past year.