Agenda, decisions and minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 12th October 2017.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 12th October 2017 were approved as a correct record 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 by the Planning Service Manager seeking endorsement for the Huntingdonshire Local Plan to 2036: Proposed Submission.

A copy of the draft Plan has been circulated separately to all Members of the Council and is available on the District Council’s website.

(Executive Councillor: Cllr R Fuller)

To recommend to Council that the recommendations within the report are endorsed, supporting the Huntingdonshire Local Plan 2036: Proposed Submission 2017.

To endorse the Local Development Scheme: December 2017, as detailed at Appendix B of the report now submitted, be endorsed.

Consideration was given to a report by the Planning Service Manager (Growth) to which was appended The Huntingdonshire Local Plan 2036: Proposed Submission 2017 (HLP) and The Policies Map (copies of which are appended in the Minute Book). Members were presented with an overview of the HLP Proposed Submission 2017 by the Executive Councillor for Housing and Planning by means of a PowerPoint presentation and Members attention was drawn to a number of corrections to the proposed submission (copies of which are appended in the Minute Book).

The presentation illustrated the key differences between the Consultation Draft 2017 and Proposed Submission Draft along with a timeline of Local Plan preparation. A number of proposed additional allocations were also detailed along with the assessed capacity of each site and Executive Councillors were reassured that appropriate Ward Councillors had been consulted as part of the preparation. It was acknowledged that local residents had been in contact with Executive Councillors with concerns regarding Bluntisham and that this may result in further representations made during the consultation period.

The Cabinet expressed gratitude and recognition to those Officers involved in the preparation of the document for the hard work, dedication and professionalism shown. Whereupon it was

RESOLVED

a)  that the Council be recommended to support the recommendations within the report, supporting the Huntingdonshire Local Plan 2036: Proposed Submission 2017; and

b)  that the Local Development Scheme: December 2017, as detailed at Appendix B of the report now submitted, be endorsed.

To consider a report by the Head of Resources proposing increases to Fees and Charges for 2018/19 following a review by Heads of Services and their managers.

(Executive Councillor: Cllr J A Gray)

That the proposed new Fees and Charges for Community and Leisure Services be approved for 2018/19.

That all other discretionary Fees and Charges (with the exception of Car Parking), be approved and increased by inflation reflecting the local market.

Consideration was given to a report by the Head of Resources along with its related Appendices (copies of which are appended in the Minute Book). It was noted that this report had historically formed part of the draft budget but that, at the request of Members, it had been brought to the Cabinet ahead of the draft budget allowing for a period to reflect on proposed charges prior to the formal consultation of the draft budget report. 

Executive Councillors were advised that the proposed recommendations allowed for the use of discretion and that small annual increases in fees and charges would have a more positive impact than large increases every few years. Members praised this common sense approach and commented that it was sensible to review fees on an annual basis.

RESOLVED

a)  that the proposed new Fees and Charges for Community and Leisure Services be approved for 2018/19; and

b)  that all other discretionary Fees and Charges (with the exception of Car Parking), be approved and increased by inflation reflecting the local market.

To receive performance management information on the Council’s Corporate Plan for 2017/18, updates on current projects and Financial Performance Monitoring Suite information including an update on the Commercial Investment Strategy.

(Executive Councillor: Cllr S Cawley)

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

That the Council’s financial performance at the end of September 2017 and register of reviews of Commercial Investment Strategy propositions, as detailed in the report now submitted and Appendices be noted.

Executive Councillors were invited to consider a report 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 July – 30 September 2017. The report incorporated progress reporting for current projects being undertaken and Financial Performance Monitoring Suite information at the end of September 2017. The Commercial Investment Strategy included details of investments to date and the level of return that they were expected to generate.

Executive Councillors noted that actions and projects identified as ‘Red’ were already being addressed and that in some instances, performance results had been skewed by short periods of poor performance in Quarter 1, thereby continuing to affect results throughout the year. Members praised the involvement of the Overview and Scrutiny Panels and noted their contribution to an open and transparent process. It was also advised that 96% of household extension planning applications had been processed on time in the year to date. Having considered the progress contained in the report, it was

RESOLVED

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

b)  that the Council’s financial performance at the end of September 2017 and register of reviews of Commercial Investment Strategy propositions, as detailed in the report now submitted be noted.

To receive the Minutes of the meeting of the Hinchingbrooke Country Park Joint Group held on 13th October 2017.

(Executive Councillor: Cllr J White)

RESOLVED

that the Minutes of the meeting of the Hinchingbrooke Country Park Joint Group held on 13th October 2017 be received and noted.