Agenda, decisions and minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meetings held on 16th July, 28th July and 18th August 2020.

The Minutes of the meetings held on 16th July, 28th July and 18th August 2020 were approved as a correct record.

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

No declarations were received.

To receive a report from the Business Intelligence and Performance Manager on the refresh of the Corporate Plan for 2020/21 prior to its approval by the Council.

Executive Councillor: R Fuller.

The Cabinet has recommended that Council endorse the proposed list of key actions and performance indicators at outlined in Appendix A for inclusion in the Corporate Plan 2020/21.

The Cabinet gave consideration to a report by the Business Intelligence and Performance Manager (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) providing an update on the refresh of the Corporate Plan for 2020/21 and presenting the proposed new actions and performance indicators to Council for approval.

In noting that this would be the last year that the Plan would be refreshed in the current four-year term and having been acquainted with the views of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Performance and Growth), it was

RESOLVED

(a)  that the proposed list of key actions and performance indicators as attached at Appendix A of the report now submitted be endorsed for inclusion in the Corporate Plan 2020/21; and

(b)  that the Council be recommended to approve the revised key actions and performance indicators for inclusion in the Corporate Plan for 2020/21. 

To receive a report from the Chief Financial Officer on the Financial Performance Report 2020/21, Quarter 1.

Executive Councillor: J Gray.

The Cabinet has considered and commented upon the financial performance at the end of June 2020, as detailed in Appendices 1 and the register of reviews of Commercial Investment Strategy propositions at Appendix 2 of the report submitted.

A report by the Chief Finance Officer was submitted (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) presenting details of the Council’s projected financial performance for 2020/21.

In introducing the report, the Executive Councillor for Finance and Resources paid tribute to all Officers who had assisted with the Council’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Having thanked the Chief Finance Officer and her team for the production of a comprehensive financial report, it was reported that there had been an estimated revenue outturn overspend of £2.996m and an estimated capital outturn underspend of £11.757m at the end of 2020/21.

The Chief Finance Officer drew the Cabinet’s attention to the revenue forecast variances by service, capital programme expenditure and the Commercial Investment Strategy. In terms of the latter, comment was made that opportunities would continue to present themselves despite the current climate but that the Council should proceed with caution in this area.

Having regard to the Capital Programme, the Executive Councillor for Community Resilience and Wellbeing acknowledged the challenges currently faced and encouraged the completion of the 3G pitch at Ramsey project.

In noting the views of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Performance and Growth), it was

RESOLVED

that the Cabinet note the Council’s financial performance at the end of June 2020, as outlined in Appendix 1 and the register of reviews of Commercial Investment Strategy propositions as outlined in Appendix 2 of the report now submitted.

To receive a report from the Performance and Data Analyst on the delivery of the Corporate Plan 2018/22 and project delivery.

Executive Councillor: J Neish.

The Cabinet has considered and commented on progress made against the Key Actions and Corporate Indicators in the Corporate Plan and current projects, as summarised in Appendix A and detailed in Appendices B and C of the report submitted.

With the aid of a report prepared by the Performance & Data Analyst (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Cabinet considered the progress against the Key Actions and Corporate Indicators listed in the Council’s Corporate Plan 2018/22. The report also incorporated progress on the current projects being undertaken at the Council at the end of June 2020.

The Deputy Executive Leader and Executive Councillor for Strategic Planning summarised the progress over the reporting period and drew attention to numerous areas where positive progress had been achieved together with a number of indicators where services had met or were exceeding their targets. He then went on to state that there were a number of indicators that had not been met as a direct result or likely impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Having considered the comments of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Performance and Growth) and having commended Officers for their ability to adapt, proactively respond and initiate creative solutions to COVID-19, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

to note the progress made against Key Activities and Corporate Indicators in the Corporate Plan and current projects, as outlined in Appendix A and detailed in Appendices B and C of the report now submitted.

To receive a report from the Service Manager (Growth) on the aims and objectives of the Draft Transport Strategy and the draft consultation response on issues that affect the Huntingdonshire District Area.

Executive Councillor: J Neish.

The Cabinet has commented on the consultation and delegated authority to submit the Council’s final comments on the consultation to the Service Manager - Growth, in consultation with the Executive Leader and Deputy Executive Leader.

The Cabinet received and noted a report by the Service Manager (Growth) (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) which provided an outline of the Draft Transport Strategy, its aims and objectives and a draft consultation response on issues that affect Huntingdonshire, its corporate priorities and its objectives.

Having welcomed the inclusion of improved cycling connections in the draft consultation response and in recognising that some Huntingdonshire communities, particularly those in rural areas, would remain reliant on the private motor vehicle, the Cabinet noted the views of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Performance and Growth). Whereupon, it was

RESOLVED

that delegated authority to submit the Council’s final comments on England’s Economic Heartland’s Draft Transport Strategy consultation be approved to the Service Manager (Growth), in consultation with the Executive Leader and Deputy Executive Leader.

To receive a report from the Service Manager (Growth) on the A141 and St Ives Studies.

Executive Councillor: J Neish.

The Cabinet has:

§  endorsed the results of the A141 Study;

§  endorsed the results of the St Ives Transport Study;

§  approved the list of proposals identified in the St Ives Study and support for Cambridgeshire County Council in their submission to the Combined Authority for funding, and for consultation and delivery should funding be secured; and

§  approved the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority recommendation of a new dedicated strategic study for St Ives.

Consideration was given to a report by the Service Manager (Growth) (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) seeking endorsement of the outcomes of the A141 and St Ives studies and support for the position that a strategic study for St Ives be undertaken by the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority.

The Executive Councillor for Strategic Planning provided an update on the background to the report stating that the Huntingdonshire Local Plan 2036 had identified a need for 20,100 homes and 14,400 new jobs between 2011 and 2036. He then went on to state that North Huntingdon had been identified as an area for growth which would help to achieve the aspirations of the Local Plan. Members welcomed the proposals for bus infrastructure improvements in St Ives which would positively impact the Town and the neighbouring areas.

Having noted the views of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Performance and Growth), it was

RESOLVED

(a)  that the results of the A141 Study be endorsed;

(b)  that the results of the St Ives Transport Study be endorsed;

(c)  that the list of proposals identified in the St Ives Study be approved and support for Cambridgeshire County Council in their submission to the Combined Authority for funding, and for consultation and delivery should funding be secured; and

(d)  that the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority recommendation of a new dedicated strategic study for St Ives be approved.

To resolve:

that the press and public be excluded from the meeting because the business to be transacted contains exempt information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information) and the information in respect of which a claim to legal professional privilege could be maintained in legal proceedings.

RESOLVED

that the press and public be excluded from the meeting because the business to be transacted contains exempt information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information) and the information in respect of which a claim to legal professional privilege could be maintained in legal proceedings.

To receive a report from the Conservation and Environment Team Leader.

Executive Councillor: J Neish.

The Cabinet approved the recommendation contained within the exempt report.

The Cabinet gave consideration to an exempt report by the Conservation and Environment Team Leader (a copy of which is appended in the Annex to the Minute Book).

Following debate on the matter and having been satisfied with the responses provided by the Managing Director, it was

RESOLVED

that the recommendation contained within the exempt report now submitted be approved by the Cabinet.