Agenda, decisions and minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 14th October 2021.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 14th October 2021 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.

Councillor K Prentice declared a non-statutory disclosable interest in Minute No. 21/36 by virtue of the fact that one of the applications related to the Ward he represented, as a Member of Cambridgeshire County Council and as the County Council’s nominated representative on the Museums Management Board.

Councillors S Bywater and S J Criswell declared non-statutory disclosable interests in Minute No. 21/36 as Members of Cambridgeshire County Council.

To consider recommendations relating to infrastructure projects seeking funding in whole or in part by an amount of the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) monies received to date.

Executive Councillor: J Neish.

The Cabinet has

(a)  noted the information on projects previously allocated or in receipt of funding commitments and the updates on their delivery (as outlined in Appendix 1);

(b)  agreed Officer recommendations for projects submitted in this round for over £50,000 Community Infrastructure Levy funding a(s detailed in Appendix 2);

(c)  noted the bids submitted in this round for £50,000 or less Community Infrastructure Levy funding and the approvals in line with delegated authority (as outlined in Appendix 3);

(d)  delegated authority to the Corporate Director (Place) and Service Manager (Growth), in consultation with the Executive Leader and Executive Councillor for Strategic Planning, to make final agreements for contracts to be issued on projects allocated CIL monies in principle subject to provision of necessary evidence;

(e)  approved the funding for the Special School at Alconbury Weald which, due to the scale of funding offered was approved in principle by Cabinet on 11th February 2021 (Minute No. 20/53 refers) and, following submission of additional information, is reported back to Cabinet for approval; and

(f)  agreed an extension of time until 31st July 2022 for Warboys Village Hall project.

See Minute No. 21/35 for Members’ Interests.

With the aid of a report prepared by the Service Manager (Growth) (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Cabinet were invited to consider and agree infrastructure projects seeking funding in whole or in part by an amount of the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) monies received to date.

By way of background, the Executive Councillor for Strategic Planning advised that the latest funding round had been launched on 13th September 2021 which could be utilised towards a number of Strategic Transport items, as outlined in paragraph 3.3 of the report, as well supporting the delivery of growth in the District as identified in the Infrastructure Delivery Plan and the Council’s Corporate Plan. He then went on to report that Appendix 3 of the report outlined project bids under £50,000 which had been determined in accordance with delegated powers. 

Attention was then drawn to Appendix 2, which outlined a proposal relating to St Neots Museum seeking CIL funding of £750,000. The project was being proposed for decline as it was felt that it would provide low value for money based on its importance in terms of infrastructure needs, the current position in respect of match funding and the likely impact of the project upon new growth. Furthermore, it had been noted that there were some concerns around the existing maintenance of the building. Councillor K Prentice reported that the project was one that was supported by both the Town and County Councils and that he had personally written in a letter of support for the project in his capacity as Ward and County Councillor and that he would not be voting on the matter.

Following debate on the application and having been informed that it was the Cabinet’s role to either accept or decline the application presented before them, Executive Members then noted the views of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Performance and Growth). Whereupon, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

(a)  to note the information on projects previously allocated or in receipt of funding commitments and the updates on their delivery (as outlined in Appendix 1);

(b)  to agree Officer recommendations for projects submitted in this round for over £50,000 Community Infrastructure Levy funding (as detailed in Appendix 2);

(c)  to note the bids submitted in this round for £50,000 or less Community Infrastructure Levy funding and the approvals in line with delegated authority (as outlined in Appendix 3);

(d)  to delegate authority to the Corporate Director (Place) and Service Manager (Growth), in consultation with the Executive Leader and Executive Councillor for Strategic Planning, to make final agreements for contracts to be issued on projects allocated CIL monies in principle subject to provision of necessary evidence;

(e)  to approve the funding for the Special School at Alconbury Weald which, due to the scale of funding offered was approved in principle by Cabinet on 11th February 2021 (Minute No. 20/53 refers) and, following submission of additional information, is reported back to Cabinet for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 36.

To seek agreement to act upon the examiner’s report into the Grafham & Ellington Neighbourhood Plan leading to a referendum on whether or not it should be brought into force as part of the statutory development plan.

Executive Councillor: J Neish.

The Cabinet has agreed that the District Council should act upon the Examiner’s report to accept the recommended modifications and progress the neighbourhood plan to referendum.

Consideration was given to a report prepared by the Strategic Growth Manager (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) seeking agreement to act upon the Examiner’s report into the Grafham and Ellington Neighbourhood Plan leading to a referendum on whether or not it should be brought into force as part of the statutory development plan.

Having had their attention drawn to the proposed timetable for implementation which would seek to hold the proposed referendum on 27th January 2022 and in noting the comments of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Performance & Growth), it was

RESOLVED

that the District Council should act upon the Examiner’s report to accept the recommended modifications and progress the neighbourhood plan to referendum.

To consider a report on the proposed Gambling Act – Statement of Principles for 2022-25 following public consultation.

Executive Councillor: K Prentice.

The Cabinet has

(a)  noted the Gambling and Act 2005 – Statement of Principles 2021 that has been produced following the required consultation; and

(b)  recommended to Council that the Statement of Principles be referred to Council for approval.

With the aid of a report prepared by the Operational Manager (People) (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Cabinet were invited to comment on the revised draft of the Gambling Act 2005 – Statement of Principles 2021, prior to its submission to the Council.

The Executive Councillor for Leisure and Regulatory Services reported that the current Statement was due to expire on 30th January 2022. A twelve week consultation period had taken place between 29th June and 17th October 2021 and no responses had been received as part of this process. Having been informed that the Licensing Committee had considered the matter at its meeting on 10th November 2021, it was

RESOLVED

(a)  that the Gambling Act 2005 – Statement of Principles 2021 that has been produced following the required consultation be noted; and

(b)  that the Council be recommended to approve the Statement of Principles.

To receive a report presenting details of the delivery of the Corporate Plan 2018/22 and project delivery.

Executive Councillor: J Neish.

The Cabinet has considered and commented upon the 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 now submitted.

Consideration was given to a report by the Business Intelligence & Performance Manager and Performance and Data Analyst (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) presenting details of the delivery of the Corporate Plan 2018/22 and project delivery.

The Executive Councillor for Strategic Planning was pleased to report that progress in Quarter 2 in delivering key actions for 2021/22 remained on track or within an acceptable variance and highlighted a few actions which included the recovery of One Leisure memberships and attendance levels, the Test and Trace Support payments scheme processed by the Benefits team and progress with the waste management minimisation projects. Attention was then drawn to the corporate indicators which were below acceptable variances which included staff turnover in the Development Management service.

Having been encouraged by the performance levels achieved and in noting the views of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Performance & Growth), the Cabinet

RESOLVED

to note 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 now submitted.

To receive a report from the Chief Finance Officer presenting details of the Council’s projected financial performance for 2020/21.

Executive Councillor: J Gray.

The Cabinet has:

(a)  considered and commented on the financial performance to the end of September 2021, as detailed in Appendix 1 and summarised in paragraph 3.2 of the report now submitted; and

(b)  considered and approved the proposed budget changes to the Capital Budget to accommodate reclassification of budget and in year activity not included within the Medium Term Financial Strategy as outlined in paragraph 3.3 of the report now 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 2021/22.

In introducing the report, the Executive Councillor for Strategic Finance reported that there had been an estimated revenue outturn underspend of £0.304m and an estimated capital outturn underspend of £10.677m. The latter was attributed to reduced activity owing to the COVID-19 pandemic. The pressure placed upon staff resources with the Development Management Service was acknowledged together with the improved performance levels achieved within the One Leisure and Operations service.

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

RESOLVED

that the Cabinet has:

(a)  considered and commented on the financial performance to the end of September 2021, as detailed in Appendix 1 and summarised in paragraph 3.2 of the report now submitted; and

(b)  considered and approved the proposed budget changes to the Capital Budget to accommodate reclassification of budget and in year activity not included within the Medium Term Financial Strategy as outlined in paragraph 3.3 of the report now submitted.

To receive the Treasury Management Six Month Performance Review.

Executive Councillor: J Gray

The Cabinet has noted the treasury management performance for the first 6 months of 2021/22 and recommended the report to Council for consideration.

With the aid of a report prepared by the Chief Finance Officer (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Cabinet were updated on the Council’s treasury management activity for the first 6 months of the year, including investment and borrowing activity and treasury performance.

Following a brief introduction by the Executive Councillor for Strategic Finance and in noting the views of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Performance & Growth), it was

RESOLVED

(a)  that the treasury management performance for the first 6 months of 2021/22 be noted; and

(b)  that the Cabinet recommend the report to Council for consideration.

To receive the Minutes of the meeting of the Hinchingbrooke Country Park Joint Group held on 21st October 2021.

Executive Councillor: Mrs M L Beuttell.

The Cabinet has received the Minutes of the Hinchingbrooke Country Park Joint Group held on 21st October 2021.

The Cabinet received and noted the Minutes of the Hinchingbrooke Country Park Joint Group held on 21st October 2021. The Executive Councillor for Operations and Environment reported that the lease with Cambridgeshire County Council was in the process of being finalised. The matter was currently with 3C’s Legal Services and all being well would be signed off by the end of November 2021.