Agenda, decisions and minutes

With the assistance of a report by the Head of Environment and Transport, to consider the outcome of consultations on the Rapid Transit System.

Supported in principle a proposal by Cambridgeshire County Council to use guided bus technology along the A14 to provide a high quality public transport link between Huntingdon and Cambridge; reaffirmed the need to develop a clean, efficient and affordable transit system and unless these concerns can be resolved agreed to lodge objections to the Transport Works Act

Consideration was given to a report by the Director of Operational Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) to which was attached a copy of the County Council’s document – ‘Cambridge to Huntingdon Rapid Transit System’, summarising a proposal to use guided bus technology on the A14 to provide a high quality public transport link between Huntingdon and Cambridge.

In discussing the content of the paper, Members’ attention was drawn to the opinion of consultants retained by the Council who had reviewed the proposals against relevant strategies and policies including national, regional and local objectives from CHUMMS, the Council’s MTP and the Cambridgeshire Structure Plan. 

Having acknowledged the advantages gained by the District Council thus far in influencing the decision on the routing of the scheme, that consideration would need to be given in the future to ‘park and ride’ facilities in Huntingdon, and the clarity of the Government’s decision rejecting either of the rail options, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

(a)  that the County Council’s proposal for a Cambridge to Huntingdon Rapid Transit System be supported in principle;

(b)  that the Director of Operational Services be requested to convey to Cambridgeshire County Council, the District Council’s concerns with regard to the potential impact of the proposed system on the District’s built, historic and natural environment; and

(c)  that, in the event of the concerns referred to in (b) above remaining unresolved, the County Council be informed that the District Council would be disposed to object to the application required under the Transport and Works Act, 1992.

Further to Minute No. 03/17 to consider a report by the Head of Environment and Transport on the outcome of consultations on proposals to introduce a licensing scheme for pavement cafes.

Approved the introduction of a scheme for licensing pavement cafes; agreed that the annual fee should be £220; Authorised the Head of Administration, in consultation with the Executive Councillor for Resources, Welfare and Information Technology, to determine applications and to take any necessary consequential action to introduce the scheme at the earliest possible date.

Further to Minute No 03/17 and by way of a report by the Head of Environment and Transport (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) Members were acquainted with the outcome of consultations with town centre businesses and other interested bodies on proposals to introduce a licensing scheme for pavement cafes.

Whereupon, it was

RESOLVED

(a)  that a scheme for licensing pavement cafes be approved and introduced in town centres throughout the District;

(b)  that an annual licensing fee of £220 for pavement cafes be introduced;

(c)  that the Head of Administration, after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Resources, Welfare, and Information Technology, be authorised to determine applications; and

(d)   that the Head of Administration be authorised to take any necessary consequential action to introduce a licensing scheme at the earliest possible date.

To consider a report by the Planning Policy Manager requesting the Cabinet to approve the adoption of the Village Design Statement as Supplementary Planning Guidance.

Agreed to adopt the Holywell-Cum-Needingworth Village Design Statement as Supplementary Planning Guidance

A report by the Planning Policy Manager was submitted (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) to which was attached a draft copy of a village design statement for Holywell-cum-Needingworth which had been produced by residents of the village in consultation with the Parish and District Councils and the Environment Agency.

Having welcomed the initiative taken by local people to produce the design statement, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

  that, subject to the incorporation of the amendments contained in the Annex to the report now submitted, the Holywell-cum-Needingworth village design statement be adopted as Supplementary Planning Guidance.

To consider a report by the Planning Policy Manager on the proposed adoption of the Conservation Area Character Statement as Supplementary Planning Guidance.

Agreed to formally adopt the Godmanchester (Earning St) conservation Area Character Statement as Supplementary Planning Guidance

Further to Minute No 02/214 and by way a report by the Planning Policy Manager (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) Members were acquainted with the outcomes of the consultation exercise undertaken on the draft Conservation Area Character Statement for Godmanchester (Earning Street).

Whereupon, it was

RESOLVED

  that, subject to the incorporation of amendments to reflect the responses referred to in Annex 1 to the report now submitted, the Conservation Area Character statement for Godmanchester (Earning Street) be adopted as Supplementary Planning Guidance.

To consider a report by the Heads of Planning Services and of Environment and Transport regarding a proposal to waive the requirements of the Council’s Code of Procurement in relation to the preparation of a select list of specialist consultants from whom tenders may be invited to undertake a Strategic Flood Risk Assessment.

Authorised the Heads of Planning Services and of Environment and Transport to invite a select list of appropriate firms to tender for undertaking a Strategic Flood Risk Assessment

The Cabinet considered a joint report by the Heads of Planning Services and of Environment and Transport (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) regarding the need to appoint consultants to undertake a strategic flood risk assessment to underpin the new local plan and inform other planning, environmental and engineering decisions.  Whereupon, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

  that the Heads of Planning Services and Environment and Transport be authorised to approve a select list of appropriate firms from which tenders may be invited to undertake a Strategic Flood Risk Assessment as outlined in the report now submitted and that the necessary departures from the Code of Procurement also be approved for that purpose.

To consider a report by the Head of Environment and Transport regarding the tendering process for the public conveniences contract.

Agreed to include the four contractors referred to in para 4.3 on an approved list of tenderers for the upgrade of the District’s public conveniences; authorised the Director of Operational Services, in consultation with the Executive Councillor for Service Delivery, to take any necessary consequential action, noted the re-phasing of the capital expenditure in the MTP; agreed that the Executive Councillor for Service Delivery be involved in the tender negotiations process and the final choice of Contractor reported to a future meeting.

Further to Minute No 02/98 consideration was given to a report by the Head of Environment and Transport (a copy of which is appended in the annex to the Minute Book) seeking approval to a select list of contractors to be invited to tender for the delivery of a public convenience service in the District’s market towns.

In the light of remarks as to the possible removal of a condition appertaining to the requirement for a guarantee from the parent company on behalf of one of the companies from which it was proposed to invite a tender, it was

RESOLVED

  (a)  that, subject to further checking and to the relevant Directors being satisfied with the proposal, the requirement for a parent company guarantee be dispensed with in the case of the second company listed in the table referred to in paragraph 4.3 of the report now submitted;

  (b)  that the first, fourth and sixth companies referred to in paragraph 4.3 of the report also be invited to tender for the delivery of a public convenience service in the District’s market towns;

  (c)  that the Director of Operational Services, after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Service Delivery, be authorised to prepare the specification and associated contract documentation to reflect the content of paragraphs 5.1-5.10 of the report now submitted;

  (d)  that the rephasing of capital expenditure in the MTP referred to in paragraphs 6.1-6.4 of the report be noted;

  (e)  that the proposals for post-tender negotiations and consultation with the Executive Councillor for Service Delivery be noted; and

  (f)  that the Director of Operational Services, after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Service Delivery, be authorised to recommend the final choice of contractor to a future meeting of the Cabinet.

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 10th July 2003.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on the 10th July 2003 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To consider a report by the Head of Financial Services comparing the capital expenditure incurred by the Council in 2002/03 with the approved programme and the resulting implications for the 2003/04 programme.

Noted variations to the capital expenditure incurred by the Council in 2002/03 in comparison with the approved programme and the implications on the programme for the current year, agreed to fund the cost of rebuilding a retaining wall at Hen Brook in St Neots, estimated at £48,000, from savings in the 2002/03 programme, approved additional funding of £19,000 for the refurbishment of the Ramsey changing rooms and deferred consideration of a request for funds from St Neots Leisure Centre to extend the kitchen facilities to enable enquires to be made into the possibility of packaging the schemes in the Leisure Centres condition survey into one major contract to be managed by an External facility management company.

Consideration was given to a report by the Head of Financial Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) regarding capital expenditure incurred by the Council in 2002/03 compared with the approved programme and the implications of variations described on the programme for the current year.

Members’ attention was drawn to those projects which had been delayed in 2002/03 and those already identified in the 2003/04 programme.  Having considered the scope for funding an additional scheme from savings identified in 2002/03 and requests for additional funding in respect of schemes for the refurbishment of changing rooms at the Ramsey Leisure Centre and for a bar/kitchen/creche extension at the St Neots Leisure Centre, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

  (a)  that the report be received and the variations noted;

  (b)that the cost of rebuilding a retaining wall at Henbrook in St Neots, estimated at £48,000 be funded from savings in the 2002/03 programme;

  (c)that additional funding of £19,000 be approved for the refurbishment of the Ramsey Changing Rooms; and

  (d)that consideration as to the funding of the bar/kitchen/crèche extension at the St Neots Leisure Centre be deferred pending the submission of further information.

To consider a report by the Head of Financial Services on the likely outturn for 2002/03 and budget variations arising in the current year.

Noted the projected outturn of the 2002/03 budget and several budget variations for 2003/04.

In receiving a report by the Head of Financial Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) describing the projected outturn of the 2002/03 budget and outlining several budget variations already identified in the current year, the Cabinet noted remarks by the Head of Planning Services to the effect that she proposed to report further in September 2003 on the proposed withdrawal by the District Council from the direct provision of a septic tank employing service.

To note a summary by the Head of Revenue Services of debts written-off during the quarter ended 30th June 2003.

The Cabinet received and noted a report by the Head of Revenue Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) summarising debt which had been written off during the period April – June 2003 as irrecoverable. 

(a)  Huntingdonshire Enterprise Agency

  To consider a report by the Head of Policy seeking the appointment of an Executive Councillor to the Huntingdonshire Enterprise Agency.

(b)  Little Gransden Aerodrome Consultative Committee

  To appoint a local Member to the Little Gransden Aerodrome Consultative Committee.

(c)  Norman Cross Road Safety Committee

  To appoint a local Member to the Norman Cross Road Safety Committee to replace Councillor P Mitchell.

Have made the following appointments:

Councillor Mrs Chandler to Huntingdonshire Enterprise Forum

Councillor L M Simpson to Huntingdonshire Enterprise Agency

Councillor Mrs B Boddington to the Little Gransden Aerodrome Consultative Committee;

Councillor J Watt to The Norman Cross Road Safety Committee

Further to Minute No 03/25 consideration was given to a report by the Head of Policy (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) seeking the appointment of an Executive Councillor to the Huntingdonshire Enterprise Forum.  Attention having been drawn to a vacancy on the Norman Cross Road Safety Committee and a request from the Little Gransden Aerodrome Consultative Committee for a District Council representative, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

(a)  that Councillor Mrs J Chandler be appointed to serve on the Huntingdonshire Enterprise Forum;

(b)  that Councillor L M Simpson be appointed to serve on the Huntingdonshire Enterprise Agency;

(c)  that Councillor Mrs B Boddington be appointed to serve on the Little Gransden Aerodrome Consultative Committee; and

(d)  that Councillor J Watt be appointed to replace Councillor P Mitchell on the Norman Cross Road Safety Committee.

To resolve:-

  “that the public be excluded from the meeting because the business to be transacted contains exempt information relating to terms proposed for the supply of goods and services”.

RESOLVED

  that the public be excluded from the meeting because the business to be transacted contains exempt information relating to terms to be proposed in the course of negotiations for a contract for the supply of goods or services.

To consider a report by the Corporate Director, Commerce and Technology.

Approved variations and adjustments in the cash limits for the years 2004/08, in the current MTP, agreed to meet any additional expenditure within the MTP from savings; agreed that there be no additional provision for revenue developments and £3.5m per year for capital investment (at current prices) unless funded from savings and/or related to population growth; that, further consideration be given to the level of acceptable development post 2008/09 and that the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Planning and Finance) be invited to comment on the foregoing draft Financial Strategy.

A report by the Corporate Director, Commerce and Technology was submitted (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) containing details of the Council’s current financial position and options to consider before proposing a financial strategy within which the medium term plan and community and corporate strategies could be achieved.

Members noted that a series of assumptions had been made in relation to inflation, interest rates, revenue support from Central Government.  However, the Cabinet also were alerted to other issues which remained to be resolved, including the connotation, and other factors associated with the Government’s new funding principles introduced in the current year and the arrangements which would supersede those formerly applying to social housing grant, and their potential impact on Council Tax levels in future years.  In those circumstances, it was

RESOLVED

(a)  that variations in cash limits for 2004/05 - 2007/08 as approved in the current MTP be adjusted in accordance with the tabulation reproduced at Annex A to the report now submitted;

(b)  that any additional spending which is proposed in conjunction with the review of the MTP be met from within the overall, updated levels of expenditure referred to in (a) above;

(c)  that unless related to demographic considerations, no additional provision for revenue developments be made in 2008/09 and that £3.5m p.a. be earmarked for capital investment (at current prices);

(d)  that, further consideration be given to the level of acceptable development post 2008/09 and Council Tax levels at future meetings; and

(e)  that, in conjunction with the forthcoming review of the MTP, consideration be given to the scope for identifying further savings.

To consider a report by the Director of Operational Services on progress with regard to development of the Partnership and a financial subscription on behalf of the District Council.

Supported the work of the Cambridge Sub-Regional Infrastructure Partnership and  approved the use of £17.5k of the contingency fund to contribute to this work.

Further to Minute No. 01/114 and by way of a report by the Director of Operational Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) Members were acquainted with progress in relation to deliberations by the Cambridge Sub-Regional Infrastructure Partnership with regard to lobbying to remedy the perceived deficit of funding in respect of the Sub-Region.

Having reviewed the issues involved and in noting that a contribution of 17.5K had been sought from the District Council, it was

RESOLVED

(a) that the work of the Cambridge Sub-Regional Infrastructure Partnership be supported; and

(b) that a subscription of £17,500 towards the work of the Partnership be made from within the Council’s contingency budget for the current financial year and that an MTP bid be prepared in respect of a subscript for 2004/05 onwards.