Agenda, decisions and minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 4th March 2004.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 4th March 2004 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To consider a report by the Head of Policy on the adoption of a Corporate Plan prior to its submission to full Council for approval.

Subject to an amendment to the 11^th vision bullet point on the first page of the Plan to refer to the targeting of resources to meet the greatest needs and the inclusion of the baseline for 5,000 affordable homes by 2007 under the aim for housing that meets local needs, recommended to full Council that the document “Growing Success:  A Corporate Plan” be approved.

Consideration was given to a report by the Head of Policy, to which was attached a copy of the replacement Corporate Plan – “Growing Success” developed to support the Council’s Community Strategy, provide the context within which the Comprehensive Performance Management Framework would operate and assist in prioritisation.  Copies of the report and Plan are appended in the Minute Book.

In so doing, Members’ attention was drawn to the views expressed by the Overview and Scrutiny Panels regarding the geographical and social diversity throughout the District and the practicalities of balancing economic growth to reduce “out commuting”.  Having been advised that the Panels would be given the opportunity to discuss the Plan’s targets as and when they were developed and subject to an amendment to the 4th bullet point of the vision’s characteristics to refer to the targeting of resources to meet the greatest needs, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

  that full Council be invited to endorse the document - “Growing Success:  A Corporate Plan” appended to the report now submitted.

By way of a report by the Head of Financial Services to consider the release of funds for MTP schemes referred to.

  released the relevant funding for the following schemes and projects within the Council’s MTP:-

  St Neots skate park;

  external and internal communications and student placement; and

  economic development study.

Further to Minute No. 03/168, consideration was given to a report by the Head of Financial Services requesting the release of funding for three schemes to be included or identified for inclusion in the Medium Term Plan.  Copies of the report and associated justifications are appended in the Minute Book.  Whereupon, it was

RESOLVED

  that the relevant funding be released for the following schemes and projects within the Council’s MTP –

¨  St Neots Skate Park;

¨  External and internal communications and student placement; and

¨  Economic Development feasibility study.

To consider a report by the Head of Financial Services.

Recommended to full Council that the 2004/05 Treasury Management Strategy be approved.

With the assistance of a report by the Head of Financial Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Cabinet considered a proposed Treasury Management Strategy for 2004/05.  Whereupon, it was

RESOLVED

  that full Council be invited to approve the 2004/05 Treasury Management Strategy as appended to the report now submitted.

  Agreed to defer consideration of the Governance Protocol with Cambridgeshire Constabulary (Central Division) regarding the deployment of 18 new Community Police Support Officers pending discussions with the joint steering group on the following issues identified by the Overview and Scrutiny Panels:

¨  . the inclusion of traffic management enforcement and road safety education as one of the five objectives of the PCSO’s in the Governance Protocol;

¨  Communications links;

¨  the implications for the Council’s Medium Term Plan; and

¨  the level of financial support provided by the Council compared with other authorities in the County.

(Councillor L M Simpson declared his prejudicial interest as an employee of Cambridgeshire Constabulary and left the meeting for the duration of discussion and voting on this matter)

Further to Minute No. 03/81 and by way of reports by the Director of Operational Services and the Head of Administration (copies of which are appended in the Minute Book) the Cabinet considered a draft Governance Protocol established as part of the deployment of 18 new Police Community Support Officers (PCSO’s) in Huntingdonshire.

Having been acquainted with the deliberations of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Planning and Finance) in relation to :-

¨  the role and allocation of Officers to the rural settlements throughout the District;

¨  the inclusion of traffic management enforcement and road safety education as one of the five objectives of the PCSO’s in the Governance Protocol;

¨  Communications links;

¨  the implications for the Council’s Medium Term Plan; and

¨  the level of financial support provided by the Council compared with other authorities in the County -

the Cabinet

RESOLVED

  that consideration of the Governance Protocol with Cambridgeshire Constabulary regarding PCSO’s be deferred pending clarification of the issues identified by the Overview and Scrutiny Panel and a further report thereon to a future meeting.

Further to Minute No. 03/91 to consider a report by the Director of Operational Services on the A14 Thrapston - Brampton grade separation scheme.

Requested the Director of Operational Services to respond to the Highways Agency reiterating the Council’s continued support for the originally proposed grade separation scheme for the junctions between Thrapston and Brampton on the A14. particularly at the Junction with Tollbar Lane/Bythorn and Keyston; that it be made clear that only options which provide a similar level of benefit should be progressed and that a 50 mph speed limit on both east bound and west bound lanes of the A14 between Coales Lodge and Little Meadow could not be supported as it would be ineffective.

Further to Minute No. 03/91 consideration was given to a report by the Director of Operational Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) outlining revised proposals by the Highways Agency to improve the junctions between Thrapston and Brampton on the A14.

The Cabinet received representations from Councillor J C Mugglestone and concurred with his concern in relation to the urgent need for improvements to these junctions in the interests of road safety.

In discussing the District Council’s response to the proposals, Members reiterated their continued support for the grade separation scheme originally proposed for the route, particularly at the junction with Tollbar Lane, Bythorn/Keyston and were of the opinion that only options which sought to provide a similar level of benefit should be progressed.  Furthermore, Members felt that they could not support a 50 mph speed limit on both eastbound and westbound lanes of the A14 between Coales Lodge and Little Meadow as it was unlikely to be effective.  Whereupon, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

  that the content of the report now submitted be noted and the comments made and issues raised endorsed to form the basis of a response on behalf of the District Council.

Further to Minute No. 03/151, to consider a report by the Director of Operational Services outlining a suggested response from the District Council to the County Council’s application for an Order under the Transport and Works Act 1992 to facilitate the guided bus scheme.

noted the serving of the TWA Order application, for the Cambridgeshire Guided Bus, on the District Council and agreed not to object and

authorised the Director of Central Services, after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Resources, Welfare and IT, to initiate negotiations with the County Council in respect of the transfer of the land in the District Council’s ownership required for the scheme.

(Councillors I C Bates and R L Clarke declared their respective personal interests as Members of Cambridgeshire County Council in the following item of business.)

Further to Minute No. 03/151, the Cabinet considered a report by the Head of Environment and Transport (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) regarding the County Council’s Transport and Works Act (TWA) submission for the guided bus scheme.

By way of background, Members were reminded that the TWA Order would provide the County Council with deemed planning consent and authority to acquire the necessary land to construct the guided sections of the route, principally between St Ives and Histon.

In discussing the implications of the order for Huntingdonshire, the Cabinet received representations from Councillors J C Mugglestone, K Reynolds and J M Sadler highlighting their constituents’ concerns in relation to the scheme’s cost, environmental impact, and overall benefits for both commuters and the District in general.

In acknowledging the unlikelihood of sustaining an objection to the submission and having noted that negotiations were continuing with the County Council over the design of the final scheme, the Cabinet.

RESOLVED

  (a)that the service of the TWA Order application on the District Council be noted;

  (b)that no objection be made to the application;and

  (c)that the Director of Central Services after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Resources, Welfare and IT be authorised, to initiate negotiations with the County Council in respect of the transfer of the land in the District Council’s ownership required for the scheme.

(Councillors I C Bates and L M Simpson requested that it be recorded that they had abstained from voting on this item.)

To consider a report by the Head of Environment and Transport regarding a proposal to develop a cycle route linking Easton and Ellington.

Authorised the Director of Operational Services to take such action as are necessary to establish a permissive cycle way between Easton and Ellington.

By means of a report by the Head of Environment and Transport (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Cabinet considered a proposal to establish a permissive cycle way linking the settlements of Easton and Ellington.  Whereupon, it was

RESOLVED

  that the Director of Operational Services be authorised to take such action as is necessary to establish a permissive cycle way between Easton and Ellington.

With the assistance of a report by the Planning Policy Manager to consider the contents of the 2004 Huntingdonshire Buildings at Risk Register.

Noted the contents of the 2004 Huntingdonshire Buildings at Risk Register, and endorsed the Buildings at Risk Strategy for 2003-2005.

By way of a report by the Planning Policy Manager (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Cabinet were informed of the publication of the 2004 Huntingdonshire Buildings at Risk Register, the results of the 2003 Buildings at Risk survey and an analysis of the Buildings at Risk Strategy 2003-2005.

Having noted that the revised Buildings at Risk Register contained details of 318 structures categorised according to their condition and risk of collapse or structural failure, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

  that the contents of the 2004 Buildings at Risk Register be noted and the future Strategy for 2003-2005 endorsed.

To consider a joint report by the ICT Services Manager and the Projects and Assets Manager regarding proposals to extend the ICT server room at Pathfinder House.

Agreed to extend the existing ICT server room on the second floor of Pathfinder House and to increase the capital funding for the scheme in the Medium Term Plan by £45,000 and the release of the relevant funds.

Consideration was given to a joint report by the ICT Services Manager and the Projects and Asset Manager (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) regarding proposals to extend the ICT server room at Pathfinder House to accommodate the Council’s expanding ICT infrastructure and maintain the necessary physical environment for the servers.

Having considered the information contained in the report, the need for expansion and an evaluation of options, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

  that the existing ICT server room on the second floor of Pathfinder House be extended, the capital funding for the scheme in the Medium Term Plan increased by £45,000 and the relevant funds released.

(Councillors R L Clarke and Mrs K P Gregory requested that it be recorded that they had abstained from voting on this item.)

To receive a report of the meeting of the Safety Advisory Group held on 3rd March 2004.

The report of the meeting of the Safety Advisory Group held on 3rd March 2004 was received and noted.