Agenda, decisions and minutes

To consider a report by the Head of Housing Services seeking endorsement of the Cambridge Sub-Region Housing Strategy.

(Copies of the Strategy have been circulated previously)

Recommended to full Council that the Cambridge Sub –Region Housing Strategy 2003/06 be endorsed.

With the aid of a report by the Head of Housing Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Cabinet considered the content of the Cambridge Sub – Region Housing Strategy 2003/06.

By way of background, Members were reminded that the new Regional Housing Forum for the East of England had requested sub-regions to draft housing strategies as part of a wider strategy for the East of England.  Subsequently, eight local authorities had participated in the strategy, assimilating housing data in order to identify sub-regional needs and priorities.  Members were informed that there would be a new single housing investment pot for the East of England for which funding was likely to be also allocated on the basis of sub–regional housing strategy submissions.  Having been advised that the structure and role of the new Regional Housing Forum would be reported to the Cabinet as and when they became clearer, it was

RESOLVED

  that full Council be recommended to endorse the Cambridge Sub –Region Housing Strategy 2003/06.

To consider a report by the Head of Housing Services seeking approval to the draft private sector Housing Strategy 2004/2007

(Copies of the Strategy have been circulated previously)

  Requested full Council to endorse the Private Sector Housing Strategy 2004/07

By way of a report by the Head of Housing Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) Members were acquainted with the content of the 2004/07 Private Sector Housing Strategy.

Having been advised that the document would be submitted to Go-East along with the 2004/07 Housing Strategy, the Cabinet.

RESOLVED

  that full Council be recommended to endorse the Private Sector Housing Strategy for 2004/07.

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 26th June 2003.

The Minutes of the Meeting of the Cabinet held on 26th June 2003 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

The Minutes of the Meeting of the Cabinet held on 26th June 2003 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To seek the views of the Cabinet, by a report by the Head of Housing Services, on the draft Homelessness Strategy 2004/07

(Copies of the Strategy have been circulated previously)

  Recommended to full Council that the Homelessness Review and Strategy 2004/07 be endorsed.

The Cabinet considered a report by the Head of Housing Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) seeking approval for the adoption of the draft Homelessness Strategy.

In so doing, Members’ attention was drawn to a new statutory requirement under the Homelessness Act, 2002 for local authorities to carry out a review of homelessness within their areas and to formulate and publish a homelessness strategy based on the results of that review.  Having been advised of the requirement to publish the strategy by the 31st July 2003, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

  that full Council be recommended to endorse the Homelessness Review and Strategy for the period 2004/07.

To consider a report by the Head of Housing Services seeking approval to the draft Black Minority Ethnic Housing Strategy 2003/04

(Copies of the Strategy have been circulated previously)

Asked full Council to endorse the Black Minority Ethnic Housing Strategy 2003/04.

Consideration was given to a report by the Head of Housing Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) to which was attached a copy of the Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) Housing Strategy 2003/04.

Reference having been made to the accessibility of Council services for BME residents, Members were advised that the Council had submitted a bid to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister for financial assistance to undertake a detailed survey of BME residents needs.

RESOLVED

  that full Council be recommended to endorse the Black and Minority Ethnic Housing Strategy for 2003/04.

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 possible disposal of a freehold unit or the supply of goods or services.”

RESOLVED

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

To consider a report by the Head of Legal and Estates regarding suitable sites for the construction of small industrial units in the District.

deferred consideration of this matter until a further meeting to enable the Head of Legal and Estates to  investigate the availability of alternative sites for the construction of small industrial units at Caxton Road and Burrell Road, St Ives.

Consideration was given to a report by the Head of Legal and Estates (a copy of which is appended in the Annex to the Minute Book) regarding the location of small industrial units in St Ives and the consequential implications in terms of the Medium Term Plan.  Having been acquainted by the Executive Councillor for Resources, Welfare and IT with developments since the report had been produced with regard to the possible availability of land in St. Ives for this purpose, the Cabinet.

RESOLVED

  that consideration as to the possible extension of the area of search of land suitable for the construction of small industrial units be deferred pending the outcome of further investigations with regard to the availability of land in St Ives.

To consider a report by the Head of Legal and Estates regarding issues surrounding the remarketing of a Council owned industrial unit at 13 Cromwell Road, St Neots.

Agreed to remarket 13 Cromwell Road, St Neots for letting with reference being made to the possible availability of the freehold for the factory and in the event that the premises are sold, agreed to submit a Medium Term Plan Bid for the development of alternative industrial/commercial premises.

Having considered a report by the Head of Legal and Estates (a copy of which is appended in the Annex to the Minute Book) regarding the marketing of land and premises at 13 Cromwell Road, St Neots, it was

RESOLVED

(a)  that the land and premises be remarketed for letting with reference being made to the possible availability of the freehold; and

(b)  that, in the event that the land and premises are sold, a Medium Term Plan bid be submitted for the development of alternative industrial/commercial premises.

To seek the views of the Cabinet via a report by the Head of Housing on the draft Housing Strategy.

(Copies of the Strategy have been circulated previously.)

Council is asked to recommend the approval of the District Council’s Housing Strategy 2004/07 and to authorise the Director of Operational Services, after consultation with the Executive Member for Housing Strategy, to make any necessary presentational or textual changes to the Strategy document in advance of its submission to Go – East by the 31st July 2003.

By way of a report by the Head of Housing Services (a copy of which is appended in the minute Book) the Cabinet were invited to consider the content of the draft Housing Strategy 2004/07 which represented an assessment of the housing needs of the District and proposals for addressing these over that period.

Members were reminded that the Strategy formed part of an annual submission to Government Offices and the Housing Corporation and was used as a means of assessing an authority’s efficiency and effectiveness in meeting housing needs and allocating Housing Investment Programme resources.

The contents of the strategy had been presented to the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Service Delivery and Resources) arising from which some concern had been expressed about the lack of affordable housing in the District.  In that respect, the Executive Member for Planning Strategy drew Members’ attention to the review of the Huntingdonshire Local Plan and a proposal to require 40% of new schemes to comprise affordable housing.

RESOLVED

  that full Council be recommended to approve the District Council’s Housing Strategy 2004/07 and to authorise the Director of Operational Services, after consultation with the Executive Member for Housing Strategy, to make any necessary presentational and/or textual changes to the Strategy document in advance of its submission to Go – East by 31st July 2003.

To consider a report by the Planning Policy Manager on progress of the Waste Local Plan produced jointly by the Waste Planning Authorities of Cambridgeshire County Council and Peterborough City Council.

Noted the principal modifications to the Peterborough and Cambridgeshire Waste Local Plan.

By way of a report by the Planning Policy Manager (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) Members were acquainted with modifications to the draft Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Waste Local Plan arising from the Inspector’s report following the inquiry into objections.

The Cabinet were informed that the Inspector had rejected the Council’s recommendation that Alconbury Airfield should be removed from the list of possible areas for a major waste management facility.  Having been advised that the Inspector had concluded that the allocation of the site would not have an inimical effect on strategic considerations, given the area of search for a major waste management facility within which any unacceptable conflicts would be avoided, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

  that full Council be recommended to note the comments of the Inspector and the proposed modifications to the Peterborough and Cambridgeshire Waste Local Plan.

To consider a joint report by the Estate & Property Manager and the Planning Policy Manager regarding property implications of the Oxmoor Action Plan and the redevelopment of Sapley Square.

Agreed to appoint Macmon Architect to prepare a detailed scheme for the redevelopment of Sapley Square and in that respect agreed to waive the requirements in paragraph 2.2 of the Council’s Code of Procurement; approved proposals for the development of Phase 2 of Sapley Square and agreed to submit an application for planning permission and subject to the availability of funding from the sustainable communities grant authorised the Executive Director for Central Services, after consultation with the Leader of the Council and the Executive Councillors for Resources, Welfare and Information Technology and for Finance, to approve detailed terms for;

·  the acquisition of shops, maisonettes and garages at Sapley Square, Huntingdon from Huntingdonshire Housing Partnership;

·  the acquisition of a leasehold flat at Sapley Square, Huntingdon; and

·  accommodating/compensating business tenants at Sapley Square, Huntingdon.

Approved the principle of funding environmental improvements from the proceeds of Section 106 monies as described in the appendix to the report and agreed to implement the scheme in the priority order detailed in paragraph 4.3 of the report.

Further to Minute No 02/157, the Cabinet considered a report by the Estate and Property Manager (a copy of which is appended in the Annex to the Minute Book) outlining the property implications in implementing the Oxmoor Action Plan, including proposals to undertake environmental improvements, dispose of District Council land and redevelop the Sapley Square area.

Having been reminded of the objective of the planning guidance for the Oxmoor area and the submission of a bid for funding from the Sustainable Communities – Growth Areas Delivery Grant, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

(a)  that Macmon Architects be appointed to prepare a detailed scheme for the redevelopment of Sapley Square in accordance with paragraph 2.2E of the Council’s Code of Procurement;

(b)  that proposals for the development of Phase 2 of Sapley Square be approved and the application for planning permission submitted; and

(c)  that subject to the availability of funding from the sustainable communities grant:-

¨  the Executive Director for Central Services, after consultation with the Leader of the Council and the Executive Councillors for Resources, Welfare and Information Technology and for Finance, be authorised to approve detailed terms for;

§  the acquisition of shops, maisonettes and garages at Sapley Square, Huntingdon from Huntingdonshire Housing Partnership;

§  the acquisition of a leasehold flat at Sapley Square, Huntingdon; and

§  accommodating/compensating business tenants at Sapley Square, Huntingdon.

¨  the principle of funding environmental improvements from the proceeds of Section 106 monies as described in the Appendix to the report be approved and the scheme implemented in the priority order detailed in paragraph 4.3 of the report.

¨  to appoint the Chairman of Sawtry Parish Council to fill the vacancy on the Sawtry Internal Drainage Board following the resignation of Mr A Morris and;

¨  to formally appoint Councillors Mrs J Chandler and R P Rhodes and Mr C J Allen to the Houghton and Wyton Internal Drainage Board.

Further to Minute No 03/25, and in the light of vacancies on the Houghton and Wyton Internal Drainage Board and a request from Sawtry Internal Drainage Board for an additional representative, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

(a)  that Councillors Mrs J Chandler and R P Rhodes and Mr C J Allen be appointed to serve on the Houghton and Wyton Internal Drainage Board until 1st June 2005; and

(b)  that the Chairman of Sawtry Parish Council be appointed to serve as District Council representative on the Sawtry Internal Drainage Board until the 1st June 2005.

To consider a report by the Head of Legal and Estates regarding the Council’s Asset Management Plan.

  Approved the contents of the core data and property performance, indicators, for submission to the Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions.

Consideration was given to a report by the Estates and Property Manager (copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) to which was attached a copy of the Council’s core data for operational and non-operational assets and property performance indicators for 2003 prior to their submission to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.  Whereupon, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

  the report be noted and that the Executive Director of Central Services be authorised, after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Resources, Welfare and IT, to approve any necessary amendments to the core data and property performance indicators, prior to its submission to the Government Office for the Eastern Region by 31st July 2003.

To consider a report by the Director of Operational Services on the development of a new Local Transport Plan for Cambridgeshire.

Subject to the inclusion of Members’ concerns in the District Statement that  the widening of the A14 Kettering bypass, duelling of the A1 to Caxton and improvements to the A1 between Brampton and Alconbury have been identified in the Governments recently published road programme as requiring  further development work only, noted the draft Cambridgeshire Local Transport Plan and District Statement for Huntingdonshire and authorised the Director of Operational Services, after consultation with the Executive Member for Planning Strategy, to make minor changes to the text of the draft LTP and District Statement, if necessary, in advance of their submission to Council; furthermore requested full Council to approve the draft Cambridgeshire Local Transport Plan 2004/11 and the draft Huntingdonshire District Statement for inclusion in the plan.

In considering progress towards development of the second Cambridgeshire Transport Plan 2004/2011, Members were acquainted by means of a report by the Director of Operational Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) with the content of a draft statement for Huntingdonshire for inclusion in the plan.  Attention also was drawn to the emerging transport programme which had been designed to enhance public transport, promote cycling and walking, balance car use and encourage the preparation of green travel plans around the County.

The Executive Member for Planning Strategy, drew Members’ attention to the Government’s new road programme which the Transport Minister had recently announced as a way of dealing with road congestion.  In that respect, Members welcomed proposals to widen the A142 between Bedford and Junction 13 of the M1 but were disappointed that the widening of the A14 Kettering bypass, duelling of the A428 between the A1 and Caxton and improvements to the A1 between Brampton and Alconbury have been chosen for further development work only.  At the same time, Members expressed concern that no provision had been made for improvements to the East Coast mainline railway.  Having requested the Director of Operational Services to reflect these sentiments in the Council’s statement and in noting that changes to the documents would be circulated to Cabinet Members in advance of their submission to Cambridgeshire County Council, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

(a)  that the draft Cambridgeshire Local Transport Plan and District Statement for Huntingdonshire be noted;

(b)  that the Director of Operational Services be authorised, after consultation with the Executive Member for Planning Strategy, to make minor changes to the text of the draft LTP and District Statement, if necessary, in advance of their submission to full Council; and

(c)  that full Council be recommended to approve the draft Cambridgeshire Local Transport Plan 2004/11 and the draft Huntingdonshire District Statement for inclusion in the plan.

To consider a report by the Director of Operational Services requesting the views of the Cabinet on the Annual Progress Report and Huntingdonshire Statement.

  Requested full Council to approve the joint Annual Progress Report and District Council Statement and to authorise the Director of Operational Services, after consultation with the Executive Member for Planning Strategy, to make minor changes to the text of the documents if necessary, in advance of their submission to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister by the 31st July 2003

A report by the Director of Operational Services was submitted (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) inviting the Cabinet to consider the content of an Annual Progress Report (APR) on the delivery of the Cambridgeshire Transport Plan, together with a statement specific to Huntingdonshire.

With regard to the APR’s content, Members raised concerns that appendices relating to Market Town Transport Strategies, bus information strategy, major schemes update, a second A14 villages supplementary bid, road and bridge maintenance data, street lighting inventory, schemes implemented in 2002/03 and finance forms had not been circulated with the report.  In response it was reported that the missing appendices would be distributed to Executive Members as when they became available from Cambridgeshire County Council.  Whereupon, it was

RESOLVED

  that the joint Annual Progress Report and District Council Statement be approved and the Director of Operational Services authorised, after consultation with the Executive Member for Planning Strategy, to make minor changes to the text of the documents if necessary, in advance of their submission to Go-East by 31st July 2003