Agenda and minutes

Father J Pullen, Vicar of All Saints Church, St. Ives opened the meeting with Prayer.

(a)  Royal Visits

  The Chairman reported that he had had the pleasure to welcome both Her Royal Highness Princess Royal and Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Gloucester to Huntingdonshire on 31st March and 13th April 2010 respectively to open new community facilities in Huntingdon and St Neots. 

(b)  Chairman's Reception

  The Chairman reminded Members of the arrangements for his reception to be held on 14th May 2010 in the new Civic Suite, invitations for which had been issued. 

(c)  Civic Suite

  The Chairman indicated that he was pleased to announce that the annual meeting of the Council would be held in the new Civic Suite at Pathfinder House, Huntingdon and on behalf of the Council, he thanked the Democratic Services Team for their efforts in ensuring that meetings held in the various parts of the District had been conducted satisfactorily over the previous 18 months while the new accommodation was being constructed.

(d)  Membership of the Council

  The Chairman welcomed Councillor C M Saunderson to his first meeting of the Council since his election as Member for Fenstanton Ward at a by election held on 25th February 2010.

  The Chairman also referred to the impending retirement of Councillors J E Garner, A N Gilbert, L W McGuire, D Priestman and J M Sadler all of whom had indicated that they were not seeking re-election to the District Council in May 2010.  The Council recorded their thanks to those Members for their services during their respective periods of office and extended best wishes to them and their families for their future. 

  Councillor M G Baker added his tribute to the contributions made to the life of the Council by Councillors J E Garner and J M Sadler.

(e)  Fen Soundscape Project

  The Council was advised of the commencement of the 2010 Fen Soundscape project which involved young people working with professional musicians and composers to write, record and edit music inspired by the Great Fen. 

Mr R Emmette to present a petition containing 221 signatures in respect of the closure of public conveniences in the District.

The Chairman invited Mr R Emmette to present a petition on behalf of 221 signatories regarding their concern at the proposed closure of public conveniences in Ramsey, St. Ives, St. Neots, Huntingdon and Godmanchester.

On behalf of the petitioners, Mr Emmette suggested that it was unreasonable to expect residents and visitors to the District to use facilities in local restaurants and shops, that use of the Riverside Park and the number of visitors to the District would decrease and that he was hopeful that the town councils would be able to assume responsibility for the facilities.

Following questions from Members, it was

RESOLVED

  that the petition be referred for consideration to the Cabinet.

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 17th February 2010.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 17th February 2010 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive from Members declarations as to personal and/or prejudicial interests and the nature of those interests in relation to any Agenda Item.  Please see Notes 1 and 2 below.

No declarations were received.

The Returning Officer to report that Mr C M Saunderson has been elected to the Office of District Councillor for the Fenstanton Ward at a by-election held on 25th February 2010.

The Returning Officer reported that Mr C M Saunderson had been elected to the Office of District Councillor for the Fenstanton Ward at a by-election held on 25th February 2010. 

The Chairman reminded Members of the decision made by the Council to suspend Council Procedure Rule 11 (Rules of Debate) to enable headline debates and "White Paper" proposals to be discussed by Members in an open manner.  The Council therefore

RESOLVED

  that Council Procedure Rule 11 (Rules of Debate) be suspended for the duration of the discussion on Minute Nos. 92 and 93, during which time the common law rules of debate be observed by Members and applied by the Chairman.

“What action can the Council take to promote the well-being of rural communities in Huntingdonshire?”

Councillor L M Simpson, Deputy Leader of the Council invited Councillor K M Baker, the Council's representative on the Local Government Association's Rural Commission to open a debate entitled "What action can the Council take to promote the well-being of rural communities in Huntingdonshire?"

Councillor Baker reminded Members that Huntingdonshire remained a predominantly rural District with over 80,000 people living outside the market towns.  In terms of the well-being of those residents, Councillor Baker referred to the difficulties experienced by those who lived in villages and the countryside, experiencing poor access to services, such as transport, shops, post offices and to facilities such as leisure centres, cinemas and broadband access.  To redress the shortfall, Councillor Baker challenged his colleagues to work closely with partners and to exert influence and pressure to seek additional infrastructure provision.  He also drew attention to the recent publication of a draft "Cambridgeshire Rural Strategy" by Cambridgeshire Together which had identified six priorities for action and invited Members to come forward with ideas to respond to and promote the well-being of the rural communities. 

Councillor P L E Bucknell questioned whether the Council's planning policies were helping or hindering the provision of local services and he referred to the example of the difficulties in establishing a local shop in Wistow.  Councillor P G Mitchell drew attention to the problems of anti-social behaviour in villages and the potential impact that improved facilities might have in resolving these difficulties especially if Section 106 Agreement receipts could be made more flexible to assist smaller rural settlements.  Councillor R J West commended the publication of the draft rural strategy for Cambridgeshire and in particular highlighted the importance of youth provision and rural public transport.  These comments were endorsed by Councillor M G Baker who suggested that the lack of transport to access services was the greatest form of rural deprivation.  He mentioned the contribution made to the lives of those living west of the A1 by the Nene & Ouse Community Transport Scheme and the role that the Council had in continuing to support community transport.  Councillor Baker also suggested that the District Council might consider contributing some funding to shops and post offices if this would prevent their closure in villages and in this light drew attention to the efforts made by residents in Catworth to retain the post office in that village.

In terms of affordable housing, Councillor M G  Baker questioned the wisdom of the "Right to Buy" policy given the consequences this had had in reducing the public housing stock and particularly welcomed the opportunities presented by the policy on ‘rural exception sites’ which he considered essential to provide social housing in more rural locations.  Although highlighting youth provision as an issue, Councillor Baker accepted that this would be difficult to resolve in rural areas given the requirement to arrange transport to facilities in the towns and the need for adult supervision.

Councillor Mrs B E Boddington referred to the opportunities offered by ‘rural exception sites’ in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 92.

By way of a report by the Head of Environmental and Community Health Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book), Councillor K J Churchill, Executive Councillor for Housing and Public Health advised Members of the response by the Huntingdonshire Community Safety Partnership towards the various issues raised during the District Council's debate at its meeting held on 23rd September 2009 on "tackling anti-social behaviour and the fear of crime in Huntingdonshire".

Having regard to the response of partners to each of the matters discussed, the Council

RESOLVED

  that the actions proposed or currently underway to tackle anti-social behaviour, general disturbance and the fear of crime in Huntingdonshire be noted.

To consider a report by the Head of Democratic and Central Services.

Further to Minute No. 80 of the meeting of the Council held on 17th February 2010, Councillor K J Churchill, Executive Councillor for Housing and Public Health introduced a report by the Head of Democratic and Central Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) regarding interim changes proposed to the formal leadership of the Council in advance of the implementation in May 2011 of more formal executive arrangements necessitated by the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007. 

As the changes required various alterations to be made to the Constitution and to the Council Procedure Rules, Members were reminded that the Motion to vary the Rules had stood adjourned without discussion to this meeting following resolution at the previous meeting of the Council in February.

Having regard to the recommendations of the Democratic Structure Working Party and Corporate Governance Panel at its meeting held on 24th March 2010, the Council

RESOLVED

  that the following Council Procedure Rules be deleted with effect from the annual meeting of the Council in May 2010 -

  '1.1 (vii) appoint the Deputy Leader,

  '1.1 (viii) agree the number of Members to be appointed to the Cabinet and appoint those Members to the Cabinet;'

  and consequential changes made to the constitution where appropriate.

Councillor I C Bates, Leader and Chairman of the Cabinet presented the Report of the meetings of the Cabinet held on 16th and 18th March 2010.

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In connection with Item No. 75 and having regard to the response of the Cabinet to the deliberations of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Environmental Wellbeing) on car parking charges, Councillor G S E Thorpe announced that he had presented a petition to the Chief Executive in advance of the meeting which contained over 1,000 signatories opposing car parking charges proposed for the Riverside Park, St. Neots.  Councillor Bates replied that the content of the petition would be taken into account when the matter was reconsidered by the Cabinet in June.

On the same subject and in response to representations made by Councillors D Harty, Mrs B E Boddington, R S Farrer, M F Shellens, J S Watt and R J West, Councillor D B Dew, Executive Councillor for Planning Strategy and Transport responded that the Off-Street Parking Places Order 2010 had been published for public consultation and that he would encourage all Councillors to submit their comments in response to this exercise when the contents of the petition also would be considered.

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In connection with Item No. 78 and in response to comments from Councillors P G Mitchell and D Harty in respect of the outcome of the study by a Working Group of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Environmental Wellbeing) on the development management process, Councillor Bates concurred in the appreciation offered to Members of that Group for the presentation of a well researched and presented report.  Whereupon, it was

RESOLVED

  that, the Report of the meetings of the Cabinet held on 16th and 18th March 2010 be received and adopted.

Mr D L Hall presented the Report of the meeting of the Standards Committee held on 4th March 2010.

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Whereupon it was,

RESOLVED

  that the Report of the meeting of the Standards Committee held on 4th March 2010 be received and adopted.

Councillor J D Ablewhite presented the Report of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Economic Wellbeing) held on 11th March 2010.

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In connection with Item No. 52 and in response to a question from Councillor P J Downes, Councillor Ablewhite confirmed that a special meeting of the Panel would be convened to consider the proposed amendments by the Liberal Democrat Group to the 2010/2011 budget once the additional information required to consider the proposals had been collated.

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Whereupon, it was

RESOLVED

  that the Report of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Economic Wellbeing) held on 11th March 2010 be received and adopted.

Councillor P M D Godfrey presented the Report of the meetings of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Environmental Wellbeing) held on 2nd and 9th March 2010.

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Whereupon, it was

RESOLVED

  that the Report of the meetings of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Environmental Wellbeing) held on 2nd and 9th March 2010 be received and adopted.

Councillor S J Criswell presented the Report of the meetings of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Social Well-being) held on 2nd March and 6th April 2010.

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In connection with Item No. 57 and in response to a question from Councillor P J Downes, Councillor Criswell concurred that he too was disappointed that the Senior Executive Group at Hinchingbrooke Hospital had taken a decision on parking arrangements without having taken the Panel's report into account but that he was hopeful that discussions with the Executive Group would continue and progress achieved on car parking and other issues raised by the Panel.

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Referring to Item No. 58, Councillor Criswell reported that arrangements had now been made for training to take place on 3rd June 2010 to assist Members of the Overview and Scrutiny Panels to scrutinise the work of the Huntingdonshire Strategic Partnership.

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In connection with Item No. 60, Councillor Criswell announced that the next meeting of the Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Committee would take place on 22nd April and not 13th May 2010.

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Whereupon, it was

RESOLVED

  that the Report of the meetings of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Social Well-being) held on 2nd March and 6th April 2010 be received and adopted.

Councillor P G Mitchell presented the Report of the meetings of the Development Management Panel held on 22nd February and 15th March 2010.

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In connection with Item No. 25 and in response to a question by Councillor P L E Bucknell regarding the undertaking by the Head of Planning Services to respond formally to Peterborough City Council with the District Council's comments on the proposals for development at Great Haddon, Councillor Bates, Leader of the Council confirmed that the Executive Councillor for Planning Strategy and Transport had been involved in ongoing discussions on the proposals with the City Council and that should he and the Ward Councillors wish to be advised in greater detail of their progress they should approach the Director of Environmental and Community Services after the meeting.

On the same subject, Councillor Mitchell acknowledged that it would be useful to involve the County Council's education service in discussions with the City Council given the intention to provide a new secondary school as part of the proposed development.

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Whereupon, it was

RESOLVED

  that the Report of the meetings of the Development Management Panel held on 22nd February and 15th March 2010 be received and adopted.

Councillor C J Stephens presented the Report of the meeting of the Corporate Governance Panel held on 24th March 2010.

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In connection with Item No. 21 and in response to a question from Councillor P J Downes, regarding the Code of Procurement and the perceived omission of an opportunity to give preference to local suppliers in the event that tenders received were of equal value, Councillor Bates, Leader of the Council undertook to ask the Head of Financial Services to investigate the legality of this suggestion. 

Upon being put to the vote, the recommendation contained in Item 21 was declared to be CARRIED.

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Whereupon, it was

RESOLVED

  that, subject to the foregoing paragraphs, the Report of the meeting of the Corporate Governance Panel held on 24th March 2010 be received and adopted.

In accordance with the Council Procedure Rules (Section 8.3) of the Council's Constitution, to receive oral questions from Members of the Council

In accordance with the Council's Procedure Rules (paragraph 8.3 of the Rules) the Chairman proceeded to conduct a period of oral questions addressed to Executive Councillors and Panel Chairmen as follows:-

Question from R G Tuplin to the Executive Councillor for Leisure, Councillor Mrs D C Reynolds

In response to a question regarding the progress of negotiations to secure a service level agreement between Sawtry Community College and Sawtry Leisure Centre, Councillor Mrs Reynolds confirmed that negotiations were continuing between the Headmaster of the Community College and the General Manager, One Leisure and that the issue had been discussed more widely at the Council's Active Leisure Forum.

Question from Councillor P D Reeve to the Leader, Councillor I C Bates

In response to a question regarding the proposed closure of public conveniences in Ramsey, Councillor Bates replied that the questioner would be welcome to attend the meeting of the Cabinet when the report regarding the proposed closures would be considered further.

Question from Councillor P J Downes to the Executive Councillor for Environment and IT, Councillor J A Gray

In response to a question regarding the outcome and timescale for progressing issues that had arisen from the Council's debate on reducing the carbon footprint, Councillor Gray replied that a report would be submitted to a future meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Environmental Well-being). 

Question from Councillor A N Gilbert to the Leader of the Council, Councillor I C Bates

In response to a question regarding the ponderous procedures for the appointment of Panels and Committees at the Annual Council meeting, Councillor Bates replied that consideration would be given to the methodology for appointments to ensure a more conducive and efficient use of Members' time and resources.

Question from Councillor Mrs P E Shrapnel to the Leader of the Council, Councillor I C Bates

In response to a question regarding the number of fixed penalty notices issued by the Council's Dog Warden under the relevant regulations, Councillor Bates replied that he would respond to the questioner in writing with the information requested. 

Question from Councillor P G Mitchell to the Executive Councillor for Operational and Countryside Management, Councillor C R Hyams

In the absence of Councillor Hyams and in response to a question regarding the future of the financial contribution made to Parish Councils for use of bottle banks given the recent introduction of doorstep glass collections, Councillor Bates replied that the use of bottle banks in mini recycling centres would continue and that parish councils would be consulted as part of any future review of their provision.

Question from Councillor R J West to the Executive Councillor for Housing and Public Health, Councillor K J Churchill

In response to a question regarding the level of attendance during the second round of the Neighbourhood Forums, Councillor Churchill thanked Councillor Reeve for his support of the initiative and added that he was pleased to report that attendance at recent forum meetings was encouraging with 37 attending in St. Neots, 50  ...  view the full minutes text for item 96.

The Chief Executive to report on absences of Members from meetings.

The Chief Executive reported that there were no absences of Members for consideration in accordance with Section 85 of the Local Government Act 1972.

The meeting concluded at 9.20pm.