Agenda and minutes

Mr L Winfield, Pastor at Medway Christian Fellowship opened the meeting with prayer.

(a)  Chairman's Functions

  The Chairman extended his appreciation to those Members who had attended both his reception and civic carol service in recent weeks which together had raised a total of £606 for his nominated charities.  The Chairman also thanked his PA, Mrs K Pauley, for her contribution to the success of both events.

(b)  Council Achievements

  On behalf of the Council, the Chairman commended the work of both the Environment Team who had reached the last four in the best public sector organisation category of the Environmental Agency Awards and the Local Land Property Gazetteer Team who had been awarded the title of Best Performing Authority in the Eastern Region.

(c)  Civic Duties

  The Chairman wished to place on record his appreciation for the assistance offered to him by the Vice-Chairman, Mrs B E Boddington and Councillors J W Davies and L M Simpson during a very busy period for civic duties in recent weeks.

(d)  Apology

  The Chairman offered an apology for his incorrect interpretation of the Council Procedure Rules in preventing Councillor M F Shellens from asking a question on a confidential item in a report at the last Council meeting.

The Minutes of the meetings of the Council held on 3rd November 2010 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Councillor B S Chapman declared a personal interest in Minute No. 58 by virtue of his voluntary work as an adviser at the Huntingdonshire Citizens Advice Bureau.

Councillor M G Baker declared a personal interest in Minute No.58. by virtue of his appointment as trustee to the Huntingdon Volunteer Centre.

Councillor K M Baker declared a personal interest in Minute No. 58 by virtue of his position as a trustee of Huntingdon Shopmobility.

Councillor P J Downes declared a personal interest in Minute No. 58 by virtue of his appointment as a Cambridgeshire County Council representative of Huntingdon Youth Forum and as his wife received an honorarium from Huntingdonshire Advice Bureau.

Councillor J J Dutton declared a personal interest in Minute No. 58 by virtue of his appointment as a representative of Cambridgeshire County Council on Huntingdon Volunteer Forum.

Councillor D Harty declared a personal interest in Minute No. 58 by virtue of his appointment as trustee to and Chairman of Huntingdon Volunteer Centre.

To invite Councillor Mrs A Rees to present a petition on behalf of Yaxley Parish Council and residents for Yaxley, Stilton, Farcet, Folksworth and surrounding villages containing 1,865 signatures objecting to proposals to close the Library and Community Information Shop in Yaxley.  The petitioners have made the following statement –

  “This Community Information Shop is a lifeline of many Yaxley residents and it is an integral part of the community life of the villages.  The elderly, infirm, people with reduced financial circumstances, special needs people, both young and old, who without these facilities close by, would put a heavier burden on our and Huntingdonshire District Council resources.  This is their first and last contact point.  They help with information and support and this work is brilliantly done by the CIS.  We do hope you will keep this centre open.”

The Chairman invited Councillor Mrs A Rees of Yaxley Parish Council to present a petition on behalf of the Parish Council and residents of Yaxley, Stilton, Farcet, Folksworth and surrounding villages containing 1,865 signatures objecting to the District Council's proposals to close the library and community information shop in Yaxley.

In support of the petition, Councillor Mrs Rees suggested that the community shop was vital to the well-being of local people in Yaxley and neighbouring villages and particularly vulnerable and elderly people.  She urged the District Council to consider the possibility of joint funding with the County Council to retain the community shop and offered the assistance of Yaxley Parish Council in securing the future retention of the facility.

During a period of questions from Members, it was established that the budget for operation of the community shop totalled £62,000, that it acted as a link between the District Council, Yaxley and other villages and its withdrawal would affect the elderly and disadvantaged most.

As the subject matter related to the Council's financial position which was to be discussed later in the meeting it was

RESOLVED

  that consideration of the petition be deferred for debate under Minute No. 60 post.

The Chairman reminded Members of the decision 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 No. 58 during which time the common law rules of debate be observed by Members and applied by the Chairman.

‘The Voluntary Sector:  Where now in the time of recession?’

Mrs Julie Farrow, Chief Executive of Hunts Forum will be in attendance to address the Council.

(See Minute No. 55 for Members' Interests.)

The Chairman invited Councillor P J Downes, Leader of the Opposition to open the debate on "The Voluntary Sector:  Where now in the time of recession?"

In his opening remarks, Councillor Downes suggested that it was the original intention of the debate to explore in more detail the contribution of the voluntary sector to everyday life in the District.  However, the Government's austerity measures and their implications for the District Council and the voluntary sector had meant that the debate had assumed a different perspective.  Councillor Downes added that, in his view, there had been a tendency in recent years for the propensity for individuals to volunteer for community activities to fall with a growing reliance on public sector provision.  With cuts in public expenditure now imminent, this would have far reaching implications on service provision and the voluntary sector. 

With the aid of a powerpoint presentation and by reference to a paper which had been circulated to Members in advance of the meeting (copies of which are appended in the Minute Book) Mrs J Farrow, Chief Executive Officer of Hunts Forum of Voluntary Organisations addressed the Council.  Mrs Farrow began by explaining that there were 1,200 known groups in Huntingdonshire undertaking voluntary work with many more in the community about which no details were known.  These contributed valuable time to an extensive range of activities.

She indicated her intention to focus in her presentation on the larger organisations and referred particularly to the Council for Voluntary Services which provided a free service to voluntary groups including advocacy and organisational development advice.  She explained that the Forum communicated and undertook consultation on behalf of the District Council and participated in partnership through membership of various groups under the Huntingdonshire Strategic Partnership.  Advice on the completion and submission of applications for funding in an increasing difficult market also was one of the functions of the Forum and £748,000 had been attracted to the District in the first half of the current financial year due to their efforts.

Key to voluntary work was the services provided to the community and to illustrate this aspect of their work, Mrs Farrow introduced Ms T Moss, a local volunteer, who gave an interesting account of her life as a volunteer.  Drawing her presentation to a close, Mrs Farrow recognised that the authority found itself in challenging times but she urged Members to continue to support the voluntary sector which together with local councils and other partners would continue to seek innovative solutions to the funding/services issues which lay ahead.

Following the latter's address, Councillor D Harty commended the work of the voluntary sector in Huntingdonshire and in particular the valuable contribution of Hunts Forum and he encouraged the Council to continue to offer their support to the organisation.  These sentiments were endorsed by Councillors J W Davies and P D Reeve. 

Mrs Farrow explained that the Forum was currently operating at full capacity and she was attempting to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 58.

Councillor K J Churchill to address the Council on the present position with regard to the creation of a local enterprise partnership including Huntingdonshire.

Councillor K J Churchill, Executive Councillor for Resources and Policy updated the Council on the position with regard to the creation of a Local Enterprise Partnership which would include Huntingdonshire.  Details of the proposal had been set out in a document entitled "The Enterprise Partnership" which had been made available on the District Council's website.

Councillor Churchill explained that it was the intention for local councils to collaborate with businesses, partners, universities and other social enterprises to deliver sustainable growth within the Partnership area.  The Greater Cambridge - Greater Peterborough Local Enterprise Partnership was one of twenty four LEPs approved by the Government in October, assuming many of the responsibilities of regional development agencies and being able to bid for funding from the Regional Growth Fund. 

Members were informed that 700,000 jobs and 60,000 businesses in the Partnership's area generated approximately £30bn for the UK economy per annum and it was the initial objective of the Partnership to continue to deliver growth to achieve 100,000 significant businesses and 160,000 new jobs by 2025.  Councillor Churchill added that a Local Enterprise Board had been established, supported by an executive team which included the Director of Environment and Community Services and Sustainable Economic Development Manager and a recruitment process had commenced to fill the post of Chairman to the Shadow Board from the business sector with a view to the establishment of a substantive partnership by March 2011.

The contribution of the District Council to this process also would be reviewed at the end of March with Councillor Churchill giving an assurance that the District Council would continue to monitor effectiveness of the LEP and receive further updates on its progress in the future.

Councillor T V Rogers to present the draft Budget 2011/12 and Medium Term Plan 2012 – 2016 to be considered in conjunction with Item No. 41 of the Report of the Cabinet.

By reference to a report by the Chief Officers’ Management Team (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) Councillor T V Rogers, Executive Councillor for Finance and Customer Services, presented the draft Budget 2011/12 and Medium Term Plan 2012-16.  Members were reminded of the opportunity taken by the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Economic Well-Being) to consider the budget on two occasions when areas of concern had been raised which were being addressed by the appropriate Executive Councillors. 

In terms of the revenue support grant, Councillor Rogers announced that the Government had allocated £10.4m in 2011/12 and £9.3m in 2012/13, £700,000 and £1.2m less than forecast in each year respectively.  Indications also appeared to suggest that the Government's proposed New Homes Bonus could generate additional income of £900,000 in 2011/12 rising to £3.4m by 2015/16.

In terms of the success, thus far, of the changes proposed to generate revenue savings, Councillor Rogers reported that reductions in the number of senior staff and consequential re-organisation had saved £300,000 but that work to identify further savings in addition to the existing proposals, would be required.  Having indicated his intention to present the final budget to the Council meeting in February, Councillor Rogers commended the recommendations of the Cabinet on the draft Budget and MTP 2011-16 to the Council and further moved that the following words be added after part (b) of the Cabinet's recommendations -

  "  ; and

  (c)  that in view of the importance of this year's draft Budget and the fact that this is a working document, the Executive Member for Finance and Customer Services be requested to provide a detailed regular update to all Members on progress towards the preparation of the final budget for submission to Council in February 2011 and in the interim, the Cabinet be requested to investigate ways of trying to preserve basic services identified by the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Economic Well-Being) as summarised in Item No. 28 of their Report."

The amendment to the Motion was duly seconded by Councillor I C Bates.

Councillors J D Ablewhite and P G Mitchell spoke in favour of the amendment.

Further to Minute No. 56 ante, Councillor Mrs M Banerjee reminded the Council that the budget still was in draft form and she suggested that careful consideration needed to be given to the retention of Customer Services Centres.  Similarly, Councillor P D Reeve urged Members to consider continued funding for the operation of CCTV and support for the voluntary sector suggesting that the Council should continue to support services which could revitalise the local economy.  This view was endorsed by Councillor S M Van de Kerkhove.

Regarding the CCTV operation, Councillor J S Watt suggested that the quality of coverage was poor and inadequate for use in any event.

As Vice-Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Economic Well-Being), Councillor G S E Thorpe was of the view that the Council should have considered, in the first instance, its vision for the future and that once  ...  view the full minutes text for item 60.

To consider a report by the Planning Service Manager (Development Management) in conjunction with the Report of the Development Management Panel - Item No. 14.

In conjunction with the report of the Development Management Panel (Minute No.64 (f) refers), the Planning Service Manager (Development Management) introduced a report (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) regarding an application for the erection of two units to be used for B2 (general industrial), ancillary storage and office purposes on a site east of the B1040, 1.4 kilometres south of Warboys.  It was explained that approval of the proposal would enable the applicant to vacate their existing site within the Huntingdon West Action Area and located on Brampton Road, Huntingdon.  During his presentation the Planning Services Manager (Development Management) updated the Council on the representations received since the agenda had been circulated.  The Chairman of the Development Management Panel, Councillor P G Mitchell, drew attention to those issues which had led the Panel to indicate its support for the application and to recommend its approval.

Councillor P L E Bucknell advised the Council that the applicant, Ruston's Engineering Co Ltd, had attended a meeting of Warboys Parish Council and had responded to a series of questions asked of them.  As a result, the Parish Council had indicated their support for the development and looked forward to the benefit the Company could bring to the village in terms of business for local shops and employment.

It was also pointed out by the Executive Councillor for Planning Strategy and Transport, Councillor D B Dew, that by vacating its current premises in Brampton Road, Huntingdon, the relocation of the applicant's company would assist in meeting two key objectives of the adopted Core Strategy ie the redevelopment of the area west of Huntingdon town centre (policies CS2 and CS7) and the retention/provision of employment opportunities.

In response to a question from Councillor P J Downes, the Planning Service Manager (Development Management) explained that the proposed Section 106 obligation would ensure that RECO was the first occupier of the proposed site and also would secure the cessation of the use of the site in Huntingdon following their occupation of the new development.  The Head of Planning Services added that he had received an indication from HM Planning Inspectorate that following a public examination, the Huntingdon West Area Action Plan would be found to be sound.

Whereupon, having been moved and seconded, the Council

RESOLVED

  (a)  that the Director of Central Services be authorised to enter into an Agreement under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to ensure that Ruston's Engineering Co Ltd is the first occupier of the proposed new factory units at Church Road, Warboys and to secure the cessation of the use of the Company's existing site in Huntingdon following its occupation of the proposed new development; and

  (b)  that, subject to the completion of the Agreement referred to in resolution (a) above and to conditions to be determined by the Head of Planning Services including those listed in paragraph 8.1 of the report now submitted, the application be approved.

The Executive Councillor for Resources and Policy, Councillor K J Churchill presented a report by the Head of Democratic and Central Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) summarising the outcome of the sixth review of the Members' Allowances Scheme by the Independent Remuneration Panel.  A copy of the report of the Panel had been circulated separately to Members.

Members were reminded that the Panel had been convened specifically to respond to the statutory requirement for a review of the index for annual adjustment of allowances which under the Regulations  had to be undertaken at least every four years.  The Panel had also taken the opportunity to review the scheme and to address a number of other matters which had arisen in the preceding four year period.

Having commented on the areas of the review and the conclusions drawn, Councillor Churchill indicated that he had misgivings in relation to recommendation (h) which would provide for the retention of a Special Responsibility Allowance for the Leader of the Minor Opposition Group.  Also as there had also been few expressions of interest by Members in recent years to join the Local Government Pension Scheme, Councillor Churchill moved the recommendations contained in the report subject to the following amendments -

  "that recommendation (h) be deleted; and

  that recommendation (j) be amended to read 'that Members be not permitted to join the Local Government Pension Scheme at the present time' ".

Councillor P J Downes moved the following amendment to the recommendations which were duly seconded -

  "that the words in recommendation (d) be deleted; and the following words inserted -

  '(d)  the adoption of mileage rates limited to 40p for cars with vehicle emissions in Band A, 35p in Bands B and C, 30p in Bands D and E, 25p in Bands F and G;'

  and that the words in recommendation (f) be deleted and the following be inserted -

  '(f)  maintain Members' Allowances at the rates recommended by the Independent Remuneration Panel until April 2015 unless the local government salary scale spinal column point 33 is reduced by the National Joint Council for Government Staff Services, in which case the Members' Allowances be reduced by the same percentage'' ".

Following debate and on being put to the vote, the amendment was declared to be LOST.

On the Motion being put to the vote, it was

RESOLVED

  (a)  that the Chief Executive be authorised to prepare a new scheme of Members' Allowances to come into effect on 18th May 2011 to include the following changes -

¨  the level of basic allowance for all District Councillors as outlined in the Appendix to the report now submitted;

¨  the levels of special responsibility allowances outlined in the Appendix to the report now submitted;

¨  the abolition of entitlement to subsistence allowances whilst undertaking approved duties within Huntingdonshire but the retention of subsistence allowances in line with National Joint Council subsistence rates for local government employees for approved duties outside the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 62.

Further to Minute No. 43  of the meeting held on 3rd November 2010, to consider a report by the Head of Democratic and Central Services.

Further to Minute No. 43 of the Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 3rd November 2010, the Executive Councillor for Resources and Policy, Councillor K J Churchill presented a report by the Head of Democratic and Central Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) detailing the amendments required to the Council Procedure Rules as a result of the Council's decision to change its governance arrangements with effect from 18th May 2011.

These changes had been moved, seconded and adjourned without discussion at the previous meeting of the Council.

RESOLVED

  that the changes to the Council Procedure Rules contained in the Constitution as listed in the Appendix to the report now submitted be approved.

Councillor I C Bates, Leader of the Council and Chairman of the Cabinet, presented the Report of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 18th November 2010.

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In connection with Item No 41, it was noted that the recommendation had been considered previously under Minute No. 60.

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Upon being put to the vote, the recommendation contained in Item No. 42 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 Cabinet held on 18th November 2010 be received and adopted.

Mr D L Hall presented the Report of the meeting of the Standards Committee held on 2nd December 2010.

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Whereupon, it was

RESOLVED

  that the Report of the meeting of the Standards Committee held on 2nd December 2010 be received and adopted.

Councillor J D Ablewhite presented the Report of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Economic Well-Being) held on 11th November 2010.

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In connection with Item No. 28 and in response to a question from Councillor P J Downes, Councillor Ablewhite confirmed that the Panel would address the items listed in the last paragraph of the item when it considers the final draft of the budget at its meeting in February.

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Whereupon, it was

RESOLVED

  that the Report of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Economic Well-Being) held on 11th November 2010 be received and adopted.

Councillor D Harty presented the Report of the meetings of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Environmental Well-Being) held on 9th November and 7th December 2010.

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In connection with Item No. 28 and in response to a question from Councillor G S E Thorpe, Councillor Harty confirmed that it was not the intention of the Panel to recommend that a scheme for the collection of abandoned shopping trolleys by the District Council be introduced.

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In connection with Item No. 35, Councillor P J Downes indicated his appreciation for the Panel's response to the Planning for Schools Development consultation exercise.

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Whereupon, it was

RESOLVED

  that the Report of the meetings of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Environmental Well-Being) held on 9th November and 7th December 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 November and 7th December 2010.

…………………………..

Whereupon, it was

RESOLVED

  that the Report of the meetings of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Social Well-Being) held on 2nd November and 7th December 2010 be received and adopted.

Councillor P G Mitchell presented the Report of the meeting of the Development Management Panel held on 15th November 2010.

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In connection with Item No. 14, it was noted that the recommendations had been considered previously under Minute No. 61.

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In connection with Item No. 15 and in response to a question from Councillor P J Downes, Councillor Mitchell anticipated that further applications for wind farm development could be submitted to the Panel early in the New Year.  Councillor I C Bates further reported that he had been made aware that an appeal against the Panel's decision to refuse an application for the erection of wind farm on land at Cotton Farm, Graveley Road, Offord D'arcy had been allowed by the Planning Inspectorate.

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Whereupon, it was

RESOLVED

  that, subject to the foregoing paragraphs, the Report of the meeting of the Development Management Panel held on 15th November 2010 be received and adopted.

Councillor J W Davies presented the Report of the meeting of the Employment Panel held on 15th November 2010.

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Whereupon, it was

RESOLVED

  that the Report of the meeting of the Employment Panel held on 15th November 2010 be received and adopted.

Councillor T D Sanderson presented the Report of the meeting of the Corporate Governance Panel held on 8th December 2010.

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Whereupon, it was

RESOLVED

  that the Report of the meeting of the Corporate Governance Panel held on 8th December 2010 be received and adopted.

In accordance with the Council 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 Councillor M G Baker to the Executive Councillor for Planning Strategy and Transport, Councillor D B Dew

In response to a question regarding the robustness of the Council's SPD on wind power published in 2006, Councillor Dew replied that the Head of Planning Services would examine carefully the Inspector's statement on the recent appeal case at Cotton Farm, Offord D'Arcy to establish whether the SPD had assisted, the District Council's case and that he would update Members accordingly at a future Council meeting.

Question from Councillor J D Ablewhite to the Executive Councillor for Operational and Countryside Services, Councillor C R Hyams

In response to a question regarding a decision to vary the hire charges for traders stalls at St Ives market, Councillor Hyams replied that hire charges had increased to reflect both the current economic climate and to remove any question that the District Council was acting inequitably with regard to farmers markets. He indicated that the Head of Operations would continue to monitor the situation over the next twelve months.

Question from Councillor C M Saunderson to the Executive Councillor for Resources and Policy, Councillor K J Churchill

In response to a question with respect to the current situation with regard to street trading on the Galley Hill layby on the A1096, St Ives, Councillor Churchill agreed to respond in writing to the questioner.

RESOLVED

  that the public be excluded from the meeting because the business to be transacted contains exempt information which relates to individuals and is likely to reveal the identity of those individuals.

Councillor L M Simpson presented the Report of the meeting of the Employee Selection Panel held on 15th November 2010.

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Following discussion and upon being put to the vote, the recommendations contained in Item No. 1 were 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 Employee Selection Panel held on 15th November 2010 be received and adopted.

The meeting ended at 11.00 pm