Venue: Civic Suite, Pathfinder House, St Mary's Street, Huntingdon PE29 3TN
Contact: Ms C Deller, Democratic Services Manager, Tel No 01480 388007/e-mail: Christine.Deller@huntingdonshire.gov.uk
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CHAIRMAN'S ANNOUNCEMENTS Minutes: (a) Chairman’s Events
The Chairman described some of the events which she had attended during October and in particular thanked all those Members who had supported her Charity Dinner held at the George Hotel, Buckden on 8th October which had raised approximately £1,750 for the Chairman’s Charities.
(b) Town and Parish Councils
The Council was informed of a new initiative led by the Chairman which involved welcoming to Pathfinder House for an informed tour and refreshments, the Clerks and Councillors from Town and Parish Councils in Huntingdonshire. As these occasions had appeared to be a great success, the Chairman invited Members to contact her should they wish to involve any parishes in their Wards.
(c) Christmas Carol Concert
The Chairman asked Members to confirm whether or not they would be attending the Civic Carol Concert which was to be held in St. Mary’s Church in Huntingdon on 5th December 2012. The concert would comprise a service of nine lessons and carols and an address from the Right Reverend Conway, Bishop of Ely. |
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To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 26th September 2012. Minutes: The Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 26th September 2012 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman. Actions: 2 minutes |
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MEMBERS' INTERESTS To receive from Members declarations as to disclosable pecuniary or other interests in relation to any Agenda item. See Notes below. Minutes: No interests were declared by the Members present. Actions: 2 minutes |
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LEADERSHIP DIRECTION AND REVIEW OF PERFORMANCE The Executive Leader, Councillor J D Ablewhite to present a review of the performance of the Cabinet over the past six months. The Council also is recommended to formally adopt the Leadership Direction. (See Agenda Item No. 5 (d), Item 23).
A copy of the Leadership Direction document is enclosed. Minutes: The Chairman invited Councillor J D Ablewhite, as Executive Leader of the Council to lead the presentation by Cabinet Members. Councillor Ablewhite indicated that each of the Executive Councillors would highlight the achievements of their respective portfolio areas during the year. On the conclusion of each of the presentations, the Council would be requested to formally adopt the Leadership Direction.
Councillor Ablewhite reminded the Council of the importance of the local economy and was pleased to add that small businesses continued to flourish with the assistance of the District Council whilst unemployment figures remained well below national average. Members were reminded that they had contributed to the economic assessment which would contribute towards the evidence base for the new local plan. Mention also was made of the recent decision to establish a business improvement district in Huntingdon which could be the way forward for towns, given the benefits that should derive from a shared business plan. In November, Councillor Ablewhite also was pleased to host a visit by the Secretary of State, Mr E Pickles to Huntingdonshire. He was present at the opening of the Enterprise Zone at Alconbury Weald as work has begun on the construction of the first incubator employment unit which would eventually be used to accommodate small businesses. Units would be available for use by local businesses and hopefully employ local people. The Executive Councillor also referred to the launch of Huntingdonshire Matters and Shape Your Place – both examples, in his view, of how localism should operate in practice. Councillor Ablewhite closed by describing the recent visit by the County Council’s Cabinet to St. Neots and how this event and other projects would raise the profile of the town. A joint statement by the District and County Council would formalise this commitment in the future and ensure work continued there towards the key issues of growth and development.
The Leader of the Principal Opposition, Councillor P J Downes welcomed the overall direction of Councillor Ablewhite’s statement but asked if he had had the opportunity to discuss with the Secretary of State the impact of the Government’s current policy on Districts with low council tax levels. Councillor Ablewhite advised the questioner that he was hopeful of a positive change to the present situation in the next financial year.
In terms of the Leadership Direction, and in response to a suggestion by Councillor Downes that this should have made a definitive reference to the voluntary sector, the increasing ethnic diversity of the District and the need to improve communications between staff and Members, as highlighted by the recent staff survey, Councillor Ablewhite was able to assure the Councillor that whilst not specifically mentioned it was implicit that these issues would continue to be addressed by the Council’s leadership.
As Executive Councillor for Planning and Housing Strategy, Councillor N J Guyatt opened his address by referring to the largest planning application ever received by the Authority which had been submitted by Urban and Civic for the former airfield ... view the full minutes text for item 43. Actions: 30 minutes |
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APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT MEMBER TO OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY PANEL (ECONOMIC WELL-BEING) The Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Economic Well-Being), Councillor T V Rogers to report on the outcome of a Selection Panel held to appoint a new Independent Member to the Panel.
Report by the Head of Legal and Democratic Services enclosed. Minutes: As Chairman of the Selection Panel, Councillor G J Bull introduced a report by the Head of Legal and Democratic Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) which described the process for the appointment of an Independent Member to a vacant position on the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Economic Well-Being).
Having explained that interviews had been conducted by a Selection Panel on 7th November 2012 and advised Members of the outcome of the Panel’s deliberations, the Council
RESOLVED
that Mr R Eacott be appointed to serve on the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Economic Well-Being) for a four year term of office. Actions: 5 minutes |
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Reports of the Cabinet, Panels and Committee Additional documents:
Minutes: (a) Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Economic Well-Being)
Councillor T V Rogers presented the Report of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Economic Well-Being) held on 4th October 2012.
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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 4th October 2012 be received and adopted.
(b) Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Environmental Well-Being)
Councillor D Harty presented the Report of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Environmental Well-Being) held on 9th October 2012.
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In connection with Item No. 18 and in response to a question from Councillor P J Downes regarding the difficulties which could result from the introduction of a charge for collecting a second green bin, Councillor D M Tysoe, Executive Councillor for the Environment was of the view that if managed efficiently, the provision of a differential service to residents should not present problems nor result in an increase in fly tipping. However, Councillor Tysoe undertook to investigate the questioner’s proposal to use the former recycling centre on Brampton Road, Buckden for residents to dispose of their green waste.
On the same subject and in response to a question from Councillor P D Reeve which enquired whether the proposal would have an impact on landfill charges and council tax levels, Councillor Harty accepted that the initiative required to be reconsidered by the Panel.
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Whereupon, it was
RESOLVED
that the Report of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Environmental Well-Being) held on 9th October 2012 be received and adopted.
(c) Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Social Well-Being)
Councillor S J Criswell presented the Report of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Social Well-Being) held on 2nd October 2012.
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In connection with Item No. 24 and in response to a question from Councillor P J Downes in which he expressed concern that the Huntingdonshire CAB had closed before a replacement advice service had been established, Councillor Criswell concurred with the questioner that it was regrettable that there would be a period when no advice service would be available but the CAB had closed earlier than expected and as it had not been possible to prevent volunteers from leaving the organisation.
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Whereupon, it was
RESOLVED
that the Report of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Social Well-Being) held on 2nd October 2012 be received and adopted.
(d) Cabinet
Councillor J D Ablewhite, Executive Leader and Chairman of the Cabinet presented the Report of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 18th October 2012
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In connection with Item No. 23, it was noted that the Leadership Direction had previously been considered by the Council under Minute No. 43.
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Whereupon, it was
RESOLVED
that, subject to the foregoing paragraph, the Report of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 18th October 2012 be received and adopted.
(e) Development Management Panel
Councillor D B Dew presented the Report of the meeting of the Development Management Panel held ... view the full minutes text for item 45. Actions: 20 minutes |
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ORAL QUESTIONS In accordance with the Council Procedure Rules (Section 8.3) of the Council's Constitution, to receive oral questions from Members of the Council. Minutes: 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 P Kadewere to the Executive Leader, Councillor J D Ablewhite
In response to a question seeking the support of the Executive Leader for a proposal to change the use of a public open space to provide a car parking area in Essex Road, Huntingdon to meet the wishes of local residents, Councillor Ablewhite was unable to make any commitment without further details and requested that the questioner advise him of the background to his request after the meeting.
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Question from Councillor P Kadewere to the Executive Leader, Councillor J D Ablewhite
In response to a question regarding the future operation of the Huntingdon Community Service, Councillor Ablewhite advised the questioner to raise his concerns with the Leader of the Labour Group on Cambridgeshire County Council so that the matter might be raised with the appropriate Authority.
Question from Councillor R Harrison to the Executive Leader, Councillor J D Ablewhite
In response to a question regarding the possibility of the Council providing assistance and support to the community convenant as a way to increase its impact, Councillor Ablewhite replied that he was disappointed that the initiative had not gained more support and momentum and that he would discuss the matter with his counterpart at the County Council to seek to encourage that Authority to take further action but that he was content for the District Council to support the initiative albeit within current budget constraints.
Question from Councillor M F Shellens to the Executive Leader, Councillor J D Ablewhite
In response to a question regarding the investment by the District Council in the proposed multi-storey car park in Huntingdon and the potential for compensation to be paid should Churchmanor and Sainsburys choose to withdraw from their commitment to the Town due to the current economic downturn, Councillor Ablewhite assured the questioner that it was essential to encourage vibrancy in Huntingdon and that this scheme provided an opportunity to work with partners to achieve this objective. He added that preparations for the scheme continued to progress and that he was hopeful of a start on-site early in the New Year.
Question from Councillor P J Downes to the Executive Leader, Councillor J D Ablewhite
In response to a question regarding the closure of the Huntingdonshire CAB, Councillor Ablewhite admitted that he too was hugely disappointed at the closure of the CAB in November but he assured the Council that he was working to secure resources which might achieve an interim solution in the short term.
Question from Councillor R J West to the Executive Councillor, Councillor J D Ablewhite
In response to a question regarding the success of the Huntingdonshire Matters Conference and its contribution to partnership working, Councillor Ablewhite confirmed that the initiative was gaining momentum and interest and represented a positive example of how to ... view the full minutes text for item 46. Actions: 30 minutes |
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COMMITTEE/PANEL MEMBERSHIP The Executive Leader, Councillor J D Ablewhite to propose a variation to Committee/Panel membership. Minutes: The Executive Leader, Councillor J D Ablewhite proposed and it was duly seconded, and
RESOLVED
(a) that Councillor Mrs L Kadic be appointed to the membership of the Licensing and Protection Panel/Licensing Committee in place of Councillor R Fuller; and
(b) that Councillor R Fuller be appointed to the membership of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Social Well-Being) in place of Councillor Mrs L Kadic.
The meeting closed at 9.43pm. Actions: 2 minutes |