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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PRAYER Minutes: The Venerable Hugh McCurdy, Archdeacon of Huntingdon and Wisbech opened the meeting with Prayer. |
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CHAIRMAN'S ANNOUNCEMENTS Minutes: Chairman’s Events
The Chairman presented to Council an account of the activities both he and the Vice Chairman, Councillor Bucknell had attended since taking their roles in June.
The Chairman was particularly delighted to present an award to St Peter’s School at the Regional Finals of the Young Enterprise Business Awards at Robinson College, Cambridge. Councillor Mackender Lawrence also indicated how proud he was to raise the flag at a ceremony in Samian Court on 27th June and to lay the District Council’s wreath in the Market Square in Huntingdon on 13th July as part of the Sea Sunday Remembrance Service.
Colin Meadowcroft
The Chairman made the Council aware that Colin Meadowcroft would be presiding at the meeting for the last time as he was leaving the District Council after 28 years’ service on 31st July.
Councillors paid tribute to Colin’s contribution and expertise and the advice he had offered in his role of Monitoring Officer and as the Council’s principal legal advisor. Following a round of applause, the Council
RESOLVED
that the best wishes of the Council be extended to Mr C Meadowcroft, Head of Legal & Democratic Services and Monitoring Officer and appreciation for his services to Huntingdonshire over 28 years be placed on record. |
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To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 4th June 2014. Minutes: The Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 4th June 2014 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: Councillor M F Shellens declared a non statutory disclosable interest in Item No. 24 (b) by virtue of his membership of Cambridgeshire County Council’s Pensions Board. Actions: 2 minutes |
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EXECUTIVE COUNCILLOR PRESENTATIONS (i) Councillor R B Howe, Executive Councillor for Commercial Activities.
(ii) Councillor J A Gray, Executive Councillor for Resources.
(Presentations - 10 minutes; Questions to the presenting Executive Councillors – 10 minutes; Questions to other Members of the Cabinet – 10 minutes.)
Minutes: Councillor R B Howe, Executive Councillor for Commercial Activities
The Chairman invited Councillor R B Howe, Executive Councillor for Commercial Activities to address the Council on the principal services within his portfolio responsibilities namely One Leisure, CCTV and the Document Centre. Councillor Howe began by advising the Council that it was his intention to introduce the principles associated with a commercial enterprise into the organisation but still continue to deliver services, to meet needs and benefit stakeholders.
In terms of the One Leisure service, the Council was reminded that there were five leisure centres and one outdoor centre. These had attracted 140,000 members of which 36,000 were regular users. It was the view of the Executive Councillor that these centres were essential in promoting healthy activities to young people and encouraging residents to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Councillor Howe indicated how passionately he believed in these aspirations and how important it was that these centres be protected for young and old to use despite the difficulty in managing and maintaining them efficiently and effectively in the current economic climate. Despite a healthy annual income, Councillor Howe explained that the Centres still operated with a budget deficit and that he was determined to vary the economic model so that the District Council would not have to continue to subsidise the centres in the future. He compared the District Council’s operation and profit to that of LA Fitness and indicated how he envisaged the role of Centre Manager would change going forward.
Although a controversial area in the past, Councillor Howe reminded the Council that the authority continued to support the CCTV service which was available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It was used extensively by the police and was highly valued in town centres. A project to share the service with Cambridge City Council had involved the installation of 160 additional cameras into the Control Room at Eastfield House and whilst early days, work was continuing to ensure the shared service succeeded such that it could be extended to other Councils. He also envisaged that the service might be offered to schools, building sites, commercial premises etc as a way of covering its steep operating costs.
Lastly, Councillor Howe described his plans for the Document Centre. It was his intention to expand the service by making it available to other councils. This would improve the recovery of costs and operating expenses currently met by this authority.
Questions to Councillor Howe were then invited. Councillor S M Van De Kerkhove raised a question about cross border visitors (from Bedfordshire principally) to One Leisure, St Neots and the possibility of making an extra charge for use of facilities by non Huntingdonshire residents. In reply, Councillor Howe indicated that a data base was available which could report how many users of One Leisure, St Neots came to the Centre from Bedfordshire and that he was able to provide this information to the questioner after the meeting. In response to a question ... view the full minutes text for item 19. |
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STRATEGIC SHARED SERVICES PARTNERSHIP WITH SOUTH CAMBRIDGESHIRE The Executive Leader/Deputy Executive Leader to make a statement to the Council on the recent decision by the Cabinet to form a strategic shared service partnership with South Cambridgeshire District Council.
The meeting shall adjourn for a short break on conclusion of this item. Minutes: The Executive Leader, Councillor J D Ablewhite confirmed that the District Council had agreed to form a strategic alliance with South Cambridgeshire District Council. Councillor Ablewhite made it clear that it was not the intention to form a unitary authority but to consider services which both authorities could share. The Council was advised that work was underway to examine the business case for sharing the building control, legal and IMD services. Councillor Ablewhite added that whilst South Cambridgeshire had given the partnership its whole hearted support it would not deter Huntingdonshire from working with other partners to seek to deliver services in an efficient and cost effective way.
In response to the announcement, Councillor M F Shellens expressed concern at the potential difficulty in the future should the District Council wish to withdraw from the partnership arrangements. Councillor Ablewhite replied by stating that the District Council had entered into the partnership positively would agree contracts that would permit the Council to withdraw should it transpire that new services were not cost effective or as efficient as desired.
Councillor R S Farrer expressed his disappointment with the decision to pursue a shared building control service as he was of the opinion that this would not be in the best interests of the Council or the public. |
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Cabinet Procedure Rules - Delegation by the Executive Leader PDF 174 KB In accordance with the Cabinet Procedure Rules (paragraph 1.2) the Executive Leader, Councillor J D Ablewhite, will present information about executive functions for the ensuing year. Minutes: In accordance with the Procedure Rules contained in the Council’s Constitution and by reference to a report by the Head of Legal & Democratic Services, the Executive Leader, Councillor J D Ablewhite presented details of the Cabinet Portfolios for the ensuing year. Councillor Ablewhite suggested that the portfolios would continue to evolve and develop as the year ensued. Whereupon, it was
RESOLVED
that the report now submitted be noted. Actions: 10 minutes |
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APPOINTMENT OF MONITORING AND SECTION 151 OFFICERS PDF 169 KB Report by the Managing Director on the appointment of new Section 151 and Monitoring Officers with effect from 1st August 2014. Minutes: Having regard to a report by the Managing Director (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) regarding the legislative duty placed on the Council to appoint a Monitoring Officer and Section 151 Officer and as the designations had been held by the former Assistant Director, Finance & Resources and the Head of Legal & Democratic Services who was shortly to be leaving the Council’s service, it was
RESOLVED
(a) that Julie Slatter, the newly appointed Corporate Director (Services) be designated the District Council’s Monitoring Officer with effect from 1st September 2014;
(b) that the interim appointment by the Managing Director of the Head of Resources as the Council’s Section 151 Officer with effect from 1st April be confirmed and made permanent also with effect from 1st September 2014; and
(c) that the Democratic Services Manager be appointed Monitoring Officer for a temporary period commencing 1st August 2014 until such time as the new Corporate Director takes office which it is anticipated will be 1st September 2014.
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Food Safety Service Plan 2014/15 PDF 248 KB The Chairman of the Licensing and Protection Panel, Councillor J W Davies, to present a report by Head of Environmental and Community Health Services proposing the adoption by the Council of the Food Safety Service Plan for 2014/15. Minutes: By reference to a report by the Head of Environmental & Community Health Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) Councillor J W Davies, Chairman of the Licensing & Protection Panel reminded Members that the Food Standards Agency required the Council to prepare a Food Safety Service Plan annually in accordance with an agreed framework. A full copy of the Food Safety Service Plan 2014/15 had been made available in the Members’ Room (an Executive Summary of which also is appended in the Minute Book).
Councillor Davies explained that the Council had to demonstrate how it proposed to fulfil the duty placed upon it to deliver official food controls, national priorities and standards in the District. The Service Plan sets out how these arrangements have been made, how the enforcement function will be delivered, describes the resources required to deliver it and reviews the previous years’ performance.
The Council noted that the overall budget for the service represented an increase of 1.7% over the previous financial year. Workloads within the Commercial Team also had been adjusted to provide resources for food safety and hygiene. Although anticipated that the budget would be sufficient to meet the demands of the service, the Council acknowledged that additional funds might be necessary in the event of a complex investigation or legal case or the introduction of central sampling charges.
Whereupon, after noting the support for the Plan on the part of the Licensing & Protection Panel, the Council
RESOLVED
that the Food Safety Service Plan 2014/15 be adopted. Actions: 10 minutes |
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REPORTS OF THE CABINET, PANELS AND COMMMITTEES Actions: 30 minutes |
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Additional documents: Minutes: Councillor J D Ablewhite, Executive Leader of the Council and Chairman of the Cabinet presented the Reports of the meetings of the Cabinet held on 21st May, 4th and 19th June, 10th and 17th July 2014.
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In connection with Item No. 1 and upon being moved by Councillor Ablewhite, and seconded by Councillor J A Gray, the recommendation was declared to be CARRIED.
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In connection with Item No. 2 and in response to a question from Councillor K J Churchill, the Executive Leader confirmed that, in his view, it was appropriate that the Cabinet, rather than the Council, had agreed changes to the provision of IT to Members.
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In connection with Item No. 15 and in response to a question from Councillor M F Shellens, the Executive Leader was of the opinion that it would be in order for a report on the operation of the Cambridgeshire Home Improvement Strategy beyond 2015 to be submitted to the relevant Overview & Scrutiny Panel at the appropriate time.
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In connection with Item No. 16 and in response to surprise expressed by Councillor J P Morris that the comments of the Cabinet in relation to the Cambridgeshire Transport Strategy related only to the car and not to the needs of pedestrians, cyclists and young children en route to school given that 50% of all journeys were less than a distance of 3 miles, the Executive Leader agreed that whilst the future framework for transport in the County should be sustainable, the County Council should not lose sight of the need for the continued use of a car in a rural area.
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In connection with Item No. 19 and having complimented the document ‘A Tree Strategy for Huntingdonshire’, Councillor D M Tysoe, Executive Councillor for Operations and the Environment confirmed that it was the intention to engage Parish Councils in future work on trees in towns and villages, that he would ask the Arboricultural Officer to update Councillor T F Hayward on the position with tree safety surveys, guidance upon which had been requested by Buckden Parish Council. A comment from Councillor M F Shellens regarding the marketability of the ‘Tree Strategy’ document was noted.
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In connection with Item No. 20 and in response to a question from Councillor R S Farrer, the Executive Leader advised that it was anticipated that work on the Community Building at Loves Farm. St Neots would commence by the end of the year.
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Whereupon, it was
RESOLVED
that, subject to the foregoing paragraphs, the Reports of the meetings of the Cabinet held on 21st May, 4th and 19th June, 10th and 17th July 2014 be received and adopted. |
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Additional documents:
Minutes: Councillor S Cawley presented the Report of the meeting of the Employment Panel held on 1st July 2014.
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Upon being put to the vote, the recommendations contained in Item No. 1 were declared to be CARRIED.
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In connection with Item No. 4, Councillor Cawley invited the Council to endorse the sentiments of the Panel with regard to Mr D Hinks, Ms J Parsons, Ms M Reeve, Mr M Roberts and Mr R Bays who had recently retired from the local government service.
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In connection with Item No. 8, Councillor Cawley undertook to respond, in writing, to a question from Councillor K J Churchill on the level of expenditure on consultants, hired and temporary staff in in 2012/13 in comparison with 2013/14.
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Whereupon, it was
RESOLVED
that, subject to the foregoing paragraphs, the Report of the meeting of the Employment Panel held on 1st July 2014 be received and adopted. |
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Licensing and Protection Panel PDF 110 KB Minutes: Councillor J W Davies presented the Report of the meeting of the Licensing and Protection Panel held on 24th June 2014.
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Whereupon, it was
RESOLVED
that the Report of the meeting of the Licensing and Protection Panel held on 24th June 2014 be received and adopted. |
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Corporate Governance Panel PDF 215 KB Report of the meeting to be held on 23rd July 2014 – To Follow.
FOR INFORMATION REPORTS Additional documents:
Minutes: Councillor G J Harlock presented the Report of the meeting of the Corporate Governance Panel held on 23rd July 2014.
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After discussion and having been put to a vote, the recommendation contained in Item No. 1 was declared to be CARRIED.
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After discussion and having been put to a vote, the recommendation contained in Item No. 2 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 23rd July 2014 be received and adopted. |
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Development Management Panel PDF 202 KB Minutes: Councillor Mrs B E Boddington presented the Report of the meetings of the Development Management Panel held on 19th May, 16th June and 21st July 2014.
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In connection with Item No. 3 and in response to a question from Councillor R S Farrer, Councillor Mrs Boddington reassured the questioner that, following the recent appointment of Team Managers, there would be increased resources to enable the Development Management Service to operate to a higher capacity.
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Whereupon, it was
RESOLVED
that the Report of the meetings of the Development Management Panel held on 19th May, 16th June and 21st July 2014 be received and adopted. |
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Overview & Scrutiny Panel (Social Well-Being) PDF 224 KB Minutes: Councillor S J Criswell presented the Report of the meetings of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Social Well-Being) held on 10th June and 8th July 2014.
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In connection with Item No. 1, Councillor Criswell undertook to respond in writing to a question received from Councillor T F Hayward regarding the reasons why Rural CAB had failed to meet its agreed performance targets.
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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 10th June and 8th July 2014 be received and adopted. |
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Overview & Scrutiny Panel (Environmental Well-Being) PDF 224 KB Minutes: Councillor G J Bull presented the Report of the meetings of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Environmental Well-Being) held on 17th June and 15th July 2014.
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In connection with Item No 8, Councillor Bull invited Councillor D B Dew, in his capacity as Executive Councillor for Planning & Housing Strategy, to respond to a question from Councillor T F Hayward regarding the inclusion within the District Council’s response (to consultation on the Long Term Transport Strategy) of the importance of planned improvements to the A1. Although outside this process, Councillor Dew assured Members that the District Council was continuing to lobby the County and other agencies for improvements to the A1 and A428 and on the potential for duelling of the A428.
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In connection with Item No. 10, Councillor Bull reassured the questioner, Councillor R S Farrer, that the prospect of shared services would continue to evolve and that the Environmental Well Being Panel would continue to keep those services within their remit under review.
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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 17th June and 15th July 2014 be received and adopted. |
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Overview & Scrutiny Panel (Economic Well-Being) PDF 233 KB Minutes: Councillor R Harrison presented the Report of the meetings of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Economic Well-Being) held on 6th May, 12th June and 10th July 2014.
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Whereupon, it was
RESOLVED
that the Reports of the meetings of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Economic Well-Being) held on 6th May, 12th June and 10th July 2014 be received and adopted. |
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Standards Committee PDF 134 KB Reports (a) – (d) contain recommendations to the Council and shall be presented by their respective Chairmen from the body of the meeting.
Reports (e) – (h) are presented for information only. The Chairman of the Council shall invite questions to the Chairman of the latter. Minutes: Councillor A Hansard presented the Report of the meeting of the Standards Committee held on 26th June 2014.
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Whereupon, it was
RESOLVED
that the Report of the meeting of the Standards Committee held on 26th June 2014 be received and adopted. |
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VARIATION TO THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE COMMITTEES AND PANELS, ETC Group Leaders to report, if necessary.
[Please note that the Council photograph will be taken at 6.30pm adjacent to the Civic Suite building.] Minutes: On the recommendation of Councillor R G Tuplin, it was
RESOLVED
that Councillor T F Hayward be appointed to the membership of the Standards Committee in place of Councillor S M Van De Kerkhove.
The meeting concluded at 9.50 pm Actions: 2 minutes |