Agenda and minutes

The Reverend James Barber of Huntingdon Methodist Church opened the meeting with a prayer.

The Chairman presented to the Council an account of the activities both he and the Vice-Chairman Councillor R J West had attended since the last meeting. In so doing, the Chairman drew Members attention to his attendance at the Performing Arts Centre, Hinchingbrooke School for the Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Ceremony, a Civic Reception hosted at East Cambridgeshire District Council to celebrate the Chinese New Year and the Great Fen Lego event at Hinchingbrooke Country Park.

In referring to his hosting of a Holocaust Memorial Service in January 2017 that was attended by students from the St Ivo School, the Chairman reported upon the moving presentation of their experiences that had be brought about by the School’s annual visit to Auschwitz and expressed his gratitude to those Members who took part on the Service.

Attention was drawn to forthcoming activities, including the Charity Quiz at the Corn Exchange, St Ives, Pancake Flipathon in Market Square, Huntingdon, Last Night of the Proms from Peterborough Cathedral and hosting of the Flag Raising for Commonwealth Day. The Chairman also reported that there would be an informal presentation to former Councillor I C Bates to award him his title of Honorary Alderman prior to the next meeting on the Council in March 2017.

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meetings of the Council held on 21st December 2016.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 21st December 2016 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive from Members declarations as to disclosable pecuniary, non-disclosable pecuniary or non-pecuniary interests in relation to any Agenda item. See Notes below.

Members of the Council who had also been elected as Town/Parish Councillors declared non-statutory disclosable interests in Item No. 71 by virtue of their membership of their respective Town/Parish Councils.

The Executive Councillor for Strategic Resources, Councillor J A Gray to present the 2017/18 Budget, the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) for 2017/18 – 2020/21, the Fees and Charges Schedule for 2017/18, the Treasury Management Policy, Strategy and Prudential Treasury Management and Commercial Investment Strategy Indicators for 2017/18 and the Annual Minimum Revenue Policy 2017/18 for approval.

In accordance with Section 30 (2) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, the Council will be required to approve resolutions as to the levels of Council Tax in 2017/18. A report by the Head of Resources is enclosed.

In accordance with the Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2014, the Council will be asked to resolve that a recorded vote be taken on the conclusion of debate on this item.

(Notes  30 Minutes Presentation

  30 Minutes for Questions).

The Chairman reminded Members of the decision made by the Council to suspend Council Procedure Rule 11 (Rules of Debate) to enable a full debate to be made by Members on the 2017/18 Budget and medium Term Plan Financial Strategy 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. 65, during which time the common law rules of debate be observed by Members and applied by the Chairman.

In conjunction with a report by the Head of Resources and PowerPoint presentation (copies of which are appended in the Minute Book), the Executive Councillor for Strategic Resources presented to Members the 2017/18 Revenue Budget, the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) for the period 2018/19 to 2021/22, the Treasury Management Policy, Strategy and Prudential, Treasury Management and Commercial Investment Strategy (CIS) Indicators for 2017/18 and other associated matters for the Council’s consideration and approval.

In accordance with Section (30)2 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, the Council also considered proposals for levels of Council Tax in 2017/18 for various parts of the Huntingdonshire district.

In his opening remarks, Councillor Gray informed Members that he would be presenting the report at a higher level given the fact that it had previously been discussed at the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Performance and Customers) and the report had been made available to all Members prior to the Council meeting. Attention was drawn to Appendix 4 of the report that summarised the results of consultation with the business community that, although low, had been a higher response than the previous year.

Councillor Gray expressed his support to Members of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Performance and Customers) in consideration of the draft budget and their constructive input. He gave particular thanks to the Managing Director and her Team who had engaged in the process, together with consideration of challenges and direction from fellow Members of the Cabinet and to the Head of Resources, Finance Manager and Members of the Accountancy Team.

In drawing Members’ attention to the updated ‘Plan on a Page’ that outlined the Council’s vision and strategic priorities as part of the Corporate Plan, Councillor Gray explained that the Financial Strategy had been updated to reflect the reduction in the budget deficit that had been reported in the previous year as £3.6m in 2020/21 and had now been a predicted deficit of £1.33m in 2020/21 and £1.36m in 2021/22. In reporting upon the huge accomplishments and significant progress made in achieving a budget surplus of £3m, Councillor Gray indicated that there were further savings to be realised as there was likely to be significant reductions in government grants; Revenue Support Grant and curtailment of the New Homes Bonus.

Members noted that the budgeted contribution to reserves had been held around 15%, with the target that had been set in the previous year being achieved and the Schedule of Fees and Charges had been virtually untouched  ...  view the full minutes text for item 65.

Questions to Members of the Cabinet.

Arising from a question by Councillor P Kadewere from residents of Kings Ripton Road, Huntingdon, the Executive Leader, Councillor R B Howe undertook to obtain further detail from Councillor Kadewere outside of the meeting and address the issues.

In response to a question by Councillor D B Dew on the inclusiveness of public involvement of the Local Plan review, Councillor R Harrison explained that the Council had been working to a tight timetable and an announcement would be forthcoming later that week on the Strategic Transport Strategy (STS) that would be communicated to all Members. Councillor Harrison also undertook to circulate the full technical details, as well as the STS to all Members.

Councillor T Hayward referred to two motions that had been presented to the Council over the past 18 months on the A1 and the level crossing at Buckden and asked for assurance that correspondence had been sent to the highest Minister in Central Government, not the Members of Parliament, in relation to these issues. Whereby, Councillor Harrison reported upon a forthcoming meeting in Milton Keynes the following week to discuss the A1 with Highways England and J Djanogly, Member of Parliament (MP) for Huntingdon. It was further reported that discussions on the level crossings were at a crucial stage and the Council had been awaiting a report from Network Rail before responding further and Councillor Harrison undertook to ensure that the appropriate correspondence was communicated to the MP and Minister.

Arising from a question by Councillor R Fuller in relation to breaches of planning and enforcement issues with the access road from Hemingford Road to the old golf course site in St Ives, Councillor G J Bull had explained that he had been made aware of the breaches and undertook to investigate the use of enforcement powers with the potential breach of conditions in this location.

Councillor B S Chapman referred to the growth in the District and the ensuing problem with the increase in litter and questioned what action was being taken to address the problem. In response Councillor J White explained that it was a national problem and drew Members attention to a Keep Britain Tidy campaign that was being run on the 4th/5th March 2017 that was designed to encourage local communities to tackle the problem of littering. It was further reported that the Operations Division had invested in new equipment to help address the issue and a Street Cleansing Plan had been developed to tackle such problem areas.

Councillor S Greenall reported upon the recent decision to consult on the closure of Waitrose in Huntingdon and his subsequent petition and questioned what the Cabinet was doing to assist the retention of such retail outlets in the market towns as well as encouraging new businesses. Whereby, the Executive Leader, Councillor R B Howe, explained that the welfare of the market towns was a strategic priority of the work of the Combined Authority and the St Neots Masterplan would be developed as a template for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 66.

The Executive Leader, Councillor R B Howe to provide an update.

The Executive Leader, Councillor R B Howe, provided an update to Members on progress to date with the work of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority. Whereupon it was noted that the second meeting of the Combined Authority had met earlier that day and approved a provisional budget for 2017/18 to 2020/21. It was noted that the costs of the Mayor’s office had risen to £1m and the Mayoral election costs risen to £1.2m to accommodate the costs for distribution of the candidates address booklet. A further two posts had been created to facilitate the Housing Development Strategy as currently no officer capacity existed.

Members noted that the Combined Authority had been tasked with the development of new policies, fulfilling the legal and governance arrangements and developing the assurance and monitoring framework to ensure the processes are transparent and robust. Councillor Howe further highlighted the work streams that would be covering major project areas of governance, fiscal policy, infrastructure, housing and skills and work programmes would be developed to allow housing and infrastructure related projects to progress.

Councillor Howe referred to the unblocking of sites allocated for housing to allow for the development of affordable housing and a number of large infrastructure projects under consideration that would be considered by the new Investment Board, Chaired by Councillor Howe with external expertise to adjudicate on infrastructure plans to come forward with recommendations for investment. Attention was also drawn to the Market Town Strategy and development of the Masterplan for St Neots, whereby it was reported that contact had already been made with Councillor Ms A Dickinson and St Neots Town Council.

It was noted that although the organisation was working very well, the Officers involved had been very stretched across all the local authorities and work had begun to recruit to the Chief Executive and other paid posts at the Combined Authority. Councillor Howe explained that through the smart management of resources and better use of public service, including health, social care, fire and police, economies and efficiencies could be achieved by the Combined Authority through the leverage of funding from other agencies.

In referring to the eight sites allocated for housing, Councillor Ms S J Conboy enquired as to whether they had been identified in addition to the Local Plan, whereby Councillor Howe explained that they had already been identified in the Local Plan and it was hoped that growth could be accelerated on thiese site through the unblocking of infrastructure that currently impeded some developments.

In response to questions from Councillor M F Shellens, Councillor Howe explained the background to the changes in the budget and overall costs to the Combined Authority and reported that a reserve level set at £800k may be deemed a little excessive and the intention was to ensure that the allocation of £20m was depleted as little as possible with the establishment of the Mayor’s office but was confident that income generated in five years’ time would far outweigh the original allocation of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 67a

To consider proposed arrangements to allow the Council’s appointee to the Combined Authority to provide a briefing report /update to each meeting of the Council outlining the activities and decisions of the Combined Authority.

Consideration was given to a report by the Elections and Democratic Services Manager (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) to which was attached a copy of a protocol to allow for the Council’s appointee to the Combined Authority to provide a briefing report to each meeting of the Council outlining the activities and decisions of the Combined Authority. The Deputy Leader, Councillor G J Bull, explained that this would allow Members an opportunity to ask questions on the work of the Combined Authority. Whereupon, it was

RESOLVED

  that the protocol to enable the Council’s appointee to provide a briefing report/update to each meeting of the Council outlining the activities and decisions of the Combined Authority and to enable Councillors to ask questions for a response or comment on concerns or issues be approved.

To consider a report by the Elections and Democratic Services Manager regarding the appointment of a Returning Officer for the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority Mayoral elections in Huntingdonshire.

In conjunction with a report by the Elections and Democratic Services Manager (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Deputy Leader, Councillor G J Bull, outlined to the Council the requirement to appoint a Returning Officer responsible for organising and delivering the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority Mayoral elections in Huntingdonshire. Whereupon, it was

RESOLVED

  that the Managing Director be appointed as Returning Officer for the Huntingdonshire area for the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority Mayoral elections in Huntingdonshire to be held in May 2017.

In compliance with the requirements of Section 38 of the Localism Act 2011, the Executive Councillor for Transformation and Customers, Councillor S Cawley to present the Pay Policy Statement for 2017/18 to the Council for approval.

(The Statement was endorsed by the Employment Committee at their meeting on 8th February 2017).

In compliance with the requirements of Sections 38 - 43 of the Localism Act 2011, Councillor S Cawley, Executive Councillor for Transformation and Customers presented a report by the HR Business Partner (LGSS) (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) in connection with the District Council’s Pay Policy Statement for 2017/18.

The Statement, which is required to be approved by the Council by 31st March 2017 was now produced annually and detailed the Council’s policies relating to Officer remuneration.

Accordingly and having noted that a copy of the Pay Policy Statement would be publicised on the Council’s website along with data on senior salaries under the Code of Recommended Practice for Local Authorities on Data Transparency 2011, it was moved by Councillor Cawley, duly seconded and

RESOLVED

that the Policy Statement for 2017/18 be approved.

To consider a report by the Elections and Democratic Services Manager on the outcome of a review of polling districts, polling places and polling stations.

The Council considered a report by the Elections and Democratic Services Manager (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) summarising consultation that had been undertaken on proposed changes to the Council’s Schedule of Polling Districts and Polling Places following the completion of a recent review of electoral arrangements by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE) of Cambridgeshire County Council and Huntingdonshire District Council. In so doing, the Deputy Leader, Councillor G J Bull, informed Members that Group Leaders had been consulted on the report and the proposed changes to polling districts must be made to ensure that all electors have reasonable facilities for voting.

In the ensuing discussion, Councillors B S Chapman, D A Giles and Ms S A Giles referred to their disagreement with the new boundaries within St Neots and lack of consultation, whereby it was explained that full consultation was undertaken by the LGBCE on changes to the electoral arrangements and had already been imposed by way of Order and the report presented was to enable the amendment of polling districts in line with these changes. Whereupon, it was

RESOLVED

that the following changes be made to the Council’s Schedule of Polling Districts and Polling Places –

(a)  that a new polling district (CT) be created in Huntingdon as the new electoral division boundaries of Huntingdon North and Hartford division and Godmanchester and Huntingdon South division are not coterminous with the existing polling district boundaries of CJ and CH to allow for electors in this polling district to vote in the correct electoral division as shown on the map attached at Appendix B;

(b)  that electors in the area affected by the lack of coterminosity by the new District wards of Huntingdon North ward and The Stukeleys ward not being coterminous with the existing polling districts of CP and CR be moved from CR to CP on publication of the revised register on 1st December 2017 as shown on the map attached at Appendix B;

(c)  that a new polling district (EX) be created in St Ives as the new electoral division boundaries of St Ives North and Wyton division and St Ives South and Needingworth division are not coterminous with the existing polling district boundaries of EC and ED to allow for electors in this polling district and new town ward of Beech to vote in the correct electoral division as shown on the map attached at Appendix C;

(d)  that electors in the area affected by the lack of coterminosity by the new District wards of St Ives East ward and St Ives West ward not being coterminous with the existing polling districts of ED and DY be moved from ED to DY on publication of the revised register on 1st December 2017 as shown on the map attached at Appendix C;

(e)  that a new polling district be created in Fenstanton for the Fenstanton South parish ward as the new County electoral divisions are not coterminous with the new  ...  view the full minutes text for item 69.

To consider a report by the Elections and Democratic Services Manager on the outcome of the consultation with Town and Parish Councils on the District Council’s decision to move from elections by thirds to whole Council elections from May 2018.

Consideration was given to a report by the Elections and Democratic Services Manager (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) on the results on consultation undertaken to move the electoral cycle of all Town and Parish Councils to coincide with whole District Council elections from May 2018. The Deputy Leader, Councillor G J Bull, explained that if some Town and Parish Councils remained on their current cycle it could expose them to higher costs for running an election. With this in mind, Councillor Bull moved and it was duly seconded by Councillor R Fuller that the following amendment be made to the recommendations set out in the report by the Elections and Democratic Services Manager –

That the words “with the exception of St Ives Town Council, St Neots Town Council and Warboys Parish Council” be deleted from recommendations (a) and (b) and recommendations (c) to (e) be deleted.

Councillor Mrs S A Giles outlined her disgust with the proposed amendment to overrule the Town Council and Councillor B S Chapman indicated his confusion with the financial argument and suggested that the cost would be financially neutral. He expressed his disappointment of the lack of respect for all the residents of St Neots and suggested that it was an abuse of the democratic process.

In concurring with Councillors Mrs Giles and Chapman, Councillor P D Reeve referred to the importance of Town and Parish Councils in local communities and suggested that if their elections remained combined with the District Council then electors were more likely to vote on party political grounds.

Councillor D A Giles reported that the Councillors had been elected to serve a four year term and appreciated the need for economies but as the Town Council paid for the elections the term should remain for the four year term. Councillor J E Corley suggested that these proposed amendments would destroy all credibility and would not be supported by the residents of St Neots. Councillor Ms S L Taylor similarly outlined her disgust with the proposed amendments.

In response, Councillor Fuller explained that it was equally undemocratic to allow a six year term for Warboys Parish Council and qualified the suggestion that the Town Council paid for the elections, in fact the residents of the parish paid for the elections.

After discussion and upon being put to the vote the Motion was declared to be CARRIED. Councillors Chapman, Corley, D Giles, S Giles, Reeve and Taylor voted against the motion.

Councillor Chapman moved and was duly seconded by Councillor D A Giles that recommendation (d) remained. Whereupon being put to the vote the Motion was declared to be LOST.

It having previously been moved by Councillor Bull and seconded by Councillor Fuller, in respect of the substantive motion upon being put to the vote it was further

RESOLVED

(a)  that an Order be made under section 53 of the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 to set the date of ordinary  ...  view the full minutes text for item 70.

To consider a report by the Elections and Democratic Services Manager.

Having regard to a report by the Elections and Democratic Services Manager (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) in respect of the terms of the Members’ Allowances Scheme which provided for an annual adjustment  of allowances in accordance with the automatic index mechanism of 1%, the Council

RESOLVED

  that there be no increase in Members’ allowances in the financial year 2017/18.

An opportunity for Members to raise any issues or ask questions arising from recent meetings of the Council’s Committees and Panels.

A list of meetings held since the last Council meeting is attached for information and Members are requested to address their questions to Committee and Panel Chairmen.

A copy of the list of meetings held since the last meeting of the Council held on 21st December 2016 is appended in the Minute Book and Members were advised that any issues or questions could be raised in relation to these meetings.

Group Leaders to report on variations to the Membership of Committees and Panels if necessary.

There were no changes to report.

The meeting ended at 9.45pm.