Agenda and minutes

The Archdeacon of Huntingdon and Wisbech, Hugh McCurdy, opened the meeting with a prayer.

The Chairman presented to the Council an account of the activities both he and the Vice-Chairman had attended since the last meeting. The Chairman referred to his attendance at the civic carol service in St Ives and wreath laying in Peterborough before Christmas. He also reported upon the Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award ceremony at Comberton Village college and the Holocaust Memorial Day with Councillor Mrs B E Boddington last month. He also reported upon his success at achieving second place, albeit a shared place, at the recent annual pancake flipathon.

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 13th December 2017.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 13th December 2018 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman. In so doing Councillor Mrs S A Giles referred to an outstanding response on ‘rough sleepers’, whereby the Managing Director undertook to provide a full response following the meeting.

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

No declarations were received.

The Executive Councillor for Strategic Resources, Councillor J A Gray to present the 2018/19 Budget, the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) for 2019/20 – 2022/23, the Fees and Charges Schedule for 2018/19, the Treasury Management Policy, Strategy and Prudential Treasury Management and Commercial Investment Strategy Indicators for 2018/19 and the Annual Minimum Revenue Policy 2018/19 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 2018/19.

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 2018/19 Budget and Medium Term 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. 58, 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 2018/19 Revenue Budget, the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) for the period 2019/20 to 2022/23, the Treasury Management Policy, Strategy and Prudential, Treasury Management and Commercial Investment Strategy (CIS) Indicators for 2018/19 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 2018/19 for various parts of the Huntingdonshire district.

In his opening remarks, Councillor Gray drew Members attention to the highlights of the budget for the forthcoming year, including proposals for an increase in Council Tax of 2% that was lower than state pension and wage increases and ultimately more affordable. Members also noted that the minimum level of general fund reserves was set to increase to £2.7m as a result of the grant settlement from Government, the Council’s policy to increase Council Tax and the savings, income and growth built into the 2018/19 budget and MTFS.

Attention was drawn to specific changes in service budgets and the resultant impact on the final budget, including commercialisation and service changes for CCTV, increase in homelessness resources as a consequence of new legislation, changes to charging for planning services, income from car parking with no changes to car parking fees currently, significant contribution of £190k to the budget from the Leisure and Health Service, substantial investment in ICT for the roll out of the Council Anywhere project and income from the CIS.

Councillor Gray reminded Members of the process of consideration of the draft budget, from informal Cabinet in December 2017 with Senior Officers through to consideration of the draft and final budget at Overview and Scrutiny and Cabinet. He reported that this was the seventh budget that he had delivered but had by far involved the most robust discussions and thanked all Members for their input.

In comparing past and future budgets, Members attention was drawn to forthcoming changes that would be emerging through the transformation programme to deliver services for its residents in an efficient and effective manner with the savings ring-fenced to deliver more efficiencies across Council services. Councillor Gray also appraised Members with the increase in capital investment specifically in Disabled Facilities Grants, with an increase from £300k in the current year to £800k in 2018/19 to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 58.

Councillor M Francis, Chairman of the Corporate Governance Committee to present a revised Code of Financial Management and Code of Procurement for adoption.

(The Amendments were endorsed by the Corporate Governance Committee at their meeting on 17th January 2018).

By way of a report by the Head of Resources (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) Councillor M F Francis, Chairman of the Corporate Governance Committee presented details of the outcome of reviews of the Codes of Financial Management and of Procurement as endorsed by the Corporate Governance Committee at their meeting on 17th January 2018. The Codes were reviewed regularly to ensure they reflected current legislation and the changing needs of the Council.

In addition to the recent introduction of new policies and changes to existing policies, a primary source of changes to the Codes was the establishment of HDC Ventures. The latter would need to be included within the Council’s Statement of Accounts and required the Council to refer to it in its advertisements and notices. Whereupon, it was

RESOLVED

that the revised Code of Financial Management and the Code of Procurement as appended to the report now submitted be approved.

The Executive Councillor for Community Resilience, Well-Being and Regulatory Services, Councillor A Dickinson to present a new Corporate Enforcement Policy for adoption by the Council.

(The draft Policy has been considered by the Development Management Committee, Licensing and Protection / Licensing Committees and the Cabinet).

In conjunction with a report by the Head of Community (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) Councillor Mrs A Dickinson, Executive Councillor for Community Resilience, Well-Being and Regulatory Services appraised the Council with a presentation on a Corporate Enforcement Policy for the District Council, comprising two documents designed to standardise enforcement across the Council’s regulatory services. Attention was drawn to the formal policy document that set out the principles of enforcement, whilst adhering to the regulatory and legislative framework to assist individuals and businesses to ensure compliance with the law. The second document sets out the operational guidance of how enforcement would be carried out, detailing the alternative approaches for different breaches and enforcement action.  

Having noted that the draft policy had been designed to ensure a consistent approach from the Council’s regulatory services, Members noted that the draft documents had been discussed by the Development Management Committee, Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Communities and Environment), Licensing and Protection/Licensing Committees and the Cabinet and Members views had been taken into account, it was

RESOLVED

(a)  that the Corporate Enforcement Policy Statement and Corporate Enforcement Policy as appended to the report now submitted be approved; and

(b)  that the Head of Community and Head of Development Services be authorised to make minor editorial changes to the Corporate Enforcement Policy Statement and Corporate Enforcement Policy which by definition make no change to the scope or meaning of the Policy.

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 2018/19 to the Council for approval.

(The Statement was endorsed by the Employment Committee at their meeting on 7th February 2018).

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 Manager (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) in connection with the District Council’s Pay Policy Statement for 2019/19.

The Statement, which is required to be approved by the Council by 31st March 2018 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 2018/19 be approved.

To consider a report by the Elections and Democratic Services Manager on an annual adjustment to the Members’ Allowances Scheme.

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 2%, the Executive Leader referred to the lack of pay increases for Council employees and had acknowledged staff performance. In debating the proposal, Councillor P D Reeve moved and it was duly seconded by Councillor L A Duffy that the following amendment be made to the recommendations of the report by the Elections and Democratic Services Manager that –

the Council scrap all Members Allowances and Special Responsibility Allowances.

Upon being put to the vote the Motion by Councillor Reeve was declared to be LOST.

Having been reminded of the original proposal, the Council

RESOLVED

  that there be no increase in Members’ allowances in the financial year 2018/19.

Councillor M Francis, Chairman of the Corporate Governance Committee to present a report seeking the re-appointment of the Lead and Deputy Independent Persons for a two year period to 30th April 2020.

(The Corporate Governance Committee at their meeting on 17th January 2018 endorsed the recommendations within the report).

In conjunction with consideration of the item at the meeting of the Corporate Governance Committee on 17th January 2018, the Chairman of the Committee, Councillor M Francis presented to the Council a report by the Elections and Democratic Services Manager and Deputy Monitoring Officer (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) seeking the re-appointment of the Lead and Deputy Lead Independent Persons for a further two year period.

Councillor Francis reminded Members that in accordance with the Localism Act 2011, it was necessary for the Council to appoint one or more Independent Persons and acquainted the Council with the backgrounds of the proposed appointments.

Whereupon, it was

RESOLVED

  that the re-appointment of Mrs Gillian Holmes and Mr Peter Baker to the posts of Lead and Deputy Independent Persons respectively be reaffirmed for a further two year period to 30th April 2020 without the need for further ratification in each year by the Council at its Annual Meeting.

Questions to Members of the Cabinet.

Councillor J M Morris outlined a series of questions directed towards Councillor Fuller on action the Council proposed to take to reduce the number of long term empty homes in the District and with 400+ homes empty for more than six months what has the Council done to bring them back into use. He further questioned whether the Council would consider exploring the option of offering financial assistance to owners of long term empty homes to assist with renovation to make them habitable and consideration to the implementation of an Empty Homes Strategy.

In response, Councillor Fuller referred to the technical definition of empty homes being over two years and with 122 empty homes across the whole District it represented the second lowest in the County and 0.2% of the District’s housing stock. He explained that there may be a series of reasons why the homes had remained empty, from probate issues through to gaps in tenancies. He reminded Members of their adoption of the Housing Strategy last year with a policy on empty homes that had been considered by a cross-party working groups and approved. In conclusion, the Chairman suggested that Members would benefit from a briefing on the subject to further clarify any misunderstandings as he suggested that this was a concern for many Members.

In response to a question by Councillor T Hayward on closure of the level crossing at Buckden and The Offords, Councillor Fuller explained that representations had been made previously to the Minister and Network Rail on this issue that had been assimilated into discussions on the East/West rail link and a response had been expected imminently. Councillor Hayward further questioned the potential for re-treeing the A14 following the decimation of the route of trees and planting, with Highways England indicating that planting would commence as each section had been completed and Councillor Fuller undertook to take on-board the issue raised with a view to continuing discussions.

Arising from a question from Councillor T D Sanderson, Councillor Fuller explained that the Council’s responsibility for homeless families did not end until they had been adequately provided for.

Councillor P Kadewere requested an update on the issues raised at the previous Council meeting of the post master at the Oxmoor, whereby the Executive Leader had referred the matter previously to the Commercial Estates Team and undertook to follow up the issue again. He further raised a question in relation to the closure of shops within the Town Centres and what the Council could do to assist revitalise these locations. In response, Councillor Gray referred to his presentation and the CIS focus at looking at opportunities for investment in the High Street and would look to work with retailers in all of the market towns to take forward this vision.

Councillor P L E Bucknell raised a question in relation to the proposal in Warboys for two waste treatment plants for biomass energy to burn waste wood and process polluted water and highlighted residents’ concerns in relation  ...  view the full minutes text for item 64.

Councillor G J Bull, Executive Leader to present on the activities of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority.

Councillors R C Carter and T Hayward to provide an update on the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Councillor B S Chapman to provide an update on the Audit Committee.

Decision summaries for recent meetings of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Audit Committee and Board are attached to the Agenda for information.

In accordance with the Protocol agreed at the February 2017 meeting, this item provides an opportunity for District Council Members to ask questions and comment on Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority issues.

If Members wish to raise questions or issues requiring a detailed response, it would be helpful if they can provide prior notice so that the necessary information can be obtained in advance of the meeting.

(Notes:  Update  10 Minutes

Questions  10 Minutes).

In conjunction with the decision summaries of the recent meetings of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, Councillor G J Bull presented an update of their activities by way of a PowerPoint presentation. Copies of which are appended in the Minute Book.

Councillor Bull reported that the LEP had been absorbed into the Combined Authority, as at end March 2018 a new business board would be created under the Chairman of the Leader of East Cambridgeshire District Council, Councillor Roberts and sharing the Chief Executive with the Combined Authority.

Members were provided with an update on Mass Rapid Transport, improving links to Cambridge and investigation of potential mass transport options, with approval of a £600k budget to progress these ideas, including two tunnels under Cambridge for use by road worthy vehicles.

Councillor Bull reported that the budget had been approved by the Combined Authority, with no precept to the constituent authorities. He further reported on more changes to the Portfolio Holders and the potential to consider moving to three portfolios – Transport and Infrastructure, Housing and Economic Development. Members also noted that a steering group had been established for the St Neots Masterplan and business plans were under development for submission and consideration by the Combined Authority.

Attention was also drawn to the Combined Authority four year plan summary that outlined the strategic objectives of the Combined Authority and the projects and programmes in place to deliver these objectives.  

Councillor T D Alban raised a question in relation to the rapid transport issue and the unintended consequences of the guided bus having a detrimental impact on bus services and concern for similar issues occurring, whereby Councillor Bull explained that a review of the bus subsidy programme was underway and would be in place later in the year.

Councillor T Hayward provided an update on the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority Overview and Scrutiny Committee. He provided a summary of discussions at their previous meetings and advised Members that the Committee had been looking at forthcoming decisions of the Combined Authority and held a special meeting for the budget on 12th February 2018, whereby concerns were raised in relation to how it had been set up and the scope of the business consultation had not been broad enough. He further reported upon the issues of the LEP and the Committee concluded that the budget could not be completed until the costs had been incorporated into it for the LEP. There was concern over the lack of detail and the £175m in reserves and questioned what this had been earmarked for. Members also requested further clarity on the forward plan of the Combined Authority.

Councillor Hayward reiterated his concerns with the further changes in Portfolio Holders and concern for these Members to fully understand their Portfolios and the associated budget. In outlining his concern for the four year plan, he highlighted to Members the difficulty with getting the background to the reasons for why decision had been taken by the Combined Authority,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 65.

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 13th December 2017 is appended in the Minute Book and Members were advised that any issues or questions could be raised in relation to these meetings.

To consider a report by the Elections and Democratic Services Manager on the representation of political groups on Committees and Panels in accordance with Section 15 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 and the District Council's Constitution.

A report was submitted by the Elections and Democratic Services Manager (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) relating to the principles of proportionality to be applied to the appointment of Committees and Panels in accordance with Section 15 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 and Part II of the Local Government Act 2000 following the change in membership of the HDC Independent Group.

Whereupon it was

RESOLVED

(a)  that the allocation of seats on Committees and Panels to political groups and non-aligned Members be determined as set out in the report now submitted; and

(b)  that the requirements for appointments to advisory/sub-groups in paragraph 5.3 be noted.

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

Further to Minute No. 67 ante, it was

RESOLVED

(a)  that Councillors C E Bober and J E Corley continue as Members of  the Development Management Committee as Independent Group Members;

(b)  that Councillor P D Reeve be appointed to the Licensing and Protection/Licensing Committee in place of Councillor J E Corley;

(c)  that Councillor J E Corley be appointed to the Licensing and Protection/Licensing Committee in place of Councillor R G Tuplin;

(d)  that Councillor D A Giles be appointed to the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Economy and Growth) in place of C E Bober;

(e)  that Councillor T Hayward and B S Chapman be appointed to the Employment Committee in place of Ms L A Duffy and C E Bober;

(f)  that Councillor Mrs S J Conboy be appointed to the Senior Officers Committee in place of Councillor B S Chapman; and

(g)  that the Cabinet be advised to report that Councillor D R Underwood be appointed to the membership of the Hinchingbrooke Country Park Joint Group.

The meeting ended at 9.34pm.