Agenda

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 15th July 2026 and the Extraordinary meeting held on the 1st September 2026.

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

To note the Chair’s engagements since the last Council meeting.

a)  Motion from Councillor R Coogan

Capital & Centric Regeneration Schemes, Accountability and Protection of Public Funds

This Council notes that:

1. Huntingdonshire District Council has committed public resources to regeneration work undertaken with Capital & Centric in relation to:

2. Regeneration is important to the future prosperity of Huntingdonshire's towns. However, regeneration involving public money and publicly owned assets must be founded upon clear objectives, a robust business case, demonstrable public benefit, value for money, proper scrutiny and meaningful engagement with the communities affected.

3. Members who previously supported progression of this work have subsequently expressed publicly that the proposals which emerged were not what they understood the Council had sought or expected from the process.

4. Those concerns create a legitimate need to establish, as a matter of fact, what services, outputs and deliverables were commissioned, what was subsequently authorised, what has been delivered and what public money has been expended.

5. Where a council commissions work from an external organisation, residents are entitled to expect that the Council will satisfy itself that the services and deliverables paid for were provided in accordance with the contractual arrangements, approved instructions and agreed objectives.

6. Equally, no conclusion that any contractor, consultant or development partner has failed in its contractual obligations should be reached without examination of the evidence, contractual documentation and appropriate professional legal advice.

7. Money already spent must never, of itself, become a justification for spending further public money. Decisions about future expenditure should be based upon the current merits, costs, risks and likely public benefits of proceeding.

This Council therefore resolves to:

1. Protecting taxpayers' money is a fundamental responsibility of this Council.

2. Regeneration should enhance town centres, support existing and future businesses, improve accessibility and confidence, and deliver identifiable benefits for the residents whose assets and money are being used.

3. Where the objectives of a publicly funded project have materially changed, have not been delivered, or no longer represent sufficient value for money, the Council should be prepared to stop, reassess and, where necessary, change course.

4. Where professional examination establishes that services or deliverables paid for by this Council were not provided in accordance with contractual obligations, the Council should pursue every proportionate and lawful avenue available to protect the public purse and recover money properly due to it.

5. Such decisions must be based upon evidence and professional advice, rather than political preference, retrospective disagreement with a design proposal, or assumptions about contractual performance.

6. Residents should be able to see clearly what public money was spent, what was commissioned, what was delivered and what action has been taken to protect their interests.

This Council therefore resolves to:

1. State that Full Council does not support the further progression of the current contract, and disengages with Capital & Centric completely including work started on:

·  Tebbutts Road car park, St Neots;

·  Princes Street bus station and car park, Huntingdon; and

·  the former cattle market square  ...  view the full agenda text for item 4.

To receive and respond to questions submitted by members of the public in accordance with the Council Procedure Rule 10.1.

In accordance with the Council Procedure Rules, all questions –

• Must be relevant to an item which the Council has powers or duties;
• Must not relate to an item which is included elsewhere on the Agenda;
• Should be limited to obtaining information or pressing for action; and
• Should not exceed two minutes in duration.

Questions should not divulge or require to be divulged, confidential or exempt information.

Executive Councillor for Planning to present the Pre-Submission Local Plan 2046: Sustainability and Supporting Documents

The report has been considered at a meeting of the Cabinet earlier in the evening. The recommendations of which will be reported verbally at the meeting.

A copy of the draft Plan has been shared separately to all Members on the Member’s Sharepoint site and is available on the District Council’s website.

To consider a report by the Chief Executive on the appointment of an Interim Monitoring Officer for the District Council.

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.

This item provides an opportunity for District Council Members to ask questions 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.

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 Chairs.

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