Agenda and minutes

Chip Colquhoun to open the meeting with a ‘Thought for the Day’.

Mr Chip Colquhoun opened the meeting with a thought for the day.

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 11th December 2024.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 11th December 2024 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

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

No declarations were received.

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

The Council noted those engagements attended by the Chair and Vice-Chair since the last meeting (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book). In doing so, the Chair remarked that it had been his privilege to attend the Holocaust Memorial Service at Peterborough City Council on 27th January 2025.

The Council also received details of the Chair’s Charities for the 2024/25 year – the Papworth Trust and Magpas.

To answer any questions submitted by the public in accordance with the Constitution.

The deadline for the receipt of public questions is five days prior to the meeting and must be submitted to the Monitoring Officer.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 10.1, the following Public Question was presented to the Council –

What plans does HDC have to invest in active travel in Huntingdonshire in 2025/26 and how much money will be ear marked to help to deliver some positive outcomes on the ground in the coming financial year?

In thanking the questioner for his questioner, the Executive Councillor for Economy, Regeneration and Housing Councillor S Wakeford began by reminding the Council that formal responsibility for active travel sat with Cambridgeshire County Council in their role as the local highway authority.

He explained that whilst the District Council did not invest directly in active travel, it did place great importance upon it and considered it carefully as part of its infrastructure planning. The significant role that active travel and other non-motorised user transport can play in supporting the health and wellbeing of Huntingdonshire residents and also the economic opportunities that can arise from a visitor economy with a strong leisure element was well recognised. As such, the District Council continued to work closely with the County Council and the Combined Authority in this regard and had influenced a range of their plans and strategies in promoting active travel and non-motorised user transport options.

Councillor Wakeford also reiterated that the District Council continued to negotiate active travel solutions as part of Section 106 Agreements to ensure new communities were well connected and had awarded CIL grants in recent years with active travel elements. Work was also ongoing with stakeholders over the active travel elements of the A428, East West Rail and the Fens Reservoir schemes and funding obtained through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund was being used to undertake feasibility work for potential future routes. Attention was also drawn to the active travel engagement exercise which was currently being undertaken and whose purpose was to provide evidence which could be used to secure investment to construct new and improved routes and for the new Council Local Plan.

In concluding his remarks, the Executive Councillor reiterated that given the responsibilities of the District Council in this area, it was leveraging the role it had to maximise the opportunities for active travel for the residents of Huntingdonshire into the future.

The Executive Councillor for Finance and Resources, Councillor B Mickelburgh to present for approval –

v  The 2025/26 Budget and Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) for the period 2026/27 to 2029/30

v  The Fees and Charges Schedule for 2025/26

v  The Treasury Management Strategy, the Capital Strategy and the Investment Strategy including the annual prudential indicators for 2025/26

v  The Annual Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Statement 2025/26

v  The Formal Resolution to determine the Council Tax for 2025/26

In accordance with Section 30(2) of the Local Government Act (Standing Orders) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2014, the Council will be asked to resolve that a recorded vote be taken on conclusion of the debate on this item.

The reports were considered by the Cabinet at their meeting on 11th February 2025 and it was agreed that they should be recommended to Council for approval.

(The Leader of the Opposition will have a right of reply).

15 Minutes Presentation

45 Minutes Debate and Questions

In conjunction with a report by the Corporate Director of Finance and Resources and a PowerPoint presentation (copies of which are appended in the Minute Book), Councillor B A Mickelburgh, Executive Councillor for Finance and Resources presented to Members the 2025/26 Budget, the Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) for the period 2026/27 to 2029/30, the Fees and Charges Schedule for 2025/26, the Treasury Management Strategy, the Capital Strategy, the Investment Strategy, the Annual Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Statement for 2025/26 and other associated matters for the Council’s consideration and approval.

In accordance with Section 30 (2) of the Local Finance Act 1992, the Council also considered proposals for levels of Council Tax in 2025/26 for various parts of Huntingdonshire District.

By way of introduction, the Executive Councillor explained that the Treasury Management Strategy was largely structured by government regulation and was very similar to the previous year. Although, there had been several small amendments in response to requirements of the Treasury Management Code and changes to the way in which Minimum Revenue Provision must be calculated. Council was informed that Counter Party limits remained unchanged from the previous year and that as Government Debt Management Office rates had remained in line with general interest rates it had been decided not to diversify into Environmental, Social and Governance Investments.

In terms of the Council Tax resolution, Members attention was drawn to the proposed increase of 3.11% or £5 a year in Council for a Band D property for 2025/26. In doing so, attention was drawn to changes to the rates of inflation over the course of the previous 10 years and the resulting impact on the need for Council Tax collection. 

With regards to the proposed Budget and Medium-Term Financial Strategy, Councillor Mickelburgh explained that circumstances over the course of the last year had changed to tighten the Council’s finances and create a level of greater uncertainty. Members attention was drawn to the significant increase in Employers National Insurance Contributions, the increased cost of the Materials Recycling Facility Contract and the uncertainty surrounding forthcoming local government review. In respect of the latter, Members of the Council were informed that a £1m fund had been established from Council reserves should the need arise.

The Council’s attention was then drawn to some of the successes achieved by the Administration’s responsible management of the Budget. Members were advised that the Council’s One Leisure Service was making a surplus for the first time and that work was planned to drive further budgetary improvements.  Attention was also drawn to the success of the Council’s Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil trial and the inhouse recruitment of the new Chief Digital Information Officer for 3C ICT which had generated financial savings.

With the assistance of PowerPoint Slides, the Council were then acquainted with some of the detailed figures within the budget. An explanation of turnover which was budgeted at just over £84.3m was also provided including expenditure, fees, business rates, grants, Council tax and contribution to reserves.

In terms of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 67.

At 8.56pm, it was

RESOLVED

that the meeting stand adjourned.

Upon resumption at 9.06pm

(At 8.56pm Councillor J Catmur left the meeting and did not return).

In compliance with the requirements of Sections 38-43 of the Localism Act 2011, the Executive Councillor for Climate, Transformation and Environment, Councillor L Davenport-Ray to present the Pay Policy Statement to the Council for approval.

(The Statement was considered by the Employment Committee at their meeting on 25th February 2025 and a verbal update will be provided on their deliberations).

In compliance with the requirements of Sections 38-43 of the Localism Act 2011, Councillor S Conboy the Executive Leader presented a report by the Human Resources and Organisational Development Manager (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) in connection with the District Council’s Pay Policy Statement for 2025/26.

The Statement, which is required to be approved by Council by 31st March 2025 and produced annually, details the Council’s policies relating to Officer remuneration.

Having noted that the Statement had been endorsed by the Employment Committee at their meeting on the 25th February 2025, it, was moved by Councillor S Conboy, duly seconded by Councillor S Wakeford and

RESOLVED

that the Pay Policy Statement for 2025/26 be approved.

In accordance with the Council Procedure Rules, all questions –

v  Must be relevant to an item which the Council has powers or duties;

v  Must not relate to an item which is included elsewhere on the Agenda

v  Should be limited to obtaining information or pressing for action; and

v  Should not exceed two minutes in duration.

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

With reference to residents in the northern part of the District, Councillor Bywater drew attention to the impact of the decision by Peterborough City Council to impose a residents only permit parking scheme at Fengate Household Recycling Centre. Given that the Alconbury Household Waste Recycling Centre no longer accepted the disposal of paint products, clarification was sought as to whether the City Council had consulted with the District Council about the decision to implement permit parking and whether any other option has been given for Huntingdonshire residents to access Fengate recycling centre. The Executive Councillor for Parks and Countryside, Waste and Street Scene reiterated that responsibility for Household Waste Recycling Centres sat with Cambridgeshire County Council but undertook to respond to the Councillor in writing and agreed that a meeting to explore potential solutions with relevant officers and members or the RECAP partnership might be appropriate.

Councillor J A Gray reiterated previous concerns regarding the absence of any comprehensive monitoring report on the impact of the green bin subscription service since its introduction and sought an undertaking from the Executive Councillor that this be brought through the Overview and Scrutiny process within the next two months. In response to which, the Executive Councillor for Parks and Countryside, Waste and Street Scene sought clarification on the information which would be required from such a report and undertook to discuss the matter further with Officers. She also took the opportunity to reiterate that it was a matter for Overview and Scrutiny to lead their own work programme.

With reference to recent discussions in Parliament concerning Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) and grooming, Councillor K P Gulson expressed concern at the absence of any information on the District Council website for signposting and reporting. He also drew attention to the Community Safety Strategic Assessment for Huntingdonshire which had identified Huntingdonshire as having the largest proportion of CSE Crimes in Cambridgeshire and sought clarification as to whether the recommendations within the report had been implemented. In responding to the issues raised, the Executive Councillor for Resident Services and Corporate Performance outlined the ongoing work which was undertaken to address CSE. He reiterated that CSE was a key objective for the Police and Crime Commissioner and for Huntingdonshire Community Safety Partnership, who had established a multi-agency working group to discuss issues involving children and young people at risk. Attention was also drawn to the role of District Council Officers in shutting down a café in Huntingdon after allegations of exploitation. In terms of the District Council’s website, Councillor Ferguson undertook to ensure that specific reference was made to CSE and Grooming Gangs within the Community Safety pages.

With reference to the recent failure to secure CIL funding to contribute towards the new Warboys Community Centre and the difficulties being encountered with the build, Councillor C A Lowe sought a commitment from the Executive Councillor that he would meet with the local District Councillors and the Parish Clerk to discuss potential way forward. 

In response to a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 70.

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.

The Council received and noted copies of the decision summaries from recent meetings of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority (CPCA) and Members were advised that any issues could be raised in relation to these meetings.

Arising from which, comments were made by Councillor R Martin regarding the recent approval of bus franchising and the problems experienced with the last round of the procurement process. In response to which the Executive Leader explained that whilst she was not able to comment on the procurement process for legal reasons, public procurement was not an easy process and there would be a review of lessons learnt which would be valuable for both the CPCA and the District Council.

In response to a question regarding the forthcoming election of a new Mayor and their ability to set their own vision for the Authority, the Executive Leader reminded the Council that inevitably all individuals entering into the role would bring fresh ideas and inspiration. However, the majority of decisions taken at the Authority were undertaken at Board level, with a number of issues already in progress. In addition, as local government reorganisation progresses, a change in needs and priorities will be inevitable.

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.

A copy of the list of meetings held since the last meeting of the Council held on 11th December 2024 is appended in the Minute Book and Members were advised that any issues or questions could be raised in relation to these meetings.

With reference to the positive discussion by the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Environment, Communities and Partnerships) on the Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil Trial which had resulted in the submission of a number of recommendations to the Cabinet, Councillor T D Alban expressed his disappointment at the response of the Cabinet to the Panel’s proposals. Having been asked for her own views on the matter and having concurred that she had also been disappointed with the outcome, the Chair of the Panel Councillor J E Kerr reported that it was her understanding that the recommendations had been discussed thoroughly and arrangements were being put in place to provide feedback on future recommendations as part of the efforts to improve the Overview and Scrutiny process.

In terms of the improvements to the effectiveness of Overview and Scrutiny, a suggestion was made by Councillor M A Hassall regarding the need for a formal response from Cabinet to individual recommendations. It was also suggested that the wording of recommendations should be agreed at Panel meetings to avoid any later misinterpretation at Cabinet meetings. In response to which, the Vice-Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Environment Communities and Partnerships) Councillor N Hunt undertook to discuss the matter informally with members of the Cabinet and took the opportunity to thank all Members for their contributions to the efforts to improve the effectiveness of the Panels. He also indicated that a further area of work may be to review areas of best practice from other Councils.

a)  Executive Leader to report on changes to the Cabinet

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

The Executive Leader reported formally on the appointment of Councillor Sally Howell to the Cabinet as the Executive Councillor for Communities, Health and Leisure. In doing so, Councillor Conboy took to the opportunity to record her appreciation to Councillor B Pitt for his contribution and service to the Cabinet following his resignation from the role of Executive Councillor.

On the recommendation of Councillor S J Conboy, it was

RESOLVED

that Councillor B Pitt be appointed to the membership of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Performance and Growth) in place of Councillor S A Howell.

The meeting ended at 9.56pm.