Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 26th February 2025 and the Extraordinary Meeting held on 19 March 2025 – To Follow.

The Minutes of the meetings of the Council held on the 26th February 2025 and the Extraordinary Meeting held on 19th March 2025  were approved as correct records 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 advised of his intention to stand down as the Chair of the Council. He disclosed that he was initially shocked to be appointed as Chair of the Council but that it had been a great privilege to do so and thanked all the Members for their support. He expressed particular thanks to the Vice-Chair, Councillor D Dew as well as the Chief Executive Officer, the Elections and Democratic Services Manager and the Member Support Officer for their help and support over his tenure as Chair.

The Leader and Deputy Leader both expressed their thanks to the Chair for the hard work during his time in post. This sentiment was shared by Councillor R Martin who also highlighted the importance of the work done outside of the formal meetings, drawing particular attention to the Council Programme Group, where the Chair had listened to his concerns which was very much appreciated.

Councillor D Dew thanked the Chair for the opportunity he had gained by being appointed as the Vice-Chair. He also shared that it had been a very enjoyable experience and wished the Chair well for the future.

The Chair stated that the entire experience had been a highlight but particularly noted being sat in the Chair and listening to the well researched debated from his learned colleagues. He also noted that being able to go to Civic Events and fly the flag for Huntingdonshire and our residents had been a privilege and particularly his recent visit to the Air Ambulance Trust which included the presentation of £1000 donation to be used for a valuable and much needed piece of equipment.

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.

The Chair reported that that there had been no public questions received by the deadline for consideration by the Council.

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.

It was observed by Councillor N J Hunt that recent comments by the national Leader of the Conservatives suggested that the target of net zero by 2050 was unachievable and asked the Executive Councillor for Climate, Transformation and Workforce whether the joint administration remained fully committed to the Council’s Climate Strategy and that the Council remains on track to being net zero by 2040. Councillor L Davenport-Ray responded that the Council remained committed and on target for 2040 and added that whilst getting the Council to net zero may seem like a small drop in the ocean it was an important step for the Council to influence others and lead the way. Following a further question from Councillor Hunt, Councillor Davenport-Ray advised that she believed in a thriving not growing economy and that net zero presents the Country with opportunities for growth nationally not just within our District.

The Executive Councillor for Parks and Countryside, Waste and Street Scene, Councillor S L Taylor, responded to a question from Councillor M L Beuttell who questioned the contingency plans in place should a power outage affect the Councils IT system and thus affect the in-cab refuse system identifying green bins to be collected. Councillor S Taylor advised that this was a risk identified by Internal Audit and that hard copies of the rounds were available for crews in the event of such an outage.

Councillor K P Gulson queried when the results of the November Peer Reviews for Development Management Committee would be shared, to which the Executive Councillor for Planning, Councillor T Sanderson advised that this was due to be published imminently.

In response to questions relating to the installation of solar panels at the One Leisure St Ives site from Councillor N Wells, the Executive Councillor for Communities, Health and Leisure, Councillor S A Howell, advised that due to the embedded carbon of the panels there would be an expected payback of 5 to 6 years against a life span of 25 years. The Council heard that the panels had been part funded by Sports England and that power generated was going towards heating the pool and centre. The potential for EV chargers to be installed would be investigated in the future but not planned for at this point in time. It was noted that the removed trees from the area had been diseased, and that work was being done to remove the stumps with replanting planned for Autumn.

Councillor B S Chapman stated that St Neots has the highest identified flood risk in Cambridgeshire, resulting in flood prevention being very important, in particular he identified an area of land covering 44 acres by the Willow bridge as a flood plain, and advised that over the last 12 months this area had flooded on five occasions. He asked the Executive Councillor for Planning, Councillor Sanderson, to provide more formal protection for this area, particularly given the proposal to encourage planting in the area to create further flooding protection. Councillor Sanderson  ...  view the full minutes text for item 83.

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, Councillor M Hassall drew attention to a question which he had asked in December 2024 and a further question in February 2025 both relating to the staffing costs at the CPCA and that he had requested a detailed breakdown of the CPCA staffing budget, he noted that he had yet to receive a response. It was advised by the Chief Executive that an answer had been received and would be circulated to Members following the meeting.

Councillor R Martin expressed concern about a policy released by the Mayor during the pre-election period, the Executive Leader advised that she was not aware of this, however she would speak to the Monitoring Officer at the CPCA to express the concerns of the Councillor.

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 26th February 2025 is appended in the Minute Book and Members were advised that any issues or questions could be raised in relation to these meetings.

There were no questions raised.

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

There were no changes to report.

To consider a report by the Chief Executive on the appointment of a new Monitoring Officer for the District Council – TO FOLLOW.

With the assistance of a report and exempt Appendix by the Chief Executive (copies of which are appended in the Minute Book and the Annex to the Minute Book respectively) regarding the appointment of a Monitoring Officer, the Council were advised of the outcome of the meeting of the Employment Committee which had met on 17th March 2025 to consider the appointment of a new Monitoring Officer.

Having noted that the proposal enabled the Council to fulfil the need identified by the LGA Corporate Peer Challenge in May 2024 to improve the Council’s approach to governance, compliance and risk by providing a Monitoring Officer role, it was

RESOLVED

that the individual listed in the exempt Appendix to the report now submitted, be designated the District Council’s Monitoring Officer with a start date to be confirmed following necessary employment checks.

To resolve –

that the press and public be excluded from the meeting because the business to be transacted contains exempt information:

·  relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information); and

·  in respect of which a claim to legal professional privilege could be maintained in legal proceedings.

RESOLVED

that the press and public be excluded from the meeting because the business to be transacted contains exempt information;

·  relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information); and

·  in respect of which a claim to legal professional privilege could be maintained in legal proceedings.

To consider a report by the Head of Paid Service.

The Council gave consideration to an exempt report by the Head of Paid Service (a copy of which is appended in the Annex to the Minute Book), on the Workforce Strategy and Due Diligence for Local Government Reorganisation.

Following the discussion, it was

RESOLVED

that the Council approved the recommendations of the exempt report now submitted.