Agenda

Jon Randall, Vicar of Huntingdon to open the meeting with a Prayer.

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 16th October 2024.

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.

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.

Councillor M A Hassall to move –

This Council notes:

The cost-of-living crisis, food shortages, global conflicts, climate change and ongoing pandemic recovery efforts significantly impact food security. It is imperative that our residents have access to an adequate supply of fresh food for their daily needs. This motion is in line with the Joint Administration’s aim to ‘Do, Enable and Facilitate’ within our local communities. It also aligns with, ‘Priority 1: Improving quality of life for local people’, of HDC’s Corporate Plan.

This Council acknowledges:

1.  The increasing need to prioritise residents’ health and well-being in our corporate strategies.

2.  The compelling evidence linking people’s health and well-being to the availability of locally produced, non-ultra-processed, fresh food.

3.  The real hunger resulting from the cost-of-living crisis, emphasising the necessity of affordable, healthy food.

4.  The potential for community-led food cultivation to reduce NHS and social care costs by combating loneliness and promoting well-being.

5.  The existence of underutilised publicly owned land that could serve both community food growing and enhance public spaces.

This Council resolves:

a)  To refer the following options to the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Environment, Community and Partnerships) and then the Cabinet for consideration -

1. Mapping Council-Owned Land:
   • Identify and create a map of all Council-owned land suitable for community cultivation.
   • Ensure this map is publicly available at no cost to residents and actively promoted across all wards.
   • Consider land suitable for food cultivation or biodiversity unless it contains proven hazards or is slated for development within 24 months.
2. Facilitating Community Cultivation:
   • Make Council-owned land available for cultivation through simple licenses granted to community organisations at no cost.
   • Ensure licence conditions do not create significant barriers for residents in terms of finances or practical requirements.
   • Extend Council public liability coverage to include food-growing projects on public realm land, relieving community groups of this burden.
3. Opportunities for Community Groups:
   • When community groups cultivate public realm land for food growing or wildlife spaces, allow them an opportunity to bid for the land if it becomes available for sale.
   • Provide necessary infrastructure such as water access or water harvesting to enable sustainable cultivation.
4. Allotment Provision:
   • Adhere to the 1969 Thorpe Report’s recommendation of a minimum allotment provision equivalent to 15 plots per 1,000 households.
   • HDC to compile comprehensive statistics on allotment provision and take-up across Huntingdonshire. This data will provide valuable insights for future planning and community engagement.

b)  To actively promote volunteering opportunities to encourage wider community involvement in cultivation.

c)  To take consideration of and be consistent with any ongoing, ‘Foraging Maps’, or similar initiatives within HDC or other Huntingdonshire organisations in the outcomes resulting from this motion.

d)  To write to MPs representing our Council area, urging their support for a national “right to grow” as articulated in Amendment 483 (Community Cultivation Schemes) in the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill.

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.

The Executive Councillor for Communities, Health and Leisure Councillor B Pitt to present a report on the Community Health and Wealth Strategy and the creation of a Delivery Fund.

The Executive Councillor for Resident Services and Corporate Performance, Councillor S W Ferguson to present a report regarding Council Tax premiums.

(The report was considered by the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Environment, Communities and Partnerships) and the Cabinet at their meetings in November 2024. The Cabinet endorsed the recommendations).

The Executive Councillor for Resident Services and Corporate Performance, Councillor S W Ferguson to present a report reviewing the Council Tax Support Scheme for 2025-26.

(The report was considered by the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Environment, Communities and Partnerships) and the Cabinet at their meetings in November 2024. The Cabinet endorsed the recommendations).

Councillor N Wells, Chair of the Licensing Committee to present a revised Statement of Principles for the period 2025 to 2028 under the Gambling Act 2005 for adoption.

(The draft Statement was considered and endorsed by the Licensing Committee at their meeting on 16th October 2024).

The Executive Councillor for Finance and Resources Councillor B Mickelburgh to present the Council’s Treasury Management performance for the period 1 April to 30 September 2024.

(The report was considered by the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Performance and Growth) and the Cabinet at their meetings in November 2024).

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.