Agenda and decisions

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 15 July 2025.

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 receive a report seeking to gain full approval to allow delegated authority to Senior Officers to fully execute the leases for the land adjacent to the current nature reserve allowing for an extension of Paxton Pits Nature Reserve following the completion of gravel extraction operations and agreed restoration works. 

The report also seeks to set out the current legal position as supplied by 3C Legal Shared Services and to provide Council the full confidence in which full approval for this scheme and delegated authority can be given to Senior Officers to proceed with this matter.

The report also seeks approval for the Head of Leisure, Health & Environment and associated teams in principle to explore wider opportunities to develop existing and new sites across the Council’s parks and open spaces to support wildlife and conservation, health and wellbeing, physical activity and commercial sustainability opportunities

Executive Councillor: J Kerr

The Cabinet

·  approved and gave delegated authority to fully execute the leases for the land adjacent to the current nature reserve allowing for an extension of Paxton Pits Nature Reserve following the completion of gravel extraction operations and agreed restoration works;

·  agreed and approved the feedback from 3C Legal Shared Services outlined in Section 10 which provided confidence and clarity to the Council in moving forward with the extension of leases;

·  supported the principle of officers engaging in efforts to acquire land and buildings in connection with the principle of exploring wider opportunities to not only develop existing sites across the Council’s parks and open spaces but also new sites and spaces to support wildlife and conservation, health and wellbeing, physical activity and commercial sustainability opportunities.

To receive a report presenting a revised Commercial Investment Strategy for approval and subsequently adopted for implementation.

Executive Councillor: B Mickelburgh

The Cabinet approved the Revised Commercial Investment Strategy.

The report aims to gain formal approval to proceed with the implementation of the Building Energy Strategy and identify opportunities for renewable energy installations delivering both environmental and financial benefits primarily at the sites below.

• Pathfinder House.
• Eastfield House.
• One Leisure Huntingdon Dry.
• One Leisure Huntingdon Wet.
• One Leisure Ramsey.
• One Leisure St Ives Indoor.
• One Leisure St Ives Outdoor.
• One Leisure St Neots.

Executive Councillor: S Howell.

The Cabinet

(1)  approved the Building Energy Strategy with a view to complete feasibility studies on the buildings identi?ed and allow HDC to make informed decisions on future energy and carbon savings; and

(2)  to delegate to the Corporate Director - Finance & Resources (S151) in consultation with the Executive Councillor for Finances & Resources to make any consequential amendments to budgets and release of necessary funds to deliver the projects.

To receive a report presenting an update on delivery of the Corporate Plan during Quarter 1 of 2025/26.

Executive Councillors: S Ferguson and L Davenport-Ray.

The Cabinet considered and commented on progress and performance during Quarter 1, as summarised in the Corporate Performance Report attached and detailed in Appendices A, B, C and D.

To receive a report presenting an update on delivery of the Finance Performance Report during Quarter 1 of 2025/26.

Executive Councllor: B Mickelburgh

The Cabinet

(1)  considered and commented on the revenue financial performance for the financial year 2025/26 quarter 1, as detailed in Appendix 1 and summarised in paragraph 3.2;

(2)  considered and commented on the capital financial performance for 2025/26 quarter 1, as detailed in Appendix 2 and summarised in paragraph 3.3; and

(3)  considered and commented on the treasury management activity for 2025/26 quarter 1, as detailed in Appendix 3.

To receive the Minutes of the Hinchingbrooke Country Park Joint Group meeting held on 18th July 2025.

Executive Councillor: J Kerr.

The Cabinet has received and noted the Minutes of the Hinchingbrooke Country Park Joint Group meetings held on 18 July 2025.