Agenda item

Councillor D P Holley, Leader and Chairman of the Cabinet presented the Report of the meetings of the Cabinet held on 7th and 28th April, 19th May and 9th June 2005.

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In connection with Item No. 1, the Leader drew the Council’s attention to a joint statement made by major stakeholders in Cambridgeshire in which they had indicated their support for the Highways Agency’s proposals to upgrade the A14 trunk road from Ellington to Fen Ditton (a copy of the statement is appended in the Minute Book).

The Leader emphasised that the unanimity of the support expressed was unique and was critical if the timetable for the start of construction in 2008/09 and completion of the project between 2011/15 was to be achieved.  The Council also were encouraged to take into account the recommendation of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Planning and Finance) contained in Item No. 1 of their Report to the meeting.

In support, the Executive Councillor for Planning Strategy, Councillor N J Guyatt expressed the view that the current level of usage of the A14 in Cambridgeshire inhibited growth in the eastern region and beyond, that there still were matters to resolve given the need for further study on the environmental, economic and local traffic impact, the future of the Huntingdon viaduct and the role of the existing A14 through Huntingdon consistent with the environment and growth of the town.  The programme leading to commencement of construction on-site also was outlined.

Following these general statements, and having indicated his wish not to focus on the impact on any particular community, the Leader moved the following amendment to the recommendation as follows –

After “RECOMMEND, insert

  (a)  that the Director of Operational Services be authorised, after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Planning Strategy, to make representations to the Highways Agency with regard to the need for measures to ameliorate noise during and after construction and to mitigate visual intrusion on all the communities affected by the routing of the proposed A14 upgrade scheme between Ellington and Fen Drayton; and

  (b)”

after, “that” in the first line of the recommendation, insert “, subject to (a) above”.

Councillors M G Baker, I C Bates, Mrs B E Boddington, P J Downes, J A Gray, D A Giles, R Powell and A B Stenner made representations in respect of the impact of the various proposed routes on the villages of Offord Cluny and D’Arcy, Buckden, Brampton, Hilton and those west of the District, the tendency for HCVs to use the A141 and A142 as alternative routes to the A14 and the need to consider the effect on the A428 during upgrade works on the A14.  In response, the Executive Councillor for Planning Strategy, assured Members that he would also continue to lobby Ministers and the appropriate agencies in respect of the future of the A141, A428 and A1.  Whereupon, on being put to the vote, it was

RESOLVED

  (a)  that the Director of Operational Services be authorised, after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Planning Strategy, to make representations to the Highways Agency with regard to the need for measures to ameliorate noise during and after construction and to mitigate visual intrusion on all the communities affected by the routing of the proposed A14 upgrade scheme between Ellington and Fen Ditton; and

  (b)  that, subject to (a) above, the comments listed in the report of the Director of Operational Services form the basis of the Council’s formal response to the Highways Agency consultation on the upgrade of the A14.

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In connection with Item No. 9 and in response to a question from Councillor Churchill enquiring as to the part played by the District Council in the decision by the Huntingdonshire Primary Care Trust to retain a branch surgery in Little Paxton, the Leader advised the Council that the Cabinet had formally responded to the consultation and had expressed its strong concern regarding the suggested withdrawal of primary care services from Little Paxton.

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In connection with Item No. 21 and in response to a question regarding proposals for the project management of the new District Council Headquarters, the Leader assured the Council that whilst details of the project management arrangements had yet to be finalised, the terms would be more favourable and represent better value to the Council than otherwise could be secured by the use of external consultants.  In the event of more detailed questions, the Leader indicated that he would discuss the matter further with Councillors outside the meeting.

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Whereupon, it was

RESOLVED

  that, subject to the foregoing paragraphs, the Report of the meetings of the Cabinet held on 7th and 28th April, 19th May and 9th June 2005 be received and adopted.