Minutes:
(a) Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Economic Well-Being)
Councillor T V Rogers presented the Report of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Economic Well-Being) held on 4th October 2012.
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Whereupon, it was
RESOLVED
that the Report of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Economic Well-Being) held on 4th October 2012 be received and adopted.
(b) Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Environmental Well-Being)
Councillor D Harty presented the Report of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Environmental Well-Being) held on 9th October 2012.
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In connection with Item No. 18 and in response to a question from Councillor P J Downes regarding the difficulties which could result from the introduction of a charge for collecting a second green bin, Councillor D M Tysoe, Executive Councillor for the Environment was of the view that if managed efficiently, the provision of a differential service to residents should not present problems nor result in an increase in fly tipping. However, Councillor Tysoe undertook to investigate the questioner’s proposal to use the former recycling centre on Brampton Road, Buckden for residents to dispose of their green waste.
On the same subject and in response to a question from Councillor P D Reeve which enquired whether the proposal would have an impact on landfill charges and council tax levels, Councillor Harty accepted that the initiative required to be reconsidered by the Panel.
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Whereupon, it was
RESOLVED
that the Report of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Environmental Well-Being) held on 9th October 2012 be received and adopted.
(c) Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Social Well-Being)
Councillor S J Criswell presented the Report of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Social Well-Being) held on 2nd October 2012.
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In connection with Item No. 24 and in response to a question from Councillor P J Downes in which he expressed concern that the Huntingdonshire CAB had closed before a replacement advice service had been established, Councillor Criswell concurred with the questioner that it was regrettable that there would be a period when no advice service would be available but the CAB had closed earlier than expected and as it had not been possible to prevent volunteers from leaving the organisation.
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Whereupon, it was
RESOLVED
that the Report of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Social Well-Being) held on 2nd October 2012 be received and adopted.
(d) Cabinet
Councillor J D Ablewhite, Executive Leader and Chairman of the Cabinet presented the Report of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 18th October 2012
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In connection with Item No. 23, it was noted that the Leadership Direction had previously been considered by the Council under Minute No. 43.
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Whereupon, it was
RESOLVED
that, subject to the foregoing paragraph, the Report of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 18th October 2012 be received and adopted.
(e) Development Management Panel
Councillor D B Dew presented the Report of the meeting of the Development Management Panel held on 15th October 2012.
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Councillor R J West referred to the current consultation exercise on the proposed new local plan which was due to close on 23rd November 2012 and asked how local Members could remain involved in the process.
Councillor Dew underlined how important it was for Members to respond individually to the consultation and to continue to remain engaged in the process by encouraging Town and Parish Councils in their Ward to do likewise to seek to influence future neighbourhood plans. Councillor Dew added that the Development Plan Policy Advisory Group shortly would begin to consider the proposed plan in detail and that both he and Members of the Group would welcome any contributions from Members should they wish to contact him.
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Whereupon, it was
RESOLVED
that the Report of the meeting of the Development Management Panel held on 15th October 2012 be received and adopted.
(f) Licensing Committee
Councillor J W Davies presented the Report of the meeting of the Licensing Panel held on 23rd October 2012.
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Whereupon, it was
RESOLVED
that the Report of the meeting of the Licensing Committee held on 23rd October 2012 be received and adopted.
(g) Corporate Governance Panel
Councillor E R Butler presented the Report of the meeting of the Corporate Governance Panel held on 25th September 2012.
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Councillor Butler gave a presentation on the work that the Panel had undertaken during the year and reminded the Council that it had considered matters as varied as the Annual Accounts, internal and external audit work, whistle blowing, complaints, the management of risk and procedures to reduce fraud. The Panel also prepared a Government Statement on behalf of the Council. Of particular concern to the Panel of late, had been problems encountered with the 2010/2011 accounts. The Panel has monitored this situation and would continue to seek improvements in the process, such that the Council comfortably meet future deadlines. The Panel also intend to seek assurance during the year on the pay review, the outsourcing of HR and Payroll and the business continuity process.
In response to a question from Councillor P J Downes, and arising from its duty to consider changes to the Constitution, Councillor Butler acceded to a request for the Panel to reconsider at a future meeting, the introduction of a scheme of substitution as a way of informing back benchers of the business arising on all Panels and to increase the pool of knowledge and experience.
On the same subject, Councillor J A Gray paid tribute to the valuable work undertaken by the Panel and the benefit the Council derived from the experience and knowledge of its Members who continued to perform a vital role as the Council’s watchdog.
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Whereupon, it was
RESOLVED
that the Report of the meeting of the Corporate Governance Panel held on 25th September 2012 be received and adopted.
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