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.
Contact:30 Minutes.
Minutes:
Councillor Hunt asked that with the Representation of the People Bill being introduced allowing 16 and 17 year olds to vote, what work has the Council done to prepare for these changes and engage with young people who are voting for the first time? In thanking Councillor Hunt for his question, the Executive Councillor for Governance and Democratic Services, Councillor Harvey, noted that the Chief Executive in her role as Returning Officer for the Council was very enthusiastic about engaging young people in the democratic process. It was noted that the Council’s elections team already undertook work with educational establishments to encourage young people to engage in the voting process and that work in this area would be increased to strengthen links with education providers in the run up to the introduction of the policy as well as taking guidance from the Electoral Commission. This will be further strengthened with a targeted awareness campaign from the Council’s Communications Team to ensure a smooth implementation process. Councillor Hunt thanked the Councillor for her support and further passed on his thanks and respect to the Democratic Services Manager and her team for the work which they undertake whilst ensuring a smooth democratic process for Councillors.
Following a question from Councillor I Taylor in relation to whether the Empty Homes Strategy included residential properties above or linked to commercial businesses, with the example of residential flats above a commercial unit being given, and the request for an update on the Old Falcon property in St Neots, the Executive Councillor for Economy, Regeneration and Housing, Councillor Wakeford, confirmed that residential properties within commercial units were covered by the Empty Homes Strategy. In relation to the Old Falcon, the Executive Councillor further confirmed that planning permission had now been granted and that the Council were working collaboratively with the owner with a view to entering a construction phase.
Councillor S Cawley advised that he, along with representatives from Ellington Parish Council, had met with the Head of Planning to discuss enforcement issues and potential applications related to a local business in the area but that they were yet to receive answers following this. The Executive Councillor for Planning noted this and resolved to follow up with the Councillor following the meeting.
Whilst appreciating that highways were a responsibility of the County Council, Councillor P Kadewere asked whether the Executive Councillor Economy, Regeneration and Housing recognised an opportunity, in light of the impending Local Government Reorganisation, for the two Councils to work collaboratively in order to improve the state of the roads within Huntingdonshire, furthermore would the Council commit to engaging with colleagues to ensure that lessons learnt from the transition period inform planning for the incoming unitary authority so that residents can benefit from a lasting improvement. Councillor Wakeford agreed that the opportunity to engage with County colleagues on such an issue would be a benefit of the impending LGR and that he would encourage the next administration to avail themselves of the opportunity. He further noted the concerns of residents relating to the state of the districts roads and encouraged the new administration to take advantages of collaborative working for the benefit of the district.
An increase of fly tipping in the north of the district, was noted by Councillor Alban who further requested social media communication from the Council to advise residents and parish councils on the best way to official report such instances and also to note that regardless of their best intentions residents should not clear such issues and instead leave it to Council professionals to allow it to be properly investigated and cleared. In response, Councillor Ferguson, the Executive Councillor for Resident Services and Corporate Performance, acknowledged the issue raised and noted that there may have previously been a disconnect between teams wishing to investigate and teams wishing to clear the matter. He took on board the comments relating to clarifying the process and undertook to take this forward with the Communications Manager.
Having received a question from Councillor C Lowe requesting an update on the A14 tree planting project, the Executive Councillor for Climate, Transformation and the Workplace, Councillor Davenport-Ray advised that an update would be sought and shared with the Councillor following the meeting.
Councillor Neish raised the case of Holywell cum Needingworth Primary School who were looking to replace the previous caretakers bungalow which had already been demolished. It was noted that weeds had grown on the site whilst the planning process had been followed and that because of this there was now a requirement to balance Biodiversity Net Gain due to the planned removal of the weeds which may cost the school £4000. Councillor Neish asked if this was appropriate in the case of an educational Facility as due to the implementation of Biodiversity Net Gain, they now had to produce a 30-year plan to increase their biodiversity. Councillor Neish further noted that he was aware that the local MP had also visited the school and was awaiting a similar response. The Executive Councillor for Planning, Councillor Sanderson, advised that he would seek the answer and reply.
Councillor Pitt advised that in the latest round of CIL applications, the St Neots Youth Centre proposal had come directly from young residents of St Neots and welcomed Councillors to speak to the Town Council to further understand this request. The Executive Councillor for Planning, Councillor Sanderson, noted that he would not wish to predetermine any future Cabinet decisions but would welcome the opportunity to have such discussions at an appropriate time in the future.
Councillor Gray advised that a resident within his ward had received a Liberal Democrat leaflet campaigning that it was time for change, however he noted that both Cambridgeshire County Council and by means of the joint administration the District Council were being run by Liberal Democrats, therefore questioned what change was being alluded to. In response, the Executive Leader Councillor Conboy responded that she would not delve into the political angle but did note that the previous administration had campaigned to residents to demand better at the previous administration.