Agenda item

The Overview & Scrutiny Panel is invited to consider and comment on the Report.

By means of a report by the Place and Climate Lead  (a copy of which was appended in the Minute Book), The Great Ouse Valley Trust Report was presented to the Panel.

Confusion was expressed regarding the Council’s position in not supporting the proposal. It was questioned why Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) had been cited as a reason, noting that the Panel had previously been advised LGR should not prevent the Council from committing to future projects.

The Panel was advised that the Council’s position is not negative but appropriately cautious. The report has highlighted several new risks that must be fully considered. It was further noted that the external environment is evolving rapidly, which presents an additional challenge. The Council expressed a desire to undertake further work on potential partnerships, as there are other organisations interested in collaborating who may be better placed to deliver elements of the work. Attempting to deliver the project solely in?house would expose the Council to significant risk. The Council emphasised that it is not giving a definitive “no”; rather, it is considering the available options, including what can be delivered internally and where partnership working may be appropriate. It was also noted that this proposal emerged after the budget?setting process and would therefore currently represent an unfunded pressure.

The Panel agreed with a partnership approach and urged the Council to remain part of the conversation.

Councillor Martin expressed his support for the outcome and agreed that, yes he wants to support the Great Ouse Valley Trust but feels there are alternative ways to do that, especially with elections and LGR coming up. He put forward 3 recommendations for Cabinet to consider; these were:

·  To recommend to Cabinet recommendations 5 A and B as per the published report and;

·  To recommend to Cabinet an additional recommendation that the item and future working with the Great Ouse Valley Trust noted as a potential item for the future Administration of the Council to consider, post the May elections.

It was originally suggested that the above could be by way of a Task & Finish Group; but following advice from the Deputy Chief Executive, it was agreed that the route for consideration was best left for the new Administration to determine.

The Committee expressed further support for the points raised and advised that, should the Council become involved in the future, appropriate budget provision should be made and residents should be consulted

Councillor Gleadow asked for confirmation relating to the specific wording for the new recommendations to Cabinet.

Councillor Gardener seconded the recommendations raised by Councillor Martin.

The Panel re-heard the Recommendations including the additional  Recommendation and a vote is called. 7 Members are For, 0 Against and 2 Abstainers.

Following the discussion, the Panel were informed that their comments would be added to the Cabinet report in order for Cabinet to make a decision upon the recommendations within the report, and additionally, the Panel request that the Cabinet consider adding the following recommendation to their report;

A. It is recommended that HDC should not proceed with further, detailed work with the GOVT in respect of self-designation at this time for the reasons set out in this report. As such, it is recommended that HDC limits its involvement to limited activities relating to partnership and collaboration with the GOVT based on the principles of Influence and Enable within the Corporate Plan; and

B. Delegate to the Place and Climate Lead in consultation with the Executive Leader, to formally write to the GOVT, to outline the position and thank them for their partnership and engagement to date; to provide confirmation that HDC recognises the value of the GOV within Huntingdonshire as a result of the various contributory formal designations (e.g. ecological and heritage) and its relationship with our Place ambitions; and to advise that HDC will continue to collaborate with them on the basis of the “Enable” and “Influence” principles from the Corporate Plan.

AND

To recommend to Cabinet that the item and future working with the Great Ouse Valley Trust be noted as a potential item for discussion by the future Administration of the Council to consider, post the May elections; to determine appropriate next steps forward.