Agenda item

To receive a report providing an update on partnership working with the GOVT and outlining the case for self-designation of the GOV and Washes as a national landscape – based on the outputs derived from a jointly commissioned piece of work undertaken by Arkwood.

The Cabinet has

(1)  reviewed and commented on the attached document entitled ‘Arkwood Report’ which sets out the rationale, options and implications of pursuing self-designation for the Great Ouse Valley and Washes;

(2)  noted the financial and resource commitments required to progress this work, including the significant Officer time need for coordination, engagement and governance development;

(3)  noted and accepted that the majority of the Ouse Valley Way lies outside Huntingdonshire’s administrative boundary, requiring cross-authority collaboration and limiting the HDC’s direct influence;

(4)  noted and considered uncertainties arising from forthcoming local government reorganisation, including the lack of clarity on future revenue streams and HDC’s ability to resource this work sustainably over the medium term;

(5)  agreed

(a)  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, HDC’s involvement is limited to activities relating to partnership and collaboration with the GOVT based on the principles of Influence and Enable within the Corporate Plan;

(b)  that authority be delegated 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

(b.i)  to note the findings of the Arkwood Report and the great advantages in a self-designated Great Ouse Valley for the health, biodiversity, landscape and, most importantly, the economy of our region.

A report by the Place and Climate Lead was submitted (a copy of which is appended to the Minute Book) providing an update on partnership working with the Great Ouse Valley Trust (GOVT) and outlining the case for self-designation of the GOV and Washes as a national landscape, based on the outputs derived from a jointly commissioned piece of work undertaken by Arkwood.

The Leader, Councillor Conboy introduced the report.

The Cabinet commented that GOVW had seen a decline due to Local Government austerity and noted that for much of the year the route was inaccessible without hard-working volunteers and HDC Rangers. Concerns were raised regarding the effects the various options Local Government Reorganisation could present which would have an effect on the GOVW.

In response to questions from the Committee, the Leader advised that the question was how and what the right way to move forward was, and the Council could look at potential partners to work and move forward with now, ahead of the next administration. Furthermore, recommendation B was in the “Enable” and “Influence” space, and there may be partners who were well placed to bring value to the table.

The Cabinet noted that the GOVW was valuable environmentally and economically, and underlined that the wording of recommendation 5(a) was to not proceed “at this time”, as opposed to perpetually, but it may be looked at going forward by a new administration.

The Executive Councillor for Climate, Transformation and Workforce, Councillor Davenport-Ray proposed the following additional recommendation, which was duly seconded by Councillor Ferguson:

“to note the findings of the Arkwood Report and the great advantages in a self-designated Great Ouse Valley for the health, biodiversity, landscape and, most importantly, the economy of our region”.

When put to the vote, the additional recommendation was carried and would therefore form part of the substantive motion.

The Executive Councillor for Climate, Transformation and Workforce confirmed it was her hope that this type of wording would be considered in the formal letter to the GOVT, referenced in recommendation 5(b).

The Chair moved to the vote on the substantive motion.

Whereupon, it was

RESOLVED

that

(1)  the Cabinet has reviewed and commented on the document entitled ‘Arkwood Report’ which sets out the rationale, options and implications of pursuing self-designation for the Great Ouse Valley and Washes;

(2)  the financial and resource commitments required to progress this work, including the significant Officer time need for coordination, engagement and governance development, be noted;

(3)  the majority of the Ouse Valley Way lies outside Huntingdonshire’s administrative boundary, requiring cross-authority collaboration and limiting the HDC’s direct influence, be noted;

(4)  uncertainties arising from forthcoming local government reorganisation, including the lack of clarity on future revenue streams and HDC’s ability to resource this work sustainably over the medium term, be noted;

(5)  agreed

(a)  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, 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;

(b)  that authority be delegated 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

(b.i) to note the findings of the Arkwood Report and the great advantages in a self-designated Great Ouse Valley for the health, biodiversity, landscape and, most importantly, the economy of our region.

The Cabinet placed on record its thanks to all staff for their support over the previous four years, particularly amidst the many unexpected challenges and unforeseen circumstances that had arisen. The Cabinet also thanked Councillors across the Council who had worked tirelessly for the greater good of Huntingdonshire and in contributing to valuable debate and discussions. Furthermore, the Cabinet thanked the Leader, Councillor Conboy for her leadership and in particular for her input in helping to design Option E with respect to Local Government Reorganisation.