Agenda, decisions and minutes

Venue: The Council Chamber, South Cambridgeshire Hall, Cambourne

Contact: Democratic Services  03450 450 500 Email: democratic.services@scambs.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies

To receive any apologies for absence.

Decision:

Apologies for absence were received from Professor Phil Allmendinger.

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Professor Phil Allmendinger.

2.

Declarations of Interest

To receive declarations of interest from members of the Executive Board.

Decision:

There were no declarations of interests other than those already recorded in Members’ Declaration of Interest forms.

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interests other than those already recorded in Members’ Declaration of Interest forms.

3.

Minutes of the Previous Meeting pdf icon PDF 391 KB

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 26th July 2017 as a correct record.

Additional documents:

Decision:

The minutes of the meeting held on 26th July 2017 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairperson.

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting held on 26th July 2017 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairperson.

4.

Questions from Members of the Public pdf icon PDF 190 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

The Executive Board RECEIVED and responded to public questions as part of item 6.

Minutes:

The Chairperson informed the Executive Board that eight public questions had been submitted all of which related to agenda item 6; Cambourne to Cambridge Better Bus Journey Scheme.  The questions would be taken as part of the discussion on this item.

5.

Reports and Recommendations from the Joint Assembly

Decision:

The Executive Board RECEIVED a report on decisions made at the meeting of the Greater Cambridge Partnership Joint Assembly held on Wednesday 13th September 2017. 

Minutes:

The Executive Board RECEIVED a report on decisions made at the meeting of the Greater Cambridge Partnership Joint Assembly held on Wednesday 13th September 2017.  Councillor Kevin Price Chairperson of the Joint Assembly attended the meeting to present the Joint Assembly’s views as part of the discussion on each item.

6.

Cambourne to Cambridge Better Bus Journeys Scheme - approach to public consultation informing full outline business case development pdf icon PDF 1 MB

To consider the attached report.

Decision:

The Executive Board AGREED unanimously to:

 

(a)          Agree, based on the considerations in the report, to undertake further public consultation on the Park and Ride options and route alignments identified in Appendix 4 for the Cambourne to Cambridge Better Bus Journey scheme as part of the ongoing development of the Full Outline Business Case, subject to a further meeting with the LLF Technical Group to further refine option 6; and the consultation including further detail on the connectivity to key employment sites and on the connection to the M11 subject to work with Highways England; and

 

(b)          Agree the timetable in the report.

 

Minutes:

The Executive Board considered a report which provided an update on further assessment work carried out on the Cambourne to Cambridge Better Bus Journey Scheme and proposed an approach to the next stage of public consultation.

 

Councillor Bridget Smith, Vice Chairperson of the Local Liaison Forum (LLF) attended the meeting and presented feedback on the LLF’s views on the proposals.  Councillor Smith expressed concern about the time available for the LLF to comment on the proposals and stressed that expecting 49 reports to be reviewed in a week was unreasonable and compromised good decision-making.  She asked that in future reports were issued as they were received.  She commented that LLF members were disappointed to hear that they were being viewed negatively by the GCP following suggestions that they were trying to block progress.  Councillor Smith emphasised that the LLF, as much as anyone, wanted residents to be able to get to work and leisure cheaply, quickly and reliably.  The LLF was keen to ensure that the proposals took account of the best decisions possible, based on all relevant information.  Given the proximity of major new information, specifically the mass transit assessment sponsored by the GCP and the Combined Authority, it was sensible to consider waiting for that information, rather than pressing on to spend taxpayers’ money on detailed evaluation of options that may conflict with that.  The LLF would also welcome a distinction being made between cheaper short term and more expensive long term solutions, which would acknowledge the urgency of some interventions, but allow for the later incorporation of these other schemes.  Characterising this negatively as some kind of head in the sand or “go away” attitude, was unfair.

 

On a more positive note, Councillor Smith reported that the LLF welcomed the decision to drop Crome Lea as a potential park and ride site, but failed to see why the Waterworks site, only 400m away, was materially less damaging and undesirable, given that it was still located after the start of congestion; could still be seen as a blot on the landscape from many miles around; and was still not directly accessible from the A428 in either direction.  She welcomed the amendments proposed by the Joint Assembly, which supported a number of the resolutions of the LLF.

 

Councillor Smith drew the Executive Board’s attention to three other areas of concern, which are summarised below:

 

·         There was an anomaly in the figures presented for baseline, off peak journey times.  The LLF asked how it was possible that an optimised on-road service, using the uncongested A428 dual carriageway and segregated online bus priority measures to within half a mile of Grange Road, could be so much slower that the current Citi 4 service operating without bus priority measures?  Although the peak hours journey time was more important, the off-peak time was an essential baseline; and if that was grossly inaccurate, it called into question the underlying assumptions.

 

·         The LLF shared concerns expressed at the Joint Assembly regarding the issue of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

7.

Western Orbital pdf icon PDF 839 KB

To consider the attached report.

Decision:

The Executive Board AGREED unanimously to:

 

(a)          Note the progress to date;

 

(b)          Delegate to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Chairperson a response to Highways England (HE) supporting:

 

·         the inclusion of an M11 Smart Motorway upgrade within the next Highways England Route Investment Strategy whilst ensuring that local impacts are fully assessed through the business case development process; and

·         the upgrade of the functionality and the ‘all movement’ accessibility of the Girton Interchange subject to full impact assessment;

 

(c)          Agree to increase the number of spaces at the Trumpington Park and Ride site subject to necessary planning permissions being obtained;

 

(d)          Agree to undertake a more detailed business case analysis as set out in this report in relation to medium term Park and Ride expansion and Park and Cycle options and associated junction improvements; and

 

(e)          Agree the next steps/ timetable detailed in the report.

 

Minutes:

The Executive Board considered a report which provided an update on further assessment work carried out on the proposed development of the Western Orbital in the context of discussions with Highways England to designate the M11 as a ‘Smart Motorway’; evaluation of the Girton interchange; and the GCP’s future investment prioritisation.  The report also set out planned improvements to existing park and ride provision to provide a short term means of addressing pressures around junction 11 of the M11 and access to the nearby Cambridge Biomedical Campus. 

 

Councillor Bridget Smith, Vice Chairperson of the LLF attended the meeting and presented feedback on the LLF’s views on the proposals.  Councillor Smith commented that there had been a significant amount of discussion on the park and ride proposals and a number of conflicting views emerged.  There had also been some concern about plans to spend this amount of money on a short term measure.  While it was accepted that underground expansion was unlikely to be accepted due to the cost, there were also concerns about constructing decking above ground.  The LLF had however ultimately accepted that there was a need for a short term intervention to increase the number of spaces within the footprint of the existing site, alongside steps to optimise the site as a pick up and drop off point for busses, particularly those transporting children to school, and increased park and cycle provision.  Further comments would be forthcoming as detailed proposals emerged.

 

The Joint Assembly had recommended that the Executive Board accept the officer recommendations.

 

The Executive Board was invited to consider and comment on the recommendations, taking into account feedback from the Joint Assembly and comments from the LLF.  The response to questions of clarification and the main points of discussion are summarised below:

 

·         Councillor Bates commented that the County Council was the land owner of the park and ride site and its Environment and Transport Committee had sanctioned the Executive Board to consider the proposed expansion of the site by adding an additional 299 spaces.  In respect of coaches, there had been discussions between County Council and City Council officers and Members about this, including arrangements for school drop off and collection.

 

·         Mark Reeve confirmed that from a business perspective the Local Enterprise Partnership was supportive of the proposals.

 

The Executive Board AGREED unanimously to:

 

(a)          Note the progress to date;

 

(b)       Delegate the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Chairperson, to submit a response to Highways England supporting:

 

·           The inclusion of an M11 Smart Motorway upgrade within the next Highways England Route Investment Strategy whilst ensuring that local impacts are fully assessed through the business case development process; and

·           The upgrade of the functionality and the ‘all movement’ accessibility of the Girton Interchange, subject to full impact assessment;

 

(c)       Agree to increase the number of spaces at the Trumpington Park and Ride Site, subject to necessary planning permissions being obtained;

 

(d)       Agree to undertake a more detailed business case analysis as set out in the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

8.

Developing a 10 year (2020 - 2030) Future Investment Strategy pdf icon PDF 448 KB

To consider the attached report.

Decision:

The Executive Board AGREED unanimously to:

 

(a)          Develop a 10 year Future Investment Strategy (FIS) and the process set out in paragraphs 11-15 of the report for agreeing priorities; and

 

(b)          Undertake a significant engagement exercise (called Our Big Conversation) in order that the views of stakeholders, residents and businesses can be included in the development of the FIS.

 

Minutes:

The Executive Board considered a report which outlined a proposed process for developing a ten year future investment strategy for the GCP.

 

The Interim Chief Executive, in introducing the report drew attention to the need for the GCP to focus its ambition on its long term vision for economic growth and to align resources accordingly.  This would build on progress to date, but would also articulate a longer term view of how it was planned to prioritise the use of available funding.  She outlined plans to hold a ‘Big Conversation’ with stakeholders, residents and businesses to assist in developing proposals for investment over the longer term.  Details of the proposed programme of events were tabled.

 

The Joint Assembly had unanimously recommended that the Executive Board accept the officer recommendations.

 

The Executive Board was invited to consider and comment on the recommendations, taking into account feedback from the Joint Assembly.  The response to questions of clarification and the main points of discussion are summarised below:

 

·         Mark Reeve referred to the Economic Commission being set up by the Combined Authority and asked that the GCP fully engage with that as part of future conversations.

 

·         Councillor Ian Bates welcomed plans for specific engagement with students and to hold an event at the Addenbrookes concourse.

 

·         Councillor Lewis Herbert commented that there was time to use this feedback to inform how best to spend what was potentially £400m.  He highlighted the need to follow up the work of the Transport Working Group and progress the objective to retain car movements, particularly at peak times, to 10 to 15% less than 2011 levels, which he had already discussed with officers.  In addition to getting people’s views on how the investment should be targeted, Councillor Herbert welcomed the opportunity to have a frank conversation with City and South Cambridgeshire residents and businesses about possible measures for reducing the number of cars coming into the City centre.

 

·         The Chairperson welcomed plans to take a ten year forward look and the move away from constraints of focussing on individual tranches of funding.  He also welcomed the Big Conversation proposals to capture the views of business and the public to inform the work of the GCP.

 

The Executive Board AGREED unanimously to:

 

(a)          Develop a 10 year Future Investment Strategy and support the process set out in paragraphs 11-15 of the report for agreeing priorities; and

 

Undertake a significant engagement exercise (called Our Big Conversation) in order that the views of stakeholders, residents and businesses can be included in the development of the Future Investment Strategy.

9.

Skills Developing the Greater Cambridge Partnership Ambition pdf icon PDF 313 KB

To consider the attached report.

Decision:

The Executive Board AGREED unanimously:

 

(a)          To refocus the skills workstream in order to facilitate the delivery of the up to 420 apprenticeship target agreed with Government as part of the City Deal agreement;

 

(b)          To do this by establishing a GCP apprenticeship matching/brokerage service that has a focus on STEM apprenticeships;

 

(c)          That officers should work with and commission, where necessary, external organisations to support this work;

 

(d)          To work with the LEP, the Combined Authority and delivery organisations in the development of a skills strategy, including evaluating this new service to determine whether it would be suitable, in the medium to long term, for roll out across a wider geography; and

 

(e)          That in doing the above to take account of the active involvement of the Skills Working Group.

 

 

Minutes:

The Executive Board considered a report which set out progress with the skills work stream and recommended next steps. 

 

The Strategic Programme and Commissioning Manager, in introducing the report confirmed that so far the skills work stream had made good progress across a number of activities and current projects had been delivered on time and within budget.  However, it had not yet been possible to demonstrate a direct and fully evidenced link between the work agreed to date and the 420 apprenticeship deal target set as part of the original City Deal agreement.  A number of proposals were being recommended to address this, including setting up a GCP apprenticeship matching/brokerage service with a focus on stem based apprenticeships.

 

The Joint Assembly had recommended that the Executive Board agree to withdraw the report to enable the Skills Working Group to refine the proposal and report back to the November meeting.  This had been agreed with seven votes in favour and six against.

 

The Executive Board was invited to consider and comment on the recommendations taking into account feedback from the Joint Assembly.  The response to questions of clarification and the main points of discussion are summarised below:

 

·         Mark Reeve commented that the aim of the proposal was to identify gaps in provision and find ways of filling those gaps.  While there were a number of providers, there would always be some fringe/niche areas where work was not being done.  If the outcome of further discussions was that unmet demand and gaps in the current market could be met through a brokerage service, then the LEP would support that.  Further work could be done by the Skills Working Group to clarify and evidence where additionality could be achieved. 

 

·         Councillor Lewis Herbert recognised the broad issue as the need to resolve the skills deficit and make sure that not only the needs of businesses were met but also those of the residents of the whole county.  This needed to be done alongside work being done by the Combined Authority, the LEP and the education sector.  There was currently a mismatch between skills and available job opportunities.  He was supportive of agreeing the recommendation, whilst recognising there was a Working Group that could take this work further.  This could take account of issues raised by the Joint Assembly.

 

The Executive Board AGREED unanimously:

 

(a)           To refocus the skills work stream in order to facilitate the delivery of the up to 420 apprenticeship target agreed with Government as part of the City Deal agreement;

 

(b)           To do this by establishing a GCP apprenticeship matching/brokerage service that has a focus on STEM apprenticeships;

 

(c)           That officers should work with and commission, where necessary, external organisations to support this work;

 

(d)           To work with the LEP, the Combined Authority and delivery organisations in the development of a skills strategy, including evaluating this new service to determine whether it would be suitable, in the medium to long term, for roll out across a wider geographical area; and

 

(e)  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

10.

GCP Quarterly Progress Report pdf icon PDF 785 KB

To consider the attached report.

Decision:

The Executive Board AGREED unanimously to:

 

(a)          Note the quarterly progress report and its appendices;

 

(b)          To redefine the target completion date for Chisholm Trail cycle links Phase 2, to reflect experience of the planning process for Phase 1 [see para. 17of the report]; and

 

(c)          Endorse the scope and key objectives of the Greenways and Rural Travel Hubs schemes [see Appendix 2 of the report].

 

Minutes:

The Executive Board considered a report which detailed progress across the GCP programme since the last report presented in July 2017.  The report covered the following:

 

·         Financial Monitoring;

·         Greenways and Rural Travel Hubs;

·         The GCP Strategic Risk Register; and

·         Forward Plan of Executive Board Decisions.

 

The Joint Assembly had unanimously recommended that the Executive Board accept the officer recommendations.

 

The Executive Board was invited to consider and comment on the recommendations and the response to questions of clarification and the main points of discussion are summarised below:

 

·         Referring to the Skills Report and the two SETUP indicators, Mark Reeve queried whether it was right to classify them as Red status, given the review had identified that whilst engagement with the website had been lower than anticipated, this was not a reflection on levels of engagement with the service. 

 

·         The Chairperson asked that the next GCP progress report include an update on the £40m Section 106 funding that formed part of the GCP budget. 

 

·         It was noted that South Cambridgeshire District Council would consider a motion from Councillor Tim Wotherspoon asking the Council to work with the County Council, City Council, Combined Authority and the GCP to undertake a comprehensive review of bus services in and around the district.  This included a request for each body to contribute up to £50,000 to co-fund the review.  In response to a question from the Chairperson it was confirmed that if the motion was agreed, a paper would be presented to the Executive Board asking it to consider participating in the review.  This could be included in the quarterly monitoring report.

 

·         The Chairperson asked for a short progress report setting out what was being done to support cycling.  This would also be included in the next quarterly monitoring report.

 

·         It was noted that discussions were taking place about the timing and mechanism for publishing the Rapid Mass Transit Strategic Options Appraisal.  It was suggested that a joint launch and question and answer session may be appropriate.

 

·         In response to a question, the Interim Chief Executive commented that officers would consider how to publish the National Infrastructure Commission report, but confirmed that this did not have to be part of an Executive Board agenda.  It was acknowledged that it would be useful to include a marker in the November quarterly monitoring report to facilitate an update on any relevant information released as part of Government announcements on the Budget.

 

The Executive Board AGREED unanimously to:

 

(a)            Note the quarterly progress report and its appendicies;

 

(b)            Redefine the target completion date for the Chisholm Trail cycle links Phase 2, to reflect experience of the planning process for Phase 1 [see paragraph 17 of the report]; and

 

(c)            Endorse the scope and key objectives of the Greenways and Rural Travel Hubs schemes [see Appendix 2 of the report].

 

11.

Date of Future Meetings

To note the following:

 

4.00 p.m. Wednesday 22nd November 2017, Council Chamber, The Guildhall Cambridge #

4.00 p.m. Thursday 8th February 2018, Council Chamber, South Cambridgeshire Hall, Cambourne

4.00 p.m. Wednesday 21st March 2018, Kreis Viersen Room, Shire Hall, Cambridge

Thursday 5th July 2018 *

Thursday 11th October 2018 *

Thursday 6th December 2018 *

 

# venue likely to change

* time and venue to be confirmed

Decision:

The Executive Board AGREED the programme of dates for future meetings.

Minutes:

The Executive Board AGREED the programme of dates for future meetings as set out below:

 

4.00 p.m. Wednesday 22nd November 2017, Council Chamber, The Guildhall Cambridge #

4.00 p.m. Thursday 8th February 2018, Council Chamber, South Cambridgeshire Hall, Cambourne

4.00 p.m. Wednesday 21st March 2018, Kreis Viersen Room, Shire Hall, Cambridge

Thursday 5th July 2018 *

Thursday 11th October 2018 *

Thursday 6th December 2018 *

 

# venue likely to change

* time and venue to be confirmed