Agenda, decisions and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber - South Cambs Hall. View directions

Contact: Ian Senior  03450 450 500 Email: democratic.services@scambs.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies for Absence

To receive Apologies for Absence from Cabinet members. 

Minutes:

Councillors Philippa Hart, Bridget Smith and John Williams sent Apologies for Absence. In the absence of Councillor Bridget Smith, Councillor Aidan Van de Weyer took the Chair as Deputy Leader (Statutory).

2.

Declarations of Interest

Minutes:

In respect of Minute 8 (Compulsory Purchase Order – The Tree, Stapleford):

 

·         Councillor Heather Williams declared a non-pecuniary interest as the holder of a personal alcohol licence issued by South Cambridgeshire District Council

 

·         Councillor Nick Wright declared a non-pecuniary interest as a Director of Conington Pub Co. (Not Remunerated).

3.

Minutes of Previous Meeting pdf icon PDF 277 KB

To authorise the Chairman of the meeting to sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 5 June 2019 as a correct record.

Minutes:

Cabinet authorised the Deputy Leader (Statutory) to sign, as a correct record, the Minutes of the meeting held on 5 June 2019.

4.

Announcements

Minutes:

There were no announcements.

5.

Issues arising from the Scrutiny and Overview Committee pdf icon PDF 224 KB

Minutes:

Cabinet received and noted a report on the discussion at the meeting of the Scrutiny and Overview Committee held on 13 June 2019, and recommendations made there, which Cabinet might wish to take into account in its decision-making.

 

The report covered the following:

 

  • Compulsory Purchase Order of The Tree (Confidential Item)
  • Investment Strategy – Investment Partnerships (Confidential Item)
  • Investment Strategy – Core Staffing Establishment (Confidential Item
  • Renewal of Shared Service Agreement for the Cambridgeshire Home Improvement Agency (CHIA)
  • Shared Services Annual Reports

 

Councillor Grenville Chamberlain (Chairman of the Scrutiny and Overview Committee) said that he would continue to explore the feasibility of the joint scrutiny of 3C ICT and other Shared Services.

6.

Public Questions

As the report on the Compulsory Purchase Order of The Tree is exempt due to commercial sensitivity, the Chairman of the meeting has agreed to allow any representions to be made at this point in the meeting.

Minutes:

Cabinet decided to consider the report on Compulsory Purchase Order – The Tree, Stapleford) towards the end of the meeting rather than as indicated in the agenda. Ahead of that however, the Deputy Leader (Statutory) invited questions to be asked, and statements to be made, in open session.

 

Archie Garden (representing the Tree Action Group) and Peter McKeown (agent for Mr. Bell, owner of The Tree Public House) addressed the meeting. Mr. Garden reminded Cabinet that The Tree was an Asset of Community Value. He outlined efforts made to date by local residents. He appealed for Cabinet’s support in saving the public house. Mr. McKeown said that his client had recently submitted a planning application for development of the site. There would be no loss of community facility as the public house was part of that application. Mr. McKeown pointed out the The Tree was closed by the brewery not by his client.

7.

Statement of Community Involvement pdf icon PDF 237 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

Cabinet agreed

 

(a)          to adopt the Statement of Community Involvement (2019) for Greater Cambridge, prepared jointly with Cambridge City Council; and

 

(b)          that the Joint Director of Planning and Economic Development is granted delegated authority, in liaison with the Lead Cabinet Member for Planning, to make any editing changes identified prior to publication.

Minutes:

Cabinet considered a report asking that it adopt the Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) now that public consultation had concluded.

 

The Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2017 stated that Local Planning Authorities in England must review their SCIs every five years to ensure those SCIs are up to date and reflect current legislation and best practice.

 

Following a brief discussion, Cabinet agreed

 

(a)          to adopt the Statement of Community Involvement (2019) for Greater Cambridge, prepared jointly with Cambridge City Council; and

 

(b)          that the Joint Director of Planning and Economic Development is granted delegated authority, in liaison with the Lead Cabinet Member for Planning, to make any editing changes identified prior to publication.

8.

Greater Cambridge Sustainable Design and Construction Supplementary Planning Document pdf icon PDF 421 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

Cabinet

 

a)            Agreed the content of the Draft Greater Cambridge Sustainable Design and Construction SPD (Appendix A);

 

b)            Approved the draft SPD for public consultation in accordance with Regulation 13 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulation 2012 for the period between the 15th July to the 23rd September 2019;

 

c)            Approved the consultation arrangements set out in paragraphs 12 and 13 of the report;

 

d)            Delegated authority to the Joint Director of Planning and Economic Development in liaison with the Lead Cabinet Member for Planning, to agree the Statement of Consultation and draft Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and draft Habitats Regulation Assessment (HRA) Screenings Reports for consultation alongside the draft SPD;

 

e)            Delegated authority to the Joint Director of Planning and Economic Development in liaison with the Lead Cabinet Member for Planning to make editorial changes to the Draft Greater Cambridge Sustainable Design and Construction SPD and supporting documents prior to the commencement of the consultation period regarding minor amendments and factual updates.

 

Minutes:

Cabinet considered a report on the draft Greater Cambridge Sustainable Design and Construction Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) for consultation purposes.  

 

The SPD had been prepared to provide guidance on the implementation of policies related to climate change and sustainable design and construction within the adopted South Cambridgeshire and Cambridge Local Plans and to support the Greater Cambridge growth agenda and delivery of sustainable development. 

 

Councillor Neil Gough emphasise the importance of not raising public expectation with regard to the consultation: the Council could not use the Supplementary Planning Document to make new policy.

 

Those present noted that Cambridge City Council had already agreed the SPD for public consultation.

 

Cabinet

 

a)            Agreed the content of the Draft Greater Cambridge Sustainable Design and Construction SPD (Appendix A to the report from the Joint Director of Planning and Economic Development);

 

b)            Approved the draft SPD for public consultation in accordance with Regulation 13 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulation 2012 for the period between the 15th July to the 23rd September 2019;

 

c)            Approved the consultation arrangements set out in paragraphs 12 and 13 of the report;

 

d)            Delegated authority to the Joint Director of Planning and Economic Development in liaison with the Lead Cabinet Member for Planning, to agree the Statement of Consultation and draft Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and draft Habitats Regulation Assessment (HRA) Screenings Reports for consultation alongside the draft SPD;

 

e)            Delegated authority to the Joint Director of Planning and Economic Development in liaison with the Lead Cabinet Member for Planning to make editorial changes to the Draft Greater Cambridge Sustainable Design and Construction SPD and supporting documents prior to the commencement of the consultation period regarding minor amendments and factual updates.

 

9.

Establishment of Joint Planning and Transport Advisory Group pdf icon PDF 248 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

Cabinet

 

(a)          noted information regarding the inception of the Local Plan; and;

 

(b)          agreed the terms of reference for the proposed Joint Planning & Transport Advisory Group; and

 

(c)           agreed that South Cambridgeshire representation on the Joint Planning & Transport Advisory Group should comprise two nominations from the Liberal Democrat group and one from the Conservative group.

Minutes:

Cabinet considered a report seeking its agreement to the terms of reference for the proposed Joint Planning & Transport Advisory Group.

 

The Group would be a non-decision-making joint member body intended to facilitate the development of a shared policy understanding allowing effective preparation of the new Greater Cambridge Local Plan, coordinated with transport policy.

 

Councillor John Williams emphasised the importance of clarifying to the public the respective responsibilities within the District of Highways England, the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, Cambridgeshire County Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council.

 

Those present recognised the importance of joint working, engaging with and involving a wide range of stakeholders. The Terms of Reference should make it clear that the Full Councils at both South Cambridgeshire District Council and Cambridge City Council would be the ultimate decision makers.

 

Cabinet

 

(a)          noted information regarding the inception of the Local Plan; and;

 

(b)          agreed the terms of reference for the proposed Joint Planning & Transport Advisory Group; and

 

(c)           agreed that South Cambridgeshire representation on the Joint Planning & Transport Advisory Group should comprise two nominations from the Liberal Democrat group and one from the Conservative group.

10.

A428 Preferred Route Black Cat to Caxton Gibbet consultation response pdf icon PDF 259 KB

Decision:

Cabinet

 

(a)          Discussed and agree broad points to make in response to the A428 Black Cat to Caxton Gibbet Preferred Route consultation; and

 

(b)          Agreed to delegate the wording of the final joint response and any individual response to the consultation to the Strategy and Economy Manager, in consultation with the Deputy Leader (Statutory) of South Cambridgeshire District Council.

Minutes:

Cabinet considered a report on South Cambridgeshire District Council’s response to the A428 Black Cat to Caxton Gibbet Preferred Route consultation.

 

The Deputy Leader (Statutory) said that, even if the final response between Cambridge City Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council, the latter should still be at liberty to make comments unique to the District’s own circumstances. Councillor Grenville Chamberlain asked that the response should highlight concerns about the possible adverse impact on the quality of life of those people living in South Cambridgeshire villages.

 

Councillor Dr. Tumi Hawkins said that the Girton Interchange needed to be reconfigured in the light of development along the A428 corridor, principally at Cambourne West and Bourn Airfield. The Joint Director of Planning and Economic Development replied that no modelling had yet taken place but that officers would investigate. He added that a formal comment on this aspect might have to take the form of a supplementary response from South Cambridgeshire District Council.

 

Cabinet

 

(a)          agreed broad points to make in response to the A428 Black Cat to Caxton Gibbet Preferred Route consultation based on

 

·         mitigating the potential adverse impact on South Cambridgeshire villages

·         quality of life

·         road capacity

·         landscaping

·         relationship with the Oxford-Cambridge Expressway

·         a holding response relating to the possible need to remodel Girton Interchange

 

(b)          Agreed to delegate the wording of the final joint response and any individual response to the consultation to the Strategy and Economy Manager, in consultation with the Deputy Leader (Statutory) of South Cambridgeshire District Council.

11.

Cambridgeshire Home Improvement Agency (CHIA) Shared Service Agreement pdf icon PDF 187 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

Cabinet approved the renewal of the Cambridgeshire Home Improvement Agency shared service agreement for a further three years up to 31st March 2022 (Appendix A).

Minutes:

Cabinet considered a report on the progress of the Cambridgeshire Home Improvement Agency (CHIA) and to agree to the renewal of the shared service agreement for a further three years up to 31 March 2022.

 

The Scrutiny and Overview Committee had expressed its satisfaction with the situation.

 

The Lead Cabinet Member for Housing confirmed that steps were being taken to employ an additional Occupational Therapist.

 

In response to a query from Councillor Douglas de Lacey, the Lead Cabinet Member for Housing said that responsibility for ICT security rested with Huntingdonshire District Council as lead Authority for 3C ICT.

 

Cabinet approved the renewal of the Cambridgeshire Home Improvement Agency shared service agreement for a further three years up to 31st March 2022 (Appendix A of the report from the Interim Assistant Director of Housing ).

12.

Shared Services Annual Report pdf icon PDF 254 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

Cabinet

 

 

(a)  Noted the 3C Shared Services Annual Report attached at Appendix A;

 

(b)  Noted the Greater Cambridge Shared Services Annual Report attached at Appendix B;

 

(c)   Agreed that relevant Officers engage in discussions with Cambridge City Council and Huntingdonshire District Council regarding the potential extension of the original Shared Services Agreement for Legal, Building Control and ICT services beyond the expiry date of 30 September 2020;

 

(d)  (d) Agreed, as part of the discussions identified in 3(c) above, that prompt attention be given to the outstanding milestones and actions identified in the original Shared Services Partnership Agreement and to ensuring that the quality standards, performance levels and benefits from the integrated services are defined, understood, clearly documented and effectively monitored and measured; and

 

(e)  Agreed to consider the establishment of a joint Scrutiny and Overview Committee with Cambridge City Council and Huntingdonshire District Council as part of ongoing negotiations.

Minutes:

Cabinet considered a report on the Annual Reports of the services currently delivered in partnership with Cambridge City Council and Huntingdonshire District Council.

 

Following a debate focussing on governance and operational oversight by elected Members, Cabinet

 

(a)  Noted the 3C Shared Services Annual Report attached at Appendix A;

 

(b)  Noted the Greater Cambridge Shared Services Annual Report attached at Appendix B;

 

(c)   Agreed that relevant Officers engage in discussions with Cambridge City Council and Huntingdonshire District Council regarding the potential extension of the original Shared Services Agreement for Legal, Building Control and ICT services beyond the expiry date of 30 September 2020;

 

(d)  Agreed, as part of the discussions identified in 3(c) above, that prompt attention be given to the outstanding milestones and actions identified in the original Shared Services Partnership Agreement and to ensuring that the quality standards, performance levels and benefits from the integrated services are defined, understood, clearly documented and effectively monitored and measured; and

 

(e)  Agreed to consider the establishment of a joint Scrutiny and Overview Committee with Cambridge City Council and Huntingdonshire District Council as part of ongoing negotiations.

13.

Exclusion of Press and Public

The press and public are likely to be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items 16 and 17 (Investment Strategy) in accordance with the provisions of Section 100(a)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 (exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A (as amended) of the Act). Paragraph 3 relates to  information about the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding the information.

Minutes:

Cabinet voted to exclude the press and public from the meeting during consideration of the following Minutes 14, 15 and 16 (Compulsory Purchase Order – The Tree,and Investment Strategy) in accordance with the provisions of Section 100(a)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 (exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A (as amended) of the Act). Paragraph 3 relates toinformation about the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding the information.

14.

Compulsory Purchase Order of The Tree, Stapleford

Decision:

Cabinet agreed not to progress The Tree Community Limited’s request for the Council to use compulsory purchase powers in relation to the acquisition of The Tree, 9 Bar Lane, Stapleford.

Minutes:

Cabinet received a confidential report asking it to reconsider its decision made on 7 February 2018, in light of additional information obtained by the Council, in response to the request by The Tree Community Limited to use compulsory purchase powers in relation to the acquisition of The Tree, 9 Bar Lane, Stapleford, CB22 5BJ.

 

Following a comprehensive debate, Cabinet agreed not to progress The Tree Community Limited’s request for the Council to use compulsory purchase powers in relation to the acquisition of The Tree, 9 Bar Lane, Stapleford.

15.

Investment Strategy Stream 3 - Investment Partnerships

Decision:

Cabinet agreed the recommendations set out in the confidential report from the Interim Director of Finance.

Minutes:

Cabinet considered a confidential report seeking its approval to appoint, following procurement processes, Balfour Beatty Infrastructure Investments Limited and Hill Investment Partnerships as Framework Suppliers for the pursuance of carefully assessed development opportunities that would support key Council priorities and deliver positive financial returns.

 

After a comprehensive debate, Cabinet agreed the recommendations set out in the confidential report from the Interim Director of Finance.

16.

Investment Strategy Core Staffing Establishment

Decision:

Cabinet agreed the recommendations set out in the confidential report from the Interim Director of Finance.

Minutes:

Cabinet considered a confidential report seeking its approval to strengthen the structure of the Investment Team to provide additional resources to investigate potential investment opportunities consistent with the ambitions and principles of the adopted Investment Strategy.

 

Following a brief debate, Cabinet agreed the recommendations set out in the confidential report from the Interim Director of Finance.