Agenda, decisions and minutes

Prior to the start of the meeting, the Chairman made three presentations.

Committed Rural Housing

Councillor Mark Howell, Housing Portfolio Holder, received South Cambridgeshire District Council’s “Committed Rural Housing” certificate from Claire Astbury, Lead Manager for East of England, National Housing Federation, in recognition of the Council’s commitment to providing affordable housing in rural areas, and its support for the National Housing Federation’s Save Our Villages campaign.  Ms Astbury commended the Council for its work, for which it was one of only eight districts to have received "Committed Rural Housing" status.

Bedfordshire Race and Equalities Council - Equality and Diversity Awards

The Council was presented with the Leading Change in Equality and Diversity award at the annual ceremony held on 14 October 2011.  At the same event, Paul Williams, Equality and Diversity Officer, was highly-commended as runner-up in the individual Equality and Diversity Champion of the Year category.  The Chairman of Council presented the individual and organisational awards and certificates to Mr Williams and to Councillor Mark Howell, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Equality and Diversity.  Councillor Howell stated that the Council award recognised the hard work of everyone, and commended Mr Williams for the "amazing job" he had done to support the Council's commitment to equality and diversity.

Tony Bradshaw Award for Best Practice in Ecology and Environmental Management

The Chairman re-presented to Rob Mungovan, ecology officer, the prestigious national Tony Bradshaw award for best practice, which Mr Mungovan received from the Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management in recognition of his work to protect the largest colony of swifts in East Anglia, found at Accent Nene’s re-development work at Fulbourn, an area now re-named The Swifts.  Mr Mungovan thanked his colleagues and the community of Fulbourn for their support of the project.

The following declarations of interest were made:

The Chairman was authorised to sign the minutes of 22 September 2011 meeting as a correct record. 

The Chairman announced that the Constitution Review Working Party had concluded that there was nothing in the Constitution to prohibit tweeting, blogging, using of laptops or other handheld electronic devices during meetings, and therefore it was not necessary to suspend any Standing Orders to allow it.  The Chairman also reminded members that there would be a new microphone system installed before the January 2012 Council meeting.

Councillor Simon Edwards, Deputy Leader of Council, conveyed the apologies of Councillor Ray Manning, whose absence was due to his having been invited, along with a number of other Council Leaders, to meet the Prime Minister.  Councillor Manning hoped to use the opportunity to lobby at the highest level for Council priorities, such as improvements to the A14 and the necessary infrastructure for the growth areas, including Northstowe.

Council NOTED that no questions had been received. 

Council NOTED that no petitions had been received since the last Council meeting.

Councillor Simon Edwards proposed the amendments, which were seconded by Councillor Jim Stewart, and stated that he felt that the Constitution Review Working Party meeting had been very thorough in its review and that there had been general agreement on the recommendations.

With no members voting against, Council RESOLVED that:

(a)          Standing Order 14.5, When a member may speak again, be amended to include: “A member who has spoken on a motion may not speak again whilst it is the subject of debate, except…(f) at the Chairman’s discretion, to raise a point of information;” with subsequent paragraphs to be renumbered accordingly; and

(b)          Standing Order 14.13, Point of Information, be added as follows: “A member may ask to raise a point of information at any time, but will be permitted to speak only at the Chairman’s discretion. A point of information may only be made where a member is aware that the Council has incorrect information before it on a material point. The member who raises the point of information must be able to cite evidence to support their statement. The point of information may be raised whilst another member is speaking but only if that member is willing to give way.  The ruling of the Chairman on the admissibility of a point of information will be final.” and subsequent Rules of Debate be renumbered accordingly. 

Council NOTED that the Constitution Review Working Party did not recommend any further changes to Standing Orders to address the public recording of meetings or social media use during meetings, as it was felt by the Working Party that the existing provisions for recording were sufficient, and that that nothing in the Constitution specifically prohibited the use of social media by the press, public, councillors or officers.

Councillor Peter Topping, Sustainability, Planning and Climate Change Portfolio Holder, commended the recommendation of Cabinet, explaining that planning was one of the services which affected everyone in the district.  In response to members’ questions, it was confirmed that a priority for the new role would be to continue improvements to the planning system to make the process more efficient and to increase the amount of information available about the progression of an application through the planning process.  The Chief Executive would identify savings from within the staffing structure to fund the new post, and it would be for the Leader to decide whether or not to amalgamate portfolios in line with the new structure.

Council paid tribute to Chris Collison, Interim Head of Planning, for the leadership and improvements he had brought to the planning service.

On the proposal of Councillor Peter Topping, seconded by Councillor Nick Wright, Council, with 46 voting in favour, 1 voting against and 2 abstentions, RESOLVED that:

(a)          a new post of Head of Planning and Economic Development, reporting to the Corporate Manager (Planning and New Communities) be created; and

(b)          proposals to achieve savings from the Council’s staffing structure be included within the 2012/13 budget to enable the funding of this post.

Councillor Edd Stonham, local member, declared a personal and prejudicial interest in this item as a member of Histon Parish Council who previously had discussed and voted on it at Parish Council level, and withdrew from the meeting room during its consideration.

Councillor Robert Turner, Electoral Arrangements Committee Chairman, stated that he took great pleasure in proposing the Committee’s recommendation, emphasising that the two parish councils were being amalgamated into one for more efficient administration for the benefit of all the residents.  He commended the two parish councils for the comprehensive business case they had prepared in support of their request for amalgamation.  Councillor Raymond Matthews seconded the motion.

Councillors Jonathan Chatfield and Mike Mason, local members, welcomed the motion and commended the parish councils’ significant local engagement with residents and number of consultation events undertaken throughout the process.

Council RESOLVED:

(a)          the making of a Grouping Order to group the Parish Councils of Histon and Impington; and

(b)          to delegate to the Chairman of the Electoral Arrangements Committee, in consultation with officers and the two parish councils, to finalise the wording of the Grouping Order.

Councillor Stonham returned to the meeting.

Council received the recommendations of the political group leaders for the re-allocation of committee seats and re-appointments to be made for the remainder of the 2011/12 civic year following the change to the Council’s political balance.  Councillor Sally Hatton had agreed to stand down from the Planning Committee in line with the re-allocation of seats, and Councillor Hatton commented that the change to the political balance had left the village of Sawston unrepresented on that committee.  Councillor Clayton Hudson had stood down from the Scrutiny and Overview Committee due to his work commitments, and would be replaced by Councillor Richard Barrett.

On the proposal of Councillor Simon Edwards, seconded by Councillor John Batchelor, Council RESOLVED:

(a)          to approve the re-allocation of seats, as follows:

(b)          to approve the nominations of the political groups to seats on committees, where nominations have changed as follows:

Council considered its schedule of meetings for the 2012/13 civic year and it was confirmed that none of the dates fell during Cambridgeshire school holidays.  On the proposal of Councillor Simon Edwards, seconded by Councillor John Batchelor, Council RESOLVED that meetings during the 2012/13 Civic Year be scheduled to take place at 2 pm on the following dates:

(a)          Thursday 26 July 2012

(b)          Thursday 27 September 2012

(c)          Thursday 22 November 2012

(d)          Thursday 31 January 2013

(e)          Thursday 28 February 2013 (Budget)

(f)           Thursday 25 April 2013

(g)          Thursday 23 May 2013 (Annual)

No questions were asked. 

Councillor Mike Mason reported that he had placed in the Members’ Lounge information from the recent meeting of the Association of Drainage Boards.

Councillor Jonathan Chatfield asked, “Could I ask the Leader to confirm the amount of money South Cambs will receive as New Homes Bonus in 2011/12, 2012/13, 2013/14, 2014/15 and 2015/16 and what percentage of this will be coming from the new development at Orchard Park this year?”

Councillor Simon Edwards, Finance and Staffing Portfolio Holder, quoted the following figures:

·                     2011/12: £939k to the council, of which 20% would come from Orchard Park;

·                     2012/13, £1.9 million, 16% from Orchard Park;

·                     2013/14, £2.85 million, 13% from Orchard Park;

·                     2014/15, £3.8 million, 13% from Orchard Park; and

·                     2015/16, £4.75 million, 13% from Orchard Park.

In response to Councillor Chatfield’s supplementary question, Councillor Edwards gave his assurance that the Council would continue to identify all opportunities for community development not only at Orchard Park but at all new communities.

Councillor Douglas de Lacey asked, “At our last meeting, according to no less an authority than the Cambridge News, Cllr Clayton Hudson ‘stormed out’ after the vote not to suspend Standing Orders and permit tweeting, and ‘later posted a message on Twitter branding his fellow members “dinosaurs” and explaining he had “better things to be doing" with his time.’ Could the Leader please explain what things his members are expected to be doing which are better than considering the agenda items, listening to the points made in the debates, and voting on the basis of the evidence presented?”

Councillor Simon Edwards, Deputy Leader, responded that it was up to members to decide whether they would make their primary focus being an advocate and representative for their ward, or take a strategic role in helping to shape the whole district in terms of the Corporate Plan.  He disputed as an exaggeration that Councillor Hudson had “stormed out”, as Councillor Hudson had left to attend a previously-scheduled meeting of the new Cambourne Fitness Centre, for which he had taken a lead role in delivering.  Councillor Edwards supported Councillor Hudson’s decision to focus on supporting the residents of the Bourn ward.

Councillor de Lacey, as his supplementary question, re-stated part of his original question, asking Councillor Edwards what members should be doing in the Chamber.  Councillor Edwards said that it was his personal view that members should consider the business of the Council while in meetings, but also that it was possible to multi-task effectively.  It was up to each individual member to decide how to conduct himself or herself, and up to the electorate to judge them.

Councillor John Williams asked, “Each autumn leaseholders in sheltered accommodation receive a statement for their service charge providing an estimate for the current financial year upon which their current charge is based, the actual charge for the previous year and any adjustment for the year before that. I understand why we have to produce an estimated service charge for the current year because the actual cost will not be known until after the end of the financial year, but why should leaseholders have to wait two years to receive any reimbursement for over payment (which can be as much as a three figure sum)?”

Councillor Mark Howell, Housing Portfolio Holder, replied that the process was in line with the way schemes normally were run for both private and housing association leasehold properties.  He gave details of how issuing an invoice for any shortfall or make a payment of any surplus would involve great deal of administration and probably would create confusion, and explained that the Housing Benefits Manager had indicated that the recalculation of awards of benefit would be a considerable task for the authority.  Councillor Howell further explained that the current process met with the support of the vast majority of leaseholders.

Councillor Tumi Hawkins asked, “One of the aims of South Cambridgeshire District Council is our commitment to providing a voice for rural life, playing our part improving rural services including transport links. Our transport links are under severe threat by recent bus subsidy removal and the quality of life for some residents has fallen. Is this authority submitting a response to the County Council bus consultation on behalf of South Cambridgeshire residents, and is it publicising the consultation to ensure residents are aware of it?”

Councillor Nick Wright, Economic Development Portfolio Holder, replied that the County Council’s public consultation was underway until 9 December 2011 and that all members should have received details through the Weekly Bulletin, through parish councils, through the Voluntary Sector and through the groups and forums linked to the Community Transport Strategy.  The consultation largely required local level detail about specific bus routes and, although this Council had taken various opportunities to comment on the proposed changes to subsidy and was involved in the “Cambridgeshire Future Transport” project to find alternative solutions, responses from local ward members would be more specific and detailed about the impacts on individual villages.

Councillor Hawkins as her supplementary question asked that a corporate response be made and sought assurance that the Council would write to the County Council to condemn the cuts.  Councillor Wright reiterated that representations from local ward members were more appropriate in this case, as the impacts would be different from village to village.  He also explained that the cuts were a County Council decision and that this authority was seeking to find ways to support provision of alternative transport arrangements for residents.

Councillor Mike Mason asked, “With reference to the District Strategic Flood Risk Assessment, currently being revised, can members be advised if the Award Drain network has now been added to the database and the anticipated date of publication of the updated version?”

Councillor Sue Ellington, Environmental Services Portfolio Holder, confirmed that the Strategic Flood Risk Assessment would be updated once the Environment Agency had completed its new flood modelling around the Great Ouse, work which was expected to be completed by February 2012.  She added that the Council’s Drainage Manager was working with the IT team to digitise all the information about the award drain network for publication on the Council’s website by spring 2012, and gave her assurance to Councillor Mason that the work would be completed once the Environment Agency modelling was finished.

The Chairman, on behalf of Councillor James Hockney, asked, “Does the Leader consider that the new financing regime for the Housing Revenue Account presents any opportunities for new council house building over the next 30 years?”

Councillor Simon Edwards, Finance and Staffing Portfolio Holder, replied that it was hoped that the new financing regime would bring the opportunity to deliver a range of tenures along with new council housing, to provide homes which were affordable across the spectrum, from council houses to equity share to market homes for first-time buyers.

Councillor Simon Edwards, in proposing the motion, noted that, although it was unusual to decide an aspect of the budget this early in the financial year, it had been brought before Council to let the public know this authority’s views in light of recent publicity about the decision of the County Council about members’ allowances.  He explained that staff salaries had been frozen for the past two years and members’ allowances for three years, saying that members needed to unite with staff to recognise the difficulties being faced by officers and by residents.  He denied that the motion was politically-motivated and stated that it was meant to show support from councillors for those who were experiencing financial hardship.  It was noted that the Independent Remuneration Panel, which made recommendations to Council on members’ allowances, was a statutory panel and that every Council was required to appoint one.  Councillor Sebastian Kindersley, who voiced his wholehearted support of the motion, hoped that a unanimous message could be delivered to show that the Council recognised the difficulties being faced and was trying to assist.

On the proposal of Councillor Simon Edwards, seconded by Councillor Mervyn Loynes, Council RESOLVED that

“This Council recognises the acute hardship many people are experiencing as the coalition government begins to put our country back on a sound financial footing.

“Council also acknowledges that to support the governments reduced spending plans, staff salaries at this authority will, for a second year, remain frozen for the year 2011/12.

“Council notes that member allowances have also been frozen for the last 3 years, and in recognition of the difficulties our residents and our staff are experiencing in the current economic climate, and to support this council’s revised spending plans, this council resolves not to increase member allowances, or expenses, for a further year in 2012/13.”

A recorded vote was requested by more than six councillors.

Those in favour (46)

Those against (4)

*After the meeting Cllr Elcox explained to the Chairman that she had voted against inadvertently and asked that it be recorded that she had intended to vote in favour.

Those abstaining (1)

Cllr Sally Hatton

Those not voting (1)

Cllr Neil Scarr

The Chairman drew members’ attention to two specific engagements: the successful Local Democracy Week Open Day on 13 October, attended by a number of young people, and the Veterans’ Day service at the American Cemetery in Madingley on 11 November, while the Vice-Chairman had led the Armistice Day commemoration at South Cambridgeshire Hall.

Council NOTED the Chairman’s Engagements.