Agenda, decisions and minutes

Investors in People

Jane Elliott-Poxon, a member of the Investors in People (IiP) assessment team, presented the Investors in People certificate and Bronze Award to the Chairman of the Council.

Centre for Public Scrutiny Award

The Chairman of the Council presented an award for the Best Use of Scrutiny Resources, obtained at the Good Scrutiny Awards 2009, to the current Chairman of the Scrutiny and Overview Committee, Councillor JD Batchelor, and to the then Chairmen of the Committee and Orchard Park Task and Finish Group, Councillors Mrs EM Heazell and AG Orgee. The award recognised the work carried out by the Orchard Park Task and Finish Group during 2008.

Councillors Mrs BZD Smith and SGM Kindersley declared personal non-prejudicial interests in Agenda Item 7 (Petitions) as personal acquaintances of residents who had signed the petition relating to Sheltered Housing Warden Provision in Gamlingay. Given that the interests were not prejudicial, and in accordance with the Council’s Code of Conduct for Councillors, they remained in the meeting and took part in the discussions and voting.

Councillors Mrs FAR Amrani, PT Johnson, Mrs HM Smith and RT Summerfield declared personal non-prejudicial interests in Agenda Item 8(a) (Cambridge Sports Lakes Trust – Request for Capital Grant Aid) as members of the Friends of Milton Country Park organisation. Given that the interests were not prejudicial, and in accordance with the Council’s Code of Conduct for Councillors, they remained in the meeting and took part in the discussions and voting.

To authorise the Chairman to sign the Minutes of the meetings held on 21 May (Annual Meeting) and 18 June (Extraordinary Meeting) 2009 as correct records (attached).

Council RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Meetings held on 21 May (Annual Meeting) and 18 June (Extraordinary Meeting) 2009 be approved as correct records and signed by the Chairman, subject to the addition of the word ‘seconded’, and reference to the closing remarks by Councillor SGM Kindersley, within Minute 22 (Motion of No Confidence in the Leader and Deputy Leader).

The Chairman advised that Catriona Dunnett, Principal Solicitor was attending her last meeting, as she would be leaving the Council in September 2009. The Chairman and Group Leaders wished Ms Dunnett the very best in her future career and expressed thanks for her service to the Council.

To report that Mrs Julia Squier was elected to the Council following the by-election for the Balsham Ward held on Thursday 4 June 2009. 

Council congratulated Councillor Julia Squier on her election to the Council at the by-election for the Balsham Ward held on 4 June 2009.

Would the Portfolio Holders please comment on the announcement by John Healey, the Minister of State (Housing), on 30 June 2009?

The Chairman of Council asked the Housing, and Finance and Staffing, Portfolio Holders, the following question on behalf of Councillor FWM Burkitt, who had submitted apologies for absence from the meeting:

Would the Portfolio Holders please comment on the announcement by John Healey, the Minister of State (Housing), on 30 June 2009?

Councillor MP Howell, Housing Portfolio Holder, advised that the Minister had announced a consultation reviewing the current system under which the Council paid around 50% of rent received from tenants to the government by way of negative subsidy. The review process was at a very early stage, and the Local Government Association had estimated that any proposals would take between 3-5 years to implement. Councils’ historic housing debt to government of around £17 billion would still need to be allocated; if apportioned equally between authorities (which was not guaranteed), the Council’s share would be in the region of £85 million. The effect of such a debt of the Council’s finances would be dependent on the length of any repayment period.

Please will the Portfolio Holder provide an update on the assessment being carried out by environmental health officers regarding the Formula 1 test days at the Imperial War Museum, Duxford?

Councillor PW Topping asked the Environmental Services Portfolio Holder the following question:

Please will the Portfolio Holder provide an update on the assessment being carried out by environmental health officers regarding the Formula 1 test days at the Imperial War Museum, Duxford?

Councillor Mrs SM Ellington, Environmental Services Portfolio Holder, stated, by way of background, that the Imperial War Museum had entered into an agreement with the Renault Formula One Car racing group to carry out 5 days of test driving its team cars. She stated that three of the test days had taken place, with a fourth scheduled for 29 July 2009. The fifth day had yet to be confirmed; it was anticipated to take place during the next few months.

Specialist noise analysis officers from the Environmental Protection Team had monitored the last two events, and it was proposed to monitor the next two events also. Council was advised that 26 complaints had been received regarding noise from the car testing days - 7 complaints regarding the testing on 20 May, 11 from the event on 27 May and 8 from 23 June 2009.

Following monitoring of the last two events, officers would analyse their findings and prepare conclusions regarding the level of disturbance and the issue of noise nuisance. Officers were working closely with managers at the Imperial War Museum and were receiving full cooperation. A questionnaire, distributed anonymously to households in Duxford, Whittlesford and houses in the immediate vicinity of the airfield, had resulted in 22 responses to the Divisional Environmental Health Officer - 11 were in favour of the car testing and 11 against.

Councillor Topping thanked the Portfolio Holder for her reply before stating that many local residents awaited the conclusions of the Environmental Protection Team with great interest, whether they supported or opposed the testing days.

Could the Portfolio Holder please advise of the present position regarding the Tendering for the Awarded Watercourses Maintenance and the possible purchase of new or extra equipment?

Councillor BR Burling asked the Sustainability, Procurement and Efficiency Portfolio Holder the following question:

Could the Portfolio Holder please advise of the present position regarding the Tendering for the Awarded Watercourses Maintenance and the possible purchase of new or extra equipment?

Councillor Mrs SM Ellington, Environmental Services Portfolio Holder, answered the question in the absence of the Sustainability, Procurement and Efficiency Portfolio Holder. Councillor Ellington advised that tenders had been sought for the Awarded Watercourses Maintenance Contract in May 2009; those received had been verified and a report prepared, since published and made available on the Council’s website, for consideration at a Portfolio meeting on Thursday 23 July.

With respect to the purchase of new and extra equipment, the Portfolio Holder apologised for the late withdrawal of the report on this subject from the last Cabinet meeting and the inconvenience this had caused to Members, especially Councillor Mason, who had attended the meeting specifically for that item. She assured Councillor Mason that the report had been withdrawn following the receipt of new information which neither she nor officers had discovered until shortly before the meeting. A report recommending the approval of funding for replacement equipment had also been submitted to the meeting on Thursday 23 July for consideration.

Please can the Leader say what he is doing or intends to do to improve the working relations between all Members taking into account the vote on Housing Futures and the debate on the Motion of no confidence?

Councillor JA Hockney asked the Leader of the Council the following question:

Please can the Leader say what he is doing or intends to do to improve the working relations between all Members taking into account the vote on Housing Futures and the debate on the Motion of no confidence?

Councillor RMA Manning, Leader of the Council, stated that political opposition could be constructive or destructive. He wished for the Council to move on from arguments regarding recent issues such as the Housing Futures project, to work more closely with opposition Members. He particularly hoped for active opposition involvement in policy development in terms of championing the needs of all residents and the potential to harness good ideas. This could be achieved through the development of the task and finish model of working, which had been successful in bringing forward recommendations in respect of Orchard Park and the Council’s financial planning. The Leader also stressed that Portfolio Holders’ meetings also provided opportunities for meaningful input by opposition spokespersons and all non-executive members.

Councillor Hockney thanked the Leader for his response, stating that he particularly welcomed comments relating to the good work undertaken by task and finish groups. By way of a Supplementary Question he requested that the Leader call a meeting with opposition group leaders to seek ways in which to develop more positive future working relationships.

The Leader of the Council replied that he would be happy to convene such a meeting or attend meetings of the Major and Minor Opposition Groups for this purpose, if required.

Having noted a potential grant of £261,000 for the Cambridge Sports Lakes Trust towards the extension and improvements to the Milton Country Park Visitor Centre I would ask the Portfolio Holder if;

a) The Council's established policy of considering capital grants of between 15-50% of total costs for village community projects has changed, and that all applicants must explore and exhaust all other areas of funding;

b) The Council has changed its policy of making such grants out of revenue funds;

c) He could assure Council that all grant applicants must be financially viable and have sustainable futures?'

Councillor NS Davies asked the New Communities Portfolio Holder the following question:

Having noted a potential grant of £261,000 for the Cambridge Sports Lakes Trust towards the extension and improvements to the Milton Country Park Visitor Centre I would ask the Portfolio Holder if:

a) The Council's established policy of considering capital grants of between 15-50% of total costs for village community projects has changed, and that all applicants must explore and exhaust all other areas of funding;

b) The Council has changed its policy of making such grants out of revenue funds;

c) He could assure Council that all grant applicants must be financially viable and have sustainable futures?

Councillor RMA Manning, Leader of the Council, advised that the Council’s established policy had not changed – funding was between 15-35% of the overall cost of community schemes, and up to 50% in respect of play and youth sport facilities. The Leader stated that the request by the Community Sports Lakes Trust (CSLT) related to a one-off capital project which had not been considered under the community facility grants policy.

Council was advised that the award of grants from revenue funds was established practice adopted following Council Tax capping, but was not official policy.

In terms of the applicant’s viability, CSLT had made a detailed presentation to Cabinet outlining its business plan, and had produced more detailed financial projections than the Council usually sought in respect of grant applications.

By way of a supplementary question, Councillor Davies asked, in the context of the CSLT application, how the Cabinet intended to support villages elsewhere in the district in their desire to provide excellent facilities for their communities.

The Leader of the Council stated that the grant request by CSLT would be a matter for Council to determine later at the meeting. In the event of Council supporting the request, funding would be allocated from reserves, therefore other grant budgets would not be directly affected.

In relation to future Housing work programmes, would the Housing Portfolio Holder please outline the various ways in which non-executive Members will be involved in the planning and decision making processes?

Councillor SGM Kindersley asked the Housing Portfolio Holder the following question:

In relation to future Housing work programmes, would the Housing Portfolio Holder please outline the various ways in which non-executive Members will be involved in the planning and decision making processes?

Councillor MP Howell, Housing Portfolio Holder, stated that he looked forward to receiving the continued valuable input of Opposition Spokesperson and Scrutiny and Overview Committee Monitors into deliberations at his meetings. The Council’s Housing Service faced some tough decisions in respect of cutbacks and service alterations, and a number of work streams had been established to develop and implement this programme. Each work stream was likely to carry out its work through the establishment of focus groups, into which the contributions of tenants and all Members would be welcomed. 

Councillor Kindersley stated that he looked forward to working together with the Portfolio Holder on this issue. By way of a supplementary question, Councillor Kindersley asked whether the Portfolio Holder intended to establish an elected tenant participation management board. Councillor Howell replied that he did not.

In view of the widespread budget constraints facing this Council, what steps are being taken by the Executive to maintain and improve workforce morale and confidence?

Councillor AN Berent asked the Finance and Staffing Portfolio Holder the following question:

In view of the widespread budget constraints facing this Council, what steps are being taken by the Executive to maintain and improve workforce morale and confidence?

Councillor SM Edwards, Finance and Staffing Portfolio Holder, stated that the Council’s employees were experiencing an extremely challenging period; however, it was still possible to make positive changes to improve staff morale and customer satisfaction, principally through the involvement of staff in service reviews to allow them to bring forward improvements to working practices. Councillor Edwards went on to outline a number of initiatives currently underway to maintain and enhance staff capacity and morale – these included the development of a management development programme, support groups taking forward key actions identified in the last Staff Survey, staff social events and a free employee assistance programme.

By way of a supplementary question, Councillor Berent asked what specific initiatives would be put in place in respect of staff within the Housing Service.

The Portfolio Holder advised that there were no specific initiatives relating to the Housing Service; however, the services outlined in his previous answer were open to all staff, and he would work with the Housing Portfolio Holder if advised of particular staffing issues within this service.

I understand that the Council's income is very much reduced by the loss of credit interest, planning and building control fees in the first quarter of the year. Given that this situation is likely to worsen, how does the Cabinet plan to balance this year's Budget? 

Councillor RT Summerfield asked the Finance and Staffing Portfolio Holder the following question:

I understand that the Council's income is very much reduced by the loss of credit interest, planning and building control fees in the first quarter of the year. Given that this situation is likely to worsen, how does the Cabinet plan to balance this year's Budget? 

Councillor SM Edwards, Finance and Staffing Portfolio Holder, stated that projections presented at his last meeting indicated lower income for 2009-2010 in the services identified in the question, as a direct consequence of the economic downturn. Consideration would be given to the short-term redeployment of staff to areas of higher demand within the organisation; should the reduction in income prove a longer term phenomenon, consideration would be given to staffing cuts. The Portfolio Holder stated that the Planning Delivery Grant could be used to assist with mitigating against shortfalls in income, whilst the Building Control Service aimed to break-even over a three-year period, making it better able to absorb a temporary reduction in income.

Interest on the Council’s balances had reduced due to lower interest rates and the use of tighter criteria to select lower-risk organisations in which to invest. The Portfolio Holder advised that he would be asking the Executive Director (Corporate Services), once in post, to update the Council’s Treasury Management Strategy; however, his preference was to maintain a low-risk approach to investment.

In response to a supplementary question by Councillor Summerfield, the Portfolio Holder advised that an updated Medium Term Financial Strategy had yet to be produced.

The Council promotes itself as a "Listening Council" and highlights engagement with Parish Councils as very important. When will Parish Councils be able to attend and address the Planning Committee Chairman's Delegation meetings? 

Councillor Mrs PM Bear asked the Planning Portfolio Holder the following question:

The Council promotes itself as a "Listening Council" and highlights engagement with Parish Councils as very important. When will Parish Councils be able to attend and address the Planning Committee Chairman's Delegation meetings? 

Councillor NIC Wright, Planning Portfolio Holder, stated that the Council had listened to parish councils’ concerns regarding the Chairman’s Delegation process and that he had attended several parish council meetings at which these concerns had been expressed directly to him. As the delegation meetings involved issues within officers’ delegated powers,the Portfolio Holder had received legal advice that it was not possible to permit public involvement.

Independently of representations from the parishes, the Standards Committee had instructed the Council to carry out a review of Chairman’s Delegation meetings in response to a recent Code of Conduct hearing. The review was underway, and it was intended to submit a report and recommendations to the Planning Portfolio Holder’s meeting on 1 September 2009 and Planning Committee on 7 October 2009.

Recently South Cambridgeshire District Council voted not to support any bid to the Transport Innovation Fund (TIF). According to the Cambridgeshire Horizons Risk Register, the development of Cambridge East is conditional on a successful TIF bid. To which Parishes does the Cabinet intend to allocate those thousands of homes currently allocated to Cambridge East?

Councillor JD Batchelor asked the Planning Portfolio Holder the following question:

Recently South Cambridgeshire District Council voted not to support any bid to the Transport Innovation Fund (TIF). According to the Cambridgeshire Horizons Risk Register, the development of Cambridge East is conditional on a successful TIF bid. To which Parishes does the Cabinet intend to allocate those thousands of homes currently allocated to Cambridge East?

Councillor NIC Wright, Planning Portfolio Holder, stated that the Cabinet had expressed opposition to the proposal to introduce congestion charging, not to the principle of the Transport Innovation Fund.

Councillor RMA Manning, Leader of the Council, answered the question in his capacity as a Council representative on the Cambridgeshire Horizons Board. The Leader reminded Council that the risk register, referred to in the question, was a private working document. He had attended the last meeting of the Joint Strategic Growth Implementation Committee at which it had been reported that Heads of Terms were being prepared in respect of Marshalls’s relocation. It was anticipated that this would be resolved by September 2009, in order to inform the subsequent development of the Cambridge East site and review of the Regional Spatial Strategy. As such, the question of reallocating thousands of homes from Cambridge East should not arise.

Councillor JD Batchelor stated that the construction of 12,000 homes on the Cambridge East site would not be sustainable without major investment in infrastructure. By way of a supplementary question, Councillor Batchelor asked whether it was likely the Cambridge East programme would proceed should Transport Innovation Funding not be secured due to local objections to one element of the bid.

The Leader of the Council stated that the Cambridge East development had at no stage been conditional on approval of a congestion charging scheme; it had been brought forward as part of the development planning process well in advance of TIF funding being announced by the Government. The Cambridgeshire County Council continued to accept that the successful major development of Cambridge East was dependent on major investment in local transport infrastructure, regardless of the success or failure of TIF bids.

Please could the Portfolio Holders advise who will be responsible for drafting and submitting a response to the Government Draft Flood and Water Management Bill now out for consultation until 23 July?

Councillor MJ Mason asked the Sustainability, Procurement and Efficiency Portfolio Holder the following question:

Please could the Portfolio Holders advise who will be responsible for drafting and submitting a response to the Government Draft Flood and Water Management Bill now out for consultation until 23 July?

In introducing his question, Councillor Mason took the opportunity to thank the Environmental Services Portfolio Holder and to accept her apology, made earlier in the meeting, for the late withdrawal of the report relating to replacement watercourses equipment from the Cabinet Agenda, and to the Chief Executive and Leader of the Council for similar apologies made before the meeting.

Councillor SM Ellington, Environmental Services Portfolio Holder, answered the question in the absence of the Sustainability, Procurement and Efficiency Portfolio Holder. She advised that the Portfolio Holder would be asked to approve a consultation response on behalf of the Council at his next meeting on 23 July 2009, the reports for which had been published and were available by the usual means.

By way of a supplementary question, Councillor Mason asked the Portfolio Holder to confirm whether the Council’s Drainage Managerhad attended the initial consultation meeting in respect of the Bill, held recently by the County Council. The Portfolio Holder undertook to do so.

To note that a petition has been received from the residents of Avenells Way and Grays Road, Gamlingay, in respect of the Warden Service, dated 22 June 2009 and received by the Council on 7 July 2009. Full details of the petition are attached.

In accordance with paragraph 11 of the Procedural Guidance relating to Petitions set out in the Constitution, the petition has been referred to the next Cabinet meeting for consideration.

Council noted the receipt of a petition from the residents of Avenells Way and Grays Road, Gamlingay, in respect of their Warden Service. The Chairman drew Members’ attention to additional information from the lead petitioner, which was referred to in the covering letter but had not originally been enclosed. The information had since been received, and had been circulated to Members at the meeting.

Following comments by the Local Ward Members and Leader of the Council, Council noted that the petition had been referred to the Cabinet meeting on 10 September 2009 for consideration. 

Cabinet RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL that a revenue grant of £261,000 be awarded to Cambridge Sport Lakes Trust towards the cost of an extension and improvements to the Visitor Centre at Milton Country Park.

The report and appendix considered by the Cabinet can be accessed using the following link to the Council's website (www.scambs.gov.uk) - Agenda item 5 refers. In addition, copies are available to view in the Members’ Room. Please contact Democratic Services if you wish to receive a hard copy, telephone (01954) 713016

e-mail democratic.services@scambs.gov.uk 

Council RESOLVED that a revenue grant of up to £261,000 be awarded to Cambridge Sports Lake Trust towards the cost of an extension and improvements to the Visitor Centre at Milton Country Park. 

During debate of this item Council resolved unanimously, in accordance with Standing Order 22.1, to suspend Standing Order 12.5 for the duration of the item to allow debate to exceed thirty minutes.

Councillor RMA Manning moved and Councillor MP Howell seconded the recommendation of the Cabinet that a revenue grant of £261,000 be awarded to Cambridge Sports Lake Trust (CSLT) towards the cost of an extension and improvements to the Visitor Centre at Milton Country Park.

In moving the recommendation, Councillor Manning set out the background to the application for grant aid by CSLT. During the discussions which had led to the transfer of the park to CSLT, it had been established that the visitor centre required improvement; however, the Council had not been able to make any financial commitment to support this work at this stage. The Cabinet considered that CSLT had provided a realistic and robust business plan and that its application should be supported to enable the Council to contribute to the provision of a successful and sustainable recreational facility for the occupants of major developments. Councillor Manning provided an update on discussions which had taken place since the Cabinet meeting which, he was pleased to report, had resulted in a proposal by the Cambridgeshire County Council, as part-owners of the park, to match-fund any contribution by the district council. Such match funding would have the effect of reducing the Council’s contribution to £130,500.

In anticipation of match-funding being formally made available by the Cambridgeshire County Council, Councillor SM Edwards moved and Councillor Mrs SM Ellington moved an amendment in the following terms (additional words marked in bold italics):

‘That a revenue grant of up to £261,000 be awarded to Cambridge Sports Lake Trust (CSLT) towards the cost of an extension and improvements to the Visitor Centre at Milton Country Park.’

In accordance with Council Standing Order 14.6(b), the mover and seconder of the original Motion gave consent for the amendment to be incorporated within it, consequently the original Motion stood altered and the amendment withdrawn.

Councillor D de Lacey moved and Councillor MJ Mason seconded a procedural Motion under Council Standing Order 13(d) that the matter be referred to the Scrutiny and Overview Committee for further examination before being resubmitted to Council with full relevant documentation. Members speaking in support of this Motion considered that there were several significant questions which required satisfactory answers before Council could consider itself in a position to make an informed decision on the grant request, specifically those relating to the proposed match-funding arrangement and CSLT’s future viability.

The Procedural Motion, on being put, was declared lost, with 15 Members voting in favour, 30 against and two abstentions.

During debate of the substantive Motion, some Members welcomed the prospect of match funding by the Cambridgeshire County Council and considered that it was appropriate for the Council to support an important community facility which was valued by residents and which contributed to the provision of an important green wedge to the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 30a

Cabinet RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL that the Food Safety Service Plan 2009-10 be adopted.

The report and draft plan considered by the Cabinet can be accessed using the following link to the Council's website (www.scambs.gov.uk) - Agenda item 7 refers. In addition, copies are available to view in the Members’ Room. Please contact Democratic Services if you wish to receive a hard copy, telephone (01954) 713016

e-mail democratic.services@scambs.gov.uk 

Council RESOLVED that the Food Safety Service Plan 2009-10 be adopted. 

Councillor Mrs SM Ellington moved, Councillor MP Howell seconded and Council RESOLVED, with none voting against, that the Food Safety Service Plan 2009-10 be adopted. 

The Corporate Governance Committee RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL that the post of Finance Project Officer be added to paragraph 6 (Operation of Bank Accounts) of the Financial Regulations within Part 4 of the Council’s Constitution.

The report considered by the Corporate Governance Committee is available to view using the following link to the Council's website (www.scambs.gov.uk). A copy is also available to view in the Members’ Room or from Democratic Services, telephone (01954) 713016 e-mail democratic.services@scambs.gov.uk.  

Council RESOLVED that the post of Finance Project Officer be added to paragraph 6 (Operation of Bank Accounts) of the Financial Regulations within Part 4 of the Council’s Constitution. 

Councillor PW Topping moved, Councillor NCF Bolitho seconded and Council RESOLVED, with none voting against, that the post of Finance Project Officer be added to paragraph 6 (Operation of Bank Accounts) of the Financial Regulations within Part 4 of the Council’s Constitution. 

Council is RECOMMENDED to approve the appointment of Councillor DC McCraith to the Cambridge Fringes Joint Development Control Committee in place of Councillor AG Orgee.

Council AGREED the appointment of Councillor DC McCraith to the Cambridge Fringes Joint Development Control Committee in place of Councillor AG Orgee. 

Council AGREED the appointment of Councillor DC McCraith to the Cambridge Fringes Joint Development Control Committee in place of Councillor AG Orgee. 

Council is RECOMMENDED to approve the appointment of Councillor Ms JE Squier to the Scrutiny and Overview Committee in place of Councillor Ms JA Dipple.

 Council AGREED the appointment of Councillor Ms JE Squier to the Scrutiny and Overview Committee in place of Councillor Ms JA Dipple. 

Council AGREED the appointment of Councillor Ms JE Squier to the Scrutiny and Overview Committee in place of Councillor Ms JA Dipple. 

Councillor JD Batchelor, Chairman of the Scrutiny and Overview Committee, thanked Councillor Dipple for her contribution to the work of the committee whilst in membership, before welcoming Councillor Squier as her replacement.

Following the resignation from the working group of Councillor JA Hockney, Council is RECOMMENDED to approve the nomination of the Conservative Group to fill this vacancy.

 Council AGREED the appointment of Councillor TD Bygott to the Climate Change Working Group to fill the vacancy created by the resignation from the group of Councillor JA Hockney. 

Council AGREED the appointment of Councillor TD Bygott to the Climate Change Working Group to fill the vacancy created by the resignation from the group of Councillor JA Hockney.

As part of the recruitment and selection process for the position of Executive Director (Corporate Services). Council, in November 2008, delegated authority to oversee the appointment to the Appointments Panel of the Employment Committee. Article 12.01 of the Constitution provides that the appointment of Chief Officers is a matter reserved to the Council.  Following the selection process, however, no offer of employment was made. This Council is now carrying out a further recruitment and selection process; again, in order to conclude the process as expeditiously as possible, Council is RECOMMENDED to make a further Resolution in the following terms:

‘That authority be delegated to the Appointment Panel of the Employment Committee: 

(1)   To make an appointment to the position of Executive Director (Corporate Services) following interviews to be held on 20 July 2009, the detailed terms and conditions to be agreed by the Chief Executive.

(2)   To designate the successful candidate as Chief Finance Officer of the Council in accordance with the requirements of Section 151 of the Local Government Act 1972.

(3)   To designate the successful candidate as the Council’s Lead Officer in respect of Risk Management, Procurement and Electronic Service Delivery, the future designation to these roles to be delegated to the Chief Executive as an operational staffing matter.’

Council RESOLVED that authority be delegated to the Appointment Panel of the Employment Committee: 

(1)   To make an appointment to the position of Executive Director (Corporate Services) following interviews to be held on 20 July 2009, the detailed terms and conditions to be agreed by the Chief Executive.

(2)   To designate the successful candidate as Chief Finance Officer of the Council in accordance with the requirements of Section 151 of the Local Government Act 1972.

(3)   To designate the successful candidate as the Council’s Lead Officer in respect of Risk Management, Procurement and Electronic Service Delivery, the future designation to these roles to be delegated to the Chief Executive as an operational staffing matter.

The Interim Executive Director (Corporate Services) left the meeting during consideration of this item.

Councillor AG Orgee moved, Councillor SM Edwards seconded and Council RESOLVED, with none voting against, that authority be delegated to the Appointment Panel of the Employment Committee: 

(1)   To make an appointment to the position of Executive Director (Corporate Services) following interviews to be held on 20 July 2009, the detailed terms and conditions to be agreed by the Chief Executive.

(2)   To designate the successful candidate as Chief Finance Officer of the Council in accordance with the requirements of Section 151 of the Local Government Act 1972.

(3)   To designate the successful candidate as the Council’s Lead Officer in respect of Risk Management, Procurement and Electronic Service Delivery, the future designation to these roles to be delegated to the Chief Executive as an operational staffing matter.

The Chief Executive has delegated authority to carry out duties relating to the recruitment and selection of all staff with the exception of Chief Officers and Corporate Managers, which are reserved to the Council and Employment Committee.

These arrangements are in line with the Local Authorities (Standing Orders) Regulations 1993 and 2001, which provide that an officer cannot carry out the appointment and dismissal of the following categories of senior staff:

• Head of Paid Service
• Statutory Chief Officer posts (defined by s2(6) of the 1989 Local Government and Housing Act - includes the Chief Finance Officer) 
• Non-Statutory Chief Officer posts (defined by s2(7) of the 1989 Act as persons for whom the head of paid service is directly responsible)
• Deputy Chief Officers (defined in s2(8) of the 1989 Act asa person who, as respects all or most of the duties of his/her post, is required to report directly or is directly accountable to one or more of the statutory or non-statutory chief officers)

The Principal Solicitor will be leaving the Council’s employment in September 2009. It is considered that the post of Principal Solicitor falls within the definition of Deputy Chief Officer given above; as such, it is appropriate for the appointment to be confirmed by Members. It is therefore RECOMMENDED that the appointment of the Principal Solicitor be reserved to the Employment Committee and that the relevant sections of Parts 3 (Table One: Responsibility for Council Functions) and 5 (Officer Employment Procedure Rules) be amended as required.

Council RESOLVED that the appointment of the Principal Solicitor be reserved to the Employment Committee and that the relevant sections of Parts 3 (Table One: Responsibility for Council Functions) and 5 (Officer Employment Procedure Rules) be amended as required. 

Councillor AG Orgee moved, Councillor SM Edwards seconded and Council RESOLVED, with none voting against, that the appointment of the Principal Solicitor be reserved to the Employment Committee and that the relevant sections of Parts 3 (Table One: Responsibility for Council Functions) and 5 (Officer Employment Procedure Rules) be amended as required. 

The Chairman has expressed a wish that reports under this item should be submitted to Democratic Services for publication with the Agenda, not made at the meeting as verbal updates.

No written updates had been received at the time of publication of the Agenda. 

Councillor MJ Mason drew Members’ attention to the following update, copies of which had been tabled at the meeting:

‘Further to my report at the May meeting of Council, the Ely group of Internal Drainage Boards have continued in co-operation with the Association of Drainage Authorities (ADA) to produce a detailed response to the Government’s Draft Floods and Water Bill. In ADA’s draft response they make the point that the consultation period is very short and the price (at over £40) of the consultation printed document is excessive, which may discourage smaller boards from responding to this vitally important new bill. It should be remembered that Cambridgeshire has the largest number of IDB’s of any County in England. (over 50). The Ely Group Engineer informed me that they had not been invited to the initial consultation meeting, set up by the County Council new Floods Group as the lead local authority under the new legislation. Having spoken to the officer concerned, the omission was rectified and County staff will visit the Drainage Office at Prickwillow in order to get acquainted with IDB operation and management. It is somewhat disturbing to think that IDBs had been left out in the first instance and emphasises the need for greater and closer co-operation between County, District, IDBs and Environment Agency in future.’

"This Council believes that a 10% tax on Mobility Scooters is fundamentally wrong. The tax will hit many vulnerable people in South Cambs. Council resolves to write to the Government Minister concerned stating its objection in the strongest possible terms."

RESOLVED that this Council believes that a 10% tax on Mobility Scooters is fundamentally wrong. The tax will hit many vulnerable people in South Cambs. Council resolves to write to the Government Minister concerned stating its objection in the strongest possible terms.

Councillor JA Hockney moved, Councillor PT Johnson seconded and it was RESOLVED, with one Member voting against, that this Council believes that a 10% tax on Mobility Scooters is fundamentally wrong. The tax will hit many vulnerable people in South Cambs. Council resolves to write to the Government Minister concerned stating its objection in the strongest possible terms.

To note the Chairman’s engagements since the last Council meeting:

Council noted the list engagements attended by the Chairman since the last meeting, and was advised that the Chairman had also opened the Bar Hill Summer Fete on 4 July 2009.

Councillor RM Matthews expressed thanks to the Chairman and other Members who had attended the Sawston Village College Cinema Club event on Thursday 2 July 2009.

Councillor SM Edwards expressed thanks on behalf of the residents of Rampton for the Chairman’s attendance to open new play equipment on Tuesday 14 July 2009.

The Chairman thanked Members who had attended to contribute to the success of the Cambourne 10^th Anniversary Tea Party, held at the Council Offices before the meeting. He also took the opportunity to thank the parish council representatives who had accepted his invitation to visit the offices and observe the meeting.