Agenda, decisions and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber - South Cambs Hall. View directions

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

Items
No. Item

1.

ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNCIL 2017/18

To ELECT the Chairman of the Council for the 2017/18 Civic Year.

Decision:

 

Council RESOLVED that Councillor David McCraith be elected as Chairman of the Council for the 2017/18 civic year.

 

Councillor McCraith signed the acceptance of office.

Minutes:

The outgoing Chairman, Councillor Sue Ellington, informed the Council that she had raised £5,000 for Dogs for Good, her chosen charity during her term of office.

 

Councillor Ellington invited nominations for the office of Chairman of the Council for the 2017/18 civic year.

 

On the nomination of Councillor Peter Topping, seconded by Councillor Nick Wright and there being no further nominations, Council RESOLVED that Councillor David McCraith be elected as Chairman of the Council for the 2017/18 civic year.

 

Councillor McCraith signed the acceptance of office.  He reported that his chosen charities were Cambridge and District Citizens Advice Bureau, Macmillan Cancer Support, Air Training Corps 2484 (Bassingbourn) Squadron and (Cambourne) Detached Flight.

2.

ELECTION OF VICE CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNCIL 2017/18

To ELECT the Vice-Chairman of the Council for the 2017/18 Civic Year.

Decision:

 

Council RESOLVED that Councillor Brian Burling be elected as Vice-Chairman of the Council for the 2017/18 civic year.

 

Councillor Burling signed the acceptance of office.

 

Minutes:

The Chairman invited nominations for the appointment of Vice-Chairman of the Council for the 2017/18 civic year.

 

Councillor Brian Burling was nominated by Councillor Peter Topping, which was duly seconded by Councillor Ray Manning.

 

Councillor John Batchelor was nominated by Councillor Bridget Smith, which was duly seconded by Councillor Tumi Hawkins.

 

Both nominees left the Council Chamber during the undertaking of a ballot and, with 28 votes compared to 17, Council RESOLVED that Councillor Brian Burling be appointed Vice-Chairman of the Council for the 2017/18 civic year.

 

Councillor Burling signed the acceptance of office.

3.

APOLOGIES

To  RECEIVE any apologies for absence.

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Henry Batchelor, Grenville Chamberlain, Mick Martin, Raymond Matthews, Alex Riley, Edd Stonham, Ingrid Tregoing, Bunty Waters, and David Whiteman-Downes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

To RECEIVE any declarations of interest for items on this agenda.

Minutes:

No declarations of Members’ interests were made.

5.

REGISTER OF INTERESTS

Members are requested to inform Democratic Services of any changes to their Register of Interests form.

Minutes:

The Chairman reminded Members that they needed to update their register of interests whenever their circumstances changed.

6.

MINUTES pdf icon PDF 284 KB

To AUTHORISE the Chairman to sign the minutes of the meeting held on 23 February 2017 and the minutes of the extraordinary meetings held on 13 April 2017 as correct records.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 23rd February 2017 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman as a correct record, subject to:

 

a)    The amendment of the last two sentences of the second paragraph of minute 9(c) to read as follows:

 

‘Councillor Lynda Harford explained that progress of the Inspection of the Council’s Local Plan, which was being carried out at the same time as that of Cambridge City, was painfully slow.  She also expressed the hope that the Government’s Housing White Paper would include provision for encouraging developers to build homes once planning permission had been granted.’

 

b)    The amendment of the text in resolution (c) of minute 9(d) at the top of page 7 to read as follows:

 

‘…from the sale of self-build plots or could alternatively be used by way of a grant to a registered provider, where the registered provider would then provide the 70% top up to build new homes.’

 

c)    Adding the words ‘per year’ after ‘£600,000’ in the last line of the second paragraph on page 5.

 

The minutes of the extraordinary meetings held on 13th April 2017 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman, subject to the amendment of a number of typographical errors and additions to the list of Members present.

7.

REPORT OF THE RETURNING OFFICER pdf icon PDF 94 KB

Minutes:

The report of the Returning Officer on the result of the by election for the Bourn Ward held on 4th May 2017 was NOTED and the Chairman welcomed Councillor Ruth Betson to the first meeting of Council since her election.

8.

APPOINTMENT OF ELECTORAL REGISTRATION OFFICER AND RETURNING OFFICER pdf icon PDF 193 KB

To REAFFIRM the appointment of Mr Alex Colyer, in his role as Interim Chief Executive, as Electoral Registration Officer and Returning Officer, until such time as Mrs Beverly Agass commencement as Chief Executive Officer.

Decision:

 

Council AGREED that Mr Alex Colyer, in his role as Interim Chief Executive Officer, continues as Electoral Registration Officer and Returning Officer, until such time as Mrs Beverly Agass commences her employment as Chief Executive Officer.

Minutes:

On the nomination of Councillor Peter Topping, seconded by Councillor Bridget Smith, Council AGREED unanimously that Mr Alex Colyer, in his role as Interim Chief Executive Officer, continue as Electoral Registration Officer and Returning Officer, until such time as Mrs Beverly Agass commences her employment as Chief Executive Officer.

9.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

To RECEIVE any announcements from the Chairman, Leader of the Council, the Executive or the Head of Paid Service.

Minutes:

The Chairman drew Members attention to arrangements for the Parklife family fun day which would take place at Milton Country Park on Sunday 25th June 2017.  He encouraged Members to volunteer to help out on the day.

 

Councillor Peter Topping, Leader of the Council, made a number of announcements which are summarised below:

 

·         Councillor Toping drew attention to the 100 Day Plan announced by the newly elected Mayor for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.  This included commissioning business cases for the first round of major transport schemes; providing the forts tranche of funding for priority transport and infrastructure schemes; announcing the first wave of new affordable housing schemes; and launching the development of a strategy to deliver 100,000 new homes across the area.  Councillor Topping had been appointed New Homes and Communities Portfolio Holder and South Cambridgeshire District Council would lead on housing work.  There would be 5-10 schemes in the initial phase; at least one in each district.

·         The Combined Authority had agreed to produce regular reports on its work.  These would be reported to future Council meetings.

·         Councillor Topping reported that Rob Mungovan Senior Ecology Officer had recently left the council to take up a post with the Wild Trout Trust.  He would be replaced by Daniel Weaver.  On behalf of the Council, Councillor Topping thanked Mr Mungovan for his service to the Council and his work to protect the environment of South Cambridgeshire.  Councillors Bard, Cathcart, de Lacey and Kindersley echoed comments made by Councillor Topping and paid their own personal tribute to Mr Mungovan.

·         Councillor Topping advised that he had appointed Councillor Tim Scott as the Council’s Environment Champion.  He thanked Councillor Scott for agreeing to take on this role.

·         Councillor Topping informed Council that he had invited Councillor Sue Ellington to join Cabinet to take on a new Health and Wellbeing Portfolio.  He thanked Councillor Ellington for taking on this role.  He confirmed that other Cabinet roles would remain unchanged.

·         Councillor Topping informed Members that it was planned to consult with residents and villages over the summer.  The aim was to provide communities with an opportunity to influence future thinking about what the district should look like in 5-10 years’ time.  The outcome would inform development of the Council’s Corporate Plan.

 

10.

QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC

Mr   John Dove would like to put the following question to Cllr Lynda Harford (Housing Portfolio Holder):

In the interests of open, transparent and equitable local government, would the Housing Portfolio cabinet member wholly embrace and actively support the formation of a Designated Tenants Panel as defined by the Localism Act 2011?

 

Minutes:

It was noted that Mr John Dove had submitted a question to Councillor Lynda Harford.  As Mr Dove was no longer able to attend the meeting, he would receive a written response. 

11.

PETITIONS

To NOTE that no petitions for consideration by Full Council have been received.

Minutes:

It was noted that no petitions for consideration by Council had been received since the last meeting.

12.

POLITICAL PROPORTIONALITY AND ALLOCATION OF SEATS TO COMMITTEES 2017/18 pdf icon PDF 216 KB

To APPROVE:

 

(a)        The allocation of seats on committees.

 

(b)        The nominations of the Political Group Leaders to seats on committees.

 

(c)        The appointment of Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen of committees.

 

(d)        The re-appointment of Grant Osbourn as the Council’s Lead Independent Person and Gillian Holmes as the Council’s Deputy Independent Person for a further two years, subject to annual ratification..

Additional documents:

Decision:

Council APPROVED:

 

(a)        The allocation of seats on committees and joint committees, as follows:

 

Committee

No. of seats

Conservative

Liberal Democrat

Independent

 

Audit and Corporate Governance

9

6

2

1

Civic Affairs

 

12

8

3

1

Employment

 

9

5

3

1

Licensing

 

15

9

4

2

Planning

 

12

8

3

1

Partnerships Review

9

6

2

1

Scrutiny and Overview

9

6

2

1

Total

75

48

19

8

 

Committee

No. of seats

Conservative

Liberal Democrat

Independent

 

Joint Development Control –  Cambridge Fringes

6

4

1

1

 

(b)        The nominations of the Political Group Leaders/Convenor to seats on committees and joint bodies, as set out below:

 

            Audit and Corporate Governance Committee

 

Conservative

Liberal Democrat

Independent

Non-Group

Grenville Chamberlain

Simon Crocker

Christopher Cross

Andrew Fraser

Roger Hall

Tony Orgee

John Batchelor

John Williams

 

Douglas de Lacey

 

 

Substitutes in hierarchical order

 

Conservative

Liberal Democrat

Independent

Non-Group

1. Graham Cone

2. Ray Manning

3. Charles Nightingale

4. Richard Turner

5. Bunty Waters

1. Anna Bradnam

2. Philippa Hart

 

1. See Non-Group

2. Neil Davies

3. Peter Johnson

4. Cicely Murfitt

5. Edd Stonham

Nigel Cathcart

(substitute seat accepted from Independent Group)

 

 


 

Civic Affairs Committee

 

Conservative

Liberal Democrat

Independent

Non-Group

Brian Burling

Ray Manning

David McCraith

Charles Nightingale

Peter Topping

Bunty Waters

Nick Wright

Jose Hales

Janet Lockwood

Bridget Smith

 

Deborah Roberts

Nigel Cathcart

(seat accepted from Conservative Group)

 

Substitutes in hierarchical order

 

Conservative

Liberal Democrat

Independent

Non-Group

1. David Bard

2. Grenville

    Chamberlain

3. Simon Crocker

4. Raymond

    Matthews

5. Alex Riley

1. Sebastian

    Kindersley

2. Aidan Van de

    Weyer

 

1. Douglas de

    Lacey

2. Neil Davies

3. Edd Stonham

4. Peter

   Johnson

5. Cicely Murfitt

 

 

Employment Committee

 

Conservative

Liberal Democrat

Independent

Non-Group

Val Barrett

Pippa Corney

Simon Edwards

Ray Manning

Alex Riley

Doug Cattermole

Sebastian Kindersley

Bridget Smith

 

EddStonham

 

 

 

Substitutes in hierarchical order

 

Conservative

Liberal Democrat

Independent

Non-Group

1. Ruth Betson

2. Grenville

    Chamberlain

3. Christopher Cross

4. Caroline Hunt 

5. Des O’Brien

 

 

1. Neil Davies

2. Peter Johnson

3. Cicely Murfitt

4. Douglas de

    Lacey

5. Deborah

    Roberts

 

 

Licensing Committee

 

Conservative

Liberal Democrat

Independent

Non-Group

Val Barrett

Ruth Betson

Graham Cone

Pippa Corney

Kevin Cuffley

Andrew Fraser

Raymond Matthews

Charles Nightingale

Alex Riley

Anna Bradnam

Jose Hales

Janet Lockwood

 

Cicely Murfitt

Deborah Roberts

Nigel Cathcart (seat accepted from Liberal Democrat Group)

 

Substitutes in hierarchical order

 

Conservative

Liberal Democrat

Independent

Non-Group

1. Grenville

    Chamberlain

2. Mark Howell

3. Ray Manning

4. Bunty Waters

5. Nick Wright

1. Henry Batchelor

2. Hazel Smith

 

1. Douglas de

    Lacey

2. Peter Johnson

3. Neil Davies

4. Edd Stonham

 

 

 

Partnerships Review Committee

 

Conservative

Liberal Democrat

Independent

Non-Group

David Bard

Andrew Fraser

Ray Manning

Tony Orgee

Ben Shelton

Bunty Waters

Henry Batchelor

Janet Lockwood Ingrid Tregoing

(seat accepted from Independent Group)

 

 

 

Substitutes in hierarchical order

 

Conservative

Liberal Democrat

Independent

Non-Group

1. Val Barrett 

2. Grenville

    Chamberlain

3. Simon Crocker

4. Roger Hall

5. David McCraith

 

1. Tumi Hawkins

2. Aidan Van de

    Weyer

 

Substitutes:

1. Neil Davies

2. Peter Johnson

3. Douglas de

    Lacey

4.  ...  view the full decision text for item 12.

Minutes:

Council considered a report seeking approval of the allocation of seats on committees; the appointment of committee chairmen, vice-chairmen, members and substitutes; and the reappointment of the Lead Independent Person and Deputy Independent Person.

 

Councillor Peter Topping, Leader of the Council, proposed the allocation of committee seats, as set out in Appendix A to the report and the nominations of the Political Group Leaders/Convenor to seats on committees which were tabled at the meeting, the reappointment of the Lead and Deputy Independent Persons and the following nominations for committee Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen:

 

Committee

Chairman

Vice-Chairman

Audit and Corporate Governance

Andrew Fraser

Grenville Chamberlain

Civic Affairs

David McCraith

Charles Nightingale

Employment

Ray Manning

Val Barrett

Licensing

Alex Riley

Raymond Matthews

Partnerships Review

Ben Shelton

Bunty Waters

Planning

Pippa Corney

David Bard

Scrutiny and Overview

Tony Orgee

Kevin Cuffley

 

Councillor Nick Wright seconded the proposal.

 

With reference to the appointment of Councillor Tony Orgee as Chairman of the Scrutiny and Overview Committee, Councillor John Williams proposed the appointment of Councillor Philippa Hart as Chairman of the Committee, which was seconded by Councillor Tumi Hawkins.

 

Councillors Orgee and Hart left the Council Chamber during the undertaking of a ballot and, with 26 votes compared to 18, Councillor William’s proposal was declared lost.

 

With reference to the appointment of Councillor Kevin Cuffley as Vice Chairman of the Scrutiny and Overview Committee, Councillor John Williams proposed the appointment of Councillor Philippa Hart as Vice Chairman of the Committee, which was seconded by Councillor Tumi Hawkins.

 

Councillors Cuffley and Hart left the Council Chamber during the undertaking of a ballot and, with 27 votes compared to 18, Councillor William’s proposal was declared lost.

 

With reference to the appointment of Councillor Kevin Cuffley as Vice Chairman of the Scrutiny and Overview Committee, Councillor Douglas de Lacey proposed the appointment of Councillor Cicely Murfitt as Vice Chairman of the Committee, which was seconded by Councillor Deborah Roberts.

 

Councillors Cuffley and Murfitt left the Council Chamber during the undertaking of a ballot and, with 23 votes compared to 19 and 3 abstentions, Councillor de Lacey’s proposal was declared lost.

 

With reference to the appointment of Councillor Ben Shelton as Chairman of the Partnerships Review Committee, Councillor John Batchelor proposed the appointment of Councillor Henry Batchelor as Chairman of the Committee, which was seconded by Councillor Janet Lockwood.

 

Councillor Shelton left the Council Chamber during the undertaking of a ballot and, with 27 votes compared to 17, Councillor Batchelor’s proposal was declared lost.

 

With reference to the appointment of Councillor Bunty Waters as Vice Chairman of the Partnerships Review Committee, Councillor John Batchelor proposed the appointment of Councillor Henry Batchelor as Vice Chairman of the Committee, which was seconded by Councillor Janet Lockwood.

 

Following the undertaking of a ballot and, with 28 votes compared to 17, Councillor Batchelor’s proposal was declared lost.

 

With reference to the appointment of Councillor Pippa Corney as Chairman of the Planning Committee, Councillor Bridget Smith proposed the appointment of Councillor Sebastian Kindersley as Chairman of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.

13.

CAMBRIDGESHIRE AND PETERBOROUGH COMBINED AUTHORITY - MEMBERSHIP AND OTHER APPOINTMENTS 2017/18 pdf icon PDF 288 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

 

Council:

 

(a)        APPROVED appointments to the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough         Combined Authority for 2017/18 as set out below:

 

Combined Authority

 

Councillor Peter Topping

 

Substitute: Councillor Nick Wright

 

Combined Authority Audit and Governance Committee

 

Councillor Andrew Fraser

 

Substitute: Councillor Grenville Chamberlain

 

Combined Authority Overview and Scrutiny Committee

 

Councillor Alex Riley

Councillor John Batchelor

 

Substitutes:

 

Councillor Grenville Chamberlain (substitute for Councillor Riley)

Councillor Philippa Hart (substitute for Councillor Batchelor)

 

(b)        AGREED that the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Political Group             Leaders, be authorised to make amendments to the appointments to the          Audit and Governance Committee and the Overview and Scrutiny Committee,   if the political balance of the Combined Authority changes between now and          the next Council meeting.

Minutes:

Council considered a report setting out appointments to the Combined Authority for the 2017/18 municipal year.  It was noted that the allocation of places available on the non-executive committees was in accordance with the Combined Authorities (Overview and Scrutiny Committees, Access to Information and Audit Committees) Order 2016, which required the membership of these committees to reflect, as far as reasonably practical, the balance of political parties of the constituent councils when taken together.

 

Council agreed to:

 

a)    APPROVE appointments to the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority for 2017/18 as set out below:

 

Combined Authority

 

Councillor Peter Topping

 

Substitute: Councillor Nick Wright

 

Combined Authority Audit and Governance Committee

 

Councillor Andrew Fraser

 

Substitute: Councillor Grenville Chamberlain

 

Combined Authority Overview and Scrutiny Committee

 

Councillor Alex Riley

Councillor John Batchelor

 

Substitutes:

 

Councillor Grenville Chamberlain (substitute for Councillor Riley)

Councillor Philippa Hart (substitute for Councillor Batchelor)

 

b)      AUTHORISE the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Political Group Leaders, to make amendments to the appointments to the Audit and Governance Committee and the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, if the political balance of the Combined Authority changes between now and the next Council meeting.

14.

ERMINE STREET HOUSING LTD.

To APPROVE the re-appointment of Stephen Hills as Director of the Council’s housing company, Ermine Street Housing Ltd, for a further 12 months alongside his role as Director of Housing for the Council.

Decision:

 

Council APPROVED the re-appointment of Stephen Hills as Director of the Council’s housing company, Ermine Street Housing Limited, for a further 12 months alongside his role as Director of Housing for the Council.

Minutes:

Councillor Andrew Fraser proposed the re-appointment of Stephen Hills as Director of the Council’s housing company, Ermine Street Housing Limited.  The proposal was seconded by Councillor Richard Turner.

 

Council unanimously APPROVED the re-appointment of Stephen Hills as Director of the Council’s housing company, Ermine Street Housing Limited, for a further 12 months alongside his role as Director of Housing for the Council.

15.

INDEPENDENT REMUNERATION PANEL

To CONFIRM the re-appointment of Simon Harris as a member of the Independent Remuneration Panel, for a further three-year term of office once his current term of office expires on 1 July 2017.

 

Decision:

 

Council AGREED the re-appointment of Simon Harris as a member of the Independent Remuneration Panel, for a further three year term of office, once his current term of office expires on 1st July 2017.

Minutes:

Councillor Simon Edwards proposed the re-appointment of Simon Harris as a member of the Independent Remuneration Panel.  The proposal was seconded by Councillor Ray Manning.

 

Council unanimously AGREED the re-appointment of Simon Harris as a member of the Independent Remuneration Panel, for a further three year term of office, once his current term of office expired on 1st July 2017.

16.

JOINT SCRUTINY AND OVERVIEW COMMITTEE AND PARTNERSHIPS COMMITTEE ANNUAL REPORT 2016/17 pdf icon PDF 516 KB

To RECEIVE the joint Scrutiny and Overview and Partnerships Review Committee Annual Report for 2016/17.

Decision:

 

Council RECEIVED the joint Scrutiny and Overview Committee and Partnerships Review Committee Annual Report for 2016/17.

Minutes:

Councillor Tony Orgee proposed receipt of the joint Scrutiny and Overview Committee and Partnerships Review Committee Annual Report for 2016/17.  Councillor Ben Shelton seconded the proposal.

 

In introducing the report Councillor Orgee drew attention to the work done by the Scrutiny and Overview Committee during the year.  He drew attention to the role of the Committee in scrutinising the proposed budget before it was presented to Council for approval.  In response, some Members raised concerns about the operation of the committees, including reference to:

 

·         Appointing Scrutiny Committee Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen from opposition groups; which some Members suggested was good practice.

·         The need to ensure members of the received appropriate training to ensure they had the necessary skills to undertake this role.

·         Being clear about what the committees had achieved and how their work had added value.

 

Council agreed to RECEIVE the joint Scrutiny and Overview Committee and Partnerships Review Committee Annual Report for 2016/17.

17.

CIVIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE ANNUAL REPORT 2016/17 pdf icon PDF 246 KB

To RECEIVE the Civic Affairs Committee Annual Report for 2016/17.

 

Decision:

 

Council RECEIVED the Civic Affairs Committee Annual Report for 2016/17.

 

Minutes:

Councillor Sue Ellington proposed receipt of the Civic Affairs Committee Annual Report for 2016/17.  Councillor Charlie Nightingale seconded the proposal.

 

In introducing the report Councillor Ellington drew attention to the work done by the Civic Affairs Committee during the year.  She drew particular attention to the significant amount of work that had gone into the District boundary review, which had been broadly accepted by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England.  

 

Council agreed to RECEIVE the Civic Affairs Committee Annual Report for 2016/17.

 

18.

CAMBRIDGESHIRE POLICE AND CRIME PANEL

To APPOINT a Conservative Group member to act as substitute on the Cambridgeshire Police and Crime Panel.

Decision:

 

Council AGREED to appoint Councillor Kevin Cuffley as the Council’s substitute member on the Cambridgeshire Police and Crime Panel.

Minutes:

On the nomination of Councillor Peter Topping, seconded by Councillor Ben Shelton and there being no further nominations, Council AGREED that Councillor Kevin Cuffley be appointed as the Council’s substitute member on the Cambridgeshire Police and Crime Panel.

19.

MAJOR OPPOSITION GROUP LEADER'S ANNUAL STATEMENT pdf icon PDF 1 MB

To RECEIVE the Major Opposition Group Leader’s Annual Statement.

Decision:

 

Council RECEIVED the Major Opposition Group Leader’s Annual Statement.

Minutes:

Councillor Bridget Smith, Leader of the Opposition, presented her annual statement.

 

Councillor Smith congratulated those Members who had been successful in the recent County Council elections.  She focussed on the importance of giving Members the tools to do their jobs well and with pride.  This included reference to:

 

·         Access to ‘Insite’ and regularly updated lists of officers, their responsibilities and contact details;

·         A timely response to e-mails and phone calls;

·         An effective pre-application service and a planning portal that was fit for purpose;

·         An economic strategy which Members can reference when supporting local businesses;

·         Portfolio Holders who hold portfolio meetings which give backbench Members and residents opportunities to question and challenge them;

·         Scrutiny Committees that are established on best practice principles and are robust, challenging and add value; and

·         A stable workforce with officers that were not overstretched.

 

Councillor Smith highlighted the importance of having a council which could protect Parishes and keep them safe.  She expressed concern about the impact of out of control, unplanned development.  She informed the Council that over the next twelve months the residents of South Cambridgeshire would be left in no doubt where the blame for the destruction of their villages lay.

 

Council NOTED the Major Opposition Group Leader’s Annual Statement.

20.

CHANGES TO THE CONSTITUTION UNDER ARTICLE 15.03

To NOTE changes made under the provisions of Article 15.03 of the Constitution, which authorises the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader of the Council and Monitoring Officer, to agree and incorporate into the Constitution factual changes and changes required by new legislation which the Council has no choice but to make.

 

Date

Amendment Made

 

May 2017

 

 

Removal of references to ‘Legal Services Manager/Head of Legal and Democratic Services’ and replaced with the ‘Head of Legal Practice’..

 

 

Decision:

 

Council NOTED changes made under the provisions of Article 15.03 of the Constitution, which authorises the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader of the Council and Monitoring Officer, to agree and incorporate into the Constitution factual changes and changes required by new legislation which the Council has no choice but to make.

Minutes:

Council NOTED changes made under the provisions of Article 15.03 of the Constitution, which authorised the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader of the Council and Monitoring Officer, to agree and incorporate into the Constitution factual changes and changes required by new legislation which the Council had no choice but to make.

21.

WRITE OFF OF OUTSTANDING DEBTS pdf icon PDF 394 KB

To NOTE the amounts written off under delegated powers.

Decision:

 

Council NOTED details of the amounts of debt written off under delegated powers.

Minutes:

Councillor Simon Edwards, Portfolio Holder for Finance and Staffing presented a report which notified Council of debts written off under powers delegated to the Portfolio Holder and Chief Finance Officer.  This was being reported in line with the requirements of the Constitution.  Councillor Edwards proposed that the Council note the report.  Councillor Nick Wright seconded the proposal.

 

Council agreed to NOTE details of the amounts of debt written off under delegated powers.

22.

REVIEW OF STANDING ORDERS - RECOMMENDATION FROM CIVIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE pdf icon PDF 290 KB

The Civic Affairs Committee at the meeting on 23 March 2017 agreed to RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL:

 

That Standing Order 11.4 in the Constitution be amended to allow Members to ask questions at Council without giving notice within a maximum period of 30 minutes.

Decision:

 

Council APPROVED the recommendation of the Civic Affairs Committee that Council Standing Order 11.4 in Part 4 of the Council’s Constitution be amended to allow Members to ask questions at Council without giving notice, within a maximum period of 30 minutes.

Minutes:

Councillor Sue Ellington Chairman of the Civic Affairs Committee proposed that Council amend Standing Order 11.4 in Part 4 of the Council’s Constitution to allow Members to ask questions at Council without giving notice, within a maximum period of 30 minutes.  This had been recommended by the Committee at its meeting on 23rd March 2017.  The proposal was seconded by Councillor Bridget Smith. 

 

Council unanimously AGREED that Council Standing Order 11.4 in Part 4 of the Council’s Constitution be amended to allow Members to ask questions at Council without giving notice, within a maximum period of 30 minutes.

23.

EXTENSION TO SIX MONTH RULE pdf icon PDF 195 KB

To CONSIDER a request for an extension of the six month rule for Councillor Mick Martin, having regard to the circumstances of his absence from meetings.

Decision:

 

Council APPROVED an extension of the six month rule for Councillor Mick Martin on ill-health grounds until 27th January 2018 and expressed its best wishes to him for a speedy recovery.

Minutes:

On the proposal of Councillor Peter Topping, seconded by Councillor Robert Turner, Council APPROVED an extension of the six month rule for Councillor Mick Martin on ill-health grounds until 27th January 2018 and expressed its best wishes to him for a speedy recovery.

24.

QUESTIONS FROM COUNCILLORS

A period of 30 minutes will be allocated for this item to include those questions where notice has been provided (as set out on the agenda below) and questions which may be asked without notice.

 

Members wishing to ask a question without notice should indicate this intention to the Interim Democratic Services Team Manager prior to the commencement of the item.  Members’ names will be drawn at random by the Chairman until there are no further questions or until the expiration of the time period.

Minutes:

a)    Councillor Aidan van de Weyer

 

Councillor van de Weyer asked the following question:

 

‘What factors do the Leader and the Portfolio Holder consider to represent threats to the Cambridge Green Belt?’

 

Councillor Tim Wotherspoon, Portfolio Holder for Strategic Planning replied: 

 

‘I was a panelist in London at the end of January.  Constraint on development is a big issue for London and in the light of calls for a rational approach to release, namely that taking 2% out of the London Green Belt could yield 400,000 houses, I had been asked to speak about our local experience fifteen years ago of releasing Green Belt land for Cambridge Southern Fringe, Cambridge East, NIAB and North West Cambridge.

 

In fact I am a passionate defender of the Cambridge Green Belt.  As you know, only a small part of this is inside Cambridge City.  The rest takes up about a quarter of our administrative area, and a little spills over into East Cambridgeshire to the north east of the city.

 

Responses to public consultations indicate that the Green Belt is valued equally by residents on both sides of the City Council boundary.

 

There is a key distinction to be drawn between a modern city with a historic core, of which there are many examples throughout the world, and a compact historic city – where the historic core is large relative to the overall size of the city.  This feature, not held by many places other than Cambridge, is a central component of the unique selling point of Cambridge in competing on the global stage for knowledge-intensive businesses seeking high quality of life, to appeal to the kind of footloose talent on which our economic success depends.

 

Turning to the specifics of the question, first of all I wouldn’t use the word ‘threats’.  Green Belt is a positive use of land (to preserve the setting of the City and to prevent coalescence), but occasionally parts of it may have to yield to other positive uses of land, in exceptional circumstances at Local Plan stage, or very special circumstances through a planning application – of which a recent example is the hospice development at the Babraham Park and Ride site.

 

I mentioned the releases in the last round of plan-making.  In the current submission we are proposing very limited releases of Green Belt for housing at Histon and Impington and Sawston, for example, some of our most sustainable villages.  Agents and developers are challenging the omission of their land at Green Belt sites in Great Shelford, Fulbourn, Comberton, Histon and Impington, Sawston, Girton and so on, and the Inspector has scheduled examination hearings on these in June.

 

There are also challenges on a larger scale, some much larger, from promoters of land north of Barton Road, at Trumpington Meadows, between the M11 and Shelford Road, between Cambridge Road and Fulbourn Road and around Fen Ditton.  The examinations on these will occur in July. 

 

In terms of employment land, we made an initial allocation to release  ...  view the full minutes text for item 24.

25.

CHAIRMAN'S ENGAGEMENTS

To NOTE the following engagements attended by the Chairman and Vice-Chairman since the last Council meeting:

 

Date

Event/Venue

Attended

March 2017

 

 

Thursday 09

Community Awards Evening @ South Cambs

Chair/Vice Chair

Saturday 11

Macmillan Ball

Vice Chair

Monday 13

Commonwealth Day – fly a flag @ SCambs

Chair

Sunday 26

Mayor of St Edmundsbury Charity Concert with The Voice Squad

Chair

April 2017

 

 

Monday 10

County Civic Reception for Lord-Lieutenant

Chair

Saturday 22

City of Ely Council-  Mayor's Easter Ball 2017

Vice Chair

Sunday 23

Parkinson Society Fun Run, Scotsdales

Chair

Sunday 23

Royal Society of St George – Annual Service

Chair

Sunday 23

Royal Society of St George – Annual Service and Dinner

Vice Chair

Monday 24

WI Cambridge – Annual Council Meeting

Chair

Friday 28

Chairman of Forest Heath’s Dinner/Dance

Vice Chair

 

 

 

May 2017

 

 

Monday 08

Mayor & Consort of St Edmundsbury's Charity Golf Day

Vice Chair

Wednesday 10

St Ives Mayor Making

Vice Chair

Saturday 13

Mayor of Peterborough's Farewell Ball

Vice Chair

Sunday 14

Mayor of Wisbech - Civic Service

Vice Chair

Monday 15

Mayor Making – City of Ely

Vice Chair

 

 

 

 

Decision:

 

Council NOTED engagements attended by the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Council since the last Council meeting.

Minutes:

 

Council NOTED engagements attended by the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Council since the last Council meeting, subject to the addition of raising the flag for St George’s Day.