Agenda, decisions and minutes

Councillor John Batchelor declared a personal but not prejudicial interest in item 5 of the agenda as the Chairman of Linton Action for Youth a group which had benefited from grants from the Council. Notwithstanding this interest Councillor Batchelor remained in the room and participated in the discussion.

Councillor Batchelor declared a general personal but not prejudicial interest as a County Councillor. Notwithstanding this interest Councillor Batchelor remained in the room and participated in discussions.

The Portfolio Holder is asked to sign the minutes of the meeting held on 17 November 2011 as a correct record.

The minutes of the meeting held on 17 November 2011 were agreed as a correct record.

The Leader

RECOMMENDED TO CABINET     The revenue and capital estimates for 2012/13 and the Capital Programme up to 2016/17, relating to services within the Leader’s Portfolio.

AGREED                                            The Capital Expenditure Proposal Form relating to Community Grants for inclusion in the Capital Programme.

The Principal Accountant (General Fund and Projects) presented this report on the Revenue Estimates for 2012/13 and the Capital Programme up to 2016/17, relating to services within the Leader’s Portfolio. A revised report was circulated at the meeting, which included updated figures following a revision of the estimates.

Cambridgeshire Community Foundation

It was noted that £43,000 had been included in the 2011/12 revised estimates, which was to be paid into the Cambridgeshire Community Foundation by the end of the financial year. The Foundation was expected to then identify its priorities and allocate its funds by June 2012. The Cambridge City and South Cambridgeshire Local Strategic Partnership would be meeting to finalise these arrangements.

Community Transport

The Leader expressed concern that the funding for the £8,500 included in the Community Transport budget still needed to be identified. The Principal Accountant (General Fund and Projects) agreed to report back on this issue.

Capital estimates

It was noted that whilst the Capital Programme could currently be funded by Capital Receipts, a shortfall was predicted for future years due to a decrease in Capital Receipts. The Council would have to consider changes to expenditure and funding in the future.

The Leader

RECOMMENDED TO CABINET     The revenue and capital estimates for 2012/13 and the Capital Programme up to 2016/17, relating to services within the Leader’s Portfolio.

AGREED                                            The Capital Expenditure Proposal Form relating to Community Grants for inclusion in the Capital Programme.

The Leader is requested to approve the attached Parish Plan. John Travis, Chairman of the Parish Plan Steering Committee will be in attendance at the meeting.

Due to the size and content, the Parish Plan is available to view as part of the agenda pack on the Council’s website at www.scambs.gov.uk/meetings. Copies of the Plan will be available at the meeting.

The Leader AGREED the Melbourn Parish Plan as presented at the meeting.

This item was discussed before item 3.

The Leader welcomed Cllr Alan Brett, Cllr John Pooley and John Travis and invited them to present the Melbourn Parish Plan. They began by thanking the Council for supporting the project through funding and advice, with particular thanks extended to the Community Support Liaison Officer.

The following facts were noted:

·         The Plan was timely, as the previous Plan had been completed in the 1970s.

·         The Plan had been completed on time and within budget.

·         2,100 questionnaires had been sent out by 75 volunteers who had also managed to ensure a return rate of 52%.

·         Melbourn had a population of 4,750, with 2,100 homes.

·         There was a good housing mix, with approximately 25% social housing.

·         The village had a primary school and village college.

·         Melbourn had over 100 businesses, which had a combined turnover of approximately £250 million and employed over a 1,000 people.

New village hall

Councillor Jose Hales explained that the Parish Council was liaising with Hundred Housing over the possible construction of a new village hall in order to provide a central meeting place for the community.

Traffic and travel

It was noted that public transport to and from Royston and Cambridge stopped in the early evening.

Councillor Hales asked the Leader to support the Parish Council in its request for funding from the County Council for the construction of a crossing point.

Implementation of the Action Plan

It was explained that the reason why timescales for the various actions were so challenging was to ensure that the momentum generated by the Parish Plan was not lost.

The Leader AGREED the Melbourn Parish Plan as presented at the meeting.

To make up to three appointments to the Cambridgeshire Joint Strategic Planning Board.  A paper from Cambridgeshire Together is attached for information.

It was noted that the Council had three positions on this Board: two Conservative members and one Liberal Democrat. The Leader

AGREED        To appoint Councillors Ray Manning and Tim Wotherspoon to the Cambridgeshire Joint Strategic Planning Board, with Councillors Nick Wright and Peter Topping as substitutes.

The Leader requested that the Liberal Democrat announce their nomination to the Board at the next meeting of Council.

The Leader presented this item, which requested that the Council appoint three members to the newly appointed Cambridgeshire Joint Strategic Planning Board. The Leader

AGREED        To appoint Councillors Ray Manning and Tim Wotherspoon to the Cambridgeshire Joint Strategic Planning Board, with Councillors Nick Wright and Peter Topping as substitutes.

The Leader requested that the Liberal Democrat announce their nomination to the Board at the next meeting of Council.

The Leader

AGREED        to the proposal for streamlining the Council’s existing grant schemes as outlined in the report for implementation from April 2012.

The Corporate Manager, Community and Customer Services, presented this report which outlined proposed changes to the existing grant schemes in place across the Council.

Fewer Portfolio Holder meetings

The Leader supported the plan to ensure that all capital grants of less than £1,000 should be approved outside Portfolio Holder meetings by the Leader and one other Portfolio Holder. It was noted that this could reduce the number of Portfolio Holder meetings.

Grant finding software

It was noted that a report would be taken to the Leader’s next Portfolio Holder meeting in March to discuss the possible benefits of using GRANTfinder, which would enable the authority to search a database for available grant funding. It was suggested that the software should be purchased if it could secure funding in excess of its cost.

Partnership grants

The Leader requested that a report be taken to his next Portfolio Holder’s meeting on partnership grants, detailing the grants to agencies that do not apply for funding against set criteria, but deliver a service on behalf of the authority.

The Leader

AGREED        to the proposal for streamlining the Council’s existing grant schemes as outlined in the report for implementation from April 2012.

The Corporate Manager for Community and Customer Services presented this report, which summarised the decisions made to allocate Community Chest grants, since the schemes inception in October 2011.

The Leader expressed his support for the scheme, which contributed relatively small amounts of funding to make a real difference for communities within the District.

The Leader NOTED the report.

The Leader examined the Forward Plan, which listed the items to be discussed at his Portfolio Holder meetings for the rest of the municipal year.

It was noted that the meetings due to be held on 15 February 2012 and 19 April 2012 were cancelled as decisions regarding Community Chest Grants would now be taken outside the meetings. It was further noted that reports on grant finding software and grants to partnerships would be taken to the next meeting of the Portfolio Holder on 15 March 2012.

The Leader NOTED the Forward Plan.

The next meeting is scheduled for 10am, Thursday 15 March 2012.

It was noted that the next meeting will be held on 15 March 2012 at 10am.