Agenda, decisions and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber - South Cambs Hall. View directions

Contact: Jonathan Malton  01954 713000 Email: democratic.services@scambs.gov.uk

Media

Items
No. Item

1.

Announcements

Minutes:

There were no announcements.

2.

Apologies for Absence

To receive Apologies for Absence from Cabinet members. 

Minutes:

There were Apologies for Absence from Councillor Dr. Tumi Hawkins, Lead Cabinet Member for Planning.

3.

Declarations of Interest

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest.

4.

Minutes of Previous Meeting pdf icon PDF 155 KB

To authorise the Leader to sign the Minutes of the meeting held on Monday, 14 November 2022 as a correct record.

Minutes:

Cabinet authorised the Leader to sign, as a correct record, the Minutes of the meeting held on Monday, 14 November 2022.

5.

Public Questions

The deadline for receipt of public questions is 23:59 on Tuesday, 6 December 2022.

The Council’s scheme for public speaking at committee meetings may be inspected here:

Public Speaking Scheme

Minutes:

One request to speak from a member of the public was received ahead of the meeting. This was subsequently refused as it didn’t accord with the Public Speaking Scheme.

6.

Issues Arising from the Scrutiny and Overview Committee pdf icon PDF 226 KB

Minutes:

Cabinet noted the Scrutiny and Overview report summarising the meeting held on Tuesday, 15 November 2022, relating to the following agenda items:

 

  • Quarter Two Performance Report
  • General Fund Revenue Bids and Savings

 

There were also updates regarding the following items:

 

  • The Future Use of South Cambridgeshire Hall
  • Young People Task & Finish Group
  • Newmarket Road Ice Rink

7.

2022-2023 Quarter Two Performance Report pdf icon PDF 246 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

Cabinet:

 

Reviewed the Key Performance Indicators results and comments at Appendix A and progress against Business Plan actions at Appendix B, recommending, where appropriate, any actions required to address issues identified, and approving onward submission to Cabinet.

Minutes:

Cabinet received the Performance Report for quarter two of 2022-2023. Councillor Brian Milnes, Deputy Leader, introduced the report and noted the progress of the key performance indicators against business plan, and any actions for Officers.

 

After a short discussion, Cabinet:

 

Reviewed the Key Performance Indicators results and comments at Appendix A and progress against Business Plan actions at Appendix B, recommending, where appropriate, any actions required to address issues identified, and approving onward submission to Cabinet.

8.

Providing Additional Self-Contained Accommodation for Single Homeless pdf icon PDF 139 KB

Decision:

Cabinet:

 

Supportedthis proposed scheme to increase the supply of self-contained single person accommodation.

Minutes:

Cabinet received the Additional Self-Contained Accommodation for Single Homeless report. Councillor Bridget Smith, Leader of the Council, moved the recommendations and Councillor John Batchelor, Lead Cabinet Member for Housing, introduced the report, and commented on the partnership between Ermine Street Housing and Shire Homes to deliver this proposal.

 

Councillor Bridget Smith closed the discussion, noted the ongoing problem, thanked Officers for their work, and Cabinet:

 

Supportedthis proposed scheme to increase the supply of self-contained single person accommodation.

9.

Waterbeach Renewable Energy Network (Solar Project) - Update pdf icon PDF 233 KB

Decision:

Cabinet:

 

Noted the update for the Waterbeach Renewable Energy Network (WREN) Business Case.

Minutes:

Cabinet received the Waterbeach Renewable Energy Network (WREN) business case update. Councillor Brian Milnes, Deputy Leader, introduced the report, and significant funding from the Cambridge and Peterborough Combined Authority, to increase the electric capacity through renewable energy at the Waterbeach Depot.

 

Councillor Henry Batchelor, Lead Cabinet Member for Environmental Services and Licensing, was pleased with the funding coming from the Combined Authority and thanked the Officers at the Council for their ongoing work with the business case.

 

Councillor Richard Stobart asked for the next steps after the implementation of the current phase of the project. Councillor Brian Milnes responded that the provision of renewables can be increased. The Head of Climate, Environment and Waste commented that the Council wants a phased replacement of the current refuse vehicles and further data from the current fleet of electric vehicles would be required.

 

Councillor Sue Ellington requested how the electric vehicles will be charged during inclement weather. Councillor Brian Milnes responded that there would be back-up from the national grid, and any snow accumulated on the solar panels would melt due to the generated heat.

 

After a short discussion, Councillor Bridget Smith, Leader of the Council closed the discussion, and Cabinet:

 

Noted the update for the Waterbeach Renewable Energy Network (WREN) Business Case.

10.

2022/2023 Revenue and Capital Budget Monitoring (Quarter 2) pdf icon PDF 378 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

Cabinet:

 

a)    Noted the 2022/23 revenue position against the approved revenue budget to date shown in Appendix B, the projected major variances with reasons for these variances at Appendices C1 to C7 and the action being taken to address the underlying issues.

b)    Noted the latest Capital Programme 2022/23 position [and variances, if any] as shown in Appendix D.

Minutes:

Cabinet received the Revenue and Capital Budget Monitoring report for quarter two 2022-2023. Councillor John Williams, Lead Cabinet Member for Resources, introduced the report, and mentioned the continued instability of the economy, but also, thanked Officers for distributing the payments for the Government’s Energy Bills Support Scheme.

 

Councillor Bridget Smith, Leader of the Council, closed the item, thanked Officers for their work over the past quarter, and Cabinet:

 

a)    Noted the 2022/23 revenue position against the approved revenue budget to date shown in Appendix B, the projected major variances with reasons for these variances at Appendices C1 to C7 and the action being taken to address the underlying issues.

b)    Noted the latest Capital Programme 2022/23 position [and variances, if any] as shown in Appendix D.

11.

Medium Term Financial Strategy (First Submission) pdf icon PDF 486 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

Cabinet:

 

a)    Acknowledged the projected changes in service spending and the overall resources available to the Council over the medium term to 2027/2028.

b)    Recommended to Full Council the updated Medium Term Financial Strategy once the 2023/2024 budget is complete and the settlement finalised.

 

Please note this is a recommendation to Full Council, and not subject to call-in.

Minutes:

Cabinet received the first submission of the General Fund Medium-Term Financial Strategy. Councillor John Williams, Lead Cabinet Member for Resources, introduced the report, highlighting the unstable economic forecasts and the Fair Funding Review due in 2025-2026. Councillor John Williams also commented on the reduction of income from business rates.

 

Councillor Brian Milnes thanked the Head of Finance and Officers within the department for their ongoing work with the Medium-Term Financial Strategy.

 

After a short discussion, Councillor Bridget Smith, Leader of the Council noted that the provisional local Government settlement for 2023-2024 was likely to be released on 21 December, and Cabinet:

 

a)    Acknowledged the projected changes in service spending and the overall resources available to the Council over the medium term to 2027/2028.

b)    Recommended to Full Council the updated Medium Term Financial Strategy once the 2023/2024 budget is complete and the settlement finalised.

12.

General Fund Revenue Bids and Savings pdf icon PDF 236 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

Cabinet:

 

a)    Noted the growth bids put forward (both one off and ongoing), detailed at Appendix A and B and consider whether those for 2023/2024 should be included in the Budget to be proposed in February 2023. 

b)    Noted the proposed range of service efficiency savings/additional income detailed in Appendix C and D and consider whether those for 2023/2024 should be included in the Budget to be proposed in February 2023.

Minutes:

Cabinet received the General Fund Revenue Bids and Savings. Councillor John Williams, Lead Cabinet Member for Resources, introduced the report, and the proposed savings and bids for the next financial year.

 

Councillor Brian Milnes, Deputy Leader, thanked Officers for their work and considered the Council’s position when compared to other Local Government authorities across the Country.

 

Councillor Bridget Smith, Leader of the Council, commented on the ongoing uncertainty with local government finances, and Cabinet:

 

a)    Noted the growth bids put forward (both one off and ongoing), detailed at Appendix A and B and consider whether those for 2023/2024 should be included in the Budget to be proposed in February 2023. 

b)    Noted the proposed range of service efficiency savings/additional income detailed in Appendix C and D and consider whether those for 2023/2024 should be included in the Budget to be proposed in February 2023.

13.

Capital Programme Update & New Bids pdf icon PDF 326 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

Cabinet:

 

a)    Considered the capital programme bids for new projects outline at Appendix A and to determine whether to approve the new capital schemes. 

b)    Recommended to Full Council the revised capital programme for the period 2022/2023 to 2027/2028, at Appendix B for the General Fund and at Appendix C for the Housing Revenue Account, to reflect the new scheme bids, amendments to the programme and the reprofiling of expenditure identified in the report.

 

Please note this is a recommendation to Full Council, and not subject to call-in.

Minutes:

Cabinet received the update to the Capital Programme and New Bids. Councillor John Williams, Lead Cabinet Member for Resources, introduced the report, and highlighted the work of the officers for the Council’s investments.

 

Councillor Brian Milnes, Deputy Leader, also thanked the relevant Officers, and was pleased with the Council’s approach to investments.

 

Councillor Bridget Smith, Leader of the Council, thanked the Chief Operating Officer and the Head of Finance, and Cabinet:

 

a)    Considered the capital programme bids for new projects outline at Appendix A and to determine whether to approve the new capital schemes. 

b)    Recommended to Full Council the revised capital programme for the period 2022/2023 to 2027/2028, at Appendix B for the General Fund and at Appendix C for the Housing Revenue Account, to reflect the new scheme bids, amendments to the programme and the reprofiling of expenditure identified in the report.