Decisions

The Self and Custom Housebuilding Act 2015 and the Housing and Planning Act 2016 place a statutory duty on all local authorities to hold and promote a register of self-build applicants, hold a land register and provide sufficient appropriate planning consents to meet demand.

We recognise that there is a need for more housing options to be made available across the district. As an existing Right to Build Vanguard Authority we are leading on best practice in the region. Part of our offer as a Right to Build Vanguard Authority was the identification and promotion of 100 self-build plots in our district.

As part of a wider Self Build Business Case, this programme was put before EMT on 6^th April 2016 and subsequently approved by Cabinet on 14^th July 2016. The aim is to sell sufficient HRA owned plots of land with outline planning permission and use receipts into the HRA to fund out new build affordable council homes matched funded with Right to Buy receipts and commuted sums.

The HRA Business Plan for new build affordable rented council housing is predicated on the successful sale of the identified pipeline of HRA owned plots (subject to planning) to bring the funds into the HRA that allow onward new build development in our rural district referencing Local Plan and City Deal targets of which this function will support albeit at around 30 – 40 new homes per year from 2018/19.

The site north west of 14 Macaulay Avenue, Great Shelford, CB22 5AE was identified as one of those plots. The site has achieved outline planning permission: S/1769/17/OL and is now ready to be marketed and sold.

In line with the HRA Asset Sustainability Policy (Disposals and Acquisitions) – [Supplementary document to the Asset Management Strategy], the sale of land is exempted from Secretary of State approval under general consent, namely the General Housing Consents 2013 – Section 32 of the Housing Act 1985. Under S32 the local authority has the power to dispose of land and dwellings held for housing purposes.

Outline planning permission reference S/1769/17/OL was given on 11^th January 2018 for 3 detached houses.

Any sale will follow marketing both to the existing applicant register as well as general public marketing to ensure best value is achieved. Final sale value will be certified as market value by an independent valuer. Final sign off is need by Portfolio Holder and Director over final sale once value is known.

Approval granted for the sale of HRA owned land north west of 14 Macaulay Avenue, Great Shelford, CB22 6AE which has outline planning permission for 3 detached houses.

The Self and Custom Housebuilding Act 2015 and the Housing and Planning Act 2016 place a statutory duty on all local authorities to hold and promote a register of self-build applicants, hold a land register and provide sufficient appropriate planning consents to meet demand.

We recognise that there is a need for more housing options to be made available across the district. As an existing Right to Build Vanguard Authority we are leading on best practice in the region. Part of our offer as a Right to Build Vanguard Authority was the identification and promotion of 100 self-build plots in our district.

As part of a wider Self Build Business Case, this programme was put before EMT on 6^th April 2016 and subsequently approved by Cabinet on 14^th July 2016. The aim is to sell sufficient HRA owned plots of land with outline planning permission and use receipts into the HRA to fund out new build affordable council homes matched funded with Right to Buy receipts and commuted sums.

The HRA Business Plan for new build affordable rented council housing is predicated on the successful sale of the identified pipeline of HRA owned plots (subject to planning) to bring the funds into the HRA that allow onward new build development in our rural district referencing Local Plan and City Deal targets of which this function will support albeit at around 30 – 40 new homes per year from 2018/19.

The site west of 10 Cambridge Road, Balsham, CB21 4HD was identified as one of those plots. The site has achieved outline planning permission: S/1818/17/OL and is now ready to be marketed and sold.

In line with the HRA Asset Sustainability Policy (Disposals and Acquisitions) – [Supplementary document to the Asset Management Strategy], the sale of land is exempted from Secretary of State approval under general consent, namely the General Housing Consents 2013 – Section 32 of the Housing Act 1985. Under S32 the local authority has the power to dispose of land and dwellings held for housing purposes.

Outline planning permission reference S/1818/17/OL was given on 3^rd November 2017 for 1 detached house.

Any sale will follow marketing both to the existing applicant register as well as general public marketing to ensure best value is achieved. Final sale value will be certified as market value by an independent valuer. Final sign off is need by Portfolio Holder and Director over final sale once value is known.

Approval granted for the sale of HRA owned land adjacent (west) of 10 Cambridge Road, Balsham CB21 4HD which has outline planning permission for 1 detached house.

The Self and Custom Housebuilding Act 2015 and the Housing and Planning Act 2016 place a statutory duty on all local authorities to hold and promote a register of self-build applicants, hold a land register and provide sufficient appropriate planning consents to meet demand.

We recognise that there is a need for more housing options to be made available across the district. As an existing Right to Build Vanguard Authority we are leading on best practice in the region. Part of our offer as a Right to Build Vanguard Authority was the identification and promotion of 100 self-build plots in our district.

As part of a wider Self Build Business Case, this programme was put before EMT on 6^th April 2016 and subsequently approved by Cabinet on 14^th July 2016. The aim is to sell sufficient HRA owned plots of land with outline planning permission and use receipts into the HRA to fund out new build affordable council homes matched funded with Right to Buy receipts and commuted sums.

The HRA Business Plan for new build affordable rented council housing is predicated on the successful sale of the identified pipeline of HRA owned plots (subject to planning) to bring the funds into the HRA that allow onward new build development in our rural district referencing Local Plan and City Deal targets of which this function will support albeit at around 30 – 40 new homes per year from 2018/19.

The site to the rear of 1 Benet Close, Milton. CB24 6AL was identified as one of those plots. The site has achieved outline planning permission: S/2989/17/OL and is now ready to be marketed and sold.

In line with the HRA Asset Sustainability Policy (Disposals and Acquisitions) – [Supplementary document to the Asset Management Strategy], the sale of land is exempted from Secretary of State approval under general consent, namely the General Housing Consents 2013 – Section 32 of the Housing Act 1985. Under S32 the local authority has the power to dispose of land and dwellings held for housing purposes.

Outline planning permission reference S/2989/17/OL was given on 7^th December 2017 for 1 detached house.

Any sale will follow marketing both to the existing applicant register as well as general public marketing to ensure best value is achieved. Final sale value will be certified as market value by an independent valuer. Final sign off is need by Portfolio Holder and Director over final sale once value is known.

Approval granted for the sale of HRA owned land to rear of 1 Benet Close, Milton. CB24 6AL which has outline planning permission for 1 detached house.

The following motion was LOST:

This Council recognises that a significant part of South Cambridgeshire’s economy is dependent on frictionless trade with the EU, both in goods and services.

This Council therefore requests that the Chief Executive write to the Secretary of State for Exiting the EU and to the Prime Minister to request that during the withdrawal negotiations, the government seeks to remain part of the single market and customs union.

The following motion was LOST:

This Council allocates the sum of £10,000 towards the cost of commissioning, in collaboration with other councils and interested bodies, an analysis of the impact of leaving the European Union on the economy of Cambridgeshire in order to support residents and businesses in planning for Brexit.

Council AGREED:

(1)  To note the resignation of Councillor Crocker and that since the resignation is within six months of the 3 May 2018 elections, there will be no election to fill this vacancy.

(2)  To note the political composition of the Council as set out in paragraph 5 of the report but that no adjustments to the allocation of seats are required.

(3)  To appoint Councillor Cone to fill the current vacancy on the Audit and Corporate Governance Committee.

(4)  To confirm the appointment of Councillor Bard to serve on the Civic Affairs Committee.

To appraise Members of the Employment Committee of the requirements of the Localism Act in relation to a pay policy statement.

Council AGREED:

To approve the Pay Policy Statement.

Council AGREED:

That the Localised Council Tax Support Scheme be continued into 2018/19 with minor technical changes where necessary.

To consider the responses received through public consultation to the Community Governance Review of Willingham and Over parish boundary and make a recommendation to Council, taking into account of legislation, guidance and the CGR Terms of Reference.

Following amendment of the original recommendation of the Civic Affairs Committee, Council AGREED:

(1)  To agree the alternative boundary, as shown on the green line, less the red cross hatched area, in the newly circulated map marked L1; and

(2)  To make a request to the Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE) to re-align the County Council boundary along the new parish boundary.

To consider applications received for Community Chest funding.  These applications were due to be considered at the Finance and Staffing Portfolio holder meeting on the 19 January 2018.  The meeting was cancelled and therefore the applications were considered outside of the meeting by the Finance & Staffing Portfolio Holder.

The Community Chest is grant funding available to voluntary and community sector groups, charities, parish councils and public sector bodies wishing to further improve quality of life in South Cambridgeshire. Applicants may apply for up to £1,000 for:

·          Improvements to community facilities (i.e. village halls / pavilions / play areas)

·          Repairs to historic buildings / monuments / memorials

·          Tree and hedge planting

·          Equipment / capital purchase

·          Materials

·          Start-up costs (may include training of staff / volunteers, hall hire and other revenue costs).

The guidance notes and eligibility criteria for 2017/18 can be found at https://www.scambs.gov.uk/communitychest

1.            The amount of funding made available in the Community Chest in 2017/18 was £55,000. At the Finance & Staffing Portfolio Holder meeting on the 22 August and additional £30,000 was allocated to the fund, following the withdrawal of funding from an expired capital grant. At the Finance & Staffing Portfolio Holder meeting on the 19 December an additional £4,000 was allocated to the fund, following the return of funding from Cambourne Church/Children’s Centre. This brings the total for 2017/18 to £89,000. The funding is allocated on a first-come first-served basis.

There were 3 applications for funding to be considered. The applications were received between 1 December 2017 and 31 December 2017.

In addition there was one application received from outside the area.  This was not  included for consideration.

The total funding requested equals £2,860.00 The amount of funding remaining for allocation is £5,586.12.

There was an application relating to Comberton for £1,000 and previous awards for Comberton have been made for £2,452.72.  The guidance indicates that up to a maximum of £3,000 per parish can be funded in any financial year to ensure good geographical coverage across the district.

The Portfolio Holder makes all decisions regarding grant funding unless there is a conflict of interest.  On 17 July 2014 the Leader agreed to make decisions on future Community Chest applications at Portfolio Holder meetings.  The responsibility for grants was transferred to the Finance and Staffing Portfolio Holder in May 2016.

The  Finance & Staffing Portfolio Holder agreed the following Community Chest funding:

The scheme is open to both able-bodied and disabled athletes. Priority will go to those taking part in Olympic and Paralympic sports.  The scheme supports any athlete who lives in South Cambridgeshire (if an applicant studies or trains outside South Cambridgeshire they can still apply, provided their family home is in the district.  Applicants who are studying at a College or University within South Cambridgeshire will not be eligible unless they also have a family home within the district).

Grants are awarded to athletes competing at all levels from regional level, national level, to World Class Performance.  Grants are awarded depending on the level at which the applicants are competing, the determination and drive that they have shown to achieve their goals and their potential to reach world class events.  The maximum award is £2,000 per applicant.

A panel advises the Portfolio Holder on the level of grant that should be awarded.  As a result of further information that has been received the Health & Environmental Services Portfolio Holder has recommended the following additional Elite Athlete award:

Lucy Warne – Equestrian Dressage, Age 30 – Bassingbourn, £750

Total awards - £750

Lucy Warne – Equestrian Dressage, Age 30 – Bassingbourn, £750

In the Budget on 8^th March 2017, the Chancellor announced that the Government would establish a £300m discretionary fund over four years from 2017/18 to support those businesses that face the steepest increases in the business rates bills as a result of the revaluation. Local Authorities were required to design and implement their own local relief scheme to best meet the needs of their local businesses.

The Business Rates Discretionary Rate Relief scheme was amended at the Portfolio Holder Meeting in August 2017, setting out the key features of a local scheme. To date, we have awarded almost half of the funding available to those identified within the parameters of the scheme.

An amendment to the Policy has now been agreed by the Portfolio Holder, to state that where funds remain after all applications have been considered, the PFH may decide to vary the amount awarded in order to maximise the benefit to ratepayers.

To ensure that the Council allocates the remaining  Business Rates Local Discretionary Scheme funding, the percentage of relief that is awarded to the Businesses identified in our scheme would change to the following:

Increase > 25%:

Initial Award 10%                            

Award additional 10%, giving a total 20% reduction.

Increase 20-25%              

Initial Award 10%                            

Award additional 5%, giving a total 15% reduction.

Increase 15-20%               

Initial Award 5%                               

Award additional 5%, giving a total 10% reduction.

Increase 10- 15%             

Initial Award 5%                               

Award additional 2.5%, giving a total 7.5% reduction.

The following amendments would allow for approximately £180k of further relief to be allocated. This would still leave around £36k for any additional cases that may arise.