Issue - meetings

The Appendices are available on the Cambridgeshire Horizons website by following the relevant links from www.scambs.gov.uk/meetings 

The Northstowe and New Communities Portfolio Holder

1.                 endorsed the final Cambridgeshire Green Infrastructure Strategy; and

2.                 instructed officers to submit to his Portfolio Holder meeting on an annual basis a report on progress with the Green Infrastructure Strategy.

The Northstowe and New Communities Portfolio Holder considered a report updating him on the completion and publication of the Green Infrastructure Strategy and how the delivery of the Strategy would be monitored.

The Conservation Manager said that the Strategy covered a substantial part of South Cambridgeshire and that the intention always had been that district councils could then consider introducing more local, so-called ‘lower level’ plans if they wanted to.

In response to a question, the Conservation Manager undertook to find out how the Green Infrastructure Forum would be open to public scrutiny. 

The Northstowe and New Communities Portfolio Holder

1. endorsed the final Cambridgeshire Green Infrastructure Strategy; and

2. instructed officers to submit to his Portfolio Holder meeting on an annual basis a report on progress with the Green Infrastructure Strategy.

The New Communities Portfolio Holder agreed

(a)  To support the broad approach of the Strategy contained in Appendices A and B

(b)  that further changes be made to the Strategy so that it can be published for public consultation.

(c)  to endorse, as an urgent decision outside the usual Portfolio Holder schedule of meetings, an acceptable revised version of the Strategy for public consultation, in consultation with the Corporate Manager (Planning and New Communities) and other relevant officers and members.

This decision was published on 1 March 2011 and therefore the Democratic Services Section must be notified of any call in by 8 March 2011. If not called in this decision may be implemented on Wednesday 9 March 2011.

The decision of the New Communities Portfolio Holder on 1 March 2011 with respect to the Cambridgeshire Green Infrastructure Strategy was:

a)      To support the broad approach of the Strategy contained in Appendices A and B.

b)      That further changes be made to the Strategy so that it can be published for public consultation.

c)      To endorse, as an urgent decision outside the usual Portfolio Holder schedule of meetings, an acceptable revised version of the Strategy for public consultation, in consultation with the Corporate Manager (Planning and New Communities) and other relevant officers and members.

A revised strategy was received on 22 February and has been checked by officers.

Limited changes to the Strategy have subsequently been agreed with Cambridgeshire Horizons.

The purpose of this decision is to endorse the revised version of the Cambridgeshire Green Infrastructure Strategy for public consultation on the basis that the changes will be made.

With the agreement of the Chairman of the Scrutiny and Overview Committee the call-in period has been waved. 

The New Communities Portfolio Holder agreed

(a)  To support the broad approach of the Strategy contained in Appendices A and B

(b)  that further changes be made to the Strategy so that it can be published for public consultation.

(c)  to endorse, as an urgent decision outside the usual Portfolio Holder schedule of meetings, an acceptable revised version of the Strategy for public consultation, in consultation with the Corporate Manager (Planning and New Communities) and other relevant officers and members

This decision was published on 26 January 2011.  Democratic Services must be notified of any call in by 5 pm on the call-in expiration date 2 February 2011.  All decisions not called in may be implemented the next working day after the call-in expiration date.

Appendices A and B, and the Glossary, are attached to the electronic version of the agenda.

The New Communities Portfolio Holder agreed

(a)  To support the broad approach of the Strategy contained in Appendices A and B

(b)  that further changes be made to the Strategy so that it can be published for public consultation.

(c)  to endorse, as an urgent decision outside the usual Portfolio Holder schedule of meetings, an acceptable revised version of the Strategy for public consultation, in consultation with the Corporate Manager (Planning and New Communities) and other relevant officers and members.

The New Communities Portfolio Holder considered a report providing an update on progress with the Green Infrastructure Strategy review being prepared by Cambridgeshire Horizons in partnership with local authorities and other key stakeholders, sought support for the actions needed to help Cambridgeshire Horizons complete the consultation draft, and sought endorsement of the Strategy for public consultation.

He noted that the aim was to secure an evidence base, which could be relied upon during the Examination in Public to help justify Section 106 monies in respect of open space.

The New Communities Portfolio Holder agreed

(a)  to support the broad approach of the Strategy contained in Appendices A and B

(b)  that further changes be made to the Strategy so that it can be published for public consultation.

(c)  to endorse, as an urgent decision outside the usual Portfolio Holder schedule of meetings, an acceptable revised version of the Strategy for public consultation, in consultation with the Corporate Manager (Planning and New Communities) and other relevant officers and members.

The Planning Portfolio Holder RECOMMENDED that the Council’s reply to the Green Infrastructure Strategy consultation should be:

(a)               The Council supports the role that an effective strategy will have in the protection, creation and management of green infrastructure.

(b)               The Council supports the development of a strategy which will provide a robust and defensible basis for green infrastructure planning and delivery, for both existing communities and the growth areas. 

(c)               The Council has significant concerns about the approach and content of the draft Green Infrastructure Strategy as set out in this report and previous officer comments to Cambridgeshire Horizons.

(d)               The Council will require major changes to the strategy addressing its concerns before it will be able to endorse it.

(e)               Council officers will work with Cambridgeshire Horizons and other partners to achieve the changes required.

Decision taken 2 March 2010 and published 3 March 2010.  Call-in expires at 5 pm on 10 March 2010.  Decision can be implemented from 11 March 2010 if not called-in.

To respond to consultation by Cambridgeshire Horizons.

The Planning Portfolio Holder AGREED that the Council’s reply to the Green Infrastructure Strategy consultation should be:

(a)               The Council supports the role that an effective strategy will have in the protection, creation and management of green infrastructure.

(b)               The Council supports the development of a strategy which will provide a robust and defensible basis for green infrastructure planning and delivery, for both existing communities and the growth areas. 

(c)               The Council has significant concerns about the approach and content of the draft Green Infrastructure Strategy as set out in this report and previous officer comments to Cambridgeshire Horizons.

(d)               The Council will require major changes to the strategy addressing its concerns before it will be able to endorse it.

(e)               Council officers will work with Cambridgeshire Horizons and other partners to achieve the changes required.

The Planning Portfolio Holder considered a report on the Cambridgeshire Green Infrastructure Strategy consultation.

The Local Development Framework Team Leader informed the Portfolio Holder that, while the principles set out in the document were to be welcomed, she had a few concerns with the consultation draft relating to

·           Methodology

·           The need for a robust evidence base

·           Need to work in partnership with Cambridgeshire Horizons

·           Resource implications

·           Criticism of the baseline and delivery reports set out in paragraph 26 of the report

The New Communities Portfolio Holder emphasised that Green Infrastructure provided an environmental support system set within, and contributing to, a high quality natural, historic and built environment. which helped create places that were attractive, healthy and gave a good quality of life, and that delivered a range of other social, economic and environmental benefits.

The Planning Portfolio Holder said it was important to strike a balance between the demand for Green Infrastructure and the need for agricultural land.

The Planning Portfolio Holder agreed that the Council’s reply to the Green Infrastructure Strategy consultation should be:

(a)               The Council supports the role that an effective strategy will have in the protection, creation and management of green infrastructure.

(b)               The Council supports the development of a strategy, which will provide a robust and defensible basis for green infrastructure planning and delivery, for both existing communities and the growth areas. 

(c)               The Council has significant concerns about the approach and content of the draft Green Infrastructure Strategy as set out in this report and previous officer comments to Cambridgeshire Horizons.

(d)               The Council will require major changes to the strategy addressing its concerns before it will be able to endorse it.

(e)               Council officers will work with Cambridgeshire Horizons and other partners to achieve the changes required.

The Green Infrastructure Strategy Review consultation period runs from 25 January to 7 March 2010.

Background

Green Infrastructure describes a network of public open spaces, routes, wildlife habitats, landscapes and historic sites.  It is key to creating places that are attractive, healthy and give a good quality of life, and deliver a range of other social, economic and environmental benefits.

In 2006 Cambridgeshire Horizons and partners (including South Cambridgeshire District Council) produced the first Green Infrastructure Strategy for the Cambridge Sub-Region.  This Strategy has been successful in helping to secure funding for many Green Infrastructure projects across the County including ones which are making a major difference to the District, e.g. an ambitious scheme at Trumpington Meadows, funded by the Housing Growth Fund and other grants, is increasing wildlife in and around the river and making it more enjoyable for people to visit.  Information about this strategy can be found at the following link:

www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/environment/countryside/natureconservation/delivering/greenvision

The new strategy will cover all of Cambridgeshire.  It is intended to be better integrated with the planning process and deliver wider and new objectives such as supporting healthy communities and climate change adaptation and mitigation.

The content and success of the existing strategy has been reviewed, along with other baseline information and links to neighbouring strategies.  Current and new projects have been considered for inclusion.

As part of this review Cambridgeshire Horizons and partners are seeking the views of residents and stakeholders on the key points of the new Strategy through a formal consultation process.

The consultation period runs from 25 January to 7 March.  There will be a series of staffed events in South Cambridgeshire (see below) as well as information distributed to all Parish Councils and libraries in the District.  The consultation will be promoted on Cambridgeshire Horizons and local authority web sites.  A questionnaire will be available online or in paper format, and should be returned to Cambridgeshire Horizons by the 7 March 2010.

Consultation Events in South Cambs: Green Infrastructure Review

Once the consultation starts the following link will become live and will provide more information about the consultation: www.cambridgeshirehorizons.co.uk/greenvision

The Summary Report can be viewed by following this link:

www.cambridgeshirehorizons.co.uk/Document_links.asp?sec_id=811

The PDF document amounts to 8194KB

Supported the development of the Green Infrastructure Strategy and recommended that the Conservation, Sustainability and Community Planning Portfolio Holder urges Cabinet to support the adoption of the Strategy as Council Policy, and authorises  officers to continue to work with partners to secure the Strategy’s long-term delivery.

The Conservation and Design Advisory Group considered a report on the Green Infrastructure Strategy.

The Chairman referred to paragraph 12 of the report, which highlighted the impact on the South Cambridgeshire landscape of a number of on-going initiatives.

A Member highlighted the opportunities to provide biodiversity refuges alongside the proposed Guided Bus route.

The Conservation and Design Advisory Group

1.         SUPPORTED the development of the Green Infrastructure Strategy; and

2.         RECOMMENDED that the Conservation, Sustainability and Community Planning Portfolio Holder urges Cabinet to support the adoption of the Strategy as Council Policy, and authorises  officers to continue to work with partners to secure the Strategy’s long-term delivery.

Recommended as report 

The Conservation Advisory Group considered a report on the proposed development  of a  “Green Infrastructure Strategy”  for  the Cambridgeshire sub-region. 

The Conservation Manager highlighted the need to encourage the provision of Green infrastructure as part of proposed development, thus enabling Section 106 contributions to be channelled into providing other types on infrastructure.  He added that ongoing revenue costs would be negligible from the Council’s point of view as management would be undertaken by outside bodies. 

The Conservation Advisory Group RECOMMENDED that the Conservation, Sustainability and Community Planning Portfolio Holder support the development of  the  proposed  “Green Infrastructure Strategy”, and allocate the unexpended  revenue commitment towards a survey of watercourses,  under the budget for Ecological Support Services, and support funding of the project, subject to leverage of other partnership funding and completion during 2005/06.