Issue - meetings

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting held on 13 October 2016 as a correct record.

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 13 October 2016 were confirmed and signed by the Chairman as a correct record, subject to the following amendments:

·         the replacement of the second paragraph at minute number 4 in relation to a question by Carolyn Postgate where Councillor Francis Burkitt referred to University and College landholdings with the following:

‘Councillor Burkitt responded to the suspicion that the University might be seeking large scale greenbelt development by the back door by remarking that the landowners of the non-West Cambridge part of the West Fields were certain colleges rather than the University.  Mr Coates correcting him, stating that the University was a minority landowner alongside the majority college owners.  Councillor Burkitt accepted the correction.’

·         the removal and addition of words to the paragraph at minute number 9 which commences ‘with regard to the suggested hybrid of options recommended by the Local Liaison Forum …’, so that it reads as follows:

‘With regard to Scotland Farm, Councillor Burkitt made the point that this represented a site on the very limit of the greenbelt which he thought was worthy of consideration.  He highlighted, however, that some thought would need to be given to whether that meant the busway should instead sit north of the A428.’

With regard to minute number 3 and Councillor Burkitt’s declaration of interest, he noted it had been suggested that he should have also declared the work that he and his employer undertook as a debt adviser to the University and certain colleges.  In 2012 his employer advised the University on a £350 million bond issue and in 2013 it advised 17 colleges on a £150 million debt private placement, for which the firm received fees.  These transactions were in the public domain and Councillor Burkitt was part of the team providing this advice.  The firm had no retainer or on-going relationship or work with the University or colleges, or any expectation of future work.  Councillor Burkitt had judged that, because the work was some years ago, in the past, closed and not on-going, it did not need disclosing at the meeting.  He felt it prudent to place this on public record.

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting held on 29 September 2016 as a correct record.

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 29 September 2016 were confirmed and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.