Agenda, decisions and minutes

There were no declarations of interest.

The Portfolio Holder is asked to sign the minutes of the meeting held on 11 June 2015 as a correct record.

The Economic Development Portfolio Holder signed, as a correct record, the Minutes of the meeting held on 11 June 2015, subject to the following.

In respect of Minute 5 (Assets of Community Value), the Economic Development Portfolio Holder deleted the final paragraph, namely

“The Sustainable Communities and Partnerships Manager updated those present about progress with Article 4 Directions, now to be covered by Secondary Legislation. The effect will be to remove Permitted Development Rights for five years from any Drinking Establishments that are listed on the Council’s register of ACVs”

and asked officers to replace it with a new paragraph expanding on, and clarifying, the situation.

1.              In relation to the Landbeach Tithe Barn, the Economic Development Portfolio Holder

(a)            agreed the draft Heads of Terms in Appendix 1, to form the basis of a lease with the Landbeach Tithe Barn Trust, subject to acceptable terms and Conditions; and

(b)            authorised officers to send a Letter of Intent to the Shadow Trust

2.              In relation to the Sawston Tannery Drying Shed, the Economic Development Portfolio Holder

(a)            Noted the grant offered by Historic England for repair works;

(b)            endorsed enforcement action subject to appropriate authority and identification of the required funding;and

(c)            instructed officers to arrange a site visit for the Portfolio Holder, local Members and other interested Members.

3.              In relation to St. Denis Church, East Hatley, the Economic Development Portfolio Holder noted that legal work was continuing for its transfer y to the Friends of Friendless Churches.

The Economic Development Portfolio Holder considered a report on Heritage Guardianship sites.

Landbeach Tithe Barn

Councillor James Hockney (a local Member) had submitted comments welcoming the progress made so far.

The Portfolio Holder and those present noted that a contractor had been appointed to carry out urgent works to safeguard the barn from further deterioration, and a provisional date of 3October 2015 had been agreed for works to commence.  It was likely that the contractor would be able to carry out the works with access from the Council’s land. 

The Portfolio Holder and those present noted that, in principle, the Tithe Barn Trust and South Cambridgeshire District Council had agreed to enter into a 25-year lease. The Portfolio Holder said that, upon conclusion of that term, the Council would no doubt seek to transfer the freehold to the Trust, or else to enter into another lease. In the meantime however, a lease was seen as the best way to try and find a sustainable future for the Barn while protecting the Council’s interests.

Councillor Bridget Smith described the make-up of the Trust as very impressive, and said that the Letter of Intent to lease would help it to secure funding.

A Landbeach Parish Council spokeman addressed the meeting. His concerns related to vehicular access to the site, and the term of the lease. In reply the Portfolio Holder reiterated his previous comments about the lease, but advised that the Trust should expect to have to build a vehicular access at some stage.

St. Denis Church, East Hatley

The Economic Development Portfolio Holder expressed concern at the delay in completing the legal transfer. In reply, Councillor Bridget Smith, a local Member, reassured him that the process remained on track.

Sawston Tannery Drying Shed

The Economic Development Portfolio Holder and those present noted the service of an Urgent Works Notice authorised by the Planning Committee at its meeting on 5 August 2015.

A representative of Historic England addressed the meeting. She said that, while South Cambridgeshire District Council retained a statutory duty to preserve the Grade II* Listed Building, the Tannery was so unique that Historic England had offered to fund the urgent works in full and, unusually, by way of a grant paid in advance. 

In response to concern expressed by Councillor David Bard that there might be ongoing costs for the Council, the Head of New Communities said that there was no intention that South Cambridgeshire District Council should acquire the freehold of the Tannery.

Councillor Anna Bradnam welcomed the offer of a grant as the protection and future use of the building was important.  Councillor Bridget Smith described the grant as extraordinarily generous, but was worried about the Council’s capacity to process the works effectively. The Historic Buildings Consultancy Officer would manage the project, with completion likely in 2017.

The Economic Development Portfolio Holder agreed to arrange a site visit for himself, local Members and anyone else interested.

The Economic Development Portfolio Holder

1.         In relation to the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

The report includes Appendix 2

The Economic Development Portfolio Holder received and noted a report containing an update on Economic Development progress during the past six months, and setting out future planned economic activity for the 2015-16 service period.

Economic Development

In response to a question from the Portfolio Holder, the Operational Manager (Environmental Health and Licensing) indicated from where future competition might come in terms of the Local Enterprise Partnership of which South Cambridgeshire District Council was a member advised that the Local Enterprise Partnership would be making one application for Enterprise Zone status

In response to a question from Councillor David Bard, the Operational Manager (Environmental Health and Licensing) confirmed that the Council’s bid in respect of Enterprise Zone Wave 2 included had considered both Cambourne Business Park and Cambourne West.  She explained how the Enterprise Zone would complement the Greater Cambridge City Deal, and how revenue from Business Rates would be allocated during the first five years and then beyond.  Councillor Bridget Smith hoped that it would be possible in some way to promote economic activity at Gamlingay. Councillor Kevin Cuffley highlighted the potential pressure on housing and infrastructure.  Councillor Bard added that the increase in local traffic generated by economic growth could only be tackled effectively by encouraging modal shift.

Those present discussed a number of related issues, including the urgent need to secure effective digital connectivity for businesses.

Councillor Bridget Smith said it was essential that the Council’s Economic Development Strategy be updated as soon as possible. In reply, the Operational Manager (Environmental Health and Licensing) acknowledged that a refresh was needed, but pointed out that other factors now had a bearing as well, not least the Greater Cambridge City Deal. Councillor Smith said the Council could not delay its economic activity until the issues surrounding the Local Plan had been resolved. The Portfolio Holder highlighted recent economic activity in Babraham and Great Abington.

Tourism

The Economic Development Portfolio Holder welcomed the move towards the direct marketing of tourism issues, and consequent rebranding.

Broadband (Connecting Cambridgeshire)

Sarah Marsh from Cambridgeshire County Council attended the meeting for this item. She said that funding would cease by the end of 2015, but broadband coverage was now being extended to embrace rural, hard-to-reach areas. During the ensuing discussion, reference was made to 13 locations in South Cambridgeshire where technical and logistical challenges meant that super-fast broadband still was not available.

Councillor David Bard raised the issue of mobile capacity. Sarah Marsh acknowledged that there was increasing pressure for more transmitter masts in Cambridgeshire, and said that one way to address this demand was to encourage operators to share existing masts.

The Portfolio Holder and those present noted the testing of BT’s G-Fast Broadband system in Huntingdon.

The Portfolio Holder will maintain, for agreement at each meeting, a Work Programme identifying all matters relevant to the Portfolio which it is believed are likely to be the subject of consideration and / or decision by the Portfolio Holder, or recommendation to, or referral by, the Portfolio Holder to Cabinet, Council, or any other constituent part of the Council.   The Programme will be updated as necessary.  The Portfolio Holder will be responsible for the content and accuracy of the Work Programme.

The Economic Development Portfolio Holder received and noted the Work Programme attached to the agenda.

He requested that the following items be added:

·       Business advice

·       Local Enterprise Partnership (standing item)

·       London, Stansted and Cambridge Corridor (standing item)

·       Travellers

·       Greater Cambridge City Deal (subject to confirmation)

9 December 2015, 2pm

The next scheduled Economic Development Portfolio Holder meeting would take place on Wednesday 9 December 2015, starting at 2.00pm.