Agenda, decisions and minutes
PDF 136 KBVenue: Council Chamber - South Cambs Hall. View directions
Contact: Graham Watts 03450 450 500
| No. | Item | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Election of Chairman of the Council 2014/15 To elect the Chairman of the Council for the 2014/15 Civic Year. Decision: Council RESOLVED that Councillor David Bard be elected Chairman of the Council for the 2014/15 Civic Year. Minutes: The Chief Executive invited nominations for the election of Chairman of the Council for the 2014/15 civic year.
On the nomination of Councillor Ray Manning, seconded by Councillor Bridget Smith and there being no further nominations, Council RESOLVED that Councillor David Bard be elected Chairman of the Council for the 2014/15 civic year.
Councillor Bard signed the acceptance of office. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Appointment of Vice-Chairman of the Council 2014/15 To appoint the Vice-Chairman of the Council for the 2014/15 Civic Year. Decision: Council RESOLVED that Councillor Sue Ellington be appointed Vice-Chairman of the Council for the 2014/15 Civic Year. Minutes: The Chairman invited nominations for the appointment of Vice-Chairman of the Council for the 2014/15 civic year.
On the nomination of Councillor Ray Manning, seconded by Councillor Bridget Smith and there being no further nominations, Council RESOLVED that Councillor Sue Ellington be appointed as Vice-Chairman of the Council for the 2014/15 civic year.
Councillor Ellington signed the acceptance of office. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST To receive any declarations of interest for items on this agenda. Minutes: No declarations were made at this stage of proceedings. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Register of Interests Members are requested to inform Democratic Services of any changes in their Register of Members’ Financial and Other Interests form. Minutes: The Chairman reminded Members that they needed to update their register of interests whenever their circumstances changed. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
To authorise the Chairman to sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 24 April 2014 as a correct record. Minutes: The minutes of the meeting held on 24 April 2014 were confirmed and signed by the Chairman as a correct record. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Report of the Returning Officer To receive the attached report on the results of the elections held on 22 May 2014.
Minutes: The Returning Officer’s report was NOTED and Councillors Henry Batchelor, Anna Bradnam, Philippa Hart and David Morgan were welcomed to the Council. The Chairman also congratulated all returning Councillors who were re-elected.
Councillor Bridget Smith, Leader of the Opposition, paid tribute to Susan van de Ven, Mark Hersom and Trisha Bear as outgoing Members from her group and the Chairman added his thanks for their service to the Council.
Councillor Simon Edwards, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Finance and Staffing, took this opportunity to thank the Returning Officer and the Elections Team for their fantastic work as part of the recent local and European elections, and stated that he was very pleased with their performance. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
ANNOUNCEMENTS To receive any announcements from the Chairman, Leader, the Executive or the Head of Paid Service. Minutes: Councillor Ray Manning, Leader of the Council, reported the following changes to Cabinet Portfolios:
· Councillor Pippa Corney was now the Portfolio Holder for ‘Planning’; · Councillor Tim Wotherspoon was now the Portfolio Holder for ‘Strategic Planning and Transportation’; · Councillor Nick Wright was now the Portfolio Holder for ‘Economic Development’.
A comprehensive list of the roles and responsibilities for each Portfolio Holder would be circulated to all Members in due course.
Councillor David Bard, Chairman of the Council, took this opportunity to highlight that volunteers were still required to assist with the Park Life event scheduled to be held on 28 June 2014.
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC To note that no questions from the public have been received. Minutes: No questions from the public had been received. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
PETITIONS To note that no petitions have been received since the last Council meeting. Minutes: No petitions had been received. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
TO CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING RECOMMENDATIONS: |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
South Cambs Ltd: Appointment of Director (Cabinet 8 May 2014) Cabinet RECOMMENDED to Full Council approval of the re-appointment of Stephen Hills as Director of South Cambs Ltd for a further 12 months alongside his role as Director of Housing for the Council.
The report considered by Cabinet at its meeting on 8 May 2014 can be viewed at http://scambs.moderngov.co.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=293&MId=6024&Ver=4
Decision: Council APPROVED the re-appointment of Stephen Hills as Director of South Cambs Ltd for a further 12 months alongside his role as Director of Housing for the Council. Minutes: Councillor Mark Howell, Portfolio Holder for Housing, proposed the recommendation by Cabinet to approve the re-appointment of Stephen Hills as Director of South Cambs Ltd for a further 12 months. The proposal was seconded by Councillor Ray Manning, Leader of the Council.
Council unanimously APPROVED the re-appointment of Stephen Hills as Director of South Cambs Ltd for a further 12 months alongside his role as Director of Housing for the Council. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Establishment of Committees, allocation of seats and appointments for 2014/15 To consider the recommendations contained within the attached report.
(Appendices B and C of the report will follow) Additional documents:
Decision: Council APPROVED:
(a) The allocation of seats on committees and joint bodies, as follows:
(b) The nominations of the political group leaders to seats on committees and joint bodies, as set out below:
Civic Affairs Committee Conservatives Liberal Democrats Independent Group Non-Group David Bard Sebastian Kindersley Douglas de Lacey Nigel Cathcart Kevin Cuffley Bridget Smith Deborah Roberts (Seat offered by Simon Edwards Jim Stewart the Alison Elcox Conservatives) Sue Ellington Ray Manning Bunty Waters See Non-Group
Substitutes in hierarchical list: Conservatives Liberal Democrats Independent Group Raymond Matthews Jose Hales Neil Davies James Hockney Janet Lockwood Edd Stonham Roger Hall Neil Scarr Charles Nightingale Robin Page Tony Orgee
Corporate Governance Committee Conservatives Liberal Democrats Independent Group Richard Barrett Bridget Smith Douglas de Lacey Francis Burkitt John Williams Andrew Fraser David McCraith Peter Topping
Substitutes in hierarchical list: Conservatives Liberal Democrats Independent Group Non-Group Charles Nightingale Philippa Hart See Non-Group Nigel Cathcart Ben Shelton Edd Stonham (Seat offered by Neil Davies the Independent Neil Scarr Group) Deborah Roberts
Employment Committee Conservatives Liberal Democrats Independent Group Simon Edwards Sebastian Kindersley Edd Stonham Lynda Harford Jim Stewart Caroline Hunt Alex Riley Peter Topping
Substitutes in hierarchical list: Conservatives Liberal Democrats Independent Group Val Barrett Bridget Smith Neil Scarr Charles Nightingale Neil Davies Douglas de Lacey Deborah Roberts
Licensing Committee Conservatives Liberal Democrats Independent Group Non-Group Richard Barrett Jose Hales Deborah Roberts Cicely Murfitt Val Barrett Tumi Hawkins Neil Scarr (Seat offered by Kevin Cuffley Janet Lockwood the Liberal Andrew Fraser See Non-Group Democrats) Roger Hall Mervyn Loynes Raymond Matthews Charles Nightingale Alex Riley
Substitutes in hierarchical list: Conservatives Liberal Democrats Independent Group Alison Elcox Anna Bradnam Douglas de Lacey David Morgan Neil Davies Mick Martin Edd Stonham Robin Page
Planning Committee Conservatives Liberal Democrats Independent Group Brian Burling Anna Bradnam Deborah Roberts Pippa Corney Tumi Hawkins Kevin Cuffley Sebastian Kindersley Lynda Harford Caroline Hunt David McCraith Tim Scott Ben Shelton Robert Turner
Substitutes in hierarchical list: Conservatives Liberal Democrats Independent Group David Bard Hazel Smith Neil Scarr Val Barrett Aidan Van De Weyer Douglas de Lacey Charles Nightingale Jose Hales Neil Davies Philippa Hart Edd Stonham Peter Johnson
Partnerships Review Committee Conservatives Liberal Democrats Independent Group David Bard Jose Hales Neil Scarr Andrew Fraser Janet Lockwood Roger Hall James Hockney Tony Orgee Ben Shelton
Substitutes in hierarchical list: Conservatives Liberal Democrats Independent Group Bunty Waters Bridget Smith Deborah Roberts Alison Elcox Aidan Van De Weyer Douglas de Lacey Tumi Hawkins Neil Davies Edd Stonham
Scrutiny and Overview Committee Conservatives Liberal Democrats Independent Group ... view the full decision text for item 11. Minutes: Councillor Ray Manning, Leader of the Council, presented a report on the establishment of committees, allocation of seats on committees, the appointment of members and substitute members to committees and the appointment of committee Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen. He proposed that Council approved:
(a) The allocation of seats on committees, as set out in Appendix A of the report.
(b) The nominations of the political group leaders to seats on committees, as set out in Appendix B.
Councillor Bridget Smith moved an amendment to add Councillor Philippa Hart as a substitute member on the Planning Committee and Northstowe Joint Development Control Committee and Johnathan Chatfield as a substitute member on the Northstowe Transport Working Group. Councillor Ray Manning, as mover of the original proposal, accepted these amendments.
Council unanimously APPROVED:
(a) The allocation of seats on committees and joint bodies, as follows:
(b) The nominations of the political group leaders to seats on committees and joint bodies, as set out below:
Civic Affairs Committee Conservatives Liberal Democrats Independent Group Non-Group David Bard Sebastian Kindersley Douglas de Lacey Nigel Cathcart Kevin Cuffley Bridget Smith Deborah Roberts (Seat offered by Simon Edwards Jim Stewart the Alison Elcox Conservatives) Sue Ellington Ray Manning Bunty Waters See Non-Group
Substitutes in hierarchical list: Conservatives Liberal Democrats Independent Group Raymond Matthews Jose Hales Neil Davies James Hockney Janet Lockwood Edd Stonham Roger Hall Neil Scarr Charles Nightingale Robin Page Tony Orgee
Corporate Governance Committee Conservatives Liberal Democrats Independent Group Richard Barrett Bridget Smith Douglas de Lacey Francis Burkitt John Williams Andrew Fraser David McCraith Peter Topping
Substitutes in hierarchical list: Conservatives Liberal Democrats Independent Group Non-Group Charles Nightingale Philippa Hart See Non-Group Nigel Cathcart Ben Shelton Edd Stonham (Seat offered by Neil Davies the Independent Neil Scarr Group) Deborah Roberts
Employment Committee Conservatives Liberal Democrats Independent Group Simon Edwards Sebastian Kindersley Edd Stonham Lynda Harford Jim Stewart Caroline Hunt Alex Riley Peter Topping
Substitutes in hierarchical list: Conservatives Liberal Democrats Independent Group Val Barrett Bridget Smith Neil Scarr Charles Nightingale Neil Davies Douglas de Lacey Deborah Roberts
Licensing Committee Conservatives Liberal Democrats Independent Group Non-Group Richard Barrett Jose Hales Deborah Roberts Cicely Murfitt Val Barrett Tumi Hawkins Neil Scarr (Seat offered by Kevin Cuffley Janet Lockwood the Liberal Andrew Fraser See Non-Group Democrats) Roger Hall Mervyn Loynes Raymond Matthews Charles Nightingale Alex Riley
Substitutes in hierarchical list: Conservatives Liberal Democrats Independent Group Alison Elcox Anna Bradnam Douglas de Lacey David Morgan Neil Davies Mick Martin Edd Stonham Robin Page
Planning Committee Conservatives Liberal Democrats Independent Group ... view the full minutes text for item 11. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Appointments to Outside Bodies, Joint & Other member Bodies for 2014/15 To resolve to make appointments to outside bodies. Recommendations from Group Leaders will follow. Decision: Council APPROVED the below appointments to outside bodies:
Minutes: Councillor Ray Manning, Leader of the Council, proposed the appointments to outside bodies as set out in the report. Councillor Simon Edwards, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Finance and Staffing, seconded the proposal.
Council unanimously APPROVED the below appointments to outside bodies:
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Scrutiny and Overview Annual Report 2013/14 To approve the Scrutiny and Overview Annual Report for 2013/14. Decision: Council APPROVED the Scrutiny and Overview Annual Report for 2013/14. Minutes: Councillor Roger Hickford, Chairman of the Scrutiny and Overview Committee, presented the Scrutiny and Overview Annual Report for 2013/14 and proposed its approval by Council. He reflected on the effectiveness of training that had been delivered earlier in the year, facilitated by the Centre for Public Scrutiny, and reported that he would implement changes to the way in which the Scrutiny and Overview Committee prioritised its work as part of its future work programme as a result.
Councillor Alison Elcox seconded the proposal.
Discussion ensued on the issue of conservation and the recent review of the Council’s Conservation Team. A request was put forward for the Scrutiny and Overview Committee to look into this issue again to ensure that the Council was maintaining the highest conservation standards. It was noted that the review of the Conservation Team had been the subject of consideration by the Scrutiny and Overview Committee on numerous occasions throughout 2013/14 and Councillor Hickford, as Chairman, indicated that this would feature as part of the Committee’s work programme for 2014/15.
Councillor James Hockney, Vice-Chairman of the Partnerships Review Committee, presented the aspects of the report relating to the Partnerships Review Committee and highlighted the key issues the committee had looked into over the previous year. These included local neighbourhood policing, crime and disorder, health and wellbeing, equalities partnership working, the Greater Cambridge City Deal, youth issues and services to children and young people. Andrew Lansley, Member of Parliament for Cambridgeshire South, had also attended a meeting for a question and answer session with Members which had been very well received.
Reference was made to a Scrutiny Task and Finish Group which was undertaken two or three years ago on the Orchard Park development after its inception. It was agreed that the Group’s outcomes and recommendations were extremely useful at that time, but a suggestion was put forward for Scrutiny and Overview Committee Members to look again at Orchard Park and establish any good practice that could inform the Northstowe development. Councillor Hickford also agreed to consider this as part of the Committee’s future work programme.
Council APPROVED the Scrutiny and Overview Annual Report for 2013/14. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Major Opposition Group Leader's Annual Statement To receive the Major Opposition Group Leader’s Annual Statement. Minutes: Councillor Bridget Smith, Leader of the Opposition, presented her annual statement.
Councillor Smith highlighted that her statement, as published with the agenda pack, outlined the ways in which Members from all political groups should work together more collaboratively, openly and accountably. She was disappointed that the last year had been characterised by a lack of transparency and accountability with decisions, which she felt had been made in secret, and unwillingness to even countenance constitutional change. Councillor Smith added that there had been a lack of engagement with opposition parties by the administration and, most discouragingly, an almost complete inability to take notice of the Council’s own consultation processes.
Councillor Smith cited the Local Development Plan process as an example which she believed exemplified the failings of the controlling group to listen, with local people’s views being ignored resulting in a Plan favouring developers and not residents. She surmised that the obvious message to the public was that consultation was a waste of time because not only was the Council perceived as not listening but also unwilling to compromise. In addition to ignoring the voice of the district’s communities, Councillor Smith was of the opinion that the needs of colleagues and officers had also been ignored as some departments at the Council appeared to be under-resourced.
In closing, Councillor Smith called for the Council to act as one group, in spite of political differences, to work to serve the needs of the whole community. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
To note the attached report. Minutes: Councillor Simon Edwards, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Finance and Staffing, presented a report which notified the Council of debts written off under powers delegated to the Portfolio Holder and the Chief Financial Officer.
Councillor Edwards reported that the number of write offs for Council Tax had increased this year, which was due to a process carried out at year end to write off debts under £10 as they were considered to be uneconomical to pursue further. A similar exercise was also carried out against credits up to the value of £10 on closed accounts where credit bills had been issued but refunds not claimed. Councillor Edwards reported that some of the debts written off had built up over time and therefore reflected the economy two or three years ago.
Council NOTED the report. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
QUESTIONS ON JOINT MEETINGS To receive any questions on joint meetings. Minutes: No questions on joint meetings were raised. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
QUESTIONS FROM COUNCILLORS |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
From Councillor Aidan Van De Weyer “Could the Leader update the Council on progress with the strategic partnership with Huntingdonshire District Council announced on 10 April?” Minutes: Councillor Aidan Van de Weyer asked the Leader of the Council the following question:
“Could the Leader update the Council on progress with the strategic partnership with Huntingdonshire District Council announced on 10 April?”
Councillor Ray Manning reported that he had not met with the Leader of Huntingdonshire District Council since the last meeting of Council due to the local elections. He reported that this issue would be considered at the meeting of Cabinet on 10 July 2014. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
CHAIRMAN'S ENGAGEMENTS To note engagements attended by the Chairman and Vice-Chairman since the last Council meeting:
Minutes: Council noted those engagements attended by the Chairman and Vice-Chairman since the last Council meeting, as set out in the agenda.
Councillor David Bard, Chairman of the Council, reported that he had raised over £1,200 for his three chosen charities in the last 12 months. His chosen charities were the East Anglian Air Ambulance, the Sick Children's Trust and Help for Heroes.
Councillor Bridget Smith thanked the Chairman for attending the opening of the Millbridge Brook Meadows in Gamlingay on 5 May 2014 and Councillor Lynda Harford thanked him for attending a 100th birthday celebration in Cottenham.
Councillor Ray Manning, Leader of the Council, took this opportunity to thank Robin Moore, Vehicle Fleet Supervisor, for giving up his time to show visitors a refuse collection vehicle at the Great Shelford Car Show on 4 May 2014. |