Agenda, decisions and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence from Members.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Francis Burkitt, Grenville Chamberlain, Pippa Corney, Neil Davies, Philippa Hart, Caroline Hart, Douglas de Lacey, Mervyn Loynes, Raymond Matthews, Robin Page, Alex Riley, Deborah Roberts, Edd Stonham, David Whiteman-Downes and Tim Wotherspoon.

To receive any declarations of interest from Members.

No declarations of interest were made. 

Following consideration of this issue by the Civic Affairs Committee on 10 September 2015, it is RECOMMENDED:

(a)       That South Cambridgeshire District Council recommends a Council size of 45 as part of its submission to the Local Government Boundary Commission for England’s electoral review.

(b)       That the draft document attached at Appendix A to the report be used as a basis for an evidence-based submission to the Local Government Boundary Commission for England, and that the Chief Executive be given authority to make any necessary amendments prior to its submission to Council, in liaison with the Chairman of the Council and representatives of all political groups.

Council:

(a)        RECOMMENDED a Council size of 45 as part of its submission to the Local Government Boundary Commission for England’s electoral review.

(b)        AGREED that the draft document attached at Appendix A to the report be used as a basis for an evidence-based submission to the Local Government Boundary Commission for England, and that the Chief Executive be given authority to make any necessary amendments prior to its submission, to include any relevant comments raised at the meeting, in liaison with the Chairman of the Council and representatives of political groups.

Councillor Sue Ellington, Chairman of the Council and Chairman of the Civic Affairs Committee, further to the recommendation of the Civic Affairs Committee following its meeting held on 10 September 2015, made the following proposition:

That Council:

(a)        Recommended a Council size of 45 as part of its submission to the Local Government Boundary Commission for England’s electoral review.

(b)        Agreed that the draft document attached at Appendix A to the report be used as a basis for an evidence-based submission to the Local Government Boundary Commission for England, and that the Chief Executive be given authority to make any necessary amendments prior to its submission, in liaison with the Chairman of the Council and representatives of political groups.

Councillor David McCraith seconded the proposal.

It was noted that this issue had been considered in some detail by the Civic Affairs Committee.

Councillor Hazel Smith referred to section 7.2.1 of the draft submission document and felt that reference should be included under this section to the Council maintaining control of its housing stock and that it had established its housing company, Ermine Street Housing Ltd, reflecting on the added workload and responsibilities that these placed on Members.  The proposer and seconder of the original proposition agreed to this amendment.

Council unanimously:

(a)        RECOMMENDED a Council size of 45 as part of its submission to the Local Government Boundary Commission for England’s electoral review.

(b)        AGREED that the draft document attached at Appendix A to the report be used as a basis for an evidence-based submission to the Local Government Boundary Commission for England, and that the Chief Executive be given authority to make any necessary amendments prior to its submission, to include any relevant comments raised at the meeting, in liaison with the Chairman of the Council and representatives of political groups.