Agenda and decisions

Cabinet - Tuesday, 5 November 2024 10.00 a.m.

Venue: Council Chamber, First Floor

Contact: Pippa Turvey  01954 713000 Email: democratic.services@scambs.gov.uk

Media

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies for Absence

To receive apologies for absence from Cabinet Members. 

2.

Declarations of Interest

To receive declarations of interest from Cabinet Members.

3.

Minutes of Previous Meeting pdf icon PDF 257 KB

To authorise the Leader to sign the minutes of the meeting held on 24 September 2024 as a true and accurate record.

4.

Announcements

5.

Public Questions pdf icon PDF 91 KB

If you would like to ask a question or make a statement, then please refer to the

 

Document called Public Speaking Scheme (Physical Meetings)

 

and contact Democratic Services by no later than 11.59pm on 30 October 2024.

 

6.

Update from Scrutiny and Overview Committee pdf icon PDF 214 KB

7.

Greater Cambridge Plan-making Timetable pdf icon PDF 312 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

Cabinet agreed that:

a)    The Local Plan Timetable Update at Appendix A to the report be added as a November 2024 Addendum to the Greater Cambridge Development Scheme 2022 (updating the current March 2024 Addendum) and published on the Greater Cambridge Planning website.

b)    An updated formal Greater Cambridge Local Plan Timetable be brought to Members in Spring 2025 once there was clarity on the transitional date for plans under the current plan-making system to be submitted, and also on the outcome of the Cambridge Waste Water Treatment Plant Development Consent Order.

8.

Cambridge Biomedical Campus Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) (Draft for Consultation) pdf icon PDF 237 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

Cabinet: 

a)    Agreed the draft Greater Cambridge Cambridge Biomedical Campus SPD (attached at Appendix A to the report) and accompanying Equalities Impact Assessment (EqIA) (Appendix B to the report) be subject to public consultation; 

b)    Agreed that the preparation of materials and the running of the consultation be delegated to the Joint Director of Planning;

c)    Agreed that any subsequent material amendments prior to consultation be made by the Lead Member for Planning, and that any subsequent minor amendments and editing changes that did not materially affect the content prior to consultation be delegated to the Joint Director of Planning in consultation with the Lead Member for Planning.

9.

Health Impact Assessment Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) (Draft for Consultation) pdf icon PDF 253 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

Cabinet: 

a)    Agreed the draft Health Impact Assessment SPD (attached at Appendix A to the report) and the accompanying Equalities Impact Assessment (EqIA) (Appendix B to the report) be subject to public consultation. 

b)    Agreed that the preparation of materials and the running of the consultation be delegated to the Joint Director of Planning. 

c)    Agreed that any subsequent material amendments prior to consultation be made by the Lead Member for Planning, and that any subsequent minor amendments and editing changes that did not materially affect the content prior to consultation be delegated to the Joint Director of Planning in consultation with the Lead Member for Planning.

10.

Planning Obligations Supplementary Planning Document (Draft for Consultation) pdf icon PDF 255 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

Cabinet:

a)    Agreed the draft Greater Cambridge Planning Obligations SPD (attached at Appendix A to the report) and accompanying Equalities Impact Assessment (EqIA) (Appendix B to the report) be subject to public consultation; 

b)    Agreed that the preparation of materials and the running of the consultation be delegated to the Joint Director of Planning;

c)    Agreed that any subsequent material amendments prior to consultation be made by the Lead Member for Planning, and that any subsequent minor amendments and editing changes that did not materially affect the content prior to consultation be delegated to the Joint Director of Planning in consultation with the Lead Member for Planning.

11.

Council Tax Charges for Long Term Empty Properties and Second Homes pdf icon PDF 176 KB

Decision:

Cabinet recommended that Council:

a)    Support the introduction of additional Council Tax Premiums to be applied from 1 April 2026 for long term empty properties and second homes (Option 1),

b)    Delegate authority to the Head of Finance (Section 151 Officer) to implement the introduction of these premiums, considering future guidance and best practices issued by the government.

 

12.

Cost of Living - Continuation and Extension of Support pdf icon PDF 296 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

Cabinet:

a)    Agreed £40,000 funding for 2025-26 to continue and embed the existing programme of Cost of Living projects to include:

                          i.    Project budget for cost-saving products at £30,000

                         ii.    Project budget for period products at £10,000

b)    Noted the proposal to run an Invitation to Tender process for the continuation of the Emergency Food Parcel service using existing and available funds.

c)    Agreed £64,000 funding for 2025-26 for the proposal for Phase 3 projects to include:

                          i.    Income Maximisation Officer for one-year Fixed Term contract at a cost of £47,000

                         ii.    Educational Readiness Support for young people aged 11+ at a cost of £10,000

                        iii.    Financial Skills Support workshops at a cost of £3,000

                       iv.    Digital Skills Support workshops at a cost of £4,000

d)    Agreed £47,000 funding for 2025-26 to continue the role of the Cost of Living Project Officer to embed and expand the programme.

e)    Agreed the proposal for the Project Officer to create a Cost of Living strategy and/or operational plan.

f)     Noted that the term of these proposals was the 2025-26 financial year. The Council’s Cost of Living programme was planned to conclude on 31 March 2026. At a future point the position regarding the Cost of Living Crisis would need to be reassessed to see if any further Council support was required.

 

13.

Housing Regulator and Housing Performance pdf icon PDF 310 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

Cabinet:

a)    Noted the tenant satisfaction measures set out below and the complaints handling code self-assessment (attached at Appendix A to the report) submitted to the Regulator for 2023/2024; and

b)    Approved the proposed targets for measuring our performance in future years (paragraphs 15 of the report).