Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

To receive apologies for absence from Cabinet Members. 

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Henry Batchelor, Councillor Natalie Warren-Green, and Councillor Peter McDonald.

To receive declarations of interest from Cabinet Members.

There were no declarations of interest.

To authorise the Leader to sign the minutes of the meeting held on 14 January 2025 (to follow) as a true and accurate record.

Cabinet authorised the Leader to sign, as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday, 14 January 2025.

The Leader of the Council advised that the Council was anticipating a letter from the Minister for Housing, Communities and Local Government regarding local government reorganisation, but this had not yet arrived.

The Council has received the financial settling from government and would be reviewing the implications of this prior to providing further details at Full Council.

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 29 January 2025.

A question had been received from Dr Cameron, who asked, “On 23 January, the leader of the council was asked to make a reasonable adjustment in regard to disability. Did the leader of the council take legal advice in regard to her obligations under the Equality Act 2010 in respect of this request? If so, will the leader of the council please identify who gave her the legal advice in question?”

Councillor Bridget Smith responded that the question related to an operational matter, which it was understood officers had already responded to.

Dr Cameron asked a supplementary question, which sought confirmation on the steps taken to ensure officers complied with the Equality Act 2010.

Councillor Smith responded that the Council had an equality protocol, which was one of the many documents the Council used to inform its work ethos. This was available on the Council’s website.

Cabinet noted the Scrutiny and Overview report summarising the meeting held on 16 January 2025. Councillor Anna Bradnam was in attendance on behalf of the Committee. In relation to the Draft Corporate Plan and Corporate Action Plan, Councillor Bradnam explained that the Scrutiny and Overview had felt that meaningful and easy to interpret graphs would be well-received, particularly where it was unclear whether an increase in reported figures was good or bad. Councillor Bradnam advised that she would update Cabinet on any other Scrutiny and Overview discussion at the relevant agenda items.

Cabinet:

a)    Noted the draft 2025-30 Corporate Plan (Appendix A to the report) and draft 2025-26 Corporate Action Plan (Appendix B to the report) prior to submission to Council for approval.

b)    Authorised the Chief Executive to make any minor wording changes required to final drafts, in consultation with the Leader.

Councillor Bridget Smith, Leader of the Council, introduced the report and advised that the refreshed plan focused on service delivery at a time of significant challenge and distraction for local authorities. Councillor Smith emphasised the financial strength of the Council to be able to offer support to residents where other authorities could not, including the construction of a community centre in Northstowe. Future plans around AI were also mentioned, in relation to planning services, the Council’s website and the contact centre, in order to provide held to residents.

The recommendations were seconded by Councillor Brian Milnes, who noted the Council’s performance and skill in managing its finances correctly.

Cabinet Members raised the following points during consideration of the report:

• It was noted that at a recent community event at a local primary school, students were asked to vote on the corporate priorities and ‘Green to our core’ was considered to be the most important.
• Engagement with young people was emphasised as an important element in building plans for the future.
• It was noted that a number of the corporate priorities could be pursued through the joint planning service, particularly the upcoming joint Local Plan, which was due to be submitted in December 2026.

Councillor Anna Bradnam, as representative of the Scrutiny and Overview Committee, raised the following points during consideration of the report:

• It was suggested that graphics with white text on blue backgrounds should be altered to black text on white backgrounds where possible to ensure accessibility.
• Members were advised that this had been taken into account and the final version of the document would include this update.

Resolution

Cabinet:

a)    Noted the draft 2025-30 Corporate Plan (Appendix A to the report) and draft 2025-26 Corporate Action Plan (Appendix B to the report) prior to submission to Council for approval.

b)    Authorised the Chief Executive to make any minor wording changes required to final drafts, in consultation with the Leader.

Options Considered

No alternative options were considered

Reasons for Decision

To ensure that the documents included at Appendices A and B of the report were robust, transparent and aligned with the needs of our communities and ambitions of the administration. 

Cabinet:

a)    Agreed the Cambridge City Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council - Authority Monitoring Report for Greater Cambridge 2023-2024 (included as Appendix A to the report) for publication on the Councils’ websites.

b)    Delegated any further minor editing changes to the Cambridge City Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council - Authority Monitoring Report for Greater Cambridge 2023-2024 to the Joint Director of Planning and Economic Development, in consultation with the Lead Cabinet Member for Planning Policy and Development Management.

Councillor Tumi Hawkins, Lead Cabinet Member for Planning, introduced the report and advised that the Council had a statutory duty to publish this report each year. The report highlighted that the Council was delivering against its core policies, contributing to the local economy, delivering housing and affordable housing, and contributing to mitigations against climate change. South Cambridgeshire was a seen as an area of future growth, with intentions to submit its Local Plan by December 2026.

It was agreed for the recommendation to be amended to refer to ‘Cabinet’ and the ‘Lead Cabinet Member for Planning Policy and Development Management’.

The recommendations were seconded by Councillor John Batchelor, who echoed comments regarding the amount of work that was put into the report. In relation to affordable housing, it was advised that completions had significantly increased since 2017/18 from 180 to 503 in 2023/2024.

Resolution

Cabinet:

a)    Agreed the Cambridge City Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council - Authority Monitoring Report for Greater Cambridge 2023-2024 (included as Appendix A to the report) for publication on the Councils’ websites.

b)    Delegated any further minor editing changes to the Cambridge City Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council - Authority Monitoring Report for Greater Cambridge 2023-2024 to the Joint Director of Planning and Economic Development, in consultation with the Lead Cabinet Member for Planning Policy and Development Management.

Options Considered

To not publish the Authority Monitoring Report for Greater Cambridge 2023-2024.

Reason for Rejection: Government required that local planning authorities to publish an Authority Monitoring Report on an annual basis.

Reasons for Decision

Local authorities had a statutory duty to publish an Authority Monitoring Report (AMR) under The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 and accompanying regulations.

Cabinet considered the report and recommended to Full Council the updated Capital Strategy attached at Appendix A to the report which set the policy framework for the development, management and monitoring of capital investment, including Capital Prudential Indicators.

Councillor John Williams, Lead Cabinet Member for Resources, introduced the report and advised that the strategy required updated annual, with this version taking on board changes in right to buy arrangements.

The recommendations were seconded by Councillor Bridget Smith, who thanked officers for their work.

Resolution

Cabinet considered the report and recommended to Full Council the updated Capital Strategy attached at Appendix A to the report which set the policy framework for the development, management and monitoring of capital investment, including Capital Prudential Indicators.

Options Considered

The option of not adopting the revised Capital Strategy was not considered to be appropriate. Local authorities were accountable to their communities for how they spent their money and for ensuring that this spending was prioritised and represented value for money. Local politicians and officers operated within local governance frameworks of checks and balances to ensure that decision-making was lawful, informed by objective advice, transparent and consultative. Good governance meant that proper arrangements were in place to ensure that an authority’s intended objectives were achieved and establishing a policy framework for the development, management and monitoring of all capital investment and the prioritisation of the Council’s capital resources must be a key commitment to ensure that authorities remained financially sustainable and responded efficiently and effectively to service needs.

Reasons for Decision

To update the Capital Strategy to ensure that it remained current for 2025/2026 and complies with CIPFA’s revised Prudential Code for Capital Finance in Local Authorities (2021 edition) and Prudential Code Guidance Notes for Practitioners (2021 edition), CIPFA’s Treasury Management in the Public Services: Code of Practice and Cross-Sectoral Guidance Notes (2021 edition) and revised Statutory Guidance on Local Government Investments (3rd Edition) issued in February 2018.

Cabinet considered the report and recommended to Council the updated Treasury Management Strategy attached at Appendix A to the report which set the policy framework for the Council’s treasury management activity, including (i) the Treasury Management Policy Statement, (ii) Minimum Revenue Provision Policy and (ii) Treasury Indicators.

Councillor John Williams, Lead Cabinet Member for Resources, introduced the report and advised that revisions to the previous iteration would bring this strategy up to date.

The recommendations were seconded by Councillor Brian Milnes, who noted that the strategy had been consistently grounded and contributed to the Council’s financial rectitude.

Resolution

Cabinet considered the report and recommended to Council the updated Treasury Management Strategy attached at Appendix A to the report which set the policy framework for the Council’s treasury management activity, including (i) the Treasury Management Policy Statement, (ii) Minimum Revenue Provision Policy and (ii) Treasury Indicators.

Options Considered

The option of not adopting the revised Treasury Management Strategy was not considered to be appropriate. The CIPFA Code of Practice (2017) required the Council to approve the Strategy before the start of each financial year. Local politicians and officers operated within local governance frameworks of checks and balances to ensure that decision-making is lawful, informed by objective advice, transparent and consultative.

Good governance meant that proper arrangements were in place to ensure that an authority’s intended treasury management objectives were achieved and the establishment of a policy framework for the development, management and monitoring of all treasury management activity.

Reasons for Decision

To establish and approve an updated Treasury Management Strategy that complied with the Chartered Institute of Public Finance & Accountancy (CIPFA) revised Prudential Code for Capital Finance in Local Authorities.

Cabinet considered and reviewed the report and appendices as presented and recommended to Full Council the adoption of:

General Fund (GF): Revenue

a)    The updated Medium Term Financial Strategy forecasts as shown in Appendix A.

b)    The General Fund revenue budget for 2025/26, as shown in the GF detailed budget at Appendix C and summarised at Appendix B, considering the statement by the Chief Finance Officer on the risks and robustness of the estimates as required under Section 25 of the Local Government Act 2003, reproduced at Appendix G.

c)     Acknowledge the key factors which have led to the proposed 2025/26 General Fund Revenue Budget, with service budget proposals and savings summarised at Appendix D and efficiency savings and income generation (outcome of budget star chamber meetings) summarised at Appendix E.

d)    The Council Tax Requirement for 2025/26 at £12,255,340 and approve an increase in the district element of the Council Tax of £5.09 per annum, giving an average Band D Council Tax of £175.40, plus the relevant amounts required by the precepts of the Parish Councils, Cambridgeshire County Council, Cambridgeshire Police & Crime Commissioner, and the Cambridgeshire Fire Authority.

e)    The estimates of the amounts required to be made under the Non-domestic Rating (Rates Retention) Regulations 2013 as set out in paragraphs 47 - 58.

f)      The use of the additional income from the Business Rate Pool, estimated at £1,700,000 in 2025/26, for transfer to the established Renewables Reserve for priority projects.

GF: Review of Reserves

g)    Note the movement in Reserves in 2024/25 as set out in Appendix H, and the estimated balance of Reserves of £31.390 million.

GF: Capital

h)    The General Fund Capital Programme as shown in Appendix I.

Councillor John Williams, Lead Cabinet Member for Resources, introduced the report and drew attention to the fact that the same level of contribution from taxation and grants would be sought next year as the current year. Given current inflation levels and increases in National Insurance contributions, this was a significant achievement.

The recommendations were seconded by Councillor Tumi Hawkins, who thanked officers for ensuring that the report was clear for residents.

Councillor Anna Bradnam, as representative of the Scrutiny and Overview Committee, raised the following points during consideration of the report:

• Scrutiny and Overview Committee members had suggested that detail be included in the report explaining how the increased National Insurance contributions were to be addressed.

Resolution

Cabinet considered and reviewed the report and appendices as presented and recommended to Full Council the adoption of:

General Fund (GF): Revenue

a)    The updated Medium Term Financial Strategy forecasts as shown in Appendix A.

b)    The General Fund revenue budget for 2025/26, as shown in the GF detailed budget at Appendix C and summarised at Appendix B, considering the statement by the Chief Finance Officer on the risks and robustness of the estimates as required under Section 25 of the Local Government Act 2003, reproduced at Appendix G.

c)    Acknowledge the key factors which have led to the proposed 2025/26 General Fund Revenue Budget, with service budget proposals and savings summarised at Appendix D and efficiency savings and income generation (outcome of budget star chamber meetings) summarised at Appendix E.

d)    The Council Tax Requirement for 2025/26 at £12,255,340 and approve an increase in the district element of the Council Tax of £5.09 per annum, giving an average Band D Council Tax of £175.40, plus the relevant amounts required by the precepts of the Parish Councils, Cambridgeshire County Council, Cambridgeshire Police & Crime Commissioner, and the Cambridgeshire Fire Authority.

e)    The estimates of the amounts required to be made under the Non-domestic Rating (Rates Retention) Regulations 2013 as set out in paragraphs 47 - 58.

f)     The use of the additional income from the Business Rate Pool, estimated at £1,700,000 in 2025/26, for transfer to the established Renewables Reserve for priority projects.

GF: Review of Reserves

g)    Note the movement in Reserves in 2024/25 as set out in Appendix H, and the estimated balance of Reserves of £31.390 million.

GF: Capital

h)    The General Fund Capital Programme as shown in Appendix I.

Options Considered

There were options to remove or add items to the budget but, based on previous Cabinet decisions and the detailed discussions held with budget holders, the General Fund Revenue Budget and Capital Programme as presented included all items required to deliver council services and member priorities. The gross expenditure was covered by forecast income sources (assuming no change in Government grant) and, therefore, any addition(s) to expenditure that were required would need to identify matching savings and/or additional income if the proposed level of Council Tax was not to change.

The option existed to vary the capital programme, but  ...  view the full minutes text for item 83.

Cabinet considered and reviewed the report and appendices as presented and recommended to Full Council the adoption of:

Housing Revenue Account (HRA): Revenue

a)    The HRA revenue budget for 2025/2026 as shown in the HRA Budget Summary as presented at Appendix A.

HRA: Review of Rents and Charges

b)    The proposed council dwelling rents for all social rented properties increase of 2.7%, recognising that inflation measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) at September 2024, plus 1% results in an increase of 2.7%.

c)     The proposed affordable rents (inclusive of service charge) increase of 2.7% in line with the increase for social rents.

d)    The rents for affordable shared ownership properties increase of 4.0%, recognising that inflation measured by the Retail Price Index (RPI) at December 2024 plus 0.5% results in an increase of 4.0%.

e)    The garage rents increase of 2.7% in line with the increase for social rents.

f)      Council dwelling rents for properties with an EPC rating of A or B increase to 105% of target rent on re-let.

g)    The proposed service charges for HRA services and facilities provided to both tenants and leaseholders, as shown in Appendix D.

HRA: Capital

h)    The required level of funding for new build investment between 2025/2026 and 2029/2030 to ensure that commitments can be met in respect of the investment of all right to buy receipts currently retained or anticipated to be received by the authority for this period. This expenditure will take the form of HRA new build, with the 60% top up met by other HRA resources.

i)      The HRA Medium Term Financial Strategy forecasts as shown in Appendix B.

j)      The Housing Capital Programme as shown in Appendix C.

Councillor John Williams, Lead Cabinet Member for Resources, introduced the report and advised that rent received from Council tenants contributed towards housing repairs and the purchase of new Council houses. While the Council had previously been in a net loss position, this had now been reversed and the Council were building more houses than they were selling. It was noted that upcoming increases in National Insurance contributions would also apply to the housing service and that this would have o be covered my tenants. It was, however, advised that rent levels were increasing by 2.9%, which was comparable to inflation.

The recommendations were seconded by Councillor John Batchelor, who emphasised the significance of the housing service, with a portfolio 5,815 houses and a capital spend of £73 million.

Resolution

Cabinet considered and reviewed the report and appendices as presented and recommended to Full Council the adoption of:

Housing Revenue Account (HRA): Revenue

a)    The HRA revenue budget for 2025/2026 as shown in the HRA Budget Summary as presented at Appendix A.

HRA: Review of Rents and Charges

b)    The proposed council dwelling rents for all social rented properties increase of 2.7%, recognising that inflation measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) at September 2024, plus 1% results in an increase of 2.7%.

c)    The proposed affordable rents (inclusive of service charge) increase of 2.7% in line with the increase for social rents.

d)    The rents for affordable shared ownership properties increase of 4.0%, recognising that inflation measured by the Retail Price Index (RPI) at December 2024 plus 0.5% results in an increase of 4.0%.

e)    The garage rents increase of 2.7% in line with the increase for social rents.

f)     Council dwelling rents for properties with an EPC rating of A or B increase to 105% of target rent on re-let.

g)    The proposed service charges for HRA services and facilities provided to both tenants and leaseholders, as shown in Appendix D.

HRA: Capital

h)    The required level of funding for new build investment between 2025/2026 and 2029/2030 to ensure that commitments can be met in respect of the investment of all right to buy receipts currently retained or anticipated to be received by the authority for this period. This expenditure will take the form of HRA new build, with the 60% top up met by other HRA resources.

i)      The HRA Medium Term Financial Strategy forecasts as shown in Appendix B.

j)      The Housing Capital Programme as shown in Appendix C.

Options Considered

There were a number of other options regarding budget setting, but the budget as presented represented the best use of resources within the constraints that exist.

Reasons for Decision

To advise the Cabinet of the 2025/26 Housing Revenue Account (HRA) and capital budget position, the impact that this would have on the HRA and to enable the Cabinet to recommend to Full Council the 2025/26 Housing Revenue Account and Capital Budget.

Cabinet recommended the continuation of the 2024/25 LCTS scheme originally implemented, in its current form, in 2023/24, proposing a reasonable uprating of 1.7% for the upcoming financial year 2025-26.

Councillor John Williams, Lead Cabinet Member for Resources, introduced the report and advised that, since the introduction of the new scheme approximately four or five years ago, the uptake in use had increased, with 7,295 residents receiving support in the past year. Councillor Williams thanked officers, particularly those in the Revenues and Benefits Team, for their work in supporting the schemes implementation.

The recommendations were seconded by Councillor Bridget Smith, who was pleased to see people taking advantage of the scheme in an area that was expensive to live in and thanked officers for their work.

It was noted that the wording in the report should have include that the scheme be recommended to Council for approval. It was agreed that this be added into the recommendation.

Resolution

Cabinet recommended to Council the continuation of the 2024/25 LCTS scheme originally implemented, in its current form, in 2023/24, proposing a reasonable uprating of 1.7% for the upcoming financial year 2025-26.

Options Considered

The several options which had been considered, including:

a)    No increase on calculation parameters

b)    1% increase on calculation parameters

c)    Increase in calculation parameters in line with CPI in September 2024(1.7%)

Options a and b were deemed potentially detrimental, leading to a reduction in LCTS and an increased burden on residents with lower incomes. Therefore, option c, aligning with the CPI of September 2024 (1.7%), was recommended for its balanced approach and positive impact on the community.

Reasons for Decision

Amid the economic uncertainty associated with the current cost-of-living crisis, the revised LCTS scheme implemented in 2023/24 and continuing in 2024/25 had not only facilitated South Cambridgeshire’s residents in meeting their council tax obligations but had also streamlined staffing resources, resulting in operational efficiency.

The 2024/25 LCTS scheme demonstrated its commitment to supporting residents with an approach by incorporating an annual uprating of calculation parameters aligned with the Consumer Price Index as of September (CPI September 2024, 1.7%). This strategic measure not only reflected the council's dedication to addressing the cost of living but also ensured that the aim of supporting residents remained steadfast and effective.