Agenda item

The Leader explained that the Government had just announced that it was starting a 12 week consultation on the OxCam Arc framework. The Leader hoped that the consultation would highlight the importance of the environment and asked that Members encourage their parish councils and residents to participate in the consultation. In response to questioning from Councillor Shrobona Bhattacharya, the Leader stated that the Council should promote the Government’s consultation instead of setting up its own.

The Leader reported that the Government Minister had clarified that the OxCam Arc was about economic growth and not about the building of 1 million homes. It was noted that this affected a vast area, covering 10 Districts.

Councillor Deborah Roberts asserted that the Council should oppose the whole project, which was about housing development and not economic growth. The Leader advised that the Council should advise the Government on what we wanted to see in the project and only oppose it if our views were ignored.

Councillor Dr Richard Williams asked what local input there could be on the advisory panel. The Chief Executive explained that the Council did not have a place on the Board but had been invited to talk to it.

Councillor Heather Williams expressed her disappointment in the lack of detail in the report. She stated that it was unclear what the Council wanted from the project and how much influence the Council had with the Government. The Leader explained that the Council was still waiting for further details from the Government on what the project would entail. The Council was committed to telling the Government what matters to our residents.

Councillor Tom Bygott asked how open and transparent the decision making regarding the OxCam arc was. The Leader replied that this was a Government project and they had just launched a 12 week consultation on the project. The onus was on the Government to ensure that they were open and transparent and honoured their pledge to make this project sustainable and about jobs.

Councillor Nick Wright asked what the Council’s vision was for the OxCam Arc. The Leader, Lead Member of the Environment Group, replied that it was to make the environment a priority and this had been included in the consultation. Councillor Wright stated that he wanted to know the administration’s vision for the project, in particular housing development in South Cambridgeshire. The Leader explained that the Council’s Local Plan would determine where housing would be built in the District. She concluded that the OxCam Arc’s vision should be determined by the residents and stakeholders.

Councillor Nigel Cathcart welcomed the Leader’s involvement with the OxCam Arc and asked how the Council would rise to the challenge of some many projects including the Local Plan, the East Rail and the Combined Authority’s own involvement in developments. The Leader agreed this was a challenge and stated that the District was under more pressure regarding development that any other comparable area. In response, the Council had agreed to support parish councils who were dealing with multiple external pressures.

Council Noted the report.