Decisions

Earlier - Later

Decisions published

14/02/2020 - Sale of land to the rear of 11 Coploe Road, Ickleton CB10 1ST for Self-Build ref: 11268    Recommendations Approved

The land to the rear of 11 Coploe Road, Ickleton was the subject of a Decision Notice dated 17.1.2019 for the approval of the sale of land, following the identification of this site as one of 100 self-build plots in our District.

 

The first Decision Notice was drafted following obtaining Outline Planning Permission ref: S/0312/18/OL and this site was subsequently marketed by Carter Jonas, in accordance with the requirement placed on Local Authorities to adhere to S.123 of the Local Government Act 1972, which seeks to ensure that public assets i.e. residential building plots, are disposed of at ‘best price’ (market value) to safeguard the tax payers’ interests and prevent any possible Judicial Challenge.

 

The period of open marketing, across multiple platforms and directed both to the existing register and to the general public, was undertaken. Only 2 qualifying bids were submitted directly to the Council by 18th December 2019.

 

The successful highest bid of £127,300 was received by an applicant on the Self-Build Register.

 

We have received formal written notification from Carter Jonas, dated January 2020 that the obligation to achieve ‘best price’ in accordance with S.123 of The Local Government Act 1972 has been discharged.

Decision Maker: Lead Cabinet member for Housing

Decision published: 14/02/2020

Effective from: 22/02/2020

Decision:

Approval granted for the sale of HRA owned land to the rear of 11 Coploe Road, Ickleton which has outline planning permission for the erection of a single dwelling for the best value price of £127,300.

Wards affected: Duxford;

Lead officer: Geraldine Roper


13/02/2020 - Cottenham Neighbourhood Plan - Receipt of Examiners Report and Decision to Proceed to Referendum ref: 11266    Recommendations Approved

Purpose

 

1.    The purpose of this report is to consider the conclusions of the Examiner’s Report on the Cottenham Neighbourhood Plan, and whether those conclusions should be acted upon and therefore that the Neighbourhood Plan should proceed to referendum. This includes considering whether the examiner’s recommended modifications to the Neighbourhood Plan should be made, and whether the Council agrees that the Neighbourhood Plan meets the Basic Conditions.

 

2.    Cabinet agreed at its meeting on 26 July 2018 that where the examiner has concluded that the Neighbourhood Plan is legally compliant, meets the Basic Conditions (with or without modifications), and should proceed to referendum, the Joint Director for Planning and Economic Development has delegated authority to make the decision on the way forward, in consultation with the Planning Lead Member.

 

Background

 

3.    Cottenham Parish Council considered in early 2015 the idea of developing a Neighbourhood Plan to provide a more locally focussed set of policies for their parish. An application to designate the whole of their parish as a Neighbourhood Area was submitted to South Cambridgeshire District Council in September 2015 and the Cottenham Neighbourhood Area was designated on 17 November 2015.

 

4.    Cottenham Parish Council carried out consultation on a draft Neighbourhood Plan in 2017. Officers provided informal comments on the draft Neighbourhood Plan, and on subsequent revisions to the plan that were shared with officers ahead of the formal pre-submission consultation process. A Strategic Environmental Assessment and Habitats Regulations Assessment screening was undertaken on a draft version of the Neighbourhood Plan in March 2018 and a further screening in September 2018.  A screening determination was published in September 2018. A Strategic Environmental Assessment was carried out in October 2018.

 

5.    Pre-submission public consultation on the draft Neighbourhood Plan was undertaken by the Parish Council from 19 June until 7 August 2018. Officers provided a formal response to the consultation, providing constructive comments about the Neighbourhood Plan to assist the neighbourhood plan group with finalising the Neighbourhood Plan.  

 

6.    On 15 January 2019, Cottenham Parish Council submitted their Neighbourhood Plan to South Cambridgeshire District Council. Officers confirmed, as set out in the Legal Compliance Check for the Neighbourhood Plan that the submitted version of the Neighbourhood Plan and its accompanying supporting documents complied with all the relevant statutory requirements at this stage of plan making. Public consultation on the submitted Neighbourhood Plan took place between 11 February and 25 March 2019. South Cambridgeshire District Council provided a response to this consultation.

 

7.    Officers, in conjunction with Cottenham Parish Council, appointed Andrew Ashcroft of Andrew Ashcroft Planning Limited as the independent examiner[1] to examine the Neighbourhood Plan. On 18 April 2019, the Neighbourhood Plan, its accompanying supporting documents, and all comments submitted on the submission version of the Neighbourhood Plan, were provided to the examiner with a request for him to carry out the examination on the Neighbourhood Plan.

 

8.    The examiner issued a series of clarification questions relating to the Neighbourhood Plan in May 2019, and both South Cambridgeshire District Council and Cottenham Parish Council provided responses. The examiner also asked the Parish Council if it had any comments on the various representations made to the Plan during the submission consultation. A response was made by the Parish Council in August 2019. 

 

9.    The Examiner’s Report was received on 10 December 2019 (see Appendix 1). The examiner in his report concludes that subject to a series of recommended modifications the Cottenham Neighbourhood Plan meets all the necessary legal requirements and should proceed to referendum. He also recommends that the referendum should be held within the neighbourhood area only.

 

10. Now that the Examiner’s Report has been received, the Council is required to consider the conclusions of the Examiner’s Report, and whether those conclusions should be acted upon and therefore that the Neighbourhood Plan should proceed to referendum. This includes considering whether the examiner’s recommended modifications to the Neighbourhood Plan should be made, and whether the Council agrees that the Neighbourhood Plan meets the Basic Conditions. The Council must publish its decision in a decision statement.

 

Considerations

 

11. Where an examiner has concluded that the Neighbourhood Plan meets the Basic Conditions (with or without modifications) and is legally compliant, and therefore that the Neighbourhood Plan should proceed to referendum, the Council has limited options in how to respond. The options are as follows:

 

Option 1: Act upon the conclusions in the Examiner’s Report, including making any recommended modifications to the Neighbourhood Plan, and proceed to referendum, provided that the Council confirms that the Basic Conditions have been met.

 

Option 2: Take a decision substantially different from the Examiner’s conclusions, wholly or partly as a result of new evidence or fact, or a different view is taken by the Council as to a particular fact, including that the Council is unable to confirm that the Basic Conditions have been met.

 

12. National regulations require the Council to make a decision on the Examiner’s Report and whether the Neighbourhood Plan should proceed to referendum within 5 weeks of receipt of the report (unless an alternative longer timescale is agreed with the Parish Council). The Parish Council agreed to an extended timescale.

 

13. Officers have concluded that Option 1 should be followed for the reasons set out in the following paragraphs of this decision statement. Officers agree with the examiner’s conclusions, including his recommended modifications to the Neighbourhood Plan, and agree that the Neighbourhood Plan should proceed to referendum.

 

a. Meeting the Basic Conditions and Legal Requirements

 

14. To successfully proceed through its examination to a referendum, a Neighbourhood Plan must meet a number of tests known as the ‘Basic Conditions’. The Basic Conditions are set out in national planning regulations and are summarised as follows:

·         having regard to national policies and advice contained in guidance issued by the Secretary of State it is appropriate to make the Neighbourhood Plan;

·         the making of the Neighbourhood Plan contributes to the achievement of sustainable development;

·         the Neighbourhood Plan is in general conformity with the strategic policies contained in the development plan for the area;

·         the making of the Neighbourhood Plan does not breach, and is otherwise compatible with, EU obligations; and

·         prescribed conditions are met in relation to the Neighbourhood Plan, including that the making of the neighbourhood plan is not likely to have a significant effect on a European wildlife site or a European offshore marine site either alone or in combination with other plans or projects.

 

The Council’s Neighbourhood Planning Toolkit includes Guidance Note 11 (What are the Basic Conditions and How to Meet Them), which sets out further details on each of the Basic Conditions. 

 

15. To proceed to a referendum, a Neighbourhood Plan must also meet a number of legal requirements, such as whether the Neighbourhood Plan has been prepared by a qualifying body and meets the definition and scope of a Neighbourhood Plan.

 

16. The examiner concludes in the Executive Summary and paragraphs 6.23 and 8.2 of his report that subject to a series of recommended modifications the Cottenham Neighbourhood Plan meets the Basic Conditions and all the necessary legal requirements. The examiner’s recommended modifications do not fundamentally change the role or purpose of the Neighbourhood Plan; they have been recommended by the examiner to provide clarity and precision.

 

17. Officers, in conjunction with Cottenham Parish Council, have reviewed the examiner’s conclusions and recommended modifications, and officers and the Parish Council have agreed each of the recommended modifications considered necessary by the examiner for the Neighbourhood Plan to meet the Basic Conditions. A ‘For Referendum’ version of the Cottenham Neighbourhood Plan has been prepared including these modifications (see Appendix 2).

 

18. Additional non-material modifications to the Neighbourhood Plan have also been agreed with Cottenham Parish Council, and these additional modifications are also included in the ‘For Referendum’ version of the Neighbourhood Plan (see Appendix 2). These modifications have been made in accordance with guidance set out in national planning guidance[2] which states that minor (non-material) updates to a Neighbourhood Plan that would not materially affect the policies in the plan can be made by the District Council at any time, provided they have the consent of the Parish Council, and that these modifications can be made without the need for consultation or examination.

 

19. In summary, these additional non-material modifications are:

·         updates to Chapter 1 of the Neighbourhood Plan to refer to the current stage in the plan making process and summarise the stages undertaken since the submission version of the Neighbourhood Plan was prepared;

·         Updates on planning permissions for the Nursery and Village Hall in Cottenham.

 

20. Officers have undertaken a Basic Conditions and Legal Compliance check of the ‘For Referendum’ version of the Neighbourhood Plan (see Appendix 3) and consider that the Neighbourhood Plan meets all the requirements.

 

21. As the modifications made to the Cottenham Neighbourhood Plan do not change the essence of its planning policies, the Strategic Environmental Assessment and Habitats Regulations Assessment screening undertaken on a draft version of the Neighbourhood Plan in March and repeated in September 2018 following the Court judgement ( CJEU People Over Wind v Coillte Teoranta C- 323/17) to ensure the HRA screening took account of this ruling , and the screening determination published in September 2018 remain valid. A Strategic Environmental Assessment was carried out in October 2018 to accompany the submission version of the Neighbourhood Plan. This was consulted upon from 7 December 2018 until 11 January 2019. This too remains valid.

 

b. Referendum

 

22. The examiner concludes in the Executive Summary and paragraphs 8.2-8.3 of his report that, subject to the incorporation of his recommended modifications, the Neighbourhood Plan should proceed to referendum. He also concludes in paragraph 8.4 of his report that it is entirely appropriate for the referendum area to be the neighbourhood area designated by South Cambridgeshire District Council in November 2015.

 

23. The examiner’s conclusions on the referendum area are consistent with that proposed by the Council in its response on the submission version of the Neighbourhood Plan (agreed by the Lead Cabinet member for Planning in March 2019). Therefore as it has been demonstrated by officers that the ‘For Referendum’ version of the Cottenham Neighbourhood Plan meets all the legislative requirements, officers concur with the examiner that the Neighbourhood Plan should proceed to referendum and that the referendum area should be the neighbourhood area. 

 

24. National regulations set out that where it is concluded that the Neighbourhood Plan should proceed to referendum that the referendum should take place within 56 working days of the day after the publication of this decision statement (unless an alternative longer timescale is agreed with the Parish Council). If a Neighbourhood Plan is successful at referendum, the Neighbourhood Plan becomes part of the development plan for the area[3], although the formal ‘making’ of the Neighbourhood Plan will not happen until South Cambridgeshire District Council’s full Council are asked to do this at their next meeting following the referendum.

 

25. Officers are therefore working with Cottenham Parish Council to enable the referendum to take place as soon as practicably possible, so that provided it is successful at referendum, planning decisions in the neighbourhood area will have to be made in accordance with the Neighbourhood Plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise. There are however statutory requirements relating to a referendum that must be adhered to, including that at least 28 working days before the referendum an information statement and specified documents must be published.

 

Next Steps

 

26. At the referendum, if the majority of those that vote are in support of the Neighbourhood Plan, South Cambridgeshire District Council’s full Council will be asked to ‘make’ (adopt) the Neighbourhood Plan at its next meeting.

 

Implications

 

27. In the writing of this report, taking into account financial, legal, staffing, risk management, equality and diversity, climate change, community safety and any other key issues, the following implications have been considered:

 

28. Financial: the costs of the examination and referendum have to be initially met by South Cambridgeshire District Council. However, the Council can claim a £20,000 government grant per Neighbourhood Plan once it has been through the examination and a referendum date has been set. Once the referendum date is formally set the Council can claim this government grant in the next claims period.

 

29. Legal: where the examiner has concluded that the Neighbourhood Plan is legally compliant, meets the Basic Conditions (with or without modifications), and should proceed to referendum, the Joint Director for Planning and Economic Development has delegated authority to make the decision on the way forward, in consultation with the Planning Lead Member (as agreed by Cabinet at its meeting on 26 July 2018). National regulations and planning guidance for Neighbourhood Plans require that the Council considers the conclusions of the Examiner’s Report, and whether those conclusions should be acted upon and therefore that the Neighbourhood Plan should proceed to referendum. This includes considering whether the examiner’s recommended modifications to the Neighbourhood Plan should be made, and whether the Council agrees that the Neighbourhood Plan meets the Basic Conditions. The Council’s decision must be published in a decision statement.

 

30. Staffing: the responsibilities associated with delivering neighbourhood planning are being undertaken within the existing resources of the Planning Policy Team, drawing upon the expertise of other staff as required.

 

31. Equality and Diversity: these issues have been considered in the preparation of the Neighbourhood Plan, as to meet the Basic Conditions a Neighbourhood Plan must not breach, and is otherwise compatible with, EU obligations, including Human Rights. The Examiner in his report is satisfied that the submitted Plan has had regard to the fundamental rights and freedoms guaranteed under the European Convention on Human Rights and that it complies with the Human Rights Act. There is no evidence that has been submitted to suggest otherwise. (see paragraph 6.22 of the Examiners Report)

 



[1] The examiner appointed to undertake the examination of the Neighbourhood Plan: must be independent of both the District Council and Parish Council; cannot be the same examiner that undertakes a health check of the Neighbourhood Plan; and must not have any interest in any land that may be affected by the Neighbourhood Plan.

[2] National Planning Practice Guidance, Paragraph 085, Reference ID: 41-085-20180222

[3] National Planning Practice Guidance, Paragraph: 064, Reference ID: 41-064-20170728

Decision Maker: Joint Director for Planning and Economic Development

Decision published: 13/02/2020

Effective from: 13/02/2020

Decision:

That the Joint Director for Planning and Economic Development, having consulted with the Lead Cabinet Member for Planning, agrees:

a.    that South Cambridgeshire District Council should act upon the conclusions in the Examiner’s Report on the Cottenham Neighbourhood Plan (see Appendix 1) and that the Neighbourhood Plan should proceed to a referendum;

b.    the ‘for referendum’ version of the Cottenham Neighbourhood Plan (as set out in Appendix 2) and

c.    that the area for the referendum should be the Neighbourhood Area.

Wards affected: Cottenham;

Lead officer: Alison Talkington


10/02/2020 - Mobile Warden Scheme ref: 11264    Recommendations Approved

On the 31st January 2020 the Grants Advisory Committee (GAC) met to decide how to allocate full funding for an initial 2 years for new Mobile Warden Schemes (MWS) across the District.

 

There are currently 14 mobile warden schemes covering a total of 31 parishes developed locally in recognition of the need to provide support for more vulnerable members of the community. 

 

To date, these schemes have been “home grown” by parishes resulting in disparate cover across the District.   To address this and to provide improved access particularly in areas recognised for having greater than average numbers of older residents, the District Council has explored several approaches to fund and grow more schemes.   

 

A budget of £200,000.00 per annum has been set aside for the financial period 2020/2021 and 2021/2022, and a number of strategic sites have been identified as benefitting from a scheme. 

 

The GAC met on 31st January 2020 and recommended the following to the Lead Member for Finance:

 

To divide the funding allocation into two streams 30% grant funding and 70% procurement, this is equal to £60,000 for grant funding (or approximately 3 home grown schemes) and £140,000 for procurement by an external provider (or approximately 7 schemes). This approach results in:

 

a)    the need for the initiation of a procurement process (internal policy dictates procurement of services with a value greater than £5,000);

b)    choice to the Parishes as to whether they choose to set up their own scheme or opt to engage an external provider;

c)    minimal resource implications regarding officer time in liaising with parishes and administering the application process; 

d)    minimal risk to the Council as might have been associated with the alternative options to either fully grant fund or fully procure additional MWS.

 

Parishes which sign up for the full-funding offer will do so with the caveat that following the initial 2-year funding period they would need to apply for grant funding in the usual manner.  Any successful external provider would be expected to work with the Parishes to achieve this and look to ensuring the financial sustainability of the new schemes.

 

Decision Maker: Lead Cabinet member for Resources

Decision published: 10/02/2020

Effective from: 18/02/2020

Decision:

To accept the recommendations of the Grants Advisory Committee.

Wards affected: (All Wards);

Lead officer: Lesley McFarlane


05/02/2020 - Capital Strategy ref: 11260    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Made at meeting: 05/02/2020 - Cabinet

Decision published: 05/02/2020

Effective from: 13/02/2020

Decision:

Cabinet recommended to Full Council (i) the updated Capital Strategy attached at Appendix A to the report which sets the policy framework for the development, management and monitoring of capital investment, and (ii) Prudential Indicators.


05/02/2020 - Third Party Loan ref: 11248    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Made at meeting: 05/02/2020 - Cabinet

Decision published: 05/02/2020

Effective from: 15/02/2020


05/02/2020 - Ermine Street Housing Business Plan ref: 11249    Recommendations Approved

The Board of South Cambs Ltd trading as Ermine Street Housing, has agreed a revised Business Plan for 2019/20-2027/28 and the plan is presented to the Cabinet/Council for acknowledgement.

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Made at meeting: 05/02/2020 - Cabinet

Decision published: 05/02/2020

Effective from: 15/02/2020

Lead officer: Duncan Vessey


05/02/2020 - 2020-25 Business Plan ref: 11253    Recommendations Approved

To recommend a revised Business Plan action grid. The Council reassesses its 5 year Business Plan annually. A set of themes was agreed as part of the Business Plan for 2019-24. The action plan beneath this has been updated and prioritised for 2020-25.

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Made at meeting: 05/02/2020 - Cabinet

Decision published: 05/02/2020

Effective from: 05/02/2020

Decision:

Cabinet

 

(a)  Recommended that Full Council approve the proposed 2020-25 Business Plan action grid at Appendix A to the report; and

 

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

Lead officer: Gareth Bell, Kevin Ledger


05/02/2020 - Proposed Fees and Charges: 2020/2021 ref: 11256    Recommendations Approved

To undertake the annual review of non-regulatory fees and charges.

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Made at meeting: 05/02/2020 - Cabinet

Decision published: 05/02/2020

Effective from: 15/02/2020

Decision:

Cabinet

 

(a)        Approved the fees and charges as detailed in Appendix B of the report to take effect from 1 April 2020 (unless otherwise stated) or the earliest feasible date thereafter;

 

(b)       Noted the proposed variations to fees and charges in comparison to the prevailing inflation rate detailed in the report;

 

(c)        Delegated to Heads of Service, following consultation with Lead Cabinet Members, authority to vary charges or introduce new charges during the course of the year where it is considered essential to do so in order to maintain income levels, improve the service offer to users and/or where opportunities arise to increase income.

Lead officer: Trevor Roff


05/02/2020 - Greening of South Cambridgeshire Hall ref: 11252    For Determination

The project seeks to undertake work to ensure that the South Cambs Hall site becomes an example of best practice in energy efficiency and green energy generation/storage/sharing. It aims to minimise emissions through low carbon energy generation and energy efficiency measures, increase energy self-sufficiency and generate income and savings for the Council.

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Made at meeting: 05/02/2020 - Cabinet

Decision published: 05/02/2020

Effective from: 15/02/2020

Decision:

Cabinet

 

(a)  reviewed the Investment Grade Proposal (IGP) key points contained within the report, and the IGP Executive Summary document at Appendix A;

(b)  approved the full business case detailed within the report and Appendix A; and

(c)   approved the progression of the project to the implementation phase.

Lead officer: Philip Bird


05/02/2020 - Treasury Management Strategy ref: 11262    For Determination

To review Treasury Management Operations, Treasury Management Strategy and Treasury Management Practices.

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Made at meeting: 05/02/2020 - Cabinet

Decision published: 05/02/2020

Effective from: 05/02/2020

Decision:

Cabinet

 

(a)          Recommended to Council the updated Treasury Management Strategy attached at Appendix A to the report which sets 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; and

 

(b)          Supported the continuation of the interest rate of 3.85% on advances made to Ermine Street Housing during 2020/2021 and the issue of a formal loan agreement to South Cambs Limited to reflect the capital allocations identified in the Council’s approved capital programme.

Lead officer: Trevor Roff


05/02/2020 - Housing Revenue Account Revenue & Capital Budget: 2020/2021 ref: 11251    For Determination

To consider the Housing Revenue Account Budget for 2020/2021 and to recommend the Budget to Council.

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Made at meeting: 05/02/2020 - Cabinet

Decision published: 05/02/2020

Effective from: 15/02/2020

Decision:

Cabinet

 

Housing Revenue Account (HRA): Revenue

 

(a)        Recommended that Full Council approve the HRA revenue budget for 2020/2021 as shown in the HRA Budget Summary as presented at Appendix A to the report;

 

HRA: Review of Rents and Charges

 

(b)       Approved that council dwelling rents for all social rented properties be increased by the Consumer Prices Index plus 1% (2.7%), in line with legislative requirements introduced as part of the Welfare Reform and Work Act, with effect from 1st April 2020;

 

(c)        Approved that affordable rents are reviewed in line with rent legislation, to ensure that rents charged are no more than 80% of market rent for 2020/2021. Local policy is to cap affordable rents at the lower level of Local Housing Allowance, which will result in rent variations in line with any changes notified to the authority in this level, effective from 1st April 2020;

 

(d)       Approved inflationary increases of 2% in garage rents for 2020/2021, in line with the base rate of inflation for the year assumed in the proposed HRA Budget.

 

(e)        Approved the proposed service charges for HRA services and facilities provided to both tenants and leaseholders, as shown in Appendix D.

 

 

HRA: Capital

 

(f)         Approved the required level of funding for new build investment between 2020/2021 and 2024/2025 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 70% top up met by other HRA resources;

 

(g)        Recommended that Full Council approve the HRA Medium Term Financial Strategy forecasts as shown in Appendix B;

 

(h)        Recommended that Full Council approve the Housing Capital Programme as shown in Appendix C.

 

Lead officer: Trevor Roff


05/02/2020 - Summary General Fund Revenue Budget 2020/2021 ref: 11255    For Determination

To consider the General Fund Budget for 2020/2021 and to recommend the Budget to Council.

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Made at meeting: 05/02/2020 - Cabinet

Decision published: 05/02/2020

Effective from: 15/02/2020

Decision:

Cabinet

 

(a)        took into account the detailed budgets presented at Appendix B (white pages), and summarised at Appendix A (blue page), with an estimated General Fund Gross Operating Expenditure for 2020/2021 of £65.899 million, estimated Gross Operating Income of £41.617 million and estimated General Fund Net Operating Expenditure of £24.282 million;

 

(b)       Acknowledged the key factors which have led to the proposed General Fund Revenue Budget, with service pressures summarised at Appendix C (green pages) and offsetting efficiency savings/policy options summarised at Appendix D (yellow pages);

 

(c)        Acknowledged that the 2020/2021 General Fund Revenue Budget gross expenditure is covered by forecast income sources (assuming no change in Government grant) and, therefore, any addition(s) to expenditure that are made by the Cabinet or Council will need to identify matching savings and/or additional income if the proposed level of Council Tax is not to change;

 

(d)       Approved the 2020/2021 General Fund Revenue Budget taking into account 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 F);

 

(e)        Set the Council Tax Requirement for 2020/2021 at £9,562,361;

 

(f)         Approved an increase in the District element of the Council Tax of £5 per annum, giving an average Band D Council Tax of £150.31, plus the relevant amounts required by the precepts of the Parish Councils, Cambridgeshire County Council, Cambridgeshire Police & Crime Commissioner and the Cambridgeshire Fire Authority;

 

(g)       Authorised the Head of Finance, on the basis of the proposals set out in the report, to prepare the formal Council Tax Resolution for presentation to Council at its scheduled meeting on 20 February 2020;

 

(h)       Approved the estimates of the amounts required to be made under the Non-domestic Rating (Rates Retention) Regulations 2013 as set out in paragraphs 31 to 34;

 

(i)         Approved the acceptance of any grants made during 2019/2020 by the Government under Section 31 of the Local Government Act 2003 in respect of Business Rates; 

 

(j)         Approve the use of the additional income from the Business Rate Pool, estimated at £1,100,000 in 2020/2021, for transfer to the established Renewables Reserve for priority projects;

 

(k)        Subject to any changes to the recommendations above, recommend to Full Council:

 

(i)         The 2020/2021 General Fund Revenue Budget based on known commitments at this time and planned levels of Service/functions resulting in a Budget Requirement of £24.329 million;

 

(ii)        The District Council Precept on the Collection Fund (Council Tax Requirement) of £9.562 million in 2020/2021 (based on the Provisional Government Settlement) and a Band D Council Tax of £150.31.

 

Lead officer: Trevor Roff


05/02/2020 - Capital Programme 2020/2021 to 2024/2025 ref: 11261    For Determination

To determine, for recommendation to Council, the Council’s Capital Programme to 2024/20205 together with the Council’s proposed Prudential Indicators.

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Made at meeting: 05/02/2020 - Cabinet

Decision published: 05/02/2020

Effective from: 05/02/2020

Decision:

Cabinet recommended to Full Council the revised Capital Programme outlined at Appendix A.

Lead officer: Trevor Roff


05/02/2020 - Localised Council Tax Support Scheme: 2020/2021 ref: 11257    For Determination

To consider revisions to the Council Tax Reduction Scheme.

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Made at meeting: 05/02/2020 - Cabinet

Decision published: 05/02/2020

Effective from: 05/02/2020

Decision:

Not for call in

 

Cabinet recommended to Full Council

 

(a)          the adoption of Option 1, comprising the LCTS Income Bands scheme currently in operation, with an uprating of calculation figures in line with the Consumer Price Index;

 

(b)          the delegation of future annual inflation adjustments to scheme limits to the Head of Finance in liaison with the Lead Member for Finance.

Lead officer: Trevor Roff


05/02/2020 - Review of Reserves & Provisions ref: 11263    Recommendations Approved

To review the level of Reserves and Provisions.

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Made at meeting: 05/02/2020 - Cabinet

Decision published: 05/02/2020

Effective from: 05/02/2020

Decision:

Cabinet recommended to Full Council:

 

(a)        That the Reserves as summarised at paragraph 13 of the report be released and transferred to the General Reserve on 31 March 2020.

 

(b)       That the Reserves proposed for replenishment or combination, and the outstanding balances at 31 March 2020 proposed for release, as detailed in Appendix A to the report, be approved.

 

(c)        That the proposed new Reserves, as summarised at paragraph 16 of the report, be approved.

 

(d)       That the movement in Reserves in 2019/2020 as set out in Appendix A, and the estimated balance of Reserves of £41.763 million, be noted.

Lead officer: Trevor Roff


04/02/2020 - Write off of debt in excess of £25,000 ref: 11259    Recommendations Approved

It is recommended that the Lead Cabinet Member agrees to write off the debt of £40,383.18 in respect of Sven Investments Ltd.

 

All reasonable efforts to recover the debts have been attempted and have proved unsuccessful.  There is no likelihood of the debts being recovered and it is appropriate to write it off at this time to ensure good accounting practice.

Decision Maker: Lead Cabinet member for Resources

Decision published: 04/02/2020

Effective from: 12/02/2020

Decision:

Authorise the write off of the debt as set out in the report dated 3rd February 2020.

Wards affected: Histon & Impington;

Lead officer: Katie Kelly


04/02/2020 - Community Chest Grants January 2020 ref: 11258    Recommendations Approved

On 31 January the Grants Advisory Committee reviewed all new applications received between 1 December and 31 December 2019 as well as an application received between 1 October and 31 October 2019 and 2 applications received between 1 November and 31 November 2019.

 

Following consideration of the applications, the Committee made the following recommendations to the Lead Cabinet Member for Finance: 

 

 

Applicant

Village(s) affected

Description

Total applied for (£)

Total recomm

ended (£)

Additional conditions/ comments

 

1

 

Elsworth Pre School

 

Elsworth and nearby villages

 

To replace a fridge with one that is more energy efficient

 

 

317.00

 

 

 

317.00

 

 

 

2

 

Parkrun UK

 

Cambourne and surrounding villages

 

 

To set-up a Cambourne Junior Parkrun

 

1000.00

 

 

 

 

725.00

 

 

Grants Advisory Committee are not prepared to increase their grant to £1000.00.

 

3

 

Gamlingay Community Centre

 

Gamlingay

 

To purchase a newer second-hand bowls carpet and winder

 

780.79

 

780.79

 

 

 

4

 

Fowlmere Fundraisers

 

Fowlmere and surrounding villages

 

 

Set-up costs to hold village events including a pantomime in the local village

 

 

1000.00

 

 

 1000.00

 

 

 

5

 

Cambridge Past, Present and Future

 

Wandlebury

 

To purchase plants and pond dipping equipment for the Wandlebury Pond project

 

996.00

 

996.00

 

 

 

6

 

Abington Allotment and Leisure Gardeners’ Association

 

Great Abington and Little Abington

 

 

To purchase a petrol-engine shredder

 

899.00

 

 

 

899.00

 

 

 

 

7

 

Fowlmere Recreation Ground and Village Hall

 

Fowlmere and the surrounding villages

 

 

To re-level and re-gravel the village hall car park as part of an overall project to improve the car park and changing rooms

 

1000.00

 

1000.00

 

 

 

 

Decision Maker: Lead Cabinet member for Resources

Decision published: 04/02/2020

Effective from: 12/02/2020

Decision:

To accept the recommendations of the Grants Advisory Committee (see above).

Wards affected: (All Wards);

Lead officer: Ellen Bridges