Decisions

Earlier - Later

Decisions published

05/06/2020 - Addendum to Greater Cambridge Statement of Community Involvement in light of Covid-19 Restrictions ref: 11327    Recommendations Approved

South Cambridgeshire District Council adopted the Greater Cambridge Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) on 1 July 2019, jointly with Cambridge City Council.

 

The SCI for planning sets out how and when we will involve the community and key stakeholders in preparing, altering and reviewing our plans and guidance to guide future development. It also explains how we will involve the community in planning applications.

 

The Councils are committed to keeping essential services running during the Coronavirus outbreak.  Planning has an important role to play in supporting our economy and our communities. It is important that we find a way to keep the planning process moving forward. There are a number of ways in which the Councils are having to adapt the approach to planning applications and plan making while movement restrictions are in place.

 

It is therefore proposed to add an Addendum to the SCI, to set out which elements are impacted by current restrictions, and how the Councils will continue to enable full involvement of people in planning matters. Updating the SCI reflects advice from the Planning Advisory Service. Each of the changes proposed is explained in the Addendum, included as Appendix 1 to this decision.

 

When the SCI was adopted it was subject to Equalities Impact Assessment (EQIA). An update of this assessment has been undertaken (appendix 2 to this decision) to consider the impacts of the Addendum. No changes to the impact of the policy were identified each of the protected characteristics identified.

 

A decision is needed through the out of cycle decision process in order that the SCI amendment can be published, to provide greater clarity on the planning process during the Coronavirus outbreak.

Decision Maker: Lead Cabinet member for Planning

Decision published: 05/06/2020

Effective from: 13/06/2020

Decision:

To adopt the Addendum to the Greater Cambridge Statement of Community Involvement 2019 (appendix 1 to this decision).

Wards affected: (All Wards);

Lead officer: Jonathan Dixon


04/06/2020 - Provision of 3 no. affordable dwellings at Linton Road, Great Abington ref: 11347    Recommendations Approved

The purpose of this Decision Notice is to give approval for South Cambridgeshire District Council (SCDC) to enter into Heads of Terms followed thereafter into a JCT Design & Build Contract (JCT 2016 – industry standard) to purchase 3 no affordable homes representing the S106 40% affordable housing contribution on a site at Linton Road, Great Abington.

 

The site has been brought forward by Laragh Homes who, are an award winning developer and looking to build their first small site in the SCDC district.

 

In its entirety the site totals 15 new homes - with the policy compliant 40% affordable housing of 3 new rented home. The remainder of the 40% will be covered by the development of 4 new £100k homes as part of a central government initiative and will be the first £100k homes to be developed in South Cambridgeshire.

 

Laragh are due to start on site in June 2020 and have issued draft Heads of Terms to proceed on.

 

All reserved planning matters have been resolved .

 

It should be noted that the payback is in year 27

 

This site is one of the development sites that are part of the ‘ Unallocated New Build/Acquisition Budget’ included in the New Build Investment Cashflow (Appendix E) of the MTFS approved in February 2020.

 

Enabling/Strategic support

Strategic Housing fully support this mix, as it will provide much needed homes in Great Abington where SCDC has existing stock .

The overall affordable housing mix has previously been agreed by Housing Strategy as meeting the housing needs in Great Abington and its environs.

 

Scheme details

Planning Reference number :

The site has planning (ref: S/4392/19/DC) with all conditions now discharged.

 

The S106 is signed and completed.

 

Mix:

Description of

No of

Type of

Stock

No of

Units to be delivered:

Units:

Tenure:

Category:

Beds:

 

 

 

 

 

2 bed flat

2

Rent

Flat

2

2 bed house

1

Rent

House

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contract type:

The contract will be a JCT 2016 contract. (Joint Contracts Tribunal) Design & Build Contract

 

Legal Advice : Freeths  ( Previously provided at Grace Crescent , Hardwick)

“We believe that either ownership or an option constitute such “exclusive rights”. It needs to be said, however, that cases do turn on their facts. We would also have to state that the Council should be able to demonstrate that in the case where it was letting a contract including development, that there is no reasonable alternative or substitute – ie there are not other similar convenient sites which could reasonably be regarded as being available for development, eg in terms of being for sale, zoning, access to services etc.

 

There are no other suitably sized permissioned sites in Great Abington that are available for consideration at this time.

 

Financial

 

Use of Right to Buy Receipt:

This scheme consists of 3 rented homes which allows the use of Right to Buy receipts totalling £160,761

 

Use of Commuted Sum:

No Commuted sum is being used as no shared ownership partly owned by the council on this site.

 

The scheme is considered to be value for money for the council. The offer and price per sq. m is commensurate with sums paid for recent council new build development schemes. In addition a robust financial appraisal has been carried out and a commercially sensitive financial appendix is attached. The scheme has a Payback year within the business plan parameters.

Decision Maker: Lead Cabinet member for Housing

Decision published: 04/06/2020

Effective from: 12/06/2020

Decision:

To approve South Cambridgeshire District Council to enter into Heads of Terms followed thereafter by a JCT contract for the build of the 3 affordable homes and a land contract and transfer to purchase the site for the 3 affordable homes at Linton Road, Great Abington.

Wards affected: Linton;

Lead officer: Kirstin Donaldson


02/06/2020 - Thriplow Community Governance Review ref: 11346    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Civic Affairs Committee

Made at meeting: 02/06/2020 - Civic Affairs Committee

Decision published: 02/06/2020

Effective from: 02/06/2020

Decision:

The Committee

 

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL 

 

A)        The request from Thriplow Parish Council to change representation to 5 for Thriplow village ward and to 4 for Heathfield ward and to implement these changes from the next scheduled election in May 2022.

 

B)        The request from Thriplow Parish Council to change its name to the Parish of Thriplow and Heathfield, the timing to be agreed with the Parish Council.


02/06/2020 - Community Governance Review of the parishes of Longstanton and Oakington and Westwick, prompted by the Development at Northstowe; adjustments to the review timetable as a result of COVID-19 Restrictions ref: 11345    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Civic Affairs Committee

Made at meeting: 02/06/2020 - Civic Affairs Committee

Decision published: 02/06/2020

Effective from: 02/06/2020

Decision:

The Committee unanimously

 

AGREED        to

 

A)        Extend the second round of consultation until 15 September 2020 and proceed with an adjusted timetable as outlined in Appendix D to enable conclusion of the review such that the outcome of the review can still be brought into effect April 2021.

 

B)        Approve the format for re-engagement with the public and successful conclusion of the second round of consultation.

 

C)        Delegate final sign-off of the precise dates of the engagement programme outlined in Appendix F to the Northstowe Healthy New Town Programme Lead, to conform with advice from central government regarding relaxation or retightening of lockdown requirements.


01/06/2020 - Community Led Housing - Grant Application by Histon & Impington CLT ref: 11344    Recommendations Approved

Background

 

In December 2016, the government announced a new annual fund of £60m to help councils tackle

the problem of high levels of second homeownership in their communities, which, impacts on the housing supply.  This funding is called The Community Housing Fund, its purpose is to put local groups in the driving seat and help them deliver affordable housing through community initiatives, such as Community Land Trusts.  South Cambridgeshire District Council received £50,329 grant funding and the City Council also received a similar amount.

 

In the first few years of receiving the grant, both councils commissioned CLT East to provide specialist advice and support to help local communities bring forward affordable housing schemes. As part of the funding received, grants of £4,500 are being offered to help seed-fund set up costs for local communities.  The remaining money available from the funding received from government will enable the South Cambridgeshire District Council to seed-fund two more community groups.

 

 

Purpose

 

To approve the application received from Histon & Impington Community Land Trust for a grant of £4,500 to help them to legally set up as a Community Benefit Society. Histon & Impington CLT believe that this would be the best legal format to deliver their objectives.  It will give them the opportunity to act as custodians for the villages and provide much needed affordable homes for people with strong local connections. It will also safeguard community assets and buildings and give local people a say on what they want for Histon & Impington, including the appropriate design standards of homes/buildings to complement the villages.

 

Histon & Impington CLT have been working with specialist advisors who have helped them to prepare the scoping report (attached at Appendix B). 

 

As funding is limited, applications are considered and prioritised based on an assessment criteria.

 

The application meets the criteria set out below:

 

Assessment Criteria

 

Deliverability of the scheme, this includes whether land is identified

Whilst no land has yet been secured, the CLT have several potential sites in mind for development. Once the CLT is formed legally, they will engage with the community and potentially do an open call for sites if no suitable sites are found in the meantime.

 

Delivery timescales

Short term (next 6 months)

  • Successful grant application to SCDC
  • Become legally incorporated
  • Develop and implement a strong engagement strategy
  • Build a strong support network and community buy-in
  • Launch an online comments form
  • Establish a membership form and build membership

 

Medium term (up to 3 years)

  • Produce evidence-based understanding of housing need
  • Increase membership
  • Successfully complete first project
  • Establish a vision for future projects
  • Provide community feedback on projects
  • Provide social value metrics on completed project

Housing need, priority will be given in areas where there is a high level of identified housing need

Through the neighbourhood plan it has identified a need for more affordable housing with emphasis on one and two bed properties for older residents and young families. Simple two bed terrace homes, considered starter homes, sell for over £200k, which is beyond the reach of families with a combined income of £40k per year. In recent years there has been little new affordable housing due to the lack of suitable developments coming forward.

Do the proposals support a Neighbourhood Plan

Yes, Histon & Impington has submitted a neighbourhood plan for examination in August 2019. The visions and aims complement one another for the best interest of the community. In the survey ‘Affordable Housing’ was ranked third in terms of what people worry about regarding the future of Histon & Impington.  The supply of affordable housing was the second most important in terms of need for improvement.

 

The NP policy HIM18 Housing Mix and Meeting Housing Needs states that developments based on a CLT

model of ownership are encouraged.

 

Decision Maker: Lead Cabinet member for Housing

Decision published: 01/06/2020

Effective from: 09/06/2020

Decision:

To approve a community-led development grant  of £4,500 to Histon & Impington CLT.

Wards affected: Histon & Impington;

Lead officer: Julie Fletcher


26/05/2020 - S/1213/19/RM - Great Abington (Strawberry Farm) ref: 11343    Recommendations Approved

All planning applications for Great Abington considered by the Planning Committee since May 2003. For individual reports, please click on the “Meetings” tab above. For further details on all Great Abington planning applications, please visit our Planning Applications Database and select Great Abington from the drop-down list of parishes.

Decision Maker: Planning Committee

Made at meeting: 26/05/2020 - Planning Committee

Decision published: 28/05/2020

Effective from: 26/05/2020

Decision:

By six votes to two, the Committee refused the application contrary to the recommendation in the report from the Joint Director of Planning and Economic Development. Members agreed the reason for refusal as being a conflict with planning policies including Policy HQ/1 (Design Principles) of the South Cambridgeshire Local Plan 2018 by virtue of the proposal’s design quality, height and scale making it out of keeping with the character of, and fail  either to preserve or enhance, the local area and landscape. Members also agreed that final wording for the Decision Notice should be agreed by officers in consultation with the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Planning Committee.

 

(Councillors John Batchelor, Bradnam, Heylings, Milnes, Roberts and Wright voted to refuse the application. Councillors Cahn and Fane voted to approve it. Councillors Ellington, Rippeth and Heather Williams were not present.)

Wards affected: The Abingtons (pre-2018);


26/05/2020 - S/4302/19/FL - Girton (16 High Street) ref: 11340    Recommendations Approved

All planning applications for Girton considered by the Planning Committee since May 2003. For individual reports, please click on the “Meetings” tab above. For further details on all Girton planning applications, please visit our Planning Applications Database and select Girton from the drop-down list of parishes.

Decision Maker: Planning Committee

Made at meeting: 26/05/2020 - Planning Committee

Decision published: 28/05/2020

Effective from: 26/05/2020

Decision:

The Committee deferred this application for administrative reasons.

Wards affected: Girton;


26/05/2020 - S/3858/19/FL - Whittlesford (2 Whiskins) ref: 11342    For Determination

All planning applications for Whittlesford considered by the Planning Committee since May 2003. For individual reports, please click on the ‘Meetings’ tab above. For further details on all Whittlesford planning applications, please visit our Planning Applications Database and select Whittlesford from the drop-down list of parishes

Decision Maker: Planning Committee

Made at meeting: 26/05/2020 - Planning Committee

Decision published: 28/05/2020

Effective from: 26/05/2020

Decision:

The Committee deferred this application for administrative reasons.

Wards affected: Whittlesford;


26/05/2020 - S/4081/19/FL - Fowlmere (Hideaway, Lynch Lane) ref: 11341    Recommendations Approved

All planning applications for Fowlmere considered by the Planning Committee since May 2003. For individual reports, please click on the “Meetings” tab above. For further details on all Fowlmere planning applications, please visit our Planning Applications Database and select Fowlmere from the drop-down list of parishes.

Decision Maker: Planning Committee

Made at meeting: 26/05/2020 - Planning Committee

Decision published: 28/05/2020

Effective from: 26/05/2020

Decision:

The Committee deferred this application for administrative reasons.

Wards affected: Fowlmere & Foxton (pre-2018);


21/05/2020 - MILTON COUNTRY PARK AND FINANCIAL IMPACT OF COVID-19 (Cabinet - 6 May 2020) ref: 11335    Recommendations Approved

This item will be discussed by Cabinet at its 6 May meeting and will be a full Council decision. The item relates to the provision of urgent support due to financial pressures as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Decision Maker: Council

Made at meeting: 21/05/2020 - Council

Decision published: 26/05/2020

Effective from: 21/05/2020

Decision:

Council AGREED that

 

A)       SCDC issues a conditional grant of £50,000 to Cambridge Sport Lakes Trust, ratifies the first instalment of £25,000 in May 2020 and agrees to the second £25,000 no earlier than September 2020.

B)       The first instalment is subject to Head of Finance reviewing the Trust’s current financial position via bank statements.

C)       The second instalment is subject to Head of Finance reviewing the Trust’s Management Accounts in addition to business efficiency measures, fundraising efforts and revised cashflow forecast.


21/05/2020 - Zero Carbon Strategy ref: 11336    Recommendations Approved

To adopt a Zero Carbon Strategy for South Cambridgeshire.

Decision Maker: Council

Made at meeting: 21/05/2020 - Council

Decision published: 26/05/2020

Effective from: 21/05/2020

Decision:

Lead officer: Siobhan Mellon, Trevor Roff


21/05/2020 - Terms of Reference - Climate and Environment Advisory Committee ref: 11337    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Council

Made at meeting: 21/05/2020 - Council

Decision published: 26/05/2020

Effective from: 21/05/2020

Decision:

Council

 

AGREED       to approve the revised terms of reference of the Climate and Environment Advisory Committee, as set out in Appendix A and agreed that the necessary amendments be made to Part 3 of the Constitution.


21/05/2020 - Planning Scheme of Delegation (Planning Committee - 12 February 2020) ref: 11333    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Council

Made at meeting: 21/05/2020 - Council

Decision published: 26/05/2020

Effective from: 21/05/2020

Decision:

Council

 

AGREED       to approve and adopt the changes to the Planning Scheme of Delegation as set out in Appendix A which was determined by Planning Committee at its meeting on the 12th February and authorise officers to confirm the necessary changes to the constitution that have been made and to allow officers to proceed to take delegated decisions.


21/05/2020 - Covid-19 - Changes to decision making processes ref: 11332    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Council

Made at meeting: 21/05/2020 - Council

Decision published: 26/05/2020

Effective from: 21/05/2020

Decision:

Council AGREED to

 

A)       Endorse the postponement of the annual Council meeting in view of the Government’s COVID 19 restrictions and that prior to 7 May 2021 an annual meeting of the Council shall only take place following lifting of the Covid 19 restrictions by the Government and confirmation that it is safe to return to physical meetings:

 

(a) where called by the Chair; or

(b) where called by the Chief Executive or Monitoring Officer; or

(c) following a resolution calling for an Annual Meeting being  

  passed at an ordinary or extraordinary meeting of the Council.

 

B)       Note that, as a consequence of A) above, all current appointments  of chairmen, vice-chairmen and of members of committees, joint committees, other bodies and substitutes shall continue until the next annual meeting or until such time as the Council may determine.  

 

C)       Endorse the decision of the Chief Executive to convene this meeting as an ordinary meeting of the Council, and to authorise the Chief Executive, after consultation with the Leader and/or relevant Chair(s), to alter the frequency, move or cancel meetings or to vary the dates and times of meetings, as required.

 

D)       Approve the Standing Order for remote meetings, as set out at Appendix A, with amendment to provide for removal of the need for Members to stand when speaking at meetings of Full Council and the removal of paragraph 5.1(j) in the Public Questions Scheme, as it is a duplication.

 

E)      Amend the delegated powers of the Chief Executive to act in an emergency contained in paragraph 3.5.2 of the Scheme of Delegation in Part 4 of the Constitution, until specified otherwise by the Council, to read as follows:

 

“The Chief Executive (or any other Chief Officer or Head of Service in their absence) may exercise any power or function, which is in law capable of delegation, in any emergency threatening life, limb or substantial damage to property within the District, or where necessary in order for the Council to continue to carry out its functions or to maintain service delivery.  This power shall include authority to incur expenditure not provided for within the budget or borrowing where the Chief Executive considers this essential for the purposes of managing or responding to the emergency or maintaining essential service delivery.  The Chief Executive shall consult with the Leader of the Council (unless the Leader  cannot be contacted after all reasonable efforts have been made). The Chief Executive shall update the Executive or Council, as appropriate, on the use of such powers.”

 

F)        Approve, until specified otherwise by the Council, the increase in the current maximum limit for a supplementary estimate to £100,000 on the understanding that if it later becomes evident that this additional expenditure can be met from savings elsewhere in the budget, it will be, and to delegate authority to the Leader, the Chief Executive and the Chief Finance Officer to approve such supplementary revenue and capital estimates.

 

G)        Authorise the Monitoring Officer to make any necessary and consequential  amendments to the Constitution to enable the implementation of the changes at A) to F) above.

 

H)        Grant a dispensation to any Member unable to attend a council meeting for a period greater than six months for Covid-19 related reasons, in accordance with Section 85 (1) of the Local Government Act 1972 until 31 December 2020.

 

 


21/05/2020 - Appointment of the Chief Operating Officer ref: 11338    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Council

Made at meeting: 21/05/2020 - Council

Decision published: 26/05/2020

Effective from: 21/05/2020

Decision:

Council AGREED to

 

A)       Approve the appointment of Anne Ainsworth as Chief Operating Officer for South Cambridgeshire District Council. 

 

B)       Note that a provisional offer of employment has been made, subject to two exemplary references, health clearance and eligibility checks in accordance with the Council’s policies. The necessary references have been received. 

 

C)       Agree that the appointment commence on a date to be mutually agreed.

 

D)       Agree that the salary to be offered is £103,000 which is within the Council’s salary range for this post as set out in the Pay Policy Statement(£92,035 to £108,275 per annum). 

 

E)        Confirm that the appointment will be subject to a 6-month probation period.


21/05/2020 - Adoption of Revised Constitution (Civic Affairs Committee - 3 March 2020) ref: 11334    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Council

Made at meeting: 21/05/2020 - Council

Decision published: 26/05/2020

Effective from: 21/05/2020

Decision:

Council AGREED to

 

A)       Adopt, subject to (B) below, the revised Constitution (Appendix B), Ethical Handbook (Appendix C), Public Speaking Scheme (Appendix D1) and Petitions Scheme (Appendix D2) with effect from 22 May 2020.

 

B)       Note that, for the conduct of virtual meetings, the Constitution may be superseded by the provisions of The Local Authorities and Police and Crime Panels (Coronavirus) (Flexibility of Local Authority and Police and Crime Panel Meetings) (England and Wales) Regulations 2020 and any revised Standing Orders agreed by the Council relating to virtual meetings.

 

C)       Authorise the Chief Executive, after consultation with the Chairman of the Council, to make any further typographical or minor amendments to the Constitution prior to its publication.


21/05/2020 - NORTHSTOWE TOWN CENTRE DEVELOPMENT PHASE 1 (Cabinet - 4 March 2020) ref: 11339    Recommendations Approved

To outline arrangements for the design and build of three community buildings in Northstowe as required by planning obligations and the Council role in the process.

Decision Maker: Council

Made at meeting: 21/05/2020 - Council

Decision published: 26/05/2020

Effective from: 21/05/2020


20/05/2020 - S/0019/20/FL - Over (30 Hilton Street) ref: 11329    Recommendations Approved

All planning applications for Over considered by the Planning Committee since May 2003. For individual reports, please click on the `Meetings’ tab above. For further details on all Over planning applications, please visit our Planning Applications Database and select Over from the drop-down list of parishes.

Decision Maker: Planning Committee

Made at meeting: 20/05/2020 - Planning Committee

Decision published: 26/05/2020

Effective from: 20/05/2020

Decision:

By affirmation, the Committee approved the application subject to the Conditions set out in the report from the Joint Director of Planning and Economic Development.

 

Councillor Peter Fane had not joined the meeting at this stage and was not therefore part of the affirmation.

Wards affected: Willingham & Over (pre-2018);


20/05/2020 - S/3732/19/FL - Madingley (Belvoir Cottage, The Avenue) ref: 11330    For Determination

All planning applications for Madingley considered by the Planning Committee since May 2003. For individual reports, please click on the `Meetings’ tab above. For further details on all Madingley planning applications, please visit our Planning Applications Database and select Madingley from the drop-down list of parishes.

Decision Maker: Planning Committee

Made at meeting: 20/05/2020 - Planning Committee

Decision published: 26/05/2020

Effective from: 20/05/2020

Decision:

Councillor Tom Bygott, a local Member for Madingley spoke against the application. The Chairman then invited  the Senior Planning Lawyer to advise and having heard his comments  the Chairman proposed that this application be deferred so as not to prejudice the applicant, whose agent had withdrawn his request to address the Committee prior to Councillor Bygott being granted exceptional permission to communicate his objections to the application. The proposal was seconded by Councillor Heather Williams and, by affirmation, the Committee deferred the application.

 

Councillor Peter Fane had not joined the meeting at this stage and was not therefore part of the affirmation.


20/05/2020 - S/3826/19/FL - Linton (3 The Ridgeway) ref: 11331    For Determination

All Planning Applications for Linton considered by the Planning Committee since May 2003. For individual reports, please click on the ‘Meetings’ tab above. For further details on all Linton Planning Applications, please visit our Planning Applications Database and select Linton from the drop-down list of parishes.

 

Decision Maker: Planning Committee

Made at meeting: 20/05/2020 - Planning Committee

Decision published: 26/05/2020

Effective from: 20/05/2020

Decision:

Upon the proposal of Councillor Heather Williams, seconded by Councillor Anna Bradnam, the Committee unanimously voted to withdraw Permitted Development Rights Class B (additions or alterations to roofs which enlarge the house) and Class C (other alterations to roofs).

 

By nine votes to two, the Committee approved the application subject to

 

(a)   Withdrawal of Permitted Development Rights Classes B and C of Schedule 2 part 1; and

 

(b)   The Conditions set out in the report from the Joint Director of Planning and Economic Development.

 

(Councillors John Batchelor, Bradnam, Cahn, Ellington, Fane, Heylings, Rippeth, Roberts and Wright voted to approve the application. Councillors Milnes and Heather Williams voted for refusal.)

Wards affected: Linton;