Council and democracy
Home > Council and Democracy > Issue > Decision details
Decision Maker: Executive Councillor for Open Spaces and City Services
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Is Key decision?: No
Is subject to call in?: No
To approve a ten year Management Plan for Coldham's Common.
Public Question
A member of the public asked a question as set out below.
1. Mr Smith raised the following points:
i.
Referred to barbed
wire on Coldham’s Common (P126 of the Officer’s
report). This prevented access and was a danger to animals. Requested it be
removed.
ii.
Referred to a
written statement submitted by Ms White, Vice Chair
of Friends of Coldham’s Common. Queried if there had
been adequate consultation on the Coldham’s Common
Management Plan. Also, what was the timeframe for action?
The Senior Asset Development Officer said the wire was due for removal
through the Management Plan, but there was a legal challenge on one section of
the fence.
The Executive Councillor for City Centre and
Public Places said the intention was to minimise the
amount of wire on the Common and its removal would be a priority for action.
The Streets and Open Spaces Development Manager said recommendations in
the Officer’s report would lead to dialogue then action if approved. The
Management Plan would be reviewed after a year then brought back to committee
if there were any issues.
Matter for
Decision
Coldham’s Common is one of
the largest open spaces in Cambridge; it is widely used by people for a variety
of different activities and is important for its natural habitats and the
biodiversity they support. Cambridge City Council oversaw the management of the
common for the people of Cambridge.
The 10 year
management plan seeks to deliver a vision for Coldham’s
Common. Extensive public consultation had been undertaken to establish how
local residents and visitors use and value the site. These views have been
considered carefully when balancing the multifunctional uses and values of the
common.
The plan collates
information on important features of the common. Each feature review includes a
brief description of why it is considered important, sets key objectives for
the next ten years and proposes specific actions to achieve them. It also sets
out a monitoring and review timetable for the actions.
A 5 year review of the plan is proposed to be consulted on in 2021.
Decision
of Executive Councillor for City Centre and Public
Places
i.
Adopted the ten year Coldham’s Common Operational Management Plan for
implementation beginning April 2016;
ii.
Instructed officers to promote the
new plan amongst stakeholders and users and invite volunteer participation in
appropriate activities;
iii.
Instructed Officers to review the
management plan in 12 months’ time and report back any exceptions to Scrutiny
Committee on the effectiveness of the management regime.
Reason for the Decision
As set out in the Officer’s report.
Any Alternative Options Considered and Rejected
Not applicable.
Scrutiny
Considerations
The Committee received a report from the Streets and Open Spaces Development Manager.
The Committee unanimously resolved to endorse the recommendations.
The Executive Councillor
approved the recommendations.
Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Executive Councillor
(and any Dispensations Granted)
No conflicts of interest were
declared by the Executive Councillor.
Publication date: 05/05/2016
Date of decision: 17/03/2016