Issue - meetings

Report to follow

Matter for Decision: The report detailed the budget proposals which relate to this portfolio that are included in the Budget-Setting Report (BSR) 2014/15. The report also included any recommendations concerning the review of charges, project appraisals and capital re-phasing / funding for schemes in the Capital & Revenue Projects Plan for this portfolio.

 

Decision of the Leader

 

The Leader resolved to:

 

Capital:

 

a)   Seek approval from the Executive to fund the additional spend of £3k in 2013/14 from the Climate Change Fund, as detailed in Appendix C of the Officer’s report.

 

Reasons for the Decision: As set out in the Officer’s report

 

Any alternative options considered and rejected: As set out in the Officer’s report

 

Scrutiny Considerations:

 

The committee received a report from the Director of Resources.

 

In response to member’s questions the Director of Resources and the Director of Environment said the following:

 

       i.          The capital contribution of £111,140 to the ‘Keep Cambridge Moving’ is a top up in order to meet the total investment of £1.5m.

     ii.          Any final decision on how to spend the £1.5m would need to be brought to the Environment Scrutiny Committee and discussed in detail with the County Council. As an example however, it could pay for 350-500 additional Park and Ride spaces, or be used as a strategic intervention to address issues such as the Huntingdon Road Corridor.

   iii.          £25,000 was spent on the District Heating System Pilot but unfortunately the business case has not been proved and the funding has therefore been cancelled. Lots of work was undertaken with the University to look at the financial viability but unfortunately the rate of return was lower than anticipated and it was deemed too risky to proceed. Good dialogue has been built up between the Council and the University and future joint projects are being investigated. A full report on the District Heating Scheme Pilot will be brought back to committee in due course.

   iv.          As a result of the creation of a shared CCTV service some surplus balance from Repairs and Renewal (R&R) has been returned. This is made up of a number of different components such as a reduction in the number of posts, and the reduction in maintenance and running of the control room and related equipment.   

 

In response to member’s questions the Leader said the following:

 

i.       The aim of the ‘keep Cambridge Moving’ fund is to meet future transport demands and mitigate against the extra traffic coming into the City due to the improvements to the A14.

ii.     The £1.5 investment is not a contribution to the A14 improvements.

iii.   The aim of the City Council is to prioritise sustainable forms of transport.

iv.   The fund would not be a grant pot for which projects could be bid against. The fund would most likely support a small number of significant projects delivered alongside the County Council.

v.    Whilst the Council could have chosen to invest into the fund on an annual basis, the larger upfront investment was deemed the best option to address the particular issues that Cambridge faces.

vi.    The Neighbourhood Resolution Panel Co-ordinator’s hours have been increased in order to deliver on the turnaround time target for the completion of the panel process and to replenish and train the pool of volunteers.

 

The committee resolved by 4 votes to 0 to endorse the recommendations.

 

The Leader approved the recommendation.

 

Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Leader (and any Dispensations Granted):

 

Not applicable.