Issue - meetings

Matter for Decision 

This report provided an update on the work of the following partnerships:

•        The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority (including the Business Board)

•        Greater Cambridge Partnership

•        Fast Growing Cities

•        London-Stanstead-Cambridge Consortium, and the

•        Cambridge – Milton Keynes – Oxford Arc.

 

Decision of the Executive Councillor for Strategy and External Partnerships

 

i.               Noted the contents of the report and agreed to continue to work with the Greater Cambridge Partnership, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, Fast Growing Cities, London-Stanstead-Cambridge Consortium and the Cambridge – Milton Keynes – Oxford Arc, so that the Council and its partners can address the strategic issues and challenges affecting Cambridge City, to the overall benefit of citizens.

 

Reason for the Decision

As set out in the Officer’s report.

 

Scrutiny Considerations

 

Any Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

Not applicable

 

Scrutiny Considerations

The Committee received a report from the Head of Corporate Strategy.

 

The Committee made the following comments in response to the report:

i.               Noted the County Council had put a number of residents parking schemes on hold. Asked whether there was any progress on this. Noted a motion had been tabled regarding this at the last County Council Full Council meeting.

ii.             Asked for an update on the Combined Authority’s affordable housing programme and Eastern Access project.

iii.            Noted the Combined Authority were running an e-scooter pilot and asked whether there was a public process for people to be able to provide feedback.

iv.           With regards to the Cambridge to Oxford Arc noted concerns regarding sustainability of water supply and that earlier reports of the Arc stated that water usage could double which could impact on ecological issues.

 

In response the Executive Councillor for External Partnerships said the following:

i.               Expressed disappointment regarding the County Council’s decision to put residents parking schemes on hold. Noted funding was still available and that a couple of schemes had been implemented.

ii.             Had questioned the Mayor on what had happened to the £45 million of the £100 million affordable housing scheme. The Combined Authority Mayor had stated that the scheme was about to be approved however he was not persuaded that the Civic Servants were persuaded. There had been a good response to the Eastern Access Project consultation and the dialogue would continue. There were a range of issues affecting the eastern wards. Improvements were required on Newmarket Road.

iii.            The Cambridge to Oxford Arc wasn’t a massive growth zone; there were issues regarding connectivity and different needs of specific sections. A document had been published looking at the impact on Chalk Streams which was also being considered as part of the Joint Local Plan. Noted that the Liberal Democrat amendment regarding water conservation options for the existing housing stock had been supported at Housing Scrutiny Committee.

 

The Executive Councillor for Transport and Community Safety said the following:

        i.              Would discuss with officers how information could be put on the City Council’s website to advise members of the public to direct any feedback regarding the Combined Authority’s e-scooter pilot scheme to Voi and the Combined Authority.

 

The Committee noted the recommendations.

 

The Executive Councillor noted the recommendations.

 

Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Executive Councillor (and any Dispensations Granted) 

No conflicts of interest were declared by the Executive Councillor.