Council and democracy
Home > Council and Democracy > Agenda and minutes
Venue: Council Chamber, The Guildhall, Market Square, Cambridge, CB2 3QJ [access the building via Peashill entrance]. View directions
Contact: Toni Birkin Committee Manager
No. | Item | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
To Elect a Mayor for the Municipal Year 2016/17 Minutes: Councillor Roberts proposed and Councillor Cantrill seconded the nomination of Councillor Jeremy Benstead as Mayor for the Municipal Year 2016/17. Resolved that: i. Councillor Jeremy Benstead be elected for the Municipal Year 2016/17. Councillor Benstead then made the statutory declaration of acceptance of the office of Mayor. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
To Elect a Deputy Mayor for the Municipal Year 2016/17 Minutes: Councillor Perry proposed and Councillor Gillespie seconded the nomination of Councillor Holland as Deputy Mayor for the Municipal Year 2016/17. Councillor Cantrill proposed and Councillor Holt seconded the nomination of Councillor Pippas as Deputy Mayor for the Municipal Year 2016/17. Resolved (by 26 votes to 13 votes) that: i. Councillor Holland be elected Deputy Mayor for the Municipal Year 2016/17. Councillor Holland then made the statutory declaration of acceptance of the office of Deputy Mayor. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Minutes of the 14th April enclosed seperately. Additional documents: Minutes: The minutes of the meeting of the 23 March and 14 April 2016 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Mayor. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
To Note the Returning Officer's Report That The Following Have Been Elected to the Office of Councillor It was noted that the following had been elected to the
Office of Councillor. ·
Abbey: Richard Johnson ·
Arbury: Mike
Todd-Jones ·
Castle: John
Hipkin · Cherry Hinton: Robert Dryden ·
Coleridge: Rosy
Moore ·
East Chesterton: Margery
Abbott ·
Kings Hedges: Nigel
Gawthrope ·
Market: Tim
Bick ·
Newnham: Lucy Nethsingha ·
Petersfield: Richard
Robertson ·
Queen Edith’s: Jennifer
Page-Croft ·
Romsey: Sophie Barnett ·
Trumpington: Donald
Adey ·
West Chesterton: Mike
Sargeant Minutes: It was noted that the following had been elected to the Office of Councillor. ·
Abbey: Richard
Johnson ·
Arbury: Mike
Todd-Jones ·
Castle: John
Hipkin ·
Cherry Hinton: Robert
Dryden ·
Coleridge: Rosy
Moore ·
East Chesterton: Margery
Abbott ·
Kings Hedges: Nigel
Gawthrope ·
Market: Tim
Bick ·
Newnham: Lucy Nethsingha ·
Petersfield: Richard
Robertson ·
Queen Edith’s: Jennifer
Page-Croft ·
Romsey: Sophie Barnett ·
Trumpington: Donald
Adey ·
West Chesterton: Mike
Sargeant |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
To Note the Appointment of the Mayor's Chaplain for the Ensuing Year Minutes: The Council noted the appointment of Alan Bateman as the Mayor’s Chaplain for the Municipal Year 2016/17. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
To Pass a Resolution of Thanks to the Outgoing Mayor Minutes: Resolved (unanimously), on the proposal of Councillor McPherson, seconded by Councillor Tim Moore that: i. The Council expresses its appreciation of the manner in which the duties of Mayor were discharged by Councillor Dryden, during his period of office and that the Common Seal be affixed to a copy of this resolution for presentation at the next Council meeting. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mayors Announcements Minutes: APOLOGIES There were no
apologies. CIVIC CHURCH SERVICE - SUNDAY 29 MAY Members noted that the Mott Sermon would be preached at Holy Trinity Church on Sunday 29 May at 9.30 a.m. Members were asked to let Lucy Milazzo know if they planned to attend the service. OUTGOING MAYOR’S DINNER – THURSDAY 9 JUNE The Mayor reminded members that the Mayor’s outgoing dinner
was to take place at Corpus Christi College and that tickets could be purchased
from Lucy Milazzo. PROCLAMATION OF MIDSUMMER FAIR – WEDNESDAY 22 JUNE The Proclamation was scheduled to take place on Wednesday 22 June and details would be
circulated. MAYOR’S DAY OUT The Mayor confirmed that the Mayor’s Day Out was to take place on Wednesday 17 August and the venue was once again Great Yarmouth. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
To Elect from among the Members of the Council Four Bailiffs of the City for the Municipal Year 2016/17 Minutes: Councillor Rosy Moore proposed that Councillors Gawthrope, McPherson, Pippas and T.Moore be appointed as Bailiffs. Resolved that Councillors Gawthrope, McPherson, Pippas and T.Moore be appointed as Bailiffs of the City for the Municipal Year 2016/17. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Declaration of Interests Minutes:
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
To consider the recommendations of Committees for Adoption |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
16.05.16 Civic Affairs:Constitutional Changes PDF 27 KB Additional documents: Minutes: Resolved (unanimously) to: i. Note the changes to the Executive portfolios (as attached to the agenda). |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
16.05.16 Civic Affairs: Nomination For Committees For The Municipal Year 2016/17 PDF 39 KB Minutes: Appointment of Committees: Resolved (by 28 votes to 0) to: i. Agree the number and size of committees and membership of committees as listed below: SCRUTINY COMMITTEES
REGULATORY COMMITTEES *Council agreed a
departure from proportionality rules
OTHER COMMITTEES
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
26.05.16 Civic Affairs: Nominations of Chairs and Vice-Chairs PDF 17 KB Minutes: Resolved: i. (By 27 votes to 0) To agree the Chairs and Vice-Chairs as follows (excluding Vice-Chair of Licensing Committee). ii. (By 27 votes to 13) To agree the Vice - Chair for Licensing Committee.
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
26.05.16 Civic Affairs: Independent Person and Deputy PDF 11 KB Minutes: Resolved (nem con) to: i. Confirm the appointment of Mr Sean Brady as the Council’s Independent Person and Mr Robert Bennett as the Council’s Deputy Independent Person. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Group Leaders will each have the opportunity to speak for not more than 15 minutes on their Group’s priorities for action and objectives for the forthcoming municipal year in the following order: Councillor Herbert Councillor Bick Councillor Hipkin The Annual Statements of the Labour Group and the Liberal Democrat Group are appended. Additional documents: Minutes: Councillor Herbert spoke to a written Annual
Statement on the Labour Group’s priorities for the forthcoming Municipal Year,
which had been appended to the agenda for the meeting. Councillor Bick spoke to a written Annual
Statement on the Liberal Democrat Group’s priorities for the forthcoming
Municipal Year, which had been appended to the agenda for the meeting Councillor Hipkin gave an oral Annual
Statement on the Independent/Green Group’s priorities for the forthcoming
Municipal Year. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Adoption of Annual Policies and Priorities The scheme for Annual Statements provides that the Statement of the Leader of the largest group on the Council shall be deemed to be a motion for adoption. It may therefore be debated and amendments proposed after which it shall be put to the vote and, if carried, shall be adopted as Council policy for the municipal year. The Council will therefore consider the Annual Statement of the Labour Group as a motion for adoption. If the adopted Annual Statement contains proposals which fall outside the Council’s budgetary or policy framework, the proposals shall not be acted upon until there has been a report to the relevant Scrutiny Committee(s) and Executive Councillor(s) in the normal way and approval at a subsequent meeting of the Council. Minutes: Under the Scheme for Annual Statements, that of Councillor
Herbert was deemed to be a motion for adoption by the Council. Resolved (by 29 votes to 0) that: i. The Annual Statement of the Labour Group, as appended to the agenda, be adopted as Council policy for 2016/17. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Public Questions Time - see at the foot of the agenda for details of the scheme Minutes: Mr Hagard addressed the Council and made the following statement: i. As Cambridge City Council's only representative on the three person City Deal Executive, which comprises Councillor Lewis Herbert plus two Conservative, non-Cambridge City, councillors, who meet in private to agree major decisions about the City, can Councillor Herbert please assure those who live and work in Cambridge: · that he privately fought strongly for a proper scientific review of the case, for and against peak hour congestion charging, and its potential for consequent massive funding of world class bus services, and second: · that he privately fought against the major highway re-engineering proposals that will split the two sides of Milton Road, as proposed by the City Deal Executive, for the "removal of a large number of highway trees, with or without cycle lanes, with limited opportunities for replanting on the highway", and finally: · would Councillor Herbert agree that in future he will always tell the public the position that he takes on the key issues coming before the City Deal Executive, and also the evidence that underlies his future stances on these key issues, and · would Councillor Herbert also agree to meet and discuss the issues and the evidence with the public of Cambridge, before and after each of these critical meetings. The Leader responded: i. There was the opportunity to hold him to account at Council meetings. ii. The meetings of the City Deal Assembly were open to the public and there was a meeting scheduled on the 2 June 2016. iii. There was a set of Officer proposals, which would be publicly consulted on. There would be a debate on the way the consultation was shaped. iv. The City Deal Board comprised 5 members and not 3. v. He had appeared several times in the Cambridge News detailing his opinions on City Deal issues. Mr Hagard made the following supplementary point: i. He asked whether Councillor Herbert would commit to fight for all City Deal decisions to be brought urgently under a single democratic authority (for example under a Unitary Authority) which would be subject to full democratic scrutiny and engagement. The Leader responded with the following: i. The governance arrangements for the City Deal were set up under the Liberal Democrat administration. ii. He could not stop majority decisions by the City Deal Board but could seek to persuade the other board members. iii. The City Deal was a partnership arrangement. iv. Comments made to the City Deal were genuinely taken into consideration. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
To deal with Oral Questions Minutes: 1) Councillor O'Connell Executive Councillor for Environment
and Waste Does the Executive
Councillor believe that the City Council is doing enough to tackle air
pollution in the city and the effect it has on public health? The City Council had a good record of review and assessment of air
quality in Cambridge and of delivering actions to improve air quality based on
the evidence gathered. There had been a recognised air quality problem in the city formalised
by the declaration of an Air Quality Management Area Plan in 2004. Air quality was known to be an issue in the
city centre, in particular the area around the Bus Station and at busy
junctions on the inner ring road where EU Limit Values for Nitrogen Dioxide
were regularly exceeded. The largest locally derived impact was from road
traffic emissions. Whilst significant progress has been made to reduce emissions in
Cambridge a combination of challenges persisted these included: population
growth which increased demand for transport and the historic streets in the
city centre were constraining factors. The City Council had a statutory duty to monitor, review and assess key
pollutant levels through Local Air Quality Management Regulations. 2) Councillor Nethsingha to the Leader Please could the
leader tell me whether he will be supporting any new "devolution"
deal which includes a directly elected mayor for the
Cambridgeshire/Peterborough area? The Leader advised that he would share with the political parties the
best deal that Cambridge was able to get.
There were some good things which formed part of the deal however only elected
Mayors were going to be able to get control on business rates and bus
franchises. He confirmed that there would be a report back to Council regarding
devolution. 3) Councillor T. Moore to the Executive Councillor for Communities Last week was
international Mental Health Week, and in the UK Mental Health Awareness Week.
Our Council funds a variety of valuable services which can help those with
Mental Health issues, and their families, in the community. What services are
being provided to assist this group of residents? The Executive Councillor for Communities
advised that the Mental Health Awareness Week was the previous week and that
this was an important issue for the City. The Council had various policies and
strategies to support residents which included: the Anti-Poverty Strategy,
Single Equalities Scheme, the Corporate Strategy, the Homelessness Prevention
Grant, Independent Living Service and training sessions which supported people
to access Council services. The Council was also a signatory to the Mental
Health Crisis Concordat. 4) Councillor Bick to the Executive Councillor for City Centre
and Public Places Based on the
feedback that has been received and the physical aftermath, what specific
instructions has she issued or will she be issuing to the North Pole Experience
about the running of ice rink on Parker's Piece over next Christmas? The Executive Councillor for City Centre and Public Places advised that
the ice-rink had over 80,000 visitors. Officers had met with Ice Box Limited
who operated the Ice Rink to debrief the event and give the Council’s feedback
from comments and complaints which had been received in 2015/2016. Ice Box
Limited had considered this feedback. Proposed changes to the event would go to
the West Central Area committee in early to mid-July. There was a contract in
place with Ice Box Limited but it was hoped that changes could be made to the
contract. Health and Safety considerations would also need to be taken into
consideration. 5) Councillor Pippas to the Executive Councillor for Planning
Policy and Transport Does the executive
Councillor for Planning Policy and Transport believe it is a good idea to
implement a 20 mile per hour speed limit throughout the city of Cambridge? The Executive Councillor for Planning Policy and Transport advised that the Council was fully committed to the introduction of 20mph
controls across the majority of streets in Cambridge. 6) Councillor Nethsingha to the Leader Is he aware of the
serious public concern about the changes to street lighting proposed in
Burrell's Walk? The Leader was aware of the
serious public concern over the County Council’s street lighting proposals. There had been a close dialogue with the Open Spaces Team regarding the
street lights which had led to the use of DW Windsor
heritage style Class One columns. These
street lights would be fitted with the iconic Cambridge brackets. There would be 9
street lights compared to the 18 street lights before. The Open Spaces Team
would ensure that the trees were trimmed as this was a heavily used pedestrian
and cycle route. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
To consider the following Notices of Motion, notice of which has been given by: |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Councillor Cantrill: Cambridge City Council and the UK Membership of the European Union CAMBRIDGE
CITY COUNCIL AND THE UK MEMBERSHIP OF THE EUROPEAN UNION Cambridge
is an international city, with two EU twin cities. It residents include
individuals from all parts of the European Union. Cambridge’s economy, in particular its universities together with its
educational, science, medical and technology sectors benefits enormously from
EU funding.
For example Cambridge University receives approximately £65m in EU funding per
year and gains from participating in key European Union research
projects. This economic activity benefits everyone in Cambridge
generating jobs, income from taxation, a lively retail
offer and entertainment scene. In addition
the Cambridge area benefits from European companies such as Siemens that have
chosen to be located in the greater Cambridge area and from the large number of
EU tourists. Workers in
Cambridge are better off as a result of the EU employment directives on equal
opportunities, holidays, pensions, working hours, health and safety, and
protection from discrimination. The EU has
had an overwhelmingly positive effect on the environment. This is
particularly important for Cambridge, with its range of fragile environmental
resources as it faces the impact of expansion. The range of policies and
targets that this involves demonstrate how
properly-targeted EU regulation is a force for good. This
Council believes that EU reform should make the EU better for the UK and that
means remaining a member to lead that reform, not being a spectator on the side
lines. Cambridge
City Council believes that it is in the best interests of residents, businesses
and the whole of the city of Cambridge for the UK to remain a member of the
European Union. It urges those electors eligible to vote to back the 'REMAIN'
vote at the forthcoming EU referendum and asks the leader of the council to
write to the city's MPs and MEPs setting out the council's views. Minutes: Councillor Cantrill proposed and Councillor Bick seconded the following motion: Cambridge
is an international city, with two EU twin cities. Its residents include
individuals from all parts of the European Union. Cambridge’s
economy, in particular its universities together with its educational, science,
medical and technology sectors benefit enormously from EU funding. For example
Cambridge University receives approximately £65m in EU funding per year and
gains from participating in key European Union research projects. This economic
activity benefits everyone in Cambridge generating jobs, income from taxation,
a lively retail offer and entertainment scene. In addition
the Cambridge area benefits from European companies such as Siemens that have
chosen to be located in the greater Cambridge area and from the large number of
EU tourists. Workers in
Cambridge are better off as a result of the EU employment directives on equal
opportunities, holidays, pensions, working hours, health and safety, and
protection from discrimination. The EU has
had an overwhelmingly positive effect on the environment. This is particularly
important for Cambridge, with its range of fragile environmental resources as
it faces the impact of expansion. The range of policies and targets that this
involves demonstrate how properly-targeted EU regulation is a force for good. This
Council believes that EU reform should make the EU better for the UK and that
means remaining a member to lead that reform, not being a spectator on the side
lines. Cambridge
City Council believes that it is in the best interests of residents, businesses
and the whole of the city of Cambridge for the UK to remain a member of the
European Union. It urges those electors eligible to vote to back the 'REMAIN'
vote at the forthcoming EU referendum and asks the leader of the council to
write to the city's MPs and MEPs setting out the council's views. Resolved (By 29 votes to 11 votes): Cambridge
is an international city, with two EU twin cities. Its residents include
individuals from all parts of the European Union. Cambridge’s
economy, in particular its universities together with its educational, science,
medical and technology sectors benefit enormously from EU funding. For example
Cambridge University receives approximately £65m in EU funding per year and
gains from participating in key European Union research projects. This economic
activity benefits everyone in Cambridge generating jobs, income from taxation,
a lively retail offer and entertainment scene. In addition
the Cambridge area benefits from European companies such as Siemens that have
chosen to be located in the greater Cambridge area and from the large number of
EU tourists. Workers in
Cambridge are better off as a result of the EU employment directives on equal
opportunities, holidays, pensions, working hours, health and safety, and
protection from discrimination. The EU has
had an overwhelmingly positive effect on the environment. This is particularly important
for Cambridge, with its range of fragile environmental resources as it faces
the impact of expansion. The range of policies and targets that this involves
demonstrate how properly-targeted EU regulation is a force for good. This
Council believes that EU reform should make the EU better for the UK and that
means remaining a member to lead that reform, not being a spectator on the side
lines. Cambridge
City Council believes that it is in the best interests of residents, businesses
and the whole of the city of Cambridge for the UK to remain a member of the
European Union. It urges those electors eligible to vote to back the 'REMAIN'
vote at the forthcoming EU referendum and asks the leader of the council to
write to the city's MPs and MEPs setting out the council's views. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Councillor Nethsingha: Energy Saving Street Lamps Council requests its
officers to work with county council officers to define options
for co-investment in the conversion of Cambridge's street lamps to
energy-saving LED, with a view to eliminating the city council's
current open-ended subsidy and to take a lead in mitigating climate
change; bringing a report to the October meeting of the Strategy &
Resources Scrutiny Committee. Minutes: Councillor Nethsingha proposed and Councillor Bick seconded the following motion: Council requests its
officers to work with county council officers to define options for
co-investment in the conversion of Cambridge's street lamps to energy-saving LED,
with a view to eliminating the city council's current open-ended subsidy and to
take a lead in mitigating climate change; bringing a report to the October
meeting of the Strategy & Resources Scrutiny Committee. Councillor Herbert proposed and Councillor Robertson seconded the
following amendment to the motion (deleted
text Council
requests its officers Council notes that a) the County
Council PFI contract agreed several years ago was based on installing
conventional non-LED low energy lighting, b) in a written response to the City Council
from the County Council ahead of 2016 budget decisions, the County Council
advised that the current replacement of lights part-funded by the city with LED
had been assessed as non-viable given the terms of the PFI contract and
pre-agreed installation programme, and the County Council ten year payback
criteria, c) the City Council
will continue to review this, including ahead of our three year agreement to
part fund overnight street lighting being reviewed before 2019. Council asks the Executive Councillor for
Finance and Resources, who leads also on climate change and energy-saving
investments, to a) meet with the relevant County Council
Chair and county officers, and then circulate an update to all Councillors and,
should (b) above have changed, consider appropriate action, b) review this
issue and wider opportunities from increased City Council use of LED as part of
2017 budget preparation. Council also asks its members who are also
Cambridge County Councillors to take the direct route and raise LED issues at
Shire Hall, as key decisions and County Council proposals for new LED lighting
including active plans for main highways are decided there. On a show of hands the amendment was carried
by 29 votes to 12. It
was resolved (unanimously) that: Council
requests its officers to continue to support the County Council in their investigation of the
viability of energy-saving LED lighting for street lights the City Council is
contributing to, and the city’s potential contribution, as well as making
further LED investments on our own property and land, and considering wider
renewable energy investment. Council notes that a) the County
Council PFI contract agreed several years ago was based on installing conventional
non-LED low energy lighting, b) in a written response to the City Council
from the County Council ahead of 2016 budget decisions, the County Council
advised that the current replacement of lights part-funded by the city with LED
had been assessed as non-viable given the terms of the PFI contract and
pre-agreed installation programme, and the County Council ten year payback
criteria, c) the City Council
will continue to review this, including ahead of our three year agreement to
part fund overnight street lighting being reviewed before 2019. Council asks the Executive Councillor for
Finance and Resources, who leads also on climate change and energy-saving
investments, to a) meet with the relevant County Council
Chair and county officers, and then circulate an update to all Councillors and,
should (b) above have changed, consider appropriate action, b) review this
issue and wider opportunities from increased City Council use of LED as part of
2017 budget preparation. Council also asks its members who are also
Cambridge County Councillors to take the direct route and raise LED issues at
Shire Hall, as key decisions and County Council proposals for new LED lighting
including active plans for main highways are decided there. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Written Questions No discussion will take place on this
item. Members will be asked to note the written questions and answers document as
circulated around the Chamber.
Minutes: Members
noted the written questions and answers that had been included within the
Information Pack. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Urgent Decision Part 4C section 6.1 of the Councils Constitution provides that
individual members of the Executive ‘may take a decision which is contrary or
not wholly in accordance with the budget approved by the full Council if the
decision is a matter of urgency’. The
decision is reported to Council for information purposes only. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Approval of funding for improvements to 20 Newmarket Road, Cambridge PDF 194 KB Minutes: The urgent decision was noted. |