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Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber, The Guildhall, Market Square, Cambridge, CB2 3QJ [access the building via Peashill entrance]. View directions

Contact: Glenn Burgess  Committee Manager

Items
No. Item

Request to film the meeting

The Mayor gave permission for Mr Carpen to film the meeting. It was confirmed that if members of the public or speakers expressed a desire not to be filmed, filming would cease.

 

14/41/CNL

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 12 June 2014 pdf icon PDF 135 KB

Minutes:

The minutes of the 12 June 2014 meeting were approved as a correct record and signed by the Mayor.

 

14/42/CNL

Mayor's Announcements

Minutes:

1.       APOLOGIES

 

No apologies had been received.

 

2.      Cambridge Summer Music Festival

 

The Mayor confirmed that a concert would take place on Friday 25 July at the Guildhall as part of the Cambridge Summer Music Festival. The event featured Jacqui Dankworth and a collection would be taken up in aid of the Mayor’s two charities – Disability Cambridgeshire and Tom’s Trust.   

 

3.        Joint City/University First World War Centenary Service

 

The Mayor confirmed that an ecumenical service would take place in Great St. Mary’s Church on Monday 4 August at 6pm to mark the centenary of the outbreak of the Great War. The service would be followed by a reception in the University Combination Room hosted by the University.   

 

On the same evening, the City Council would be participating in the national “Lights Out” initiative where households and businesses across the UK were invited to turn out lights and display a lit candle in their windows. The Mayor and the Vice-Chancellor would each light a candle in the windows of the Guildhall fronting the Market Square.

 

4.        Cambridge-Heidelberg-Montpellier Youth Orchestra

 

The Mayor confirmed that the Cambridge-Heidelberg-Montpellier Youth Orchestra concert would take place on Saturday 9 August followed by a civic reception. The event would bring together young musicians from each of the three cities.

 

5.       Mayor’s Day Out

 

The Mayor confirmed that the Mayor’s Day Out to Great Yarmouth would take place on Thursday 21 August.  

 

6.       Cambridge Open Weekend

 

The Mayor confirmed that the City Council had again joined with the University of Cambridge to participate in the Open Cambridge weekend. The Council Chamber and civic suite would be open to the public on Friday 12 and Saturday 13 September with a timed talk about the civic insignia on both dates.   

 

7.       Harvest Festival Civic Service

 

The Mayor confirmed that the Harvest Festival Civic Service would take place on Sunday 12 October at 9.30am at Great St. Mary’s Church.

 

8.       PRESENTATION OF RESOLUTION OF THANKS

 

On behalf of the City Council, the Mayor presented Paul Saunders with a framed copy of the Resolution of Thanks passed at the annual meeting of the Council on 12 June.

 

 

9.       DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

 

Councillor

Item

Interest

Birtles

14/47b/CNL

Personal: Member of GMB

Birtles

14/47b/CNL

Personal: Member of on-line blacklisting forum

Gawthrope

14/47b/CNL

Personal: Member of a trade union

Price

14/47b/CNL

Personal: Member of Unite

Robertson

14/44b/CNL

Personal: Trustee of Cambridge Cyrenians

 

14/43/CNL

Public Questions Time - see at the foot of the agenda for details of the scheme

Minutes:

Mr Lucas-Smith addressed the Council and made the following points:

 

·       He was speaking as the Chair of Cambridge Cycling Campaign which had over 1000 members.

·       Welcomed the mention of the Cycle Campaign and the publication ‘Making Space for Cycling’ in Motion 7c.

·       The guide was a national publication that had been endorsed by every national cycling group in the Country.

·       Walkers, cyclists and disability groups had been consulted when producing the guide and the three groups agreed that shared spaces resulted in problems.

·       The goals of the guide could be achieved in Cambridge.

·       Newmarket Road was cited as an example of a road with potential as it was wide but currently cluttered with out of date street furniture.

·       In the future increasing cycling rates would be important for the growth agenda.

·       Space would need to be used efficiently.

·       Progress with the Chisholm Trail was welcomed.

The Executive Councillor for Planning Policy and Transport stated that he would respond to the comments made when the motion was considered later in the meeting.

 

Mr Carpen addressed the Council and made the following points:

 

·       Drew Member’s attention to the flyer that had been distributed for the ‘Be the Change Cambridge’ event due to be held at Anglia Ruskin University in September.

·       Stated that the aim of the event was to bring people together to make Cambridge a better place.

·       The event organisers want to work with the Council.

·       Expert facilitators would be leading the event.

·       Two charities, including one supported by the Mayor, would benefit from the event.

·       The goal of the event was to engage the wider community in shaping a Cambridge for the future.

·       There would be a role for Councillors at the event.

 

The Leader responded and made the following statements.

 

·       Councillors acknowledged their role in leading the debate whilst listening to the views of others.

·       Confirmed that he would be attending the event.

·       Welcomed the inclusiveness of the event.

·       Agreed that others should help shape the debate.

14/44/CNL

To consider the recommendations of the Executive for Adoption

14/44/CNLa

Budget 2014/15 – Amendment by the Executive (Executive Councillor for Finance and Resources) pdf icon PDF 87 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Owers introduced the following changes to his 2014/15 Budget recommendation:

 

       i.          Deletion of LS6

 

To be replaced with

 

     ii.          Additional Waste Service £10k saving per annum from 2015/16

 

   iii.          Reduced contribution to “Sharing Prosperity Fund” by £5k in 2014/15

 

Full details available via:

 

http://democracy.cambridge.gov.uk/documents/b8322/Budget%20Amendment%202%20Executive%20Labour%20Amendment%20for%20Council%2024th-Jul-2014%2018.00%20Council.pdf?T=9

 

 

In response Councillor Bick proposed an updated Liberal Democrat 2014/15 Budget amendment.

 

Full details available via:

 

http://democracy.cambridge.gov.uk/documents/b8345/Lib%20Dem%20updated%20Budget%20Amendment%20-%20as%20presented%20at%20Council%2024th-Jul-2014%2018.00%20Council.pdf?T=9

 

On a show of hands the amendment was lost by 13 votes to 25, with 3 abstentions.

 

Resolved (by 25 votes to 13, with 3 abstentions):

 

To approve the budget changes as outlined in the following:

 

General Fund Revenue Budgets:

 

To approve the following revenue budget changes:

 

-        for items funded from General Fund Reserves, as shown in Appendix A of the officer’s report.

 

-        for items funded from External or Earmarked Funds, as shown in Appendix B of the officer’s report

 

Capital & Revenue Projects Plan:

 

To approve the capital amendment, as shown in Appendix C of the officer’s report.

 

Earmarked Reserves:

 

To approve changes as follows:

 

-        Amend the ‘Keep Cambridge Moving Fund’.

 

The Budget-Setting Report approved by Council in February 2014 included a contribution to this fund of £1,063.9k. It was now proposed to reduce this to £263.9k in order to fund the new Earmarked Reserves outlined below. The updated Earmarked and Specific Funds were shown in Appendix D of the officer’s report.

 

-        Establishing an earmarked reserve of £500,000 for ‘Sharing Prosperity Fund’, with the remit:

 

Sharing Prosperity Fund Formal Remit:

To provide resources to fund fixed-term and one-off projects and proposals (which can be made through the budget process by members or officers, subject to consideration by the relevant scrutiny committee and the Anti-Poverty Strategy Project Board) that support the interim objectives of the council’s Anti-Poverty Strategy, namely:

1 Helping people on low incomes to maximise their income and minimise their costs

2 Making the move into work easier

3 Helping low income families with the cost of raising a child

4 Breaking the link between poor health and poverty

5 Ensuring that vulnerable older people get the services that they need and reducing the social isolation they can experience

6 Helping people with high housing costs and improving the condition of people’s homes

7 Working in partnership to tackle wider barriers to employment and engagement (e.g. transport, learning and skills)

 

 

Establishing an earmarked reserve of £300,000 for ‘Fixed-Term Priority Project Fund’, with the remit:

 

Fixed-Term Priority Project Fund Formal Remit:

To use non-ongoing, potentially short-term or uncertain sources of income, most obviously New Homes Bonus, for fixed-term costs. The creation of this fund will allow such sources of income to be used for priority projects without building in unsustainable ongoing revenue commitment

 

Earmarked Reserves

 

‘Sharing Prosperity Fund’ (SPF)

 

That £500,000 of the balance of unapplied New Homes Bonus Funding for 2014/15 (currently in “Keep Cambridge Moving” Earmarked Fund) be used to create a ‘Sharing Prosperity Fund’. It would provide resources to fund fixed-term and one-off projects and proposals (which can be made through the budget process by members or officers, subject to consideration by the relevant scrutiny committee and the Anti-Poverty Strategy Project Board) that support the objectives of the council’s Anti-Poverty Strategy,

 

‘Fixed-Term Priority Project Fund’ (FTPPF)

 

-        Currently the Priority Policy Fund (PPF) could be used to fund ongoing revenue costs as well as fixed-term or one-off projects. In future years it would be used solely to fund ongoing revenue costs, not fixed-term or one-off projects.

 

-        That a new fund, similar to the PPF but only available for funding non-ongoing, fixed-term projects, be set up, called the Fixed-Term Priority Project Fund (FTPPF). This can then harness non-ongoing, potentially short-term or uncertain sources of income, most obviously NHB. The creation of this fund would allow such sources of income to be used for priority projects without building in unsustainable ongoing revenue commitments. £300,000 of the balance of unapplied New Homes Bonus Funding for 2014/2015 (currently in “Keep Cambridge Moving” Earmarked Fund) would be used to create this fund.

 

Capital

 

To approve the change identified in Appendix C of the officer’s report, namely to delete the 'Capital contribution to the 'Keep Cambridge Moving Fund' of £111,140 and delete from Capital Plan SC593.

 

Full details available via:

 

http://democracy.cambridge.gov.uk/documents/b8346/Labour%20Budget%20-%20Full%20Amendment%20for%20Council%2024th-Jul-2014%2018.00%20Council.pdf?T=9

 

 

14/44/CNLb

2013/14 Revenue and Capital Outturn, Carry Forwards and Significant Variances - Overview (Executive Councillor for Finance and Resources) pdf icon PDF 48 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Resolved (by 39 votes to 0, with 3 abstentions):

 

Revenue:

 

       i.          To agree the final carry forward requests, totalling £469,010, as detailed in Appendix C of the officer’s report, subject to the final outturn position.

 

Capital:

 

     ii.          To carry forward (net) capital resources to fund re-phased capital spending of £15,828,000 as shown in Appendix D of the officer’s report - Overview. (Note: this includes HRA £11,733,000)

 

14/44/CNLc

Annual Treasury Management Report 2013/14, including changes to Treasury Management Strategy 2014/15 (Executive Councillor for Finance and Resources) pdf icon PDF 54 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Owers introduced a revised Appendix D to the officer’s report (page 136 of the agenda pack). 

 

The tabled change is available via:

 

http://democracy.cambridge.gov.uk/documents/b8347/Treasury%20Management%20-%20tabled%20amendment%2024th-Jul-2014%2018.00%20Council.pdf?T=9

 

The revision clarified the change to the Investment Strategy regarding commercial property and read 'Increase the limit for investment in the CCLA Local Authorities' Property Fund' (as underlined). This therefore now excluded direct investment in commercial property which would be dealt with through the capital planning process.

 

Resolved (by 28 votes to 0, with 14 abstentions):

 

       i.          To approve the report as amended, which included the Council’s actual prudential and treasury indicators for 2013/14.

 

     ii.          To Approve the amendments to the Treasury Management Strategy as summarised below:-

 

-        Increase Counterparty limits

-        Increase the limits for longer term investments

-        Include other Building Societies on Counterparty list

-        Include suggested foreign banks on Counterparty list

-        Include Investment Commercial Properties on Counterparty list pending a more detailed report on commercial property to the Chair, Executive Councillor and Spokes.

 

The details of the above recommendations are shown in Paragraph 4.2 of the officer’s report and Appendix D of the officer’s report (as amended).

 

 

14/44/CNLd

New Convention for Planning Committee Relating to Decisions Contrary to Officer Advice (Executive Councillor for Planning Policy and Transport) pdf icon PDF 182 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Blencowe introduced a revised Appendix C of the officer’s report (page 156-157 of the agenda pack).

 

The tabled change is available via (page 30-31):

 

http://democracy.cambridge.gov.uk/documents/b8332/Info%20Pack%2024th-Jul-2014%2018.00%20Council.pdf?T=9

 

The appendix had been redrafted to better reflect the discussion at the Environment Scrutiny Committee on 8 July 2014.

 

Resolved (by 41 votes to 0, with 1 abstention):

 

       i.          To approve an amendment to the constitution to include a new convention for the Planning Committee involving a deferred decision making process for appropriate cases.

     ii.          That the convention process to be introduced for a 12 month trial period from September 2014. The convention to apply in the circumstances where the committee resolves that it is minded to refuse or approve major applications schemes contrary to the recommendation of its officers and be subject to the operational arrangements outlined in Appendix C of the officers report (as amended).

   iii.          To delegate to the Heads of Legal and Planning Services authority to amend the constitution to include the new convention, amend procedures, update guidance, provide training as necessary to ensure the smooth implementation of the new convention.

   iv.          To request the Head of Planning Services to provide a review report to Environment Scrutiny Committee on cases where the convention has applied, after 12 months operation.

 

 

 

14/44/CNLe

Changes to the Consideration of Planning Applications at Area Committees (Executive Councillor for Planning Policy and Transport) pdf icon PDF 41 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Resolved (by 26 votes to 14):

 

       i.          To rescind the delegation of powers to Area Committees to determine planning applications and enforcement matters set out in paragraph 11.3 of the terms of reference for Area Committees (section 11 of Part 3 of the Constitution) to come into effect from 1 October 2014.

 

     ii.          To delegate responsibility for determining those applications and enforcement matters to the Planning Committee with effect from 1 October 2014.

 

   iii.          To endorse the operating principles for the Planning Committee set out in paragraph 3.10 of the officer’s report and adopting the approach set out in option1 in the officer’s report.

 

   iv.          To delegate authority to the Heads of Corporate Strategy, Legal and Planning Services to make changes to the constitution, committee operating arrangements, publications, procedures and any other matters as necessary to secure the smooth implementation of this change, consulting with the Executive Councillor, Chair and Vice Chair and Opposition Spokes of Planning Committee as appropriate and necessary.

 

 

Re-ordering of the agenda

The Mayor used her discretion, under paragraph 4.2.1 of the Council Procedure Rules, to alter the order of the agenda.

 

However, for the ease of the reader the minutes will follow the order of the printed agenda.

 

14/45/CNL

To consider the recommendations of Committees for Adoption

14/45/CNLa

Code of Corporate Governance pdf icon PDF 46 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Resolved (unanimously):

 

       i.          To approve the Code of Corporate Governance.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

14/45/CNLb

Constitutional Impact - Transfer of Planning Items from Area to Central Planning Committee pdf icon PDF 44 KB

Adoption minute to follow

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Cantrill proposed and Councillor Pitt seconded the following amendment to the recommendation (amendment underlined):  

 

       i.          To agree Area Committee meeting frequency is altered from the current ‘every eight weeks’ to ‘at least six times per year’ commencing from October 2014, with each Area Committee continuing, as now, to set its own timetable of meetings for the municipal year; and

 

On a show of hands this amendment was lost by 12 votes to 25.

 

Resolved (by 26 votes to 12):

 

     ii.          To agree Area Committee meeting frequency is altered from the current ‘every eight weeks’ to ‘at least four times per year’ commencing from October 2014, with each Area Committee continuing, as now, to set its own timetable of meetings for the municipal year; and

 

   iii.          To instruct the Head of Legal Services to amend the Constitution to reflect this change.

 

 

14/45/CNLc

City Council Appointment to the Conservators of the River Cam pdf icon PDF 39 KB

Adoption minute to follow

 

Minutes:

Resolved (unanimously):

 

       i.          That Councillor Tunnacliffe take the place of Councillor Reiner on the Conservators of the River Cam.

 

14/46/CNL

To deal with Oral Questions

Minutes:

1. Councillor Martin Smart to the Executive Councillor for Housing

 

Is it true, as the latest Julian Huppert and Andy Blackhurst leaflet claims, that the Council is stopping work where improved wheelchair access is needed by tenants?

 

The Executive Councillor responded that it was not true that work had stopped. The Council was committed to improving wheelchair access and these comments were simply scaremongering.

 

2. Councillor Benstead to the Executive Councillor for Housing

 

What has been the response of Lichfield Road tenants and residents since his decision not to demolish the happy community in Lichfield Road?

 

The Executive Councillor responded that no negative responses had been received from tenants regarding the withdrawal of the redevelopment plans. Residents that had made comment had said that they were really happy not to have to move out of their homes.

 

3. Councillor Smith to the Executive Councillor for Finance and Resources

 

What actions has the Executive Councillor taken to tackle issues associated with the unlicensed punt station at Garret Hostel Lane?

 

The Executive Councillor responded that the City Council, Cam Conservators and the Police were working together to resolve the illegal use of Garret Hostel Lane by commercial punt operators.

 

Use of Garret Hostel Lane for commercial punt tours was a breach of the Cam Conservators Byelaws and was an illegal activity. The Cam Conservators had taken action in this respect and would continue to do so.

 

 

In addition to legal action, the Council was working with the County Council with a view to creating a barrier to prevent the loading and unloading of punts from this location. This location was considered unsuitable on health and safety grounds, congestion of the river, lack of facilities and congestion created on Garret Hostel Lane. 

 

The Council was also looking at making more information available to the public and tourists about how and where to get a safe punt tour.

 

Officers would meet on Tuesday 29 July to review the situation and the actions to be taken.

 

4. Councillor Todd-Jones to the Executive Councillor for Finance and Resources 

 

Can the Executive Councillor for Finance and Resources outline the status of the proposal passed as part of the 2014/15 budget for additional investment in the Council’s commercial property portfolio?

 

The Executive Councillor responded that a capital bid of £816,000 had been made for 2014/15. However as business rates were not progressing as planned there was not enough money to make a substantial difference to the commercial portfolio.

 

In order to make a substantial difference there would need to be additional investment of £4m - £5m.

 

5. Councillor Pitt to the Executive Councillor for Environmental, Waste and Public Health

 

What lessons have been learned from the response to the issues raised by the bin strike?

 

The Executive Councillor responded that the City Council had issued numerous press releases before and after the strike in order to keep the public informed of potential effects on service. Information had also been issued via the City Council’s website, Twitter feed and Facebook pages. However it was acknowledged that there was always more that could be done to ensure that the public were as informed as possible.

 

To address safety concerns, the collection of food waste bins may be prioritised in the future for any planned strike days.

 

6. Councillor Ratcliffe to the Executive Councillor for Community, Arts and Recreation

 

Can the Executive Councillor for Community, Arts and Recreation confirm that the recent grants review will prioritise funding for voluntary and community groups which assist in tackling inequality in the city, and that this will be achieved despite significant cuts to the Council’s core budget as voted for by the Lib Dem Cambridge MP, Julian Huppert?

 

The Executive Councillor responded that the recent grants review would now prioritise funding for voluntary and community groups which helped tackle inequality in the city. Due to cuts of 40% in Government grants, which MP Julian Huppert had voted for, the City Council had to find savings of £5m by 2018. 

 

At a time when former Councillor Brown was the relevant Executive Councillor a report on the Grants Review was brought to the Community Services Scrutiny Committee in January 2014. This report made many references to the need to make savings.

 

7. Councillor Reid to the Leader

 

Will this Council take every opportunity it can to achieve multi-party representation in making Councillor Appointments to external bodies?

 

The Leader responded that, whilst it was dependent on the particular circumstance, the Council’s position was that appointments be made with input from all parties.

 

8. Councillor Bick to the Leader

 

Does the Leader agree that even though we are waiting for revised legislation to enable a combined authority for Greater Cambridge, the time is nevertheless now ripe for the establishment of an interim governance structure for the Greater Cambridge City Deal so there can be proper public transparency and democratic involvement of this and the other two partner Councils in the preparation for action in all the areas covered by the Deal - transport, housing, land use planning and skills? 

 

The Leader responded that the City Deal would only take affect when the full detail was available. An agreement had not yet been confirmed as legislation was still outstanding from the coalition government.

 

A Shadow Board had met and the wider governance structures were likely to be set up by the end of the year.

 

 

The following Oral Questions were also tabled, but owing to the expiry of the period of time permitted, were not covered during the meeting:

 

9. Councillor Gawthrope to the Executive Councillor for Environment, Waste and Public Health

 

Can the Executive Councillor for Environment, Waste and Public Health let me know what measures are being put in place to help boost recycling?

 

10. Councillor Perry to the Executive Councillor for Environment, Waste and Public Health

 

Can the Executive Councillor for Environment, Waste and Public Health please let me know how the Council's litter and dog bin mapping is coming along?

 

11. Councillor Bick to the Executive Councillor for Finance and Resources

 

In deflecting from the one week delay in city rubbish collections the Executive Councillor for Environment, Waste and Public Health talked about the recent local authority workers' strike as a dispute between the coalition Government and workers who aren't paid a fair wage for what they do". Given this view, since taking office, what direction has the new Executive given the Council employers side of the national negotiations where Labour (not the coalition government) are in the lead position, and what upward adjustment does he expect to make to the existing provision for Council pay increases in the Mid-Year Financial review?

 

12. Councillor Perry to the Executive Councillor for Finance and Resources

 

Can the Executive Councillor for Finance and Resources outline what steps he will be taking to help Cambridge residents struggling with their energy and water bills?

 

13. Councillor Ratcliffe to the Executive Councillor for Environment, Waste and Public Health

 

Can the Executive Councillor for Environment, Waste and Public Health update us on the current situation regarding distribution of pocket ashtrays?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

14/47/CNL

To consider the following Notices of Motion, notice of which has been given by:

14/47/CNLa

Councillors Price and Todd-Jones

This Council supports the launch of the SHOUT (Social Housing Under Threat) campaign on 18 June 2014. It agrees with SHOUT that building social housing - social rented homes - is at the core of tackling the housing crisis nationally and locally in Cambridge and that social rented housing meets needs that other tenures cannot address.

 

This Council also notes that:

 

       i.          Under the coalition government the funding of social housing has become increasingly marginalised with the latest prospectus for bidders from the Homes and Community Agency stating that 'social rent provision will only be supported in very limited circumstances.'

 

     ii.          The coalition government's Affordable Rent programme' linking grant funding to rents of up to 80% of market rents is quite simply unaffordable and there is evidence that even setting Affordable Rents of 65% of local market rents is putting homes out of reach of many in Cambridge.

 

   iii.          Social housing faces great challenges in meeting the needs of those affected by welfare cuts and rule changes over the last three years, including the damaging ‘bedroom tax’, and increased pressure from the escalating number of council homes lost through the Right to Buy after the significant increase in discount in April 2012 from the coalition government.

 

This Council therefore resolves:

 

       i.          that the Chief Executive and Leader of the Council write to the two MPs for Cambridge, Julian Huppert MP and Andrew Lansley MP, laying out the case for a social rent level of 60% of local market rent as 'affordable' for current and potential City Homes tenants, and requesting their support for this and lobbying of the Minister for Communities and Local Government to ensure the Affordable Housing Programme favours a Cambridge Social Rented Programme.

 

     ii.          To consider how the City Deal can deliver a programme of new council homes at affordable social rent levels, including working in partnership with other providers and local authorities.

 

   iii.          To support the work of the SHOUT campaign and take a lead in affirming the positive value and purpose of social rented housing.

 

Minutes:

Councillor Price proposed and Councillor Todd-Jones seconded the following motion:

 

“This Council supports the launch of the SHOUT (Social Housing Under Threat) campaign on 18 June 2014. It agrees with SHOUT that building social housing - social rented homes - is at the core of tackling the housing crisis nationally and locally in Cambridge and that social rented housing meets needs that other tenures cannot address.

 

This Council also notes that:

 

       i.          Under the Coalition Government the funding of social housing has become increasingly marginalised with the latest prospectus for bidders from the Homes and Community Agency stating that 'social rent provision will only be supported in very limited circumstances.'

 

     ii.          The Coalition Government's Affordable Rent programme' linking grant funding to rents of up to 80% of market rents is quite simply unaffordable and there is evidence that even setting Affordable Rents of 65% of local market rents is putting homes out of reach of many in Cambridge.

 

   iii.          Social housing faces great challenges in meeting the needs of those affected by welfare cuts and rule changes over the last three years, including the damaging ‘bedroom tax’, and increased pressure from the escalating number of council homes lost through the Right to Buy after the significant increase in discount in April 2012 from the coalition government.

 

This Council therefore resolves:

 

       i.          that the Chief Executive and Leader of the Council write to the two MPs for Cambridge, Julian Huppert MP and Andrew Lansley MP, laying out the case for a social rent level of 60% of local market rent as 'affordable' for current and potential City Homes tenants, and requesting their support for this and lobbying of the Minister for Communities and Local Government to ensure the Affordable Housing Programme favours a Cambridge Social Rented Programme.

 

     ii.          To consider how the City Deal can deliver a programme of new council homes at affordable social rent levels, including working in partnership with other providers and local authorities.

 

   iii.          To support the work of the SHOUT campaign and take a lead in affirming the positive value and purpose of social rented housing.”

 

Councillor Blackhurst proposed and Councillor Catherine Smart seconded the following amendment: 

 

Delete all after “This Council notes” and replace with –

 

       i.          In the period 1997-2007 new social rented housing was delivered in England, on average, at just half the rate achieved in the period 1992-1997, which has contributed to the current national housing shortage. That the Coalition Government has taken decisive steps to increase the supply of affordable housing, with £19.5 billion of public and private investment in the current Spending Review, and has freed those local authorities which retained their housing stock from financial controls which prevented their direct investment in new housing. The introduction of affordable rents, pegged at no more than 80% of local market rents is facilitating the delivery of additional housing capacity.

 

     ii.          This Council has successfully argued that to be “affordable” rents should be defined in relation to the availability of housing benefit.

 

   iii.          This Council has made full use of the discretionary payments regime, funded by Central Government, to those seeking appropriately-sized accommodation, since the removal of the spare room subsidy was extended to those in social rented accommodation. However the removal of the subsidy can only be an effective and fair incentive for the release of larger homes if there is an adequate supply of smaller homes, so the subsidy should not be removed from tenants who have not been offered appropriate alternative accommodation.

 

   iv.          The Homes and Communities Agency currently indicate that they will only support funding for traditional social rented accommodation in limited circumstances (for example in regeneration schemes where decanting is necessary), though social rented accommodation may still be supported through the application of Council resources (funding or land).

 

This Council therefore resolves:

 

       i.          that the Chief Executive and Leader of the Council write to the two MPs for Cambridge, Julian Huppert MP and Andrew Lansley MP, laying out the case for a continuing role for social rent levels for new, as well as existing, City Homes accommodation, and requesting their support for this and lobbying of the Minister for Communities and Local Government to ensure the Affordable Housing Programme favours a Cambridge Social Rented Programme.

 

     ii.          To consider how the City Deal can deliver a programme of new council homes at affordable social rent levels, including working in partnership with other providers and local authorities.

 

   iii.          To support the work of the SHOUT campaign and take a lead in affirming the positive value and purpose of social rented housing.

 

On a show of hands the amendment was lost by 12 votes to 23.

 

Resolved (by 24 votes to 0) that:

 

This Council supports the launch of the SHOUT (Social Housing Under Threat) campaign on 18 June 2014. It agrees with SHOUT that building social housing - social rented homes - is at the core of tackling the housing crisis nationally and locally in Cambridge and that social rented housing meets needs that other tenures cannot address.

 

This Council also notes that:

 

   iv.          Under the Coalition Government the funding of social housing has become increasingly marginalised with the latest prospectus for bidders from the Homes and Community Agency stating that 'social rent provision will only be supported in very limited circumstances.'

 

    v.          The Coalition Government's Affordable Rent programme' linking grant funding to rents of up to 80% of market rents is quite simply unaffordable and there is evidence that even setting Affordable Rents of 65% of local market rents is putting homes out of reach of many in Cambridge.

 

   vi.          Social housing faces great challenges in meeting the needs of those affected by welfare cuts and rule changes over the last three years, including the damaging ‘bedroom tax’, and increased pressure from the escalating number of council homes lost through the Right to Buy after the significant increase in discount in April 2012 from the coalition government.

 

This Council therefore resolves:

 

   iv.          that the Chief Executive and Leader of the Council write to the two MPs for Cambridge, Julian Huppert MP and Andrew Lansley MP, laying out the case for a social rent level of 60% of local market rent as 'affordable' for current and potential City Homes tenants, and requesting their support for this and lobbying of the Minister for Communities and Local Government to ensure the Affordable Housing Programme favours a Cambridge Social Rented Programme.

 

    v.          To consider how the City Deal can deliver a programme of new council homes at affordable social rent levels, including working in partnership with other providers and local authorities.

 

   vi.          To support the work of the SHOUT campaign and take a lead in affirming the positive value and purpose of social rented housing.

 

14/47/CNLb

Councillors Birtles and Dryden

Cambridge City Council deplores the illegal practice of 'blacklisting' within the construction industry and will ensure that any company known to have been involved in blacklisting practices, and not to have indemnified their victims, will not be invited to tender for contracts until they have:

 

       i.          identified the steps taken to remedy blacklisting for affected workers

     ii.          identified the steps taken to ensure blacklisting will not happen again,

 

and

 

   iii.          given assurances that they do not employ individuals who were named contacts for the Consulting Association.

 

The Council asks officers to prepare a report for the Leader and Strategy and Resources Scrutiny Committee on implementation of this policy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Minutes:

Councillor Birtles proposed and Councillor Dryden seconded the following motion:

 

“Cambridge City Council deplores the illegal practice of 'blacklisting' within the construction industry and will ensure that any company known to have been involved in blacklisting practices, and not to have indemnified their victims, will not be invited to tender for contracts until they have:

 

       i.          identified the steps taken to remedy blacklisting for affected workers

     ii.          identified the steps taken to ensure blacklisting will not happen again,

 

and

 

   iii.          given assurances that they do not employ individuals who were named contacts for the Consulting Association.

 

The Council asks officers to prepare a report for the Leader and Strategy and Resources Scrutiny Committee on implementation of this policy.”

 

Resolved (unanimously) to agree the motion as set out above.  

 

 

14/47/CNLc

Councillor Cantrill

This Council notes:

 

       i.          that the Tour de France event in Cambridge on Monday 7th July was an overwhelming success for the city.

 

     ii.          the hard work of council officers, volunteers and all other organisations involved in the holding of the event.

 

   iii.          the decision taken by the City Council in 2012, to host the event only on the basis that the cost to the council was for the use of its existing resources - particularly at a time of financial austerity.

 

   iv.          the event was a demonstration of the City Council's ability to work with many stakeholders over a period of two years to deliver an event that reinforces Cambridge as a city where cycling is at its heart.

 

This Council believes that a lasting, permanent legacy of the Tour de France will be a true measure of its success and will create that legacy by resolving to:

 

       i.          continue to build on its existing commitment to cycling across all areas of the council's activities - as illustrated by the recent investment in new cycle racks across the city centre.

 

     ii.          commend the publication 'making space for cycling' and to consider, to the extent where the policy does not already exist, the adopting of the proposals within the publication.

 

   iii.          commit to support and press for the delivery of the Chisholm Trail, a major piece of cycling infrastructure, by the County Council and other key stakeholders.

 

   iv.          continue to lobby for additional cycle infrastructure on major roads in the city (similar to the schemes recently approved by the County Council on Hills Road and Huntingdon Road).

 

 

 

Minutes:

Councillor Cantrill proposed and Councillor Moore seconded the following motion:

 

“This Council notes:

 

       i.          that the Tour de France event in Cambridge on Monday 7 July was an overwhelming success for the city.

 

     ii.          the hard work of council officers, volunteers and all other organisations involved in the holding of the event.

 

   iii.          the decision taken by the City Council in 2012, to host the event only on the basis that the cost to the council was for the use of its existing resources - particularly at a time of financial austerity.

 

   iv.          the event was a demonstration of the City Council's ability to work with many stakeholders over a period of two years to deliver an event that reinforces Cambridge as a city where cycling is at its heart.

 

This Council believes that a lasting, permanent legacy of the Tour de France will be a true measure of its success and will create that legacy by resolving to:

 

       i.          continue to build on its existing commitment to cycling across all areas of the council's activities - as illustrated by the recent investment in new cycle racks across the city centre.

 

     ii.          commend the publication 'making space for cycling' and to consider, to the extent where the policy does not already exist, the adopting of the proposals within the publication.

 

   iii.          commit to support and press for the delivery of the Chisholm Trail, a major piece of cycling infrastructure, by the County Council and other key stakeholders.

 

   iv.          continue to lobby for additional cycle infrastructure on major roads in the city (similar to the schemes recently approved by the County Council on Hills Road and Huntingdon Road).”

 

Councillor Johnson proposed and Councillor Martin Smart seconded the following amendment:

 

Delete all and replace with:

 

This Council notes:

 

       i.          That the Tour de France event in Cambridge on Monday 7 July was an overwhelming success for the city;

 

     ii.          That the event was only possible through hard work, partnerships and planning over two years, in particular the tremendous work of the staff of the City and County Councils, the Police, South Cambridgeshire District Council, volunteers including the ‘Tour Makers’ and the contributions of others notably ASO the Tour de France organisers;

 

   iii.          The much appreciated financial support from TdFHub Ltd and national organisations that enabled the event to be held at no additional financial cost, and through existing Council resources;

 

   iv.          The spectacular success of community events including the Velo Festival that has allowed community groups, local businesses, schools, and others to contribute their passion for cycling through cultural and sporting activities;

 

    v.          The funding received from Arts Council England, which supported a series of cultural activities, including the highly successful Cycle of Songs commission;

 

   vi.          The ongoing partnership with Sport England and now introducing British Cycling in promoting cycling in all its forms, and continuing work with organisations including You Can Bike Too in increasing participation among under-represented groups;

 

 vii.          The progress already underway by the council through its Legacy and Activity Group in bringing together local sports and cycling clubs, community groups, schools, charities and other interested parties to develop ideas for future events that celebrate cycling in Cambridge, and

 

viii.          Work being led by the Business and Tourism Legacy Group organised by Visit Cambridge to develop the economic legacy from the event.

 

The Council will work with the County Council and partners in continuing to create a lasting legacy of the Tour de France and asks officers to bring a report to the Environment and Planning Policy Scrutiny Committee to:

 

       i.          Build on our Council-wide commitment to the promotion of safe and secure cycling, as illustrated by investment in new cycle racks in the city centre and beyond;

 

     ii.          Ensure all new schemes take into account best practice as set out in the Cambridge Cycling Campaign, ‘Making Space for Cycling’ report and related publications, and consider how best to implement its proposals and conclusions through the planning process;

 

   iii.          Commit to support and press for the delivery of the Chisholm Trail, and support wider investment and delivery in cycling infrastructure in and around Cambridge, and

 

   iv.          Continue to lobby for additional high quality cycling and pedestrian improvements in the city centre and on major roads, including schemes similar to those recently approved by the County Council on Hills Road and Huntingdon Road.”

 

On a show of hands the amendment was carried unanimously.

 

Resolved (unanimously) that:

 

This Council notes:

 

   ix.          That the Tour de France event in Cambridge on Monday 7 July was an overwhelming success for the city;

 

    x.          That the event was only possible through hard work, partnerships and planning over two years, in particular the tremendous work of the staff of the City and County Councils, the Police, South Cambridgeshire District Council, volunteers including the ‘Tour Makers’ and the contributions of others notably ASO the Tour de France organisers;

 

   xi.          The much appreciated financial support from TdFHub Ltd and national organisations that enabled the event to be held at no additional financial cost, and through existing Council resources;

 

 xii.          The spectacular success of community events including the Velo Festival that has allowed community groups, local businesses, schools, and others to contribute their passion for cycling through cultural and sporting activities;

 

xiii.          The funding received from Arts Council England, which supported a series of cultural activities, including the highly successful Cycle of Songs commission;

 

xiv.          The ongoing partnership with Sport England and now introducing British Cycling in promoting cycling in all its forms, and continuing work with organisations including You Can Bike Too in increasing participation among under-represented groups;

 

xv.          The progress already underway by the council through its Legacy and Activity Group in bringing together local sports and cycling clubs, community groups, schools, charities and other interested parties to develop ideas for future events that celebrate cycling in Cambridge, and

 

xvi.          Work being led by the Business and Tourism Legacy Group organised by Visit Cambridge to develop the economic legacy from the event.

 

The Council will work with the County Council and partners in continuing to create a lasting legacy of the Tour de France and asks officers to bring a report to the Environment and Planning Policy Scrutiny Committee to:

 

    v.          Build on our Council-wide commitment to the promotion of safe and secure cycling, as illustrated by investment in new cycle racks in the city centre and beyond;

 

   vi.          Ensure all new schemes take into account best practice as set out in the Cambridge Cycling Campaign, ‘Making Space for Cycling’ report and related publications, and consider how best to implement its proposals and conclusions through the planning process;

 

 vii.          Commit to support and press for the delivery of the Chisholm Trail, and support wider investment and delivery in cycling infrastructure in and around Cambridge, and

 

viii.          Continue to lobby for additional high quality cycling and pedestrian improvements in the city centre and on major roads, including schemes similar to those recently approved by the County Council on Hills Road and Huntingdon Road.

 

 

14/48/CNL

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:

There were no written questions.

14/49/CNL

Special Urgency Decisions

Part 4B paragraph 16 of the Council’s Constitution, permits Special Urgency decisions to be taken by the relevant Executive Councillor with the agreement of the Chair of the relevant Scrutiny committee.

 

Para 17.3 of the Access to Information Procedure Rules requires that these decisions be reported back to Council for information.

14/49/CNLa

Building Cleaning In House Bid pdf icon PDF 44 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The decision was noted.

14/49/CNLb

Consultation About Area Joint Committee Proposal pdf icon PDF 43 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The decision was noted.