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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: Claire Tunnicliffe  Committee Manager

Items
No. Item

15/59/CNL

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 6 November 2014 pdf icon PDF 277 KB

Minutes:

The minutes of the meetings held on 6 November 2014 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Mayor.

 

15/60/CNL

Mayor's Announcements

Minutes:

1.      APOLOGIES

 

Apologies were received from Councillor Reid & Councillor Tucker

 

2.      FUND RAISING

 

The Mayor confirmed that the fund raising event in aid of Tom’s Trust held on 11th February had raised over £2,200.   

 

3.       COMMONWEALTH FLAG RAISING CEREMONY AND                   WORLD WAR 1 COMMEMORATION

 

On Monday, 9th March, the Commonwealth Flag would, as usual, fly over the Guildhall. The ceremony will be coupled with a national World War 1 commemoration co-ordinated by the National Association of Civic Officers.

 

4.       HONORARY COUNCILLOR PERCY REED

 

The Mayor announced the death of Honorary Councillor Percy Reed at the age of 101 years.   Mr. Reed was first elected to the City Council in 1968 representing West Chesterton Ward where he served continuously until 1983.   He was Mayor of the City in 1981-82.  In his capacity as an Honorary Councillor, Mr. Reed continued to give outstanding support to the office of Mayor and had been an extremely regular attender at the Council’s civic events until a year or so ago.

 

A minutes silence then followed.

 

 

5.      WELCOME TO COUNCILLOR SANDERS

 

The Mayor welcomed Councillor Sanders to her first meeting since being elected at the Queen Edith’s by-election on 13 November 2014.

15/61/CNL

Public Questions Time

Minutes:

Doug Whyte addressed the Council and made the following points:

 

     i.        Discussions with Officers have been ongoing for over a year regarding the start date for improvement works to Buchan Street Shopping Area.

    ii.        Asked if a final decision would be made at this meeting when the work would begin.

 

The Executive Councillor for Housing responded with the following:

 

             i.        Advised that money had been allocated in the budget recommendations for 2015/16.

            ii.        Subject to approval of the budget, which would be considered later in the meeting, the work would begin at the end of March or early April 2015.

 

Andy Davey addressed the Council and made the following points:

     i.        The cutting down of the plane trees at the rear perimeter of Alexandra Gardens were due to be considered by the Planning Committee on 4th March 2015.

    ii.        These trees are threatened as householders are seeking to claim compensation for underpinning their properties to repair the damage that the insurance companies believe the trees have caused.

   iii.        Questioned if the trees caused all the damage. The properties had been built on clay (which moves seasonally) and many have rear extensions. Cracks could appear due to the difference in foundations between house and extension.

  iv.        Was advised by the Executive Councillor for City Centre and Public Places that there was no money to save these trees from ruinous cutting.

   v.        The Council budget which will be considered tonight shows that the Council plans to release £12.1m from the £24m general reserve. Why cannot just 1% of this money (or an additional 1% from the reserve) be used to supplement the fund set aside by Councillor Cantrill in 2012 to settle the outstanding verifiable claims and save these trees?

The Executive Councillor for City Centre and Public Places responded:

 

           iii.        Acknowledged the disappointment that local residents felt as she too could view the trees from her property.

          iv.        There were no guarantees that there would be no future claims, and more monies from the Reserves would be required which would have to be taken from elsewhere; such as protecting front line services, housing and anti-poverty funding. Therefore there could be no promise to save the trees.

           v.        Funding was not unlimited and money was also required to protect other areas in the City.

          vi.        Since 2012, the Council had made a number of short term decisions. Now the decision was strategic and the question should be asked if the trees should be retained at all cost. There could be unlimited liability to protect the five trees at Alexandra Gardens. 

 

Andy Davey raised the following supplementary points:

 

             i.        The Executive Councillor has presented the case as an unlimited pot of money.

            ii.        Asked for monies to be taken from the commercial property portfolio, not housing or anti-poverty funding.

           iii.        Trees should treated as public amenity assets.

 

The Executive Councillor for City Centre and Public Places responded:

 

     i.        Appreciated Mr Davey’s comments.

    ii.        It was expected that funding from central government would be cut each year and harsh decisions had to be made in order to allow the Council to invest towards housing and towards anti-poverty funding. 

 

Anthony Carpen addressed the Council and made the following points:

 

     i.        ‘Be the Change Cambridge’ were offering three guided workshops; the Housing, Transport and Planning workshop might be of particular interest to Councillors.

    ii.        A new video would be released to promote the organisation which would be sent to Councillors electronically to share with their contacts.

15/62/CNL

To consider the recommendations of the Executive for Adoption

15/62/CNLa

Money Transmission (Banking) Contract (Executive Councillor for Finance and Resources) pdf icon PDF 47 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Resolved (unanimously):

 

     i.        To authorise the delegation to the Director of Business Transformation to undertake the re-tendering and award of the Council’s Banking Contract for a period of 5 years (with the Council’s option to extend up to a further 5 years), subject to the preferred tender price being within 10% of the estimated contract value;

 

    ii.        To commence the tender process by not using a Framework option i.e. using a ‘full’ tender process; and;

 

   iii.        To use an ‘open’ tender route and to evaluate bidders using the same creditworthiness criteria as used to select the City Council Counterparty List.

 

 

15/62/CNLb

Annual Treasury Management Strategy Statement 2015/16 (Executive Councillor for Finance and Resources) pdf icon PDF 51 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

 

Resolved (27 votes to 0):

 

To approve:

 

i.        The Annual Borrowing Statement at Paragraph 3.2 of the        officer’s report, the Council’s Minimum Revenue Provision           (MRP) Policy at Paragraph 3.3 of the officer’s report and the         Council’s Annual Investment Strategy as contained within           Paragraph 6 of the officer’s report.

 

ii.       An amendment to counterparty limits as follows (which puts    these financial instruments in line with the other products in  use):

 

Name

Recommended Limit (£)

Supranational Bonds - AAA

15m

UK Government Treasury Bills

15m

UK Government Gilts

15m

 

iii.      Changes to the estimated Prudential & Treasury Indicators     for 2014/15 to 2017/18, inclusive, as set out in Appendix D of       the officer’s report.

 

15/62/CNLc

2015/16 Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Budget Setting Report (Executive Councillor for Housing) pdf icon PDF 54 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

 

Resolved (27 votes to 0):

 

To approve:

 

Treasury Management

i.        Retaining the existing approach to treasury management,       setting-aside a proportion of the surpluses generated over    the life of the Business Plan to allow for potential debt      redemption, but re-investing up to 75% of the surplus     generated in the acquisition or development of new affordable housing, as outlined in Section 6 of the HRA     Budget Setting Report.

 

Housing Capital

ii.       Capital bids, shown in Appendix D (2) of the HRA Budget        Setting Report, to include ear-marking resource for the     implementation of both a new sub-regional choice based      lettings IT system, and the software required to facilitate           customer access to elements of the housing management      information system, subject to each project demonstrating   viability.

 

iii.      Amendment to the Decent Homes Programme       investment, recognising the financial implications of a     change in the assumed life for UPVC window replacements,    from 25 years, to the 40 years required as part of the Decent Homes Standard

 

iv.      Re-allocation of £976,000 of resource in 2015/16 and    2017/18, originally included in previous years for works to communal areas, into the budget for garage improvement works, to allow the authority to undertake major works to some of the larger garage blocks should there be a financially viable business case for investment. The decision to proceed with works following the preparation of each business case shall be delegated to the Director of Customer & Community Services, in consultation with the Executive Councillor, Chair of Housing Scrutiny Committee (Part 2) and the Opposition Spokespersons.

 

v.       The latest budget and funding mix for each of the schemes in the 2011-15 new build programme, as detailed in    Section 5 and Appendix F of the HRA Budget Setting Report,       recognising the most up to date information available as          each scheme progresses through the design, planning, build       contract and completion process.

 

vi.      Gross funding of £7,008,000 for the development of       the    affordable housing project on the Homerton site, in line with         the scheme specific report being presented to Housing Scrutiny Committee on 14th January 2015, which assumes           75% affordable rented and 25% shared ownership housing.

 

vii.     Earmarking the required level of additional funding for new      build investment between 2015/16 and 2019/20 to ensure       that the anticipated level of future retained right to buy          receipts can be appropriately utilised.

 

viii.    Re-direction of existing resource, previously identified as         Cambridge Standard Investment, to create a new City     Homes Estate Improvement Programme, with a view to      increasing the future level of investment in this area, as part    of the Fundamental Review of the HRA and Housing       Service, which will take place during 2015.

 

ix.      The revised Housing Capital Investment Plan as shown in      Appendix I of the HRA Budget Setting Report.

 

x.       Provisional addition to the Housing Capital Allowance of          £29,151,000 in respect of anticipated qualifying expenditure          in 2015/16.

15/63/CNL

To consider budget recommendations of the Executive for adoption pdf icon PDF 20 KB

Additional documents:

15/63/CNLa

Proposed Revenue and Capital Budgets -2014/15 (Revised), 2015/16 (Budget & Council Tax) and 2016/17 (Forecast) (The Leader) pdf icon PDF 62 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Executive presented its budget recommendations as set out in the Council Agenda, on the amendment sheet circulated around the Chamber and published on the City Council’s website.

15/63/CNLb

Liberal Democrat Group Amendment to the Executive's budget recommendations. pdf icon PDF 1 MB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Bick presented the Liberal Democrat Group’s alternative budget as set out in the Council Agenda, on the amendment sheet circulated around the Chamber and published on the City Council’s website.

 

Under the Council’s budget procedure, the Liberal Democrat Group’s alternative budget was deemed to have been moved and seconded as an amendment.

 

On a show of hands the Liberal Democrat Group’s alternative budget amendment was lost by:

 

13 votes in favour: Councillors Austin, Avery, Bick, Blackhurst, Cantrill, Moore, Pippas, Pitt, Reiner, Sanders, C Smart, Smith & Tunnacliffe.

 

to 25 votes against: Councillors Abbott, Ashton, Baigent, Benstead, Bird, Blencowe, Dryden, Gawthrope, Hart, Herbert, Holland, Johnson, McPherson, Moghadas, O’Reilly, Owers, Perry, Price, Ratcliffe, Roberts, Robertson, Sarris, Sinnott, M Smart & Todd-Jones.

 

with 2 abstention: Councillors Meftah & Hipkin.

 

In accordance with the Council’s budget procedure, Councillor Bick moved separately the following proposals, which formed part of the Liberal Democrat Group alternative budget: 

 

Reference

Details

OPP-CAP-1

Intermediate Housing Programme.

 

Reference

Details

OPP-CAP-8

Commercial Property Acquisition Programme.

 

Reference

Details

OPP-II 1

 

Reduce income from Commercial Property Acquisition Programme.

 

Reference

Details

OPP-II-2

 

Income from investment in Intermediate Housing programme of £12m.

 

Reference

Details

OPP-NCL 1

Invest for Income Fund.

 

Reference

Details

OPP-NCL 2

 

Increase DRF to Capital to part-fund Intermediate Housing programme.

 

On a show of hands the proposal was lost by:

 

13 Votes in favour: Councillors Austin, Avery, Bick, Blackhurst, Cantrill, Moore, Pippas, Pitt, Reiner, Sanders, C Smart, Smith & Tunnacliffe.

 

25 Votes against: Councillors Abbot, Ashton, Baigent, Benstead, Bird, Blencowe, Dryden, Gawthrope, Hart, Herbert, Holland, Johnson, McPherson, Moghadas, O’Reilly, Owers, Perry, Price, Ratcliffe, Roberts, Robertson, Sarris, Sinnott, M Smart & Todd-Jones.

 

2 Abstentions: Councillors Hipkin & Meftah.

 

Reference

Details

OPP-PPF 1

 

Payment of Living Wage to external staff operating Council contracts.

 

On a show of hands the proposal was lost by:

 

13 Votes in favour: Councillors Austin, Avery, Bick, Blackhurst, Cantrill, Moore, Pippas, Pitt, Reiner, Sanders, C Smart, Smith & Tunnacliffe.

 

24 Votes against: Councillors Abbot, Ashton, Baigent, Benstead, Bird, Blencowe, Dryden, Gawthrope, Hart, Herbert, Johnson, McPherson, Moghadas, O’Reilly, Owers, Perry, Price, Ratcliffe, Roberts, Robertson, Sarris, Sinnott, M Smart & Todd-Jones

 

3 Abstentions: Councillors Hipkin, Holland & Meftah.

 

Councillor Pitt requested that a roll call vote be taken by the Chief Executive and enter in the minutes the names of each member present and whether they voted for or against or abstained.

 

The vote was recorded as follows:

 

13 Votes in favour: Councillors Austin, Avery, Bick, Blackhurst, Cantrill, Moore, Pippas, Pitt, Reiner, Sanders, C Smart, Smith & Tunnacliffe.

 

24 Votes against: Councillors Abbot, Ashton, Baigent, Benstead, Bird, Blencowe, Dryden, Gawthrope, Hart, Herbert, Johnson, McPherson, Moghadas, O’Reilly, Owers, Perry, Price, Ratcliffe, Roberts, Robertson, Sarris, Sinnott, M Smart & Todd-Jones

 

3 Abstentions: Councillors Hipkin, Holland & Meftah.

 

 

 

 

 

Reference

Details

OPP-S-1

Maintenance of Partnership Funding with Cambridgeshire

 

Reference

Details

OPP-S-3

Corporate Information Assistant.

 

Reference

Details

OPP-PPF-5

Increase in paid time-off for Trade Union Branch Secretaries.

 

On a show of hands the proposal was lost by:

 

13 Votes in favour: Councillors Austin, Avery, Bick, Blackhurst, Cantrill, Moore, Pippas, Pitt, Reiner, Sanders, C Smart, Smith & Tunnacliffe.

 

26 Votes against: Councillors Abbot, Ashton, Baigent, Benstead, Bird, Blencowe, Dryden, Gawthrope, Hart, Herbert, Hipkin, Hollans Johnson, McPherson, Moghadas, O’Reilly, Owers, Perry, Price, Ratcliffe, Roberts, Robertson, Sarris, Sinnott, M Smart & Todd-Jones

 

1 Abstention: Councillor Meftah.

 

Reference

Details

OPP-S 2

Maternity Funding

 

On a show of hands the proposal was lost by:

 

13 Votes in favour: Councillors Austin, Avery, Bick, Blackhurst, Cantrill, Moore, Pippas, Pitt, Reiner, Sanders, C Smart, Smith & Tunnacliffe.

 

25 Votes against: Councillors Abbot, Ashton, Baigent, Benstead, Bird, Blencowe, Dryden, Gawthrope, Hart, Herbert, Holland, Johnson, McPherson, Moghadas, O’Reilly, Owers, Perry, Price, Ratcliffe, Roberts, Robertson, Sarris, Sinnott, M Smart & Todd-Jones.

 

2 Abstentions: Councillors Hipkin & Meftah.

 

Reference

Details

OPP-PPF-4

Project Delivery Officer

 

Reference

Details

OPP-CAP-2

Nightingale Recreation Ground Pavilion refurbishment.

 

Reference

Details

OPP-CAP-3

Jesus Green Pavilion

 

Reference

Details

OPP-CAP-4

Public Conveniences

 

Reference

Details

OPP-CAP-5

Local Centre Improvement Programme

 

Reference

Details

OPP-CAP-6

Extension of Environmental Improvement Programme.

 

Reference

Details

OPP-CAP-7

Minor Highways Improvement Programme.

 

On a show of hands the proposal was lost by:

 

13 Votes in favour: Councillors Austin, Avery, Bick, Blackhurst, Cantrill, Moore, Pippas, Pitt, Reiner, Sanders, C Smart, Smith & Tunnacliffe.

 

24 Votes against: Councillors Abbot, Ashton, Baigent, Benstead, Bird, Blencowe, Dryden, Gawthrope, Hart, Herbert, Johnson, McPherson, Moghadas, O’Reilly, Owers, Perry, Price, Ratcliffe, Roberts, Robertson, Sarris, Sinnott, M Smart & Todd-Jones.

 

3 Abstentions: Councillors Hipkin, Holland & Meftah.

 

Unless otherwise stated, all references in the recommendations to sections, pages and appendices relate to Version 3 of the Budget Setting Report (BSR).

 

This can be found via:

http://mgsqlmh01/documents/g2495/Public%20reports%20pack%2026th-Feb-2015%2018.00%20Council.pdf?T=10

 

RESOLVED to agree the Executive’s budget proposals by:

 

24 votes in favour: Councillors Abbot, Ashton, Baigent, Benstead, Bird, Blencowe, Dryden, Gawthrope, Hart, Herbert, Johnson, McPherson, Moghadas, O’Reilly, Owers, Perry, Price, Ratcliffe, Roberts, Robertson, Sarris, Sinnott, M Smart & Todd-Jones.

 

With 14 abstentions: Councillors Austin, Avery, Bick, Blackhurst, Cantrill, Moore, Pippas, Pitt, Reiner, Sanders, C Smart, Smith, Tunnacliffe & Meftah.

 

General Fund Revenue Budgets: [Section 5, page 28 refers]

 

Approve the following:

 

     i.        Revenue Pressures shown in Appendix B(a) and Savings shown in Appendix B(b).

 

    ii.        Priority Policy Fund (PPF) Bids as shown in Appendix B(c).

 

   iii.        Bids to be funded from External or Earmarked Funds as shown in Appendix B(d).

 

  iv.        Non Cash Limit items as shown in Appendix B(e).

 

   v.        Formally confirm delegation to the Chief Financial Officer (Head of Finance) of the calculation and determination of the Council Tax taxbase (including submission of the National Non-Domestic Rates Forecast Form, NNDR1, for each financial year) as set out in Appendix A(a).

 

  vi.        Approve the level of Council Tax for 2015/16 as set out in Section 4 [page 26 refers] and as updated to take account of decisions made by precepting authorities.

 

Appendix A(b)

 

Council Tax Setting 2015/16

1.           The Council calculated its Council Tax Base 2015/16 for the whole Council area as 39,946.2 [Item T in the formula in Section 31B of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, as amended (the “Act”)]

 

2.           The Council calculates that the Council Tax requirement for the Council’s own purposes for 2015/16 is £7,060,490

 

3.      That the following amounts be calculated for the year 2014/15 in     accordance with Sections 31 to 36 of the Act:

 

(a)

£177,391,040

being the aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in Section 31A(2) of the Act

 

(b)

£170,330,550

being the aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in Section 31A(3) of the Act

 

(c)

£7,060,490

being the amount by which the aggregate at 3(a) above exceeds the aggregate at 3(b) above, calculated by the Council in accordance with Section 31A(4) of the Act as its Council Tax requirement for the year. [Item R in the formula in Section 31B of the Act]

 

(d)

£176.75

being the amount at 3(c) above (Item R), all divided by the amount at 1 above (Item T), calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 31B of the Act, as the basic amount of its Council Tax for the year.

 

4.      To note that Cambridgeshire County Council, the Cambridgeshire   Police and Crime Commissioner and Cambridgeshire & Peterborough     Fire Authority have issued precepts to the Council in accordance         with Section 40 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 for each of    the categories of dwellings in the Council’s area as indicated in the table           below.

 

5.      That the Council, in accordance with Sections 30 and 36 of the Local           Government Finance Act 1992, hereby sets the aggregate amounts         shown in the table below as the amounts of Council Tax for 2015/16 for     each of the categories of dwellings in the Council’s area.

 

Dwelling Band

Cambridge City

Council

 

£

Cambridgeshire County Council

 

 

£

Cambridgeshire Police and Crime Commissioner

£

Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Fire Authority

 

£

Aggregate Council Tax

 

£

A

117.83

762.84

120.90

42.84

1,044.41

B

137.47

889.98

141.05

49.98

1,218.48

C

157.11

1,017.12

161.20

57.12

1,392.55

D

176.75

1,144.26

181.35

64.26

1,566.62

E

216.03

1,398.54

221.65

78.54

1,914.76

F

255.31

1,652.82

261.95

92.82

2,262.90

G

294.58

1,907.10

302.25

107.10

2,611.03

H

353.50

2,288.52

362.70

128.52

3,133.24

 

6.        The Council determines that, in accordance with Section 52ZB of the       Local Government Finance Act 1992, the basic amount of its Council        Tax for 2015/16 is not excessive.

 

Other Revenue:

 

 vii.        Approve the Head of Finance authority to finalise changes relating to any corporate and/or departmental restructuring and any reallocation of support service and central costs, in accordance with the CIPFA Service Reporting Code of Practice for Local Authorities (SeRCOP).

 

viii.        Approve the amendment to the remit for the “Sharing Prosperity Fund” so that the revised remit (changes are underlined) is:

 

 

Capital: [Section 7, page 35 refers]

 

Capital Plan:

 

  ix.        Approve the proposals outlined in Appendix D(a) for inclusion in the Capital Plan, or put on the Projects Under Development or Hold Lists, including any additional use of revenue resources required.

 

   x.        Approve the revised Capital Plan (which includes the proposals in the above recommendation) as set out in Appendix D(c), the Projects Under Development and Hold lists set out in Appendices D(d) and D(e) respectively and the Funding as set out in Section 7, page 41 for the General Fund.

 

General Fund Reserves:

 

  xi.        Noted the impact of revenue and capital budget approvals and approve the

resulting level of reserves to be used to support the budget proposals as set out in the table [Section 6, report page 34 and Section 8, page 46 refers].

15/64/CNL

To consider the recommendations of Committees for Adoption

15/64/CNLa

Licensing Committee 26.01.15: Annual Review of Licensing Fees and Charges pdf icon PDF 49 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Resolved (unanimously)

 

To approve the level of fees and charges with effect from the 1st April 2015, as set out in Appendix A of the Officer’s report considered by Licensing Committee on 26th January 2015, and to request officers to communicate the charges to the trade and public.

 

 

 

 

15/64/CNLb

Civic Affairs 28.01.15: Council Tax Base and Business Rates Calculations pdf icon PDF 42 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Resolved (unanimously)

 

     i.        To confirm the delegation to the Chief Financial Officer (Head of Finance) of approval of the Council Tax Base and submission of the National Non-Domestic Rates Forecast Form (NNDR1) for each financial year.

 

 

 

 

15/64/CNLc

Civic Affairs 28.01.15: Pay Policy Statement 2015/16 pdf icon PDF 59 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Resolved (unanimously):

 

     i.        Approve the draft Pay Policy Statement 2015/16 in the attached at Appendix 1 of the officer’s report.

 

15/65/CNL

To deal with Oral Questions

Minutes:

1) Councillor Austin to the Chair of Licensing Committee

 

Is the chair of licensing concerned that the newly introduced cap on Hackney cabs in the city will make it much more difficult to increase the number of cabs which meet current and enhanced standards for disability access?

 

Councillor Benstead responded. At the Licensing Committee on the 26th January 2015, Members were advised that any new Hackney Carriage Vehicle has to be wheel chair accessible. Presently the Council had a large proportion of vehicles 63% in the fleet that are wheel chair accessible. Section 161 of the Equality Act 2010 will, when it is in force, would require Local Authorities to ensure that the correct proportion of accessible taxis licensed within the area is maintained. An authority which limits the number of HCVs within its area would be allowed to make an exception for a vehicle which is accessible. Current proportions within Cambridge suggest that, if and when section 161 is implemented, the Council will be in compliance with the proportion required.

 

There were a number of actions that need to be taken forward to improve the service for those with disabilities. These included disability awareness training for drivers, information and advice about users’ rights and a better understanding of the differences between hackney carriage and private hire vehicles. Officers would address these issues and develop a new disabled access policy. A report would be presented to Licensing Committee within the next 12 months.

 

2) Councillor Blackhurst to the Executive Councillor for Housing

 

What feedback has been obtained from former Water Lane residents as to their satisfaction with their new accommodation?

 

The Executive Councillor responded that Water Lane residents were of mixed ages and family composition. Just under half of them had been re-housed by City Homes. The majority of the remainder had moved to other social housing provider properties. Most were happy with their new homes.

 

3) Councillor Charlotte Perry to the Executive Cllr for Finance and Resources

 

Can the Executive Councillor update us on progress to tackle illegal punt touting and operations from Garrett Hostel Lane?

 

The Executive Councillor advised that legal advice had been taken with regards to the illegal punting. Officers were currently collating evidence on these operations to take action at the appropriate time. A planning application to install railings to the river from Garrett Hostel Lane would be considered by the Planning Committee on 1 April 2015.

 

4) Councillor Reid to the Executive Councillor for Finance and Resources

 

What steps is the administration taking to ensure food retailers in the city pay the living wage?

 

The Executive Councillor advised that a Living Wage Co-ordinator had been appointed to promote the Living Wage and work directly with local business and organisations.

 

5) Councillor Sarris for the Executive Councillor for Community, Arts and Recreation

 

Does the Executive Councillor agree that the unanimous vote in favour for this year's Community Grant Finance Package at committee recently was evidence of how successful the new approach taken by the council has been, namely, by prioritising funding to those organisations that tackle inequality in our city?

 

The Executive Councillor acknowledged that the Community Grant Package was a success. A great deal of work had gone into the new process with a majority of organisations successful in their funding applications. Officers had worked very hard to promote the scheme via workshops and social media.

 

6) Councillor Pitt to the Leader

 

Should executive councillors participate in the discussions at committee during pre-decision scrutiny?

 

The Leader responded that the constitution enabled the Executive Councillors to participate and it was a matter for the individual Executive Councillor on how they should respond to the discussion.

 

7) Councillor Pippas to the Leader

How will the Leader safeguard vulnerable and destitute people from needless criminalisation under his proposed Public Space Protection Orders?

 

The Leader advised of a pilot scheme which the City Council was involved with that also included the Police and outside organisations to intercept and offer support programme to vulnerable individuals. He felt that the Police had received unnecessary criticism regarding the Public Space Protection Orders. The Police had employed a Street Life Officer to work with those individuals and to brief and train PCSO’s to offer advice and support to street drinkers in Public Space Protection Order Areas.

 

8) Councillor Tim Bick to the Leader

 

How does the Leader plan to ensure that the Public Place Protection Orders he is proposing are directed at those who are responsible for anti-social behaviour and not those who aren't?

 

The Leader responded that the Police would deal with the issues sensitively following national guidance whilst exercising discretion. He then read out a statement from the Police referencing complaints of antisocial behaviour relating to street drinking in certain areas of the City. The Leader said that responsible drinkers would not be affected.

 

9) Councillor Mike Todd-Jones to the Executive Councillor for City Centre and Public Places

 

Can the Executive Councillor give an update on the Chesterton Co-ordinator?

 

The Executive Councillor responded that a part time Chesterton Co-ordinator had been appointed on 7 January 2015 and was working with local business in the area.

 

The following oral questions were also tabled, but owing to the expiry of the period of time permitted, were not covered during the meeting.

 

10) Councillor Robertson to the Executive Councillor for Finance and Resources

 

Can the Executive Councillor confirm that:

  • there has been no change in the Council's maternity pay policy
  • the Council maintains its commitment to fully supporting staff on maternity leave
  • following the reduction in the Maternity Fund there will still be full funding of all maternity pay and conditions commitments

11) Councillor Sinnott to the Leader

 

What explanation did Cllr Herbert obtain from the Army regarding the Libyan cadets and the alleged serious sexual attacks last October?

 

12) Councillor Mark Ashton to the Leader

 

Now that planning has been removed from Area Committees does he agree more time as been freed up for the Public to question councillors on the matters that concern them?

 

13) Councillor Catherine Smart to the Executive Councillor for Housing

 

Will the Councillor indicate which repairs are classified as emergency, which urgent and which routine?  What proportion of each has been dealt with within the time limits during the last six months (or the latest available data)?

 

14) Councillor Dryden to the Executive Councillor for Community, Arts and Recreation

 

Does the Executive Councillor agree that the exciting line-up recently announced for this year's Folk Festival, following on from last year's successful 50th anniversary, is further evidence of how highly regarded the festival is not just here and the UK, but from many other counties around the world?

 

15) Councillor Catherine Smart for the Executive Councillor for Planning Policy and Transport.

 

Was a business case made out for the Early Bird concession in the Grand Arcade?  If so, how has it worked out?  Has there been any increase in custom on the Tuesday mornings it has been operating?

 

16) Councillor Mark Ashton to Executive Councillor Environment, Waste and Public Health

 

Following the Labour initiative on Ward Blitzes what has been the feedback so far?

15/66/CNL

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

15/66/CNLa

Councillor Price & Councillor Blencowe

Affordable Housing Supply in Cambridge

 

The City Council's Vision for Cambridge as One Cambridge Fair for All is one in which an affordable local home close to jobs and good neighbourhood facilities is available to all regardless of income or tenure. To achieve our aim for a City with mixed and balanced communities where prosperity is shared, it is vital that developers contribute their fair share toward meeting housing needs and the cost of community infrastructure.

 

This Council notes that recent changes in the national planning framework by the Liberal Democrat and Tory coalition government will seriously impact our ability to deliver our affordable housing requirements through the planning process. This will worsen the housing affordability crisis in Cambridge which is leading to many low and middle income residents being priced out of housing across market sale, social and private rental sectors.  It will also transfer the cost of meeting vital neighbourhood infrastructure such as community, play and sport facilities and education from developers of a significant number of new homes to the Council and existing residents.

 

In particular this Council condemns:

 

i. The Small Sites Exemption announcement on 1 December 2014 by the Tory Minister for Housing and Planning whereby affordable housing and other S106 contributions cannot be sought on sites of 10 units and under with a maximum combined floor space of less than 1000 sq metres.  In Cambridge small sites play a key role in meeting our housing need and the council's own research for the draft new Local Plan has shown that viability is not related to site size. It is estimated that this change alone will lead to a loss of around 200 new affordable homes over the next decade in the City, and an ongoing and cumulative financial loss of up to £1/2 million a year for community infrastructure.

 

ii. The Vacant Building Credit introduced on 28 November 2014 by the Liberal Democrats and Tory government whereby affordable housing contributions can only be sought on any increase in floors pace where buildings are brought back into use or replaced. In a city with a tight urban boundary relying on the development of a high number of brownfield sites, this will have a significant and damaging impact on our ability to deliver affordable housing on many sites coming forward.

 

This Council further notes that Cambridge has a strong property and development sector, so  these are wholly unnecessary developer give always at a high community cost and that the changes are  perverse is that they reverse the normal presumption that planning obligations should be applied unless developers can prove an impact on viability severe enough to justify removal or change. 

 

The Council regrets the failure by the Liberal Democrats and Tories in government to deliver on their pledges for housing, with completions running far below the levels of the previous Labour government and, in particular, its failure to deliver new social housing at social rent levels whilst causing a significant decrease in existing social housing  ...  view the full agenda text for item 15/66/CNLa

Minutes:

Councillor Price proposed and Councillor Blencowe seconded the following motion

 

Affordable Housing Supply in Cambridge

 

The City Council's Vision for Cambridge as One Cambridge Fair for All is one in which an affordable local home close to jobs and good neighbourhood facilities is available to all regardless of income or tenure. To achieve our aim for a City with mixed and balanced communities where prosperity is shared, it is vital that developers contribute their fair share toward meeting housing needs and the cost of community infrastructure.

 

This Council notes that recent changes in the national planning framework by the Liberal Democrat and Tory coalition government will seriously impact our ability to deliver our affordable housing requirements through the planning process. This will worsen the housing affordability crisis in Cambridge which is leading to many low and middle income residents being priced out of housing across market sale, social and private rental sectors.  It will also transfer the cost of meeting vital neighbourhood infrastructure such as community, play and sport facilities and education from developers of a significant number of new homes to the Council and existing residents.

 

In particular this Council condemns:

 

i. The Small Sites Exemption announcement on 1 December 2014 by the Tory Minister for Housing and Planning whereby affordable housing and other S106 contributions cannot be sought on sites of 10 units and under with a maximum combined floor space of less than 1000 sq metres.  In Cambridge small sites play a key role in meeting our housing need and the council's own research for the draft new Local Plan has shown that viability is not related to site size. It is estimated that this change alone will lead to a loss of around 200 new affordable homes over the next decade in the City, and an ongoing and cumulative financial loss of up to £1/2 million a year for community infrastructure.

 

ii. The Vacant Building Credit introduced on 28 November 2014 by the Liberal Democrats and Tory government whereby affordable housing contributions can only be sought on any increase in floors pace where buildings are brought back into use or replaced. In a city with a tight urban boundary relying on the development of a high number of brownfield sites, this will have a significant and damaging impact on our ability to deliver affordable housing on many sites coming forward.

 

This Council further notes that Cambridge has a strong property and development sector, so  these are wholly unnecessary developer give always at a high community cost and that the changes are  perverse is that they reverse the normal presumption that planning obligations should be applied unless developers can prove an impact on viability severe enough to justify removal or change. 

 

The Council regrets the failure by the Liberal Democrats and Tories in government to deliver on their pledges for housing, with completions running far below the levels of the previous Labour government and, in particular, its failure to deliver new social housing at social rent levels whilst causing a significant decrease in existing social housing stock through its revitalisation of Right to Buy.

 

The Council acknowledges, however, that the latest planning changes have met with almost universal condemnation from councils across the political spectrum, and it resolves to work through the Local Government Association and with other councils to seek their reversal by government.

 

Councillor Smart proposed and Councillor Blackhurst seconded the following amendment to the motion:

 

The City Council’s Vision for Cambridge as One Cambridge Fair for All is one in which an affordable local home close to jobs and good neighbourhood facilities is available to all regardless of income or tenure.  To achieve our aim for a City with mixed and balanced communities where prosperity is shared, it is vital that developers contribute their fair share towards meeting housing needs and the cost of community infrastructure.

 

The Council notes that recent changes in the national planning framework will seriously impact our ability to deliver affordable housing requirements through the planning process.  It will also transfer the cost of meeting vital neighbourhood infrastructure from developers to residents.

 

In particular this Council condemns

1.  The Small Sites Exemption whereby affordable housing and other S106 contributions cannot be sought on small sites of 10 units and under with a maximum combined floor space of less than 1000 sq metres.

 

2.  The Vacant Building Credit whereby affordable housing contributions can only be sought on any increase in floor space where buildings are brought back into use or replaced.

 

The Council further notes that Cambridge has a strong property and development sector so these are wholly unnecessary developer give-aways.

 

The Council acknowledges, however, that the latest planning changes have met with almost universal condemnation from councils across the political spectrum and it resolves to work through the Local Government Association and with other councils to seek their reversal by government.

 

On a show of hands the amendment was lost by 13 votes to 23.

 

Resolved (by 23 votes to 0, with 13 Abstentions) that:

 

The City Council's Vision for Cambridge as One Cambridge Fair for All is one in which an affordable local home close to jobs and good neighbourhood facilities is available to all regardless of income or tenure. To achieve our aim for a City with mixed and balanced communities where prosperity is shared, it is vital that developers contribute their fair share toward meeting housing needs and the cost of community infrastructure.

 

This Council notes that recent changes in the national planning framework by the Liberal Democrat and Tory coalition government will seriously impact our ability to deliver our affordable housing requirements through the planning process. This will worsen the housing affordability crisis in Cambridge which is leading to many low and middle income residents being priced out of housing across market sale, social and private rental sectors.  It will also transfer the cost of meeting vital neighbourhood infrastructure such as community, play and sport facilities and education from developers of a significant number of new homes to the Council and existing residents.

 

In particular this Council condemns:

 

i. The Small Sites Exemption announcement on 1 December 2014 by the Tory Minister for Housing and Planning whereby affordable housing and other S106 contributions cannot be sought on sites of 10 units and under with a maximum combined floor space of less than 1000 sq metres.  In Cambridge small sites play a key role in meeting our housing need and the council's own research for the draft new Local Plan has shown that viability is not related to site size. It is estimated that this change alone will lead to a loss of around 200 new affordable homes over the next decade in the City, and an ongoing and cumulative financial loss of up to £1/2 million a year for community infrastructure.

 

ii. The Vacant Building Credit introduced on 28 November 2014 by the Liberal Democrats and Tory government whereby affordable housing contributions can only be sought on any increase in floors pace where buildings are brought back into use or replaced. In a city with a tight urban boundary relying on the development of a high number of brownfield sites, this will have a significant and damaging impact on our ability to deliver affordable housing on many sites coming forward.

 

This Council further notes that Cambridge has a strong property and development sector, so  these are wholly unnecessary developer give always at a high community cost and that the changes are  perverse is that they reverse the normal presumption that planning obligations should be applied unless developers can prove an impact on viability severe enough to justify removal or change. 

 

The Council regrets the failure by the Liberal Democrats and Tories in government to deliver on their pledges for housing, with completions running far below the levels of the previous Labour government and, in particular, its failure to deliver new social housing at social rent levels whilst causing a significant decrease in existing social housing stock through its revitalisation of Right to Buy.

 

The Council acknowledges, however, that the latest planning changes have met with almost universal condemnation from councils across the political spectrum, and it resolves to work through the Local Government Association and with other councils to seek their reversal by government

15/67/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:

No written questions were received.

15/68/CNL

Urgent Decisions

15/68/CNLa

Additions to the Capital Plan: Refurbishment of the Cambridge Access Surgery: Executive Councillor for Housing_18.11.14 pdf icon PDF 52 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The decision was noted.