Agenda and minutes

The minutes of the meeting commenced on 17 February 2011 and concluded after adjournment on 21 February 2011 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Mayor.

1.          APOLOGIES

 

Apologies were received from Councillors Al Bander, Cantrill, Sanders, Taylor, Ward, Zmura and Znajek.

 

2.          REACH FAIR

 

The Mayor confirmed that the annual Proclamation of Reach Fair would take place on Bank Holiday Monday 2 May 2011 and that she and her husband would be cycling to the event with the Cambridge Cycling Campaign Group. Any members wishing to join them would be most welcome. 

 

Members were reminded to let Sue Edwards know if they wished to attend the Fair and informed that newly minted pennies were now available for purchase.

 

3.          ELECTIONS

 

The Mayor confirmed that the following four City Councillors had decided not to seek re-election on 5 May 2011 - Councillors Mike Dixon, Vicki Sanders, Lucy Walker and Tania Zmura. 

 

Councillor Sanders had completed a four-year term, juggled parenthood, a full-time job and Council work, and was thanked for her contribution during that time.

 

Councillor Walker had completed a four-year term representing the people of Petersfield and was thanked for the great contribution she had made to the work of the Council, particularly with regard to the Community Services Scrutiny Committee and the Housing Management Board. 

 

Councillor Zmura had completed a four-year term and was thanked for her work representing the people of Castle Ward.

 

Councillor Dixon had completed a twelve-year term and since becoming a Councillor he had served on a number of committees, been a bailiff, Deputy Mayor and then Mayor in 2008/09. More recently Councillor Dixon had served the City as Chair of the Planning Committee, and the Mayor personally thanked him for his valuable experience and advice in that regard.

 

In addition, it was noted that Councillor Newbold had resigned from the Council. He had completed a five-year term representing the people of Cherry Hinton and had been a very hard working and conscientious Councillor.

 

The Mayor also wished Councillors standing for re-election well.

 

4.          TWINNING

 

The Mayor confirmed that the Cambridge-Heidelberg Easter Festival would be held in Heidelberg over the weekend of 22/25 April 2011.

 

It was also confirmed that the annual Bridge Fair in Cambridge’s twin City of Szeged would take place during the weekend of 20/22 May 2011. The Mayor and her husband would be in attendance to represent the City Council.

 

5.      CITY COUNCIL ANNUAL MEETING

 

The Mayor confirmed that the Council’s Annual Meeting would take place on Thursday 26 May 2011. Members were reminded to contact Sue Edwards with the details of any guests that they wished to bring.

 

6.          RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

The Mayor requested that members complete the Declaration of Related Party Transactions form placed on their seats and return to the Committee Services Team.  

 

Should members have any questions or queries before completing the forms they were advised to contact the Principal Accountant and return the form to Committee Services no later than Tuesday 26 April 2011.

 

7.          DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

 

Councillor	Item	Interest
Blackhurst	11/18/CNL	Personal: Employee of the awarding body for the Cleaning and Support Services apprenticeships
Brown	11/19/CNLa	Personal: Member of LINK and the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Mental Health Trust
Hipkin	11/17/CNLa	Personal: As an ungrouped Councillor
Levy	11/19/CNLd	Personal: A subsidiary of his employer bid to the County Council for the work involved
McGovern	11/17/CNLa	Personal: Colleague a previous member of the Independent Remuneration Panel (IRP)
McPherson	11/19/CNLa	Personal: Has private healthcare through his employer
Reid	11/18/CNL	Personal: Husband a Director of a company working with Anglia Ruskin University (ARU)
Reid	11/16/CNLa	Personal: Member of Cambridge Past, Present and Future (PPF)
Saunders	11/16/CNLa	Personal: Member of Cambridge Past, Present and Future (PPF)
Wright	11/16/CNLa	Personal: Member of Cambridge Past, Present and Future (PPF)

 

 

1) Ms Bird addressed the Council and asked the following question:

 

“Please can we have an update on the Lion Yard toilet consultation and ask why it will take until July to present the results”

The Leader thanked Ms Bird for the question and advised that the consultation and its report was not yet complete and did not, as yet, know when it would be published.

2) Mr Taylor addressed the Council and made the following statement:

 

“I would question the rationale and process for dropping cycle theft, burglary and robbery as Community Safety Partnership priorities, and also question the consultation and evidence process used to select priorities. It should be noted that that the police divisional priorities are set fortnightly and are not subject to scrutiny or challenge.” 

 

The Executive Councillor for Community Development and Health thanked Mr Taylor for the question and assured him that his points would be addressed during agenda item 4b.

Growth-related/fixed-term funded posts and New Homes Bonus

 

Resolved (by 21 votes to 1) that::

 

        i.            18.68 full-time equivalent (FTE) growth-related/fixed-term funded posts and associated costs be made permanent

 

      ii.            The revenue contribution for General Fund capital spending in 2012/13 be increased by £220,000.

 

    iii.            An additional contribution of £184,770 be made to the Climate Change Fund in 2011/12.

Cambridge Community Safety Plan 2011-2014

 

Resolved (by 27 votes to 0) to:

 

        i.            Adopt the Community Safety Plan 2011-2014

·        Constitutional Amendments

·        Approval of Joint Memorandum of understanding between Cambridge City Council, Cambridgeshire County Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council on lead officer support to the Cambridge Fringes Joint Development Control Committee

·        Member Allowances 2011-2012 

Constitutional Amendments (Joint Staff Employer Forum)

 

Resolved (by 28 votes to 0) to:

 

        i.            Amend the Constitution to reflect that the Joint Staff Employer Forum would not be open to the public.

 

 

Approval of Joint Memorandum of understanding between Cambridge City Council, Cambridgeshire County Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council on lead officer support to the Cambridge Fringes Joint Development Control Committee

 

Resolved (by 20 votes to 0) to:

 

      ii.            Approve the Joint Memorandum of understanding between Cambridge City Council, Cambridgeshire County Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council on lead officer support to the Cambridge Fringes Joint Development Control Committee

 

 

Independent Remuneration Panel – Members Allowances

 

An amended copy of the Civic Affairs Adoption Minute and the Members Allowances Scheme 2011/12 was circulated around the Chamber.

 

Councillor Boyce proposed and Councillor Rosenstiel seconded the following amendment:

 

Delete the following from the Members Allowances Scheme:

 

“Ungrouped Councillors receive a supplement of one fifth of the combined basic allowances, which will be £640 for the municipal year 2011/12.”

 

On a show of hands the amendment was carried by 19 votes to 12

 

Under paragraph 32.2 of the Council Procedure Rules, Councillors Dryden and Herbert requested a vote by roll-call, on which the amendment was carried by 19 votes to 12. Details of the vote are included below:

 

 

Resolved (by 20 votes to 2) to:

 

        i.            Adopt the Members Allowances Scheme for 2011/12 as amended

·        Joint Planning Arrangements – Plan-Making

Joint Planning Arrangements: Plan-making

 

Resolved (by 30 votes to 0) to:

 

        i.            Agree to the abolition the Cambridge City Fringes Joint Committee.

      ii.            Send a joint letter from the three Councils to the Secretary of State setting out the request to abolish the Committee and the reasons for it.

1. Councillor Wright to the Executive Councillor for Climate Change and Growth

 

How many bed spaces dedicated for use by Anglia Ruskin University, within student blocks, have gained approval within the planning process and now await construction or completion?  How may a satisfactory management scheme be guaranteed for this accommodation in the long-term to the mutual benefit of students and local residents?

 

The Executive Councillor for Climate Change and Growth responded that there were 115 bed spaces currently under construction, and 1583 with outstanding consent (which included the CB1 development and the Brunswick site).

 

The figures for completed bed spaces over the last 4 years were:

 

-         2007: 283 bed spaces

-         2008: 153 bed spaces

-         2009: 274 bed spaces

-         2010: 53 bed spaces

 

This equated to a total of 763 completed bed spaces.

 

It was noted that section 2/10 of the Cambridge Local Plan required management schemes to be in place for all Anglia Ruskin and University of Cambridge student occupation.

 

2. Councillor Pogonowski to the Executive Councillor for Customer Services and Resources

 

Will the Council roll out a living wage of £8.10 per hour for all Council employees, to decrease income inequality in Cambridge? Will the Council also take advantage of Government policy to reassess top Council employee salaries, to ensure that no employee of the Council earns more than eight times the lowest paid?

 

The Executive Councillor for Customer Services and Resources responded that City Council pay rates had been set in line with recommended local government pay scales.

 

Whilst there was scope for a local pay scheme, this would require new contracts for all City Council staff.

 

It was noted that salary rates for senior staff would be looked at, with a report being brought to the Civic Affairs Committee and Full Council in due course.

 

3. Councillor McPherson to the Executive Councillor for Arts and Recreation

 

Can we have an idea of what plan is in place to both replace the Cherry trees which used to line the High Street in Cherry Hinton and were planted there as a memorial to those local service personnel lost in world conflicts will be replaced; and why Cambridge City Council workers were seen to tarmac over the three planting areas along Rectory Terrace where for some reason trees that were there only a few weeks ago have been removed and where it was hoped new trees would be planted. The loss of so many trees which once made a delightful picture has now reduced Cherry Hinton High Street to a shadow of it's former self.

 

The Executive Councillor for Climate Change and Growth responded that much of the planting and felling on Cherry Hinton High Street was historical.

 

It was confirmed that 10 new trees had been replanted in 2002 and it was proposed to remove and replace 1 further tree near to the vicarage in autumn 2011.

 

As Cherry trees had a relatively short life span of between 40 and 60 years and were prone to disease, the Council had opted to plant many different species in order to prolong flowering. Officers were however keen to hear suggestions from members regarding alternative species and proposed locations.

 

It was also noted that the South Area Committee currently had £60,000 of funding allocated for additional tree planting in Rectory Terrace.

 

4. Councillor Dixon to the Executive Councillor for Climate Change and Growth

 

Can the Executive Councillor for Climate Change & Growth comment on the state on the paving in Sidney Street and other important areas in the historic core of the City, and say how this might be improved?

 

The Executive Councillor for Climate Change and Growth responded that strenuous efforts were being made to encourage the County Council to improve the paving in the historic core of the City. The Executive Councillor explained that significant funding had already been allocated to the area, and that the aim was to create a long term durable solution. It was noted that the scheme to improve Sidney Street would be delayed slightly due to the forthcoming gas improvement works. It was further noted that the use of asphalt was only temporary, and that forthcoming plans and strategies would seeks to protect and enhance the historic public realm.

 

5. Councillor Marchant-Daisley to the Executive Councillor for Community Development and Health

Is the Executive happy with the measures taken to combat cycle theft in the city?

 

The Executive Councillor for Community Development and Health responded that, whilst he was unhappy about the high levels of cycle crime in the City, he was happy about the efforts being made to tackle the problem.

 

The Executive Councillor explained that cycle crime prevention was a standing priority for the city centre Neighbourhood Policing Team, and that a wide range of preventative activities were being undertaken including preventative policing and training.  

 

6. Councillor Blackhurst to the Executive Councillor for Environmental and Waste Services 

 

When are the twelve apprenticeships in Cleaning and Support Services approved at the recent Environment Scrutiny Committee expected to start?

 

The Executive Councillor for Environmental and Waste Services responded that Nordic Pioneer would be commencing recruitment in the week of 11 April 2011. Initial training was planned for the end of April with the apprentices likely to start on the 3 May 2011.

 

7. Councillor Owers to the Executive Councillor for Community Development and Health

 

What steps has the Council taken to ensure that vulnerable members of the community have been assisted to complete their census forms on time?

 

The Executive Councillor for Community Development and Health responded that a cross-departmental Officer Working Group had been set up and had worked closely with the Census Area Manager to tackle these issues. Five events had taken place across the City to raise the profile of the census and a dedicated helpline had been set up to deal with any queries. Information and advice had been included in the ‘Cambridge Matters’ magazine and had been available at the Customer Service Centre. Home visits were also available and would continue to be until 6 May.

 

8. Councillor Herbert to the Executive Councillor for Climate Change and Growth 

 

How many homes and how many affordable homes is the Council projecting will be completed in 2011 in the City, including city fringe developments, and where will additional housing be built in and near the City after the completion of the southern fringe and NW Cambridge developments?

 

The Executive Councillor for Climate Change and Growth responded that it was projected that 55 new affordable homes would be built in 2011, of which 9 would be in the city fringe developments. This compared with 288 built in 2009/10 and was a reflection of the downturn in the economy and the housing market. It was projected that 264 affordable homes would be built in 2012/13, 491 in 2013/14 and 416 in 2014/15. 

 

9. Councillor Brown to the Executive Councillor for Climate Change and Growth

 

In the context of the coalition Government's Localism Bill and the review of the 2006 Cambridge Local Plan, can the Executive Councillor for Climate Change and Growth comment on the new opportunities in planning policy to preserve the independent nature and diverse mix of retail businesses in areas such as Mill Road?

 

The Executive Councillor for Climate Change and Growth responded that there was a need to protect the mix of retail space in areas such as Mill Road. It was confirmed that Mill Road was close to the 60% limit on A1 usage but that a survey would be undertaken in the summer to assess the mix of units. This would then inform a review of the Cambridge Local Plan. It was also hoped that proposals for rate relief would help to protect smaller independent shops.

 

The Executive Councillor confirmed that the City Council would be responding to the proposals put forward in the Localism Bill and would encourage local residents to do so.

The Council notes that the Conservative/Liberal Democrat Government is planning massive top down changes to the NHS including GP commissioning which will radically reorganise the NHS in Cambridgeshire, despite having no mandate from voters for these changes.

 

The Council supports major concerns expressed by Cambridge doctors and patients, including that

 

-        the reorganisation and its projected £2 billion cost will be a massive waste of resources and diversion at a time of unprecedented financial strain on the NHS

 

-        the majority of Cambridge GPs want to concentrate on medical practice and have little desire to run commissioning

 

-          patient say is being reduced not increased

 

-        the removal of minimum patient waiting times for key operations could cause waiting lists to multiply

 

-        local GPs echo concerns that patient treatment according to clinical need could be compromised due to intense pressure from those most able to demand priority

 

-          making NHS services compulsorily open to contracting out to "any willing provider”, and effectively forcing GPs to contract out commissioning, will lead to privatisation and an NHS driven by private profit.

 

The Council asks the Chief Executive to organise a public meeting at the Guildhall and invite both Cambridge MPs to speak, the Secretary of State for Health Andrew Lansley MP and Julian Huppert MP, so they can explain these reforms and respond to the deep concerns of Cambridge residents.

 

 

Councillor Owers proposed and Councillor Dryden seconded the following motion:

“The Council notes that the Conservative/Liberal Democrat Government is planning massive top down changes to the NHS including GP commissioning which will radically reorganise the NHS in Cambridgeshire, despite having no mandate from voters for these changes.

The Council supports major concerns expressed by Cambridge doctors and patients, including that

-         The reorganisation and its projected £2 billion cost will be a massive waste of resources and diversion at a time of unprecedented financial strain on the NHS

-         The majority of Cambridge GPs want to concentrate on medical practice and have little desire to run commissioning

-         Patient say is being reduced not increased

-         The removal of minimum patient waiting times for key operations could cause waiting lists to multiply

-         Local GPs echo concerns that patient treatment according to clinical need could be compromised due to intense pressure from those most able to demand priority

-         Making NHS services compulsorily open to contracting out to "any willing provider”, and effectively forcing GPs to contract out commissioning, will lead to privatisation and an NHS driven by private profit.

The Council asks the Chief Executive to organise a public meeting at the Guildhall and invite both Cambridge MPs to speak, the Secretary of State for Health Andrew Lansley MP and Julian Huppert MP, so they can explain these reforms and respond to the deep concerns of Cambridge residents.”

 

Councillor Bick proposed and Councillor Brown seconded the following amendment:

 

Delete all and insert:

”Council welcomes the following principles of the Coalition Government's health policy:

• A commitment to the founding principles of the NHS: available to all, free at the point of use, and based on need, not the ability to pay
• The plan to increase funding of the NHS in real terms in each year of this Parliament
• A determination to strive for health outcomes for citizens amongst the best in the world
• The aim to bring decisions about the sourcing of treatment as close as possible to patients
• The removal of layers of bureaucracy necessitated by top-down central control
• The restoration of responsibility for public health to local authorities
• Its current pause for further listening to staff and public, including coalition partners, on the final shape of its reform package to deliver on these principles.

It resolves to:

• Endorse the draft consultative submission sent on our behalf on aspects of the reforms specifically related to the role of local authorities and in particular the theme of strengthening transparency and local democratic oversight
• Encourage all groups of the Council to make their own further representations to the Government, either directly or through their national political parties
• Request officers to establish a dialogue with the emerging GP consortia covering the city to start the process of alignment on the public health agenda.”

 

On a show of hands the amendment was carried by 20 votes to 10

 

Councillor Owers proposed and Councillor Dryden seconded the following amendment:

 

Insert as the first bullet point:

 

“Asks the Chief Executive to organise a public meeting at the Guildhall and invite both Cambridge MPs to speak, the Secretary of State for Health Andrew Lansley MP and Julian Huppert MP, so they can explain the reforms, respond to the concerns of Cambridge residents and health workers and listen to suggested alternatives”

 

On a show of hands the amendment was lost by 10 votes to 19

 

On a show of hands, the motion was carried by 21 votes to 10

 

Under paragraph 32.2 of the Council Procedure Rules, Councillor Bick requested a vote by roll call, on which the motion was carried by 21 votes to 10. Details of the vote are listed below:

 

 

 

Resolved (by 21 votes to 10) that:

”Council welcomes the following principles of the Coalition Government's health policy:

• A commitment to the founding principles of the NHS: available to all, free at the point of use, and based on need, not the ability to pay
• The plan to increase funding of the NHS in real terms in each year of this Parliament
• A determination to strive for health outcomes for citizens amongst the best in the world
• The aim to bring decisions about the sourcing of treatment as close as possible to patients
• The removal of layers of bureaucracy necessitated by top-down central control
• The restoration of responsibility for public health to local authorities
• Its current pause for further listening to staff and public, including coalition partners, on the final shape of its reform package to deliver on these principles.

It resolves to:

• Endorse the draft consultative submission sent on our behalf on aspects of the reforms specifically related to the role of local authorities and in particular the theme of strengthening transparency and local democratic oversight
• Encourage all groups of the Council to make their own further representations to the Government, either directly or through their national political parties
• Request officers to establish a dialogue with the emerging GP consortia covering the city to start the process of alignment on the public health agenda.”

 

 

 

Resolved at 10.30pm under Council Procedure Rule 10.1 that the meeting not be adjourned. 

Given the importance the Council attaches to genuine consultation with Cambridge residents, the Council acknowledges that

 

a) community engagement has recently been inadequate on several issues of citywide concern, including plans to remove the ground floor toilets at Lion Yard and Council supported initiatives involving significant tree cutting and felling, and

 

b) many Cambridge residents have taken the view that the Council has neither been talking to people or listening properly on these issues.

 

The Council therefore asks that the planned new 'Code of Practice on Consultation and Community Engagement' is brought to full Council for debate before being adopted, to ensure significant improvement to future such consultations.

 

Councillor Walker proposed and Councillor Herbert seconded the following motion:

“Given the importance the Council attaches to genuine consultation with Cambridge residents, the Council acknowledges that

a) Community engagement has recently been inadequate on several issues of citywide concern, including plans to remove the ground floor toilets at Lion Yard and Council supported initiatives involving significant tree cutting and felling, and

b) Many Cambridge residents have taken the view that the Council has neither been talking to people or listening properly on these issues.

The Council therefore asks that the planned new 'Code of Practice on Consultation and Community Engagement' is brought to full Council for debate before being adopted, to ensure significant improvement to future such consultations.”

On a show of hands the motion was lost by 9 votes to 20

The Council notes with concern that 45 Cambridgeshire police jobs have been cut in the last year, and that a further 81 jobs have already been announced to be cut by April 2012.

 

Given that Cambridgeshire already has the fifth lowest net spending per person, and that significant population growth is expected locally, the Council asks the Leader to write

 

(a) to the Conservative and Liberal Democrat MPs for Cambridge, asking the Government to reduce the planned police expenditure cuts in Cambridgeshire, and

 

(b) to the Chief Constable of Cambridgeshire, seeking assurance that frontline Cambridge policing will be protected, including all PCSO posts.

 

 

 

Councillor Marchant-Daisley proposed and Councillor McPherson seconded the following motion:

“The Council notes with concern that 45 Cambridgeshire police jobs have been cut in the last year, and that a further 81 jobs have already been announced to be cut by April 2012.

 Given that Cambridgeshire already has the fifth lowest net spending per person, and that significant population growth is expected locally, the Council asks the Leader to write

(a) To the Conservative and Liberal Democrat MPs for Cambridge, asking the Government to reduce the planned police expenditure cuts in Cambridgeshire, and

(b) To the Chief Constable of Cambridgeshire, seeking assurance that frontline Cambridge policing will be protected, including all PCSO posts.”

Resolved (unanimously) that the motion be agreed as set out above

 

 

 

The Council welcomes the potential to reduce energy consumption in the County Council's re-examination of its street lighting policy. It calls on the County Council to implement any changes only after full consultation with the Police and City Council Safer Communities team as well as with the City Council’s Urban Design and Conservation specialists.

 

Councillor Levy proposed and Councillor Rosenstiel seconded the following motion:

“The Council welcomes the potential to reduce energy consumption in the County Council's re-examination of its street lighting policy. It calls on the County Council to implement any changes only after full consultation with the Police and City Council Safer Communities Team as well as with the City Council’s Urban Design and Conservation specialists.”

Resolved (unanimously) that the motion be agreed as set out above

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.

 

 

Members noted the written questions and answers circulated around the Chamber.