Agenda and minutes

The minutes of the meetings held on 20th October 2011 and 11th January 2012 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Mayor.

1.          Apologies

 

Apologies were received from Councillors Kerr, Kightley, Reid, Smith and Wright.

 

It was noted that Councillors McPherson and Pogonowski would be arriving late.

 

 

2.          Welcome Tobias Schmitt

 

The Mayor welcomed Mr. Tobias Schmitt from Cambridge’s twin City of Heidelberg to the meeting. As a student at the University of Heidelberg studying English and French, Tobias had been spending the past three weeks with the City Council undertaking a work experience programme.

 

3. Fund Raising

 

The Mayor reported that the wine tasting evening held in October for Cruse Bereavement Care had raised in excess of £4,000 and the ceilidh held on 20^th January had raised £2,500 for the Whitworth House appeal fund. The Mayor thanked councillors that had supported the events.

 

The Large Hall had also been offered to the charity FLACK in order to hold a cabaret evening featuring the spoken word, music and visual art showcasing the best talents of the City’s homeless community. Over £800 had been raised as a result of this event.

 

Councillors were reminded about the wine and cheese evening taking place on Saturday 3^rd March at the Colville School, Cherry Hinton to raise funds for AFASIC.   

 

4.          Cambridge-Hedielberg Easter Festival

 

The Mayor confirmed that this year Cambridge would be hosting the annual Easter Festival. A civic reception for participants would take place at the Guildhall on Thursday, 5^th April.

 

 

5.          Diamond Jubilee

 

The Mayor confirmed that, on behalf of the City, he had conveyed congratulations to Her Majesty The Queen on the occasion of the 60^th anniversary of her accession to the throne.

 

6.          Honorary Councillor Elaine Wheatley

 

With sadness the Mayor reported the death of Honorary Councillor Elaine Wheatley who passed away on 14^th January 2012. Elaine had first joined the City Council in 1976 and had given stalwart service through the 1980s and into the early 1990s. Her particular interest on the City Council had been housing, and, more recently she had worked extremely hard on behalf of the Friends of Whitworth House, one of the Mayors chosen charities, which sought to provide temporary, supported housing for young women.  

 

In 1989 Elaine had also been elected to Cambridgeshire County Council, representing Queen Edith’s Ward, and had chaired the Social Services Committee.

 

The Council remembered Honorary Councillor Elaine Wheatley by standing for a moment’s silence.

 

7.            Social Media Workshop

 

It was noted that a session on the use of social media in the context of the Councillor role would be organised in March. The workshop would give members a chance to learn more and to share knowledge and experiences. 

 

Also an event covering the use of Twitter would be held on Wednesday, 29th February at 10am at South Cambridgeshire District Council.

 

Members were asked to contact Committee Services if they would like any further information.

 

8. Declarations of Interest

 

Councillor	Item	Interest
Councillor Al Bander	12/12/CNLB	Personal – Member of Cambridge Cycling Campaign
Councillor O’Reilly	12/12/CNLB	Personal – Member of Cambridge Cycling Campaign
Councillor Reiner	12/12/CNLB	Personal – Member of Cambridge Cycling Campaign
Councillor Rosenstiel	12/12/CNLB	Personal – Member of Cambridge Cycling Campaign
Councillor Saunders	12/12/CNLB	Personal – Member of Cambridge Cycling Campaign
Councillor Taylor	12/12/CNLB	Personal – Member of Cambridge Cycling Campaign

1) Mr John Marais addressed the Council regarding the 30-year business plan for the Housing Revenue Account and made the following comments:

 

·        Noted the advantages of the proposals over the shortcoming of the previous negative subsidy scheme.

·        Questioned the definition of the historic national debt and expressed significant concern that the responsibility for servicing the debt was being passed to tenants who were not responsible for accruing the debt in the first place.

·        Highlighted the inadequate level of housing investment.

·        Highlighted significant concern about the assumption that rents would continue to raise above the rate of inflation.

·        Advertised a local meeting regarding concerns about the proposed changes.

 

The Executive Councillor for Housing thanked Mr Marais for attending the Council meeting and asking a public question. The concerns raised were acknowledged and the Executive Councillor made the following comments in response:

 

·        Acknowledged that the 600 proposed units would not fulfil all the housing needs in the city, but that not all individuals on the housing needs register were in desperate need.

·        The complexities of the proposals were acknowledged, and caution was expressed about over-simplifying the arguments.

 

Mr Marais responded and suggested that there was not a single approach to convergence. The Executive Councillor explained where in relation to market rent, the Council and local Housing Association rents were comparable.

 

2) Ms Deards addressed the Council to seek an update on the proposals in relation to the closure of Fishers Square. Specific clarification was requested on the timing of consultation with the fire service, the completion of an Equalities Impact Assessment and the nature of planned consultation.

 

Councillor Brown, in her capacity as Chair of the Public Toilet Working Party, responded and made the following comments:

 

·        Confirmed that the toilets would remain in their current position.

·        Explained that the Working Party had expressed significant concerns about the proposed re-routing of access to the toilets via the Grand Arcade entrance, but that in the absence of a viable alternative scheme it had been agreed that the proposal should with reluctance proceed to the next stage. It was noted that Ms Deards was a co-opted member of the Working Party and that the vote had been unanimous.

·        Highlighted that the walkway was subject to a Walkways Agreement, but was not a public right of way. It was noted that it was a County Council decision to resolve.

·        It was explained that it would be inappropriate to comment on the planning application as it had yet to be submitted.

 

3) Mr Lucas Smith addressed the Council in relation to agenda item 5c, to seek an increase in the dedicated provision for Cycling, namely the reinstatement of the full time Cycling Officer post. Clarification was also requested on the current status of the proposed training on cycling issues for planning officers, which had been highlighted at a previous meeting.

 

The Executive Councillor for Planning and Sustainable Transport explained that anything to promote cycling was a good idea, but that the question was based on a false assumption. The Executive Councillor explained that the resources had not been reduced, but simply transferred to different budgets. The Executive Councillor agreed to respond to the public speaker outside of the meeting regarding the status of the planning training.

 

4) Mr Cahn addressed the Council in support of motion 8b, and emphasised the positive benefits of cycling.

 

The Executive Councillor for Planning and Sustainable Transport welcomed the sentiments expressed but highlighted the difficulties of retrofitting improvements into the historic city due to the finite amount of space available.

 

5) Mr Woodburn addressed the Council in support of motion 8a and explained the unique position of Cambridge with specific reference to high levels of cycling and pedestrian participation. Councillors were encouraged to support the Motion.

 

The Executive Councillor for Community Development and Health thanked the public speaker for addressing the Council. 

Under paragraph 4.2.1 of the Council Procedure Rules, the Mayor used his discretion to alter the order of the agenda to take agenda item 8b (minute item 12/12b/CNL) after agenda item 3 (minute item 12/7/CNL).

 

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

 

Resolved (by 20 votes to 0) to:

 

Adopt the revised vision statements 

Resolved (by 21 votes to 2) to:

 

Extend the terms of reference of Area Committees to include exercise of the following delegated functions:

 

-         public art

-         public realm

-         community facilities

-         play and open space projects funded by developer contributions

-         non-statutory tree planting

-         safer city grants

Resolved (by 21 votes to 0) to:

 

Approve the changes to the Prudential and Treasury Management Indicators as set out in Appendix 2 of the officer’s report. These will be used to update the annual Budget Setting Report. 

The following Appendices are attached separately:

 

·        Appendix A – 30-Year Housing Revenue Account Business Plan 2012/13 to 2041/42

 

·        Appendix B – 30-Year Housing Revenue Account Asset Management Plan 2012/13 to 2041/42

 

Resolved (by 22 votes to 0) in line with the recommendation of the Executive Councillor for Housing following a special joint meeting of Housing Management Board and Community Services on 8 February 2012 to:

 

        i.            Approve the detailed 30-Year Housing Revenue Account Business Plan 2012/13 to 2041/42 at Appendix A of officer’s report.

      ii.            Approve the Rent Policy as detailed in Appendix C of the HRA Business Plan 2012/13 to 2041/42.

    iii.            Approve the detailed 30-Year Housing Revenue Account Asset Management Plan 2012/13 to 2041/42 at Appendix B of the officer’s report.

   iv.            Approve the 2012/13 budget as shown in Appendix G of the HRA Business Plan.

     v.            Approve the Housing Capital Investment Plan for 2011/12 to 2016/17, as detailed in Appendix H of the HRA Business Plan and Appendix F to the HRA Asset Management Plan, to include approval of in-year savings in capital budgets, re-allocation of budgets for decent homes works, rephasing of existing projects and schemes, and approval of capital bids as submitted as part of the 2012/13 budget process.

   vi.            Approve, incorporating presentational amendments, the long-term Housing Capital Investment Plan for 2012/13 to 2041/42, as detailed in Appendix I of the HRA Business Plan and Appendix G to the HRA Asset Management Plan.

 vii.            Approve a Housing Capital Allowance for 2012/13 of £21,663,000.

viii.            Agree that the authority borrow funds from the Public Works Loans Board in 2011/12, as detailed in Section 9 of the HRA Business Plan and summarised in paragraphs 3.6 to 3.16 of the officers report, to facilitate payment of the full self-financing settlement sum due to government on 28th March 2012.

   ix.            Approve that the Director of Resources have delegated authority to make the final decision with regard borrowing arrangements to facilitate payment of the self-financing settlement sum on 28th March 2012, based upon the prevailing interest rates and loan types available for that date.

 

To follow  

The Executive presented its budget recommendations as set out in the Council Agenda and on the amendment sheet circulated around the Chamber. 

Councillor Herbert presented the Labour Group’s alternative budget as set out in the Council Agenda.

Councillor Hipkin Budget Statement

 

Councillor Hipkin presented a short budget statement.

 

Labour Group Alternative Budget Amendment

 

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

 

On a show of hands the Labour Group’s alternative budget amendment was lost by 13 votes to 20.

 

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

 

Reference	Details
LB10	‘Celebrate 2012 Fund’

 

On a show of hands the proposal was lost by 13 votes to 20

 

Reference	Details
LB04	Full time Dog Enforcement Officer
LC04	Install 50 new dog bins, and consider further bins 2013
LB05	Maintain the additional 50 new dog bins

 

On a show of hands the proposal was lost by 13 votes to 20

 

Reference	Details
LB11	Reinstate full time Cycling Officer
LC01	Funds to support negotiations on installation of additional secure cycling parking in city centre and at station – EIP1
LC02	Fix dangerous pavements, paving and cycleway problems reported by public – EIP2

 

On a show of hands the proposal was lost by 13 votes to 20

 

 

 

 

Unless otherwise stated, all references in the recommendations to sections, pages and appendices relate to Version 4 of the Budget Setting Report (BSR).

 

This can be found via the Council agenda page:

 

http://www.cambridge.gov.uk/democracy/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=116&MId=533&Ver=4

 

RESOLVED (by 21 votes to 0) to agree the Executive’s budget proposals:

 

General Fund Revenue Budgets and Cash Limits / Savings targets: [Section 4, commencing on page 30 refers]

 

in relation to the General Fund Revenue Budgets 2011/12 :

 

a) Approved the 2011/12 Revised Budget Savings and Bids as shown in Appendix D [page 75 refers].

 

b) Approved the Non Cash-Limit budget items for 2011/12 as shown in Appendix E [page 86 refers].

 

c) Approved the overall revised budget for 2011/12, with net spending at £21,464,340, as shown in Appendix G (a) [page 109 refers].

 

in relation to the General Fund Revenue Budgets 2012/13 :

 

d) Approved the 2012/13 Non Cash-Limit budget items as shown in Appendix E [page 86 refers].

 

e) Approved the 2012/13 Revenue Bids and Savings as shown in Appendix F [page 87refers].

 

f) Approved the Bids to be funded from External or Earmarked Funds, as shown in Appendix H [page 112, refers]

 

g) Agreed the Priority Policy Fund (PPF) Bids, as shown in Appendix I (a) [page 116 refers].

 

h) Approved the overall base budget for 2012/13, with net spending at £17,637,700, as shown in Appendix G (a) [page 109 refers, and funding as shown in Appendix G (b) [page 110 refers] and summarised below:

 

 

2012/13

£

 

SPENDING:

Scrutiny Committees / Portfolios

Community Services – Arts, Sport & Public Places               5,546,950

Community Services – Community Development

& Health                                                                            3,496,900

Community Services – Housing                                        2,750,140

Environment – Environmental & Waste Services              8,829,890

Environment – Planning & Sustainable Transport            1,404,530

Strategy & Resources - Customer Services

& Resources                                                                   (5,148,740)

Strategy & Resources – Strategy & Climate Change

(including central adjustments to be allocated)                 2,093,880

Committees / Portfolios Total                                      18,973,550

 

Capital Adjustments Account                                               839,230

Minimum Revenue Provision Adjustment                       (3,972,040)

Contribution to Efficiency Fund                                            200,000

Revenue Contribution to Capital Spending                       1,381,000

Contribution to Climate Change Fund                                  129,050

Council Tax Earmarked for Growth                                        86,910

Spending Requirement                                                 17,637,700

 

FUNDING:

Formula Grant                                                                 (8,598,810)

Council Tax Compensation Grant 2012/13                        (171,600)

New Homes Bonus 2011/12 & 2012/13                          (1,521,540)

Collection Fund Deficit (net)                                                   87,110

Raised from Council Tax

(based on recommendation (k), below)                          (6,831,370)

Total Funding                                                              (17,036,210)

 

Contribution from Reserves                                           (601,490)

 

i) Approved the level of reserves to be used to support the 2012/13 budget, at £601,490 as shown above and in Appendix G(c) [page 111 refers].

 

j) Approved the Council Tax Base as set out Appendix C (a) [page 74 refers] and set the level of Council Tax for 2012/13 as set out in Appendix C (b) [pages 74(a) and 74(b) refer], based on a 99% collection rate [Section 3, page 27 refers], and that all necessary steps be taken to collect and the Council Tax.

In summary:

 

-         The Council Tax base has been calculated at 41,012 – see Appendix C (a)[page 74 refers];

 

-         No increase in the City Council level of Council Tax at band D, staying at £166.57 in 2012/13 (0%) – see Appendix C (b) [pages 74(a) and 74(b) refer] also attached;

 

Note that the Cambridgeshire Police Authority met on 9 February 2012, Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Fire Authority met on 16 February 2012 and Cambridgeshire County Council met on 21 February 2012, to consider the amounts in precepts to be issued to the City Council for the year 2012/13. This information was circulated at the meeting and included as an amended Appendix C(b).

 

k) Approved:

 

(i)                the Prudential Indicators as set out in Appendix T(a) (page 193 refers) and to confirm that the “Authorised Limit” determined for 2012/13 will be the statutory limit determined under section 3 of the Local Government Act 2003.

(ii)              to delegate to the Director of Resources, within the borrowing totals for any financial year within (i) above, to effect movement between the separately agreed figures for ‘borrowing’ and ‘other long term liabilities’.

(iii)            the Treasury Management Annual Borrowing and Investment Strategies set out in Appendices T(b) (page 199 refers) and T(c) (page 201 refers), particularly:

 

• to increase the maximum sum that can be invested with HSBC Bank Plc from £12m to £16m.

 

• to amend the limit for a single named institution from £6m to £10m; (retaining the existing maximum sum which may be invested with counterparties belonging to the same company group at 1.5 times the level for a single named institution); and

 

• to have the flexibility to use other financial means available to the

Council, such as bank call accounts, notice accounts, money market funds, treasury bills and gilts. However, use of such financial instruments would be subject to an assessment in conjunction with the Council’s treasury management advisors (Sector) to ensure that it would not prejudice the council’s deposit priorities.

 

(iv) amendments to the Council’s Approved Lending (Revised Counterparty) List, shown in Appendix T(c), Annex 3 (page 210 refers)

 

l) Delegated to the Director of Resources authority to finalise changes relating to corporate and departmental restructuring and the reallocation of support service and central costs, in accordance with the CIPFA Service Reporting Code of Practice for Local Authorities (SeRCOP) which applied from 1 April 2011 i.e. for 2011/12 budgets.

 

Capital: [Section 6, page 47 refers]

 

in relation to the Capital & Revenue Projects Plan: [section 6, page 50 refers]

 

m) Approved the following project appraisals, that have been referred by Executive Councillors:

 

From the Executive Councillor for Arts, Sport and Public Spaces:

 

(i) Cherry Hinton Hall Grounds improvements

(ii) Coleridge Recreation Ground improvements

 

From the Executive Councillor for Community Development &

Health:

 

(i) Centre at St Paul’s – Redevelopment of the main hall

(ii) Clay Farm Community Centre

(separate Report on CD&H agenda)

 

From the Executive Councillor for Housing:

 

(i) Energy Efficiency Grant

(ii) Landlord Accreditation Grant

 

From the Executive Councillor for Environmental & Waste Services:

 

(i) Vehicle replacements 2012/13

 

From the Executive Councillor for Customer Services and

Resources:

 

(i) Content Management System Replacement

(ii) Introduction of a metered electricity supply on Cambridge Market

(iii) Electronic Market Management System

 

Other:

 

Agreed inclusion in the Capital & Revenue Projects Plan of new items identified below, to note additional funding for revised schemes approved by Executive Councillors namely:

 

• PR018 - Bus Shelters

• SC517 - Fuel Tanks Relining

• SC518 - Corn Exchange Lighting Improvement

• SC519 - Wulfstan Way Art Project

• SC520 - Community Olympic Public Art Commission

 

n) Agreed any recommendations to Council in respect of the bids outlined in Appendix O(a) (page 159 refers) for approval to include in the Capital Plan, or put on the Hold List, including any additional use of reserves required.

 

From the Executive Councillor for Planning and Sustainable

Transport:

 

Approved the removal of item H28 – Park Street Car Park, as identified in Appendix P (page 182 refers), from the Council’s Hold List.

 

o) Agreed the Capital & Revenue Projects Plan , as shown in Appendix M (page 141 refers) for the General Fund (which will be updated to incorporate rephasing, new bids and the above recommendations) and Appendix S (to be included in Version 5 – see Note) for the Housing Capital Investment Programme.

 

p) Noted the impact of revenue, capital and other approvals and approve the level of reserves to be used to:

 

       i) support the 2011/12 budget

       ii) support the 2012/13 and future years budgets.

 

       [Appendix G(c), page 111 refers]

 

in relation to the Housing Revenue Account: [Section 5, page 41 refers]

 

q) Noted that the amendments resulting from the announcement of the final HRA Self-financing Determinations on 1 February 2012 were considered at a special meeting of the Housing Management Board with Community Services Scrutiny Committee on 8 February 2012.

 

Changes approved to the Budget Setting Report as a result:

 

Housing Revenue Account Self-financing Determinations

 

Executive Amendment available via:

 

http://www.cambridge.gov.uk/democracy/mgConvert2PDF.aspx?ID=9108

 

(b) Replaced Section 5 HRA Revenue, of the BSR (pages 41 to 46), with the updated version as circulated

 

(c) Updated Section 6 Capital, of the BSR (pages 52 to 54), with the updated text as circulated

 

(d) Included Appendix L Housing Revenue Account Summary 2012/13 to 2016/17 (at page 132).

 

(e) Included Appendix S Housing Capital Investment Programme (at page 185).

 

(f) Replaced Appendix T(a) Treasury Management Capital Prudential Indicators, of the BSR (pages 187 to 194) with the updated version as circulated (Note – Annexes 1 & 2 of this appendix are unchanged.)

 

(g) Replaced Appendix T(b) Treasury Management Borrowing Strategy, of the BSR (pages 199 to 200) with the updated version as circulated

 

(h) Updated Appendix U Sensitivity Analysis, of the BSR (page 215) with the updated text as circulated.

 

Other:

 

r) Approved a contribution to the Climate Change Fund in 2012/13 of £129,050. (Note: this was previously included in page 109 of Appendix G(a)of the BSRunder the line for ‘Use GF reserves above £5m’).

 

 

 

Civic Affairs – 1 February 2012  

Resolved (unanimously) to:

 

Approve the Members Allowances Scheme 2011/12 for the 2012/13 municipal year, but review it as part of the Leaders full review of the Council’s decision-making processes in 2012/13.

 

1. Councillor O’Reilly to the Executive Councillor for Community Development and Health

 

Given the likely increase in homeless people living on the streets of Cambridge, and the appalling and tragic attack beside the River Cam, will he lead work with the police, social services, voluntary agencies and CCTV to increase protection for homeless people living rough in Cambridge?

 

The Executive Councillor for Community Development and Health responded to the question and explained that, along with Councillor Smart, he was heavily engaged with the issue. Developments already implemented and planned over forthcoming months were highlighted.

 

With specific reference to the attack, the Executive Councillor explained that the evidence indicated that it was simply unfortunate circumstances, rather than part of a wider issue of violence towards homeless people in the city.

 

2. Councillor Hipkin to the Chair of the Planning Committee

 

Would you consider introducing a requirement upon the Planning Committee that when it overturns an officer's recommendation it should nominate at least one from among those members who support the overturn to attend any subsequent appeal hearing or inquiry to defend the Committee's decision before the Inspector?

 

This Oral Question was tabled, but not covered during the meeting as the questioner had left the Chamber.

 

3. Councillor Brown to the Executive Councillor for Arts, Sport and Public Places

 

Could the Executive Councillor provide members with an update regarding the consultation on the piece of land owned by the council at 103 Mill Road?

 

The Executive Councillor for Arts, Sport and Public Places responded.

 

The consultation took place between the 15 and 30 January and 127 people had responded to the survey.

 

·        89 respondents said "yes" they believed inclusion of the Council's land to form part of the proposed loading bay would have an adverse impact on the amenity value of the Council's public open space at this location.

·        38 respondents said "no" they did not believe inclusion of the Council's land to form part of the proposed loading bay would have an adverse impact on the amenity value of the Council's public open space at this location.

 

To date Sainsbury's had not submitted an appeal to the planning refusal in October and had not entered into any further correspondence with the Council to discuss part of the Council's land being dedicated as a loading bay. The consultation would inform any decision, should a decision be called for, about whether to transfer a part of the public open space to facilitate a lay-by.  The consultation would be a key factor in the decision and the Executive Councillor would use these results, along with any other considerations, in arriving at his decision.

 

4.    Councillor Dryden to the Leader of the Council

 

There was a motion put to full council on 7th April 2011, proposed by Councillor Owers and seconded by myself. In this motion we noted many of our concerns on what the Secretary of State for Health, Andrew Lansley MP is proposing in his NHS reform bill. At the end of our list of concerns in our motion we asked for the Council to ask the Chief Executive to organise a public meeting at the Guildhall and invite the Secretary of State for Health to speak, so he can explain these reforms and respond to the deep concerns of Cambridge residents. To date this has not take place what are the reasons for not being able to organise this meeting?

 

The Executive Councillor for Housing responded in the absence of the Leader, and explained that to date the Secretary of State had not agreed to the request.

 

5. Councillor Owers to the Executive Councillor for Environmental and Waste Services?

 

Will the ruling group heed calls from the Labour group and take effective and immediate action on expanding kerbside plastic recycling in the blue bins, as they have been promising for years?

 

The Executive Councillor for Environmental and Waste Services explained that a report would be coming to Environment Scrutiny Committee on 13^th March 2012 to look at future options.

 

6. Councillor Herbert to the Executive Councillor for Customer Services and Resources

 

Will he follow the example of Oxford City Council and commit to implementing a minimum ‘Living Wage’ of £7.20/hour for staff employed by all council contractors delivering major council services in Cambridge?

 

The Executive Councillor clarified that whilst the question formed part of the Oxford City Council procurement process it was not a pass/fail question nor was it scored. He explained that s17 of the Local Government Act limited the ability of the Council to use non-commercial questions as part of the procurement process. The Executive Councillor also explained that a report would be presented to the Strategy and Resource Scrutiny Committee in July 2012 regarding this issue.

 

7. Councillor Pogonowski to the Leader

 

In light of the recent High Court ruling on prayers in Councils, will the Leader consider ending Cambridge City Council's tradition of prayers and chaplains before each Full Council meeting, regardless of whether the High Court's ruling is overturned or not?

 

This Oral Question was tabled, but not covered during the meeting as the questioner had left the Chamber.

 

 

8. Councillor Todd-Jones to the Executive Councillor for Housing

 

On her claim in the media that the council will increase council homes by 650, what is the real net increase in the number of homes?

 

The Executive Councillor for Housing explained that 650 homes were planned during the first five years of the business plan and that the units planned for Clay Farm were in addition to this.

 

9. Councillor McPherson to the Executive Councillor for Community Development and Health

 

Community Policing is of vital importance to neighbourhoods. There is a growing concern from residents in the Cherry Hinton area (and probably other wards) that the cuts being imposed on the Chief Constable may result in the loss of the Community Beat Manager and/or the dedicated neighbourhood policing teams (which include the all important PCSO's). We seek an assurance that this vital community link with local officers who know and understand the communities in which they serve will not be shifted to possibly non-local rotated shift officers to be absorbed as a part of their normal duties, thereby loosing the continuity and local knowledge.'

 

This Oral Question was tabled, but not covered during the meeting as the questioner had left the Chamber.

 

10. Councillor Bird to the Leader of the Council

 

Will she give a commitment that the Council will retain access for people with disabilities between Fisher Square and Lion Yard that doesn’t involve the Grand Arcade lifts area, and disabled people being off blocked by queues of people waiting to get into the lifts?

 

Councillor Brown as Chair of the Public Toilet Working Party referred to the answer given to the public question earlier in the meeting. Councillor Brown re-iterated the limitations of the location.

 

11. Councillor Ashton to the Executive Councillor for Customer Services and Resources

 

Have any senior Director and Heads of Service posts been filled by way of short term consultancy contracts for full time or semi full time 3 or 4 days per week people, and if so how many FT and semi FT posts have been filled this way, and what was the financial cost to the Council of these contracts?

 

The Executive Councillor for Customer Services and Resources explained that over the last five years the following four posts had been filled:

 

·        Director of Customer and Democratic Services

·        Interim Head of Arts and Entertainment

·        Interim Head of Street Scene

·        Interim Head of Internal Audit

 

The Executive Councillor explained that the costs for these four posts was £220,000. 

 

12. Councillor Benstead to the Executive Councillor for Customer Services and Resources

 

On the tendering out of Council building cleaning and given the specific meaning of ‘Improvement Plan’, will a real ‘Improvement Plan’ be put in place to prepare the in-house team ahead of tendering occurring, to give them a real opportunity to win, and what will it contain?

 

The Executive Councillor for Environmental and Waste Services responded, and explained that hard market testing had been approved at the Strategy and Resources Scrutiny Committee in January 2012. It was also explained that a process was ongoing to ensure that in-house provision continued to be competitive but that any changes would be managed through the organisational change policy.

 

 

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

 

13. Councillor Price to the Executive Councillor for Planning and Sustainable Transport

 

Did his party group on the County Council propose in their alternate budget that the County Council should pay for 100% of the planned 20mph scheme for Cambridge, like Oxfordshire County Council did for the comprehensive Oxford 20mph zone?

 

 

14. Councillor Saunders to the Executive Councillor for Customer Service and Resources

 

The proposal to appoint a Mill Road Coordinator to work with local businesses attracted quite a bit of press coverage.

 

Has the Council received many enquiries as a result of this coverage, and do residents and businesses view this a positive step for local development?

 

15. Councillor Marchant-Daisley to the Leader

 

Does the Leader accept that an adherence to the saying of Christian (or indeed any) prayers within the formal agenda of Council meetings not only appears now to be unlawful, but is inconsistent with the Council's statement celebrating diversity.

 

16.         Councillor Tucker to the Executive Councillor for Arts, Sport and Public Places

 

How successful has the Streets and Open Spaces apprenticeship scheme been?

 

17.         Councillor Pogonowski to the Leader

 

The Citizens Survey results show increasing dissatisfaction with the Lib Dem-led Cambridge City Council. Particularly, results of how well the Council keeps residents informed of how it spends money, committee meetings and what they are for, and how residents can get involved scored high levels of dissatisfaction. What will the Leader and her group do to remedy this situation?

 

18.          Councillor Owers to the Executive Councillor for Environmental and Waste Services

 

 Does the Executive Councillor think that levels of staffing within the Environmental Health department are sufficient, particularly in light of the impending deletion of the Environmental Health Manager post?

 

19. Councillor Brown to the Executive Councillor for Arts, Sport and Public Places

 

Could the Executive Councillor provide an update on the Olympic torch public arts project?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Welcoming the Department of Transport's encouragement of local authorities which want to introduce 20mph limits, Council accepts that enforcement is only one of the tools which influence the success of such schemes. But it welcomes Cambridgeshire Constabulary's readiness to carry out enforcement and its extension of the fixed penalty notice system to the 20mph limits to do so.

 

To further enhance the situation, it calls on the Government and ACPO to carry out a national review to optimise the tools and powers available for enforcement, to include:

 

-         Development of optional speed awareness courses for those breaching a 20mph limit for the first time, treating it like breaches of higher speed limits

 

-         The potential to deploy PCSOs to carry out speed controls

 

-         The specification of speed cameras suitable for areas of 20mph limits   

 

Council calls on local MPs and representatives in the LGA to support and follow-up this call.

Councillor Bick proposed and Councillor Reiner seconded the following motion:

 

Welcoming the Department of Transport's encouragement of local authorities which want to introduce 20mph limits, Council accepts that enforcement is only one of the tools which influence the success of such schemes. But it welcomes Cambridgeshire Constabulary's readiness to carry out enforcement and its extension of the fixed penalty notice system to the 20mph limits to do so.

 

To further enhance the situation, it calls on the Government and ACPO to carry out a national review to optimise the tools and powers available for enforcement, to include:

 

-         Development of optional speed awareness courses for those breaching a 20mph limit for the first time, treating it like breaches of higher speed limits

-         The potential to deploy PCSOs to carry out speed controls

-         The specification of speed cameras suitable for areas of 20mph limits

 

Council calls on local MPs and representatives in the LGA to support and follow-up this call. 

 

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

This Council believes that cycling is an extremely efficient form of transport which is good for health and the environment; supports successive Governments' commitment to encourage the use of bikes and reduces the number of cyclist-related accidents; notes with concern that the number of cyclists killed on Britain's roads rose by 7 per cent between 2009 and 2010; notes that a disproportionate number of cycling accidents involve vans and lorries; supports The Times' 'Cities fit for Cycling' campaign; and calls on the Government to take further action to improve cycling infrastructure and reduce the number of casualties on our roads.

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

 

“This Council believes that cycling is an extremely efficient form of transport which is good for health and the environment; supports successive Governments' commitment to encourage the use of bikes and reduce the number of cyclist-related accidents; notes with concern that the number of cyclists killed on Britain's roads rose by 7 per cent between 2009 and 2010; notes that a disproportionate number of cycling accidents involve vans and lorries; supports The Times' 'Cities fit for Cycling' campaign; and calls on the Government to take further action to improve cycling infrastructure and reduce the number of casualties on our roads.” 

 

Resolved (by 35 votes to 0) 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.