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Venue: Council Chamber, The Guildhall, Market Square, Cambridge, CB2 3QJ [access the building via Peashill entrance]. View directions
Contact: Martin Whelan Committee Manager
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To elect a Mayor for the Municipal Year 2012/13 Minutes: Councillor Bick proposed and Councillor Blackhurst
seconded the nomination of Councillor Sheila Stuart as Mayor for the Municipal
Year 2012/2013. Councillor Johnson proposed and Councillor Herbert
seconded the nomination of Councillor Caroline Hart as Mayor for the Municipal
Year 2012/2013. 21 votes were cast for Councillor Stuart and 21
votes for Councillor Hart. Resolved
(on the Mayors casting vote) that:
i.
Councillor
Sheila Stuart be elected Mayor for the Municipal Year 2012/2013 (Councillor
Stuart then made the statutory declaration of acceptance of the office of
Mayor). |
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To elect a Deputy Mayor for the Municipal Year 2012/13 Minutes: Councillor Smart proposed and Councillor Pippas
seconded the nomination of Councillor Paul Saunders as Deputy Mayor for the
Municipal Year 2012/2013. Councillor Moghadas proposed and Councillor Hipkin
seconded the nomination of Councillor Caroline Hart as Deputy Mayor for the
Municipal Year 2012/2013. 21 votes were cast for Councillor Saunders and 21 votes
for Councillor Hart. Resolved
(on the Mayor’s
casting vote) that:
i.
Councillor
Paul Saunders be elected Deputy Mayor for the Municipal Year 2012/2013
(Councillor Saunders then made the statutory declaration of acceptance of the
office of Deputy Mayor).
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To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 19 April 2012 PDF 147 KB Minutes: The minutes of the 19 April 2012 meeting were approved as a
correct record and signed by the Mayor. |
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To note the Returning Officers Report that the following have been elected to the office of Councillor Abbey Richard
Johnson Arbury Mike Todd-Jones Castle John
Hipkin Cherry Hinton Robert Dryden Coleridge George
Owers East Chesterton Margery Abbott Kings Hedges Nigel Gawthrope Market Tim Bick Newnham Sian Reid Petersfield Gail Marchant-Daisley
Queen Edith’s Sue Birtles Romsey Catherine Smart Trumpington Shapour
Meftah West Chesterton Mike
Pitt Minutes: It was
noted that the following had been elected to the office of Councillor: Abbey: Richard Johnson Arbury: Mike Todd-Jones Castle: John Hipkin Cherry Hinton: Robert
Dryden Coleridge: George Owers East Chesterton: Margery
Abbott Kings Hedges: Nigel
Gawthrope Market: Tim Bick Newnham: Sian Reid Petersfield: Gail
Marchant-Daisley Queen Edith’s: Sue Birtles Romsey: Catherine Smart Trumpington: Shapour Meftah
West Chesterton: Mike Pitt
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To note the appointment of the Mayors Chaplain for the ensuing year Minutes: The Council noted the appointment of The Reverend, Michael Beckett as the Mayor’s Chaplain for the Municipal Year 2012/2013.
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To note the appointment of the Mayors Cadet for the ensuing year Minutes: The Council noted the appointment of Jordon Wood of
the 29th Cambridge Scouts, as the Mayor’s Cadet for the Municipal Year 2012/13.
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To pass a Resolution of Thanks to the outgoing Mayor and Mayoress Minutes: Resolved
(unanimously),
on the proposal of Councillor Tunnacliffe, seconded by Councillor Herbert that:
i.
This
Council expresses its appreciation of the manner in which the duties of Mayor
and Mayoress were discharged by Councillor Ian Nimmo-Smith and Mrs
Margaret Nimmo-Smith, during their period of office and that the Common Seal be
affixed to a copy of this resolution for presentation to them.
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Mayors Announcements PDF 385 KB Minutes: 1. Apologies None 2. Welcome The Mayor welcomed students from Abbey Meadows School.
3. Outgoing Mayors Dinner – Thursday 14th June 2012 The Mayor reminded
members that tickets for the dinner at Corpus Christi College to mark the term
in office of Dr. Nimmo-Smith, could be arranged with the Civic and Twinning
Officer. 4. Civic Church Service – Sunday 27th
May 2012 The Mayor
confirmed that the Mott
Sermon would be preached at Holy Trinity Church on Sunday 27th May
at 9.30 a.m. Members were reminded to confirm their attendance with the Civic
and Twinning Officer. 5. Diamond Jubilee Service– Sunday 3rd
June 2012 The Mayor confirmed that the University of Cambridge would host the Diamond
Jubilee Service on Sunday 3rd June.
6. Proclamation of Midsummer Fair –
Wednesday 20th June 2012 The Mayor
confirmed that the Proclamation of
Midsummer Fair would take place on Wednesday 20th June. 7. Armed Forces Day – Saturday 30th June 2012 The Mayor
confirmed that, in support of national Armed Forces Day, the Armed Forces Flag
would be flown from the Guildhall from Monday 25th June for one
week. 8. Mayor’s Day Out The Mayor confirmed
that this year’s Mayor’s Day Out would take place on Monday 10th
September in Great Yarmouth. Any members interested in assisting on the day
were asked to contact the Civic and Twinning Officer. 9. HMS Protector The Mayor welcomed Captain Peter Sparkes, the Commanding Officer of HMS Protector, Marine
Engineer Robert Stamp, Leading Medical Research Assistant Rebecca Williams and
members of the Cambridge Sea Cadets to formalise the affiliation between the
City of Cambridge and the ice patrol ship HMS Protector. Captain Sparkes
and the Mayor signed an Affiliation Agreement and a plaque depicting the City’s
Coat of Arms was presented for display on board the ship. |
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To elect from among the Members of the Council four Bailiffs of the City for the Municipal Year 2012/13 There will then be a break for lunch Minutes: Councillor
Boyce proposed and Councillor Dryden seconded that Councillors Bird, Brown, McPherson and Pippas appointed as Bailiffs. Resolved that Councillors Bird, Brown, McPherson and Pippas be appointed as Bailiffs of the
City for the Municipal Year 2012/2013.
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Declarations of Interest Minutes:
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To consider recommendations of Committees for Adoption PDF 74 KB Civic Affairs (14 May 2012) · Nomination for Leader · Appointment of Committee 2012/13 · Appointment of Chairs and Vice Chairs 2012/13 · Other recommendations of Civic Affairs Committee (The Mayor will call a recess so that the Special Meetings of Committees can meet to make their appointments) Minutes: Civic Affairs (14
May 2012) Nomination for Leader of
the Council Councillor Tim Bick and Councillor Lewis Herbert
were nominated. 21 votes were cast for Councillor Bick and 21 votes
for Councillor Herbert. Resolved
(on the Mayors
casting vote) to:
i.
Elect
Councillor Tim Bick as Leader of the Council Executive Councillors The Leader confirmed membership of the Executive as
follows: -
Executive Councillor for
Housing (and Deputy Leader): Councillor Catherine Smart -
Executive Councillor for
Customer Services and Resources: Councillor Julie Smith -
Executive Councillor for
Environmental and Waste Services: Councillor Jean Swanson -
Executive Councillor for
Planning and Sustainable Transport: Councillor Tim Ward -
Executive Councillor for
Arts, Sport and Public Places: Councillor Rod Cantrill -
Executive Councillor for
Community Development and Health: Councillor Mike Pitt The Leader also confirmed that responsibility for CCTV
and Community Safety would return to the Leaders Portfolio and responsibility
for Climate Change would sit under the Planning and Sustainable Transport
portfolio. Resolved (unanimously) to: i.
Note the changes to
Executive responsibilities. ii.
Make the required changes to scrutiny responsibilities
to reflect the revised Executive responsibilities. Appointment and size of Committees 2012/13 Resolved (21 votes to 0) that:
i.
Strategy and
Resources Scrutiny Committee, Environment Scrutiny Committee, Community
Services Scrutiny Committee, Housing Management Board and the Planning Committee
be reduced in size from 9 members to 8. Resolved (23 votes to 0) that:
ii.
The
Employment Appeals Panel be increased in size from 9 members to 10. The recommendation iii) of Civic Affairs Committee was the proposition
that one seat allocated to Labour Group on the Joint Development Control
Committee be instead allocated to the Independent/Conservative Group. This would be a departure from the rules on
political proportionality applied to committees of the Council and required the
Council to approve the proposition with no-one voting against (nem con). Resolved (21 votes in favour and 21 votes against) That the proposition set out above be not approved. Resolved (unanimously) that:
iii.
One of the Labour
Group’s seats on the Employment Appeals Sub-Committee be allocated instead to
the Independent/Conservative Group Resolved (by 21 votes to 0) to:
iv.
Agree the
size and membership of the Committees as follows: Scrutiny
Committees:
Regulatory
Committees:
Other
Committees:
Appointment
of Chairs and Vice-Chairs 2010/11 Scrutiny Committees Resolved (by 21 votes
to 19) that the Chairs
and Vice-Chairs be as follows:
Regulatory Committees: Joint Development Control Committee
(City Lead) The Liberal Democrat Group nomination
and the Labour Group nomination were as shown below:
Resolved (by 21 votes
to 21 and on the Mayors casting vote) that:
i.
Councillor
Reid be appointed as City Lead on the Joint Development Control Committee. Civic Affairs Committee The Liberal Democrat Group nomination
and the Labour Group nomination were as shown below:
Resolved (by 21 votes
to 21 and on the Mayors casting vote) that:
i.
Councillor
Boyce be appointed Chair of the Civic Affairs Committee. Resolved (by 21 votes
to 0) that:
ii.
Councillor
Rosenstiel be appointed Vice Chair of the Civic Affairs Committee. Employment
Appeals Sub-Committee Resolved (by 21 votes
to 0) that:
i.
Councillor
Smart be appointed as Chair of the Employment Appeals Sub-Committee Resolved (by 20 votes to 0) that:
i.
Councillor
Stuart be appointed as Chair of the Planning Committee. Resolved (unanimously) that: ii.
Councillor
Blencowe be appointed as Vice Chair of the Planning Committee Licensing Committee Resolved (by 21 votes
to 0) that:
i.
Councillor
Rosenstiel be appointed as Chair of the Licensing Committee. Resolved (unanimously)
that:
ii.
Councillor
Benstead be appointed as Vice Chair of the Licensing Committee. |
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Group Leaders will each have the opportunity to speak
for not more than 15 minutes on their Group’s priorities for action and
objectives for the forthcoming municipal year in the following order: Councillor Bick Councillor Herbert Councillor Hipkin The Annual Statement of the Liberal Democrat Group and
the Labour Group are appended to this summons. Additional documents:
Minutes: Councillor
Bick spoke to a written Annual Statement on the Liberal Democrat Group’s
priorities for the forthcoming Municipal Year, which had been appended to the
agenda for the meeting. Councillor
Marchant-Daisley spoke to a written Annual Statement on the Labour Group’s
priorities for the forthcoming Municipal Year, which had been appended to the
agenda for the meeting. Councillor
Hipkin spoke to a written Annual Statement on the Independent/Conservative
Group’s priorities for the forthcoming Municipal year, which was circulated at
the meeting.
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Adoption of Annual Policies and Priorities The scheme for Annual Statements provides that the
Statement of the Leader of the largest group on the Council shall be deemed to
be a motion for adoption. It may therefore be debated and amendments proposed
after which it shall be put to the vote and, if carried, shall be adopted as
Council policy for the municipal year. The Council will therefore consider the Annual
Statement of the Liberal Democrat Group as a motion for adoption. If the adopted Annual Statement contains proposals
which fall outside the Council’s budgetary or policy framework, the proposals
shall not be acted upon until there has been a report to the relevant Scrutiny
Committee(s) and Executive Councillor(s) in the normal way and approval at a
subsequent meeting of the Council. Minutes: Under
the Scheme for Annual Statements, that of Councillor Bick was deemed to be a
motion for adoption by the Council. Councillor Marchant-Daisley proposed and Councillor
Owers seconded the replacement of the Liberal Democrat Annual Statement by that
of the Labour Group. On a show of hands, this proposal was lost by 18
votes to 21. Resolved (by 21 votes to 19) that:
i.
The
Annual Statement of the Liberal Democrat Group, as appended to the agenda, be
adopted as Council policy for 2012/13.
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Public Questions Time Minutes: None |
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To deal with Oral Questions PDF 733 KB Minutes: 1. Councillor Kerr to the Executive
Councillor for Arts, Sport and Public Places Could the Executive Councillor update the Council on the proposal to
increase the provision of allotments in East Chesterton? The Executive Councillor for Arts, Sport and Public Places responded and
stated that he was committed to increasing the provision of allotments.
Officer’s had been tasked with looking for additional sites and additional
provision had recently been identified in Kendal Way at a modest cost. 2. Councillor
Kightley to the Executive Councillor for Environmental and Waste Services Can the
Executive Councillor give us an update on a timetable for the implementation of
route optimisation for waste collection and the introduction of collection of
recyclable plastic pots, tubs and trays? The Executive
Councillor for Environmental and Waste Services responded and confirmed that officers
were undertaking further route optimisation work and that new routes would be in
place 30 July. This timescale would also correspond with the introduction of
recycling for plastic pots, tubs and trays. It was noted that a communication
plan was in place to inform residents of the changes. 3. Councillor Birtles to
the Executive Councillor for Environmental and Waste Services How adequate were the provisions for gritting during the periods of
heavy snow last winter? The Executive Councillor for Environmental and Waste Services responded
and confirmed that the gritting of highways, paths and cycleways was a County
Council responsibility. 24 tons of grit had been supplied to the City Council
in order to cover areas under its responsibility and many Residents’
Associations had been supplied with bags of grit on request. It was highlighted
that the supply had been sufficient to meet all requests. 4. Councillor Johnson to the Executive Councillor for Housing Can the Executive
Councillor for Housing explain why some families with children in Cambridge who
are in need of emergency accommodation, for example due to unintentionally
being made homeless, are currently being housed out of the city forty miles
away in Peterborough? The Executive Councillor for Housing responded and
stated that at times all temporary accommodation in the City did become full.
When no suitable places could be found there was unfortunately a need to find
accommodation outside of the City. 5. Councillor Dryden to the Leader Can you give details of what rules the Council
has in place on the type of material and articles that can appear in a
resident’s magazines that has been supported financially for publication from
the City Council, especially before the run up of local elections The Leader responded and stated that the
application process for community development grants did require the signing of
a declaration, which clearly states that the grant should not be used to
promote political activity. . 6. Councillor
Blackhurst to the Executive Councillor for Arts, Sport and
Public Places Does the Executive Councillor support the
concept of a "Community Stadium" for Cambridge? The Executive Councillor for Arts, Sport and
Public Places expressed support for the enhancement of sporting facilities that
would benefit both Cambridge residents and those from outside the City. He
confirmed that he was open to discussions on any proposals. 7. Councillor Price to the Leader of the
Council Given the abrupt ending to last Thursday's
North Area Committee meeting, with important items such as, Policing Priorities
and the Open Forum still to be dealt with, what do you propose to do to ensure
this doesn't happen again? The Leader responded and stated that the
chair is accountable to the Area Committee for the agenda, recognising that
there were some non-negotiable items. It was noted that Chairs elected in the
next cycle need to take this on board. Whilst there is a power to bring things to
the Committee of relevance to the area, there is also a responsibility to
ensure that only discretionary items that are doable are taken on. Each Area
Committee Chair now had an assigned Head of Service to support agenda
construction and follow-through. Area Committee Chairs have the possibility of
scheduling an additional meeting if required for business that can't be managed
within the regular cycle. It was emphasised that the Chair's role was not a
passive role. The situation at North Area Committee last
week of a Chair retiring during the meeting and passing to a Deputy who had not
had an opportunity to shape the agenda, was not likely to happen often. However
this was a learning point. Involvement of the public at these meetings was
sometimes hard to stimulate, but equally difficult to contain when working
well. It was noted that additional skills may be required and officers would be
asked to identify possible training programmes. Good preparation and good
judgement was also highlighted as being important. The Leader highlighted that
whilst the Chairs are political appointments, they should definately not be
political sinecures! The Leader confirmed that he had apoIogised
to the Police and agreed a suggested way forward. 8. Councillor Reiner to the Executive
Councillor for Arts, Sport and Public Places What money has the City
Council allocated in its budget for managing the delivery of green open spaces
in the new communities across the city, and can you give us an update on when
the green open spaces within the CB1 and Accordia developments will be
completed and handed over for resident and public use? The Executive
Councillor for Arts, Sport and Public Places responded and confirmed that
£15,000 had been allocated for this year, with an additional £30,000 for future
years. It was noted that a new Open Space Officer post had been established to
monitor play space and allotment provision on the new growth sites. Officers
would continue to work with CB1 and Accordia to ensure that and land due to be
transferred to the City Council meets the required standard. 9. Councillor Brown to the
Executive Councillor for Arts, Sport and Public Places Could the Executive
Councillor update the Council on the position regarding the decision about
whether to transfer a part of the public open space to facilitate a lay-by at
103 Mill Road? The Executive
Councillor for Arts, Sport and Public Places confirmed that there had been no
formal approach from Sainsbury’s regarding the lay-by. In addition, the time limit
for appealing the planning decision had now expired. Public consultation on the
transfer of the open space had been reported to the East Area Committee and
showed strong support for the land remaining public open space. 10. Councillor Owers to
the Executive Councillor for Planning and Sustainable Transport In the course of the CB1 development, what
consideration and action is being given to ensuring that safe, clear
pedestrian/cycling access is provided between Carter Bridge and the station? The Executive
Councillor for Planning and Sustainable Transport responded and stated that
access was currently under the control of Network Rail. Regarding the CB1 Site,
officers were currently discussing options for the cycle parking with the
developers. It was expected that an application would be submitted later in the
year and that full consultation would follow. He also noted that the long term
concerns regarding access had been highlighted to Brookgate. 11. Councillor Johnson to the Executive
Councillor for Arts, Sport and Public Places Can the Executive Councillor for Arts, Sport
and Public Places please state when he expects the refurbishment of the Peverel
Road play equipment to take place? The Executive Councillor for Arts, Sport and
Public Places responded and stated that final designs had been approved and the
process of letting the contract had started. A contract was likely to be in
place by July with a full consultation to follow. It was also noted that
contribution funded projects were being delivered across the City. |
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To consider the following Notices of Motion, notice of which has been given |
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Councillor Dryden This council recognises the difficulties that face many residents on low
incomes in seeking credit facilities. We ask officers to investigate the
possibilities of developing recognised credit unions based around the city
similar to an existing branch we now have in Cherry Hinton, followed by a
report to Committee by the Executive Councillor for Customer Services and
Resources. Minutes: On a show of hands, under Council procedure Rule 26, the Council granted consent for the alteration of the published Motion. Councillor Dryden proposed and Councillor Owers
seconded the following altered motion: “This Council recognises the difficulties that face many Cambridge
residents on low incomes in seeking credit facilities. This Council also notes
that illegal loan-sharks, doorstep lenders and payday loan companies in
Cambridge exploit these difficulties in order to profiteer out of those on low
incomes. In order to help
those struggling to find access to fair sources of credit, we ask officers to
produce a report to Community Services Scrutiny Committee this financial year
to investigate the possibilities of helping enable more Cambridge people to
gain access to the facilities of credit unions of the kind that operate today
in Cherry Hinton and North Cambridge, and to investigate what the council can
do to tackle exploitative lending practices.” Resolved (unanimously) that: This Council
recognises the difficulties that face many Cambridge residents on low incomes
in seeking credit facilities. This Council also notes that illegal loan-sharks,
doorstep lenders and payday loan companies in Cambridge exploit these
difficulties in order to profiteer out of those on low incomes. In order to help
those struggling to find access to fair sources of credit, we ask officers to
produce a report to Community Services Scrutiny Committee this financial year
to investigate the possibilities of helping enable more Cambridge people to
gain access to the facilities of credit unions of the kind that operate today
in Cherry Hinton and North Cambridge, and to investigate what the council can
do to tackle exploitative lending practices. |
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Minutes: Members noted the written questions and answers
circulated around the chamber.
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Special Urgency Decision PDF 64 KB Decision taken by the Leader and Executive Councillor for Strategy and Climate Change – Councillor Sian Reid ·
Intelligent Energy Europe Bid re. Cambridge City
District Heating Scheme Minutes: Resolved that:
i.
That
the Special Urgency decision be noted.
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Minutes: Resolved that:
i.
Record
of Members’ attendances at Committee, Sub Committee and Working Party Meetings
during 2011/2012 be noted.
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To elect from among the Members of the Council four Bailiffs of the City for the Municipal Year 2013/14 |