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Venue: Council Chamber, The Guildhall, Market Square, Cambridge, CB2 3QJ [access the building via Peashill entrance]. View directions
Contact: Democratic Services Committee Manager
Link: Video recording of the meeting
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To Elect a Mayor for the Municipal Year 2018/19 Minutes: Councillor Price proposed and Councillor Dalzell seconded
the nomination of Councillor Nigel Gawthrope as Mayor for the Municipal Year
2018/19. Resolved (unanimously) that: i.
Councillor Nigel Gawthrope be elected for the
Municipal Year 2018/19. Councillor
Gawthrope 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 2018/19 Minutes: Councillor Moore proposed and Councillor Cantrill seconded the
nomination of Councillor Gerri Bird as Deputy Mayor for the Municipal Year
2018/19. Resolved that: i.
Councillor Gerri Bird be
elected Deputy Mayor for the Municipal Year 2018/19. Councillor
Bird 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 2018 Minutes: The minutes of 19 April 2018 were confirmed as a correct
record and signed by the Mayor. |
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To Note the Returning Officer's Report that the following have been Elected to the Office of Councillor · Abbey: Nicky Massey · Arbury: Patrick Sheil · Castle: Cheney-Anne Payne · Cherry Hinton: Russ McPherson · Coleridge: Lewis Herbert · East Chesterton: Carla McQueen · East Chesterton: Baiju Thittala · King’s Hedges: Martin Smart · Market: Anthony Martinelli · Newnham: Rod Cantrill · Petersfield: Ann Sinnott · Queen Edith’s: Colin McGerty · Romsey: Dave Baigent · Trumpington: Katie Thornburrow · West Chesterton: Jamie Dalzell Minutes: It was noted the following had been elected to the Office of Councillor: ·
Abbey: Nicky Massey ·
Arbury: Patrick Sheil ·
Castle: Cheney-Anne Payne ·
Cherry Hinton: Russ McPherson ·
Coleridge: Lewis Herbert ·
East Chesterton: Carla McQueen ·
East Chesterton: Baiju
Thittala ·
King’s Hedges: Martin Smart ·
Market: Anthony Martinelli ·
Newnham: Rod Cantrill ·
Petersfield: Ann
Sinnott ·
Queen Edith’s: Colin McGerty ·
Romsey: Dave Baigent ·
Trumpington: Katie Thornburrow ·
West Chesterton: Jamie Dalzell |
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To Note the Appointment of the Mayor's Chaplain for the Ensuing Year Minutes: The Council noted the appointment of Rev’d
David Maher as the Mayor’s Chaplain for the Municipal Year 2018/19. |
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To Pass a Resolution of Thanks to the Outgoing Mayor Minutes: Resolved (unanimously), on the proposal of Councillor Page-Croft, seconded by Councillor Herbert that: i. The Council expressed its appreciation of the manner in which the duties of Mayor and Mayoress were discharged by Councillor George Pippas and Anastasia Pippas, during their period of office and that the Common Seal be affixed to a copy of this resolution for presentation at the next Council meeting. |
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Mayor's announcements Minutes: Apologies Apologies were received from Councillor Payne and apologies for lateness were received from Councillor Smart. Civic Church Service The Mott Sermon would
be preached at Holy Trinity Church this coming Sunday, 27 May at 9.30 a.m. Proclamation of
Midsummer Fair The Proclamation of
Midsummer Fair was scheduled to take place on Wednesday, 20 June, and details
have been circulated. Mayor’s Day Out The Mayor confirmed that the Mayor’s Day Out would take place on Tuesday 14 August and asked that if anyone would like to help to let Penny Jackson know who would inform the Cambridge Live team. |
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To Elect from among the Members of the Council Four Bailiffs of the City for the Municipal Year 2018/19 Minutes: Resolved (unanimously) to: Appoint Councillors
Dryden, McPherson, Pippas and Page-Croft Bailiffs of the City for the Municipal
Year 2018/19. |
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To consider the recommendation of the Executive for Adoption |
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Minutes: Resolved (unanimously) to: Appoint Councillors Hart and Sinnott to the Conservators of the River Cam. |
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To consider the recommendations of Committees for adoption |
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Civic Affairs: Nominations for Committees for the Municipal Year 2018/19 Minutes: Resolved (unanimously) to: i. Agree the number and size of committees and membership of committees as listed below: Ordinary Committee
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Civic Affairs: Nominations for Committees Chairs and Vice-Chairs Municipal Year 2018/19 Minutes: Resolved (unanimously) to: Approve the Nominations for Committee Chairs and Vice-Chairs for Municipal Year 2018/19.
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Civic Affairs: Constitutional Updates Minutes: Resolved (unanimously) to: Approve the changes to the
Constitution as set out below: 1. An amendment to the Committee designated as the
Crime and Disorder Committee as required under the Police and Justice Act 2006,
this will now be the Environment and Community
Scrutiny Committee (extract of the amendment to the Constitution detailed
below). 6.1 Strategy and Resources (Scrutiny) Committee
6.2
Environment and Community (Scrutiny) Committee
2. Council is requested to note that the following
transfer of Executive Councillor responsibilities and
clarifications made by the Leader of the Council and to note the Leader’s
portfolio is renamed Executive Councillor for Strategy and External
Partnerships. Proposed Amendments to Part 3
Section 2.3, 2.5 and 2.9 of Constitution, deleted text
programmes which give
direction to, and co-ordinate, the implementation of the Council's corporate
policies and priorities, the need for, and the development
of, new services and policy not within the terms of reference of other
Executive Councillors matters falling
substantially within the Terms of Reference of more than one other Executive
Councillor, where not otherwise delegated. The exercise of the Council’s
functions and the delivery of services including Strategy and Partnerships - including the devolution
Combined Authority, City Deal, and the expansion of joint working with other
councils, the Universities and other partners Business Transformation – creation of
new external shared services, or joint structures including trusts and joint
projects with other councils and organisations which involve the
responsibilities of more than one other Executive Councillor
All matters concerning national local government
associations and corporate projects with Government, including council-wide
bids for resources The giving of any guarantee or incurring of any other
commitments not specifically referred elsewhere The exercise of compulsory purchase powers except
where these are allocated to Executive Councillors relating to their portfolio
responsibilities. The development, implementation
and monitoring of the Council’s plans, policies and strategies relating to: Data protection and freedom of
information. Functions
and Services The exercise
of the Council’s functions and the delivery of services in respect of the areas
listed in Paragraph 1 including, by way of illustration: Corporate And Other Services The Independent Complaints
Investigator Service The Council's emergency planning
functions Democratic Services Other responsibilities which do not
fall within the remit of another Executive Councillor. Civic
functions (insofar as these are not within the remit of the Civic Affairs
Committee) Matters relating to the democratic functions of the
Council, including O The mayoralty o Civic hospitality and town twinning
and other partnerships with local authorities overseas Relationships,
including the appointment or nomination of Council representatives, with
outside organisations not directly related to the programme area of any
committee or other Executive Councillor.
Management of all land and
buildings held by the Council, except for: o
property in use for specific operational purposes which fall within the
responsibility of another Executive Councillor o those parts of council sites
developed for housing
including new council housing, and dwellings held within the
Housing Revenue Account and land held by
the Council for housing purposes used for or in connection with the provision
of facilities or amenities for local tenants or residents, which shall be the responsibility of the Executive Councillor for
Housing. A clean version of Part 3 Section
2.3, 2.5 and 2.9 with amendments incorporated is detailed below. 2.3 The Leader and Executive Councillor for
Strategy and External Partnerships 2.3.1 The
Leader shall be responsible for exercising functions on behalf of the Executive
in the circumstances set out in the Council’s Executive Procedure Rules in Part
4 of this Constitution. 2.3.2 The
Leader shall have the power to determine which Executive Councillor shall have
responsibility for the exercise of executive functions in cases of doubt or in
cases for which provision has not been made in the Constitution. Where the Leader decides to lead, or to co-ordinate work with one
or more Executive Councillors, or take decisions on a matter within another
executive portfolio (e.g. a major project), it will be identified in the
Forward Plan. 2.3.3 The development, implementation and monitoring of the
Council’s plans, policies and strategies relating to: ·
corporate objectives, policies and strategies of the Council subject,
where necessary, to the approval of the Council and excluding those objectives,
policies and strategies which are the responsibility of another Executive
Councillor ·
programmes which give direction to, and co-ordinate, the implementation of the Council's corporate
policies and priorities. ·
the need for, and the development of, new services and policy not within
the terms of reference of other Executive Councillors ·
matters
falling substantially within the Terms of Reference of more than one other
Executive Councillor, where not otherwise delegated. The
exercise of the Council’s functions and the delivery of services including ·
Strategy and Partnerships - including the devolution Combined Authority,
City Deal, and the expansion of joint working with other councils, the Universities
and other partners ·
All matters concerning national local government associations and
corporate projects with Government, including council-wide bids for resources ·
The giving of any guarantee or incurring of any other commitments not
specifically referred elsewhere ·
The exercise of compulsory purchase powers except where these are
allocated to Executive Councillors relating to their portfolio
responsibilities. The development, implementation
and monitoring of the Council’s plans, policies and strategies relating to: ·
Data protection and freedom of information. Functions and Services The
exercise of the Council’s functions and the delivery of services in respect of
the areas listed in Paragraph 1 including, by way of illustration: Corporate And Other
Services ·
The Independent Complaints Investigator Service ·
The Council's emergency planning functions ·
Democratic Services ·
Other responsibilities which do not fall within the remit of another
Executive Councillor. Civic functions (insofar as these are
not within the remit of the Civic Affairs Committee) ·
Matters relating to the democratic functions of the Council, including o The mayoralty o Civic hospitality and town twinning and
other partnerships with local authorities overseas Relationships, including the appointment or nomination of
Council representatives, with outside organisations not directly related to the
programme area of any committee or other Executive Council 2.4 Deputy Leader 2.4.1 The
responsibilities of the Deputy Leader are set out in the Executive Procedure
Rules in Part 4 of this Constitution. 2.5 Executive Councillor for Finance and
Resources 2.5.1 Strategic control of the use of the financial resources of
the Council, (subject to the necessary financial approvals of the Council) Treasury Management including for the Housing
Revenue Account Insurance and banking services The approval of Council contributions towards
projects being funded from the National Lottery Supervision of the borrowing of money and
management of the Council's cash flow Collection and management of Council
Tax, National Non-Domestic Rates and Housing Benefit. Strategic information
technology issues, information technology projects which either have
implications for the Council as a whole or which fall significantly within the remit
of more than one Executive Councillor. ·
corporate implementation of improvements and efficiency reviews, and the development and monitoring of core performance
indicators and targets ·
Business
Transformation-internal service reviews and responsibility for
leading plans, where not otherwise delegated, for new externally facing shared
services, trusts , service reviews and joint projects
involving other councils and organisations. The
creation of new external shared services, or joint structures including
trusts and joint projects with other councils and organisations which involve
the responsibilities of more than one other Executive Councillor ·
Corporate
and support services as exemplified under “Functions and Services” below. ·
Procurement
(at a strategic level - oversight of individual procurement exercises will
remain with the portfolio-holder for the relevant service area). ·
The
policy and management of moorings ·
Climate
Change Policy Trading Services ·
Council
strategy to expand trading activities and additional income generation
opportunities, including responsibility for those which do not fall within the
remit of another Executive Councillor Customer Services and ICT ·
Delivery
of quality customer services and the customer access centre ·
Corporate
telephony and IT systems to support joined up customer service delivery. ·
The delivery of front
line services to Council customers through the Council’s reception areas and
telephone services ·
Council’s evolving
digital strategy and the benefits it will deliver for residents, and also to
staff in helping them do their jobs better and more easily Property Matters ·
Leadership
on corporate and cross-portfolio major capital projects and oversight of the council’s
overall capital programme, including the development, redevelopment, change of
use or other major change to land or property owned by the Council considered
by the Chief Executive to be major, significant or sensitive in terms of the
Council's policies and priorities. ·
Any
realisation of assets programme which may be considered necessary to generate
capital receipts for the Council. ·
The
approval of any proposal to re-allocate land between functions and any formal
appropriation of land or property from one purpose to another. ·
Management
of all land and buildings held by the Council, except for: o property in use for specific operational purposes
which fall within the responsibility of another Executive Councillor o those parts of
council sites developed for housing including new council housing, and
dwellings held within the Housing Revenue Account and land held by the Council for housing
purposes used for or in connection with the provision of facilities or amenities
for local tenants or residents, which shall be the responsibility of the
Executive Councillor for Housing. ·
The
acquisition (by purchase or lease) of property by the Council. ·
Management
of the Council's office accommodation ·
The
Council's Land Charges service. Shared Services and Service Reviews, and Employee
and Management Matters To be responsible for:
To establish, monitor and ensure funding for Council-wide employment and
training and apprenticeship policies and delivery ·
To
comply with all relevant employment legislation and the Council's corporate strategy,
policies and objectives. ·
To
exercise strategic control of, and agree policies for, the use of the staffing,
property and information technology resources of the Council. ·
To
co-ordinate and monitor the arrangements for employee Health and Safety at Work ·
To
oversee the provision of professional and central support services, including: o Corporate human resources support and information
including training o Financial services o Legal services.
2.9 Executive Councillor for Communities 2.9.1 Plans, policies and strategies The development,
implementation and monitoring of the Council’s plans, policies and strategies
relating to: ·
The
local welfare and community development needs of all neighbourhoods throughout
the City. ·
The
provision, promotion and development of policies and programmes to provide
children and young people to play and participate in community life, including
providing direction and advice to other committees of the Council in pursuance of
these aims; the provision and promotion of leisure, sporting, artistic and
cultural activities ·
Anti-poverty
initiatives and the Sharing Prosperity Fund, including the powers and duties of
the Council in respect of issues relating to tackling inequality and the
provision of opportunities for individuals and communities in the City to
overcome disadvantage ·
The
provision and promotion of advice relating to citizens’ legal rights and
responsibilities, social security benefits, money management , employment and
immigration ·
Supporting
the Leader in the delivery of Equalities initiatives, and measures to tackle
discrimination. ·
Detailed oversight of race
equality, disability equality and equal opportunity in service delivery and
Council policy Functions and Services The exercise of
the Council’s functions and the delivery of services including ·
The
powers and duties of the Council in respect of children's activities and youth
facilities ·
Community
strategy including the powers and duties of the Council in respect of
opportunities for individuals and communities in the City including: o education and self-development o play programmes o artistic, cultural, sporting and leisure activities
and entertainments o
the
provision, maintenance and management of places of public entertainment, sport
and recreation (including the Guildhall Halls) o
council
owned or operated community facilities o
museums
and art galleries o
the Council’s responsibilities for public health,
working with the county council and health services. o
health
promotion ·
Community Safety Including
the Community Safety Partnership, work with the police and the CCTV system and,
working with the Leader, work with Cambridge police, the Police and Crime
Commissioner and the Council’s representative on the Police and Crime Panel. Progressing the objectives set out
in this section by: ·
direct
provision ·
grant
aid and other financial assistance to voluntary sector and other agencies ·
partnership, joint work and liaison with public,
private or voluntary sector organisations, including community and joint use agreements, community primary school agreements and support for national lottery projects ·
regenerating
and encouraging the development of community life and enabling local communities to take action on their own
behalf ·
giving
advice and guidance to other Executive Councillors and committees of the
Council on community engagement addressing, in particular, the needs of those
experiencing social or economic inequality ·
advocacy. The relevant exercise of compulsory purchase powers. |
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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 Herbert Councillor Bick Councillor Hipkin Annual Statement of the Labour Group is appended. Additional documents: Minutes: Councillor Herbert 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 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 information pack for the meeting. Councillor Hipkin gave an oral Annual Statement on the Independent/Green Group’s priorities for the forthcoming Municipal Year. |
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Adoption of 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 Labour Group as a motion for adoption. If the adopted Annual Statement contains proposals which fall outside of 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 the Labour Group was deemed to be a motion for adoption by the Council. Resolved (by 26 votes to 0) that: i. The Annual Statement of the Labour Group, as appended to the agenda, be adopted as Council policy for 2018/19. |
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Public questions time Minutes: Mrs Diana Minns raised the following points in response to the news that Councillor Adey had moved 400 miles away from Trumpington, the ward which he was elected to represent. i. Councillor Adey had informed constituents they could contact him via the internet or Skype but not all residents had access to these methods of communication. ii. Local electors who had an issue they wanted to raise or follow up may be lucky to see Councillor Adey twice yearly at council meetings (in order that he could claim expenses). iii. A recent survey had shown that 40% of Cambridge City Council housing tenants did not have access to the internet. iv. Certain members of society had less access to the internet due to cost. v. She would have liked to ask Councillor Adey if he would resign from his seat but instead would put forward the following question to the Leader of the Council: · In light of Councillor Adey moving to Scotland whilst claiming he is still representing the local electors of Trumpington, how can the diverse and large group of electors now secure the full time local representation that they voted for? The Leader responded: i. It was a shame that Councillor Adey was not at the afternoon session of the council meeting as it was not good practice to talk about individuals when they were not present. ii. Councillor Adey was also a County Councillor and in effect had reduced the representation for Trumpington ward at both Councils. iii. Believed it was not possible for a Councillor to respond to a resident’s request to look at an issue instantly from a distance, as they needed to be present to do so. iv. It would be difficult to organise meetings with a day’s notice to respond to residents’ issues. v. Councillor Adey’s move to Scotland had increased the workload for fellow Trumpington councillors who had the largest ward in the city. vi. Trumpington currently had major transport issues and regular attendance at meetings was needed to voice these problems. vii. Suggested that the residents of Trumpington (without party affiliation) assembled a petition to make it clear that this situation was not sustainable. In theory Councillor Adey had a further three year term at the County Council and a two year term at the City Council before his seat would be up for election. The Leader then asked the Council for a show of hands to indicate if they felt that Councillor Adey should resign. All members present raised their hand. Mrs Minns made a supplementary point that an appalling precedent had been set and stated that Councillor Adey was refusing to do the honourable thing and resign. The Leader concluded that the Government needed to review the legislation for the six month rule regarding attendance at meetings; there were Councillors who were not doing their duty and worked around this six month rule. 2. Mrs Tina Lynch said the following: i. As a resident of Cambridge living in Trumpington ward the situation regarding Councillor Adey moving away was a disgrace. ii. She expressed disappointment that Councillor Adey was not present to listen to the views of Trumpington residents. iii. Agreed that a petition calling for the resignation of Councillor Adey was the right way forward. 3. Mr Fung raised the following points regarding an Airbnb that was being advertised as a dwelling for twelve to fourteen adults and two children, next door to his property. i. Enquired if the City Council had a policy regarding properties advertised as an Airbnb, rented out without the owner living at the property. ii. Urged the Council not to wait until the problem became an epidemic in Cambridge before there was a solution. iii. Had spoken to planning enforcement officers who said that use of Airbnb, where the owners were not present was growing. iv. Cities such as Cambridge in Massachusetts, San Francisco and New York had addressed the problems with Airbnb. v. In Newmarket, Cambridgeshire, the problem was being addressed, with the mantra ‘protecting the residents of Newmarket’. vi. The property was constantly being bombarded with minibuses appearing at the front of the house; large groups of people walking past; people sitting on the front wall and individuals trying to open the key safe. vii. The average length of stay at the Airbnb was two to three nights; the cleaners would then follow after departure blocking access to Mr Fung’s garage. viii. The bins belonging to the Airbnb were repeatedly left across the garage which caused an obstruction to access to the garage. ix. At the start of 2017, he had registered a complaint with the Planning Enforcement Department. He had recently received a reply advising that the matter would be investigated and an Enforcement Notice would be served at the beginning of May. x. Further correspondence from the Planning Enforcement Officer had stated that the property would be inspected the second week of May but he hadn’t heard anything further. xi. Planning Enforcement Officers were very difficult to contact and did not respond to numerous voice mails, messages left with colleagues and e-mails. xii. He believed that the Planning Enforcement Team had too much work and not enough officers. xiii. High rents and lack of affordable properties were frequently discussed by all parties of the Council and properties used for Airbnb were part of the problem and forced rental prices up. The Executive for Planning and Transport responded with the following: i. He had asked the Planning Enforcement Team to advise why there had been a lack of contact regarding Mr Fung’s complaint. ii. It was possible that the complaint could come to a future Planning Committee; the committee had considered a number of cases concerning Airbnbs. iii. Planning enforcement complaints were dealt with, within the existing framework of guidance, such as the National Planning Policy Framework and Local Plan. If those plans needed to be strengthened it would be for Officers to put forward proposals to the relevant committee. iv. He acknowledged that the Planning Enforcement Team had been understaffed with a large caseload but this had been rectified. v. He reiterated that he would speak with the relevant officers regarding Mr Fung’s complaint. Mr Fung asked for confirmation that a policy was in place to address the issues with Airbnb properties when owners were not present. In New York with 46,000 Airbnb properties the price of a rental property had increased by 25%.
The Executive Councillor for Planning Policy and Transport replied there was a practical policy for planning enforcement officers to deal with these issues. If a property was being used as a guest house without the relevant permissions then enforcement action could be taken. |
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To deal with oral questions Minutes: 1) Councillor Gillespie to the Executive
Councillor for Environment and City Centre. When the procurement process for a new car club
provider for the city takes place this year, does the Executive Councillor feel
that it's worth some degree of financial outlay to make sure the fleet is all
electric? The Executive Councillor
explained there were no current plans to provide financial provision but the
Council would continue to support the scheme. The scheme aimed to condense the
number of cars in the city, reduce the carbon footprint and reduce parking in
the city. It was estimated that every car club vehicle equated to ten privately
owned vehicles off the road. However, there needed to be a variety of vehicles to
attract more users and be located in different areas for the car club to work.
This standard needed to apply across the country. The Council supported
the principle of increasing the number of electric vehicles in Cambridge and
had replaced their own fleet with electric cars and would continue to do so
when the opportunity permitted The number of electric vehicle charging points
had increased throughout the city and the council had updated the taxi
licensing policy to reflect the support and need for electric vehicles. 2) Councillor Cantrill to the Executive Councillor
for Housing Does the Executive Councillor believe that this
council’s duty to tenants in its social housing goes beyond its legal
obligations? The Executive Councillor
agreed that the Council’s duty to tenants in its social housing did go beyond
its legal obligations meeting the Council’s vision of ‘one Cambridge, fair for
all’. Support was offered from
a variety of services; Independent community support services which included
welfare and pension checks; Tenancy support of nineteen units at Ditchburn Place for those residents with mental health
issues; Resident engagement included an action plan which had been developed
from the 2014 staff survey to improve life for tenants and leaseholders. Two estate champions had been employed who
undertook a programme of active engagement. The Council was also going to
undertake further work on its domestic violence policy. Significant work around
social and digital inclusion was on-going. 3) Councillor Martinelli to the Executive
Councillor for Environmental Services What is the City Council planning to mark National
Clean Air Day on 21 June? The Executive Councillor
advised representatives from the Council would be attending a ‘Clear Air’ event
in Huntingdon which had been organised by the Public Health Team at
Cambridgeshire County Council. The
Council’s Principal Scientific Officer would be presenting on the roles and
responsibilities of local authorities across the county. The Council’s updated
Air Quality Action Plan would be launched on 21 June, with a public
consultation throughout the summer asking for opinions on the Plan. A workshop
was in the process of being finalised for residents and stakeholders to meet
and share ideas on this matter, with a second event for staff where they could
also try out a variety of electric vehicles. In September, the
results of the feasibility study for a clean air zone in the city would be
published, leading to further consultation and discussion. 4) Councillor Smart to the Leader At the last Council meeting on 19 April, Cambridge
City Council unanimously supported a motion to reduce the maximum bet on Fixed
Odds Betting Terminals to £2. The Council then wrote to the Prime Minister and
Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, to the Chair of the Gambling
Commission and the Chief Executive of the Gambling Commission and to the two
Cambridge MP’s, Daniel Zeichner MP to support him in his resolve to champion
this issue, and to Heidi Allen MP to ask her to put pressure on government to
call for the maximum bet on Fixed Odds Betting Terminals be set at £2. Did we
receive any replies from them? The Leader replied he
had received a response from both Heidi Allen MP (e-mail correspondence) and
Daniel Zeichner MP (meeting). The motion
agreed at the previous council meeting had been very timely as the Government
had agreed to the maximum bet on Fixed Odds Betting Terminals being set at £2. 5) Councillor Barnett to the Executive Councillor
for Communities What will be the arrangements for this year’s
summer programme of events for young people? The Executive Councillor
replied the council’s summer holiday programme; ‘PlayDaze
2018’ would run for 4 weeks from 30th July to 24th August
including a range of activities including ‘Big Wednesdays’. Partners
included Cambridge University Museum, Amey and Speechmatic. The programme would be distributed to
all primary school children with information on the Council’s website and
copies handed out at the Big Weekend. The programme was aimed
at school age children and their families; actively encouraging parents and
carers to play. Whilst attempting to have a city wide approach to play,
the Council’s resources would target those areas where there was a greatest
disadvantage and limited play opportunities. The Big Wednesdays would
be hosted on the Council’s bigger parks where parking was provided and there
would be an opportunity to promote the Council’s year round programme including
Cambridge Community Scrapstore. Prior to the summer
holidays, project leaders would be working in local neighbourhoods towards a
football tournament that would happen on the first day of the summer holidays
on Pye Recreation Ground (25th
July). There would also be a
programme of events for May half term which culminated in a city wide event on
Parker’s Piece on Friday 1st June to celebrate International
Children’s Day. 6) Councillor Nethsingha to the Executive
Councillor for Finance and Resources Please could the Executive Councillor tell me what
further action is being taken to reduce the amount of punting, and the serious
disruption to pedestrian and cycle traffic which is a consequence of large
numbers of people waiting for punt tours taking place from Garret Hostel
Bridge? The Executive Councillor
advised that the Council had sought an injunction in the High Court to stop the
use of it’s land along the
middle river including Garret Hostel Lane.
The case had been with the High Court on May 9 & 11 and the Council
were currently waiting judgement. If
successful, enforcement action could be used to stop the use of Garret Hostel
Lane for commercial punt operations. The
Council was aware of the issues of congestion and disruption to both
pedestrians and cyclists which was part of the reason for seeking an injunction
to stop this use. 7) Councillor McGerty to the Executive Councillor
for Planning Policy and Transport Does the Executive Councillor for Planning Policy
and Transport share my dismay at the proposed pre-emptive demolition of two
period houses of significant character at 291 and 292 Hills Road and the
planning authority’s inability to prevent the rapidly changing character of the
Cambridge approaches? The Executive Councillor
responded that the Council had to work within the guidelines and standards set
by national processes, the National Planning Policy Framework and the Local Plan.
Matters could only be dealt with within the realms of the Council’s
responsibility and its limitation. 8) Councillor Gehring to the Executive Councillor
for Planning Policy and Transport Which reform steps for planning decisions will be
agreed with South Cambridgeshire District Council as part of the new shared
planning service? The Executive Councillor
responded that officer delegation had increased giving a wider responsibility
when dealing with planning applications. This would ensure an improved response
time. Staffing restructures had taken
place to harmonise the shared service with further work being undertaken. 9) Councillor Dalzell to the Executive Councillor
for Finance and Resources Is the Executive Councillor satisfied with the
performance of the city's commercial property portfolio? The Executive Councillor
replied that yes, the performance had been very good,
assets had risen by 25% with a 20% rise in income. 10) Councillor Sheil to the Executive Councillor
for Streets and Open Spaces Can the Executive Councillor update us on the
measures being taken over the summer to ensure that our public spaces are kept
free of litter? The Executive Councillor
stated the Council’s streets and open spaces team worked very hard throughout
the year to ensure that the public spaces were kept free of litter, starting
very early in the morning. In the summer, staffing levels were increased
including the weekends and focus was given to popular outdoor areas without
neglecting the rest of the city. The
enforcement team also worked throughout the city seven days a week and in
addition offered educational programmes and talks visiting local schools. This
summer an anti-litter campaign would be run with various food outlets. The following Oral
Questions were also tabled, but owing to the expiry of the period of time
permitted, were not covered during the meeting. The Mayor encouraged a written
response to be sent out those Councillors whose questions were not answered: 11) Councillor McQueen to the Executive Councillor
for Communities Can the Executive
Councillor for Communities confirm what the Council’s future aspirations are in
improving and enhancing swimming facilities in Cambridge? 12) Councillor Bick to the Leader What does the Leader see
as the significance of the finding of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough
Independent Economic Commission that Greater Cambridge sits at the centre of a
local economy that is quite distinct within the broader Cambridgeshire and
Peterborough area? 13) Councillor Page-Croft to the Executive
Councillor for Housing How does the Executive
Councillor for Housing intend to tackle the problem with the empty properties
in the private and public sector? 14) Councillor O’Connell to the Leader In his capacity as
member of the Greater Cambridgeshire Partnership Executive Board, does the
Leader share my concerns about imminent dramatic increases in traffic in the
South of the city caused by growth of the Biomedical Campus? 15) Councillor Pippas to the Executive Councillor
for Finance and Resources Will the Executive
Councillor responsible for the Cambridge City council's customer support
service provide us with an update on that team's performance? |
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To consider the following notices of motion, notice of which has been given by: |
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Councillor O'Connell - Council Plastics Motion This Council welcomes both the efforts of our residents in helping the council recycle materials, and the success of the ‘Plastic Bag Levy’ which has led to an 85% reduction in disposable plastic bag usage. However, the council notes with concern that a 2015 study indicated that of the 270 million tons of new plastic made each year, 8 million tons ends up washed into the ocean. Plastic which ends up in the River Cam and other watercourses locally contributes to this total, and can release toxic chemicals which harm the health of wildlife. This Council believes that although reducing damage to the environment requires action by everyone, it can take a leading role. It therefore commits to: · Wherever possible, reduce or eliminate the use of single-use plastics such as bottles, plastic cups, cutlery and drinking straws in council buildings and council-commissioned services, in favour of reusable or environmentally friendly alternatives and to report the initial results of this initiative to the Environment & Community Services Scrutiny Committee in the next 12 months. · Write to both our MPs and the Secretary of State for the Environment asking for a 5p charge for disposable coffee cups, including plastic cups, be introduced to follow on from the success of the 5p charge for plastic bags. · Include information for the public on reducing plastic waste in both online and written materials including, but not only, on the council website and “Cambridge Matters” magazine. · Liaise with local schools to raise awareness of this Council campaign and to encourage local pupils to promote the scheme with their families. · To write to major local education establishments, retailers and employers, asking them to adopt similar measures to reduce single-use plastic usage and educate their customers and staff on how they can help. http://science.sciencemag.org/content/347/6223/768?ijkey=BXtBaPzbQgagE&keytype=ref&siteid=sci Minutes: Councillor O’Connell proposed and Councillor Martinelli seconded the following motion. This Council welcomes both the efforts of our residents in helping the council recycle materials, and the success of the ‘Plastic Bag Levy’ which has led to an 85% reduction in disposable plastic bag usage. However, the council notes with concern that a 2015 study indicated that of the 270 million tons of new plastic made each year, 8 million tons ends up washed into the ocean. Plastic which ends up in the River Cam and other watercourses locally contributes to this total, and can release toxic chemicals which harm the health of wildlife. This Council believes that although reducing damage to the environment requires action by everyone, it can take a leading role. It therefore commits to: · Wherever possible, reduce or eliminate the use of single-use plastics such as bottles, plastic cups, cutlery and drinking straws in council buildings and council-commissioned services, in favour of reusable or environmentally friendly alternatives and to report the initial results of this initiative to the Environment & Community Services Scrutiny Committee in the next 12 months. · Write to both our MPs and the Secretary of State for the Environment asking for a 5p charge for disposable coffee cups, including plastic cups, be introduced to follow on from the success of the 5p charge for plastic bags. · Include information for the public on reducing plastic waste in both online and written materials including, but not only, on the council website and “Cambridge Matters” magazine. · Liaise with local schools to raise awareness of this Council campaign and to encourage local pupils to promote the scheme with their families. · To write to major local education establishments, retailers and employers, asking them to adopt similar measures to reduce single-use plastic usage and educate their customers and staff on how they can help. http://science.sciencemag.org/content/347/6223/768?ijkey=BXtBaPzbQgagE&keytype=ref&siteid=sci Councillor Moore proposed and Councillor Thornburrow seconded the
following amendments to the motion (additional text underlined and deleted
text “This Council welcomes both the efforts of our residents in helping the
council recycle materials, and the success of the ‘Plastic Bag Levy’ which has
led to an 85% reduction in disposable plastic bag usage. However, the council notes, with concern, that a 2015 study indicated
that of the 270 million tons of new plastic made each year, 8 million tons ends
up washed into the ocean. Plastic which
ends up in the River Cam and other watercourses locally contributes to this
total, and can release toxic chemicals which harm the health of wildlife. It also notes the growing problem of
microfibre pollution caused by the washing of
synthetic textiles which has resulted in trillions of tiny threads of plastic
being washed into our waterways. These microfibres have been found in rivers, oceans, in our
drinking water and in all forms of sea life, including birds, fish and
plankton. This Council believes that
to stem the global tide of plastic pollution requires international commitment
and regulation so we will write to both of our MPs and the Secretary of State
for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs asking them to act quickly to protect us and our planet by introducing
legislation to prevent unnecessary damage to the environment from avoidable
plastics and to reduce the amount of plastic waste. Including but not limited
to;
·
Ban disposable coffee cups that can’t be recycled
and introduce a 25p charge for disposable cups. ·
To prevent further microfibre
pollution of our water and food chain by requiring the washing machine industry
to develop filters which prevent microfibres washing
into the water cycle, alongside legislation on the textile industry requiring
the development of fabrics that shed less fibre in the first place. ·
To introduce a tax on packaging which
uses only virgin plastics. ·
To ban disposable plastic glasses and introduce a
nationwide deposit-and-return-scheme for plastic glasses such as we have at The
Folk Festival. ·
To require all black plastic food trays and plant
pots to be dyed using detectable black inks so that they can be fully recycled. This council notes that organisations and individuals also need to take
an active role in combating plastic pollution and we believe that we should
lead by example which is why we have been looking at reducing our waste across
the council. Some of the work that we have done so far includes; ·
As part of the Office Accommodation Strategy, we
will be providing glasses and crockery in kitchens together with water
dispensers so that staff do not have to use single-use
plastic cups in the office. ·
Encouraging all caterers working on City
commissioned events to approach the event in as sustainable a way as
possible. ·
We have updated the Charter Market Regulations
(CMR) this year and included the following new regulation: “All Traders selling take away
hot food or drinks must use cardboard or paper-based cups, trays, dishes or
other biodegradable/ re-usable packaging for their products.” ·
We are currently working on developing and
launching a water bottle refill scheme in Cambridge. ·
We are Members of RECOUP (Recycling Of Used Plastics) a charity and not-for-profit member based
organisation, which works in collaboration with all stakeholders to promote,
develop, and increase the levels of plastics recycling within the UK. We are meeting with a RECOUP representative
in the coming week to help formulate a residents’ engagement and education
campaign to increase the capture of plastics in our recycling bins. This Council will continue our waste reduction work and bring a report
to the Environment & Community Services Committee within the next year,
which will look at the options for further reducing waste across the council
and the city as a whole, making progress towards a Zero Waste strategy. This
will include public information campaigns and working with local schools,
businesses, organisations and the two universities.
On a show of hands the amendment was carried unanimously. Resolved (unanimously)
that: “This Council welcomes both the efforts of our residents in helping the
council recycle materials, and the success of the ‘Plastic Bag Levy’ which has
led to an 85% reduction in disposable plastic bag usage. However, the council notes, with concern, that a 2015 study indicated
that of the 270 million tons of new plastic made each year, 8 million tons ends
up washed into the ocean. Plastic which
ends up in the River Cam and other watercourses locally contributes to this
total, and can release toxic chemicals which harm the health of wildlife. It also notes the growing problem of microfibre pollution caused by the washing of synthetic
textiles which has resulted in trillions of tiny threads of plastic being
washed into our waterways. These microfibres have been found in rivers, oceans, in our
drinking water and in all forms of sea life, including birds, fish and
plankton. This Council believes that to
stem the global tide of plastic pollution requires international commitment and
regulation so we will write to both of our MPs and the Secretary of State for
the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs asking them to act quickly to protect us and our planet by introducing
legislation to prevent unnecessary damage to the environment from avoidable
plastics and to reduce the amount of plastic waste. Including but not limited
to; ·
Ban disposable coffee cups that can’t be recycled
and introduce a 25p charge for disposable cups. ·
To prevent further microfibre
pollution of our water and food chain by requiring the washing machine industry
to develop filters which prevent microfibres washing
into the water cycle, alongside legislation on the textile industry requiring
the development of fabrics that shed less fibre in the first place. ·
To introduce a tax on packaging which
uses only virgin plastics. ·
To ban disposable plastic glasses and introduce a
nationwide deposit-and-return-scheme for plastic glasses such as we have at The
Folk Festival. ·
To require all black plastic food trays and plant
pots to be dyed using detectable black inks so that they can be fully recycled. This council notes that organisations and individuals also need to take
an active role in combating plastic pollution and we believe that we should
lead by example which is why we have been looking at reducing our waste across
the council. Some of the work that we have done so far includes; ·
As part of the Office Accommodation Strategy, we
will be providing glasses and crockery in kitchens together with water
dispensers so that staff do not have to use single-use
plastic cups in the office. ·
Encouraging all caterers working on City
commissioned events to approach the event in as sustainable a way as
possible. ·
We have updated the Charter Market Regulations
(CMR) this year and included the following new regulation: “All Traders selling take away
hot food or drinks must use cardboard or paper-based cups, trays, dishes or
other biodegradable/ re-usable packaging for their products.” ·
We are currently working on developing and
launching a water bottle refill scheme in Cambridge. ·
We are Members of RECOUP (Recycling Of Used Plastics) a charity and not-for-profit member based
organisation, which works in collaboration with all stakeholders to promote,
develop, and increase the levels of plastics recycling within the UK. We are meeting with a RECOUP representative
in the coming week to help formulate a residents’ engagement and education
campaign to increase the capture of plastics in our recycling bins. This Council will continue our waste reduction work and bring a report
to the Environment & Community Services Committee within the next year,
which will look at the options for further reducing waste across the council
and the city as a whole, making progress towards a Zero Waste strategy. This
will include public information campaigns and working with local schools,
businesses, organisations and the two universities. |
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Councillor Cantrill - Cambridge Living Wage Motion · Cambridge is a dynamic and
successful city. However, the cost of living is higher than almost
anywhere else in the UK · The Liberal Democrat administration
introduced the Real Living Wage in the City Council in 2012/2013 and initiated
the process for the council to be accredited with the Living Wage Foundation · One of the key goals of the council
introducing the real living wage was to act as an example to other employers
across Cambridge and to encourage them to also pay the Real Living Wage · In the last few years, the cost of
living in Cambridge has continued to increase, particularly the cost of housing
(both buying and renting), whilst wages have not kept pace for the majority of
employees · The council’s recent introduction of a
minimum wage of £10 per hour helps council staff, but does not address the
broader issue of many residents still struggling to make ends meet because of
the cost of living · This council therefore believes that
building on the real living wage campaign the council has undertaken, the
council should explore the introduction of a Cambridge Living Wage · The Cambridge Living Wage would be a
voluntary rate promoted by Cambridge City Council to reflect the higher costs
of living in Cambridge. The rate would be higher than the Real Living
Wage (currently at £8.75 per hour) and be pegged to the London Living Wage
(currently £10.20 per hour) · The Cambridge Living Wage would be
paid to all directly employed Council employees, contracted and subcontracted
staff and the council would promote the wage to other employers in Cambridge · The Council asks the Executive Councillor for Communities to bring forward: o proposals for how the Cambridge Living Wage would be introduced by the council,
the rate that should be adopted and a basis for it, together with a timeline
for its introduction o an action plan for promoting the Cambridge Living Wage to other
employers within Cambridge building on the track record established by the Real
Living Wage campaign Minutes: Councillor Cantrill proposed and Councillor
Nethsingha seconded the following motion. · Cambridge is a dynamic and
successful city. However, the cost of living is higher than almost
anywhere else in the UK · The Liberal Democrat administration
introduced the Real Living Wage in the City Council in 2012/2013 and initiated
the process for the council to be accredited with the Living Wage Foundation · One of the key goals of the council
introducing the real living wage was to act as an example to other employers
across Cambridge and to encourage them to also pay the Real Living Wage · In the last few years, the cost of
living in Cambridge has continued to increase, particularly the cost of housing
(both buying and renting), whilst wages have not kept pace for the majority of
employees · The council’s recent introduction of a
minimum wage of £10 per hour helps council staff, but does not address the
broader issue of many residents still struggling to make ends meet because of
the cost of living · This council therefore believes that
building on the real living wage campaign the council has undertaken, the
council should explore the introduction of a Cambridge Living Wage · The Cambridge Living Wage would be a
voluntary rate promoted by Cambridge City Council to reflect the higher costs
of living in Cambridge. The rate would be higher than the Real Living
Wage (currently at £8.75 per hour) and be pegged to the London Living Wage (currently
£10.20 per hour) · The Cambridge Living Wage would be
paid to all directly employed Council employees, contracted and subcontracted
staff and the council would promote the wage to other employers in Cambridge · The Council asks the Executive
Councillor for Communities to bring forward: o proposals for how the Cambridge Living Wage would be introduced by the
council, the rate that should be adopted and a basis for it, together with a
timeline for its introduction o an action plan for promoting the Cambridge Living Wage to other
employers within Cambridge building on the track record established by the Real
Living Wage campaign Councillor Johnson proposed and Councillor Bird seconded the following
amendments to motion (additional text underlined and deleted text Cambridge is a dynamic and successful city. However, the cost of living
is higher than almost anywhere else in the UK
In 2012 the then Labour opposition proposed the City Council pay the
Real Living Wage rate to its employees, staff employed by its contractors and
subcontractors, and to promote it widely amongst local businesses – a
proposition which was enacted, and eventually led to the authority completing
the Living Wage Foundation’s formal accreditation process in 2014 One of the key goals of the council introducing the Real Living Wage was
to act as an example to other employers across Cambridge and to encourage them
to also pay the Real Living Wage Since 2014 the number of Cambridge businesses becoming accredited by the
Living Wage Foundation as paying the Real Living Wage has increased from 16 to
59. The council has directly supported 26 of the 43 additional employers
accredited since 2014 In the last few years, the cost of living in Cambridge has continued to
increase, particularly the cost of housing (both buying and renting), whilst
wages have not kept pace for the majority of employees In acknowledging this fact, the council recently introduced a minimum
wage rate of £10 per hour to its directly employed staff. The council will now
seek the support of partner councils for this minimum payment rate to be
extended to those employees who assist in delivering shared services for
Cambridge residents To further demonstrate its commitment to being an exemplar employer, the
council should now also consider the possibility of extending its minimum wage
rate to staff of contractors and subcontractors in the scope of the Real Living
Wage Furthermore, the council will continue its work in encouraging local
businesses, and major employers like the colleges of the University of
Cambridge, to pay their employees the Real Living Wage rate. In promoting the Real Living Wage, the council believes this rate ought
to be the absolute starting point when setting pay, and employers should
consider going beyond this rate if it is possible for them to do so
The council therefore resolves to: -
ask officers to bring a report to Strategy and Resources
Scrutiny Committee on the feasibility of the council extending its minimum
payable wage rate to all its contracted and subcontracted staff -
discuss with partner councils its aspiration for the
minimum payable rate to be extended to those employees who deliver shared
services for Cambridge residents -
continue its work in encouraging local businesses to pay
their employees a rate that properly takes into consideration the cost of
living in Cambridge using, as its starting point, the Real Living Wage On a show of hands the amendment was carried
by 25 votes to 12. Resolved (unanimously) that: Cambridge is a dynamic and successful city. However, the cost of living
is higher than almost anywhere else in the UK In 2012 the then Labour opposition proposed the City Council pay the
Real Living Wage rate to its employees, staff employed by its contractors and
subcontractors, and to promote it widely amongst local businesses – a
proposition which was enacted, and eventually led to the authority completing
the Living Wage Foundation’s formal accreditation process in 2014. One of the key goals of the council introducing the Real Living Wage was
to act as an example to other employers across Cambridge and to encourage them
to also pay the Real Living Wage Since 2014 the number of Cambridge businesses becoming accredited by the
Living Wage Foundation as paying the Real Living Wage has increased from
16 to 59. The council has directly supported 26 of the 43 additional employers
accredited since 2014. In the last few years, the cost of living in Cambridge has continued to
increase, particularly the cost of housing (both buying and renting), whilst
wages have not kept pace for the majority of employees In acknowledging this fact, the council recently introduced a minimum
wage rate of £10 per hour to its directly employed staff. The council will now
seek the support of partner councils for this minimum payment rate to be
extended to those employees who assist in delivering shared services for
Cambridge residents. To further demonstrate its commitment to being an exemplar employer, the
council should now also consider the possibility of extending its minimum wage
rate to staff of contractors and subcontractors in the scope of the Real Living
Wage. Furthermore, the council will continue its work in encouraging local
businesses, and major employers like the colleges of the University of
Cambridge, to pay their employees the Real Living Wage rate. In promoting the Real Living Wage, the council believes this rate ought
to be the absolute starting point when setting pay, and employers should
consider going beyond this rate if it is possible for them to do so. The council therefore resolves to: -
ask
officers to bring a report to Strategy and Resources Scrutiny Committee on the
feasibility of the council extending its minimum payable wage rate to all its
contracted and subcontracted staff -
discuss
with partner councils its aspiration for the minimum payable rate to be
extended to those employees who deliver shared services for Cambridge residents -
continue its work in encouraging local
businesses to pay their employees a rate that properly takes into consideration
the cost of living in Cambridge using, as its starting point, the Real Living
Wage. |
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