Decision(s) taken:

To take various actions, updating those that were taken by the Strategic Director on 23 March 2020 and 31 March 2020 to support the market during the Covid-19 outbreak.

Decision of:

Head of Environmental Services

Date of decision:        

11 June 2020

Matter for Decision:

To agree revised measures below for market traders, in response to changes in Government Covid-19 measures.

•        Re-open standard rate pitches, from Monday, 22nd June, in accordance with proposed ‘Covid safe’ market recovery plan

•        Re-introduce pitch fee charges when the current 12-week ‘holiday’ period finishes (from Monday, 15th June) for premium rate pitches only with the exception of those that have standard rate pitches attached to their premium rate pitches

•        For those that cannot return to trade, and/ or do not engage with the council over their intention to return, the expectation will be that they will need to surrender their pitches, however, we would not to re-licence their pitches for a period of 12 weeks, in order to give them the opportunity to re-apply for their pitch.  In the interim, utilise these ‘vacant’ pitches by charging traders who are allocated to them on a ‘casual’ basis.

•        For traders that are unable to return to trade on standard rate pitches, fee charges will be with-held until weekly alternating internal aisle trading system introduced; and/ or alternative street locations are provided for them to trade from

•        Revert to 2019/20 premium/ standard pitch fee rates to support market recovery and trader business development, given Covid impact on city centre footfall, including significantly reduced tourist levels, increased home-working and university students not returning until autumn

•        Extend £10 ‘discounted’ fee rate for stand rate pitches (currently only Monday & Tuesday) to Monday-Friday until the end of the financial year

Any alternative options considered and rejected:

The decisions are based on the Council’s recovery planning and in the light of Government guidance.

Reason(s) for the decision including any background papers considered:

An urgent decision under paragraph 2 of section 9, Council Procedure Rules was necessary to enable traders to be advised urgently of the Council’s position effective from 15 June 2020.  All decisions were based on the latest guidance and information resulting from the Covid-19 situation. 

Conflicts of interest and dispensations granted by the Chief Executive:

None.

Other Comments:

The Executive Councillor Climate change, Environment and City Centre, was consulted prior to the decision being taken.

There will be budgetary implications of these decisions which will fall outside of the current budgetary framework and be reported in the Council’s financial planning and response to Covid-19..

Reference:

2020/OfficerUrgent/EnC/13

Contact for further information:

Joel Carre, 01223 458201 joel.carre@cambridge.gov.uk

Matter for Decision:

In March 2020, at the start of the pandemic, an Urgent Officer decision was taken in consultation with the Executive Councillor for Community Safety to approve a decision to freeze the planned Multi-Storey Car Park price rise planned for April 2020 until further notice, and further to  provide free parking for key workers (as defined by Government at the time) in the light of the covid-19 pandemic. These arrangements were aligned with County plans on street and surface car park enforcement. These further arrangements were put in place until the end of May.

The arrangement now needs urgent review to meet previously agreed timescales. Alongside this, the unprecedented nature  of the pandemic, the need for careful phasing of any easing of the lockdown, and detailed plans for re-opening the City Centre in the relevant way to support Staying Safe in Cambridge, and complying with Government Guidance, results in the need to review the proposals in themselves.

The attached paper addresses the need to ensure the relevant balance to support continued public health requirements whilst supporting businesses in their staged return to work.

Executive Cllr is recommended to agree the new arrangements, which include:

-          Creation of free parking permits for public and voluntary sector key workers until the 31^st August, and

-          the provision of a City Centre Worker permit at a discounted rate for the same period, for city centre businesses returning to work until the 31^st August

Why the decision had to be made (and any alternative options):

The previous agreement ends on 31^st May 2020, and it is important to get the new arrangements in place for 1^st June, when the first phase of City Centre reopening is due to start. 

The Executive Councillor’s decision(s):

To approve the continued car parking arrangements.

Reasons for the decision:

As detailed in the Officers report attached.

Scrutiny consideration:

The Chair and Spokesperson of Planning and Transport Scrutiny Committee were consulted prior to the action being authorised.

Comments were made by the Opposition Spokes which were addressed by the Strategic Director (Fiona Bryant)

Report:

Appendix 1 can be viewed at the link below:

https://democracy.cambridge.gov.uk/ecSDDisplay.aspx?NAME=SD1514&ID=1514&RPID=65851634

Conflicts of interest:

None

Comments:

The decision will be reported back to the Planning and Transport Scrutiny Committee on 30^th June 2020.

Decision(s) taken:

To make a financial contribution of up to £104,000 of additional funds to GLL to support the Cambridge Leisure Contract expenses during the enforced closure of all leisure activities and facilities under the contract.

Decision of:

Strategic Director – Suzanne Hemmingway

Date of decision:  

27^th May 2020

Matter for Decision:

To agree capped additional financial contributions based on open accounting with GLL, in response to the current suspension of all leisure services under the Cambridge Contract as described in the briefing paper for the period 20^th March – 30^th June 2020.

Any alternative options considered and rejected:

Other options rejected are included in the briefing paper.

Reason(s) for the decision including any background papers considered:

An urgent decision under paragraph 2 of section 9, Council Procedure Rules was necessary as there are no meetings of the Council, Environment and Communities Committee or Strategy and Resources Scrutiny Committee within a reasonable timeframe and taking into account the current national situation it is unclear when this could be possible.  It was important to respond to the Government guidance for support of leisure facilities and operators during the enforced closures of leisure and sports facilities.

Conflicts of interest and dispensations granted by the Chief Executive:

None.

Other Comments:

The Chief Executive and Leader of the Council were consulted prior to the decisions taken.  In addition, the Executive Councillors for (i) Finance and Resources (ii) Community Services were consulted.  The spokes for Community Services was advised.

There will be budgetary implications of these decisions which will fall outside of the current budgetary framework and funding can be met from current revenue budgets for the amount noted and further support past 1^st July 2020 will need to be funded from reserves if approved but are not part of this decision notice.

Reference:

2020/OfficerUrgent/EnC/12

Contact for further information:

Suzanne Hemmingway, Strategic Director 01223 457461 suzanne.hemmingway@cambridge.gov.uk