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 title- Disposal of a housing revenue account property

Decision of:

Cllr Richard Johnson, Executive Councillor for Housing

Reference:

20/URGENCY/HSC/8

Date of decision:             

20/05/20

Recorded on:  20/05/20

Decision Type:

Key Decision

Matter for Decision:

Urgent approval in relation to the sale of a property held in the HRA.

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

The proposal to dispose of a property from the HRA has arisen due to business needs.

The Executive Councillor’s decision(s):

Approved the decision as per the Officer’s Report

Reasons for the  decision:

As detailed in the Officers confidential report which is considered exempt from publication by virtue of paragraph 1,2 and 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

Scrutiny consideration:

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

Conflicts of interest:

None

Comments:

The decision will be reported back to Housing Scrutiny Committee at their next meetings in June 2020

Decision(s) taken:

To change the arrangements for car parking in the city as set out in option 5 of the briefing paper.

Decision of:

Strategic Director 1 (Fiona Bryant)

Date of decision:    

27 March 2020

Matter for Decision:

To agree some temporary arrangements for car parking in response to the current situation as described in the briefing paper.

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, Planning and Transport Scrutiny 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 requirement on car parking and in response to key worker and resident need.

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) Transport and Community Safety were consulted.  The spokes for Strategy and External Partnerships was advised.

There will be budgetary implications of these decisions which will fall outside of the current budgetary framework.  Some budget implications are given in the broadest terms in the officer briefing paper.  When officers are in a position to report further on these, they will be reported to city councillors for decision at the earliest opportunity.

Link to briefing paper: http://mgappmh-01/documents/s49649/CarParkingbriefingpaper.docx.pdf?$LO$=1

.

Reference:

2020/OfficerUrgent/SR/06

Contact for further information:

Fiona Bryant, Strategic Director 01223 457325 fiona.bryant@cambridge.gov.uk

Decision(s) taken:

To delegate the direct powers and duties of the Chief Executive as set out in the Council’s Constitution to Strategic Director 1 and 2 when the  Chief Executive is indisposed for any reason and any decision cannot be unreasonably delayed.

Decision of:

Chief Executive

Date of decision:  

25 March 2020

Matter for Decision:

It is important that the city council can continue to function in the absence of the Chief Executive and that the correct authority is in place to permit the Council’s Strategic Directors to take action when and if required.

Any alternative options considered and rejected:

-

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, Civic Affairs 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. 

Conflicts of interest and dispensations granted by the Chief Executive:

None.

Other Comments:

The Council’s scheme of delegation to officers is set out in section 9 of Part 3, Discharge of council functions.  There are specific references in this and in other parts of the Council’s Constitution where decision making power, authority or responsibility rests with the post of Chief Executive.  For the avoidance of doubt, this decision confirms that if the Chief Executive is indisposed for any reason, and for a period that means a decision cannot be delayed, the City Council’s Strategic Directors 1 and 2 are authorised to act.

The Leader of the Council, the Leader of the Opposition Group, the Chair and spokesperson of the Civic Affairs Committee were all consulted and supported the proposed decision.

Reference:

2020/OfficerUrgent/SR/05

Contact for further information:

Antoinette Jackson Chief Executive, 01223 457001 antoinette.jackson@cambridge.gov.uk

Decision(s) taken:

To take various action to support commercial tenants.

Decision of:

Strategic Director 1

Date of decision:               

23rd March 2020

Matter for Decision:

To agree some interim measures relating to commercial tenants.

Any alternative options considered and rejected:

The decisions are taken based on the latest guidance and information at 20^th March and will be kept under review.

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 commercial tenants to be advised urgently of the Council’s position regarding rent and fees.  All decisions were based on the latest guidance and information resulting from the coronavirus situation. 

Conflicts of interest and dispensations granted by the Chief Executive:

None.

Other Comments:

The information relating to commercial tenants is exempt information under paragraph 3 of part 1 of schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

The Chief Executive and Leader of the Council were consulted prior to the decisions taken.  In addition, the Executive Councillors for (i) Climate change, Environment and City Centre, (ii) Finance and Resources (iii) Transport and Community Safety were all copied into the officer briefing paper.  The spokes for Strategy and External Partnerships was advised.

There will be budgetary implications of these decisions which will fall outside of the current budgetary framework.  Some budget implications are given in the broadest terms in the officer briefing paper.  When officers are in a position to report further on these, they will be reported to city councillors for decision at the earliest opportunity.

Reference:

2020/OfficerURGENCY/Council/03

Contact for further information:

Fiona Bryant, 01223 457325 fiona.bryant@cambridge.gov.uk

Decision(s) taken:

To amend the figures for the City Council aggregate amount in appendix A (b) of the Council’s adopted resolution of 25 February 2020.

Decision of:

Strategic Director 1

Date of decision:                          

27^th February 2020

Matter for Decision:

To amend the Cambridge City Council council tax rates and aggregate amounts for bands A, B, C, E, F, G and H as in the attached revised Appendix A(b) – Council Tax Setting 2020/21.

Any alternative options considered and rejected:

Without making this administrative change, there is a possibility of the City Council’s tax rates being challenged as the rates agreed by Full Council on 25 February 2020 are incorrect by 1p.  A requirement to re-bill, if at any time in the 2020/21 year they were challenged, would be a significant additional cost and an inconvenience to residents, that is being prevented by the urgent action.  By not making this change the City Council would see a small shortfall in its budget for 2020/21 of £444.

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 the printing and delivery of Council Tax bills for the Council’s area within the statutory timescales.  To delay the matter for a further decision by a meeting of the Full Council was not possible if the Council was to meet its statutory timescales for billing. 

Conflicts of interest and dispensations granted by the Chief Executive:

None.

Other Comments:

The Chief Executive was unavailable and therefore not able to be consulted before the action was taken.  The Head of Finance advised the Leader of the Council and the Executive Councillor for Finance and Resources prior to the action being taken.

Reference:

20/OfficerUrgent/SR/01

Contact for further information:

Caroline Ryba, Head of Finance, 01223 458134 caroline.ryba@cambridge.gov.uk

Decision(s) taken:

To appoint a replacement substitute member for the City Council on the Combined Authority.

Decision of:

Chief Executive

Date of decision:                          

9 March 2020

Matter for Decision:

To appoint Councillor Mike Davey as the City Council’s substitute member on the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority for the remainder of the 2020/21 Municipal Year

Any alternative options considered and rejected:

-

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 give the required 14 days’ notice by the Combined Authority of a change to the city council’s substitute member so that they can attend in the Leader of the Council’s stead at 25^th March Combined Authority meeting.

Conflicts of interest and dispensations granted by the Chief Executive:

None.

Other Comments:

The nomination of Councillor Mike Davey was supported by the Leader of the Council.

Reference:

20/OfficerUrgent/SR/02

Contact for further information:

Antoinette Jackson Chief Executive, 01223 457001 antoinette.jackson@cambridge.gov.uk