Decisions

The current Cambridge City Council Tree Strategy (2016-2026) is due to expire in 2026. A replacement strategy is required to ensure the Council continues to manage and enhance the city’s urban forest proactively, to the benefit of existing and future communities, the local environment, and our arboricultural heritage.

The new UFS keeps the same vision as the 2016-2026 Strategy but is shorter and easier to follow. Supporting text and detailed evidence are now provided separately in a suite of Topic Papers, while the main strategy sets out the Council’s principles, delivery approaches, and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). This ensures both clarity of direction and accountability for delivery.

The UFS also reflects the Council’s adoption of the term “urban forest1 ” in place of “tree strategy,” recognising the success of the previous strategy in embedding this concept in public and organisational understanding. The renaming of the Senior Arboricultural Officer post to Urban Forest Manager acknowledges the importance of the urban forest and the need for collective action in its stewardship.

This report seeks approval to proceed to consultation on the draft UFS, to test its deliverability with internal service partners and to seek views from residents, community groups, and other stakeholders.

Cabinet resolved:

1.Approves the progression to consultation on the new Cambridge City Council Urban Forest Strategy (2026-2036) (UFS).

2. Notes that consultation will take place in two stages: an internal consultation with service delivery partners, followed by a public consultation alongside the Biodiversity Strategy review.

3. Delegates finalisation of consultation documents and proposals to the Director of City Services.

The current Climate Change Strategy (2021-2026) ends in March 2026, and an updated Climate Change Strategy is required from April 2026 to continue to direct the Council’s work on addressing climate change and working towards the Council’s net zero target.

The purpose of this report is to set out how the new Climate Change Strategy will build upon the previous strategy, take account of changes in national policy and context and how we will ensure the strategy reflects the views, needs and priorities of residents, businesses and key stakeholders via public engagement.

A decision is required for approval to proceed to public engagement in October

Cabinet resolved to:

1.    Provide approval to progress to public engagement to help inform the development of the new Climate Change Strategy (2026-2031)

2.    Delegates finalisation of engagement documents and plans (Appendices A, B and C) to the Director of Economy and Place

A medium-term procurement pipeline has been developed for repairs, maintenance, and building compliance work. This covers planned and responsive maintenance as well as specialist compliance activities, including damp, condensation, and mould treatment. The coordinated approach strengthens in-house delivery, helps the Council meet its statutory obligations, and supports wider goals such as improving tenant satisfaction and service resilience. By publishing the contract pipeline in line with the Procurement Act 2023, the Council is ensuring transparency, enabling providers to plan effectively, and aligning activity with its corporate direction.

Bringing this pipeline together provides visibility over the medium term and supports the achievement of best value for the Council. It does not require additional funding and is already incorporated into approved budgets and the Council’s Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS).

The purpose of this report is to present the pipeline for public visibility and to seek formal approval and delegated authority to proceed with the procurements and award the resulting contracts, ensuring best value for the Council.

Cabinet resolved to:

1.    Note the procurement pipeline for repairs, maintenance, and compliance works as set out in the appendix to this report.

2.    Delegate authority to the Director of City Services, in consultation with relevant Cabinet Members and Chief Officers, to award contracts within this pipeline following completion of the appropriate procurement processes

Cabinet resolved to:

I.              agree to support this transformative project to restore and modernise the Guildhall, Corn Exchange, Market Square and Public Realm in the historic heart of Cambridge.

II.             agree to Option 4 to take it forward - that a recommendation is made to Full Council for a capital budget of up to £4.4m to be allocated to fund the technical design development, detailed development programme and to finalise the total direct and indirect costs of the project.

III.           agree to develop technical designs with traders and stakeholders

IV.          delegate authority to the Assistant Director for Development to submit the designs as put forward for the Guildhall, Corn Exchange, Market Square and associated public realm for Planning Consideration;

V.            delegate authority to the Assistant Director for Development in consultation with the Leader and CEO to approve non-material amendments and/or s73 amendments to the designs as put forward;

VI.          delegate authority to the Director of Economy and Place in consultation with the Chief Finance Officer regarding the disposal of Mandela House.

Cabinet resolved to note:

I.              the Capital Budget is to be allocated from the existing earmarked Civic Quarter Development reserve

II.             the project is affordable at the current estimated project cost which could be up to £92.3m

III.           a report will be issued to Cabinet and then to Full Council in September 2026 regarding the final proposals and costs

IV.          feedback to Cabinet from the Performance, Assets and Strategy Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting of 9 September 2025.

The report provides on the basis for this decision including an update on progress made on fundraising, investment pipeline development, governance and due diligence to establish Greater Cambridge Impact (GCI) and enable the first social investments to be made.

Cabinet resolved to approve the drawdown of the Councils £0.8m and approve the formalisation of its investment in Greater Cambridge Impact (GCI), following consultation with the Overview and Scrutiny Chairs and Vice-Chairs, and reassurance from the Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officer that governance arrangements are in place and due diligence is complete