Decisions

This report provides an update on the Council’s Small Sites Programme; an initiative focused on bringing forward underutilised and infill sites across Cambridge to deliver new Council housing. This programme is designed to provide opportunities for the Small to Medium (SME) sector in the region particularly architects, consultants, and SME contractors.

These proposals aim to deliver 100% affordable – council - homes including the provision of larger family homes and accessible accommodation, which remain in short supply locally. The total number of new council homes is 91 new homes a net gain of 88 predominantly 3 and 4 bed houses.

With Homes England funding, the council will be able to offer more of the new council homes on the lowest level of council rent – ‘social rent,’ which is discounted to around 40-45% of market rents.

The report outlines progress on three existing schemes (Kendal Way, Paget Road, and St Thomas Road) and seeks approval to progress three additional sites – Queen's Meadow Phase 2, The Hawthorns at Haviland Way, and the Horizons Community Centre site. The indicative combined budget for these proposals is £37.4 million drawn down from allocated budgets.

All homes will be designed in line with the Cambridge Sustainable Housing Design Guide, supporting the Council’s objectives on sustainability, energy efficiency, and tackling fuel poverty.

For the following sites,

a. Queens Meadow Phase 2

b. The Hawthorns, Haviland Way

c. Horizons

That Cabinet unanimously resolved to:

I.               Approve the three sites above for inclusion within the Housing Capital Programme, with an indicative capital budget of £37,401,454 to fund all site assembly, construction costs, professional fees, and further associated fees, to deliver a 100% affordable – council - housing scheme which meets the identified need in Cambridge. This budget will be funded from resources previously approved by Council for investment in new homes and not yet allocated.

II.             Authorise the Assistant Director, Development in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing to approve variations to the scheme including the number of units and mix of property types, sizes, and tenure.

III.           Delegate authority to the Assistant Director, Development to make a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) in respect of any leasehold interests at Horizons and Hawkins development sites, identified for possible redevelopment that cannot be acquired by private treaty within a reasonable timescale and at a reasonable cost subject to the Director of Economy and Place being satisfied that there is a compelling case in the public interest for the use of compulsory purchase powers, and that all legal and policy requirements for the making and confirmation of a CPO have been met.

IV.          Delegate authority to the Assistant Director, Development to serve initial Demolition Notices under the Housing Act 1985.

V.             Delegate Authority to the Assistant Director of Housing and Homelessness to approve a local lettings plan for the proposed developments.

VI.          Note the updates and next steps for the councils Small Sites Programme for the following sites:

a. Kendal Way

b. Paget Road

c. St Thomas Road

As a result of the political agreement between the Liberal Democrat and Labour Groups the following actions were agreed:

• at a meeting on 7 July, the Cabinet will consider a report in support of the objectives of a budget amendment to implement Liberal Democrat proposals on reopening Parker’s Piece and Quayside toilets, and the resourcing of council delivery of street cleaning, and public realm enforcement, which would be implemented at the earliest possible opportunity in the current financial year.

• In the interim, steps will be taken to hire additional staff on a temporary basis to increase street cleansing and public realm enforcement in the city centre during the busy summer months.

This report provides recommendations on changes to Public Toilets, Street Cleansing, Public Safety and City Centre Enforcement as set out in the Liberal Democrat 2026 budget amendment.

That Cabinet unanimously resolved to:

I.               To approve the immediate reopening of as many individual toilets at Parkers Piece as feasible following condition and compliance checks.

II.             To request officers, bring a paper to 23rd September Cabinet setting out options for the future of Parker’s Piece and Quayside toilets, including reopening and operating cost, payment options, and capital investment needed to meet any new accessibility requirements.

III.           That four temporary staff are recruited as soon as possible to provide additional street cleansing capacity at priority hotspots, including the city centre, and strengthening programmed cleansing activity across the city, to be organised into a new daily 12-7pm shift.

IV.          To agree that officers implement route optimisation and operational redesign informed by performance and REEN smart bin technology data to deliver efficiencies that can release existing cleaning capacity for priority hotspots.

V.             To agree that officers will bring a more detailed paper on longer-term staffing requirements once the additional temporary resource is in place and its impact can be assessed to feed into the budget setting process in late Autumn.

VI.          To agree to the recruitment of two additional temporary Public Realm Enforcement Officers (a permanent appointment would be made in September, which would replace one of the temporary posts) so that a team of 5 enforcement officers will be funded from July to the end of the financial year.

VII.        To agree that officers bring an evidence-based report to Cabinet in November/December setting out the impact of the additional capacity and other reforms to improve prevention and enforcement activity with advice on whether there is sufficient capacity or whether further resources are required.

VIII.      That the in-year revenue costs of these proposals are funded using the Transformation and Reinvestment Fund, anticipated to be up to £200k, and that the CFO has delegated authority to approve this.

IX.          That proposals are brought forward as part of the 2027/2028 Budget setting process so that future funding for the costs of toilet reopening, additional street cleaning and enforcement activity can be secured.

As a result of the political agreement between the Liberal Democrat and Labour Groups the following actions were agreed:

• at a meeting on 7 July, the Cabinet will consider a report in support of the objectives of a budget amendment to implement Liberal Democrat proposals on reopening Parker’s Piece and Quayside toilets, and the resourcing of council delivery of street cleaning, and public realm enforcement, which would be implemented at the earliest possible opportunity in the current financial year.

• In the interim, steps will be taken to hire additional staff on a temporary basis to increase street cleansing and public realm enforcement in the city centre during the busy summer months.

This report provides recommendations on changes to Public Toilets, Street Cleansing, Public Safety and City Centre Enforcement as set out in the Liberal Democrat 2026 budget amendment.

That Cabinet unanimously resolved to:

I.               To approve the immediate reopening of as many individual toilets at Parkers Piece as feasible following condition and compliance checks.

II.             II. To request officers, bring a paper to 23rd September Cabinet setting out options for the future of Parker’s Piece and Quayside toilets, including reopening and operating cost, payment options, and capital investment needed to meet any new accessibility requirements.

III.           That four temporary staff are recruited as soon as possible to provide additional street cleansing capacity at priority hotspots, including the city centre, and strengthening programmed cleansing activity across the city, to be organised into a new daily 12-7pm shift.

IV.          To agree that officers implement route optimisation and operational redesign informed by performance and REEN smart bin technology data to deliver efficiencies that can release existing cleaning capacity for priority hotspots.

V.             To agree that officers will bring a more detailed paper on longer-term staffing requirements once the additional temporary resource is in place and its impact can be assessed to feed into the budget setting process in late Autumn.

VI.          To agree to the recruitment of two additional temporary Public Realm Enforcement Officers (a permanent appointment would be made in September, which would replace one of the temporary posts) so that a team of 5 enforcement officers will be funded from July to the end of the financial year.

VII.        To agree that officers bring an evidence-based report to Cabinet in November/December setting out the impact of the additional capacity and other reforms to improve prevention and enforcement activity with advice on whether there is sufficient capacity or whether further resources are required.

VIII.      That the in-year revenue costs of these proposals are funded using the Transformation and Reinvestment Fund, anticipated to be up to £200k, and that the CFO has delegated authority to approve this.

IX.          That proposals are brought forward as part of the 2027/2028 Budget setting process so that future funding for the costs of toilet reopening, additional street cleaning and enforcement activity can be secured.

As a result of the political agreement between the Liberal Democrat and Labour Groups the following actions were agreed:

• at a meeting on 7 July, the Cabinet will consider a report in support of   the objectives of a budget amendment to implement Liberal Democrat proposals on reopening Parker’s Piece and Quayside toilets, and the resourcing of council delivery of street cleaning, and public realm enforcement, which would be implemented at the earliest possible opportunity in the current financial year.

• In the interim, steps will be taken to hire additional staff on a temporary basis to increase street cleansing and public realm enforcement in the city centre during the busy summer months.

This report provides recommendations on changes to Public Toilets, Street Cleansing, Public Safety and City Centre Enforcement as set out in the Liberal Democrat 2026 budget amendment.

That Cabinet unanimously resolved to:

I.               To approve the immediate reopening of as many individual toilets at Parkers Piece as feasible following condition and compliance checks.

II.             To request officers, bring a paper to 23rd September Cabinet setting out options for the future of Parker’s Piece and Quayside toilets, including reopening and operating cost, payment options, and capital investment needed to meet any new accessibility requirements.

III.           That four temporary staff are recruited as soon as possible to provide additional street cleansing capacity at priority hotspots, including the city centre, and strengthening programmed cleansing activity across the city, to be organised into a new daily 12-7pm shift.  

IV.          To agree that officers implement route optimisation and operational redesign informed by performance and REEN smart bin technology data to deliver efficiencies that can release existing cleaning capacity for priority hotspots.

V.             To agree that officers will bring a more detailed paper on longer-term staffing requirements once the additional temporary resource is in place and its impact can be assessed to feed into the budget setting process in late Autumn.

VI.          To agree to the recruitment of two additional temporary Public Realm Enforcement Officers (a permanent appointment would be made in September, which would replace one of the temporary posts) so that a team of 5 enforcement officers will be funded from July to the end of the financial year.

VII.        To agree that officers bring an evidence-based report to Cabinet in November/December setting out the impact of the additional capacity and other reforms to improve prevention and enforcement activity with advice on whether there is sufficient capacity or whether further resources are required.

VIII.      That the in-year revenue costs of these proposals are funded using the Transformation and Reinvestment Fund, anticipated to be up to £200k, and that the CFO has delegated authority to approve this.

IX.          That proposals are brought forward as part of the 2027/2028 Budget setting process so that future funding for the costs of toilet reopening, additional street cleaning and enforcement activity can be secured.

On 10 February Cabinet authorised a public consultation on the draft CIL charging schedule and associated documentation.

The Council undertook a 6-week consultation between Monday 16 February 2026 and Sunday 29 March 2026. A consultation was undertaken at the same time for the South Cambridgeshire District Council draft CIL charging schedule and representations were invited in relation to both.

The purpose of the Cambridge City and South Cambridgeshire CIL is to secure more money from developments to help address the funding deficit for strategic transport infrastructure. Section 106 planning obligations will still be used to fund localised infrastructure including (but not limited to) schools, surgeries, community centres, and sports facilities.

The consultation sought views from developers and our communities on the following CIL rates:

•£35psm for industrial buildings and data centres

•£50psm for shops, restaurants, financial and professional services, and hotels

•£60psm for houses and flats, retirement homes, residential institutions, and student accommodation

•£175psm for offices and R&D buildings

The Councils received 630 comments from 139 respondents. Officers have produced a Consultation Statement to summarise the broad theme of all representations and the Councils response to these. This statement is appended to the Cabinet report along with appendices containing representations received through the consultation platform and representations received by letter which have been summarised.

Broadly speaking there was support for the adoption of CIL because there was recognition that all developments should contribute towards infrastructure and the sense that developers were “wriggling out” of negotiated s106 contributions. This support was predicated on the Councils being confident that the introduction of CIL would not create an adverse impact on growth or other planning policy objectives. Some who objected were opposed to any new taxation.

Details relating to the infrastructure funding gap the Councils were relying on attracted many comments. Objectors stated that the infrastructure evidence is out of date, that there is no gap, that the gap is smaller than that being reported, that the gap is larger than being reported, and that the mismanagement of funds is the reason for any gap.

A significant number of representations focussed on the rates and the evidence that had been prepared for the Councils by independent viability experts. Many respondents submitted information relating to (for example) sales value, costs, profit, and fees. Other respondents sought to have specific sites (including strategic sites) exempted from CIL. Some respondents considered the Councils should be charging developers more to develop in the area.

No one objecting to the proposed rates offered alternative rates.

Broadly speaking most respondents understood how the Councils will use CIL alongside s106 contributions although some required a little more clarity.

Whilst there was broad support for the draft instalment policy there were some suggestions relating to having further instalments for larger payments and where payment is made over a longer period.

In terms of other comments some respondents considered that the regulatory requirements had not been met because of the lack of reference to how CIL Reg 43 Mandatory Charitable exemption and CIL Reg 44 discretionary charitable exemptions applied.

Having considered representations and examined carefully the submissions made on viability, Officers and the Councils viability consultants remain satisfied that the Council has struck an appropriate balance between additional investment to support development and the potential effect on the viability of developments and that regulatory requirements have been met. This report recommends that the Council submits the draft charging schedule and associated evidence for independent examination.

Adopting a CIL ensures that the Councils follow through on their City Deal commitments to generate an adequate local contribution to fund the infrastructure necessary for the Local Plans. It also ensures that all eligible development contribute towards the infrastructure that they benefit from and that planning permissions can be issued quicker. The consultation has demonstrated broad support for the proposed rates. Viability evidence has been re-evaluated following representations received from developers. This has confirmed support for the rates whilst recognising that the position for offices and research and development space is more challenging that when the viability assessments were carried out and the evidence available at that time

Cabinet unanimously resolved to:

The submission of the draft charging schedule, an amended draft instalment policy, and associated evidence for independent examination.

This report details the background to the introduction of an extended Cambridge City 6 Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy (2021 -2028) and Local Action Plan to cover the period June 2026 – March 2028.

Cabinet Unanimously Resolved to:

Approve the introduction and implementation of the draft extended Cambridge City Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy (2021 – 2028) and accompanying Local Action Plan as set out in Annexes 1 and 2 of this report.

This report provides an update on emerging financial risks, and asks the Cabinet to agree the early strategic direction for setting the council’s 2026/27 budgets.

That Cabinet unanimously resolved to:

1.      Note the economic update and emerging pressures set out in sections 4 and 5.

2.      Agree the high-level approach to budget setting for 2027/28 set out in section 6.

3.      Agree the high-level approach to public consultation set out in section 8.

Cambridge City Council operates approximately 120 vehicles supporting a wide range of frontline services. A significant proportion of these vehicles are now beyond their anticipated replacement life, resulting in increasing maintenance costs, reliability concerns and growing operational risk.

The Council has reviewed its fleet replacement requirements, future operational needs, available vehicle technologies and decarbonisation opportunities. This review identified a phased replacement programme, adopting an electric vehicle first approach where operationally suitable and economically viable, as the most practical and cost-effective approach to modernising the fleet whilst supporting the Council's net zero ambitions.

This report sets out the proposed approach to future fleet replacement and decarbonisation and seeks approval for the adoption of an electric vehicle first replacement strategy together with the associated governance arrangements for future fleet investment decisions.

That Cabinet unanimously resolved to:

a) Approve the adoption of an electric vehicle first approach for future fleet replacement, where operationally suitable and economically viable.

b) Note the approved capital allocation of £2 million in 2026/27 and the indicative future capital requirements of £3 million in 2027/28 and £3 million in 2028/29 to support the Fleet Replacement and Decarbonisation Programme, with future years' funding subject to approval through the Council's annual budget-setting process.

c) Delegate authority to the Director of City Services, in consultation with the Executive Councillor for Nature, Open Spaces and City Services and the Chief Finance Officer, to approve individual vehicle replacement decisions and associated procurement activities within the approved capital budget and in accordance with the Council's Contract Procedure Rules.