Decisions

Matter for Decision:	The purpose of this decision is to ensure that a timely consultation response is issued to Network Rail’s public consultation on the ‘C3R’ scheme.  This has been prepared on behalf of the Greater Cambridge Planning Service (Cambridge City Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council) and is aligned with the Cambridgeshire County Council and East Cambridgeshire District Council and Greater Cambridge Planning Service (Cambridge City Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council) response.   The Cambridge Re-signalling, Re-lock and Re-Control project (C3R for short) is a proposal to renew the signalling systems in and around the Cambridge area and deliver a modern signalling system to improve efficiency and reliability.   The consultation opens on 1st March 2021 and closes on 11th April 2021: Home - C3R Consultation
Why the decision had to be made (and any alternative options):	The consultation response sets out the requirement for Network Rail to undertake formal pre-application discussions with the Councils, and provides comments from the County Council.
The Executive Councillor’s decision(s):	To approve the proposed response to the public consultation, as set out in the documents appended to this decision.
Reasons for the decision:	See consultation response letter  Document ROD:Cambridge Re-signalling Project C3R Scheme Consultation Response - Cambridge Council
Scrutiny consideration:	The Chair and Spokesperson of Planning and Transport Scrutiny Committee were consulted prior to the action being authorised.
Report:	Home - C3R Consultation
Conflicts of interest:	None known.
Comments:	No adverse comments were made.

 

Decision to agree any potential changes to the current management arrangements following discussions with the Storey's Field Centre Trust.

Matter for Decision

The Storey’s Field Centre, on the Eddington Development in the North West of the City, opened to the public in February 2018 and has been managed under a contract for services with the Storey’s Field Centre Trust (SFCT) by the City Council since July 2016 when the Centre manager was appointed.

 

The initial contract was for a 5-year period which comes to an end on 30 June 2021. The SFCT has recommended an 18-month extension to the existing contract whilst it considers recommendations made during a recent review of the Centre and its operations.

 

The City Council considered this option and recommended approval of this extension to ensure continuity for the Centre and staff during this period whilst changes are considered. It is the officers’ view that an 18-month extension is an appropriate length of time for the Trust to make any necessary decisions.

 

The previous contract was approved by Committee in 2015 and any further decisions after the 5-year period of the contract (which expires on 30 June 2021) required approval by the Executive Councillor.

 

Decision of Executive Councillor for Communities

      i.          Approved the extension to the existing contract for services for the Storey’s Field Centre for a further 18 months from 1st July 2021 – 31 December 2022.

     ii.          Delegated any further decisions in respect of the Council’s commitments to the implementation of the contract until 31 December 2022 to the Director of Communities.

 

Reason for the Decision

As set out in the Officer’s report.

 

Any Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

Not applicable.

 

Scrutiny Considerations

The Committee received a report from the Neighbourhood Community Development Manager.

 

The Committee unanimously resolved to endorse the recommendations.

 

The Executive Councillor approved the recommendations.

 

Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Executive Councillor (and any Dispensations Granted)

No conflicts of interest were declared by the Executive Councillor.

Matter for Decision

This was a report on the heating system replacement for Cambridge Corn Exchange. It summarised why an interim gas-based solution was necessary.

 

Decision of Executive Councillor for Communities

The Executive Councillor noted the report.

 

Reason for the Decision

As set out in the Officer’s report.

 

Any Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

Not applicable.

 

Scrutiny Considerations

The Committee received a report from the Culture and Community Manager.

 

Opposition Councillors made the following comments in response to the report:

      i.          Expressed concern that a gas fired heating system was installed as an emergency measure.

     ii.          There was no time to look at other options eg heat source pump) that had a longer lifespan. The gas system would need to be replaced after 9 years.

   iii.          Looked forward to cross-party action to address the issue in future.

   iv.          Welcomed the opportunity to be briefed by the engineer.

 

The Culture and Community Manager said the following in response to Members’ questions:

      i.          It was very complicated to get heat pump boilers installed.

     ii.          Extensive work would have to be undertaken before another type of heating system could be installed.

 

The Executive Councillor said that officers had looked at various heating system options.

 

The Committee unanimously resolved to endorse the recommendation.

 

The Executive Councillor approved the recommendation.

 

Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Executive Councillor (and any Dispensations Granted)

No conflicts of interest were declared by the Executive Councillor.

 

To approve a revised and updated Climate Change Strategy and Carbon Management Plan for the period from April 2021 to March 2026.

Matter for Decision

The Officer’s report presented a revised Climate Change Strategy covering the period from 2021-2026 for approval, following public consultation in autumn 2020. The revised strategy set out the Council’s approach to: reducing its own carbon emissions; supporting residents, businesses and organisations in Cambridge to reduce their emissions; and helping the city adapt to the predicted changes in climate. The revised strategy builds on what the Council has achieved to date, but sets out new ambitions in the context of the Climate Emergency, including working more with residents, communities, businesses and institutions.

 

The report also presented a new Carbon Management Plan for 2021-2026 for approval. The Carbon Management Plan set out in more detail how the Council would reduce its direct carbon emissions from its corporate buildings and fleet vehicles towards net zero carbon.

 

Decision of Executive Councillor for Climate Change, Environment and City Centre

      i.          Approved the Council’s Climate Change Strategy for 2021-2026.

     ii.          Approved the Council’s Carbon Management Plan for 2021-2026.

 

Agreed to:

   iii.          Commit to ensuring that all future reports aid understanding of carbon emissions by providing: both percentages of total emissions and the absolute denominator in ktCO2; a definition of the scope of the emissions referred to; and a clear visual representation of the scope of emissions referred to.

   iv.          In addition to presenting data on carbon emissions that are within the Council’s direct influence, explore the feasibility of quantifying the emissions contained within Council’s policy influence and report to Scrutiny Committee in October 2021.

    v.          Explore the feasibility of measuring the impact of the Council’s future activity on emissions within its direct influence and its policy influence and report to Scrutiny Committee  in October 2021.

   vi.          The council will prepare a list of existing for gas fired heating systems under council control and their remaining expected service life.

a.    Scope: All gas consumers included in Appendix 4 Figure 10 (page 123 of reports pack)

b.    Target date: Next committee cycle

 vii.          In addition, the committee notes the already recognised need to complete an asset management plan for all the council’s corporate building, and additionally recommends that the council ensure the plan addresses the following points:

 

For all systems with less than 5 years life remaining prepare a report on the:

a.    Extent of insulation, heating system or other work required to ensure feasibility of low carbon heating 

b.    Current gas consumption 

c.    Estimated combined costs of remedial work and low carbon heating system

 

Output: Prioritised (by tCO2/£) list of urgent works required to avoid future replacement of existing heating systems with gas fired boilers at end of life

 

Target time frame: 12 months

 

Reason for the Decision

As set out in the Officer’s report.

 

Any Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

Not applicable.

 

Scrutiny Considerations

The Committee received a report from the Strategy and Partnerships Manager.

 

Opposition Councillors made the following comments in response to the report:

      i.          The Council needed to do more to mitigate/address climate change.

     ii.          Needed to take more meaningful action as a city and wider area, to do more than the city could on its own.

   iii.          The city should take action and set a good example for other organisations to follow.

 

The Strategy and Partnerships Manager said the following in response to Members’ questions:

      i.          The Council had a target to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2030.

     ii.          The intention was to reduce direct emissions from buildings and the transport fleet first. Technology options to achieve this were being reviewed eg through the Carbon Management Plan.

   iii.          It was not possible to fully decarbonise all buildings with current technology eg the Council had a gas powered crematorium.

   iv.          The Council was investing in energy efficient measures for housing.

    v.          A report was due in April 2020 looking at how 7,000 council homes could be retrofitted (to various levels) to decarbonise them. (See Housing Revenue Account under remit of Housing Scrutiny Committee).

   vi.          Officers were working with ‘Climate View’ to visualise citywide emissions to break them down into different sectors and then address.

 vii.          Community engagement and work with partners was needed to achieve net zero.

viii.          The Council bid for funding where available to undertake work, but would take action regardless. It would use its resources efficiently as work took high levels of capital investment.

   ix.          The Council planned to use passivhaus standards from 2021 and net zero from 2030. This was phrased as ‘where possible’ in the Strategy as there were constraints on sites the Council proposed to use.

 

The Strategic Director said Housing Scrutiny Committee would review passivhaus standards as it fell under their remit.

 

    x.          The Strategy recognised the Council needed to do more regarding off-setting carbon emissions.

   xi.          Depending on what vehicles were available and most practicable, the Council aimed to use electric and ultra-low emission vehicles in its fleet.

 

The Executive Councillor said:

      i.          The Strategy was work in progress and could be added to over time. A report would be brought back to committee. Consultations and workshops had been undertaken to develop the Strategy.

     ii.          Green investments were separate to off-setting actions.

 

Councillors requested a change to the recommendations. Councillor Summerbell proposed to add the following recommendations (shown in bold) to those in the Officer’s report:

 

Recommendations

The Executive Councillor is recommended to:

1. Approve the Council’s Climate Change Strategy for 2021-2026.

2. Approve the Council’s Carbon Management Plan for 2021-2026.

 

In addition:

 

Amendment 1 for item 6 to read as follows:

 

1.       Commit to ensuring that all future reports aid understanding of carbon emissions by providing: both percentages of total emissions and the absolute denominator in ktCO2; a definition of the scope of the emissions referred to; and a clear visual representation of the scope of emissions referred to.

2.       In addition to presenting data on carbon emissions that are within the Council’s direct influence, explore the feasibility of quantifying the emissions contained within Council’s policy influence and report to Scrutiny Committee in October 2021.

3.       Explore the feasibility of measuring the impact of the Council’s future activity on emissions within its direct influence and its policy influence and report to Scrutiny Committee  in October 2021.

 

Amendment 2 for item 6 to read as follows:

 

The council will prepare a list of existing for gas fired heating systems under council control and their remaining expected service life.

 

Scope: All gas consumers included in  Appendix 4 Figure 10 (page 123 of reports pack)

 

Target date: Next committee cycle

 

In addition, the committee notes the already recognised need to complete an asset management plan for all the council’s corporate building, and additionally recommends that the council ensure that plan addresses the following points:

 

For all systems with  less than 5years life remaining prepare a report on the:

 

2) Extent of insulation, heating system or other work required to ensure feasibility of low carbon heating 

3) Current gas consumption 

4) Estimated combined costs of remedial work and low carbon heating system

 

Output: Prioritised (by tCO2/£) list of urgent works required to avoid future replacement of existing heating systems with gas fired boilers at end of life

 

Target time frame: 12 months. 

 

The Committee unanimously approved these additional recommendations.

 

The Committee resolved to endorse the recommendations as amended by 5 votes to 0 with 3 abstentions.

 

The Executive Councillor approved the recommendations.

 

Councillor Smith asked for it to be asked for it to be noted that she had been unwell at the Strategy and Resources Committee (and had informed the chair of that but didn't want to make a fuss by broadcasting it more widely), and this had prevented her from giving as effective an answer as she would have liked at that point.

 

Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Executive Councillor (and any Dispensations Granted)

No conflicts of interest were declared by the Executive Councillor.

 

Matter for Decision

The Council has embarked on a major public realm capital project to improve Cambridge’s market square, as the city’s principal outdoor civic space and venue for the Council’s popular seven day a week General and Sunday market.

 

The market square, its associated outdoor public realm and market infrastructure, was not up to the quality standard befitting the city’s international status and profile.

 

The Council’s initial project work has involved an assessment of the issues, needs and opportunities associated with the market square space. Using the site assessment findings, the Council, with the support of specialist design and market consultants, has engaged key organisational stakeholders, including market traders, to develop a proposed vision and supporting concept design plan for the square.

 

The Council was now seeking to go out to a six-week public consultation on the proposed vision and concept design, as detailed in Appendix A and B of the Officer’s report after the local elections in May 2021.

 

Decision of Executive Councillor for Climate Change, Environment and City Centre

      i.          Approved the proposed consultation draft market square project vision and concept design, as detailed in Appendix A and B respectively, for a six-week public consultation starting in May, as outlined in Section 5 of the Officer’s report.

     ii.          Noted the findings of the market square project operational management and outline business case assessment report in Appendix C of the Officer’s report.

   iii.          Agreed not to proceed to the design work on RIBA Stages 3 and 4 until the public consultation was complete and the results had been brought to and approved by this committee.

 

Reason for the Decision

As set out in the Officer’s report.

 

Any Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

Not applicable.

 

Scrutiny Considerations

The Committee received a report from the Head of Environmental Services.

 

The Executive Councillor and Head of Environmental Services said the market square project should deliver the following benefits:

      i.          Improved market square space.

     ii.          Improved facilities, public realm and waste management.

   iii.          Electrics would be improved which would allow food stalls to be grouped together (which was not possible now).

   iv.          It would be more accessible and easier to clean.

    v.          Should attract more people and so support traders.

   vi.          Looking to restore and improve heritage facilities.

 vii.          Make better use of space.

 

Councillors requested a change to the recommendations. Councillor Matthews proposed to add the following recommendation to those in the Officer’s report:

·        (New ) 2.3 Not to proceed to RIBA Stages 3 and 4 until the public consultation is complete and the results have been brought to and approved by this committee.

 

Councillor Moore proposed revised wording (as agreed with Councilor Matthews):

·        (New ) 2.3 Not to proceed to the design work on RIBA Stages 3 and 4 until the public consultation is complete and the results have been brought to and approved by this committee.

 

The Committee unanimously approved this additional recommendation.

 

The Committee unanimously resolved to endorse the recommendations as amended.

 

The Executive Councillor approved the recommendations.

 

Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Executive Councillor (and any Dispensations Granted)

No conflicts of interest were declared by the Executive Councillor.

Matter for Decision:	1.     To agree the Greater Cambridge Housing Trajectory and Five-Year Housing Land Supply document (see Appendix 1) to be published on the Councils’ shared planning service website. The Greater Cambridge housing trajectory and five-year housing land supply calculations have been prepared jointly with South Cambridgeshire District Council, consistent with the adopted Local Plans. 2.     To delegate any further minor editing changes to the Greater Cambridge Housing Trajectory and Five-Year Housing Land Supply document to the Joint Director for Planning and Economic Development where they are technical matters.
Why the decision had to be made (and any alternative options):	In January 2019, the Executive Councillor for Planning Policy and Open Spaces agreed that the Greater Cambridge housing trajectory and five-year supply calculations would be agreed by the Executive Member for Planning Policy and Open Spaces at Cambridge City Council via a decision outside of a meeting (together with the Cabinet Member for Planning at South Cambridgeshire Council).
The Executive Councillor’s decision(s):	That the Executive Councillor for Planning Policy and Open Spaces agreed:   the Greater Cambridge Housing Trajectory and Five-Year Housing Land Supply document (see Appendix 1) to be published on the Councils’ shared planning service website. The Greater Cambridge housing trajectory and five year housing land supply calculations have been prepared jointly with Cambridge City Council, consistent with the adopted Local Plans. to delegate any further minor editing changes to the Greater Cambridge Housing Trajectory and Five-Year Housing Land Supply document to the Joint Director for Planning and Economic Development where they are technical matters.
Reasons for the decision:	The Greater Cambridge housing trajectory is used by the Councils to calculate their five-year housing land supply and to demonstrate that anticipated housing delivery will meet or exceed the housing requirements set out in their Local Plans.   National planning policy and guidance requires that a local planning authority should identify and update annually at least a five year supply of specific deliverable housing sites. A new housing trajectory is required to establish the Greater Cambridge five-year housing land supply for the purposes of making planning decisions. In addition, South Cambridgeshire District Council has a planning appeal for development at Mill Lane, Sawston where the appellants are challenging the Councils’ five year housing land supply. The assumptions made by the Councils’ on the deliverability of sites will be challenged through this appeal and therefore by publishing the updated Greater Cambridge housing trajectory and five-year supply calculations, the Councils will be able to use the most up-to-date information for this appeal.
Scrutiny consideration:	The Chair and Spokesperson of Planning and Transport Scrutiny Committee were consulted prior to the action being authorised.
Report:	The Greater Cambridge Housing Trajectory and Five-Year Housing Land Supply can be viewed at link below: Document Greater Cambridge Housing Trajectory and Five-Year Housing Land Supply - Cambridge Council
Conflicts of interest:	None known.
Comments:	No adverse comments were made.

 

CAMBRIDGE CITY COUNCIL

Record of Executive Decision

 

CHANGES TO THE CURRENT PLANNING SYSTEM CONSULTATION RESPONSE

 

Decision of:	Councillor Thornburrow, Executive Councillor for Planning Policy and Open Spaces
Reference:	21/URGENCY/P&T/07
Date of decision:	25 March 2021	Published:	06 April 2021.
Decision Type:	Non Key
Matter for Decision:	Greater Cambridge response to National Planning Policy Framework and National Model Design Code: consultation proposals   1.    Background The Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has launched an eight-week consultation on proposals to establish a new Office for Place, which would require all local planning authorities to create their own design codes in consultation with local stakeholders. These design codes would have to be adhered in the planning submission process by all developers, and would entail some alterations to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).   Link to document: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/national-planning-policy-framework-and-national-model-design-code-consultation-proposals    Deadline: 27th March   2. Context The consultation follows directly from the 2021 consultations on the Planning White Paper. Last autumn, the Greater Cambridge Shared Planning Service (GCSP) responded to the Planning White Paper: Planning For The Future, Changes To The Current Planning System and Land Data consultations last Autumn. A copy of this joint response can be seen here: https://democracy.cambridge.gov.uk/documents/s51405/Planning%20future%20and%20Current%20Changes%20Response%20Report.pdf   The rationale, proposals and specific questions for this consultation, as well as the draft text updates to the NPPF and the annexed draft National Model Design Code can be downloaded from here: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/national-planning-policy-framework-and-national-model-design-code-consultation-proposals/national-planning-policy-framework-and-national-model-design-code-consultation-proposals   In this consultation, the government is acting to implement some of the main recommendations from the Building Better, Building Beautiful Report.   3. Proposed Response from Cambridge City Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council   Overall, Greater Cambridge Shared Planning Service Officers consulted agree with the government that the planning system could be improved and should have more emphasis on design. This view echoes Greater Cambridge’s response to the Planning White Paper last year where proposals that simplify processes and take advantage of more digital approaches to provide more certainty, design quality, and an emphasis on sustainability were welcomed.   However, there are significant concerns that some of the proposed changes may undermine its stated objectives of achieving good design. This concern is centred on proposed changes to Article 4 directions and the resources to deliver the design codes in a coherent manner.   The full response proposed is included as Appendix which can be viewed at the link below:   https://democracy.cambridge.gov.uk/ecCatDisplay.aspx?sch=doc&cat=13474
Why the decision had to be made (and any alternative options):	The consultation raises important issues that the council wishes to respond to.
The Executive Councillor’s decision():	Approved the proposed response the National Planning Policy Framework and National Model Design Code: consultation proposals, as set out in the document appended to this decision which can be viewed at the link below:   https://democracy.cambridge.gov.uk/ecCatDisplay.aspx?sch=doc&cat=13474
Reasons for the decision:	Outlined in the report why the decision had been made.
Scrutiny consideration:
Report:	https://democracy.cambridge.gov.uk/ecCatDisplay.aspx?sch=doc&cat=13474
Conflicts of interest:	None known.
Comments:	No adverse comments were made.