Agenda and minutes

To confirm and sign the minutes of the meeting held 12 May 2022.

The minutes of the previous meeting held 12 May 2022 were agreed and signed.

The purpose of this Report is to enable Cabinet to review and agree the list of outside bodies and nominations for representatives on those organisations for 2022/23.

Members considered the Appointment to Outside Bodies report presented by Councillor Boden.

Councillor Boden added that there are some additional positions to fill on the drainage boards but as some members have expressed an interest, there should soon be a full complement. Councillor Mrs French stated that as she had attended five IDB meetings over the last few weeks, more names do need to come forward to fulfil these vacancies.

Proposed by Councillor Mrs French, seconded by Councillor Boden and AGREED:

1.    The proposed nominations in respect of Outside Bodies which require Fenland District Council representation.

2.    To note where requirements to provide representatives on outside organisations cannot currently be fulfilled

3.    To delegate to the Corporate Director and Monitoring Officer in consultation with the Leader of the Council and Group Leaders the addition or deletion of outside bodies as the need arises during the municipal year and appointment of members to vacancies on outside bodies during the municipal year.

To update members on progress made so far by FDC and Cambridgeshire County Council in respect of the CPE implementation works, following the previous Cabinet update paper on 21^st October 2021. 

Members considered the Civil Parking Enforcement update report presented by Councillor Mrs French.

Councillor Murphy asked when the end date of this would be. Councillor Mrs French said she understands it to be going to Government in October with applications only being able to be sent twice a year, in April and October, and it should then be implemented in September 2023.

Councillor Tierney commended the work done by Councillor Mrs French and officers as this is not an easy project to get through. This is quite ground-breaking and difficult, but it is well worth doing right which is why it has taken time.

Councillor Mrs Laws agreed with Councillor Tierney and expressed her thanks to Councillor Mrs French, officers and all involved saying this has been a difficult task and it cannot come quickly enough.

Proposed by Councillor Mrs French, seconded by Councillor Benney and AGREED to note the progress being made by FDC and CCC in respect of moving the introduction of CPE forward.

For Cabinet to formally agree the projects to be submitted to Government in the Council's Levelling Up Fund bid.

Members considered the Wisbech Levelling Up Fund Project Selection report presented by Councillor Seaton.

Councillor Tierney commended Councillor Seaton and the officers involved for some fine work. There are some members of the public viewing this meeting who do not quite know how these things work and may get quite disillusioned, as they either do not see plans coming or coming in a different way. He would like them to understand that what happens is that the Government or other authorities makes money available, set some criteria on it, which the Council must then bid for. If we win the bid, the Council works to deliver a project with whatever money is set. The projects set this time are excellent and he hopes that they are all successful. It is not easy, but we must keep trying. Councillor Seaton thanked Councillor Tierney.

Councillor Lynn thanked Phil Hughes and Simon Bell for the time they had spent with himself, Councillor Hoy and Councillor Tierney looking at various places in Wisbech in need of development and listening to how they as members felt about them and then putting those comments in the projects. Everyone had all had a say, which was good for the town and very refreshing.

Councillor Tierney agreed, saying this is the first time he has seen projects come back reflecting what had been said, which in turn had been because of listening to what people had told them. 

Proposed by Councillor Seaton, seconded by Councillor Mrs Laws and formally AGREED:

1.1         the projects being put forward as part of the Council’s Levelling Up Fund bid to Government, namely:

·         Castle visitor centre and improved public realm linking the castle and Market Place

·         Old Market Place including street greening and public realm enhancements between the town centre Old Market Place and Nene Waterfront

·         College of West Anglia – green skills centre

1.2         to authorise the Portfolio Holder for Heritage and Social Mobility to work with Wisbech members, officers and consultants to submit a LUF bid to Government by 6 July 2022

1.3       to note that the College of West Anglia project’s inclusion in the Council’s LUF bid is contingent on a successful, formally approved, funding bid to the CPCA in the region of £2m.

For information purposes.

Councillor Boden presented the draft six-month Cabinet Forward Plan for information.

(Councillor Boden moved this item on the agenda).

The purpose of this report is for Cabinet to approve the Draft version of the Local Plan for public consultation. The Draft Local Plan can be viewed at Appendix 1 and the accompanying Draft Policies Map (including Settlement Insets maps) at Appendix 2.

Schedule 1 comprises exempt information - to exclude the public (including the press) from a meeting of a committee it is necessary for the following proposition to be moved and adopted: "that the public be excluded from the meeting for Items which involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 5 of Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended) as indicated."

Members considered the Draft Local Plan report presented by Councillor Mrs Laws.

Councillor Boden stated that members were in receipt of an exempt Schedule 1 and although the preference is to remain in public session for as much of the debate as possible, if any member wishes to discuss the content of Schedule 1 then they would have to consider moving into private session. Members agreed to stay in open session.

Councillor Boden proposed various amendments to the Draft Local Plan, which was seconded by Councillor Mrs Laws. Councillor Boden stated that this is such a technical matter that the Council need to get it right and be as transparent as possible given it is such a lengthy document. He added that six amendments are being proposed, however he will not be moving the sixth amendment.

Councillor Boden proceeded to read out some of the proposed amendments to the Draft Local Plan in turn, stating that this is what is being proposed for consultation and the Council will take all comments made by the public and officers into account.

Members made comments, asked questions and received responses as follows:

·         Councillor Seaton stated that in respect of Amendment 1 regarding Policy LP1 Settlement Boundaries, it is important to have this flexibility for the rural areas. There needs to be an opportunity for limited development where appropriate, otherwise it is too rigid. Therefore, he is behind using flexibility within reason to promote certain types of development that will benefit rural areas. Councillor Tierney agreed, saying that the Council must allow for special circumstances that are beneficial to a community that may not have been considered or was not expected.

·         Councillor Tierney commented that in respect of the proposed Amendment 2 regarding Policy LP10 Shop Frontages, Security Shutters and Canopies, it is his view that people should be able to put up what restrictions or shutters they like but he will support this. It is an improvement and a step forward although not as far as he would have gone. Councillor Seaton agreed that flexibility is required in this area of planning, and it is important for planning officers to use the flexibility with discretion, and although he would not go as far as Councillor Tierney, he appreciated his thoughts. Councillor Mrs Laws said in respect of this proposed amendment, the Council has listened to businesses and members. She would suggest that Councillor Tierney’s view is rather extreme, particularly for Conservation Areas, but the Council must look at the criminal element that causes destruction and, in the aim to support businesses and shopkeepers, this is a good compromise.

·         Councillor Boden commented that he is not putting forward Amendment 6 in respect of Policy LP46, Residential Site Allocations in Chatteris. He stated that both he and Councillor Mrs Laws have been rigorous in their focus on the housing element of the Draft Local Plan as they want to ensure deliverability and it is pointless allocating sites that either cannot or will not be delivered.  ...  view the full minutes text for item CAB6/22

To provide Cabinet with an update on progress related to the 24 High Street Project and to seek authorisation to enter into a construction contract following the conclusion of the current procurement process.

Schedule 1 comprises exempt information - to exclude the public (including the press) from a meeting of a committee it is necessary for the following proposition to be moved and adopted: "that the public be excluded from the meeting for Items which involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended) as indicated."

Members considered the 24 High Street Wisbech report presented by Councillor Seaton.

Proposed by Councillor Seaton, seconded by Councillor Mrs French and AGREED to:

·         Note the current position in relation to the 24 High Street project

·         Note the outcome of the tender evaluation process

·         Authorise officers in consultation with the Leader and Portfolio Holder for Social Mobility and Heritage to undertake approval of the award of a construction contract to the preferred bidder on or before 11 July 2022.

(Members resolved to exclude the public from the meeting for discussion on Schedule 1 to the report on the grounds that it involved the disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972)