Agenda and minutes

To confirm and sign the minutes of 12 December 2022.

The minutes of the meeting held on 12 December 2022 were confirmed and signed as an accurate record.

To receive the recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel’s consideration of the Fees and Charges for 2023/24.

Members considered the Fees & Charges for 2023/24 report presented by Councillor Boden.

Proposed by Councillor Boden, seconded by Councillor Seaton and Cabinet considered the recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel and AGREED to approve the Fees and Charges for 2023/24.

To provide an update to Cabinet of the work of the Investment Board from April 2022 to December 2022

Members considered the Investment Board Update report presented by Councillor Boden.

Proposed by Councillor Boden, seconded by Councillor Benney and Cabinet AGREED to note this report from the Investment Board.

To provide Cabinet with a monthly update regarding ongoing work related to 11 – 12 and 24 High Street, Wisbech

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

Proposed by Councillor Seaton, seconded by Councillor Boden and Cabinet AGREED to note the current position in relation to these two significant projects in Wisbech High Street.

To update Cabinet on the March Future High Street Fund (FHSF) Market place, Riverside and Broad Street workstreams and also seek Cabinet approval to enter into a Grant Funding Agreement with Cambridgeshire County Council allowing the project to proceed with the next step within the delivery phase.

Members considered the Grant Funding Agreement – Future High Street Fund Construction Works report presented by Councillor Seaton.

Councillor Mrs French said she would like to point out that she is Chairman of the March Area Transport Study project, which also involves the High Street; and although she has no direct interest, she has been working on this project.

Councillor Count thanked Councillor Seaton for the report. He commented that as it is a rather dry and technical report about the funding agreement for a plan to make changes to the March Broad Street area then, for the benefit of the public, he would like to split down what is happening. Firstly, the number of public utilities that will be upgraded. March residents have suffered from burst water mains, exploding gas pipes etc. and this provides an opportunity for aged infrastructure to be replaced and updated. Apart from the marketplace, this will be the first work to go ahead and as with any major project there will be disruption, but he is pleased to see the efforts that have gone into minimising this; there will be always a north and south lane open when possible. The infrastructure has nothing to do with Fenland District Council, but it will be good to see this replaced so we do not have to experience emergency works again. Secondly, there is the County Council MATS Highways work, which is not limited to the Broad Street scheme, but is   a package of measures that will relieve congestion from March and its environs for the foreseeable future, including housing and business developments coming forward in the local plan. He said that we are in the latter stages of definite funding for the northern link road around Longhill Road, past the prison and heading toward Tesco. There will be a new junction by Tesco at Hostmoor with Wisbech Road and a redevelopment of Peashill roundabout. Along with other measures, and the works at Broad Street, all these add up to relieving congestion in the March area. That was the original driver for this entire project as County Council needed to relieve the congestion that we are experiencing. At the same time, Fenland District Council lobbied hard and successfully secured a significant amount of funding to develop the public realm. Councillor Count said he is fully supportive of this report and one day when all the disruption is finished and works are completed, we will all be happy with the outcome.

Councillor Mrs French thanked Councillor Count and added that it should also be mentioned that the A141 at Hobbs Lot will be signalised.

Proposed by Councillor Seaton, seconded by Councillor Count and Cabinet AGREED to note the progress of the project as detailed in the Report and to authorise the S151 officer to enter into a Grant Funding Agreement (GFA) with Cambridgeshire County Council (CCC) to allow the Broad Street construction contract to be let. The construction contract will be between CCC and the Contractor, with the  ...  view the full minutes text for item CAB55/22

To consider and recommend acceptance of Shared Prosperity Funding from the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority for a three-year period commencing in 2022-23 and ending in 2024-25. 

Members considered the UK Shared Prosperity Fund report presented by Councillor Benney.

Councillor Count congratulated FDC members and officers for securing the extra funding, saying he particularly welcomed the monies allocated to fund the project focused on fly tipping as it is such an important issue.

Proposed by Councillor Benney, seconded by Councillor Boden and Cabinet considered and AGREED to:

·         Recommend acceptance of Shared Prosperity Funding from the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority for a three-year period commencing in 2022-23 and ending in 2024-25. 

·         Delegate to Officers responsibility for approving and finalising entry into the CPCA’s SPF Grant Funding Agreement; and

·         Note that a further report will be presented to Cabinet for approval of the detailed proposals in relation to the procedures and documentation associated with the onward administration of the funding.

For information purposes.

Councillor Boden presented the Cabinet Forward Plan for information.

To update Cabinet on the due diligence requested at its meeting on 5 September 2022 and to seek a decision as to what if any further action should be taken in relation to a proposed acquisition.

Members considered the Purchase of a Potential Development Site in March confidential report presented by Councillor Seaton.

Members made comments, asked questions and received comments.

Proposed by Councillor Seaton, seconded by Councillor Count andCabinet AGREED to note the contents of the confidential report and provided instructions to officers in relation to the following:

A)   Taking into consideration the legal and financial implications described, members agree that without prejudice negotiations in relation to the proposed acquisition of the Site should continue; 

B)   that officers are instructed to submit without prejudice offers up to the revised limit agreed and agreed the level at which that limit should be set;

C)   That in making the decision to proceed with the negotiations and that in setting a revised limit for that purpose, that Members have considered the Principles set out in the Subsidy Control Act 2022 (the “Act”) and are of the view that any subsidy to be granted to the vendors of the Site is consistent with those Principles.

D)   That the Section 151 officer in consultation with the Leader of the Council and Portfolio holder be authorised to complete the purchase of the property for a sum not to exceed the limit agreed by members in accordance with these recommendations and only following receipt of DLUHC grant funding and satisfactory due diligence returns.

E)   To delegate to the Leader of the Council and Section 151 Officer to determine how any shortfall in funding should be managed which may arise from the difference between the DLUC funding and Members agreed offer price including via the Council’s Capital programme.

(Members resolved to exclude the public for this item of business on the grounds that it involved the disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 3 and 5 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972)