CABINET
22 JANUARY 2015 - 4:00PM
PRESENT: Councillor J F Clark(Chairman), Councillor T R Butcher, Councillor M Cornwell,
Councillor P Murphy, Councillor D C Oliver, Councillor C J Seaton, Councillor W Sutton, Councillor
M Tanfield.
APOLOGIES:
Councillor F H Yeulett
Other Members present: Councillor D Broker, Councillor D Connor, Councillor Mrs J French,
Councillor P Jolley and Councillor K Owen
C45/14
TO SIGN AND CONFIRM THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING ON 18 DECEMBER
2014.
It was RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of 18 December 2014 be agreed and
signed.
C46/14
FEES AND CHARGES 2015/16
Councillor Seaton presented the Fees and Charges 2015/16 report.
Councillor Sutton stated the increase to £29.50 for household bulky collection brought Fenland
District Council in line with other authorities but how did it compare to the private sector. Richard
Cassidy, Corporate Director, replied stating there are not many commercial companies that offer
this service and therefore is not commercially competitive; but the Council does work with the third
sector to collect bulky waste items in order to reuse or provide products for resale.
It was AGREED that the Fees and Charges for 2015/16 be APPROVED.
(Councillor Cornwell declared a non-pecuniary interest in this item by virtue of the fact that he is a
contract holder at Wisbech Port.)
C47/14
COMMUNITY SUPPORT – DEVELOPING THE FUTURE APPROACH
Councillor Cornwell presented the Community Support - Developing the Future Approach.
Councillor Tanfield stated that the Youth District Council should be applauded as they were very
mature about the decision; although they did not wish to lose any further monies.
Councillor Oliver stated he had attended The Oasis Centre with Councillor Cornwell and local
residents and it had been clear that although Community House is used by some in the area; not
everyone is aware of the facility therefore people have to be directed to it. Councillor Oliver
suggested through the next year that Community house is promoted within Waterlees and the
whole of Wisbech.
Councillor Clark asked if Members thought the Council should promote Community House or work
with DWP for them to take forward. Councillor Cornwell stated DWP would need to help with the
promotion as many of their services would be based there but that Fenland would have some
capacity to play a role in its promotion. Councillor Sutton stated he hoped that Councillors would
promote the House on their street walks but not to forget the villages and rural areas. Both
Councillors Cornwell and Oliver stated it would be for the whole of Fenland.
It was AGREED that:
●
The funding secured through Department of Works & Pensions for Community House
for 2015/16 be NOTED;
○
○
○
C48/14
The refocused Community Support programme activities to now include
Community House be APPROVED;
The proposed feedback to Overview & Scrutiny be AGREED;
The proposed feedback to Youth District Council be AGREED.
ACCOMMODATION REVIEW
Councillor Clark presented the Accommodation Review report.
Councillor Butcher stated he agreed with the report and explained when this idea was first looked
at that it had seemed a lot brighter then; in his opinion if the relocation took place then some
savings could be made but the risks outweighed the guarantees and therefore he would not be
happy if the Council moved at this time. Councillor Butcher also stated that he did not think any of
the three options were suitable; the third option to remain at Fenland Hall with limited
improvements should also state that all options should also be explored. It would not be right to
take the first two options as there are too many risks.
Councillor Sutton stated he did not disagree with what some Members had said but he could not
help thinking that their successors in twenty years' time might think a great opportunity was missed
for better working conditions for staff; he thought in the short term it was not right but in the long
term it would be the right move.
Councillor Tanfield disagreed with Councillor Sutton stating that people are more distressed about
losing an older building and she did not like the option of moving to Hereward Hall as the estimated
costings could spiral; there is a need to look at other options as suggested by Councillor Butcher.
Councillor Murphy stated he agreed that Hereward Hall was too small for the purpose of Fenland
and was sceptical over the estimated costs. He also stated that the Council would become
fragmented with staff in different locations and that today would be the wrong climate to spend
money on a new property; he agreed that Fenland Hall needs to be explored.
Councillor Cornwell stated he did not disagree and the Council needed to stay at Fenland Hall but
look at different alternatives for the future; it was the wrong time to spend large amounts of money
and take any risks.
Councillor Seaton stated that there were significant financial pressures at present and Members
were aware that after May there would be further pressures. He agreed and supported what had
been said; that there was a need to explore all options associated with Fenland Hall.
Councillor Clark stated he agreed with the view put forward by other Members and thanked officers
as considerable work had gone into exploring the possibility of relocating.
Paul Medd, Chief Executive, recommended re-wording the third option to read, "Remain at
Fenland Hall with limited improvements and consider options for the most cost effective use of
space."
Councillor Clark stated the report had highlighted that Fenland Hall was not used to its best ability
and therefore the Council need to maximise the use of the building. He suggested officers work
on a report as to what could be brought forward; with twelve months to look for tenants, or after
that, what options were available to make the building more cost neutral.
It was AGREED to:
●
Remain at Fenland Hall with limited improvements and consider options for the most
cost effective use of space.
C49/14
DRAFT 6 MONTH CABINET FORWARD PLAN
Councillor Clark presented the Draft 6 Month Forward Plan explaining this was an information item.
4.29pm
Chairman