Councillor Boden welcomed members of the public and press watching the livestream of the Cabinet meeting via YouTube due to Government guidance on social distancing. The meeting was held in accordance with the provision set out in the Local Authorities and Police and Crime Panels (Coronavirus) (Flexibility of Local Authority and Police and Crime Panel Meetings) (England and Wales) Regulations 2020 and with Fenland District Council’s Virtual Meeting Protocol.

To confirm the public minutes of the meetings held 8 October and 21 October 2020.

The public minutes of the meetings held 8 October and 21 October 2020 were agreed.

To seek approval for Public Space Protection Orders which provide powers for the control of nuisance dogs and dog fouling.

Members considered the Public Spaces Protection Orders – Responsible Dog Ownership report presented by Councillor Murphy. 

Councillor Mrs French said she welcomed this, there are problems within the parks in March and she fully supports it.

Cabinet AGREED to:

• Note the consultation responses in paragraph 2.3; and
• Approve the proposed Public Spaces Protection Order attached at Appendix 1 and accompanying maps at Appendix 2 for a period of 3 years and to authorise the Monitoring Officer to apply the seal in order to bring this into effect.

To identify and work up approved list of cycling schemes ready to put forward for funding and develop a Cycling, Walking & Mobility Strategy to lever further funding.

Members considered the Fenland Cycle Schemes and Cycling, Walking and Mobility Strategy report presented by Councillor Seaton. 

·         Councillor Mrs Laws said she welcomes this project; it is necessary moving forward. She approves of the six schemes put forward, particularly Route 63.

·         Councillor Mrs French welcomed this too saying a lot of people use Route 63 from March. She asked when this might be done if approved. Councillor Seaton read the recommendations within the report in response. Councillor Mrs French said she had been told the County Council would be involved and asked what type of funding will be available for us to undertake these schemes and if there are any figures available. Councillor Seaton said he did not presently have figures available from County, but a contribution was being made from the Committees Rail Partnership and FDC. Councillor Mrs French asked who would be funding it. Councillor Seaton said funding would be coming from the Government as part of a £2bn fund they are putting forward for the whole country and we are bidding for part of this funding. Councillor Mrs French asked if we were doing this in conjunction with County or separately; Councillor Seaton confirmed it would be FDC.

·         Councillor Boden pointed out that the strategy had been changed from Cycling and Walking to include Mobility and explained that often when considering pedestrian and cycling provisions, the needs of people using wheelchairs or mobility scooters and even prams are not considered. It is important not to ignore the needs of those with limited mobility in any strategy we create for the use of the public highway or footpaths.

Cabinet AGREED to the recommendations as follows: 

3.1       It is recommended that 6 schemes within the report are approved as preferred schemes with 3 priority schemes to be worked up and costed straight way. The cost for this initial work is expected to be £3,000.

3.2       It is recommended that the delivery of the Fenland Cycling, Walking and Mobility Strategy be approved to take place as soon as possible at a cost of £25,835.

3.3       The Hereward Community Rail Partnership has agreed to contribute £7.5k. Therefore a further £18,335 is required from FDC to develop the strategy.

3.4       The total amount of FDC funding recommended for approval is therefore £21,335 (£18,335 + £3,000).

For information purposes.

Councillor Boden presented the Cabinet Forward Plan for information.

This report seeks approval of the funding agreements required to facilitate the improvement works for Manea, March and Whittlesea railway stations (the "Fenland Stations Project").

Schedule 4 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 the paragraphs 3 of Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended) as indicated."

Councillor Boden announced that he had hoped to keep the debate open on this item to the press and public for as long as possible, however given the fact that negotiations are ongoing in relation to this agenda item and to protect the financial and commercial interests of all parties involved, Cabinet were to go into private session immediately. 

Members considered the CPCA funding report presented by Councillor Seaton.

Councillor Seaton explained some legal information he had received from Amy Brown in respect of revised recommendations to the report. 

Members made comments, asked questions and received responses. 

Cabinet AGREED: 

3.1       That Cabinet authorises the Cabinet Member for Social Mobility and Heritage, in consultation with CMT, to approve entry into an agreement with the CPCA on substantially the same terms as those set out at Schedule 1 in respect of the works proposed for Manea Railway Station.

3.2       That in relation to the remaining railway stations, Cabinet authorises entry into the First CPCA Agreement on substantially the same terms as those set out at Schedule 1 but subject to the satisfactory conclusion of negotiations and associated amendments with delegated authority to the Cabinet Member for Social Mobility and Heritage, in consultation with CMT, to enter into all necessary legal and financial arrangements required to conclude the works set out within it. 

3.3      That Cabinet delegate authority to the Cabinet Member for Social Mobility and Heritage, in consultation with CMT, to approve entry into the Future CPCA Agreements on terms to be negotiated and all necessary legal and financial arrangements required to facilitate the anticipated works described in Schedule 2.

3.4       That Cabinet delegate authority to the Cabinet Member for Social Mobility and Heritage, in consultation with CMT, to approve entry into the GA Agreement on terms to be negotiated and all necessary legal and financial arrangements required to facilitate the anticipated works described in Schedule 3.

3.5       That Cabinet approve updating the Council’s Capital Programme to incorporate the schemes of work set out in Schedules 1, 2 and 3.

To confirm the confidential minutes of the meetings held 8 October and 21 October 2020.

The confidential minutes of the meetings held 8 October and 21 October 2020 were agreed.