Minutes:
Councillor Mrs Mayor stated that no questions had been received submitted under Procedure Rule 8.6 and asked if there were any questions under Procedure Rule 8.4 from Councillor Tanfield as Leader of the Opposition.
Councillor Tanfield asked the Leader if he could explain the background to the delay and problems with the funding in delivery of the Kings Delph Railway Crossing. Councillor Boden explained the County Council had responsibility some three or four years ago to build a bridge across the crossing. There was a public consultation about the various routes and one particular route was selected. The County Council, rather than seeking to get a contract from a contractor to design and build the bridge, decided to have a separate contract where one contractor would be chosen to design and quote for the bridge. They then had the option either to accept that quote or go ahead with that design and the contractor to build it, or take the design elsewhere for quotes from other contractors to get the bridge built. Unfortunately it has taken considerable time for the contractor to complete the design for sign off by the County Council and a press release has been sent out today explaining much of this background. The County Council has decided to decline to use the contractor to build the bridge. They intend to seek alternative contractors to bid based on the design now delivered. In the meantime the legal position changed and legal responsibility for the scheme has been passed to the Combined Authority. They, however, have contracted the County Council to deliver what they have already started. The original projected cost has increased and the promise of further monies has been obtained from the Combined Authority to ensure continuance of the project. Councillor Boden expressed his disappointment at the delays by the contractor and the process of getting to this point. These delays will not be without cost to the contractor. However, we are now in a position where the County Council can recommend a way forward and, in conjunction with the Combined Authority, there will be some active movement taking place on the project in the very near future. Councillor Boden also pointed out that he has been in touch with our MP together with the leaders of both the County Council and Combined Authority and all are absolutely and unequivocally committed to the delivery of this project, and they all want to see the project delivered as quickly as is reasonably possible given the cost consideration. Councillor Boden added that he is happy to provide even more detail if required. Councillor Tanfield thanked Councillor Boden.
Councillor Tanfield mentioned the newspaper report that Mayor James Palmer brought out about Kings Dyke and his concern over the County Council and their delivery. She asked if the time is right to contact the Mayor of the Combined Authority, together, with Cambridgeshire City Council, and other Cambridgeshire-district councils to revisit the future administration of local government provisions within the County. Councillor Boden stated that considerable discussion has been taking place across the county regarding the system of local government currently. Many believe that four tiers of local government within the county is at least one too many and a commission has been established under the leadership of the Mayor of the Combined Authority to move this agenda forward. Councillor Boden stated his opinion, when asked by Councillor Tanfield, that it should not merely be a question of which of the four tiers should be abolished. He said there are arguments for needing to localise local government as much as possible but similarly there are large areas of concern where decisions should not be devolved to areas which are too small to be able to support those decisions properly.
Councillor Tanfield said that the Leader of the Council used to have a Leader’s Fund of an amount up to £500 to help local community groups. She asked if this is still available and are there forms to complete. Councillor Boden thanked Councillor Tanfield for the helpful question. He responded that there is a residual fund of about £12,000 available from a reserve, although it is not his intention to replenish that in the future. Application forms are available, but the criteria used to determine successful applications are strict.