Minutes:
Councillor Miscandlon stated that no questions had been submitted under Procedure Rules 8.6 and asked if there were any questions under Procedure Rule 8.4 from Councillor Cornwell as Leader of the Opposition Group.
· Councillor Cornwell asked, given the District Council is third in a four-tier local government set up, could Councillor Boden give assurance that the delivery of the business plan will not be compromised though what is currently happening at the Combined Authority? Councillor Boden replied that he is unable to give such assurances.
· Councillor Cornwell queried whether it is time that local government in Cambridgeshire and its many tiers was reorganised. He asked Councillor Boden if he has any knowledge of what is happening currently? Councillor Boden responded that it has been Government policy that changes to the structure of local government in parts of the country would take place with the consent of those authorities concerned, with these changes usually being towards the creation of unitary authorities or authorities with an elected mayor. He stated that it is possible that Government may impose changes upon Cambridgeshire and Peterborough given what has been happening. Councillor Boden confirmed that he has had surprising conversations with leaders of other councils within the Combined Authority area about the mechanism which needs to be utilised to abolish the Combined Authority, but he has not initiated these conversations. He feels it is a fluid situation at the moment, and regrettably it is not because authorities are working collectively towards a more coherent and less bureaucratic system but because some areas are getting so desperate and are talking about the possibility of change either being forced upon us or us, as a matter of desperation, making changes.
· Councillor Cornwell asked if Councillor Boden would confirm, resulting from a question at the last meeting concerning the massive drainage levy the Council now funds, that he has sent a paper to our MP as he said he would to attempt to raise the problem at a national level? Also, could he advise of any other action taken in relation to that matter. Councillor Boden responded that he has been in contact with MP about this situation and also with councillors in other areas just outside Cambridgeshire and Peterborough who share the same concerns, with a view to working more together to effect change. Matters are proceeding in this matter, and regarding the individual drainage levies, one of the drainage boards agreed they would not increase their drainage levy this year. He hopes to work with Councillor Cornwell as it comes to the setting of drainage levies next year in ensuring that Fenland District Council gets a full complement of councillors to ensure that unrealistically high drainage levy proposed increases are not agreed.
· Councillor Cornwell said that in a previous question about climate change, Councillor Boden had stated that Councillor Tierney would be presenting a Council approach to climate change, but no timescale was mentioned and he asked if one could be given? Councillor Boden responded that he hopes a resolution will be presented at the next meeting of full Council. Councillor Cornwell thanked Councillor Boden.