This week in Cambridgeshire:

Controversial Employment Site Approved Despite Housing Concerns

The Cambridge City Council Planning Committee approved a hybrid planning application for a 'Midtech' employment site at The Paddocks, 347 Cherry Hinton Road, despite it conflicting with the Local Plan's designation of the site for residential development¹. Link to the meeting.

• The application includes demolishing existing buildings and constructing new ones for office, research and development, and light industrial uses.
• The development is projected to create 925 jobs.
• While the proposal goes against Policies 3 and 27 of the Local Plan, which prioritize residential development, the committee decided that the need for employment space and the site's brownfield status were more important considerations.

This decision highlights the ongoing tension between the need for housing and the desire to stimulate economic growth in Cambridge. Critics may argue that prioritizing employment over housing could exacerbate the city's existing housing crisis, while supporters may contend that the new jobs will benefit the local economy and provide opportunities for residents.

More Secure Cycle Parking Approved for Station Area

The Planning Committee approved a variation to the cycle parking conditions at the Station Area Redevelopment, increasing the level of secure, paid-for cycle parking from 5% to 16% of public parking space. Link to the meeting.

• This change will result in a loss of 109 non-paid-for Sheffield spaces and 432 non-paid-for two-tier stands.
• The secure area will replace some of these cycle parking spaces, resulting in an overall reduction of 89 cycle spaces.
• The committee heard that the variation was proposed to address cycle theft and crime at the station.

While the increase in secure parking is intended to encourage cycling and reduce crime, some cyclists may be concerned about the reduction in overall cycle parking spaces and the introduction of paid-for parking.

Council Governance Under Scrutiny After Audit Findings

The Audit and Risk Committee discussed the Annual Governance Statement and the External Audit Completion Report, which highlighted significant weaknesses in the council's financial reporting and compliance with regulations². Link to the meeting.

• The External Audit Completion Report cited a breach of the backstop date for publishing draft financial statements as a significant weakness in financial reporting.
• The report also noted a breach in laws and regulations related to rental charges on the council's housing stock.
• The council self-referred to the Regulator of Social Housing, which issued a regulatory judgement about serious failings in how the council delivered rent standards and reform.

These findings raise concerns about the council's governance and financial management practices. Residents may be worried about the potential impact of these weaknesses on the delivery of essential services and the council's ability to manage public funds effectively.

Other matters

• The Planning Committee approved an application for a single-storey front, side, and rear extension at 111 Perse Way. Link to the meeting.
• The Planning Committee noted the appeals list, which included several recent decisions and pending appeals. Link to the meeting.

Upcoming Meetings

• The Performance, Assets & Strategy Overview and Scrutiny Committee is scheduled to meet on Tuesday 10 June 2025 to discuss the role of overview and scrutiny in local authorities, the budget-setting timetable for 2026-27, and the committee's work programme. Link to the meeting.
• The Development Control Forum is scheduled to meet on Tuesday 17 June 2025. Link to the meeting.
• The Planning - Pre-Application Developer Presentations are scheduled to meet on Wednesday 18 June 2025. Link to the meeting.
• The Joint Development Management Committee is scheduled to meet on Wednesday 18 June 2025. Link to the meeting.

This week in Cambridgeshire:

• The Licensing Sub Committee was scheduled to discuss taxi licensing regulations and procedures, including a review of a driver's standing as a licensed driver.
• A Planning - Pre-Application Developer Presentations meeting was cancelled.
• At the Council meeting, the council elected a new mayor and deputy mayor, adopted a new constitution, and discussed proposed cuts to disability benefits¹.
• The Licensing Sub Committee considered an application for a premises licence for King Street Supermarket, located within a Cumulative Impact Area.
• Councillors at the Planning - Pre-Application Developer Presentations meeting were scheduled to receive a briefing on proposals for Christ's College, including the demolition of the existing library.

Licensing Sub Committee - Tuesday 20 May 2025

The Licensing Sub Committee convened to discuss taxi licensing regulations and procedures. The meeting was scheduled to include a review of a driver's standing as a licensed driver with Cambridge City Council. It was recommended that the press and public be excluded from the meeting, citing paragraphs 1 & 2 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972² as the reason. The report pack also outlines the powers of the council to suspend or revoke a taxi driver's licence, according to section 61 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976³. This is similar to previous licensing sub-committee meetings, such as the one held on Monday 14 April 2025, where a dual driver licence application was discussed.

Planning - Pre-Application Developer Presentations - Wednesday 21 May 2025

The Planning - Pre-Application Developer Presentations meeting that was scheduled for Wednesday 21 May 2025 was cancelled.

Council - Thursday 22 May 2025

Cambridge City Council held its annual meeting on 22 May 2025, where they elected a new mayor and deputy mayor, considered committee recommendations, and discussed proposed cuts to disability benefits.

The council approved the draft Constitution, including the Local Government Association model Code of Conduct, effective from the annual council meeting in May 2025. The Monitoring Officer has the responsibility to keep the Constitution up to date and lawful, including making 'housekeeping changes'. The Constitution will be reviewed within nine months for any further changes. This follows a similar process to the review of the Cambridge City Council Constitution that was discussed at the Civic Affairs Committee meeting on Monday 12 May 2025.

The council considered the report and recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel regarding member allowances⁴. The council agreed to review the recommendations in the 2025-26 municipal year.

Councillor Elliot Tong proposed a motion regarding proposed cuts to disability benefits and Access to Work funding. The motion called on the council to note the wider adverse impacts of the disability cut proposals on the city, including pressure on local health services, the local economy, rent arrears, and increased use of food banks. The council proposed to write to the ministers concerned, Liz Kendall and Rachel Reeves, and local MPs, Daniel Zeichner and Pippa Heylings, asking them to abandon or pause the proposed cuts until a full impact assessment could be undertaken.

Councillor Anthony Martinelli proposed a motion regarding housing associations in Cambridge. The motion called on the Executive Councillor for Housing to explore the feasibility of convening a written voluntary code for the recognition of ward city councillors in support of the resolution of matters that arise from time to time for their tenants.

Councillor Simon Smith proposed a motion regarding retrofit dividends, cheaper heating, lower emissions, and healthier lives. The motion called on the council to ask the leader to write to the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, Ed Milliband, and the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, to ask them to replace the current retrofit and energy efficiency funding programmes that are intermittent, short term and uncertain due to wasteful competitive bidding and hard to meet ring fenced eligibility criteria with consistent long-term funding to give confidence to local government to plan for large scale retrofit programmes and their contractors and firms in the supply chain to invest in apprenticeships and skills training.

Licensing Sub Committee - Tuesday 20 May 2025

The Licensing Sub Committee met to consider an application for a premises licence for King Street Supermarket. The applicant was seeking permission to sell alcohol for consumption off the premises between 07:00 and 00:00, Monday to Sunday.

The proposed premises is located within a Cumulative Impact Area (CIA) and is therefore subject to the Cumulative Impact Assessment⁵. The report pack stated that the onus is on the applicant to demonstrate why the granting of the licence would not add to the cumulative impact already being experienced within the area. The report pack included a map detailing premises with premises licences in the surrounding area, within the Market ward, excluding restaurants. This included King Street Run Public House, Champion Of The Thames, King Street Cellar, The Cambridge Brew House, Cambridge Taproom, D'Arrys Wine Bar & Liquor Loft, Barot Stores Ltd, Tesco Express, Sainsbury's, Waitrose, Local, and Marks & Spencer.

Councillors were scheduled to consider the application with a view to promoting the four licensing objectives: the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance, and the protection of children from harm.

Planning - Pre-Application Developer Presentations - Monday 19 May 2025

This meeting of Cambridge City Council's Planning - Pre-Application Developer Presentations was scheduled to provide an opportunity for councillors to hear about proposals ahead of future planning applications. Councillors were scheduled to receive a briefing on proposals for Christ's College, St Andrews Street, Cambridge.

The purpose of the briefing was to give Members an insight into the proposals for the demolition of the existing library and the replacement with a new library and enhancements of the adjacent kitchen and upper hall areas at Christ’s College, St Andrew’s Street, Cambridge.

The report pack notes that Christ's College is a Grade I listed building⁶ in the historic core of Cambridge City Centre. The application site is the existing Christ’s College library, which includes the 1970’s library (designed by Christopher Grillet), the Bodley Library (C19), West Range, South Range (early C16) and Bath Court. Christ’s College has been placed by Historic England on the Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in England at Grade II.

This week in Cambridgeshire:

• The Civic Affairs Committee discussed the Annual Governance Statement, the External Audit Plan, the Cambridge City Council Constitution, and councillor allowances.
• Councillors attended a Planning - Pre-Application Developer Presentations meeting to hear about the redevelopment of the Kett House site.
• The Licensing Sub Committee considered a premises licence application for A Taste of Sicily.
• The Licensing Sub Committee considered a premises licence application for Cambridge Rugby Football Club, which drew representations from local residents.

Civic Affairs - Monday 12 May 2025

The Civic Affairs Committee met to discuss several key governance and financial matters. The committee recommended that the Full Council approve the draft Constitution and consider the Independent Remuneration Panel's (IRP) report on member allowances.

The committee reviewed and approved the Annual Governance Statement (AGS) for 2023/2024, along with amendments to the Local Code of Corporate Governance. The AGS is a statutory document¹ that accompanies the Statement of Accounts, demonstrating the council's compliance with its Local Code of Governance. The report noted that new guidance from the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) is expected in May 2025 and will be incorporated into the 2024/2025 AGS.

The committee also reviewed the EY ² Audit Plan for 2024/25. The audit plan outlines the scope and timeline of the audit, identified audit risks, and information about auditor independence and fees. The report noted that there have been significant delays in publishing the draft Statement of Accounts for 2023/24 due to resource constraints within the council’s finance team, and a disclaimed opinion will again be issued. EY have identified two risks of weakness in respect of the council’s value for money arrangements: the council’s ability to prepare and publish draft financial statements in line with the statutory deadline of 30 June 2025, and historic rent regulation breaches as reflected in the regulatory judgement against the council published by the Regulator of Social Housing ³.

The committee discussed and recommended that the Full Council approve the draft Constitution, including the Local Government Association model Code of Conduct, to take effect at the Annual Council meeting in May 2025. Some of the areas that have been updated in the Constitution include: Opposition Chairs for Scrutiny Committees, Naming of Scrutiny Committees, Referral of Motions by the Mayor, Requirement for Motions to be Seconded, Substitutes on Committees, Cabinet Assistants, Debate Rules and Amendments, and Non-Key Decisions and Forward Plan.

Finally, the Civic Affairs Committee considered the report and recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel (IRP) following its review of the Council’s current Members’ Allowances Scheme. The panel recommended that the basic allowance payable to all Councillors be £7,629 per annum, with indexing for increase starting in April 2025, based on the staff award of 2.5% on Spinal Column Point 56, which was awarded in November 2024. This would equate to a basic allowance of £7,819. The panel also recommended that the ‘Stationery Allowance’ payment of £75 per annum for each Councillor be withdrawn.

Planning - Pre-Application Developer Presentations - Wednesday 14 May 2025

Cambridge City Councillors were scheduled to attend a Planning - Pre-Application Developer Presentations meeting to hear a pre-application briefing from a developer regarding the comprehensive redevelopment of the Kett House site for commercial use.

The report pack notes that the site is located within the New Town and Glisson Road Conservation Area, and is near several listed buildings and structures, including the War Memorial, the Cambridge Botanic Garden, The Church of Our Lady of the Assumption and the English Martyrs and Wanstead House. The site has been identified within the Local Plan designated ‘Area of Major Change’ (Policy 21) and the Cambridge Railway Station, Hills Road Corridor to the City Centre ‘Opportunity Area’ (Policy 25).

The agenda frontsheet clarifies that these pre-application meetings offer developers an early opportunity to present proposals to councillors, who can then raise questions or concerns to be addressed before a formal planning application is submitted.

Licensing Sub Committee - Thursday 15 May 2025

The Licensing Sub Committee of Cambridge City Council met to consider an application for a premises licence for A Taste of Sicily, located at 106 Cherry Hinton Road, Cambridge, CB1 7AJ. The application, made under section 17 of the Licensing Act 2003, seeks permission for the sale of alcohol for consumption both on and off the premises, and for recorded music indoors, from Monday to Sunday between 11:00 and 23:00, with an extension until 02:00 on New Year’s Eve.

Wangari Njiiri, Environmental Health and Licensing Support Team Leader, noted that five representations were received from 'Other Persons'⁴. No representations were received from responsible authorities, although Trading Standards provided Challenge 25⁵ information to the applicant, and Environmental Health agreed conditions with the applicant, which are attached to the report as Appendix 4 - EH agreed conditions.

The report pack notes that the premises opened as an Italian restaurant in February 2025, and was previously Sunset Lounge, a Shisha restaurant, and before that Palkee Bengali Take-Away. The report also notes that the premises is subject to extant planning conditions, and that representations had been received that made reference to ongoing planning-related matters, particularly those concerning the rear structure. However, it was noted that these details fall outside the remit of the Licensing Sub-Committee, as they do not pertain to any of the four statutory licensing objectives⁶.

Licensing Sub Committee - Friday 16 May 2025

The Licensing Sub Committee met to consider an application for a premises licence for Cambridge Rugby Football Club, located on Grantchester Road. The applicant, Cambridge Rugby Football Club Limited, applied for the licence under section 17 of the Licensing Act 2003. The application seeks to permit several licensable activities, including plays, films, live and recorded music, performance of dance and supply of alcohol, both indoors and outdoors.

The report pack states that events would predominately take place between 1 April and 30 October, but could occur at other times of the year. The licence would cover two types of use: Rugby Use and Non-Rugby Use. The proposed conditions included the number of days per event types: Rugby Use: Unlimited, Small Events: Unlimited, Medium Events: Up to 4 days per year, Large Events: Up to 3 days per year.

The sub-committee was scheduled to consider representations from 55 'Other Persons' that were received in response to the application. No representations were received from any of the Responsible Authorities⁷. Councillor Hugh Clough, Green Spokes, Ward Councillor for Newnham, submitted a supplementary statement to his letter of representation, which was also scheduled to be discussed. Councillor Clough stated that the current licence application does not meet the guiding principles of the Revised Section 182 Guidance (Feb 2025), because the noise impact from the events in 2023 and 2024 is far wider than the immediately adjacent roads, the proposed licensing hours of operation are unreasonably extensive (09:00-23:00, 10:00 to 22:00), and the lack of restriction for Rugby Use events is not logical and is disproportionate.

Councillor Clough also raised concerns about public nuisance, stating that there is no reference to noise limits in the licence application, and that limits lower than 65 decibels should be considered. He also noted that the Code of Conduct on Environmental Control of Noise at Concerts sets a limit of not more than three concert days per year at 65 decibels, while the current application seeks to have seven days per annum.

This week in Cambridgeshire:

• The Licensing Sub Committee met to discuss taxi driver licensing, with the press and public excluded.

Licensing Sub Committee - Wednesday 07 May 2025

The Licensing Sub Committee of Cambridge City Council convened to discuss taxi licensing matters. The majority of the meeting was scheduled to be held in private.

Exclusion of Press and Public

The agenda indicated that the committee was expected to exclude the press and public from the meeting, as it was scheduled to discuss matters covered by paragraphs 1 and 2 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972¹. This is a common practice when dealing with sensitive personal information.

Taxi Driver Licensing

The main item on the agenda was to consider the application of driver 'A' to become a licensed driver with Cambridge City Council. The report pack includes the Licensing Sub-Committee: Taxi Applications Hearings Procedure which describes the process the committee uses to decide whether an applicant is a fit and proper person to hold a taxi licence.

The procedure states that officers will prepare a report for the Sub-Committee setting out the relevant law, council policy, the powers of the Sub-Committee, information obtained as a result of the investigation, and any matters in dispute. This process is similar to previous licensing sub-committee meetings, such as the one held on Monday 14 April 2025, where a dual driver licence application was discussed.

The report pack also outlines the powers of the council to refuse to grant a taxi driver's licence, referencing both section 60 and section 61 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976². These sections grant councils the authority to regulate and control taxi services within their jurisdiction.