Cambridge City Council's cabinet met on 25 September 2025 and agreed to proceed with a planning application for the Cambridge Civic Quarter project, and to develop a new Climate Change Strategy for 2026-2031, and an Urban Forest Strategy. The cabinet also reviewed the council's investment in Greater Cambridge Impact, procurement pipeline for repairs, maintenance and compliance works, establishment of new loan facilities for Cambridge Investment Partnership, the 2025/26 Finance Monitoring Report Quarter 1, and the 2024/25 Treasury Management Outturn Report.

Cambridge Civic Quarter Project

The cabinet approved proceeding with the submission of a planning application and funding to deliver the next stage of the Cambridge Civic Quarter project.

The project aims to revitalise the city centre by redeveloping the Guildhall, Market Square and surrounding areas.

Three public questions were raised about the project:

• One member of the public raised concerns that the refurbishment was paying insufficient attention to the Great and Small Halls, and that the Council Chamber risked becoming a tacky, architecturally deficient, and ahistoric 'space' . They asked for assurances that the Great and Small Hall would be refurbished to a high standard, and that the Council Chamber would be retained in its role as the seat of democracy.
• Another member of the public raised concerns about the plans for the market stalls, arguing that the current proposals were complete folly, financially and logistically and a death knell for market business . They asked the council to consider installing a section of open, well-designed, traditional market stalls.
• Another member of the public stated that the report recommends proceeding to planning applications without first resolving key interdependencies and potential conflicts between them. They raised concerns about decanting the traders, accommodating construction activities, and the design of the Market Square.

The Performance, Assets and Strategy Overview and Scrutiny Committee had previously discussed the Civic Quarter project on 9 September 2025, and supported the principle of proceeding to the planning stage, recognising that this may unlock future funding opportunities.

The committee recommended that the cabinet:

• Ensure full consultation with Camcycle cycling charity, Living Streets Cambridge pedestrian charity and other key stakeholders.
• Safeguard bus service provision in Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) and provide for adequate wayfinding and space in the market area.
• Confirm that demountable stalls are fit for purpose and that their design can be refined post-planning.
• Retain the chamber in a horseshoe layout with tiered seating, ensuring it remains accessible and central to the city's civic life.
• Deliver improved ventilation and accessibility within the Guildhall.
• Develop opportunities for celebrating the civic history of the Guildhall, including potential collaboration with the Museum of Cambridge.

Climate Change Strategy 2026-2031

The cabinet approved the plans to progress to public engagement to inform the new Climate Change Strategy.

Urban Forest Strategy Consultation

The cabinet approved the draft strategy and consultation plan for the Urban Forest Strategy.

Procurement Pipeline for Repairs, Maintenance and Compliance Works

The cabinet were asked to bring forward the procurement pipeline for repairs, maintenance and compliance works and to request delegated authority to award contracts following appropriate procurement processes.

The Performance, Assets and Strategy Overview and Scrutiny Committee had previously discussed the Strategic Procurement Pipeline for Repairs, Maintenance, and Compliance Contracts on 9 September 2025, and broadly supported the proposed procurement pipeline.

The committee recommended that the cabinet ensure that:

• Clear and measurable KPIs¹ are established and shared with members, with models and parameters circulated at the earliest opportunity.
• Customer experience outcomes are given appropriate weight in monitoring performance.
• Contract provisions remain flexible to allow amendment or termination in cases of underperformance or new requirements.

The committee also requested that officers explore options for wider sharing of KPI data, for example, with the Housing Board.

Greater Cambridge Impact - Council's Investment

The cabinet were asked to approve drawdown from Reserves for Council's £0.8m investment in Greater Cambridge Impact.

Establishment of new loan facilities for Cambridge Investment Partnership

The cabinet considered the establishment of new loan facilities for Cambridge Investment Partnership.

5/26 Finance Monitoring Report Quarter 1 (April to June)

The cabinet considered the 2025/26 Finance Monitoring Report Quarter 1 (April to June).

4/25 Treasury Management Outturn Report

The cabinet considered the 2024/25 Treasury Management Outturn Report.