Peterborough City Council's Cabinet met to discuss several key issues, including the financial strategy, housing, and community services. They approved measures to address financial challenges, enhance housing standards, and support community facilities.

School Crossing Patrols

Following a petition, the cabinet reviewed the decision to remove school crossing patrols. The council had previously approved ceasing the service as part of the 2024/25 budget, after assessing alternative safety measures near schools.

Councillor Angus Ellis, Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport, presented the Outcome of Petition Debate to Review School Crossing Patrols report. The report noted that assessments showed alternative provisions were in place for four of the five sites, with the service remaining at Topmoor Way, Paston.

The cabinet decided to uphold the original decision to cease the school crossing patrol service, but implement additional mitigation measures. These included a 20mph speed limit and upgraded crossing signage on Church Street, Werrington, and a signalised pedestrian crossing on Eastfield Road. A further assessment will be undertaken on High Street, Fletton.

Integrated Community Equipment Service

The cabinet supported the emergency decision to award a new contract for the Integrated Community Equipment Service (ICES) to Medequip Assistive Technology Ltd, after Nottingham Rehab Limited (NRS) faced insolvency.

The ICES Contract Award report explained that the decision was made under the constitution's emergency action provision, ensuring continuity of the statutory service across Peterborough and Cambridgeshire. The new contract is valued at up to £35,035,788 over four years.

Corporate Performance

The cabinet noted the Q1 2025/26 Corporate Performance Update report, which reviewed progress against the council's priorities.

The report highlighted improvements in areas such as support for people with learning disabilities in paid employment, new birth visits, and a reduction in households in bed and breakfast accommodation. Challenges remained, including an increase in long-term empty homes and police-recorded violent offences in the city centre.

Budget Control Report

The cabinet considered the June 25 BCR Cabinet report, which provided an overview of the council's financial performance for 2025/26. The revenue budget was forecast to be £5.2 million overspent, due to delays in delivering savings and higher capital financing costs.

The cabinet recommended to the council for approval a Flexible Use of Capital Receipts Policy, amendments to the Capital Programme, and the use of reserves.

The Flexible Use of Capital Receipts Policy would enable the council to use capital receipts from asset sales to fund transformation activity. The report noted that:

Work is ongoing to identify the relevant eligible costs, but initial work indicates this could be up to £3m. The financial impact of this would result in the reserves position (as set out within the report) improving by £3m.

Medium-Term Financial Strategy

The cabinet reviewed the MTFS 25 Q1 INC FFR CONSULTATION Cabinet 1 report, which provided an update to the council's Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) for 2026-2029. The report also discussed the potential impact of the Fair Funding Review (FFR).

The report noted that the proposed new funding formula better reflects local demand, deprivation, and the ability to raise income through council tax, which will have a significant favourable impact on the council's financial position.

The cabinet noted the revised assumptions in the MTFS and the council's response to the consultation on the Fair Funding Review.

Fletton Quays Hilton Hotel

The cabinet considered the Hilton Update Report regarding the Fletton Quays Hilton Hotel site and the options available to members in terms of potential next steps.

The cabinet instructed officers to direct the administrators to proceed with the marketing and sale of the site, ensuring that any disposal process is conducted to achieve best value . They also authorised the Executive Director for Place and Economy to execute all necessary documents and enter into any agreements to give effect to this recommendation.

Disposal of Community Centre

The cabinet approved the disposal of Walton Community Centre to the adjacent local pharmacy, following its identification as an underutilised asset.

The cabinet authorised the Executive Director of Place & Economy, in conjunction with the Executive Director of Corporate Services and Director of Legal and Governance, to finalise the disposal.

Key Theatre Capital Works

The cabinet approved a business loss payment to Landmark Theatres due to disruptions caused by ongoing capital works at the Key Theatre, including roof replacement due to RAAC¹. The payment will mitigate income loss and cover additional costs associated with relocating the 2025 pantomime to the New Theatre.

The cabinet delegated authority to the Executive Director of Place and Economy, in conjunction with the Executive Director of Corporate Services and Section 151 Officer, for the implementation of the payment.

Disposal of Goods Shed

The cabinet updated and approved the re-negotiated terms for the disposal of the Goods Shed at Fletton Quays and authorised the award of grant funding to Farholt Goods Shed Limited for its development as a food and beverage facility.

The cabinet delegated authority to the Executive Director for Place and Economy, in consultation with the Directors of Corporate Services and Legal and Governance, to take all necessary steps to give effect to the recommendations, including entering into any necessary legal agreements.

Additional Licensing & Houses in Multiple Occupancy

The cabinet approved the designation of a city-wide Additional Licensing Scheme for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) with 3 to 4 bed spaces, for a period of five years. The scheme aims to improve the quality of accommodation and ensure equitable housing standards across the city.

The cabinet also accepted the Additional Licensing licence conditions, updated HMO Licensing licence conditions, and an updated Civil Penalties policy. They agreed to a procurement and market testing exercise to develop a digital HMO licensing process and authorised the Director of Housing & Communities to ensure compliance with relevant procedures and keep the scheme under review.

Review of Governance of Council Owned Entities

The cabinet approved the Companies Governance Handbook, which sets out the standards and principles the council will apply in relation to council-owned entities. The handbook is intended to ensure that the council and the entities it owns or controls operate transparently, compliantly, and with clear accountability about decision-making.