Issue - meetings
QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS
Meeting: 23/04/2026 - Council (Item 102)
102 QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS 
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To consider any questions submitted by Members of the Council, in accordance with Standing Order 4.8.11 (b).
Decision:
In accordance with Standing Order 4.8.11, one question had been submitted by the required deadline set out in the Constitution.
(A) Greater Cambridge Development Corporation
Councillor Matt Barnes to Councillor Donna Wright (Executive Member for Place).
Minutes:
Audio recording – 6 minutes 29 seconds
In accordance with Standing Order 4.8.11, one question had been submitted by the required deadline set out in the Constitution.
(A) Greater Cambridge Development Corporation
Councillor Matt Barnes to Councillor Donna Wright (Executive Member for Place):
“Could the Executive Member for Place please outline the Council’s response, as a neighbouring authority, to the recent consultation concerning the creation of a Greater Cambridge Development Corporation - which the Government proposes would take control of planning and infrastructure across Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire?”
Councillor Donna Wright provided the following response:
“Officers reviewed the consultation material but did not submit a formal response. To put into context any Development Corporation would not take on planning-making powers until the Greater Cambridge Plan is adopted which is not expected before late 2027. Any future plan-making by a development corporation would be a matter for future unitary authorities in Hertfordshire. Furthermore, development management powers would be limited to strategic scale proposals which are focused around Cambridge. There are no current strategic proposals near North Hert’s boundaries, so our connection with South Cambs is less vital than with other areas at the moment. However, officers do maintain regular contact with Greater Cambridgeshire colleagues with regular updates reported through the Strategic Planning Matters report that goes to Cabinet. In this context and given other service pressures and priorities, a formal response was not considered necessary. We have actually been inundated with consultations this year. I should add that no queries or concerns were raised by Members during the consultation period and no requests were made for a response, briefing note or anything else. I suggest that if Councillor Barnes has concerns that he approaches the Leader of the South Cambridge District Council, Councillor Bridget Smith to discuss these.”
Councillor Matt Barnes asked a supplementary question as follows:
“Given that how will the Council’s planning team ensure that necessary infrastructure investment is afforded to Royston and the neighbouring villages as these developments come forward and in particular the proposal for 1400 homes just across the A505 which was on the front page of the Royston Chronical or featured very heavily in the Royston Chronical recently.”
Councillor Donna Wright responded:
“I think that this will be a decision for a future unitary authority.”
N.B. Councillor Dominic Griffiths entered the Chamber at 19:41.