Performance, Assets and Strategy Overview and Scrutiny Committee -

Cambridge City Council’s Performance, Assets and Strategy Overview and Scrutiny Committee met on October 6, 2026. The Civic Quarter report was deferred to the committee’s November 3 meeting after interest-rate instability prompted further financial modelling; Cabinet is scheduled to consider it on November 16, with Full Council still scheduled for November 26. Members expect the scrutiny papers to include all options and business-plan appendices, and asked that scrutiny recommendations and financial information be reflected in later decision papers. No Civic Quarter contract award or procurement decision was made at this meeting.

The committee reviewed the housing development programme, including the council’s £96 million Homes England strategic partnership. The funding supports 800 homes and is intended to unlock a 1,400-home programme, with a commitment that 60% of the portfolio will be at social rent. Members discussed the Arbury Court and Kingsway proposals (approximately 487 homes), the Davy Road scheme’s proposed increase from 45 to 57 homes and need for additional budget, and requested clearer financial and housing-mix information for Cabinet. The committee also considered a proposed citywide Article 4 direction for small HMOs, including timing and potential compensation exposure; it asked for the shortest lawful implementation timetable and noted differing views on the citywide scope. No formal spending or procurement vote was recorded.