| Time: | 7.30pm | Place: | Baldock Community Centre, Simpson Drive, Baldock |
| PRESENT: | Councillor M.R.M. Muir(Chairman), Councillor John Harris, Councillor S.K. Jarvis and Councillor M.E. Weeks. |
| IN ATTENDANCE: | Martin Lawrence (Strategic Housing Manager) Ashley Hawkins (Community Development Officer) Susanne Gow (Committee and Member Services Officer) |
| ALSO PRESENT: | Leader of North Herts District Council Chief Executive of Howard Cottage Housing Association. |
| Item | Description/Resolution | Status | Action | |
| PART I | ||||
| 35 |
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Ian Knighton and Andrew Young. |
Noted | ||
| 36 |
MINUTES Minutes RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the Meeting held on 12 November be approved as a true record of the proceedings and be signed by the Chairman, subject to confirmation that Cllr Jarvis did not attend this meeting. |
Agreed | ||
| 37 |
NOTIFICATION OF OTHER BUSINESS There was no other business raised at this meeting. |
Noted | ||
| 38 |
CHAIRMAN'S ANNOUNCEMENTS (1) The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting including the Committee, NHDC officers and the Leader of North Hertfordshire District Council and thanked them all for attending; (2) The Committee were informed that a letter of thanks had been received from CRUSE Bereavement, for a grant they had been awarded; (3) Members were reminded that any declarations of interest in respect of any business set out in the agenda, should be declared as either a Disclosable Pecuniary interest, Other Pecuniary interest or Non-Pecuniary interest, and were required to notify the Chairman of the nature of any interest declared at the commencement of the relevant item on the agenda. Members declaring a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest must withdraw from the meeting for the duration of the item. Members declaring either an Other Pecuniary interest or a Non-Pecuniary interest, which required they leave the room under paragraph 16.3 of the Code of Conduct, could speak on the item, but must leave the room before the debate and vote. |
Noted | ||
| 39 |
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION There was no Public Participation at this meeting. |
Noted | ||
| 40 |
DISPOSAL OF LAND, DARK LANE, SANDON Report At the commencement of this item on the Agenda the Chairman, Councillor Michael Muir, declared a Non-Pecuniary interest in this item as he is the NHDC's representative on the Board of Howard Cottage Housing Association. He would make a statement and then leave the room during the presentation of the report and the resulting discussion, returning at the end of this item. The Chairman addressed the Committee, saying that during his time as the Council's representative on the Howard Cottage Committee he had come to know the running of the Association well, and he considered that residents held the organisation in high regard. He therefore hoped that the Baldock and District Committee would endorse the recommendation made in the report. In the absence of the Vice-Chairman, the Chairman asked Cllr Weeks to take the chair during this item and he then left the room. The Strategic Housing Manager (SHM) presented the joint report of the Head of Finance, Performance & Asset Management and the Head of Housing and Public Protection. He introduced Mr John Welch, the Chief Executive of Howard Cottages Housing Association who had accompanied him to this meeting. The SHM then proceeded to outline the scheme, clarifying that Howard Cottages specialised in rural development. Members were informed that Cabinet had agreed to transfer this land owned by the Council, to the Howard Cottage Housing Association (HCHA) at 50% of its market value. The planned development would consist of six affordable units, 4 x 2-bedroom and 2 x 3-bedroom dwellings and it was likely that that the rents for four of the properties would be set at 80% of the market rate and two properties would be offered for shared ownership. The Committee discussion consisted of: commenting on the 50% market value reduction that NHDC was being asked to make in selling the land to HCHA, which in the present financial climate the Committee considered to be questionable. However, it was agreed and accepted that the disposal of the land in question for social housing had been protracted over the last 10 years and there was an expectation and an urgent need for this. For the future, it was felt that land disposals should be more allied to the market value, but allowing for location and need. In conclusion, the Members of the Baldock and District Committee agreed to the sale of the site to Howard Cottage Housing Association at 50% of its market value. Cllr Weeks thanked the SHM for presenting the report and the Chairman was asked to return to the Committee Room. RESOLVED: (1) That the Baldock and District Committee support the Cabinet decision to approve the disposal of the Council-owned land at Dark Lane, Sandon, to Howard Cottage Housing Association at 50% of its market value; (2) That the Baldock and District Committee propose that future sales of land for social housing be more aligned to market values but on a case by case basis. REASON FOR DECISION: To enable the provision of affordable homes that will help to meet an identified housing need in the village. |
Agreed | ||
| 41 |
CHAMPION NEWS & FINANCE REPORT REPORT OF THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PORTFOLIO HOLDER - COUNCILLOR TRICIA COWLEY Report Appendix 1 Appendix 2 Appendix 3 The Community Development Officer (CDO) for Baldock and District presented the report of the Head of Policy and Community Services and explained that there were a few updates to the report, as follows: Pancake Races Four or five teams took part in the pancake race in Baldock High Street on 12 February. Baldock Beast Half Marathon This took place on 24 February and was bigger than last year, with 429 runners taking part on the day. A good amount of income was generated for the Baldock Town Partnership from entries. A Member suggested that each runner is asked to raise money for charity and the figures are publicised afterwards. However, not everybody agreed with this and the CDO proposed that amounts raised could be included in the Press coverage afterwards. One Member revealed that several runners gave good feedback and approximately 100 runners expressed the wish to return and do the Baldock Beast next year. The CDO added that more runners than that were keen to return in 2014. Markets The Committee were informed that there were two new stalls on the markets, but it was down to footfall as to whether they continued to trade in Baldock. A new monthly indoor antique fair had been proposed, and hopefully this could be held in the Zeus Restaurant. Sale Drive The CDO had investigated and found that maintenance of a lighting column would cost about £60 p.a. Once confirmed, he would liaise with Planning to obtain this sum from S106 monies. Barratt Homes would pass the crossing to Herts Highways for adoption. Bakers Field Members asked whether The Shed had a licence to sell alcohol, which would give it a wider appeal for possible use as a location for hire. They were reassured by the CDO that it does have a licence. Grant Funding There were no grant applications to bring before the Baldock and District Committee at this meeting and the CDO asked Members to help identify schemes for grant funding. The Chairman thanked the Community Development Officer for his report and for his efforts on behalf of the people of Baldock and the surrounding District. A Member raised a query regarding recycling and through the Chairman, the Committee and Member Services Officer advised the Committee that the Waste and Recycling Manager would bring a report to the next meeting of the Baldock and District Committee in the new Civic Year. RESOLVED: (1) That the budgetary expenditure, balances and carry forwards from the Development Budgets at Appendix 1 be noted; (2) That the activities and schemes with which the Community Development Officer has been involved are noted; (3) That Members identify new project codes for unallocated funds, to be carried forward to the 2013/2014 Financial Year. REASON FOR DECISION: (1) To ensure that the Committee are kept informed of the work of the Community Development Officer; (2) To inform Members of the financial resources available to the Committee. It draws attention to the current budgetary situation, assists in the effective financial management of the Baldock and District Committee's budget and ensures actions are performed within the Authority's Financial Regulations and the guidance in the grants procedure; (3) The awarding of financial assistance to voluntary organisations and the use of discretionary spending allows the Committee to further the aims and strategic priorities of the Council; (4) Production of the report is a requirement of the Corporate Plan, in which the Community Development Officer is required to produce a formal report to the Area Committee on six occasions each year in line with the Civic Calendar. |
Agreed | ||