Decision details

(1)     Audio Recording

The Chair advised that, in accordance with Council policy this meeting was being audio recorded as well as filmed. The audio recordings would be available to view on Mod.gov and the film recording via the NHDC YouTube channel.

(2)     Climate Emergency

Members were reminded that this Council had declared a Climate Emergency. This was a serious decision and meant that, as this was an emergency, all of us, officers and Members have that in mind as we carry out our various roles and tasks for the benefit of our District.

(3)     Declarations of Interest

Members were reminded to make declarations of interest before an item, the detailed reminder about this and speaking rights was set out under Chair’s Announcements on the agenda.

(4)     Rules of Debate

The Chair reminded Members that the normal procedure rules in respect of debate and times to speak would apply:

No speeches may be made after the mover has moved a proposal and explained the purpose of it until the motion has been seconded.

When seconding a motion or amendment, a Member may reserve their speech until later in the debate. 

In accordance with the Constitution please could Members ensure that no speech exceeded five minutes without the consent of the Chair

(5)     Order of Business

The Chair advised that he would take Items 1-8 as per the agenda. Item 9 would be introduced and then the meeting would go into Part 2 and consider Item 13. Following which the meeting would return to Part 1 to take the vote on Item 9 and consider items 10 and 11

(6)     Charities

The Chair advised that his Charities for this year would be Victoria’s Promise and Citizen’s Advice North Herts.

The Chair declared that, in relation to a potential interest, that Ed Smith was his Son in Law, who now works for Victoria Promise as a fund raiser following my daughter’s passing, and have been advised that this does not cause an issue in terms of my support for Victoria’s Promise this year.

The Chair invited Fiona Eastman and Ed Smith, Victoria’s Promise, to address Council

The Chair invited Rose Waters, Citizens Advice North Herts, to address Council.