Decision details

The Chair advised that there was a referral from Cabinet and two referrals from the Standards Committee and these would all be considered as individual standalone items.

8A) Shared Prosperity Fund Process

RESOLVED: The Council approved up to £518,000 capital investment for the Solar for Business Programme, in addition to the £51,285 capital funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

REASONS FOR DECISION:

(1)   The Council will be provided with funding in April 2024 to allocate to schemes which were originally outlined in the Council’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UK SPF) Investment Plan that was submitted in July 2021. This plan was approved by Department for Levelling Up Housing and Communities (DLUHC) in January 2022.

(2)   The Funds regulations allow considerable flexibility in how the Council allocates funding and under which approved UK SPF Activities. Officers presented a report to the Leadership Team on 5th February 2024, which outlined how we are proposing to spend the remainder of the Fund in line with the UK SPF criteria set. The Leadership Team agreed with the proposal in principle, and therefore it has been bought to Cabinet for further consideration.

(3)   Once final approval has been obtained, the individual projects will be managed by the relevant North Herts Council (NHC) service areas. We are seeking approval to delegate approval of spend decisions, payments or grants made under the scheme to the relevant Executive Members and Service Directors, as identified under table 8.1 of this report.

8B) Standards Matter Report

RESOLVED: That all District Councillors undertake post, all-out election training on the Code of Conduct within 2 months of their election (or availability of the training) whichever is the later date.

REASON FOR DECISION: To ensure good governance within the Council.

8C) Members Planning Code of Good Conduct

RESOLVED: That Council adopted the new Code as the Appendix 1 to Section 8 of the Constitution replacement, as further amended under paragraph 4, second bullet point to include the word ‘private’.

REASON FOR DECISION: To ensure good governance within the Council.