Issue - meetings
CHAIR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS
Meeting: 28/09/2023 - Council (Item 229)
CHAIR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS
Climate Emergency
The Council has declared a climate emergency and is committed to achieving a target of zero carbon emissions by 2030 and helping local people and businesses to reduce their own carbon emissions.
A Cabinet Panel on the Environment has been established to engage with local people on matters relating to the climate emergency and advise the council on how to achieve these climate change objectives. A Climate Change Implementation group of councillors and council officers meets regularly to produce plans and monitor progress. Actions taken or currently underway include switching to green energy, incentives for low emission taxis, expanding tree planting and working to cut food waste.
In addition the council is a member of the Hertfordshire Climate Change and Sustainability Partnership, working with other councils across Hertfordshire to reduce the county’s carbon emissions and climate impact.
The Council’s dedicated webpage on Climate Change includes details of the council’s climate change strategy, the work of the Cabinet Panel on the Environment and a monthly briefing on progress.
Declarations of Interest
Members are 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 or Declarable Interest and are required to notify the Chair 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 a Declarable Interest, wishing to exercise a ‘Councillor Speaking Right’, must declare this at the same time as the interest, move to the public area before speaking to the item and then must leave the room before the debate and vote.
Decision:
(1) The Chair advised that, in accordance with Council Policy, the meeting would be audio recorded.
(2) 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 had that in mind as we carried out our various roles and tasks for the benefit of our District.
(3) The Chair drew attention to the item on the agenda front pages regarding Declarations of Interest and reminded Members that, in line with the Code of Conduct, any Declarations of Interest needed to be declared immediately prior to the item in question.
(4) The Chair advised that the normal procedure rules in respect of debate and times to speak will apply.
(5) The Chair advised that 4.8.23(a) of the Constitution did not apply to this meeting. A comfort break would be held at an appropriate time, should proceedings continue at length.
(6) The Chair advised that a referral from the Cabinet meeting on 19 September regarding the Financial System Budget, which was circulated as supplementary document, would be considered alongside Agenda Item 8.
(7) The Chair advised that a Polling District Review would commence on Monday 2 October, with a Members Briefing scheduled for Monday 16 October. Full Council would then be designating the polling places at the meeting on 23 November 2023.
(8) The Chair reminded the Committee about the upcoming Chair’s Civic Event and Awards 2024, being held on Friday 1 March 2024.
(9) The Chair held a minute’s silence in memory of former Councillor Geoff Woods and Members paid tribute.
(10) The Chair congratulated Councillor Tom Plater on the birth of his daughter.
Minutes:
Audio recording – 3 minute 7 seconds
(1) The Chair advised that, in accordance with Council Policy, the meeting would be audio recorded.
(2) 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 had that in mind as we carried out our various roles and tasks for the benefit of our District.
(3) The Chair drew attention to the item on the agenda front pages regarding Declarations of Interest and reminded Members that, in line with the Code of Conduct, any Declarations of Interest needed to be declared immediately prior to the item in question.
(4) The Chair advised that the normal procedure rules in respect of debate and times to speak applied.
(5) The Chair advised that 4.8.23(a) of the Constitution did not apply to this meeting. A comfort break would be held at an appropriate time, should proceedings continue at length.
(6) The Chair advised that a referral from the Cabinet meeting on 19 September regarding the Financial System Budget, which was circulated as supplementary document, would be considered alongside Agenda Item 8.
(7) The Chair advised that a Polling District Review would commence on Monday 2 October, with a Members Briefing scheduled on Monday 16 October. The final report would be presented to Council on 23 November 2023 for determination.
(8) The Chair reminded the Committee about the upcoming Chair’s Civic Event and Awards 2024, being held on Friday 1 March 2024.
(9) The Chair held a minute’s silence in memory of former District Councillor Geoff Woods and Members paid tribute.
(10) The Chair congratulated Councillor Tom Plater on the birth of his daughter.