Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Steve Jarvis, Ian Mantle, Helen Oliver and Carol Stanier.

Audio recording – 22 seconds

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Steve Jarvis, Ian Mantle, Helen Oliver and Carol Stanier.

To take as read and approve as a true record the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on the 24 September 2019.

RESOLVED:That the Minutes of the Meeting of the Committee held on 24 September 2019 be approved as a true record of the proceedings and be signed by the Chairman.

Audio Recording – 48 seconds

RESOLVED:That the Minutes of the Meeting of the Committee held on 24 September 2019 be approved as a true record of the proceedings and be signed by the Chairman.

Members should notify the Chairman of other business which they wish to be discussed at the end of either Part I or Part II business set out in the agenda. They must state the circumstances which they consider justify the business being considered as a matter of urgency.

The Chairman will decide whether any item(s) raised will be considered.

There was no other business notified.

Audio recording – 1 minute 1 second

There was no other business notified.

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 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 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.

(1)       The Chairman welcomed those present at the meeting;

(2)       The Chairman advised that, in accordance with Council Policy, the meeting would be audio recorded;

(3)       The Chairman 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 Chairman reminded those present that the Council had declared a Climate Emergency and had not only set up a Cabinet Panel on the Environment, but were also beginning to work on issues within the organisation.

Audio recording – 1 minute 4 seconds

(1)       The Chairman welcomed those present at the meeting;

(2)       The Chairman advised that, in accordance with Council Policy, the meeting would be audio recorded;

(3)       The Chairman 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 Chairman reminded those present that the Council had declared a Climate Emergency and had not only set up a Cabinet Panel on the Environment, but were also beginning to work on issues within the organisation.

To receive petitions, comments and questions from the public.

There were no presentations by members of the public.

Audio recording – 2 minutes 45 seconds

There were no presentations by members of the public.

Any Items referred from other committees will be circulated as soon as they are available.

There were no referrals from other Committees.

Audio recording – 2 minutes 48 seconds

There were no referrals from other Committees.

REPORT OF THE SERVICE DIRECTOR – REGULATORY

To provide an update on planning matters affecting the District.

RESOLVED:

(1)       That the report entitled Strategic Planning Matters be noted;

(2)        That the submissions in Appendices A, B and C be noted and endorsed;

(3)        That the use of Conservation Area Character Statements for Charlton, Gosmore, Great Offley, Preston and St Ippolyts as listed in Paragraph 8.4.3 of the report as material considerations in decision making for planning applications and in the preparation of Neighbourhood Plans be endorsed.

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL: That Cabinet supports the proposed Memorandum of Understanding relating to the Hertfordshire Growth Board, attached as Appendix D, and recommends to Council the signing of the agreement.

REASON FOR DECISIONS: To keep Cabinet informed of recent development on strategic planning matters and progress on the North Hertfordshire Local Plan.

Audio Recording – 2 minutes 52 seconds

The Executive Member for Planning and Transport presented the report entitled Strategic Planning Matters together with the following appendices:

·                Appendix A – Letter from NHDC to Local Plan Inspector;

·                Appendix B – Consultation response to Hertfordshire Local Industrial Strategy;

·                Appendix C – Consultation response to HCC Draft Developer Contributions Guide; 

·                Appendix D – Hertfordshire Growth Board MoU.

The Executive Members for Planning and Transport drew attention to the following:

·                 A Local Plan Project Board meeting would take place on 5 November 2019;

·                 A report regarding Community Infrastructure Levy and Section 106 would be presented to the Cabinet meeting due to be held on 17 December 2019;

·                 In respect of the declared Climate Emergency:

·                 Improved design of housing would be considered in the Design SPD;

·                 All Planning reports would contain an environmental impact assessment;

·                The consultation regarding London Luton Airport had commenced.

The Service Director – Regulatory advised Members of the issues relating to Central Bedfordshire’s Local Plan.

The Leader of the Council drew attention to the Hertfordshire Growth Board Memorandum of Understanding and explained that this was needed to enable all Hertfordshire Councils to speak as a whole.

The following Member asked questions and took part in the debate:

·                Councillor Ian Albert.

RESOLVED:

(1)       That the report entitled Strategic Planning Matters be noted;

(2)        That the submissions in Appendices A, B and C be noted and endorsed;

(3)        That the use of Conservation Area Character Statements for Charlton, Gosmore, Great Offley, Preston and St Ippolyts as listed in Paragraph 8.4.3 of the report as material considerations in decision making for planning applications and in the preparation of Neighbourhood Plans be endorsed.

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL: That Cabinet supports the proposed Memorandum of Understanding relating to the Hertfordshire Growth Board, attached as Appendix D, and recommends to Council the signing of the agreement.

REASON FOR DECISIONS: To keep Cabinet informed of recent development on strategic planning matters and progress on the North Hertfordshire Local Plan.

REPORT OF THE POLICY AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT MANAGER

To review and approve the Council Plan and Objectives for 2020-2025; approve the proposed actions and achievements of the Council

RESOLVED:

(1)        That the draft complete Council Plan, which provides a summary of objectives and of activity to support the progression of the following Council Objectives be approved:

·         Be a more welcoming and inclusive council;

·         Build a thriving and resilient communities;

·         Respond to challenges to the environment;

·         Enable an enterprising and co-operative economy;

·         Support the delivery of good quality and affordable homes.

(2)        That the following documents be recommended for approval, with the minor amendments and corrections as discussed:

·         Appendix A - Council Plan 2020-2025;

·         Appendix B – Proposed Actions;

·         Appendix C – Achievements.

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL: That the following documents be adopted with the amendments as discussed:

·                Appendix A – Council Plan 2020 -2025;

·                Appendix B – Proposed Actions;

·                Appendix C – Achievements.

REASON FOR DECISIONS:  The Council plan is a key element of the corporate business planning process, as a high level strategic document it sets out the Council’s priorities for the next year. As an overarching policy framework document it guides and influences the use of Council resources; providing a focus for activities, plans and services the Council provide.

Audio recording – 15 minutes

The Leader of the Council presented the report entitled Council Plan 2020-2025 and Council Objectives 2020-2015 together with the following appendices:

·                Appendix A - Draft Council Plan 2020-2025;

·                Appendix B – Proposed actions for 2020-2025;

·                Appendix C – Achievements of the Council in 2018/19.

The Leader of the Council advised that through workshops, all Councillors had been given the opportunity to have an input into the Plan. He referred to the changes discussed at the All-Member Workshop.  Two changes had been suggested to the Objectives. One suggested removing the word “more” from the first objective. He recommended that this was not accepted. as while being a welcoming council, is at the centre of what we should be, our aspiration is to be more welcoming.  The word “homes” rather than “housing” in the fifth objective should be accepted. Other recommendations had been included in Appendix B.

The Policy and Community Engagement Manager displayed a draft layout of the Plan on the screens in the Chamber.

The following Members took part in the debate:

·                 Councillor Judi Billing;

·                 Councillor Paul Clark;

·                 Councillor Gary Grindal.

Councillor Billing indicated that whilst some of parts of the Plan had been drafted by herself and Councillor Brown, use of the word ‘street’ and some of the grammar needed to be changed and then proof read. There was also discussion around the changes of the use of the word ‘homes’ as opposed to ‘housing’, with specific reference to the diagram by Councillor Grindal.

RESOLVED:

(1)        That the draft complete Council Plan, which provides a summary of objectives and of activity to support the progression of the following Council Objectives be approved:

·         Be a more welcoming and inclusive council;

·         Build a thriving and resilient communities;

·         Respond to challenges to the environment;

·         Enable an enterprising and co-operative economy;

·         Support the delivery of good quality and affordable homes.

(2)        That the following documents be recommended for approval, with the minor amendments and corrections as discussed:

·         Appendix A - Council Plan 2020-2025;

·         Appendix B – Proposed Actions;

·         Appendix C – Achievements.

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL: That the following documents be adopted with the amendments as discussed:

·                Appendix A – Council Plan 2020 -2025;

·                Appendix B – Proposed Actions;

·                Appendix C – Achievements.

REASON FOR DECISIONS:  The Council plan is a key element of the corporate business planning process, as a high level strategic document it sets out the Council’s priorities for the next year. As an overarching policy framework document it guides and influences the use of Council resources; providing a focus for activities, plans and services the Council provide.

REPORT OF THE SERVICE DIRECTOR - REGULATORY

The Government has announced arrangements for extending its refugee resettlement programme beyond 2020, when its three largest current resettlement schemes are due to conclude. It is seeking pledges from local authorities to participate in the first year of this new global resettlement scheme.

RESOLVED:

That, subject to the successful appointment of a specialist refugee support provider:

(1)        the Government’s extended refugee resettlement programme be supported;

(2)        ten Syrian refugees be resettled in North Hertfordshire in the first year of the new global resettlement scheme and authorises officers to make the necessary arrangements to deliver this commitment.

REASON FOR DECISION: To enable the Council to continue to support the Government’s refugee resettlement

programme.

Audio recording – 22 minutes 54 seconds

The Executive Member for Housing and Environmental Health presented the report entitled the Government’s Refugee Resettlement Scheme and drew attention to the following:

·                 10 Syrian families had been resettled successfully and integrated well into their communities;

·                 Appropriate support had been provided to these families;

·                 Syrian refugees were being sought for this resettlement as the infrastructure was already in place.

The following Members asked questions and took part in the debate:

·                Councillor Judi Billing;

·                Councillor Paul Clark;

·                Councillor Ian Albert;

·                Councillor Martin Stears-Handscomb.

In response to questions the Strategic Housing Manager advised that:

·                 The families previously resettled were 5 strong;

·                 North Herts was well served with 3 bedroomed housing;

·                 Links would be made between families wherever possible;

·                 North Herts resettled approximately 20 percent of the families previously resettled in Hertfordshire;

·                 Getting the housing early was key to success;

·                 Refugees could have complex needs.

RESOLVED:

That, subject to the successful appointment of a specialist refugee support provider:

(1)        the Government’s extended refugee resettlement programme be supported;

(2)        ten Syrian refugees be resettled in North Hertfordshire in the first year of the new global resettlement scheme and authorises officers to make the necessary arrangements to deliver this commitment.

REASON FOR DECISION: To enable the Council to continue to support the Government’s refugee resettlement

programme.

REPORT OF THE INTERIM PROPERTY CONSULTANT

To seek approval for the declaration as surplus to Council requirements approximately 2.23 acres of land at Windmill Close, Barkway.

RESOLVED:

(1)       That the land at Windmill Close, Barkway be declared surplus to the District Council’s requirements and placed on the open market for sale on a subject to planning basis for residential development;

(2)       Following receipt of offers for the 2.23 acres of land identified at Appendix A, the decision to accept an offer be delegated to the Service Director for Resources, in consultation with the Executive Member for Finance and IT.

REASONS FOR DECISION:

(1)       To provide a financial receipt to help fund the District Council’s capital programme;

(2)       Marketing the land on the open market will maximise interest from developers and satisfy the requirements to obtain the best price reasonably obtainable.

Audio recording – 32 minutes 3 seconds

The Executive Member for Enterprise and Co-Operative Development presented the report entitle Land at Windmill Close, Barkway together with the following appendices:

·                Appendix A - Location Plan of Land to be Declared Surplus;

·                Appendix B – S.123 Local Press Advertisement;

·                Appendix C – Amended BK2 Local Plan Allocation;

·                Appendix D – Correspondence from Councillor Morris;

·                Appendix E – Correspondence from Barkway Parish Council.

RESOLVED:

(1)       That the land at Windmill Close, Barkway be declared surplus to the District Council’s requirements and placed on the open market for sale on a subject to planning basis for residential development;

(2)       Following receipt of offers for the 2.23 acres of land identified at Appendix A, the decision to accept an offer be delegated to the Service Director for Resources, in consultation with the Executive Member for Finance and IT.

REASONS FOR DECISION:

(1)       To provide a financial receipt to help fund the District Council’s capital programme;

(2)       Marketing the land on the open market will maximise interest from developers and satisfy the requirements to obtain the best price reasonably obtainable.