Agenda

Members should notify the Chair 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 Chair will decide whether any item(s) raised will be considered.

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.

Ecological Emergency

The Council has declared an ecological emergency and is committed to addressing the ecological emergency and nature recovery by identifying appropriate areas for habitat restoration and biodiversity net gain whilst ensuring that development limits impact on existing habitats in its process.

The Council has set out to do that by a) setting measurable targets and standards for biodiversity increase, in both species and quantities, seeking to increase community engagement, b) to work with our partners to establish a Local Nature Partnership for Hertfordshire and to develop Nature Recovery Networks and Nature Recovery Strategy for Hertfordshire and c) to investigate new approaches to nature recovery such as habitat banking that deliver biodiversity objectives and provide new investment opportunities.

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.

To receive petitions, comments and questions from the public.

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

REPORT OF THE MANAGING DIRECTOR

The purpose of this report is to seek approval of the Council’s Productivity Plan, drafted in response to the Productivity in Local Government request, from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC). The Plan requires Member approval and must be submitted to DLUHC and published on the Council’s website by 19 July 2024.

REPORT OF THE SERVICE DIRECTOR – LEGAL & COMMUNITY

This Report covers the review of the Council’s Corporate Statement of Enforcement Policy (the ‘Policy’). The Policy has proposed amendments to be approved, so that enforcement decisions and actions are up to date and consistent.

REPORT OF THE SERVICE DIRECTOR – REGULATORY

This report identifies the latest position on key planning and transport issues affecting the District.

REPORT OF THE SERVICE DIRECTOR – REGULATORY

This report asks Cabinet to positively recommend the approval of the Strategic Masterplan Framework for land to the north of Stevenage to Full Council.

REPORT OF THE SERVICE DIRECTOR – REGULATORY

This report asks Cabinet to positively recommend the approval of the Strategic Masterplan Framework for land to the north of Letchworth Garden City to Full Council.

REPORT OF THE SERVICE DIRECTOR – HOUSING AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

The proposed new Tenancy Strategy (2024-2029) sets out the high-level objectives which housing providers operating in the district need to have regard to in formulating their own individual tenancy policies.

REPORT OF THE SERVICE DIRECTOR – HOUSING AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

The proposed temporary accommodation placement policy sets out how and where accommodation will be secured and provisions to ensure that accommodation is suitable for households, in line with legislation and statutory guidance.

To consider passing the following resolution: That under Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972, the Press and Public be excluded from the meeting on the grounds that the following report will involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the said Act (as amended) and Paragraph 5 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the said Act (as amended).

REPORT OF THE SHARED SERVICE MANAGER – WASTE MANAGEMENT

Officers have completed a competitive dialogue procurement and are seeking a decision from Cabinet on the award of the contract to the preferred bidder.

REPORT OF THE SHARED SERVICE MANAGER – WASTE MANAGEMENT

Officers have completed a competitive dialogue procurement and are seeking a decision from Cabinet on the award of the contract to the preferred bidder.