Agenda

To take as read and approve as a true record the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on the 19 November and 26 November 2024.

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.

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).

REPORT OF THE SERVICE DIRECTOR – PLACE

To consider the benefits and risks of the Council changing its current contractual arrangements into an Agency Agreement with SLM (Everyone Active) for the operation of our leisure facilities.

REPORT OF THE SERVICE DIRECTOR – PLACE

To consider the benefits and risks of the Council changing its current contractual arrangements into an Agency Agreement with SLM (Everyone Active) for the operation of our leisure facilities.

REPORT OF THE MANAGING DIRECTOR

The Council recently undertook a Corporate Peer Challenge (CPC) between 4 and 7 November 2024, where we were visited by a peer team supported by the Local Government Association. The peer team met with a large number of staff and councillors, as well as external stakeholders such as contractual partners, neighbouring authorities and members of our community. The peer team has produced a feedback report, which is attached at Appendix A.

REPORT OF THE MONITORING OFFICER

The purpose of this cover report is to draw Cabinet’s attention to the Local Government & Social Care Ombudsman –‘LGO’s finding(s), following an investigation into a complaint about the Council (referenced above) and the conclusion of fault and recommended action (report at Appendix A).

REPORT OF THE PRINCIPAL STRATEGIC PLANNING OFFICER

This report provides an update on progress following Cabinet’s resolution to proceed with a full review and update of the North Herts Local Plan (NHLP) in January 2024. It seeks the approval of an updated Local Development Scheme (LDS).

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 – CUSTOMERS

To consider and recommend to Council the continuation of the banded scheme for working age applicants which remains largely unchanged for 2025/2026.

REPORT OF THE SERVICE DIRECTOR – RESOURCES

To provide the Committee with an update on the effectiveness of the Risk Management Governance arrangements at the Council. The review is referred on to Cabinet and the Committee can make recommendations on how we can improve our risk management arrangements.

REPORT OF THE SERVICE DIRECTOR – RESOURCES

The purpose of this report is to inform Cabinet of the summary position on revenue income and expenditure forecasts for the financial year 2024/25, as at the end of the second quarter.

REPORT OF THE SERVICE DIRECTOR – RESOURCES

To update Cabinet on progress with delivering the capital and treasury strategy for 2024/25, as at the end of September 2024.

REPORT OF THE SERVICE DIRECTOR – RESOURCES

The Council’s budget setting process starts with proposals that are developed by Officers and Executive Members. These proposals are considered by the Political Liaison Board, in the context of the Council’s forecast overall financial position. The selected proposals are then taken to the two budget workshops (administration group and opposition groups). Feedback from those workshops is considered by Cabinet in this report to determine those proposals that should be taken forward to set the 2025/26 budget.

REPORT OF THE SERVICE DIRECTOR – RESOURCES  

This report presents progress on delivering the Council Delivery Plan for 2024-25. This is a Quarter 2 update, but generally reflects progress up to the point that this report was prepared (early December).

REPORT OF THE SERVICE DIRECTOR – PLACE

For Cabinet to agree the level of garden waste charge for the subscription period 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026. The charge can be considered in relation to charges by other Local Authorities, increases in the cost of providing the service and encouraging home composting.

REPORT OF THE SERVICE DIRECTOR – PLACE

To provide an update on the project to decarbonise the Council’s leisure centres, including predicted growth in ongoing revenue costs, due to revised modelling of the impact of installing air source heat pumps at the facilities.