Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors John Bishop, Tony Hunter, Jim McNally, Faye Frost, Juan Cowell, Lisa Nash, Michael Weeks, Gary Grindal, Ian Moody and Carol Stanier.

Audio recording – 2:54

 

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors John Bishop, Tony Hunter, Jim McNally, Kaye Frost, Juan Cowell, Lisa Nash, Michael Weeks, Gary Grindal, Ian Moody and Carol Stanier.

To take as read and approve as a true record the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on the 20 January 2022

RESOLVED:That the Minutes of the Meeting of the Committee held on 20 January be approved as a true record of the proceedings and be signed by the Chair.

Audio Recording – 3:22

 

RESOLVED:That the Minutes of the Meeting of the Committee held on 20 January 2022 be approved as a true record of the proceedings and be signed by the Chair.

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.

There was no other business notified.

Audio recording – 4:39

 

There was no other business notified.

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.

 

(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 usual rules in respect of debate and times to speak would apply.

 

(5)       The Chair advised that there was no longer a requirement for Members to stand while addressing the Council.

 

(6)       The Chair advised that there would be a comfort break at 9pm or at a suitable break in business thereabouts.

 

(7)       The Chair advised that the fundraiser in support of her chosen charities would now be taking place on 22 May and reminded Members to mark the date in their calendars.

Audio recording – 4:43

 

 

(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 usual rules in respect of debate and times to speak would apply.

 

(5)       The Chair advised that there was no longer a requirement for Members to stand while addressing the Council.

 

(6)       The Chair advised that there would be a comfort break at 9pm or at a suitable break in business thereabouts.

 

(7)       The Chair advised that the fundraiser in support of her chosen charities would now be taking place on 22 May and reminded Members to mark the date in their calendars.

 

 

 

To receive petitions, comments and questions from the public.

There was no public participation.

Audio recording – 7:05

 

There was no public participation.

To consider any questions submitted by Members of the Council, in accordance with Standing Order 4.8.11 (b).

There were no questions submitted by Members.

Audio recording – 7:08

 

There were no questions submitted by Members.

To consider any motions, due notice of which have been given in accordance with Standing Order 4.8.12.

There were no motions on notice submitted.

Audio recording – 7:13

 

There were no motions on notice submitted.

 

 

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

8a. Referral from Cabinet – Revenue Budget 2022/23

 

The Chair advised that this referral would be taken with Item 10.

 

8b. Referral from Cabinet – Investment Strategy (Integrated Capital and Treasury)

 

The Chair advised that this referral would be taken with item 11.

Audio Recording: 7:18

 

8a. Referral from Cabinet – Revenue Budget 2022/23

 

The Chair advised that this referral would be taken with Item 10.

 

8b. Referral from Cabinet – Investment Strategy (Integrated Capital and Treasury)

 

The Chair advised that this referral would be taken with item 11.

RESOLVED: That the Council:

 

(1)       Designates the polling places and new polling stations as illustrated in the proposals attached as Appendix A to the report

 

(2)       Instructs the Monitoring Officer to amend the Constitution (4.4.1 (q) & (b)(x)) to enable amendments to polling places and polling stations between compulsory reviews to be delegated to the Service Director: Legal and Community, in consultation with the Returning Officer, relevant ward Councillors and Group Leaders.

 

REASONS FOR DECISION:

 

(1)       Through lack of availability or concerns about suitability, several polling stations previously designated are no longer viable options for use at upcoming elections.

 

(2)       The Returning Officer must therefore identify suitable alternatives for the polling places and subsequent polling stations to be used.

 

(3)       Recommendation 2.2 is for additional flexibility specifically to agree the polling station post Council meeting and generally where this situation arises between mandatory reviews and allows for relevant Member consultation when this arises.

Audio Recording: 7:45

 

The Democratic Services Manager presented the report entitled Change to Polling Place & Polling Stations and highlighted the following:

 

·         The report is to agree the designation of polling places to come into effect at the coming elections in May.

·         Several polling stations that were previously used are no longer viable options.

·         Paragraphs 8.3 and 8.4 explain the changes required.

·         Within the report is a proposed amendment to the Constitution.

 

Councillor Dennis-Harburg proposed, Councillor Brown seconded and it was put to debate.

 

The following Members took part in debate:

 

·         Councillor Claire Strong

 

On the vote it was:

 

RESOLVED: That the Council:

 

(1)       Designates the polling places and new polling stations as illustrated in the proposals attached as Appendix A to the report

 

(2)       Instructs the Monitoring Officer to amend the Constitution (4.4.1 (q) & (b)(x)) to enable amendments to polling places and polling stations between compulsory reviews to be delegated to the Service Director: Legal and Community, in consultation with the Returning Officer, relevant ward Councillors and Group Leaders.

 

REASONS FOR DECISION:

 

(1)       Through lack of availability or concerns about suitability, several polling stations previously designated are no longer viable options for use at upcoming elections.

 

(2)       The Returning Officer must therefore identify suitable alternatives for the polling places and subsequent polling stations to be used.

 

(3)       Recommendation 2.2 is for additional flexibility specifically to agree the polling station post Council meeting and generally where this situation arises between mandatory reviews and allows for relevant Member consultation when this arises.

REPORT OF THE SERVICE DIRECTOR – RESOURCES

To note and adopt the Revenue Budget 2022/23

Councillor Ian Albert proposed, Councillor Sam North seconded, and the recommendations in the report were put to debate.

 

Councillor Steve Jarvis proposed an amendment, Councillor Elizabeth Dennis-Harburg seconded.

 

Councillor Simon Harwood declared an interest in respect of his daughter being an employee of the Hitchin Outdoor Pool whose opening hours were being considered as part of the amendment. The Monitoring Officer advised that he take no part in the debate or vote on this amendment.

 

The amendment was put to the vote.

 

The results of the vote were as follows:

 

YES:           35

ABSTAIN:  0

NO:            0

TOTAL:      35

 

The individual results were as follows:

 

Cllr Val Bryant                                     YES

Cllr Adam Compton                                   YES

Cllr Adem Ruggiero-Cakir                            YES

Cllr Amy Allen                                      YES

Cllr Claire Strong                                  YES

Cllr Clare Billing                                  YES

Cllr Daniel Allen                                   YES

Cllr David Barnard                                  YES

Cllr David Levett                                   YES

Cllr Elizabeth Dennis-Harburg                       YES

Cllr George  Davies                                 YES

Cllr Gerald Morris                                  YES

Cllr Ian Albert                                     YES

Cllr Ian Mantle                                     YES

Cllr Jean Green                                     YES

Cllr Judi Billing                                   YES

Cllr Kate Aspinwall                                 YES

Cllr Kay Tart                                       YES

Cllr Keith Hoskins                                  YES

Cllr Mandi Tandi                                    YES

Cllr Michael Muir                                   YES

Cllr Mike Hughson                                   YES

Cllr Mike Rice                                      YES

Cllr Morgan Derbyshire                              YES

Cllr Nigel Mason                                    YES

Cllr Richard Thake                                  YES

Cllr Ruth Brown                                     YES

Cllr Sam Collins                                    YES

Cllr Sam North                                      YES

Cllr Sarah Dingley                                  YES

Cllr Sean Prendergast                               YES

Cllr Simon Bloxham                                  YES

Cllr Simon Harwood                                  

Cllr Steve Jarvis                                   YES

Cllr Terry Hone                                     YES

Cllr Terry Tyler                                   

Cllr Tom Tyson                                      YES

 

As such it was:

 

RESOLVED: To amend the recommendations to include an additional recommendation 2.6 as follows:

 

“Noting the additional flexibility resulting from the final Local Government Settlement, Council approves the following further investments to support the council’s sustainability objectives and the continuing provision of high quality leisure facilities for local people:

 

A.    Implementation of additional wilding schemes from those set out in the  Wilding Audit prepared for the council by Countryside Management at a total cost of £25k.

 

B.    Work with user groups to investigate and implement potential extensions to open air pool opening at the end of the 2022 season at a cost of £25k.

 

C.   Provision of expert leisure market, pre-procurement and strategic investment advice in respect of the leisure services contract retendering at a cost of £25k.”

 

The substantive motion as amended was put to debate.

 

The substantive motion as amended was put to the vote.

 

The results of the vote were as follows:

 

YES:           21

ABSTAIN:  15

NO:            0

TOTAL:      36

 

The individual results were as follows:

 

Cllr Val Bryant                                     YES

Cllr Adam Compton                                   ABSTAIN

Cllr Adem Ruggiero-Cakir                            YES

Cllr Amy Allen                                      YES

Cllr Claire Strong                                  ABSTAIN

Cllr Clare Billing                                  YES

Cllr Daniel Allen                                   YES

Cllr David Barnard                                  ABSTAIN

Cllr David Levett                                   ABSTAIN

Cllr Elizabeth Dennis-Harburg                       YES

Cllr George  Davies                                 ABSTAIN

Cllr Gerald Morris                                  ABSTAIN

Cllr Ian Albert                                     YES

Cllr Ian Mantle                                     YES

Cllr Jean Green                                     ABSTAIN

Cllr Judi Billing                                   YES

Cllr Kate Aspinwall                                 YES

Cllr Kay Tart                                       YES

Cllr Keith Hoskins                                  YES

Cllr Mandi  ...  view the full decision text for item 98.

Audio Recording: 9:32

 

The Chair advised that she would be inviting Councillor Dennis-Harburg (Leader of the Council) to speak, following which Ian Albert (Executive Member for Finance and IT) would present the report. The Chair agreed that Councillor Albert may speak for more than 5 minutes regarding the Budget.

 

The Leader of the Council made an introductory speech regarding the Revenue Budget 2022/23.

 

The Executive Member for Finance and IT gave a detailed speech regarding the entitled Revenue Budget 2022/23 and the following Appendices:

 

·         Appendix A – Financial Risks 2022/23

·         Appendix B – Revenue Budget Savings and Investments

·         Appendix C – Budget Summary 2022 – 2027

·         Appendix D – Resilience Index

 

Councillor Ian Albert proposed, Councillor Sam North seconded the recommendations in the report.

 

Councillor Steve Jarvis presented his amendments to the recommendations, which had been attached as an addendum to the Agenda Pack entitled Revenue Budget 2022/23: Proposed Amendments to Recommendations. Councillor Steve Jarvis proposed and Councillor Elizabeth Dennis-Harburg seconded.

 

Councillor Simon Harwood declared an interest in respect of his daughter being an employee of the Hitchin Outdoor Pool whose opening hours were being considered as part of the amendment. The Monitoring Officer advised that he take no part in the debate or vote on this amendment.

 

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

 

·         Councillor Claire Strong

·         Councillor Elizabeth Dennis-Harburg

·         Councillor Richard Thake

·         Councillor Ruth Brown

 

The amendment was put to the vote.

 

The results of the vote were as follows:

 

YES:           35

ABSTAIN:  0

NO:            0

TOTAL:      35

 

The individual results were as follows:

 

Cllr Val Bryant                                     YES

Cllr Adam Compton                                   YES

Cllr Adem Ruggiero-Cakir                            YES

Cllr Amy Allen                                      YES

Cllr Claire Strong                                  YES

Cllr Clare Billing                                  YES

Cllr Daniel Allen                                   YES

Cllr David Barnard                                  YES

Cllr David Levett                                   YES

Cllr Elizabeth Dennis-Harburg                       YES

Cllr George  Davies                                 YES

Cllr Gerald Morris                                  YES

Cllr Ian Albert                                     YES

Cllr Ian Mantle                                     YES

Cllr Jean Green                                     YES

Cllr Judi Billing                                   YES

Cllr Kate Aspinwall                                 YES

Cllr Kay Tart                                       YES

Cllr Keith Hoskins                                  YES

Cllr Mandi Tandi                                    YES

Cllr Michael Muir                                   YES

Cllr Mike Hughson                                   YES

Cllr Mike Rice                                      YES

Cllr Morgan Derbyshire                              YES

Cllr Nigel Mason                                    YES

Cllr Richard Thake                                  YES

Cllr Ruth Brown                                     YES

Cllr Sam Collins                                    YES

Cllr Sam North                                      YES

Cllr Sarah Dingley                                  YES

Cllr Sean Prendergast                               YES

Cllr Simon Bloxham                                  YES

Cllr Simon Harwood                                 

Cllr Steve Jarvis                                   YES

Cllr Terry Hone                                     YES

Cllr Terry Tyler                                   

Cllr Tom Tyson                                      YES

 

As such it was:

 

RESOLVED: To amend the recommendations to include an additional recommendation 2.6 as follows:

 

“Noting the additional flexibility resulting from the final Local Government Settlement, Council approves the following further investments to support the council’s sustainability objectives and the continuing provision of high quality leisure facilities for local people:

 

A.    Implementation of additional wilding schemes from those set out in the  Wilding Audit prepared for the council by Countryside Management at a total cost of £25k.

 

B.    Work with user groups to investigate and implement potential extensions  ...  view the full minutes text for item 98.

REPORT OF THE SERVICE DIRECTOR - RESOURCES
To consider the adoption of the Investment Strategy and clauses in relation to the Code of Practice on Treasury Management

RESOLVED:

 

(1)       That Council approve the adoption of the Investment Strategy (as attached in Appendix A), including the capital programme and prudential indicators.

 

(2)       That Council approve the adoption of the four clauses in relation to the Code of Practice on Treasury Management (as detailed in paragraphs 8.12 and 8.17)

 

(3)       That Council approve bringing forward the £150k capital allocation for NHLC: Sauna Steam Refurbishment forward in to 2021/22

 

REASONS FOR DECISIONS:

 

(1)       To ensure that the capital programme meets the Council’s objectives and officers can plan the implementation of the approved schemes

 

(2)       To ensure the Council’s compliance with CIPFA’s code of practice on Treasury Management, the Local Government Act 2003, statutory guidance from the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) and the CIPFA Prudential Code. As well as determining and managing the Councils risk appetite in respect of investments.

Audio Recording: 1:07:18

 

Councillor Ian Albert presented the report entitled Investment Strategy (Integrated Capital and Treasury along with the following appendices:

 

·         Appendix A – Investment Strategy

·         Appendix A1 – A full list of planned capital expenditure (2022/23 onwards)

·         Appendix A2 – A list of new capital schemes and schemes planned to commence from 2022/23

 

Councillor Ian Albert proposed the recommendations in the report, and Councillor Sam North seconded and it was put to debate.

 

The following Members took part in debate:

 

·         Councillor Claire Strong

·         Councillor Steve Jarvis

·         Councillor Sam North

·         Councillor David Barnard

 

The Executive Member for Finance and IT responded to questions.

 

On the vote it was:

 

RESOLVED:

 

(1)       That Council approve the adoption of the Investment Strategy (as attached in Appendix A), including the capital programme and prudential indicators.

 

(2)       That Council approve the adoption of the four clauses in relation to the Code of Practice on Treasury Management (as detailed in paragraphs 8.12 and 8.17)

 

(3)       That Council approve bringing forward the £150k capital allocation for NHLC: Sauna Steam Refurbishment forward in to 2021/22

 

REASONS FOR DECISIONS:

 

(1)       To ensure that the capital programme meets the Council’s objectives and officers can plan the implementation of the approved schemes

 

(2)       To ensure the Council’s compliance with CIPFA’s code of practice on Treasury Management, the Local Government Act 2003, statutory guidance from the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) and the CIPFA Prudential Code. As well as determining and managing the Councils risk appetite in respect of investments.