Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Caroline McDonnell, Sarah Lucas, Cathy Brownjohn, Rhona Cameron, Clare Billing and Tom Tyson.

Audio recording – 1 minute 22 seconds

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Caroline McDonnell, Sarah Lucas, Cathy Brownjohn, Rhona Cameron, Clare Billing and Tom Tyson.

To take as read and approve as a true record the minutes of the meeting of the Committees held on the 2 October and 13 November 2025.

RESOLVED:That the Minutes of the Meetings of the Committee held on 2 October and 13 November 2025 be approved as a true record of the proceedings and be signed by the Chair.

Audio Recording – 1 minute 41 seconds

Councillor Keith Hoskins, as Chair, proposed and Councillor Daniel Allen seconded and, following a vote, it was:

RESOLVED:That the Minutes of the Meetings of the Committee held on 2 October and 13 November 2025 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 – 2 minutes 53 seconds

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.

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.

(1)  The Chair advised that, in accordance with Council Policy, the meeting would be recorded.

(2)  The Chair reminded Members that the Council had declared both a Climate Emergency and an Ecological Emergency. These are serious decisions, and mean 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.

Audio recording – 2 minutes 35 seconds

(1)   The Chair advised that, in accordance with Council Policy, the meeting would be recorded.

(2)   The Chair reminded Members that the Council had declared both a Climate Emergency and an Ecological Emergency. These are serious decisions, and mean 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.

To receive petitions, comments and questions from the public.

There was no public participation.

Audio recording – 4 minutes 34 seconds

There was no public participation.

To consider any items referred from other Committees. Any items referred to this meeting will be published as a supplementary document.

6B – Referral from Cabinet – Medium Term Financial Strategy 2025-2030

The Chair advised that referral 6B from Cabinet would be taken with the respective item on the Agenda.

6A – Referral from Licensing & Regulation Committee – Adoption of a Statement of Licensing Policy

RESOLVED: That the Statement of Licensing Policy, as amended, was adopted.

REASONS FOR DECISION:

(1)   Licensing authorities are required to publish a policy every five years by virtue of section 5 of the Licensing Act 2003 (“the Act”).

(2)   A new policy must be published by 7 January 2026 to comply with this statutory requirement.

(3)   The proposed policy builds on the success of the previous and existing versions of the policy, whilst reflecting legislative changes and the Council’s priorities.

(4)   Responses to the public consultation were limited and raised no significant opposition to any of the proposals.

Audio recording – 4 minutes 43 seconds

N.B. At the start of the Item, Councillor Martin Prescott declared an interest as he was the owner of a licensed business and left the Chamber for the duration of the debate and vote on referral 6A.

N.B. Councillor Sam Collins entered the Chamber at 19.37.

6B – Referral from Cabinet – Medium Term Financial Strategy 2025-2030

The Chair advised that referral 6B from Cabinet would be taken with the respective item on the Agenda.

6A – Referral from Licensing & Regulation Committee – Adoption of a Statement of Licensing Policy

Councillor Dave Winstanley, as Chair of Licensing & Regulation Committee, presented the referral from the Licensing & Regulation Committee and highlighted that:

·       The policy needed to be adopted by January 2026 and would last for 5 years.

·       The policy had remained mainly the same, as the existing policy was considered effective, with an update to data and some wording clarification.

·       Links were made, in line with the Councils vision for licensing, to economic vitality and community wellbeing.

·       Other updates were made to include references to drink spiking and the Women and Girls Safety Charter.

Councillor Dave Winstanley proposed and Councillor Daniel Allen seconded and, following a vote, it was:

RESOLVED: That the Statement of Licensing Policy, as amended, was adopted.

REASONS FOR DECISION:

(1)   Licensing authorities are required to publish a policy every five years by virtue of section 5 of the Licensing Act 2003 (“the Act”).

(2)   A new policy must be published by 7 January 2026 to comply with this statutory requirement.

(3)   The proposed policy builds on the success of the previous and existing versions of the policy, whilst reflecting legislative changes and the Council’s priorities.

(4)   Responses to the public consultation were limited and raised no significant opposition to any of the proposals.

N.B. Councillor Martin Prescott returned to the Chamber at 19.38.

REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR – RESOURCES

For Council to approve the Medium Term Financial Strategy 2026-30.

RESOLVED: That Council approved the Medium-Term Financial Strategy, as attached at Appendix A.

REASON FOR DECISION: Adoption of a Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) and communication of its contents will assist in the process of forward planning the use of Council resources and in budget setting for 2026/2027 onwards, culminating in the setting of the Council Tax precept for 2026/27 in February 2026. Alongside the Council Plan, this will support the Council in setting a budget that is affordable and aligned to Council priorities.

Audio recording – 8 minutes 18 seconds

Councillor Ian Albert, as Executive Member for Resources presented the referral from Cabinet and the report and highlighted that:

·         When the report was presented at Finance, Audit and Risk Committee, there was cross-party consensus with the proposed Strategy.

·         The Strategy had been delayed to allow time to received further clarification from central government regarding future funding.

·         The Government published their funding policy statement on 20 November which has left fewer unknown figures from the original report; however, modelling of this kind can never be certain. 

·         Further clarity would come with the Local Government Settlement in late December 2025.

·         After incorporating Business Rate gains and with Council Tax included the current estimate 2028/29 position would show a small increase in real terms.

·         The Council had the pension triennial valuation results and due to the positive performance of the fund there would be a reduction in employer contribution by approximately £1.3 million per annum.

·         It was therefore likely that a balanced Revenue Budget could be achieved with no, or minimal, savings.

·         The Council should also have maintained a strong General Fund balance well above the minimum recommended level.

·         The strategy set out in Appendix A follows the same format as previous strategies with specific references to Fair Funding Two, as well as the current uncertainty, which appeared to be reducing.

·         The spread of £2.6 million on table one of Appendix A did not show worst- and best-case scenarios but two possible scenarios that could happen depending on government decisions.

·         If savings were required, the Council would not look to make huge savings in 2026/27, but would make total savings by the end of 2028/29.

·         The discretionary Council Tax scheme for those with terminal illnesses was being explored with Marie Curie.

Councillor Ian Albert proposed and Councillor Daniel Allen seconded.

As part of the debate, Councillor Paul Ward stated that:

·         The final report had included an assessment of impact on the General Fund Reserve Balance, which was included at page 51, following a request at Finance, Audit and Risk Committee.

·         There was a high degree of uncertainty in the financial outlook and indicated that in the positive case, at the proposed spending level and with no savings the Council would need to use 21% of general reserves and in the negative case that rises to 62%.

·         However, this would still be above the minimum reserves levels of the Council in both cases.

·         The Cabinet would need to consider what savings were required in the new year, having taken into account the priorities of residents.

Having been proposed and seconded and, following a vote, it was:

RESOLVED: That Council approved the Medium-Term Financial Strategy, as attached at Appendix A.

REASON FOR DECISION: Adoption of a Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) and communication of its contents will assist in the process of forward planning the use of Council resources and in budget setting for 2026/2027 onwards, culminating in the setting of the Council Tax precept for 2026/27 in February  ...  view the full minutes text for item 58.

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

In accordance with Standing Order 4.8.11, three questions had been submitted by the required deadline set out in the Constitution.

(A)  Council Street Naming Policy for new developments

Councillor Joe Graziano to Councillor Donna Wright (Executive Member for Place)

(B)  Expansion of the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

Councillor Ralph Muncer to Councillor Donna Wright (Executive Member for Place)

(C)  Impact on local water courses from London Luton Airport

Councillor Ralph Muncer to Councillor Donna Wright (Executive Member for Place)

Audio recording – 16 minutes 38 seconds

In accordance with Standing Order 4.8.11, three questions had been submitted by the required deadline set out in the Constitution.

(A)  Council Street Naming Policy for new developments

Councillor Joe Graziano to Donna Wright, Executive Member for Place:

‘Please outline the Street Naming Policy of the Council for new developments within the district?’

Councillor Donna Wright provided the response, as follows:

‘The Councils approach to street naming and numbering is set out on the Council website, and our Officers have followed the same process for many years.

The applicant is asked to complete an online application and suggest potential road names; these suggestions are reviewed to make sure they are appropriate using published criteria. This includes making sure the suggested name will not cause confusion with existing road names in the area. Local Councillors in relevant town or parish Councils are consulted where there is agreement, or no objection and Officers confirm the name. Relevant bodies such as Royal mail, utilities and County Council advised. Where agreement cannot be reached within the consideration period, the matter can be referred to the relevant Committee Forum.’

Councillor Joe Graziano asked a supplementary question, as follows:

‘Where several residents who live in an area have a right to complain or object to road naming because it is not in the community interest or they have not been listened to what is the process if any? Is it time we have an updated policy based on discretion not based on outdated statute dating back to 1847?’

Councillor Donna Wright provided the response, as follows:

‘The Council has no particular powers or process to rescind or change the name of a street once it has been agreed. The developer can be advised to pursue the matter further if they wish and if they voluntarily approach the council to review the name, to which they previously agreed then a new consultation can take place.’

(B)  Expansion of the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

Councillor Ralph Muncer to Councillor Donna Wright, Executive Member for Place:

‘To ask the Executive Member for Place what assessment has been made as to the benefits of expanding the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty across areas of North Hertfordshire?’

Councillor Donna Wright provided the response, as follows:

‘For clarification areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty are referred to as National Landscapes in national policy and legislation, I guess as outstanding and beauty are subjective terms. Natural England were leading a project to consider changes to the boundaries to the Chiltern National Landscape but they announced this review had been cancelled in May 2025. This was reported to all Councillors through the Members Information Service in May and Cabinet in June.

In terms of the assessment of the benefits of expanding the boundaries, when the project was cancelled, Natural England advised they were hoping to share the evidence base which had been collated in due course, to inform other projects. We are waiting for this  ...  view the full minutes text for item 59.

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

There were two motions submitted in accordance with Standing Order 4.8.12.

(A)  Motion of No Confidence in the Leader of the Council

RESOLVED: That the current Leader of the Council was removed.

(B)  The Local Government Pension Scheme & Responsible Investment

RESOLVED: That Council:

(1)   Instructed the Acting Leader of the Council to write formally to the Pensions Committee of Hertfordshire County Council to:

1. Express our concerns above, and request that under its fiduciary duty, it takes action to divest from all pension fund investments in companies that profit from the manufacture of weapons and military technology used contrary to international law, and from any companies found to be profiting from business activity which is illegal under international law.

2. Request the Hertfordshire Pension Fund to apply Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards to not just directly held managed funds but also pension fund assets pooled with ACCESS.

3. Request that the Hertfordshire Pension Committee will regularly disclose details of all holdings (including directly managed and those pooled with ACCESS) annually for the public to see that the fund is complying with International Law.

(2)   Instructed that at the next scheduled review of North Hertfordshire District Council’s own Investment Strategy; the review specifically considers how to align with the above investment principles.

Audio recording – 25 minutes 15 seconds

There were two motions submitted in accordance with Standing Order 4.8.12.

Before motions were considered, Councillor Keith Hoskins, as Chair, proposed that Standing Orders 4.8.12(d) and 4.8.12(e) be suspended for the item ‘Notice of Motions’. This was seconded by Councillor Sadie Billing and, following a vote, it was:

RESOLVED: That Standing Orders 4.8.12(d) and 4.8.12(e) be suspended for the duration of Agenda Item 9 – Notice of Motions.

(A)  Motion of No Confidence in the Leader of the Council

Councillor Ruth Brown proposed the motion as follows:

‘This Council no longer has confidence in the Leader of the Council.

As such Council resolves:

That the current Leader of the Council is removed.’

Councillor David Chalmers seconded the motion Councillors Dominic Griffiths, Matt Barnes and Paul Ward confirmed that they were the three further signatories required for such a motion.

The following Members took part in the Debate:

·         Councillor Dominic Griffiths

·         Councillor Ralph Muncer

·         Councillor Donna Wright

·         Councillor Daniel Wright-Mason

·         Councillor Matt Barnes

·         Councillor Laura Williams

·         Councillor Tamsin Thomas

·         Councillor Steven Patmore

·         Councillor David Chalmers

·         Councillor Sadie Billing

·         Councillor Joe Graziano

·         Councillor Val Bryant

·         Councillor Emma Fernandes

·         Councillor Claire Strong

·         Councillor Paul Ward

·         Councillor Amy Allen

·         Councillor Nigel Mason

·         Councillor Ian Albert

·         Councillor Mick Debenham

·         Councillor Dave Winstanley

·         Councillor Vijaiya Poopalasingham

·         Councillor Claire Winchester

·         Councillor Daniel Allen

N.B. During the debate Councillor Dominic Griffiths left the Chamber and returned at 20:27, Councillor Joe Graziano left the Chamber and returned at 20:38, Councillor Ruth Clifton left the Chamber and returned at 20.41, Councillor Tina Bhartwas left the Chamber and returned at 20:45, Councillor Alistair Willoughby left the Chamber and returned at 20:45, Councillor Sean Nolan left the Chamber and returned at 20:46, Councillor Steven Patmore left the Chamber and returned at 20:47, Councillor Sean Prendergast left the Chamber and returned at 20:47.

Points raised during the Debate included that:

·         Redebating the points of Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) debate was not the point of this motion.

·         Trust had been broken between the Leader of the Council and members of the opposition.

·         The process of removing the current leader and electing a new leader would cost time and resources which was unnecessary.

·         Of the eleven Hertfordshire councils, six of chose to submit the 4 unitary model on LGR to National Government.

·         Regardless of the decision of the Council, the Government had the final say on LGR, so the decision taken at Cabinet was redundant.

·         The Leader of the Council has given lots to the community in his time as Leader.

·         Without an elected Leader, certain decisions cannot be made which would slow down all processes, including any decisions relating to LGR.

·         The argument that four Unitary Authorities was the preference of the public was not relevant, given only 587 responses were received to the consultation, out of a population of 133,000 in the district.

·         Under this Leadership the council has made strides towards being net zero by 2030.

·         Difficult decisions had to be made as part  ...  view the full minutes text for item 60.