Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Terry Tyler, Adam Compton, David Barnard, Faye Frost, Simon Bloxham and Juan Cowell.

Audio recording – 1 minute 36 seconds

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Terry Tyler, Adam Compton, David Barnard, Faye Frost, Simon Bloxham and Juan Cowell.

Councillors Sam Collins and Phil Weeder entered the Chamber at 19.32.

To take as read and approve as a true record the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on the 25 May 2023.

RESOLVED:That the Minutes of the Meeting of the Committee held on 25 May 2023 be approved as a true record of the proceedings and be signed by the Chair.

Audio Recording – 2 minutes 34 seconds

Councillor Daniel Allen, as Chair, proposed and Councillor Elizabeth Dennis seconded and, following a vote, it was:

RESOLVED:That the Minutes of the Meeting of the Committee held on 25 May 2023 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 – 3 minutes 31 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.

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 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.

(6)        The Chair advised that the referrals at Agenda Item 8 should be numbered 8A, 8B, etc.

(7)        The Chair noted that the thoughts of the Council were with those affected by the recent fire in Baldock and advised support would be available via the Herts County Council website. 

Audio recording – 3 minutes 37 seconds

(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 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.

(6)        The Chair advised that the referrals at Agenda Item 8 should be numbered 8A, 8B, etc.

(7)        The Chair noted that the thoughts of the Council were with those affected by the recent fire in Baldock and advised support would be available via the Herts County Council website.

N.B. Councillor Daniel Marsh left the Council Chamber at 19.35 and returned at 19.36.

To receive petitions, comments and questions from the public.

There was no public participation at this meeting.  

Audio recording – 7 minutes 02 seconds

There was no public participation at this meeting.

To consider any questions submitted by Members of the Council, in accordance with Standing Order 4.8.11 (b). Any questions received prior to the deadline will be published as supplements.

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

There was also one urgent question submitted in accordance with Standing Order 4.8.11(d)(ii).

(A)  Council Response to London Luton Airport Application

Councillor Ralph Muncer to Councillor Elizabeth Dennis (Leader of the Council)

(B)  Levelling Up Funds

Councillor Terry Hone to Councillor Ian Albert (Executive Member for Finance and IT)

(C)  Council Office Reception

Councillor David Levett to Councillor Elizabeth Dennis (Leader of the Council)

(D)  Housing for Asylum Seekers

This question was accepted as urgent in accordance with 8.4.11(d)(ii) of the Constitution by the Member to which the question was addressed. The reason provided for the matter being urgent was that the issue had potential to cause community tensions and to bring the Council into disrepute.

Councillor Dominic Griffiths to Councillor Sean Prendergast (Executive Member for Housing and Environmental Health)

Audio recording – 7 minutes 11 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 Response to London Luton Airport Application

Councillor Ralph Muncer to Councillor Elizabeth Dennis (Leader of the Council).

“We note decision by Cabinet to object to the application, in conjunction with other local authorities, from Luton Rising for a Development Consent Order to increase the capacity of London Luton Airport from 18 million passengers per annum to 32 million passengers per annum.

As Luton Airport is owned by Luton Borough Council which is under the control of her Labour colleagues. Will the Leader commit to lobbying her colleagues both at Luton Council and in Westminster to oppose the unnecessary expansion of Luton Airport?”

Councillor Elizabeth Dennis gave a response as follows:

“I am of course in regular, honest and frank conversations with the Leader of Luton Borough Council, around multiple issues which affect both of our districts, our district and their borough, given the boundary that we share and the transience of our populations across that particular boundary.

Clearly Luton does rely on income from the airport to support its funding for its very complex communities and in order to meet its housing needs, and against the backdrop of uncertain funding of local government by central government. It is, of course, key to ensure the success of the borough and everybody’s opportunity to thrive in those particular spaces. The airport is, of course, also a major regional employer, providing jobs to North Herts, notwithstanding that this Council has quite clearly declared a Climate Emergency and takes those responsibilities incredibly seriously. And we have, as Councillor Muncer will note, objected to parts of the expansion in principle. I do have quite detailed commentary on this from Officers and, if it will save Council time this evening, I’m more than happy to provide that as a written response to Councillor Muncer, rather than reading it out as part of my response to this part of the question, or any supplementary.

However, I think it’s also worth drawing Councillor Muncer’s attention to the fact that Luton Rising, which was the body set up to manage not just the airport, but the benefits that fall out of it and the wider community aspects, they have set up an Environmental Impact Assessment and created a green controlled growth body. This green controlled growth aspect is new, environmentally focussed framework for managing long-term sustainable growth at London Luton Airport and it will produce binding limits. Not just binding in our terms, colleagues, but legally binding limits for the airports noise, carbon emissions, air quality and service access impacts.

The controls that are proposed, and that will be enforced, as I said are legally binding. The plans for growth would be approved by a new independent body, which would, amongst others, include representatives from both this Council and Luton Council, and clearly link through to Dacorum and other  ...  view the full minutes text for item 219.

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

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

(A)  The Great Home Upgrade

RESOLVED:

The Council:

(1)   Calls upon the Prime Minister to call for a Great Homes Upgrade and a commitment to retrofit 19 million homes by 2030.

(2)   Calls on the Chancellor to commit to investing over the next three years to begin a Great Homes Upgrade, and that the government will commit to working with housing associations, private rental properties and owner occupiers to upgrade properties for net zero and commits to setting up a retrofitting taskforce to target resources now to achieving net zero through upgrading properties.

(3)   Commits to writing to our neighbouring local authorities to ask them to join us to join the campaign.

(B)  Ecological Emergency

RESOLVED:

The Council:

(1)   Declares an ecological emergency.

(2)   Ensures that addressing the ecological emergency and nature recovery are considered as strategic priorities for planning policies and design guides for new development, including master-planning of sites, by identifying appropriate areas for habitat restoration and biodiversity net gain and ensuring that development limits impact on existing habitats in its process.

(3)   Set measurable targets and standards for biodiversity increase, in both species and quantities, seeking also to increase community engagement.

(4)   Work with our partners to establish a Local Nature Partnership for Hertfordshire as soon as possible, in keeping with the urgency of this declaration.

(5)   Work with our partners to develop Nature Recovery Networks and Nature Recovery Strategy for Hertfordshire, again in keeping with the urgency of this declaration.

(6)   Look for opportunities to work in partnership with local charities and environmental organisations to deliver nature recovery in North Hertfordshire.

(7)   Investigate new approaches to nature recovery such as habitat banking that deliver biodiversity objectives and provide new investment opportunities.

(8)   Commits to considering biodiversity net gain policies within the review of the Local Plan at the earliest achievable opportunity, with a commitment to set a local BNG policy, which goes beyond the minimum, nationally required, 10% increase.

(D)  Community Infrastructure Levy

Following the debate, and before being put to a vote, Cllr Ian Moody withdrew the motion on the basis of the statement by the Executive Member for Planning and Transport.

(C)  Waste Contract Renewal – Changes to the Residual Waste Collection Cycle

RESOLVED: That the motion was lost.

(E)  Solar Energy Policy

The Chair advised that this motion had been withdrawn.

Audio recording – 26 minutes 08 seconds

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

(A)  The Great Home Upgrade

Councillor Chris Hinchliff proposed the submitted motion as follows:

“This council believes that a green recovery from the pandemic is not only possible but imperative if we are to meet our carbon reduction targets as a local authority. However, up to now much of the proposed actions from National Government are little more than rhetoric. We need to turn rhetoric into action.

As a local authority, we have worked on several environmental actions that have assisted residents and the wider environment. These include the ‘Solar Together’ scheme, utilising the Home Upgrade Grant to improve homes that are earning under £30k annually (and with an EPC rating of E, F, or G (plus some D-rated properties)), and have worked with environmental groups throughout the district to spread eco-friendly messaging.

We note that melting ice caps and forest fires can often seem like someone else’s crisis when many are taking effect so far from our homes. But we also note that crises closer to home affecting thousands of local families cannot be separated from those further afield. Here in North Herts there are 6193 households living in fuel poverty, and many homes affected by damp. Across the UK there are more than 24 Million Homes leaking heat.

Housing in the UK is leaky and draughty. We have older housing than every EU country, and our homes leak heat three times faster than those in Northern Europe. 56% of homes in North Herts fall below a good level of energy efficiency (EPC rating C). This means we spend more money and energy keeping our homes warm. For those who can afford to, this leads to higher carbon emissions from burning fuel for heating — 14% of the UK’s total emissions come from our homes. For the 3.18 million UK households (13.4%) that can’t, living in a cold home could be putting their health at risk.

Upgrading our homes would mean that everyone can live in a warm, comfortable home that doesn’t pollute the planet. But for more than a decade, we’ve had stop-start policy when it comes to making our homes warmer and less polluting. The main problem is the Treasury’s reluctance to put proper money towards retrofitting. Right now, home upgrades are still just in the hundreds of thousands a year — just 118,000 insulation measures were installed in 2020.

There is no route to decarbonising the economy without retrofitting these more than 24 million homes across the UK. Doing so would not only help to protect our planet, but can improve housing, lead to cheaper energy bills and create hundreds of thousands of good quality jobs. Here in North Herts there are 38,873 properties that require retrofitting.

The highest standard of whole-house retrofits can mean that households only have their heating on for a few days a year. However, the Energy Efficiency Infrastructure Group (EEIG) estimates that if  ...  view the full minutes text for item 220.

Referrals included:

6A –     Referral from Cabinet: Active North Herts Strategy

6B –     Referral from Cabinet: Revenue Budget Outturn 2022/23

6C –    Referral from Cabinet: Investment Strategy (Capital and Treasury) End of Year Review 2022/23

6D –    Referral from Cabinet: Year End Report on Risk Management Governance

6E –     Referral from Finance, Audit and Risk Committee: Finance, Audit and Risk Committee Annual Report 2022-2023

8a)       Referral from Cabinet: Active North Herts Strategy

RESOLVED: A budget of £50k was approved from 2025/26 onwards, to enable the delivery of a new Active Communities programme run by the leisure operator.

REASON FOR DECISION: To ensure the Council and its stakeholder partners have a clear policy position on its approach to the future delivery of sport, leisure, physical activity and wellbeing services across the district.

8b)       Referral from Cabinet: Revenue Budget Outturn 2022/23

RESOLVED: That Council approved the net transfer from earmarked reserves, as identified in Table 9, of £5.274million.

REASONS FOR DECISION:

(1)   Members are able to monitor, make adjustments within the overall budgetary framework and request appropriate action of Services who do not meet the budget targets set as part of the Corporate Business Planning process.

(2)   Changes to the Council’s balances are monitored and approved.

8c)       Referral from Cabinet: Investment Strategy (Capital and Treasury) End of Year Review 2022/23

RESOLVED: That Council:

(1)   Approved the actual 2022/23 prudential and treasury indicators.

(2)   Noted the annual Treasury Report for 2022/23.

REASON FOR DECISION: To ensure the Council’s continued compliance with CIPFA’s code of practice on Treasury Management and the Local Government Act 2003 and that the Council manages its exposure to interest and capital risk.

8d)       Referral from Cabinet: Year End Report on Risk Management Governance

RESOLVED: That Council considered the Annual Risk Management update, including comments provided by Finance, Audit and Risk Committee.

REASON FOR DECISION: The responsibility for ensuring the management of risks is that of the Cabinet, who were responsible for monitoring the effective development and operation of Risk Management.

8e)       Referral from Finance, Audit and Risk Committee: Finance, Audit and Risk Committee Annual Report 2022-2023

The Chair advised that this referral would be taken alongside Agenda Item 10 ‘Finance Audit and Risk Committee Annual Report 2022-2023’.

Audio recording – 120 minutes 14 seconds

N.B. Ahead of this item, there was a break in proceedings and the meeting reconvened at 21.30. During the break Councillors Sam Collins, James Denselow and Michael Weeks left the Chamber and did not return.

8a)       Referral from Cabinet: Active North Herts Strategy

Councillor Steve Jarvis, Executive Member for Environment, Leisure and Green Spaces, presented the referral from Cabinet on the ‘Active North Herts Strategy’ and advised that:

·         The Active Communities Officer role needed to be provided and for the next two years this was funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, but Council would need to fund this role in the future.

·         Therefore, it was proposed that this be included as part of the leisure procurement process and provided by whoever takes over the provision of leisure services from 2024.

·         There was no financial implication this year but would need to fund this role from 2025 if Council wanted it to continue.

Councillor Steve Jarvis proposed and Councillor Alistair Willoughby seconded and, following a vote, it was:

RESOLVED: A budget of £50k was approved from 2025/26 onwards, to enable the delivery of a new Active Communities programme run by the leisure operator.

REASON FOR DECISION: To ensure the Council and its stakeholder partners have a clear policy position on its approach to the future delivery of sport, leisure, physical activity and wellbeing services across the district.

8b)       Referral from Cabinet: Revenue Budget Outturn 2022/23

Councillor Ian Albert, Executive Member for Finance and IT, presented the referral from Cabinet on the ‘Revenue Budget Outturn 2022/23’ and advised that:

·         The report outlined the final revenue budget for the full year 2022-23 and noted the draft final spend of £16.7million.

·         The allocated Covid relief provision was not required as expected and there were higher than expected investment returns.

·         Funding available for any future issues was detailed in the report.

·         This report sought approval to transfer earmarked reserves, which had been used to fund expenditure throughout the year.

Councillor Ian Albert proposed and Councillor Alistair Willoughby seconded and, following a vote, it was:

RESOLVED: That Council approved the net transfer from earmarked reserves, as identified in Table 9, of £5.274million.

REASONS FOR DECISION:

(1)  Members are able to monitor, make adjustments within the overall budgetary framework and request appropriate action of Services who do not meet the budget targets set as part of the Corporate Business Planning process.

(2)  Changes to the Council’s balances are monitored and approved.

8c)       Referral from Cabinet: Investment Strategy (Capital and Treasury) End of Year Review 2022/23

Councillor Ian Albert, Executive Member for Finance and IT, presented the referral from Cabinet on the ‘Investment Strategy (Capital and Treasury) End of Year Review 2022/23’ and advised that:

·         The report set out the position on capital budgets for the full year 2022-2023 and the treasury returns.

·         Details of revised timetables were included within the report.

·         Capital would need to be kept under review in the current year.

·         The report confirmed that the Council  ...  view the full minutes text for item 221.

REPORT OF THE CHAIR OF OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY 2022-2023

To consider the Annual report of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee regarding the 2022/2023 Civic Year.

RESOLVED: That Full Council noted the Annual Report of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee 2022-2023.

REASON FOR DECISION: To enable Council to consider the report of the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee regarding the work of that Committee in the 2022/2023 Civic Year.

Audio recording – 130 minutes 00 seconds

Councillor David Levett presented the report entitled ‘Overview and Scrutiny Committee Annual Report 2022-2023’ and thanked Members who took part, Officers who supported and presenter who attended the meetings throughout the year.

Councillor David Levett proposed and Councillor Val Bryant seconded and, following a vote, it was:

RESOLVED: That Full Council noted the Annual Report of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee 2022-2023.

REASON FOR DECISION: To enable Council to consider the report of the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee regarding the work of that Committee in the 2022/2023 Civic Year.

REPORT OF THE SERVICE DIRECTOR: RESOURCES

To consider the Annual Report of the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee for the 2022/23 Civic Year.

RESOLVED: That Full Council noted the Annual Report of the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee 2022-2023.

REASON FOR DECISION: To provide Full Council with assurance as to the effectiveness of the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee.

Audio recording – 131 minutes 35 seconds

Councillor Sean Nolan presented the referral from Cabinet regarding the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee Annual Report 2022-2023 and advised that:

·         It was important to highlight the Action Plan developed from the recommendations of the recent Peer Review.

·         A number of items had been delayed into next year as detailed in the report.

·         The draft accounts from the previous year had not been approved and the Service Director – Resources could provide further information on this.

The Service Director – Resources presented the report entitled ‘Finance, Audit and Risk Committee Annual Report 2022-2023’ and advised that:

·         He thanked Councillor Terry Tyler for his work as role of Chair of Finance, Audit and Risk Committee in 2022-2023.

·         The Annual Report highlighted the achievements of the past year and an overview of proposed work for upcoming year.

·         Whilst many reports to the Committee are cyclical in nature, the report also highlighted the additional items.

In response to a question from Councillor Terry Hone, the Service Director – Resources advised that:

·         There were two delays at the moment. The first was to the outstanding audit and approval of the 2021-2022 accounts. The current inherent delays in audits of Council accounts had already meant that the North Herts Council audit had been delayed. The triennial valuation of the pension fund then  took place before the audit was completed, which resulted in a significant movement.

·         Due to this the audit had to look again at the pension numbers, due to the value of the differences.  

·         It was hoped that a final outcome would be provided in the next few weeks and that the 2021-22 accounts would be approved in September.

·         Due to the variance with pension funds from 2021-22, this had an impact on the opening balance of 2022-2023, therefore it would not be appropriate at this stage to release the final draft accounts.

·         Once the pension numbers for 2022-23 were available, then the draft accounts would be issued. This would be followed by a period for public inspection of the accounts. The audit of the 2022-23 accounts would then follow, however this was not likely to be before November in any event.

Councillor Sean Nolan proposed and Councillor Terry Hone seconded and, following a vote, it was:

RESOLVED: That Full Council noted the Annual Report of the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee 2022-2023.

REASON FOR DECISION: To provide Full Council with assurance as to the effectiveness of the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee.

REPORT OF THE MONITORING OFFICER

This is the Annual Report in relation to ethical standards for the last year. It covers the work of the Committee as well as the issues that have arisen locally and nationally on ethical standards matters.

RESOLVED: That Council received and noted the Annual Report.

REASON FOR DECISION: In line with recommended good governance practice to report the work of Standards Committee to the full Membership, to promote and maintain high standards of conduct and to demonstrate a strong commitment to ethical values.

Audio recording – 137 minutes 09 seconds

Councillor Ruth Brown presented the report entitled ‘Annual Report of the Standard Committee’ and advised of the following, that:

·         For most of the 2022-23 Civic Year it was the late Councillor Judi Billing as Chair, who was passionate about standards in public life.

N.B. Councillor Lisa Nash and Cathy Brownjohn left the Chamber at 21.48 and did not return.

·         There were three Independent and Reserve Independent Persons on the Committee, who were very good and took the role very seriously, and their views were welcomed by the Committee.

·         Thanked the Independent Persons, Monitoring Officer and Deputy Monitoring Officers who all played a role in upholding standards at the Council.

·         All District Councillor undertook the mandatory Code of Conduct training. This was also made available to Parish Councillors and uploaded to GrowZone for Members to view.

·         A large number of complaints had been received but was down on the previous year. Each complaint was very resource intensive, but it was important to have a robust procedure that dealt with complaints fairly and independently. 

·         Only one meeting of the Committee took place and this focussed on discussing complaints and an update to the Complaints Handling Procedure at the Council.

In response to a question from Councillor David Levett, the Service Director – Legal and Community advised that the Parish Councillor attendance at the Code of Conduct session could have been better, but the slides were provided to all Parish Clerks to circulate to their Councillors.

Councillor Ruth Brown proposed and Councillor Ralph Muncer seconded and, following a vote, it was:

RESOLVED: That Council received and noted the Annual Report.

REASON FOR DECISION: In line with recommended good governance practice to report the work of Standards Committee to the full Membership, to promote and maintain high standards of conduct and to demonstrate a strong commitment to ethical values.

REPORT OF THE MONITORING OFFICER AND SERVICE DIRECTOR: LEGAL AND COMMUNITIES

The purpose of this report is to authorise amendments to Standing Order 4.2 of Appendix 1 Annex A of the Hertfordshire Growth Board (HGB) Standing Orders in relation to the appointment of the Chair & Vice Chair (in Section 11 of the Council’s Constitution).

It is also to seek pre-emptive permission to amend relevant sections of the Constitution, in relation to the Service Director: Regulatory’s delegations (predominantly in sections 12 and 14) that relate to Housing & Environmental Health, and for the Monitoring Officer to do so if/ when the recruitment to the temporary post has been successful.

RESOLVED:

(1)   That the amendments as set out within this report to Standing Order 4.2 contained within Appendix 1 Annex A of the HGB Standing Orders, in Section 11 of the NHC Constitution were approved.

(2)   That the Council delegated authority to the Monitoring Officer to undertake any necessary amendments to the Constitution, in respect of the Service Director: Regulatory and the Service Director: Housing & Environment (to take effect on successful appointment/ commencement).

REASONS FOR DECISIONS:

(1)   Section 11 of the Constitution contains the Standing Order 4.2 contained within Appendix 1 Annex A the Hertfordshire Growth Board Standing Orders deals with the re-appointment of the Chair and states:

“The appointment of the Chair described in 4.1 shall be for a term up to the first meeting of the HGB that follows both the 2021 local elections and the 2021 Annual Meetings of the constituent Councils (the Post-Election Meeting). At the Post Election Meeting, the Board may either re-appoint the same member as Agenda Item 12 Chair or appoint a new Chair for a term of two years. Save in the above case, the Chair shall serve a single consecutive term of two years.”

(2)   It has been identified that the wording of Standing Order 4.2 is ambiguous and unclear in relation to the term of Chairs and the re-election of Chairs for periods exceeding two years. Therefore, each member council has been consulted on amendments to Standing Order 4.2, which will make it clearer, and which will allow for the re-election of the current Chair. The Hertfordshire County Council’s Monitoring Officer has requested that this be brought to the Council meeting in July.

(3)   It is therefore recommended that 4.2 is amended to:

“With effect from the Annual General Meeting 2023 the appointment of the Chair and Vice Chair shall be decided annually as the first substantive item of business at the AGM.”

(4)   To ensure that effective delegations can be put in place in time for any new (temporary) appointment.

Audio recording – 141 minutes 24 seconds

The Service Director – Legal and Community presented the report entitled ‘Amendments to the Hertfordshire Growth Board Standing Orders in Relation to the Appointment of the Chair and Vice-Chair and pre-emptively seeking authority to amend Service Director: Regulatory Delegations’. The latter was in advance of the temporary appointment of a Service Director: Housing and Environmental Health.

In response to a question from Councillor Ralph Muncer regarding the recruitment of the temporary Service Director, the Service Director – Legal and Community advised that it was not for her to go into detail on the appointment process, but that interviews had been completed and the appointment was pending.

Councillor Elizabeth Dennis proposed and Councillor Ruth Brown seconded and, following a vote, it was:

RESOLVED:

(1)  That the amendments as set out within this report to Standing Order 4.2 contained within Appendix 1 Annex A of the HGB Standing Orders, in Section 11 of the NHC Constitution were approved.

(2)  That the Council delegated authority to the Monitoring Officer to undertake any necessary amendments to the Constitution, in respect of the Service Director: Regulatory and the Service Director: Housing & Environment (to take effect on successful appointment/ commencement).

REASONS FOR DECISIONS:

(1)  Section 11 of the Constitution contains the Standing Order 4.2 contained within Appendix 1 Annex A the Hertfordshire Growth Board Standing Orders deals with the re-appointment of the Chair and states:

“The appointment of the Chair described in 4.1 shall be for a term up to the first meeting of the HGB that follows both the 2021 local elections and the 2021 Annual Meetings of the constituent Councils (the Post-Election Meeting). At the Post Election Meeting, the Board may either re-appoint the same member as Agenda Item 12 Chair or appoint a new Chair for a term of two years. Save in the above case, the Chair shall serve a single consecutive term of two years.”

(2)  It has been identified that the wording of Standing Order 4.2 is ambiguous and unclear in relation to the term of Chairs and the re-election of Chairs for periods exceeding two years. Therefore, each member council has been consulted on amendments to Standing Order 4.2, which will make it clearer, and which will allow for the re-election of the current Chair. The Hertfordshire County Council’s Monitoring Officer has requested that this be brought to the Council meeting in July.

(3)  It is therefore recommended that 4.2 is amended to:

“With effect from the Annual General Meeting 2023 the appointment of the Chair and Vice Chair shall be decided annually as the first substantive item of business at the AGM.”

(4)  To ensure that effective delegations can be put in place in time for any new (temporary) appointment.