Agenda and decisions

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.

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.

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.

To receive petitions, comments and questions from the public.

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.

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.

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)

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.