Agenda and decisions

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Sam Collins, Dominic Griffiths, Steve Jarvis, Steven Patmore and Claire Strong.

To take as read and approve as a true record the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on the 29 January 2026.

RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the Committee held on 29 January 2026 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.

(6)         The Chair reminded Members that they had until Friday 27 February to complete the annual Outside Bodies Review Survey for each organisation that they had been appointed to.

(7)         The Chair announced that former District Councillor Jean Andrews had passed away recently.  

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.

The Chair advised that the items referred from Cabinet would be taken with the respective items on the agenda.

REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR – RESOURCES

This report sets out a Pay Policy Statement 2026/27 (Appendix 1) for Council’s consideration and approval in accordance with the requirements of Section 38 of the Localism Act 2011 (the Act), associated guidance issued under Section 40 of the Act, the Local Government Transparency Code 2015 and any other relevant legislation.

The Statement incorporates elements of existing policy and practice and is required to be agreed annually.

RESOLVED:

(1)         That Council approved the 2026/27 Pay Policy Statement attached at Appendix 1.

(2)         That Council delegated authority for revisions made in year to the Pay Policy Statement, to the Director – Resources, in consultation with the Executive Member.

REASON FOR DECISIONS: To comply with the requirements of Section 38 of the Localism Act 2011, Statutory Guidance issued under s40 and the Local Government Transparency Code 2015.

REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR – RESOURCES

For Council to consider and approve a Budget for 2026/27.  

RESOLVED: That Council:

(1)         Noted the position on the Collection Fund and how it would be funded.

(2)         Noted the position relating to the General Fund balance and that due to the risks identified a minimum balance of £3.5 million was recommended.

(3)         Noted the Chief Finance Officer’s section 25 report (Appendix D) which provided a commentary on the risks and reliability of estimates contained in the budget.

(4)         Approved the revenue savings and investments as detailed in Appendix B.

(5)         Approved the capital programme as detailed in Appendix C.

(6)         Approved a net expenditure budget of £27.524m as detailed in Appendix E.

(7)         Approved a Council Tax increase of 2.99%, which was in line with the provisions in the Medium Term Financial Strategy.

(8)         Approved bringing forward the capital budget for pool covers at the outdoor pools to 2025/26.

(9)         Noted that a Council Tax premium on Second Homes would be implemented from 1 April 2026, which adopted the decision taken by Council on 29 February 2024.

REASONS FOR DECISIONS:

(1)         To ensure that all relevant factors are considered in arriving at a budget (revenue and capital) and Council Tax level for 2026/27.

(2)         To ensure that the budget is aligned to Council priorities for 2024-28 as set out in the Council Plan.

REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR – RESOURCES

For Council to consider and approve the Investment Strategy 2026/27.  

RESOLVED: That Council:

(1)         Approved the adoption of the Investment Strategy (as attached at Appendix A).

(2)         Approved the adoption of the four clauses in relation to the Code of Practice on Treasury Management (as detailed in paragraphs 8.10 to 8.16).

REASON FOR DECISIONS: To ensure the Council’s compliance with CIPFA’s code of practice on Treasury Management, the Local Government Act 2003, statutory guidance from Government, and the CIPFA Prudential Code. As well as determining and managing the Council's risk appetite in respect of investments.

REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR – RESOURCES

The purpose of this report is to obtain approval for the Council Tax requirement and the overall Council Tax rates for the district of North Hertfordshire for 2026/27.

RESOLVED:

(1)         That it was noted that at its meeting on 29 January 2026 the Council Tax Setting Committee confirmed the amount 51,529.0 as its Council Tax base for the year 2026/2027 in accordance with regulation 3 of the Local Authorities (Calculation of Council Tax Base) Regulations 2012 (the Regulations).

a)     51,529.0 being the amount calculated by the Council, in accordance with Regulation 3 of the Regulations, as its Council Tax base for the year.

b)      

Being the amounts calculated by the Council, in accordance with Regulation 6 of the Regulations, as the amounts of its Council Tax base for the year for dwellings in those parts of its area to which one or more special items relate.

c)     That it was noted that its meeting on the 26 February 2026 the Council has calculated the Council Tax requirement for the Council’s own purposes for 2026/27 (excluding Parish precepts) as £14,211,183. As detailed in 2.2 (e) below the sum of special items is £1,779,755 and hence the total Council Tax requirement (including Parish precepts) is £15,990,938.

(2)         That the following amounts be now calculated by the Council for 2026/2027 in accordance with Sections 31A, 31B and 34 to 36 of the Local Government and Finance Act 1992 (the Act):-

g)        

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 of the Council, in accordance with Standing Order 4.8.11 (b).

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

There was one motion submitted in accordance with Standing Order 4.8.12.

(A)        Support for Trans Rights

RESOLVED: That Council:

(1)         Affirm their support for trans, non-binary, and gender diverse residents and their commitment to defending their rights and dignity.

(2)         Request the Leader of the Council to write to the Minister for Women and Equalities to:

(a)     Express the position of this Council is to support trans rights.

(b)     Request guidance on how existing legislation will continue to protect the rights of trans people.

(c)     Request clarity on whether the Government will bring forward new legislation in this area.

(3)         Commit to supporting Officers to take meaningful steps to promote safety and inclusion so that North Herts continues to be a welcoming and inclusive place for the LGBTQ+ community.

(4)         Build upon Council policies and practice to ensure that they explicitly affirm support for trans, non binary, and gender diverse people and that language used is inclusive.

(5)         Ensure that LGBTQ+ inclusion and trans awareness form part of ongoing staff and Councillor training, using existing or freely available resources.

(6)         Publicly mark and promote significant dates for the LGBTQ+ community (such as Pride, Trans Day of Visibility, etc.) through Council communications channels, as appropriate.

(7)         Continue to engage with local LGBTQ+ residents, staff, and organisations to inform Council services, community safety approaches, and staff policies (for example the recent funding with Impactful Lives).

(8)         Promote ways to report hate crimes and discrimination, ensuring that local and national support services are clearly signposted on Council platforms.

(9)         Continue to include commitments to equality, inclusion, and non-discrimination in Council supplier and partner expectations, encouraging inclusive practice in all Council linked work.

(10)     Actively encourage applications from LGBTQ+ people for Council jobs by:

(a)     Requesting officers to consider whether any changes to recruitment practices are necessary or appropriate to support inclusion, and to bring forward any recommendations through the appropriate governance route.

(b)     Reviewing recruitment processes to ensure they are inclusive and free from unnecessary barriers.

(c)     Promoting the Council as an inclusive employer via LGBTQ+ networks, events, and community groups.

(d)     Investigating whether the Council can offer the option to display pronouns during the application and onboarding process at no additional cost.