Agenda and decisions

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors David Barnard, Val Bryant, Clare Billing, Rhona Cameron, Ruth Clifton, Elizabeth Dennis, Claire Strong, Tamsin Thomas and Stewart Willoughby.

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 advised Members to encourage parish councils within their respective wards to respond to the consultation on Developer Contributions sent out by the Task & Finish Group before the deadline on 20 November 2025.

(7)         The Chair advised Members to submit their comments on the Polling District Review consultation by 30 November 2025 and that Full Council would designate polling places at the meeting in January.

(8)         The Chair encouraged all Members to attend Youth Democracy Day on 20 November 2025 and to direct any questions about the day to Committee Services.

(9)         The Chair advised Members that the Council would be supporting White Ribbon Day 2025 by holding a White Ribbon Pledge Event and Bake Sale on 25 November 2025 at the Council Offices and that all Members were welcome to attend.   

To receive petitions, comments and questions from the public.

The Chair invited Mr Ben Smithson to provide Council with a verbal presentation on Item 5 – Local Government Reorganisation in Hertfordshire – Submission of Final Proposals.

REPORT OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE

This report sets out the proposed submission to Government, developed by all eleven Hertfordshire local authorities and the Police and Crime Commissioner, for the future organisation of Local Government in Hertfordshire. Given the importance of the issue this report is being presented to Full Council to facilitate a debate on the options, prior to Cabinet’s meeting on 19 November 2025 at which the decision will be taken as to which option is preferred by the Council.

RESOLVED:

(1)         That Council noted the content of this report and the draft Hertfordshire submission document at Appendix A which formed the proposed collective submission to Government on Local Government Reorganisation.

(2)         That Council indicated its support for a preferred option, to be considered by Cabinet as part of its deliberations on 19 November 2025, was to submit the proposal and identify a two unitary option as preferred.

REASON FOR DECISIONS: On 5 February 2025, the Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution wrote to all leaders of two-tier councils to formally invite them to develop proposals for a single tier of local government in their counties. Cabinet is legally required to make the decision as to this Council’s response to the Minister’s request, but the recommendations allow all councillors to consider and debate this important issue before an indicative nonbinding vote, which will be considered by Cabinet as part of its decision making on 19 November 2025.