Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors David Chalmers, Matt Barnes, Elizabeth Dennis, Joe Graziano, Sean Prendergast, Tina Bhartwas and Dominic Griffiths.  

Audio recording – 1 minute 07 seconds

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors David Chalmers, Matt Barnes, Elizabeth Dennis, Joe Graziano, Sean Prendergast, Tina Bhartwas and Dominic Griffiths.

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 – 1 minute 44 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 – 1 minute 48 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.

N.B. Councillor David Barnard left the Chamber at 19.32.

To receive petitions, comments and questions from the public.

There was no public participation.

Audio recording – 3 minutes 22 seconds

There was no public participation.

To consider the election of the Leader of the Council.

RESOLVED: That Councillor Val Bryant be elected as the Leader of the Council.

Audio recording – 3 minutes 27 seconds

Councillor Laura Williams proposed Councillor Val Bryant as Leader of the Council. This was seconded by Councillor Nigel Mason.

N.B. Councillors Steven Patmore, Sam Collins entered the Chamber and David Barnard returned to the Chamber at 19.35.

As part of the Debate, Councillor Ralph Muncer noted that his Group had voted to defend democratic processes in removing the previous leader. He noted that whilst the Conservatives would not support the nomination, they would not oppose it either, and would take the same action to remove the new Leader if the will of Council was not listened to.

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

RESOLVED: That Councillor Val Bryant be elected as the Leader of the Council.

In response to being elected Leader of the Council, Councillor Val Bryant noted that:

·         She wanted to thank Councillor Daniel Allen for his work as previous Leader of the Council and the Council staff for navigating through the difficult weeks since the vote of no confidence.

·         She would be the continuity candidate and would continue with the Council Plan and Council Delivery Plan in place.

·         The work of Officers at the Council was the reason why objectives in the Council Plan were still being achieved and work delivered.

·         Councillor Sean Nolan would be the new Deputy Leader of the Council.

Councillor Claire Strong congratulated Councillor Bryant on her election and noted it was right for her to take over as previous Deputy Leader. It was important that the will of Council was adhered to, as the consequences of losing the confidence of the Chamber were now known.