Agenda and decisions
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Contact: Email: Committee.Services@north-herts.gov.uk 01462 474655
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APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE Decision: Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Tina Bhartwas, Cathy Brownjohn, Sarah Lucas, Lisa Nash and Claire Winchester. |
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MINUTES - 21 MAY 2026 To take as read and approve as a true record the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on the 21 May 2026. Decision: RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the meeting held on 21 May 2026 were approved as a true record and signed by the Chair. |
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NOTIFICATION OF OTHER BUSINESS 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. Decision: There was no other business notified. |
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CHAIR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS 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. Decision: (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 were serious decisions, and meant that, as this was an emergency, everyone including Officers and Members had that in mind as they carried out their various roles and tasks for the benefit of the 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 would 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 announced that Karen Pullham, Accountancy Technician, had been working at North Hertfordshire for 30 years, and extended his gratitude to Karen for her services to the Council.
RESOLVED: That the Council placed on record its sincere thanks and appreciation to Karen Pullham for her long and valuable service to Local Government.
(7) The Chair announced that Jo Blake, Senior Officer (Council Tax), had been working at North Hertfordshire for 40 years, and extended his gratitude to Jo for her services to the Council.
RESOLVED: That the Council placed on record its sincere thanks and appreciation to Jo Blake for her long and valuable service to Local Government.
(8) The Chair advised that the IT Team had increased the level of security on incoming emails and that if Members would like their personal email address added to the safe sender list, they should contact IT or Committee Services with confirmation. The Chair also reminded Members that Council business should only be conducted through a North Herts Council email account. |
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PUBLIC PARTICIPATION To receive petitions, comments and questions from the public. Decision: In accordance with Standing Order 4.8.10(c), one question was submitted by a member of the public by the required deadline date set out in the Constitution.
(A) Letchworth Lido Toilets for Norton Common Users
Jessica Crighton to Councillor Amy Allen, Executive Member for Environment.
As Ms Crighton was unable to attend the meeting, the Chair presented the question to the Executive Member for Environment in their absence. |
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ITEMS REFERRED FROM OTHER COMMITTEES To consider items referred from other Committees:
6A) Cabinet – Revenue Budget Outturn 2025/26 – to be considered as a referral only.
6B) Cabinet – Treasury Management End of Year Review 2025/26 – to be considered as a referral only.
6C) Cabinet – Year End Report of Risk Management Governance – to be considered as a referral only.
6D) Finance, Audit and Risk Committee – Finance, Audit and Risk Annual Report – to be considered with Agenda Item 7.
6E) Overview and Scrutiny Committee – Annual Report of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee 2025/26 – to be considered with Agenda Item 8.
6F) Cabinet – Churchgate Regeneration Project Update & Next Steps – Part 2 – to be considered with Agenda Item 11.
6G) Cabinet – Churchgate Regeneration Project Update & Next Steps – Part 1 – to be considered with Agenda Item 12. Additional documents:
Decision: The Chair advised that Referrals 6D, 6E, 6F and 6G referred from the Cabinet, Overview and Scrutiny Committee, and Finance, Audit and Risk Committee would be taken with the respective items on the Agenda, and that Referrals 6A, 6B and 6C from Cabinet would be considered as standalone items.
6A) Cabinet – Revenue Budget Outturn 2025/26 (Final)
RESOLVED: That Council approved the net transfer from earmarked reserved, as identified in table 9, of £4.925 million.
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.
6B) Cabinet – Treasury Management End of Year 2025/26
RESOLVED: That Council:
(1) Approved the actual 2025/26 prudential and treasury indicators as detailed in Appendix B.
(2) Noted the annual Treasury Management Review for 2025/26 (Appendix B).
REASON FOR DECISIONS: 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.
6C) 2025-26 Year End Report of Risk Management Governance
RESOLVED: That Council noted the report.
REASON FOR DECISION: To provide assurance that the Council is effectively managing risk. The Council’s Risk Management Strategy details that this annual review should be presented to Council. Cabinet have responsibility for the management of risk. |
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FINANCE, AUDIT AND RISK COMMITTEE ANNUAL REPORT REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR – RESOURCES
The Annual Report (attached at Appendix A) details the work undertaken by the Finance, Audit and Risk (FAR) Committee over the last year (25/26) and describes the planned work for the coming year (26/27). Additional documents: Decision: RESOLVED: That Council noted the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee Annual Report.
REASON FOR DECISION: To provide Council with assurance as to the effectiveness of the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee. |
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ANNUAL REPORT OF THE OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE 2025/26 REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR – GOVERNANCE
To consider the Annual Report of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee regarding the 2025/2026 Civic Year. Additional documents: Decision: RESOLVED: That Council noted the Annual Report of the Overview and Scrutiny 2025/26, attached as Appendix 1.
REASON FOR DECISION: To enable Council to consider and comment on the report of the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee regarding the work of the Committee in the 2025/2026 Civic Year. |
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EXCLUSION OF PRESS AND PUBLIC To consider passing the following resolution: That under Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972, the Press and Public be excluded from the meeting on the grounds that the following report will involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 3 and 4 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the said Act (as amended). Decision: RESOLVED: That under Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972, the Press and Public were excluded from the meeting on the grounds that the following report will involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 3 and 4 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the said Act (as amended). |
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PART 2 MINUTES - 21 MAY 2026 To take as read and approve as a true record the Part 2 minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on the 21 May 2026. Decision: RESOLVED: That the Part 2 Minutes of the meeting held on 21 May 2026 were approved as a true record and signed by the Chair. |
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CHURCHGATE REGENERATION PROJECT UPDATE & NEXT STEPS - PART 2
REPORT OF DIRECTOR – ENTERPRISE
Since the previous update to Members, further work has been undertaken to assess the viability, deliverability and regeneration potential of the Churchgate site. This report provides an update on that work and seeks approval for the additional funding required to support the next phase of the project. Decision: RESOLVED: That Council approved the additional revenue funding referred to in section 10 of the report to support the next steps of the project, as set out in the Part 1 report.
REASON FOR DECISION: To proceed with the Procurement stage referenced in Part 1 of this report, the Council requires additional funding to support this work. These funds were not originally set out in the budget, as the need has been identified since the original budgets were set. The funds will be enough to cover the required package of work with the selected developer for the next phase and continue to support the regeneration project in progress to delivery. |
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CHURCHGATE REGENERATION PROJECT UPDATE & NEXT STEPS - PART 1 REPORT OF DIRECTOR – ENTERPRISE
Since the previous update to Members, further work has been undertaken to assess the viability, deliverability and regeneration potential of the Churchgate site. This report provides an update on that work and seeks approval for the additional funding required to support the next phase of the project. Decision: RESOLVED: That Council approved the additional capital/revenue funding set out in the Part 2 report to support the single competitive procurement, comprising of two phases of a partner to assist the Council with the next stage of the Churchgate Regeneration Project.
REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATION:
(1) The Council has undertaken significant technical work, specialist studies and preliminary market engagement to inform the next stage of the Churchgate Regeneration Project.
(2) The findings indicate that further feasibility, viability and delivery planning work is required before future decisions can be taken regarding the preferred delivery model and implementation of the regeneration proposals.
(3) Approval is therefore sought for the additional funding required to undertake this next phase of work, enabling future decisions to be informed by robust technical, commercial and financial evidence. |
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QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS To consider any questions submitted by Members of the Council, in accordance with Standing Order 4.8.11 (b). Additional documents: Decision: In accordance with Standing Order 4.8.11(b), five questions had been submitted by the required deadline set out in the Constitution. However, following publication of the Agenda, question (B) was withdrawn.
(A) Charnwood House, Hitchin Vacancy Period
Councillor Chris Lucas to Councillor Tamsin Thomas, Executive Member for Enterprise.
(B) Thomas Bellamy House, Hitchin Vacancy Period
The Chair advised that this question had been withdrawn.
(C) Charnwood House and Thomas Bellamy House, Hitchin Maintenance and Security Costs
Councillor Chris Lucas to Councillor Tamsin Thomas, Executive Member for Enterprise.
(D) Impact of the Planning and Infrastructure Act on North Hertfordshire
Councillor Ralph Muncer to Councillor Val Bryant, Leader of the Council.
(E) Approach to Active Travel
Councillor Ralph Muncer to Councillor Donna Wright, Executive Member for Place.
In accordance with Standing Order 4.8.11(d)(ii), one urgent question had been submitted and accepted by the Chair.
(A) Widespread Disruption from Iron Maiden concert at Knebworth House
Councillor Paul Ward to Councillor Mick Debenham, Executive Member for Regulatory. |
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To consider any motions, due notice of which have been given in accordance with Standing Order 4.8.12. Additional documents:
Decision: In accordance with Standing Order 4.8.12, three motions had been submitted by the required deadline set out in the Constitution.
(A) Objection to the National Scheme of Delegation for Planning Applications
RESOLVED: That Council instructed the Leader of the Council to write to all North Herts MPs setting out the views in the motion.
(B) Mimram Valley Local Landscape Designation Project
RESOLVED: That Council:
(1) Expressed its support for the Mimram Valley being granted Local Landscape Designation status.
(2) Instructed Officers to engage in discussions with the Mimram Valley Local Landscape Designation Project Steering Group in order to progress the ambition of the Mimram Valley being granted Local Landscape Designation status in the upcoming revision of the North Hertfordshire Local Plan.
(3) Instructed the Leader of the Council to write to the Leaders of Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council and East Hertfordshire District Council calling on their respective Councils to support the Mimram Valley being granted Local Landscape Designation status within their Local Development Plans.
(C) Future of Land Holdings South of the A505, Royston
RESOLVED: That the motion, as amended, was LOST. |