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Agenda, decisions and minutes

Venue: This will be a Virtual Meeting

Contact: Committee Services (01462) 474655  Email: committee.services@north-herts.gov.uk

Media

Items
No. Item

41.

WELCOME AND REMOTE/PARTLY REMOTE MEETINGS PROTOCOL SUMMARY pdf icon PDF 122 KB

Members are requested to ensure that they are familiar with the attached summary of the Remote/Partly Remote Meetings Protocol. The full Remote/Partly Remote Meetings Protocol has been published and is available here: https://www.north-herts.gov.uk/home/council-and-democracy/council-and-committee-meetings.

Decision:

The Chair welcomed everyone to this virtual Hitchin Committee meeting that was being conducted with Members and Officers at various locations, communicating via audio/video and online and advised that there was the opportunity for the public and press to listen and view proceedings.

 

The Committee, Member and Scrutiny Officer gave advice regarding the following:

 

           Attendance;

           Live Streaming;

           Noise interference;

           Voting.

 

The Chair, Councillor Ian Albert, started the meeting proper.

Minutes:

Audio Recording – 9 seconds.

 

The Chair welcomed everyone to this virtual Hitchin Committee meeting that was being conducted with Members and Officers at various locations, communicating via audio/video and online and advised that there was the opportunity for the public and press to listen and view proceedings.

 

The Committee, Member and Scrutiny Officer gave advice regarding the following:

 

           Attendance;

           Live Streaming;

           Noise interference;

           Voting.

 

The Chair, Councillor Ian Albert, started the meeting proper.

42.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Decision:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Kay Tart.

Minutes:

Audio recording – 3 minutes 25 seconds.

 

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Kay Tart.

43.

MINUTES - 10 MARCH 2020 TO 1 DECEMBER 2020 pdf icon PDF 4 KB

To take as read and approve as a true record the minutes of the meetings of the Committee held on:

 

10 March 2020;

30 June 2020;

29 September 2020;

1 December 2020.

Additional documents:

Decision:

RESOLVED:

 

(1)       That the Minutes of the Meeting of the Hitchin Committee held on 30 June 2020, 29 September 2020, 1 December 2020 be approved as a true record of the proceedings

 

(2)       That the Committee, Member and Scrutiny Officer be authorised to apply the Chair’s digital signature to the minutes approved above.

Minutes:

Audio Recording – 8 minutes 10 seconds.

 

RESOLVED:

 

(1)       That the Minutes of the Meeting of the Hitchin Committee held on 30 June 2020, 29 September 2020, 1 December 2020 be approved as a true record of the proceedings

 

(2)       That the Committee, Member and Scrutiny Officer be authorised to apply the Chair’s digital signature to the minutes approved.

44.

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.

Minutes:

Audio recording – 9 minutes 20 seconds.

 

There was no other business notified.

45.

CHAIR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS

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 welcomed those present at the meeting, especially those who had attended to give a presentation;

 

(2)       The Chair advised that, in accordance with Council Policy, the meeting would be audio recorded;

 

(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 some of the speakers listed under Item 8 – Public Participation would be invited to address the Committee alongside the other agenda items with which they were concerned.

Minutes:

Audio Recording – 9 minutes 29 seconds.

 

(1)       The Chair welcomed those present at the meeting, especially those who had attended to give a presentation;

 

(2)       The Chair advised that, in accordance with Council Policy, the meeting would be audio recorded;

 

(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 some of the speakers listed under Item 8 – Public Participation would be invited to address the Committee alongside the other agenda items with which they were concerned.

 

46.

MESSAGE FROM THOMAS FESER - LORD MAYOR OF BINGEN AM RHEIN

To receive and view a video message from Thomas Feser, Lord Mayor of the City of Bingen am Rhein twinned with Hitchin.

Decision:

The Committee received and viewed a video message from Thomas Feser, Lord Mayor of the City of Bingen am Rhein twinned with Hitchin.

Minutes:

Audio Recording – 3 minutes 42 seconds.

 

The Committee received and viewed a video message from Thomas Feser, Lord Mayor of the City of Bingen am Rhein twinned with Hitchin.

 

The Chair conveyed a message of thanks from the Committee and the Hitchin Town Twinning Association.

47.

HERTFORDSHIRE CONSTABULARY

To receive the annual update from the Hertfordshire Constabulary on their work in the Hitchin area.

Decision:

Sergeant Alan Clarke, Hertfordshire Constabulary, presented the annual update on crime reporting and prevention in the Hitchin Committee area.

Minutes:

Audio Recording – 10 minutes 45 seconds.

 

Sergeant Alan Clarke, Hertfordshire Constabulary, presented the annual update on crime reporting and prevention in the Hitchin Committee area. The following information was provided:

 

·                COVID and lockdown measures had a significant impact on crime reporting;

·                The comparison provided compared 1 April 2020 – 1 March 2021 with the same period in previous years;

·                There were 1660 crimes recorded in the Hitchin area during the year, down 20% from the previous year;

·                This was in part due to COVID.

 

Burglary

·                Residential - 51 reports, down from 77 the year prior.

·                Business - 34 offences, down from 53.

 

Theft from Motor Vehicle

·                60 reported offences, down from 70

 

Domestic Abuse

·                Members will have seen awareness material and discussion in the media around domestic abuse

·                Reports of domestic abuse in the North Hertfordshire area as a whole were down by 14%

 

Robberies

·                13 reports, down from 22

·                1 reported robbery of a business

 

Violence against the Person

·                593 reports, down from 682

 

Criminal Damage

·                177 reports, down from 254

 

Theft

·                From shops: 130 reported, down from 153

·                Theft from persons tended to be targeted against the elderly;

·                Theft from persons had an 80% decrease on last year, with 10 reports

 

Drugs

·                Up slightly, to 91 reports from 89 in the previous year

·                Every drugs offence recorded has a positive outcome in that possession is identified

 

Anti-social Behaviour

·                Large decrease in antisocial behaviour rules, by and large due to lockdown regulations

 

Neighbourhood Watch

·                There had been positive uptake in the Hitchin Area for the neighbourhood watch/OWL service, approximately 25% of households in Hitchin were registered

 

Other Matters

·                Priority Setting forums had to go virtual;

·                The meeting in December determined the two priorities for the service were speeding and drugs (with related antisocial behaviour)

·                The next priority setting forum would be in the week commencing 12April 2021;

 

 

The following Members asked questions:

 

·                Councillor Paul Clark

·                Councillor Judi Billing

·                Councillor Clare Billing

·                Councillor Richard Thake

 

In response to questions Sergeant Alan Clarke responded as follows:

 

·                Hitchin ward councillors will be invited to the next priority setting forum;

·                The constabulary were supportive of any effort to gain evidence of offences around Woodside Car Park and would continue discussions outside of this meeting;

·                Responsibility for parking enforcement sat with civil enforcement officers but patrol routes could be used to ensure problem areas were well monitored;

·                If Members or the public had concerns about dangerous parking or wilful obstruction they should contact 111;

·                Virtual consultation for priority setting was at this time by survey/email but video meetings were a possibility;

·                It was important not to take a reduction in reported domestic abuse cases as positive news at face value. Reporting indicates confidence from the public in the ability to address domestic abuse issues and it was known that cases are underreported.

·                There was a dedicated team in the constabulary for responding to domestic abuse cases and great importance was placed on the issue by the police.

 

The Chair thanked Sergeant. Alan  ...  view the full minutes text for item 47.

48.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION - GETTING ROOTED CIC pdf icon PDF 158 KB

To receive petitions, comments and questions from the public including:

 

·                Getting Rooted – Hitchin

·                Hitchin Band

·                Hitchin Bridge Club

·                Charnwood Community Management Association

·                Citizens Advice North Hertfordshire

 

The Chair may take presentations from public speakers alongside their respective agenda items.

Additional documents:

Decision:

The Chair invited Ms Aletheia Mashiri – Getting Rooted CIC to present to the Committee in support of their grant application.

 

The Chair thanked Ms Aletheia Mashiri for her presentation.

 

N.B The details of the decision relating to the grant application of Getting Rooted CIC are detailed at Minute 54 – Grant Application – Getting Rooted CIC.

 

The Chair invited Mr Allan Hooker, Mr Keith Birch and Ms Dinah Birch to present to their paper on accommodation from Hitchin Band.

 

The Chair thanked the representatives from Hitchin Band for their presentation.

 

N.B In view of later discussion regarding community space for organisations in Hitchin the debate and decision regarding this presentation has been included at Minute 55 – Ward Matters and Outside Organisations.

Minutes:

Audio recording – 33 minutes 32 seconds.

 

The Chair invited Ms Aletheia Mashiri – Getting Rooted CIC to present to the Committee in support of their grant application.

 

Ms Aletheia Mashiri gave a presentation including:

 

·                Their project was based in Ron’s Plot, a community allotment in Westmill, and focussed on maintaining the allotment, growing produce, and sharing the benefits of the allotment with the community;

·                Getting Rooted CIC promoted permaculture values of caring for the community and the earth, and sharing the produce of their work, which tied in with the values of NHDC;

·                Getting Rooted CIC offered training courses for volunteers and staff at a range of levels;

·                Courses had continued throughout lockdown where possible and were made COVID-safe with social distancing, timetabling, and outdoor work;

·                Gardening at the allotment had many mental health and social wellbeing benefits, and the project promoted growth and learning in its volunteers and members;

·                Getting Rooted CIC was interfacing with pre-school settings to widen their teaching offer.

 

The Chair thanked Ms Aletheia Mashiri for her presentation.

 

N.B The details of the decision relating to the grant application of Getting Rooted CIC are detailed at Minute 55 – Grant Application – Getting Rooted CIC.

49.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION - HITCHIN BAND

Minutes:

Audio Recording – 1 hour 5 minutes.

 

The Chair invited Mr Allan Hooker, Mr Keith Birch and Ms Dinah Birch to present to their paper on accommodation from Hitchin Band.

 

The Chair thanked the representatives from Hitchin Band for their presentation.

 

N.B In view of later discussion regarding community space for organisations in Hitchin the debate and decision regarding this presentation has been included at Minute 56 – Ward Matters and Outside Organisations.

50.

HITCHIN BID MANAGER

To receive a verbal presentation from the Hitchin BID Manager.

Decision:

Mr Tom Hardy, Hitchin BID Manager, thanked the Chair for the opportunity to address the Committee and gave a verbal presentation regarding the issues and activities in Hitchin Town Centre.

 

The Chair thanked Tom Hardy for his presentation.

Minutes:

Audio recording – 46 minutes.

 

Mr Tom Hardy, Hitchin BID Manager, thanked the Chair for the opportunity to address the Committee and gave a verbal presentation regarding the issues and activities in Hitchin Town Centre and drew attention to the following:

 

·                A newsletter from the BID would be released at the end of the month laying out the town centre re-opening plan;

·                The BID had moved quickly on business support during lockdown with successful email updates and subsidised PPE purchases;

·                The Eat al Fresco project had been a success and was due to return on 12 April in the market place; it was suggested to Councillors that they consider opening up Bancroft Gardens as a location for outdoor dining;

·                The Christmas Market planned for 3 weeks last year lasted for two and a half but was otherwise successful;

·                A new shopping map highlighting independent stores and eateries with an online version was being developed;

·                The Hitchin Basket Project was expanding with increased e-commerce options;

·                A QR code scheme to allow online purchase of goods visible in shop windows was being developed, facilitating events like night markets;

·                Outdoor hand sanitisation stations in town had been vandalised but lasted for the last 12 months with continuous use;

·                The re-opening project had four main objectives of reminding the public about the stores open, reassuring the public it was safe to shop, encouraging the public to visit the town centre, and promoting the features of Hitchin’s unique offer;

·                Various online social media campaigns were in development and the newspaper going to print featured good news stories and business promotion of events for the next 12 months, as well as a piece from NHDC and the North Herts Museum;

·                A promotional video would be released;

·                The Pubwatch group and night rangers would be returning to action and the town centre ranger team was currently dealing with shoplifting and graffiti work; 

·                The discount commercial waste management scheme would restart and the cardboard collection team was currently busy;

·                Floral displays in the town centre would be added to with EU funding and spaced to promote social distancing;

·                Awards would be given to businesses that persevered through the pandemic;

·                An audit was being carried out on bollards and green box electrical cupboards that needed repainting;

·                The spring cleanup in April was going ahead;

·                The Hitchin BID Manager now sat on the Hitchin Markets Board and new traders were coming to the market;

·                No large town events were planned until June and discussions were underway with Hitchin Festival and Councillor Keith Hoskins regarding the use of the Dell;

·                Plans were in place for street days to continue, with the beach returning on the market place, food festivals planned, the French market in October, and the return of the Christmas Markets planned for December;

·                In 2020 Hitchin lost 17 businesses and gained 18, with new stores including a furniture shop, estate agents, a law firm, and a baby & pram shop;

·                There were some problems with a vendor on the market  ...  view the full minutes text for item 50.

51.

CITIZENS ADVICE NORTH HERTFORDSHIRE - PROVISION OF SERVICES IN HITCHIN

To discuss the provision of services in Hitchin by Citizens Advice North Hertfordshire with Rosie Waters, CEO.

Decision:

Ms Rosie Waters, CEO North Hertfordshire Citizens Advice thanked the Chair for the opportunity to address the Committee and gave a presentation regarding the future provision of services in the Hitchin area and the accommodation needs of the Citizens Advice service.

 

The Chair thanked Ms Rosie Waters for her presentation.

Minutes:

Audio Recording – 1 hour 22 minutes.                                           

 

Ms Rosie Waters, CEO North Hertfordshire Citizens Advice thanked the Chair for the opportunity to address the Committee and gave a presentation regarding the future provision of services in the Hitchin area and the accommodation needs of the Citizens Advice service including:

 

·                Citizens Advice had supported 671 clients with a Hitchin address in the last year;

·                Clients in Hitchin brought more overlapping issues in need of advice indicating additional layers of complexity and vulnerability in the community;

·                Universal Credit had been a top issue, followed by other benefits including Personal Independence Payments, Employment Support Allowance, issues around debt, housing and unemployment;

·                Citizens Advice was rethinking its face to face provision in the District and in Hitchin had additional concerns about their current use of Thomas Bellamy House;

·                Pre-pandemic it was open two days a week but during COVID restrictions face to face contact had been limited, providing an opportunity to reconsider the way forward before re-opening;

·                Before the pandemic a few hundred Hitchin clients would travel to Letchworth on the basis that Thomas Bellamy House appeared closed or inaccessible, and its location in town was not the most desirable for a welcoming public advice service;

·                It was not a fully accessible building which caused problems for clients with accessibility needs;

·                Citizens Advice had developed their multi-channel advice service making use of telephone, webchat, email and video conferencing calls but found that face to face advice was essential for vulnerable residents and complex needs; face to face contact would have to return while alternative provision continued;

·                There were three main options for the return of face to face service and the Committee was being asked for its input in deciding between the options: staying at Thomas Bellamy House, dispensing with permanent premises and developing a rolling in-reach schedule, or finding alternative premises in a more prominent part of town;

·                Permanent premises would require the use of 2-3 rooms, with space to conduct confidential meetings, but Citizens Advice was more than happy to share with other community organisations;

·                Citizens Advice aimed to restart face to face provision at Stage 2 of the Government pandemic recovery roadmap, making use of outdoor spaces – re-opening an office space would wait until one of the options outlined above had been settled on.

 

The Chair thanked Ms Rosie Waters for her presentation.

 

The following Members asked questions and contributed to the discussion:

 

·                Councillor Keith Hoskins

·                Councillor Simon Harwood

·                Councillor Ian Albert

·                Councillor Martin Stears-Handscomb

·                Councillor Richard Thake

 

Points raised included:

 

·                The trust that owned the Sanctuary on the corner of Grove Road and Nightingale Road were looking to dispose of it;

·                Creating a community hub would be beneficial, in particular if it involved the re-opening of the credit union;

·                Thomas Bellamy House was still viable for use in the short term while the Council looked at other options;

·                Purchasing the Churchgate Centre could present a solution;

·                The Council should be more ambitious in exploring projects with long term commercial  ...  view the full minutes text for item 51.

52.

DISCUSSION ITEM - CHARNWOOD HOUSE pdf icon PDF 299 KB

To discuss options for the future use of Charnwood House.

Additional documents:

Decision:

The Chair invited Councillor Keith Hoskins to provide a summary update on the Council’s position with respect to Charnwood House.

 

Mr Bernard Eddleston, Charnwood House Management Association, thanked the Chair for the opportunity to address the Committee and gave a presentation on Charnwood Management Association’s vision regarding the future of Charnwood House as an asset for community use.

 

The Chair thanked Mr Bernard Eddleston for his presentation.

Minutes:

Audio Recording: 1 hour 51 minutes.

 

The Chair invited Councillor Keith Hoskins to provide a summary update on the Council’s position with respect to Charnwood House.

 

Mr Bernard Eddleston, Charnwood House Community Management Association (CHCMA), thanked the Chair for the opportunity to address the Committee and gave a presentation Charnwood Management Association’s vision regarding the future of Charnwood House as an asset for community use including:

 

·                The CHCMA were pleased with the decision reached by Cabinet and welcomed the opportunity to work with NHDC on a wider resident survey;

·                The trustee body needed to be strengthened and an active recruitment campaign for trustees with a range of skills was ongoing;

·                They were engaged with positive discussions with the Architectural Heritage Fund and had received encouragement to apply for grant funding;

·                In order to make an application the CHCMA needed a letter of support in principal from the Council;

·                The CHCMA was willing to discuss providing accommodation with other organisations including North Herts Citizens Advice and the Hitchin Band.

 

The Chair thanked Bernard Eddleston for his presentation.

 

The following Members asked questions and took part in the discussion:

 

·                Councillor Judi Billing

·                Councillor Ian Albert

·                Councillor Keith Hoskins

·                Councillor Martin Stears-Handscomb

 

Points raised included:

 

·                An update on the progress of the resident survey would come soon;

·                The issue of museum storage would need to be addressed with a timescale identified;

·                The Architectural Heritage Fund could be approached to offer advice on what sort of agreement in principal they would require;

·                Progress on this topic was wanted but the practicalities of the arrangement had to be evened out first;

·                A letter of agreement in principal would rest on a policy decision which meant referral to internal Council structures.

53.

COMMUNITY ASSET TRANSFER - HITCHIN BRIDGE CLUB pdf icon PDF 206 KB

REPORT OF THE SENIOR ESTATES SURVEYOR

To enable the Hitchin Committee to comment on the report entitled Community Asset Transfer -  Hitchin Bridge Club prior to consideration by Cabinet.

Additional documents:

Decision:

The Senior Estates Surveyor presented the report entitled “Community Asset Transfer – Hitchin Bridge Club” along with the appendices.

 

The Chair invited Ms Margaret Eddleston, Hitchin Bridge Club, to address the Committee.

 

The Chair thanked Ms Margaret Eddleston for her presentation.

 

RECOMMENDED TO CABINET: That Cabinet provides its decision in principle to grant a leasehold interest in land at Cadwell Lane, Hitchin to Hitchin Bridge Club as per Recommendation 2.1 in the report due to be considered by Cabinet on 16 March 2021.

 

REASON FOR RECOMMENDATION: To ensure that Hitchin Committee is able to comment on the report entitled Community Asset Transfer – Hitchin Bridge Club.

Minutes:

Audio Recording – 2 hours 5 minutes.

 

The Senior Estates Surveyor presented the report entitled “Community Asset Transfer – Hitchin Bridge Club” along with the appendices:

 

·                Community Asset Transfer - Hitchin Bridge Club - Report due to be considered by Cabinet - NHDC CR Estates - 18th Jan 2021

·                Appendix A - Site plan of NHDC’s freehold recreation ground

·                Appendix B - Site plan of HBC’s proposed lease demise

·                Appendix C - HBC’s expression of interest.docx

·                Appendix D - Comments from HBC members on benefits of playing bridge

·                Appendix E -HBC and its relationship with Hitchin, the local and wider community

·                Appendix F - Membership breakdown of HBC

·                Appendix G - HBC during Covid-19 lockdown

·                Appendix H - NHDC’s insight on Community Asset Transfer request by HBC

·                Appendix I - Equality Analysis

·                Appendix J - Environmental Impact Assessment

 

The following Members asked questions:

 

·                Councillor Sam Collins

·                Councillor Martin Stears-Handscomb

·                Councillor Paul Clark

·                Councillor Richard Thake

 

Some Members who also sat on the Planning Control Committee advised that they would not participate in the debate or any vote on this item. 

 

The Chair invited Margaret Eddleston, Hitchin Bridge Club, to address the Committee. Margaret Eddleston gave a presentation including:

 

·                The report presented by the officer contains three proposals, and Hitchin Bridge Club was seeking to recommend that the first of these proposals was actioned;

·                A long leasehold on premises for the Bridge Club was the desired option and the limited availability of property on lease was hampering the development of the club;

·                If an agreement in principle in support of proposal 1 was given by the Council the Bridge Club could take immediate steps to instruct an architect, apply for planning permission, draft a lease agreement, make funding applications, in line with a detailed business plan;

·                The Bridge Club intended to commence a Members’ Loan Scheme to raise capital and many of the other services involved in the plan would be provided by club members on a pro bono basis;

·                External funding for projects that alleviate loneliness, benefit mental health and promote social cohesion would be forthcoming for a project like this;

·                It was unclear why the Community Asset Transfer Policy had been engaged instead of the general power of disposal under S123 Local Government Act 1972 which would have been a preferable option for the Bridge Club;

·                The update submitted to the Committee on life as a virtual bridge club have shown increased participation and demand for the club, and also highlight the necessity of physical meetings;

·                Other presentations to the Committee had shown the need for premises in Hitchin and the role that co-operation with the Council plays in providing valuable services to the community. 

 

The Chair thanked Margaret Eddleston for her presentation.

 

The following Members asked questions and took part in the debate:

 

·                Councillor Simon Harwood

·                Councillor Richard Thake

·                Councillor Keith Hoskins

·                Councillor Martin Stears-Handscomb

·                Councillor Ian Albert

 

In response to questions Margaret Eddleston advised:

 

·                The Bridge Club required purpose built accommodations, as did the Band and other  ...  view the full minutes text for item 53.

54.

GRANTS & COMMUNITY UPDATE pdf icon PDF 259 KB

REPORT OF THE POLICY & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT MANAGER

 

To update the Committee on the activities and actions of the Communities Officer, to advise on the current expenditure and balances of the delegated budgets and to consider applications for grant funding.

Additional documents:

Decision:

RESOLVED: 

 

(1)       That the Committee endorse the actions taken by the Community Engagement team to promote greater community capacity and well-being for Hitchin.

 

(2)       That the report of the Policy & Community Engagement Manager be noted.

 

REASONS FOR DECISION:

 

(1)       To ensure the Committee is kept informed of the work of the Community Engagement Team.

 

(2)       To inform Members of the financial resources available to the Committee. It draws attention to the current budgetary situation by assisting in the effective financial management of the Area Committee’s budget. This ensures that all actions are performed in line with the Authority’s Financial Regulations, the Council’s Constitution, and the guidance of the existing Grants policy as agreed by Cabinet in January 2020.

Minutes:

Audio Recording – 42 minutes 55 seconds.

 

The Community Engagement Team Leader presented the report entitled Grants & Community Update in addition to Appendix A.

 

The Community Engagement Team Leader drew attention to the grant funding allocations made throughout the year and indicated the amount remaining to be carried over in the budget if the Committee was minded to grant the application considered at this meeting.

 

RESOLVED: 

 

(1)       That the actions taken by the Community Engagement team to promote greater community capacity and well-being for Hitchin be endorsed.

 

(2)       That the report entitled Grants & Community Update be noted.

 

REASONS FOR DECISION:

 

(1)       To ensure the Committee is kept informed of the work of the Community Engagement Team.

 

(2)       To inform Members of the financial resources available to the Committee. It draws attention to the current budgetary situation by assisting in the effective financial management of the Area Committee’s budget. This ensures that all actions are performed in line with the Authority’s Financial Regulations, the Council’s Constitution, and the guidance of the existing Grants policy as agreed by Cabinet in January 2020.

55.

GRANT APPLICATION - GETTING ROOTED CIC

Decision:

RESOLVED: That grant funding of £1070 be awarded to Getting Rooted CIC to assist with the cost of training volunteers working at the Ron’s Plot project.

 

REASONS FOR DECISION: The awarding of financial assistance to voluntary organisations and the use of discretionary spending allows the Committee to further the aims of the Council Plan.

Minutes:

Audio Recording – 44 minutes 26 seconds.

 

RESOLVED: That grant funding of £1070 be awarded to Getting Rooted CIC to assist with the cost of training volunteers working at the Ron’s Plot project.

 

REASONS FOR DECISION: The awarding of financial assistance to voluntary organisations and the use of discretionary spending allows the Committee to further the aims of the Council Plan.

56.

WARD MATTERS AND OUTSIDE ORGANISATIONS - MEMBERS' REPORTS pdf icon PDF 303 KB

To receive any verbal reports from Members regarding Ward matters and Outside Organisations.

Additional documents:

Decision:

RECOMMENDED TO CABINET: 

 

(1)       That consideration be given to the need for community space in Hitchin for a  number of organisations, including Hitchin Band, Citizens Advice North Herts and Hitchin Bridge Club;

 

(2)       That Officers be encouraged to engage with these groups in order to make initial enquiries regarding need and future options that may be available.

 

REASON FOR RECOMMENDATION: To promote the development of local organisations which provide benefits to the Hitchin community.

 

The Chair led a discussion on the proposed 2021/2022 Inflationary Tariff Increases for NHDC Off-Street Managed Car Parks.

 

RECOMMENDED TO CABINET:

 

(1)       That the Proposed 2021/2022 Inflationary Tariff Increases for NHDC Off-Street Managed Car Parks be implemented;

 

(2)       That Officers be encouraged to review the balance of short, mid-term and long stay spaces in the car parking estate in Hitchin;

 

(3)       That Officers be encouraged to explore options for pay-on-exit or other alternative payment collection systems to facilitate ease of use and accurate charges.

 

REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS: To protect and support the economic vitality of Hitchin town centre while respecting the need to meet revenue needs in the car parking estate.

Minutes:

N.B the foregoing is the minute of the discussion and decision regarding accommodation for Hitchin Band.

 

Audio Recording: 1 hour 5 minutes.

 

Mr Keith Birch – Hitchin Band presented their paper entitled “A permanent home for Hitchin Band” and highlighted the following:

 

·                Hitchin Band had been established and representing the town for 155 years at competitions and concerts;

·                35% of its members were women and it had an average age of 42 with a growing number of young members;

·                They had a successful Championship section which competed on the national and international stage in competitive brass band events;

·                The Hitchin Youth Brass Band was formed in 2009 providing tuition to children, outreach in schools, with a subscription of very low subscription fee to maximise accessibility;

·                Youth Band members have progressed on to the senior band section or have joined the Community Brass section which provides a forum for members to play music without the pressure of a competitive environment;

·                Hitchin Band represents the town, provides entertainment, and has a worldwide reach online, and raises money for other charities as well as providing education and skills development for members;

·                The Band required suitable premises that could accommodate their storage needs and sound proofing requirements;

·                With adequate space the Band could expand to have two youth groups and an intermediate contest band to bridge the gap between the youth section and the senior band which many members find difficult;

·                Hitchin Band has been in dialogue with other brass bands of a similar kind which have had success in finding suitable premises to address these issues;

·                The Band had been based at Hitchin Rugby Club for over 13 years which was more comfortable than some previous accommodations – with heating and toilets – but was not perfect for their needs;

·                The Rugby Club was also planning to move;

·                The Band needed a home to accommodate use 3 to 4 nights a week with storage, rehearsal space, and noise dampening;

·                Rental options were not felt to be viable; lack of certainty for the future of the band was hampering progress;

·                The options which had been considered in detail were purpose building a site or conversion of an existing building;

·                Amersham Brass Band, a similar organisation to Hitchin Band, had success raising around £1 million in 5 years to purpose build their premises, and it was felt that Hitchin Band could achieve similar results;

·                Key to fundraising would be finding a building available for long term lease as an option on a site would form the focus of fundraising;

·                The Band requested the Council to consider whether a suitable plot of land or an existing site was available.

 

The following Members asked questions and took part in the discussion:

 

·                Councillor Simon Harwood

·                Councillor Judi Billing

·                Councillor Keith Hoskins

·                Councillor Ian Albert

·                Councillor Paul Clark

 

RECOMMENDED TO CABINET: 

 

(1)       That consideration be given to the need for community space in Hitchin for a  number of organisations, including Hitchin Band, Citizens Advice North Herts and Hitchin Bridge  ...  view the full minutes text for item 56.

57.

POSSIBLE AGENDA ITEMS FOR FUTURE MEETINGS

The Chair to lead a discussion regarding possible agenda items for future meetings including:

 

·                Arts & Culture in Hitchin

·                Mental Health Provision

·                Food Provision Network

·                Fair Trade Town status

·                Air Quality

·                Local Equality & Diversity initiatives

·                Business Vacancies & Unemployment in Hitchin post-COVID

Decision:

The Chair requested that, should any Members have any suggestions for agenda items for future meetings, they advise himself and the Committee, Member and Scrutiny Officer.

Minutes:

Audio recording – 2 hours 50 minutes.

 

The Chair requested that, should any Members have any suggestions for agenda items for future meetings, they advise himself and the Committee, Member and Scrutiny Officer.

Audio Recording of Meeting MP3 80 MB