Agenda, decisions and draft minutes
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Contact: Email: Committee.Services@north-herts.gov.uk 01462 474655
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APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE Members are required to notify any substitutions by midday on the day of the meeting.
Late substitutions will not be accepted and Members attending as a substitute without having given the due notice will not be able to take part in the meeting. Decision: Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Amy Allen.
Having given due notice, Councillor Val Bryant substituted for Councillor Allen. Minutes: Audio recording – 04 minutes 07 seconds
Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Amy Allen.
Having given due notice, Councillor Val Bryant substituted for Councillor Allen. |
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MINUTES - 1 APRIL 2026 To take as read and approve as a true record the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on the 1 April 2026. Decision: RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the Committee meeting held on 1 April 2026 were approved as a true record and signed by the Chair. Minutes: Audio Recording – 04 minutes 39 seconds
Councillor Val Bryant, as Chair, proposed and Councillor Claire Strong seconded and, it was:
RESOLVED:That the Minutes of the Meeting of the Committee held on 1 April 2026 be approved as a true record of the proceedings and be signed by the Chair. |
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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.
Declaration 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 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.
(3) The Chair reminded Members that the Council had declared both a Climate Emergency and an Ecological Emergency, and that Officers and Members should have this in mind when carrying out their various roles and tasks for the District. More details on this could be found on the Agenda front sheet.
(4) The Chair advised that the Cabinet Panel meetings on 13 January and 17 March 2027 had been cancelled after agreement by the Executive Member for Environment in consultation with Group Leaders.
(5) The Chair informed those present that the theme for this Panel meeting was ‘Working Together to Achieve More’ and that various speakers were in attendance to present on topics related to this at Agenda Item 7.
(6) The Chair advised of a change to the order of Agenda and that Agenda Item 5 would be taken after Agenda Item 7. Minutes: Audio recording – 05 minutes 13 seconds
(1) The Chair advised that, in accordance with Council Policy, the meeting would be recorded.
(2) 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.
(3) 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.
(4) The Chair advised that the Cabinet Panel meetings on 13 January and 17 March 2027 had been cancelled after agreement by the Executive Member for Environment in consultation with Group Leaders.
(5) The Chair informed those present that the theme for this Panel meeting was ‘Working Together to Achieve More’ and that various speakers were in attendance to present on topics related to this at Agenda Item 7.
(6) The Chair advised of a change to the order of Agenda and that Agenda Item 5 would be taken after Agenda Item 7. |
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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. Minutes: Audio recording – 06 minutes 35 seconds
There was no other business notified. |
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INFORMATION NOTE - COUNCIL ACTIVITY UPDATE AND ACTION TRACKER INFORMATION NOTE OF THE DIRECTOR – ENVIRONMENT
This note highlights the topic for this Panel meeting as well as a Council Activity Update, and Action Tracker Review (at Appendix A) for the Cabinet Panel on the Environment. Additional documents:
Decision: Officers from the Policy & Strategy Team presented the Information Note entitled ‘Council Activity Update and Action Tracker’ including a verbal update on the work of the Council to progress their biodiversity aims. Minutes: Audio recording – 06 minutes 42 seconds
Officers from the Policy & Strategy Team presented the Information Note entitled ‘Council Activity Update and Action Tracker’ and advised that:
· There was a new action tracker for the Civic Year and all actions from the previous year had been completed. · Any new actions identified by the Cabinet Panel would be put into the action tracker after agreement from the Chair. · The Council had been working with the Hertfordshire Climate Change and Sustainability Partnership (HCCSP) to bring sustainability forward through Local Government Reorganisation. · Participation in the ‘Your Tree Our Future’ scheme had resulted in nearly 15K trees being planted across the district last year, and the link to claim trees this year had been included in the Information Note. · The Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme was progressing with Royston Leisure Centre already complete and Hitchin Swimming & Fitness Centre and North Herts Leisure Centre scheduled for completion in October. · Design work for phase two of the project at Hitchin Town Hall and North Herts Museum was also progressing, and the planning application for decarbonisation of the North Herts Leisure Centre learner pool had been submitted. · A report detailing Council greenhouse gas emissions had been published on the Council website and linked in the information note. · The Climate Hive had over 1200 subscribers and continued to update residents with the latest surveys, consultations, events and activities. · A volunteer meadow monitoring programme to assess the health of wildflower meadows in the district had been launched. · The Council had partnered with Letchworth Garden City Heritage Foundation to host a community energy event at Broadway Cinema, and a recording of the film shown at this would be made available on the Council YouTube channel in due course. · Monthly sustainability briefings would remain on the Council website. · Sustainability Strategy actions continued to be monitored by the Political Liaison Board and the Council Climate and Sustainability Officer Group. · Electric waste collection vehicles were in full operation, and these would further contribute to the 400 tonnes of carbon emissions already saved by using Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil as fuel. · 93% of staff had completed the sustainability e-learning module, and frequent internal communications continued to raise staff awareness on environmental issues. · The Warm Homes Local Grants Scheme had delivered installations to 12 homes in its first year, and installations for up to 30 homes were planned for year 2. · The launch of the staff salary sacrifice scheme for electric vehicles would help to support the action in the Sustainability Strategy to reduce staff commuting emissions. · A Green Procurement Checklist had been introduced for high value procurement to help officers consider how to embed sustainability into this. · An increased use of electric equipment had been reported by the Greenspace Team.
Officers from the Policy & Strategy Team then provided a verbal update on the supplementary document to the Information Note and highlighted the following:
· The Council was part of the Upper Bedford Ouse Catchment Partnership, which brought together key stakeholders to manage its ecosystem. · The Council was ... view the full minutes text for item 5. |
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PRESENTATIONS To receive presentations from the following:
1) Abbie Robinson – How Volunteering Can Help to Support Biodiversity
2) MP Chris Hinchliff – Biodiversity and Chalk Streams
3) Heidi Hutton – Hertfordshire County Council Country Management Service (CMS) and Successful CMS Volunteer Projects Decision: Presentations were received from Abbie Robinson, MP Chris Hincliff and Heidi Hutton and Andrew Taylor on various topics related to the theme of the meeting ‘Working Together to Achieve More’. Minutes: Audio recording – 25 minutes 52 seconds
The Chair informed those present that the UK was one of most nature depleted countries on Earth and that in Hertfordshire specifically, 76 species had been lost in the last 50 years. However, the Chair advised that it was not too late to revive and protect nature, and that community groups, volunteers and institutions played a vital role in restoring nature and biodiversity. The Chair acknowledged that more could be done when work was carried out together, which linked to the theme of the meeting ‘Working Together to Achieve More’.
The Chair invited Abbie Robinson to give a presentation, supported by slides and images, on ‘How Volunteering Can Help to Support Biodiversity’. They thanked the Chair for the opportunity to present and advised that:
· Biodiversity was crucial for the smooth running of ecosystems across the planet, and humans relied upon it for food, medicines and resources. · Ecosystem stability stemmed on the variety of species. · Wildflowers were a way to introduce small, varied habitats into an urban setting. · 97% of wildflower meadows in the UK had been lost since the 1930s. · Wildflowers provided colour, helped to improve mental health, were a source of food for insects, and became nutrients for soil when they died off. · Pollinators were big benefiters of wildflower planting, which was a good thing when bees, moths and butterflies were all declining due to climate change. · Implementing a series of wildflower habitats built corridors across urban landscapes, which prevented them from becoming isolated and stabilised populations. · Existing projects for pollinators included ‘B-Lines’ by Buglife. · They had worked with the Council to select areas in Royston for wildflower planting, and the Council had sourced the wildflower mix, cleared and prepared those areas, planted the seeds, and continued to maintain and care for them. · All the areas selected had succeeded except one because of parked cars. · Lots of positive responses had been received both on social media and in person following the blooming of wildflowers in 2023, and there had been a desire for more. · The Community had been keen to get involved, and increasing public knowledge on climate change pressures had elevated this interest. · Volunteers were crucial as they supplied ideas and people power, and the difference in ages encouraged a positive environment. · There was scope for volunteering of this kind in Royston, but there could always be more. · The wildflower patches showed that collaboration could work between the Council and residents, and it was hoped that they could continue working with them, in addition to groups and communities to protect greenspaces and boost biodiversity.
The following Members asked questions:
· Councillor Joe Graziano · Councillor Bryony May
In response to questions, Councillor Val Bryant advised that they would contact the Grounds Maintenance Manager following the meeting regarding more wildflower planting across the district.
In response to questions, Abbie Robinson advised that they had approached the Council about implementing more wildflower patches, but they would have to follow this up with the Greenspace ... view the full minutes text for item 6. |
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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) Sewage Discharge Point into Norton Common
Jessica Crighton to Councillor Amy Allen, Executive Member for Environment. Minutes: Audio recording – 01 hours 33 minutes 32 seconds
In accordance with Standing Order 4.8.10(c), one question had been submitted by a member of the public by the required deadline set out in the Constitution.
The Chair informed those present that both the member of the public and Executive Member for Environment were unable to attend the meeting, and that they had agreed to read out the question on behalf of the member of the public, as follows:
(A) Sewage Discharge Point into Norton Common
‘There appears to be a sewage discharge point within Norton Common into the Pix Brook with sewage discharges by Anglian Water. Will the Council investigate why sewage is allowed to be discharged into a public park and if there’s anything that can be done to stop it?’
Councillor Val Bryant provided the following response:
‘Yes, we will investigate. As a Hitchin Bearton Councillor, I go to the water treatment works on Bury Mead Road quite frequently and it has improved over the years. I think that it is important that they actually visited the sites with water treatment plants, and made sure of the chalk streams in the vicinity and that the staff in the treatment plants did so as well so they had a clear view of where their water was going. Then they could look at the amounts that were being discharged within legal limits and so on. But the answer to that is yes, certainly, they would follow that up.’
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