Agenda, decisions and minutes

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.

 Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Amy Allen and Carol Stanier

Audio recording – 1:49

Apologies for absence were received by Councillor Carol Stanier and Councillor Amy Allen

To take as read and approve as a true record the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on the 20 July 2022.

RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the Meeting of the Committee held on 20 July 2022 be approved as a true record of the proceedings and be signed by the Chair.

Audio recording – 2:20

It was:

RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the Meeting of the Committee held on 20 July 2022 be approved as a true record of the proceedings and be signed by the Chair.

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 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.

Audio recording – 2:39

(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.

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 – 2:34

There was no other business notified.

RESOLVED: That the Committee note the information report

Audio recording – 3:08

Reuben Ayavoo presented the report and gave a verbal presentation, which included:

·        Contributions to the Hertfordshire climate change and sustainability partnership which Members will be aware is the partnership with 10 districts, County Council and the local enterprise partnership

·        We are working to progress the action plans against water biodiversity and carbon reduction and transport

·        We are looking at the revised version as we are going on. We are reconvening the subjects in the refresh

·        One of the biggest things that came out of the partnership was the solar together scheme which launched in August and remained open until the 27^th and was around the bulk purchase of solar panels and battery storage at below market rate through an auction

·        Hertfordshire had 10% more expressive interest than was expected so that totalled around 13,000.

·        As a district we had around 2000 registrations which was one of the highest

·        Offers have gone out since mid-October for residents to decide if they want to accept their offer or not

·        We have done work around carbon emissions assessment which will go to the panel shortly

·        We have also supported the local green festival at Letchworth and Royston and went down quite well

·        We’ve been talking about the Local Walking and Cycling Infrastructure Plan. There are consultations going on and the information note notes the dates they have happened so far

·        Around the anti-idle policy Herts County Council has a micro-site called let’s clean the air which builds on their clean air day. It informs and assists and keeps residents update on latest developments

·        The business service improvement plan is in the works but will inform Members when we have more details

The following Members asked questions:

·        Councillor Gerald Morris

In response Councillor Steve Jarvis advised:

·        Street lighting is done by the County Council so anything regarding this should be brought up with a County Councillor

It was:

RESOLVED: That the Committee note the information report

To receive petitions, comments and questions from the public.

A variety of presentations were made to the Cabinet Panel including:

·         Helen Pollock – Clean Growth Strategy

·         Georgina Chapman – Carbon Reduction Sub-group

Audio recording – 9:35

Helen Pollock gave a verbal presentation on the Clean Growth Strategy which included:

·        Climate change has significant economic consequences at a global and local level

·        It threatens mankind and influences all aspects of life

·        Businesses account for about 25% of the UK greenhouse gas emissions

·        Businesses have an important role to play in protecting our environment and finding solutions and opportunities to meet the climate change challenges.

·        The UK is a global leader for low carbon innovation and technology. It is legally required to achieve Net Zero emissions by 2050 with key legislation and policy in place

·        The UK clean green economy is predicted to grow at 4 times the rate of GDP and create thousands of new jobs

·        Hertfordshire has other drivers such as populations levels rising by 175,000 in the next decade, we are looking to build 100,000 new homes and creating 100,000 new jobs.

·        The government has directed focus and money to grow a green economy

·        There will be employment and upskilling opportunities for Hertfordshire residents

·        Many businesses are moving towards Net Zero to increase productivity, efficiency and competitive edge

·        The main business case for action is cost savings through increased productivity and efficiency. It also relates to selling positions, a motivator for engaging and attracting staff, and gaining Government support and funding

·        The role of the LEP is to ensure the opportunities for sustainability and low carbon economic development in Hertfordshire are identified and maximised to drive clean economic growth forward and to create those important employment opportunities to upskill our workforce, to make change happen. It also helps manage some of the flow of government funding to secure maximum economic impact

·        Clean growth underpins Hertfordshire’s Economic Recovery Plans and Sectoral Growth Plans

·        The principle aim of the Clean Growth Strategy is to build a greener, more sustainable Hertfordshire economy and lead the way for clean economic growth

·        There are two pillars: Growing and attracting low carbon businesses and supporting existing businesses and communities and places as they transition to Net Zero

·        The priority themes are green economic footprint, development of green skills, business engagement and knowledge support, infrastructure, green financing, sector and place clustering and value procurement

·        A clean growth activity supporting pillar 1 is the Herts IQ which is a 3M sq. ft. commercial space targeted at clean growth sectors. It is a sustainable place of knowledge exchange, collaboration and innovation

·        A clean growth activity supporting pillar two is the Hertfordshire Growth Hub with Net Zero advice and sign posting

·        There is a lot of Hertfordshire based support. This includes the Low Carbon Workspace, Eastern New Energy Programme, Low Carbon Business Support, Low Carbon Innovation Fund, Herts Growth Hub website and others such as Wenta, Herts Chamber and biz4Biz

·        Net Zero and clean growth can’t be delivered by one organisation or business alone, it is a collective effort.

The following Members and members of the public asked questions:

·        Councillor Michael Muir

·        Councillor Gerald Morris

·        Councillor Val Bryant

·        Councillor Chris Hinchliff  ...  view the full minutes text for item 53.

Audio recording – 1:09:25

Councillor Steve Jarvis informed Members that there was a plan for meeting topics. The next meeting on the 11^th January 2023 will address air quality.

Sue Lines commented on the idling outside schools and takeaways that affects air quality and the speed of cars in different parts of the town centre.

Councillor Steve Jarvis agreed that idling should be added to the next meetings agenda relating to air quality. He also advised that management of speed limits is a matter for County Council.

The Chair requested that, should any Members have any further suggestions for agenda items for future meetings, they advise himself, officers or the Committee Clerk.