Agenda and decisions

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Michael Muir, Tina Bhartwas, Cathy Brownjohn, Caroline McDonnell, Vijaiya Poopalasingham, Rhona Cameron, Steve Jarvis, Sam Collins and Lisa Nash.

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.

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 applied to part of this meeting. This would apply for Agenda Item 6 and a comfort break would be held at an appropriate time, should proceedings continue at length.

(6)   The Chair advised of a change to the order of the Agenda and the Public Participation would be taken directly ahead of Agenda Item 6. The Chair also advised that a referral had been received from Cabinet, which would be considered as the last item of business.

(7)   The Chair advised that Agenda Item 7 had been deferred to the Council meeting on 23 January 2025.

(8)   The Chair advised that tickets were now available to purchase for her Civic Event and Awards 2025, being held on Friday 28 February 2025.

(9)   The Chair announced that Geraldine Goodwin, Benefits Manager, had been working at North Hertfordshire for 30 years, and extended her gratitude to Geri for her services to the Council.

It was:

RESOLVED: That the Council placed on record its sincere thanks and appreciation to Geraldine Goodwin for her long and valuable service to Local Government.

To receive petitions, comments and questions from the public.

Immediately before the respective Agenda Item, several presentations were received from members of the public regarding Agenda Item 6 – East of Luton Strategic Masterplan Framework.

To consider any items referred from other Committees.

5a) Referral from Extraordinary Cabinet – 26 November 2024 – East of Luton Strategic Masterplan Framework

The Chair advised that the referral 5A from Cabinet would be taken with the respective item on the agenda and referral 5B from Cabinet would be taken at the end of the agenda.

8A) Decarbonisation of Leisure Centres Update

RESOLVED: That Council proceed with Option 4a and approve the additional forecast capital and ongoing revenue costs (including revenue costs of capital) and note the ongoing project risks.

REASONS FOR DECISIONS:

(1)   To identify the most appropriate way forward for the leisure centre decarbonisation project, taking into account both the environmental benefits of the project and the impact on the Council’s wider financial position.

(2)   Council has the responsibility to make decisions about any matter in the discharge of an executive function where the decision maker is minded to make it in a manner which would be contrary to the policy framework or contrary to/or not wholly in accordance with the budget.

(3)   To enable the Council and contractors to continue to meet the delivery time table for the project.

REPORT OF THE STRATEGIC PLANNING MANAGER

This report asks Full Council to approve the Strategic Masterplan Framework for land to the east of Luton. This site is allocated for development in the Council’s adopted Local Plan (Sites EL1, 2 & 3, Policy SP19) as a strategic site for approximately 2,100 homes and supporting infrastructure.

RESOLVED: That the Strategic Masterplan Framework for the land East of Luton (Local Plan sites EL1, 2 & 3), attached at Appendix A, is approved and adopted as a material planning consideration for relevant planning decisions relating to the site.

REASONS FOR DECISION:

(1)   To set an agreed design framework for the delivery of a strategic site within the Council’s adopted Local Plan.

(2)   To accord with policy requirements of the Local Plan.

REPORT OF THE SERVICE DIRECTOR – LEGAL & COMMUNITY AND THE MONITORING OFFICER

N.B. This item was deferred from the Council meeting of 28 November 2024.

This report presents a summary of the areas reviewed and any in principle recommendations of the Constitutional & Governance Working Group (‘Working Group’) in relation to the following:

·         The Planning Control Committee meetings and Sub-Committees (including start times/ potential end times).

·         Standards Committee – recommendation to review the Terms of Reference to include other meaningful areas of remit.

·         Council Procedure Rules to be reviewed and amended in respect of Member Motions and Questions, (including agenda management, number, length of time on debate/ remit/ and Member speeches).

The report also covers areas considered but not recommended for change at this stage.

The Chair advised this item had been deferred to the meeting of Full Council on 23 January 2025.

REPORT OF THE SERVICE DIRECTOR LEGAL AND COMMUNITY AND MONITORING OFFICER

This report seeks approval to appoint a replacement Reserve Independent Person (‘IP’) for a period of up to 4 years (as per the recommendation below), firstly 2 years and potential extension for a further 2 years up to the maximum period, such appointments to take effect from 16 January 2025, following the resignation of Stephen Tant from the role of Reserve IP.

RESOLVED: That Council:

(1)   Appointed Ms Wai Bing Hui as Reserve Independent Person.

N.B. such appointments/ confirmation of continuing appointments under 2.1 be for a fixed term of up to 4 years from 16 January 2025, based on 2-years, with delegation to the Monitoring Officer, in consultation with the Chair and Vice Chair of Standards Committee to extend for a further 2-years.

(2)   Delegated to the Monitoring Officer in consultation with the Chair and Vice Chair of Standards Committee, the decision (if the current Independent Person decides within term to resign/unable to act/no longer qualifies), to appoint one of the existing Reserve Independent Persons as the Independent Person and/or to undertake any further recruitment, as may be required.

REASON FOR DECISION: To ensure that the Council’s Standards processes can operate in accordance with legislative requirements if one or both IP and Reserve IPs are unable to advise on a matter. This should also allow for a degree of succession planning/ training whilst experienced persons are in place.

REPORT OF THE SERVICE DIRECTOR – RESOURCES

To agree the Scale of Fees for electoral events held during 2025/26.

RESOLVED: That the Council agreed the Scale of Fees for 2025/26 as set out in Appendix A.

REASON FOR DECISION: To enable the Council to remunerate the Returning Officer and the staff employed to carry out tasks during electoral events and to be open and transparent regarding other payments.

REPORT OF THE DEMOCRATIC SERVICES MANAGER

To consider appointment of a Member Representative to the Parking and Traffic Regulations Outside London Adjudication Joint Committee (PATROL), following the resignation of the previous appointed Member.

RESOLVED: That Council nominated Councillor Daniel Allen to the outside organisation the Parking and Traffic Regulations Outside London Adjudication Joint Committee (PATROL).

REASONS FOR DECISION: To comply with the provision of Standing Order 4.8.2(j) of the Council’s Constitution.

To consider a motion submitted under Standing Order 4.8.12, which was deferred from the meeting of Council on 28 November 2024.

An amendment to the motion received is included within this pack.

There was one motion submitted in accordance with Standing Order 4.8.12, which had been deferred from the Council meeting on 28 November 2024.

(D) Impact of Family Farm Tax on Rural Communities in North Hertfordshire

RESOLVED: That the motion was LOST.