Agenda item - NOTICE OF MOTIONS

To consider any motions, due notice of which have been given in accordance with Standing Order 4.8.12.

(a) Fly-tipping

A recorded vote was requested by Councillor Claire Strong, in accordance with Standing Order 4.8.16 (e)

Following the recorded vote, it was:

RESOLVED:

1. Fly-tipping increased in North Hertfordshire by 100% between 2013 and 2019. In the last year, the monthly average fly tips in our district have increased by an unprecedented 59% compared with 2019/2020. This is a situation mirrored nationally.

2. The new powers the Labour and Liberal Democrat administration implemented in late 2019 to issue Fixed Penalty Notices to those not disposing of their waste responsibly, which have led to a record number of fines being issued by the council for fly tipping.

3. The excellent work of NHDC officers in stepping up the effort to tackle fly-tipping even under the very difficult circumstances of the pandemic.

4. The concerns raised by residents over the closure, and inconsistent operation, of the County Council’s waste and recycling centres during the pandemic, and the impact this has had on residents’ ability to dispose of household waste responsibly.

5. The impact that fly-tipping has on the environment, and our rural and urban communities.

That the Council resolves:

1. To review its fly-tipping and waste management policies and continue its work with the Hertfordshire Waste Partnership (HWP), the Hertfordshire Fly Tipping Group and relevant external stakeholders (such as landowners, contractors, the NFU and the Police & Crime Commissioner) to increase this council’s and our district’s resilience to this crime through a programme of effective communications and preventive and remedial actions.

2. To conduct a further review of our bulky waste collection service to ensure it is well known by and accessible to the greatest number of residents, serving as an effective incentive against the use of unlicensed or unscrupulous waste collectors.

3. To request that Hertfordshire County Council reaffirm that waste and recycling is an essential service by pledging not to close Household Waste Recycling Centres except where the law requires to do so or the safety of staff and visitors is being compromised

4. The Council welcomes the changes already announced for changes at 3 major HWR sites in Hertfordshire (including Stevenage) and asks Hertfordshire County Council to review the opening hours of the Household Waste Recycling Centres in North Hertfordshire.

5. To continue public information and engagement campaigns on the responsible disposal of waste and deterrence of all fly-tipping, including littering, to support our communities in doing the right thing.

6. To ask Hertfordshire County Council to consider providing an amnesty for private landowners who can take the waste to a Waste and Recycling Centre, on recommendation from district council officers.

7. NHDC promotes the funding available from the Police & Crime Commissioner and the advice and guidance to dealing with fly tipping on private land.

The recorded vote was as follows:

For:

Councillors: Ian Albert, David Barnard, John Bishop, Paul Clark, Sam Collins, George Davies, Morgan Derbyshire, Jean Green, Simon Harwood, Tony Hunter, Steve Jarvis, David Levett, Ian Moody, Gerald Morris, Michael Muir, Lisa Nash, Sam North, Mike Rice, Val Shanley, Claire Strong, Richard Thake, Terry Tyler and Tom Tyson.

Total: 23

Against:

Councillors: Daniel Allen, Kate Aspinwall, Clare Billing, Val Bryant, Elizabeth Dennis-Harburg, Mike Hughson, Ian Mantle, Sue Ngwala, Adem Ruggiero-Cakir and Kay Tart.

Total: 10

Abstain:

Councillors: Judi Billing, Ruth Brown, Gary Grindal, Terry Hone, Keith Hoskins, Carol Stanier, Martin Stears-Handscomb.

Total: 7

(b) 20mph Speed Limits

A recorded vote was requested by Councillor Sam Collins, in accordance with Standing Order 4.8.16 (e)

Following the recorded vote, it was:

RESOLVED:

That Council:

(1) Welcomes the work done by North Herts District and County Councillors to develop and introduce 20mph zones in parts of their towns and villages.

(2) Notes that the United Nations have endorsed the setting of 30kph (20mph) maximum speed limits wherever pedestrians, cyclists or other vulnerable road users mix in a frequent manner with motor vehicles.

(3) Supports the “20’s Plenty” for Hertfordshire campaign and their call for the introduction of a 20mph default speed limit in the residential and central areas of towns and villages.

(4) Notes research from the UK and abroad that has shown wide-area default speed limits of 20mph/30kph have:

• Reduced traffic speeds in the first year of operation, with the largest speed reductions on the fastest roads;

• Reduced road traffic collisions by up to 40% and town and village casualties by 20%;

• Increased journey times by just 10 seconds per mile;

• Made streets quieter - a 10mph reduction in speed halves traffic noise;

• Encouraged walking and cycling, especially for older people and young children;

• Benefited communities, with residents more likely to stop and talk on footpaths;

• Been popular, as 75% of residents and motorists feel that, after installation, 20mph limits have benefitted the local community.

(5) Notes that the Integrated Plan of Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) earmarks £7m for the establishment of 20mph zones across the county over a four-year period but recognises that this will be insufficient to introduce widespread 20mph limits if each scheme requires complex traffic calming.

(6) Further notes that wide-area 20mph limits that make effective use of signage, road markings, technology, and public engagement provide significant budgetary benefits and are more popular with some motorists and some residents than engineered calming methods such as speed humps whilst recognising that additional measures may be required in some locations.

(7) Believes that the implementation of a wide-area 20mph speed limit in North Herts towns and villages, where appropriate and where desired by residents, combined with a public information campaign, would have beneficial impacts on road safety, active transport and community well-being at substantially lower cost than the County Council’s proposals, and would support this Council’s climate emergency objectives.

(8) Resolves that the Leader of the Council should write to HCC proposing the establishment of wide-area 20mph speed limit project across Hertfordshire, involving officers and councillors at both County and District levels.

The recorded vote was as follows:

For:

Councillors: Ian Albert, Daniel Allen, Kate Aspinwall, David Barnard, Clare Billing, Judi Billing, John Bishop, Ruth Brown, Paul Clark, Sam Collins, George Davies, Elizabeth Dennis-Harburg, Morgan Derbyshire, Jean Green, Gary Grindal, Simon Harwood, Terry Hone, Keith Hoskins, Mike Hughson, Tony Hunter, Steve Jarvis, David Levett, Ian Mantle, Ian Moody, Gerald Morris, Michael Muir, Lisa Nash, Sue Ngwala, Sam North, Adem Ruggiero-Cakir, Carol Stanier, Martin Stears-Handscomb, Claire Strong, Richard Thake, Terry Tyler and Tom Tyson.

Total: 36

Against:

Total: 0

Abstain:

Total: 0

(c) Hybrid Meetings

It was

RESOLVED that:

This Council is astonished and disappointed that the Government could not find time to amend legislation allowing Councils to continue to carry out meetings using virtual technology where and when they see fit to do so.

It notes that the experience of holding meetings remotely has improved engagement with residents, improving inclusion, diversity and accountability as well as contributing to our response to the climate emergency and reducing the need for officers and members to travel to meetings.

It further notes the request by the Minister for evidence as to why remote or hybrid meeting should be permitted and instructs officers to respond to the government questionnaire, assembling evidence from our recent experience of the benefits of such meetings, including quantitative data relating to increased engagement and cost savings, within the requested timescale.

This council further calls upon the government to bring forward legislation as a matter of urgency to remove the need for central government to determine how local councils conduct their business at the level of meetings arrangements and allows us to find the most appropriate ways to both conduct essential business and engage with the communities that we represent.

Audio Recording – 2 Hours 6 Minutes

Three motions had been submitted, due notice of which had been given in accordance with Standing Order 4.8.12.

(a) Fly-tipping

Councillor Sam North moved the altered motion which was seconded by Councillor Tom Tyson.

‘The Council notes:

1. Fly-tipping increased in North Hertfordshire by 100% between 2013 and 2019. In the last year, the monthly average fly tips in our district have increased by an unprecedented 59% compared with 2019/20201 . This is a situation mirrored nationally.

2. The new powers the Labour and Liberal Democrat administration implemented in late 2019 to issue Fixed Penalty Notices to those not disposing of their waste responsibly, which have led to a record number of fines being issued by the council for fly tipping.

3. The excellent work of NHDC officers in stepping up the effort to tackle fly-tipping even under the very difficult circumstances of the pandemic.

4. The concerns raised by residents over the closure, and inconsistent operation, of the County Council’s waste and recycling centres during the pandemic, and the impact this has had on residents’ ability to dispose of household waste responsibly.

5. The impact that fly-tipping has on the environment, and our rural and urban communities.

The Council resolves:

1. To continue to review its fly-tipping and waste management policies and work with relevant external stakeholders (such as landowners, contractors and the Police & Crime Commissioner) to increase this council’s and our district’s resilience to this crime through a programme of effective communications and preventive and remedial actions.

2. To conduct a further review of our bulky waste collection service to ensure it is well known by and accessible to the greatest number of residents, serving as an effective incentive against the use of unlicensed or unscrupulous waste collectors.

3. To request that Hertfordshire County Council reaffirm that waste and recycling is an essential service by pledging not to close Household Waste Recycling Centres except in the direst public health emergency and undertaking to provide alternative solutions to residents and support districts and boroughs in dealing with the consequences of any such closure.

4. To ask Hertfordshire County Council to extend the opening hours of the Household Waste Recycling Centres in North Hertfordshire as it has done for other facilities in the county.

5. To continue public information and engagement campaigns on the responsible disposal of waste and deterrence of all fly-tipping, including littering, to support our communities in doing the right thing.

6. To ask Hertfordshire County Council to consider providing an amnesty for private landowners who can take the waste to a Waste and Recycling Centre, on recommendation from district council officers.’

The following Members took part in the debate:

· Councillor David Barnard

Councillor David Levett proposed an amendment to the motion which was seconded by Councillor George Davies. The amendment was in relation to the resolutions only.

The amendment was as follows:

‘The Council Resolves to:

1. To review its fly-tipping and waste management policies and continue its work with the Hertfordshire Waste Partnership (HWP), the fly tipping group and relevant external stakeholders (such as landowners, contractors, the NFU and the Police & Crime Commissioner) to increase this council’s and our district’s resilience to this crime through a programme of effective communications and preventive and remedial actions.

2. No Change

3. To request that Hertfordshire County Council reaffirm that waste and recycling is an essential service by pledging not to close Household Waste Recycling Centres except where the law requires to do so or the safety of staff and visitors is being compromised.

4. The Council welcomes the changes already announced for changes at 3 major HWR sites in Hertfordshire (including Stevenage) and asks Hertfordshire County Council to review the opening hours of the Household Waste Recycling Centres in North Hertfordshire.

5. No change.

6. No change.

7. NHDC promotes the funding available from the Police & Crime Commissioner and the advice and guidance to dealing with fly tipping on private land.

The following Members took part in the debate regarding the amendment:

· Councillor Elizabeth Dennis-Harburg;

· Councillor Judi Billing;

· Councillor Carol Stanier;

· Councillor Sam Collins;

· Councillor Terry Hone;

· Councillor Claire Strong; and

· Councillor Ruth Brown.

NB: The Chair announced that there would be a 7 minute break at 22:21. The meeting resumed at 22:26.

NB: Owing to technical issues, Councillor Claire Strong left the meeting and rejoined.

NB: The Committee, Member and Scrutiny Officer undertook a roll call to ensure that all present could hear and be heard.

Councillor Elizabeth Dennis-Harburg proposed and amendment to Paragraph 1 of the amendment so that it read:

1. To review its fly-tipping and waste management policies and continue its work with the Hertfordshire Waste Partnership (HWP), the Hertfordshire Fly Tipping Group and relevant external stakeholders (such as landowners, contractors, the NFU and the Police & Crime Commissioner) to increase this council’s and our district’s resilience to this crime through a programme of effective communications and preventive and remedial actions.

Councillors David Levett and George Davies as proposer and seconder accepted the amendment

Upon being put to the vote, the amendment was carried.

A Point of Order was raised as to whether a substantive motion could be debated. The Monitoring Officer responded by directing Members to the Council’s Constitution – Standing Order 4.8.14 (g) (v) ‘After an amendment has been carried, the Chair may if requested read out the amended motion before accepting any further amendments, or if there are none, put the substantive motion as amended for debate and to the vote’

The following Members debated the substantive motion:

· Councillor Sam Collins;

· Councillor David Levett;

· Councillor Gerald Morris;

· Councillor David Barnard;

· Councillor Sam North;

· Councillor Carol Stanier;

· Councillor Val Bryant; and

· Councillor Claire Strong.

Once debate had concluded, the substantive motion was put to the vote.

A recorded vote was requested by Councillor Claire Strong, in accordance with Standing Order 4.8.16 (e)

Following the recorded vote, it was:

RESOLVED:

That the Council notes:

1. Fly-tipping increased in North Hertfordshire by 100% between 2013 and 2019. In the last year, the monthly average fly tips in our district have increased by an unprecedented 59% compared with 2019/2020. This is a situation mirrored nationally.

2. The new powers the Labour and Liberal Democrat administration implemented in late 2019 to issue Fixed Penalty Notices to those not disposing of their waste responsibly, which have led to a record number of fines being issued by the council for fly tipping.

3. The excellent work of NHDC officers in stepping up the effort to tackle fly-tipping even under the very difficult circumstances of the pandemic.

4. The concerns raised by residents over the closure, and inconsistent operation, of the County Council’s waste and recycling centres during the pandemic, and the impact this has had on residents’ ability to dispose of household waste responsibly.

5. The impact that fly-tipping has on the environment, and our rural and urban communities.

That the Council resolves:

1. To review its fly-tipping and waste management policies and continue its work with the Hertfordshire Waste Partnership (HWP), the Hertfordshire Fly Tipping Group and relevant external stakeholders (such as landowners, contractors, the NFU and the Police & Crime Commissioner) to increase this council’s and our district’s resilience to this crime through a programme of effective communications and preventive and remedial actions.

2. To conduct a further review of our bulky waste collection service to ensure it is well known by and accessible to the greatest number of residents, serving as an effective incentive against the use of unlicensed or unscrupulous waste collectors.

3. To request that Hertfordshire County Council reaffirm that waste and recycling is an essential service by pledging not to close Household Waste Recycling Centres except where the law requires to do so or the safety of staff and visitors is being compromised

4. The Council welcomes the changes already announced for changes at 3 major HWR sites in Hertfordshire (including Stevenage) and asks Hertfordshire County Council to review the opening hours of the Household Waste Recycling Centres in North Hertfordshire.

5. To continue public information and engagement campaigns on the responsible disposal of waste and deterrence of all fly-tipping, including littering, to support our communities in doing the right thing.

6. To ask Hertfordshire County Council to consider providing an amnesty for private landowners who can take the waste to a Waste and Recycling Centre, on recommendation from district council officers.

7. NHDC promotes the funding available from the Police & Crime Commissioner and the advice and guidance to dealing with fly tipping on private land.

The recorded vote was as follows:

For:

Councillors: Ian Albert, David Barnard, John Bishop, Paul Clark, Sam Collins, George Davies, Morgan Derbyshire, Jean Green, Simon Harwood, Tony Hunter, Steve Jarvis, David Levett, Ian Moody, Gerald Morris, Michael Muir, Lisa Nash, Sam North, Mike Rice, Val Shanley, Claire Strong, Richard Thake, Terry Tyler and Tom Tyson.

Total: 23

Against:

Councillors: Daniel Allen, Kate Aspinwall, Clare Billing, Val Bryant, Elizabeth Dennis-Harburg, Mike Hughson, Ian Mantle, Sue Ngwala, Adem Ruggiero-Cakir and Kay Tart.

Total: 10

Abstain:

Councillors: Judi Billing, Ruth Brown, Gary Grindal, Terry Hone, Keith Hoskins, Carol Stanier, Martin Stears-Handscomb.

Total: 7

(b) 20mph Speed Limits

Councillor Paul Clark proposed the altered motion which was seconded by Councillor Sam Collins.

‘That Council:

1. Welcomes the work done by North Herts District and County Councillors to develop and introduce 20mph zones in parts of their towns and villages.

2. notes that the United Nations have mandated the setting of 30kph (20mph) maximum speed limits wherever pedestrians, cyclists or other vulnerable road users mix in a frequent manner with motor vehicles.

3. supports the “20’s Plenty” for Hertfordshire campaign and their call for the introduction of a 20mph default speed limit in the residential and central areas of towns and villages.

4. notes research from the UK and abroad that has shown wide-area default speed limits of 20mph/30kph have:

· reduced traffic speeds in the first year of operation, with the largest speed reductions on the fastest roads;

· reduced road traffic collisions by up to 40% and town and village casualties by 20%;

· increased journey times by just 10 seconds per mile;

· made streets quieter - a 10mph reduction in speed halves traffic noise;

· encouraged walking and cycling, especially for older people and young children;

· benefited communities, with residents more likely to stop and talk on footpaths;

· been popular, as 75% of residents and motorists feel that, after installation, 20mph limits have benefitted the local community.

5. notes that the Integrated Plan of Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) earmarks £7m for the establishment of 20mph zones across the county over a four-year period but recognises that this will be insufficient to introduce widespread 20mph limits if each scheme requires complex traffic calming.

6. further notes that wide-area 20mph limits that make effective use of signage, road markings, technology, and public engagement provide significant budgetary benefits and are more popular with motorists and residents than engineered calming methods such as speed humps whilst recognising that additional measures may be required in some locations.

7. believes that the implementation of a wide-area 20mph speed limit in North Herts towns and villages, combined with a public information campaign, would have beneficial impacts on road safety, active transport and community well-being at substantially lower cost than the County Council’s proposals, and would support this Council’s climate emergency objectives.

8. resolves that the Leader of the Council should write to HCC proposing the establishment of wide-area 20mph speed limit project across Hertfordshire, involving officers and councillors at both County and District levels’

The following Members took part in the debate:

· Councillor Gerald Morris;

· Councillor Sam North;

· Councillor George Davies;

· Councillor Ian Albert;

· Councillor Judi Billing;

· Councillor Steve Jarvis;

· Councillor Terry Hone; and

· Councillor David Barnard.

Councillor George Davies proposed an amendment to the wording which was seconded by Councillor Claire Strong:

· Point 2 – replace ‘mandated’ to ‘endorse’ so that it reads ‘notes that the United Nations have endorsed the setting of 30kph […]’

· Point 7 – after village, add ‘where appropriate and where desired by residents’ so that it reads ‘believes that the implementation of a wide-area 20mph speed limit in North Herts towns and villages, where appropriate and where desired by residents, combined with a public information campaign […]’.

Councillors Paul Clark and Sam Collins as proposer and seconder accepted the amendment

Councillor Ian Albert proposed an amendment to the motion by adding in the word ‘some’ before motorists and residents on Point 6 so that it reads ‘more popular with some motorists and some residents’.