Agenda item - 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.

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 paid tribute to Councillor Paul Clark who passed away in December 2021 and a minutes’ silence was held in his memory.

(2) The Chair paid tribute to Honorary Alderman F John Smith who passed away in December 2021 and a minutes’ silence was held in his memory.

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

(4) Members were reminded that this Council had declared a Climate Emergency. This was a serious decision and meant 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.

(5) 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.

(6) The Chair reminded Members that the usual rules in respect of debate and times to speak would apply.

(7) The Chair advised Members that there was no longer a requirement to stand while addressing the Council.

(8) The Chair advised that she intended to call a comfort break around 9pm at a suitable break in proceedings.

(9) The Chair advised there would be a change to the order of business with Items 17 and 18 being taken immediately after Item 8.

Audio recording – 6:42

(1) The Chair paid tribute to Councillor Paul Clark who passed away in December 2021. She remarked that Paul served the District Council between 1995 and 1999 and then from 2001 to 2015, and then from 2016 to the present day. He had been a Member for Hitchin Highbury throughout, becoming Deputy Leader of the Council, Executive Member for Planning and Leader of the Liberal Democratic group. Paul would be missed by many people and our thoughts were with his family and friends at this sad time.

Councillor Ruth Brown paid tribute to Councillor Clark and said she had always found Paul to be kind, thoughtful and generous hearted and will miss his support. He was very understanding of each individual members’ circumstances and would often remind us that family comes first. Even in the short time since Paul's passing on she was already discovering how much was involved in his role, and realising how hard he worked on our behalf. Paul sought to lead by consensus, which was not easy with a group of liberal and independent minded colleagues and his example we will be hard to follow. She gave condolences go to him his family.

The following Members also paid tribute to Councillor Clark:

· Councillor Elizabeth Dennis-Harburg

· Councillor Claire Strong

· Councillor Ian Mantle

· Councillor David Barnard

A minutes’ silence was held in memory of Councillor Paul Clark.

(2) The Chair paid tribute to Honorary Alderman F John Smith who passed away in December 2021 and remarked he was Leader of North Hertfordshire District Council for 12 years, from 1999 to 2010, stepping down in 2010, after completing exactly 50 years’ service, and in the same year he was awarded Honorary Alderman status. He was a well-respected and valued member of the community and our thoughts were with his family and friends at this sad time.

Councillor Claire Strong paid tribute to Honorary Alderman F John Smith and said when she joined the Council in 1995 John became the leader of the Conservative group, and then he took over as Leader of the Council in 1999. John had given her a great understanding of how the Council worked and was very supportive. It was a great loss and he knew what public service was about. It was a great tribute for the years that he was not only a District Councillor, but also Town Councillor, and she knew that he was very honoured when he was made an Alderman of this council when he left.

The following Members also paid tribute to Honorary Alderman F John Smith:

· Councillor Ruth Brown