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.
Decision:
(1) The Chair paid tribute to former Councillor Gary Grindal who passed away on Thursday 26May and a minute of commemoration was held in his memory.
(2) 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.
(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 presented a gift to Councillor Terry Tyler in recognition of his service as Chair of Council during the civic year 2019/20.
(5) The Chair advised that one of the charities he was supporting this civic year was Herts Welcomes Refugees and invited Irene Austin, Herts Welcomes Refugees, to deliver a short presentation on the work of the charity.
(6) The Chair advised that an additional Council meeting was required on 19th December to enable the Council to consider the consultation response once the Local Government Boundary Commission for England has published its draft recommendations for new electoral arrangements (number of wards, number of councillors representing each ward, ward names and ward boundaries).
(7) The Chair reminded Members that the normal rules of debate and times to speak applied;
(8) The Chair advised that the referral made at the Southern Rural committee on 30 June 2022 regarding the GP surgery in Kimpton would be considered at the next ordinary meeting of the Council due to new information being received that could have a material impact on any potential discussion.
Minutes:
Audio recording – 3:34
(1) The Chair paid tribute to former Councillor Gary Grindal who passed away on Thursday 26May. He remarked that Gary served as a district councillor for 26 years, between 1996 and 2022 and was a ward member for Letchworth Wilbury and served on the cabinet as Executive Member for Housing and Environmental Health from 2019 to 2022. He sat on many committees throughout his time at North Herts Council and was fondly remembered by colleagues, friends and family.
A minute of commemoration was held in memory of former Councillor Gary Grindal.
Councillor Amy Allen paid tribute to former Councillor Gary Grindal and said she, along with other councillors and former members, had attended Gary’s funeral and commemorated his life alongside his family. She spoke of how Gary balanced his dedication to the community and working with the Council with his family life and that his children enjoyed hearing about his work as a Councillor, and said that: “I doubt there was a single person who hasn't been helped knowingly or unknowingly by Gary's work and dedication. And in the rough and tumble of politics, he was always one of the good guys. He was a big hearted man, generous with his time, who gave himself to his family, his friends and in his community.”
The following Members also paid tribute to former Councillor Gary Grindal:
· Councillor Claire Strong
· Councillor Sam North
(2) 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.
(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 presented a gift to Councillor Terry Tyler in recognition of his service as Chair of Council during the civic year 2019/20.
Councillor Terry Tyler thanked the Chair and Council for their support.
(5) The Chair advised that one of the charities he was supporting this civic year was Herts Welcomes Refugees and invited Irene Austin, Herts Welcomes Refugees, to deliver a short presentation on the work of the charity.
Ms Irene Austin, Herts Welcomes Refugees, delivered a presentation on the work of the charity and highlighted the growth of the project since 2016 and the range of activities the group co-ordinates in support of refugees living in the area. She also noted the needs of charity and the support the Council could offer in assisting area convenors, building networks of volunteers, offering premises for events and assisting with the provision of transport.
(6) The Chair advised that an additional Council meeting was required on 19th December to enable the Council to consider the consultation response once the Local Government Boundary Commission for England has published its draft recommendations for new electoral arrangements (number of wards, number of councillors representing each ward, ward names and ward boundaries).
(7) The Chair reminded Members that the normal rules of debate and times to speak applied;
(8) The Chair advised that the referral made at the Southern Rural committee on 30 June 2022 regarding the GP surgery in Kimpton would be considered at the next ordinary meeting of the Council due to new information being received that could have a material impact on any potential discussion.