Agenda item - ITEMS REFERRED FROM OTHER COMMITTEES

Any items referred from other committees will be circulated as soon as they are available.

8A. REFERRAL FROM SOUTHERN RURAL AREA COMMITTEE: 30 JUNE 2022- CLOSURE OF KIMPTON SURGERY

RESOLVED: That Councillor Val Bryant, as representative of North Herts Council on the Hertfordshire Health Scrutiny Board, would take the issue of the closure of rural GP surgeries and raise it as an item to be discussed at the next Health Scrutiny Committee Meeting.

8B. REFERRAL FROM CABINET: 13 SEPTEMBER 2022 – MEDIUM TERM FINANCIAL STRATEGY

Was considered as Agenda Item 9

8C. REFERRAL FROM CABINET: 13 SEPTEMBER 2022 – SOFT PLAY INVESTMENT AT NORTH HERTS LEISURE CENTRE

RESOLVED:

(1) That Council make the addition of £150k to the Capital programme in 2022/23.

(2) That Council move the existing capital allocation of £100k in 2023/24 for refurbishment of the dry-side changing rooms to 2022/23 and reallocate it to the soft play project.

REASONS FOR DECISIONS:

(1) Introducing a soft play facility at North Herts Leisure Centre will enhance the range of leisure facilities on offer and provide a dedicated play space for families with toddlers and young children within the local area.

(2) The new facility will generate additional revenue for the site, aiding the financial recovery of leisure post covid and providing an attractive additional facility for bidders when the new leisure contract is procured in 2024.

Audio Recording - 12:08

8A. REFERRAL FROM SOUTHERN RURAL AREA COMMITTEE: 30 JUNE 2022- CLOSURE OF KIMPTON SURGERY

The Chair of the Southern Rural Area Committee, Councillor George Davies commented that this was an item brought up during the Ward Matters section so he felt Councillor Ralph Muncer would be the best person to present this referral.

Councillor Ralph Muncer presented the referral from the Southern Rural Area Committee and highlighted the following points:

· The issue of the closure of Kimpton Surgery was discussed three months ago at the Area Committee;

· Councillor Muncer thanked Members of Southern Rural for their interest on this topic to residents in Kimpton;

· Kimpton Surgery has since closed its doors on the 31^st August and that residents are still able to access NHS services in Harpenden, Wheathampstead, Whitwell and Welwyn;

· Councillor Muncer is working alongside County Councillor Richard Thake to push for enhanced public transport provision in Kimpton.

The following Members took part in the debate:

· Councillor Richard Thake

· Councillor Elizabeth Dennis-Harburg

· Councillor Sam Collins

· Councillor Tony Hunter

· Councillor Judi Billing

Councillor Val Bryant commented that she was the representative of North Herts Council on the Hertfordshire Health Scrutiny Committee and that she had been approached for items to be included in future meetings. Councillor Bryant offered to pass on the issue of the closure of rural GPs the next time she was asked for meeting items.

Councillor Val Bryant proposed and Councillor Judi Billing seconded and, following a vote it was:

RESOLVED: That Councillor Val Bryant, as representative of North Herts Council on the Hertfordshire Health Scrutiny Board, would take the issue of the closure of rural GP surgeries and raise it as an item to be discussed at the next Health Scrutiny Committee Meeting.

8B. REFERRAL FROM CABINET: 13 SEPTEMBER 2022 – MEDIUM TERM FINANCIAL STRATEGY

Was considered as Agenda Item 9

8C. REFERRAL FROM CABINET: 13 SEPTEMBER 2022 – SOFT PLAY INVESTMENT AT NORTH HERTS LEISURE CENTRE

Councillor Elizabeth Dennis-Harburg recommended that, as Councillor Steve Jarvis was the Executive Member for Environment and Leisure, he should be presenting this referral.

Councillor Steve Jarvis presented the referral from Cabinet and highlighted the following key points:

· The current report proposes to replace 2 of the 4 squash courts and some changing rooms with a soft play area; providing a facility that will provide a benefit to parents and children; allowing parents to use other facilities;

· There is a satisfactory rate of return as a part of the leisure centre that is currently being use very little is now beneficial to more people;

· As a result there needs to be two changes to the capital programme; making an addition of £150k, and moving capital allocation towards the refurbishment of the dry-side changing rooms and reallocate it to the soft play project.

Councillor Steve Jarvis proposed and Councillor Phil Weeder seconded.

The following Members took part in the debate:

· Councillor Faye Frost

· Councillor Adam Compton

· Councillor Steve Jarvis