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.
Decision:
(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 did not apply to this meeting. A comfort break would be held at an appropriate time, should proceedings continue at length.
(6) The Chair congratulated all Councillors from across Hertfordshire who were successful in their election to the County Council in the recent elections. Specifically at North Herts, he congratulated Councillors Ian Albert, Tina Bhartwas, Alistair Willoughby, Ruth Brown, Steve Jarvis, Sean Prendergast, Chris Lucas, Ralph Muncer and David Barnard on their successful election or re-election.
(7) The Chair reminded Members to complete their Register of Interest forms by the 31 May 2025.
(8) The Chair reminded Members to complete their election expenses by 6 June 2025.
(9) The Chair reminded Members to complete the post-election survey from the Electoral Services Team by 31 May 2025.
(10) On behalf of the former Chair, Cllr Clare Billing, the Chair confirmed the amount raised for her chosen charity, Sands, during the Civic Year 2024-25 and advised that a representative from Sands would be invited to a future meeting of Full Council to be presented with a cheque.
(11) The Chair offered thanks to Penny Copestake, Chair’s Secretary, on behalf of the former Chair, Councillor Clare Billing, and announced that a bouquet would be sent in recognition of her hard work and support. The Chair wished Penny a very happy and well-deserved retirement.
(12) The Chair advised Members that the Director – Place would be retiring shortly after 35 years at the Council and wished him a long and enjoyable retirement.
(13) The Chair advised Members that the Director – Governance would be retiring shortly and wished her a long and happy retirement.
Minutes:
Audio recording – 15 minutes 20 seconds
N.B Councillor Sam Collins entered the Chamber at 19:50
(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 did not apply to this meeting. A comfort break would be held at an appropriate time, should proceedings continue at length.
(6) The Chair congratulated all Councillors from across Hertfordshire who were successful in their election to the County Council in the recent elections. Specifically at North Herts, he congratulated Councillors Ian Albert, Tina Bhartwas, Alistair Willoughby, Ruth Brown, Steve Jarvis, Sean Prendergast, Chris Lucas, Ralph Muncer and David Barnard on their successful election or re-election.
(7) The Chair reminded Members to complete their Register of Interest forms by the 31 May 2025.
(8) The Chair reminded Members to complete their election expenses by 6 June 2025.
(9) The Chair encouraged Members, Agents and Election Candidates to complete the post-election survey by the 31 May 2025.
(10) On behalf of the former Chair, Councillor Clare Billing, the Chair confirmed the amount raised for her chosen charity, Sands, during the civic year 2024-25.
(11) The Chair offered thanks to Penny Copestake, Chair’s Secretary, on behalf of the former Chair of Council Councillor Clare Billing, and announced that a bouquet would be sent in recognition of her hard work and support. The Chair also advised that Penny would be retiring in July 2025 and wished her a very happy and well-deserved retirement.
The Group Leaders thanked Penny for her helpfulness and for the support she had provided them and wished her the best in her retirement.
(12) The Chair advised that the Director – Place would be retiring shortly after more than 35 years of service at the Council and wished him a long and happy retirement.
The Group Leaders congratulated the Director – Place for his long career at the Council, starting as an Apprentice and working his way up to the position of Director. They all wished him a long and happy retirement.
(13) The Chair advised that the Director – Governance would be retiring in July 2025 and wished her a long and happy retirement.
The Group Leaders thanked the Director – Governance for her dedication and professionalism during her career at the Council. They all wished her a happy and well-deserved retirement.