Agenda item

To consider any questions submitted by Members of the Council, in accordance with Standing Order 4.8.11 (b).

In accordance with Standing Order 4.8.11(b), two questions had been submitted by the required deadline set out in the Constitution.

(A)  Support for Compassionate Neighbours Scheme and Other Schemes

Councillor Jon Clayden to Councillor Daniel Allen (Executive Member for Governance).

(B)  Protection of the Romano-British small town and Late Iron Age settlement at Baldock

Councillor Sam Collins to Councillor Donna Wright (Executive Member for Place).

Audio recording – 51 minutes 40 seconds

In accordance with Standing Order 4.8.11, two questions had been submitted by the required deadline set out in the Constitution.

(A)  Support for Compassionate Neighbours Scheme and Other Schemes

Councillor Jon Clayden to Councillor Daniel Allen (Executive Member for Governance):

‘The sadly precarious financial position that Garden House Hospice Care finds itself in has recently led to the short-notice closure of the North Herts Compassionate Neighbours scheme. This scheme provided very much-needed support and companionship to many residents across our district, including to an elderly man in my ward who wrote to tell me how important it had been to him since the death of his wife. Could the Executive Member please update this council on the future of these schemes in North Herts, including any help the council is planning to provide?’

Councillor Daniel Allen provided the following response:

‘Thank you, Cllr Clayden, for raising this important issue. I completely understand how upsetting the closure of the Compassionate Neighbours Scheme has been for residents who have relied on it and for the families that saw the difference that it made. It provided real companionship and reassurance for people who were often at their most vulnerable. As the scheme was established by an external organisation, the Council cannot determine the future of the service or replace the service. Our officers have been engaging and will continue to engage with Garden House Hospice to understand the changes that have been made. The Council has also shared information with community groups about alternative sources of support, including local voluntary organisation, Community Forums and relevant grant and locality funding routes where appropriate. While we cannot step in, North Herts Council remains committed to working with partners and community organisations to help ensure residents area supported within our powers and available resources.’

Councillor Jon Clayden asked a supplementary question, as follows:

‘I would like to know whether there is anything this Council could do to enable people to have access to a similar scheme? It has been a lifeline for those who have been depending on it.’

Councillor Daniel Allen responded:

‘Thank you. We would encourage that anyone speak with the Community team to help them. I was going to say that we would do our best to help, but I cannot because I don’t know what is being asked of us, but I am going to say that this is a really vital service that does much to help.’

(B)  ‘Protection of the Romano-British small town and Late Iron Age settlement at Baldock

Councillor Sam Collins to Councillor Donna Wright (Executive Member for Place):

“The Late Iron age and Romano-British town at Baldock has been placed on the at-risk register by Historic England who state that the site has major problems, has high vulnerability and is declining. Historic England has also highlighted that there is no action or strategy identified or agreed to protect this site of national importance. What is the administration doing to protect this nationally important historic site?”

Councillor Donna Wright provided the following response:

‘The historic settlement at Baldock has been on Historic England's risk register since 2016. Much of the settlement is beneath the area known locally as Walls Field and has been farmed for many years.

The Masterplan for the Growing Baldock project was approved by Council in June 2025. It says that Walls Field will be taken out of agricultural use to provide a new public open space and this will focus on natural grassland and biodiversity. This lower intensity of use will reduce the pressure on the Scheduled Ancient Monument.

An outline planning application is currently being considered and Historic England's response to the application is available on our website. This says that the end of ploughing impacts and appropriate future management would likely result in the site being taken off the 'at risk' register.’

Councillor Sam Collins asked a supplementary question, as follows:

‘Historic England’s guidance states that local planning authorities should have the ability to assess heritage assets within the local heritage list. These local heritage lists, if the officers have delegated authority to add sites, what is the procedure to add sites to the list and how do members of the public have access to those lists?’

Councillor Donna Wright responded:

‘I don’t know what that procedure is and I will have to check with officers. We have begun discussions with urban and civic as part of the planning process and the masterplan will ensure we have a broad strategy and that is the main point with this site. I will have to get back to Cllr Collins on the process he mentions.’