Agenda item

ENVIRONMENTAL CRIME VEHICLES

REPORT OF THE SERVICE DIRETOR LEGAL AND COMMUNITY

 

To confirm the leasing of two Ultra Low Emission Vehicles (ULEV).  This will ensure that the Authority provides vehicles that are suitable for the Environmental Crime Officers to undertake their duties as well as supporting the Council’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint.

Decision:

RECORD OF DECISION MADE UNDER DELEGATED AUTHORITY

(as a result of the Cabinet meeting on 24 March 2020 being cancelled

due to Covid-19 situation)

 

 

*PART 1 – PUBLIC DOCUMENT

 

 

Any interest to declare/ or conflict and any dispensation granted [if applicable]

 

SERVICE DIRECTORATE: Legal and Community

 

 

1.         DECISION TAKEN

 

In respect of the Cabinet Agenda – 24 March 2020 – Item 9 – Environmental Crime Vehicles

 

(1)       That the leasing of two Ultra Low Emission Vehicles (ULEV) for the Environmental Crime Officers be approved, and that the financial implications of these and how this will be managed be noted

 

Recommendation in respect of *Council motion 11/7/2019

 

(2)       That in future (in respect of implementation of the above motion*) only proposals by the Council not to lease or purchase (ULEV) need to be presented to Cabinet for approval (subject to a value for money being assessed and any increased costs being managed in line with the financial regulations).

 

2.       DECISION TAKER

 

The Chief Executive in consultation with the Leader of the Council

 

3.       DATE DECISION TAKEN:

 

2 April 2020

 

 

4.       REASON FOR DECISION

 

The Cabinet meeting on 24 March 2020 was cancelled due to the Covid-19 situation.

 

To ensure that Environmental Crime Officers are able to carry out their work duties effectively and safely and to support the Council’s commitment to reducing its carbon emissions.

 

To support the Full Council motion passed on 11th July to only lease or purchase ULEVs when the replacement of any council owned, or leased vehicle is due.

 

5.       CONSULTATION WITH COMMITTEE MEMBERS

 

Consultation including the effect on stakeholders, partners and the public is contained within the report published with the Cabinet agenda for the meeting on 24 March 2020.

 

Given the current Covid-19 situation and government advice regarding gatherings, the meeting of the Cabinet was not possible. Therefore, the Cabinet Members were requested to provide an indication as to how they would have voted and any comments as to guide the decision maker.

 

By the prescribed deadline 8 votes were cast in favour of the recommendation.

 

The following Members of Cabinet voted:

 

·                Councillor Ian Albert

·                Councillor Judi Billing

·                Councillor Paul Clark

·                Councillor Elizabeth Dennis-Harburg

·                Councillor Gary Grindal

·                Councillor Keith Hoskins

·                Councillor Steve Jarvis

·                Councillor Martin Stears-Handscomb

 

The following comments were made by Members:

 

Councillor Carol Stanier (Deputy Executive Member)

 

As this falls within our existing stated policy to buy ultralow emissions vehicles. I do not understand why this has been brought to cabinet. Obviously it should be supported or we would be going against our own policy.

 

6.       SUPPORTING REPORT

 

Other information relevant to the decision, such as legal, financial, risk, social value and equality implications, is contained within the report published as Item 9 within the Cabinet agenda for the meeting on 24 March 2020 via link below:

 

https://democracy.north-herts.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=133&MId=2200&Ver=4

 

NOTIFICATION DATE

 

3 April 2020

 

Signature of Decision Taker

 

Call-in does not apply to NON-EXECUTIVE DECISIONS

 

In respect of Executive Decisions, as per section 6.3.11(b) of the Constitution ‘Call-In and Urgency’, the call-in procedure does not apply when the decision being taken is urgent. For the purposes of the current Coronavirus pandemic, this decision is considered to be urgent (as normal meetings and the decision-making process has been suspended). The Chair of Council has been informed and agrees that the decision is a reasonable one in the circumstances and is to be treated as a matter of urgency.

Supporting documents: