Climate Emergency
Members are reminded that this Council has declared a Climate Emergency. This is a serious decision and means that, as this is an emergency, all of us, officers and Members have that in mind as we carry out our various roles and tasks for the benefit of our District.
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) Carl Holland
It was with great sadness that the Chair announced that Carl Holland sadly passed away on 15th September 2020 after a relatively short illness. He was employed by NHDC as an Assistive Technologies Officer for the Careline team and had worked there since 1st August 2017. Carl was an incredibly happy and popular member of the team who is survived by his wife Samantha and two young daughters.
A minutes silence was held in Carl’s memory.
(2) Audio Recording
The Chair advised that, in accordance with Council policy this meeting was being audio recorded as well as filmed. The audio recordings would be available to view on Mod.gov and the film recording via the NHDC Youtube channel.
(3) Climate Emergency
The Chair advised that, since the council declared a climate emergency, he felt that it was important to continue to demonstrate the progress and commitment that the Council had made to this. Therefore all future agendas would have the following wording included:
“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.
(4) Gill Hills – 25 years service
Gill worked as a Parking attendant for 25 years and since reaching this milestone had retired.
Gill would always be known as the Matron of the team with the kindness, support and friendship she had shown to everyone, her professional attitude and leading by example
She had a ‘no fear’ attitude towards her role and didn’t suffer fools gladly.
So friendly and helpful to all members of the public, although did manage to sustain an injury to her foot (twice) after it was driven over by a member of public, that was how much determination she demonstrated to her role.
Gill featured on the front page of the Comet in January 2005 as a result of the Traffic Management Act and up to her retirement she maintained that pride.
Gill was a perfect Ambassador for Parking Services and NHDC who would be difficult to replace.
During the 25 years she served with NHDC she gained many friends in every department, saw many people come and go, and experienced many changes but every day she came to work with the same sunny nature taking all changes onboard every time.
She would be incredibly missed and we wish her well in her retirement.
Councillor Martin Stears-Handscomb, Leader of the Council, paid tribute to the service given by Gill and wished her well in her retirement.
Councillor Terry Tyler proposed, Councillor Val Bryant seconded and it was:
RESOLVED: That the Council place on record its sincere thanks and appreciation to Gill Hills for her long and valuable service to Local Government”
(5) Declarations of Interest
Members were reminded to make declarations of interest before an item, the detailed reminder about this and speaking rights was set out under Chair’s Announcements on the agenda.
(6) Rules of Debate
Members were reminded that the normal procedure rules in respect of debate and times to speak would apply.
(7) Comfort Break
The Chair announced that, if the meeting was still in progress at 9pm, he would call a comfort break at an appropriate place.
Minutes:
Audio recording – 4 minute 48 seconds
(1) Carl Holland
It was with great sadness that the Chair announced that Carl Holland sadly passed away on 15th September 2020 after a relatively short illness. He was employed by NHDC as an Assistive Technologies Officer for the Careline team and had worked there since 1st August 2017. Carl was an incredibly happy and popular member of the team who is survived by his wife Samantha and two young daughters.
A minutes silence was held in Carl’s memory.
(2) Audio Recording
The Chair advised that, in accordance with Council policy this meeting was being audio recorded as well as filmed. The audio recordings would be available to view on Mod.gov and the film recording via the NHDC Youtube channel.
(3) Climate Emergency
The Chair advised that, since the council declared a climate emergency, he felt that it was important to continue to demonstrate the progress and commitment that the Council had made to this. Therefore all future agendas would have the following wording included:
“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.
(4) Gill Hills – 25 years service
Gill worked as a Parking attendant for 25 years and since reaching this milestone had retired.
Gill would always be known as the Matron of the team with the kindness, support and friendship she had shown to everyone, her professional attitude and leading by example
She had a ‘no fear’ attitude towards her role and didn’t suffer fools gladly.
So friendly and helpful to all members of the public, although did manage to sustain an injury to her foot (twice) after it was driven over by a member of public, that was how much determination she demonstrated to her role.
Gill featured on the front page of the Comet in January 2005 as a result of the Traffic Management Act and up to her retirement she maintained that pride.
Gill was a perfect Ambassador for Parking Services and NHDC who would be difficult to replace.
During the 25 years she served with NHDC she gained many friends in every department, saw many people come and go, and experienced many changes but every day she came to work with the same sunny nature taking all changes onboard every time.
She would be incredibly missed and we wish her well in her retirement.
Councillor Martin Stears-Handscomb, Leader of the Council, paid tribute to the service given by Gill and wished her well in her retirement.
Councillor Terry Tyler proposed, Councillor Val Bryant seconded and it was:
RESOLVED: That the Council place on record its sincere thanks and appreciation to Gill Hills for her long and valuable service to Local Government”
(5) Declarations of Interest
Members were reminded to make declarations of interest before an item, the detailed reminder about this and speaking rights was set out under Chair’s Announcements on the agenda.
(6) Rules of Debate
Members were reminded that the normal procedure rules in respect of debate and times to speak would apply.
(7) Comfort Break
The Chair announced that, if the meeting was still in progress at 9pm, he would call a comfort break at an appropriate place.