Decisions

RESOLVED: That the application for a Premises Licence was rejected for the reasons as set out in the Decision Notice.

The Report of the Licensing Officer was noted.

The Licensing Hearing Procedure was noted.

RESOLVED:That the Minutes of the Meeting of the Committee held on 12 September 2019 be approved as a true record of the proceedings and be signed by the Chairman.

There was no other business notified.

(1)       Fire Announcement

The Vice-Chairman advised that no testing of the fire alarms was expected. If the alarm did sound those attending were to leave the building by the fire exits.

(2)     Mobile Phones

The Vice-Chairman reminded those present to turn off mobile phones or mute the ring tone and other sounds.

(3)     Climate Emergency

Members were reminded that this Council had declared a Climate Emergency.  This was a serious decision and meant 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.

(4)     Audio Recording

The Vice-Chairman advised that, in accordance with Council policy this meeting was being audio recorded.

(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 item 3 on the agenda.

(6)     Refreshments

The Vice-Chairman invited all Members to refreshments after the meeting in Committee Rooms 2/3.

(7)     Comfort break

The Vice-Chairman advised that. if the meeting went on beyond 9pm, he would call a 5 minute comfort break. He reminded Members to remain in the room prior to this to ensure they could vote.

(8)     Councillor Helen Oliver

The Vice-Chairman, on behalf of the Council, congratulated Councillor Helen Oliver on her recent marriage.

(9)     Rules of Debate

The Vice-Chairman reminded Members that in accordance with the Constitution please could Members ensure that no speech exceeded five minutes without the consent of the Chairman.

(10)   Business Rate Pooling Application – Use of Urgency in Relation to Call-In

Attention was drawn to the Information note which advised Council of the use of urgency provisions, which in accordance with the Constitution must be reported to the next meeting of the Council.

(11)   Order of Business

The Vice-Chairman advised that he would be taking Item 8 – Notice of Motions immediately following Public Participation.

Ms Rosie Waters, Citizens Advice North Herts, thanked the Vice-Chairman for the opportunity to address Council as follows:

The Vice-Chairman thanked Ms Waters for her presentation.

There were no questions from Members.

RESOLVED:

That this Council expresses its concern about the perilous state of the upper reaches of the River Ivel and other local chalk streams, including the Rivers Purwell and Hiz and St Ippolyts Brook.

Council notes that the River Ivel has been continuously dry in an area extending from the Ivel Springs Local Nature Reserve downstream to Radwell for a period of well over a year.

Council further notes that there has been no flow in the upper Ivel during half the months of the previous four years.

The River Ivel is one of the rare and ecologically important chalk streams of the Chiltern Chalk Aquifer. According to the Ivel Springs Greenspace Action Plan for 2010–2015, “Chalk rivers are extremely rare and included in the Herts Biodiversity Action Plan. The river and its wetlands are important habitats for a wide range of species”. This is a resource we should cherish and protect. Instead, the watercourses are dry, the fish are dead and other associated wildlife is gone.

Council is therefore determined to ensure that a healthy year-round water flow be restored and maintained in the upper reaches of the river from the area known as Ivel Springs down to Radwell Lake and beyond.

Furthermore, Council recognises that the disaster of the Ivel is not an isolated instance among the chalk streams of the Chiltern Chalk Aquifer: many others are suffering dangerously low levels and consequent environmental harm.

Council therefore undertakes to implement the following actions:

1.         Elicit information from Affinity Water regarding their plans for reducing abstraction rates from the chalk aquifer:

(i)         at Baldock specifically and

(ii)        from the aquifer as a whole.

2.         Elicit plans from Affinity Water with regard to use of AMP7 (2015–2020 Asset Management Plan) money to invest in effective measures to conserve and enhance the Ivel specifically and other local chalk streams generally.

3.         Seek a pledge from Affinity Water that it will take the steps necessary to ensure that a specified minimum water flow is maintained in the upper Ivel throughout the year.

4.         Seek assurance from the Environment Agency that it will continue to monitor the impact of water abstraction from the aquifer on our local environment and take appropriate action, including consideration of withdrawal of abstraction licences, where Affinity Water allows its activities to harm the environment.

5.         Support and work with local interest groups, including the RevIvel Association in Radwell.

6.         Support the establishment of an integrated, overarching partnership to enable all relevant agencies and organisations to collaborate with the aim of protecting the chalk streams of the aquifer in its entirety.

7.         Lobby our constituency MPs for active support in all of the above.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Jean Green (Chairman of the Council) as she was attending a Civic Engagement.

Apologies for absence were also received from Councillors Kate Aspinwall, Jim McNally, Ian Moody and Sam North.

Councillor Kay Tart advised that she would arrive late for the meeting.

(A)      Item Referred from Cabinet: 31 October 2019 – Hertfordshire Growth Board

RESOLVED: That  the proposed Memorandum of Understanding relating to the Hertfordshire Growth Board, attached as Appendix D, be supported and the agreement signed.

(B)      Item Referred from Cabinet: 31 October 2019 – Council Plan And Council Objectives 2020-2025

RESOLVED: That this referral be taken with Item 7 (Minute 50 refers).

RESOLVED:  That grant funding of £1,451 be awarded to Woof n Wag to build a sensory garden for dogs and humans.

REASON FOR DECISION: To improve services provided by local organisations and groups which are accessed by the community.

RESOLVED:  That grant funding of £1,450 be awarded to Imajica Theatre Company to assist with for the December Community Pantomime.

REASON FOR DECISION: To improve services provided by local organisations and groups which are accessed by the community.

RESOLVED:  That grant funding of £1,500 be awarded to Howard Garden Social and Day Care Centre to install new security shutters.

REASON FOR DECISION: To improve services provided by local organisations and groups which are accessed by the community.

RESOLVED:  That grant funding of £5,000 be awarded to RESOLVE to assist with costs toward setting up utilities in their new town centre premises.

REASON FOR DECISION: To improve services provided by local organisations and groups which are accessed by the community.

RESOLVED:  That grant funding of £1,000 be awarded to Kings Community Church for a joint project to run a Christmas Café in Letchworth Town Centre.

REASON FOR DECISION:  To improve services provided by local organisations and groups which are accessed by the community.

Two Members on the Committee of Woof n Wag, thanked the Chairman for the opportunity to address the Committee and gave a verbal presentation regarding their grant application.

Ms Samantha Hough, Imajica Theatre Company CIC, thanked the Chairman for the opportunity to address the Committee and gave both a verbal and power point presentation regarding their grant application.

Mr Tony Page, Howard Garden Social and Day Care Centre, thanked the Chairman for the opportunity to address the Committee and gave a verbal presentation regarding their grant application.

Mr Joe Heeney, Resolve, thanked the Chairman for the opportunity to address the Committee and gave a verbal presentation regarding their grant application.

Ms Christine Wheatley, Kings Community Church, thanked the Chairman for the opportunity to address the Committee and gave a verbal presentation regarding their application.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Terry Hone and Deepak Sangha.

Councillor David Levett had sent his apologies due to a clash in meeting dates and times for Letchworth Committee Meeting and the BID Annual General Meeting.  However, Councillor Levett arrived at 20.10.

A number of Ward Matters were raised by Members including:

Letchworth BID;

Citizens Advice Bureau; and

Illegal Parking on Verges and Pavements

RESOLVED:  That the Committee endorses the actions taken by the Community Engagement officer to promote greater community capacity and well-being for Letchworth.

REASON FOR DECISION: To keep Members of the Committee apprised of the latest developments in community activities in Letchworth.

RESOLVED:

(1)       That Members agreed to draw electorate attention when out canvassing to any change in Polling Station location.

(2)       That Polling Places, as illustrated in the Returning Officer’s Proposals set out in Appendices A and C be designated.

REASON FOR DECISIONS:  The Electoral Registration and Administration Act 2013 introduced a change to the timing of compulsory reviews of UK Parliamentary Polling Districts and Polling Places. The compulsory review must commence and conclude between 1 October 2018 and 31 January 2020 (inclusive).

RESOLVED:

(1)       That the content of the report entitled Annual Update on S106 Obligations for Letchworth be noted;

(2)       That a report shall continue to be presented on Section 106 contributions to the Letchworth Committee on an annual basis; and

(3)       That, other than where a contribution has been negotiated for a specific purpose or project, Ward Members of the area where the Section 106 Obligation or Unilateral Undertaking funding is generated and the Area Committee be consulted prior to funding being allocated away from that area.

REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATION:

(1)       To ensure that there is a robust system for negotiating and managing Section 106 Obligations and Unilateral Undertakings, that records activity for each financial year and is placed in the public domain.

(2)       To ensure that the process is kept under constant review and Member scrutiny and that the risk associated with this activity is managed in an appropriate manner.

RESOLVED:  That the Minutes of the Meeting of the Committee held on 19 June be approved as a true record of the proceedings and be signed by the Chairman.

There was no other business notified.

(1)       The Chairman thanked those who attended Town Talk and welcomed those present at the meeting, especially those who had attended to give a presentation;

(2)       The Chairman thanked Hilary Dineen who had been the Officer administering Letchworth Committee for the last 12 years, for all of her hard work and welcomed Amelia McInally who would be clerking future Letchworth Committee Meetings;

(3)       The Chairman advised that, in accordance with Council Policy, the meeting would be audio recorded.  That members of the public and the press may use their devices to film/photograph, or do a sound recording of the meeting.  Please do not use flash and disable any sound notifications that may emit from their device;

(4)       The Chairman 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.

RESOLVED:

That application 19/00950/FP be GRANTED planning permission subject to the conditions and reasons contained in the report of the Development and Conservation Manager, and:

·                The correction at paragraph 4.2.5 – parking space ratio should read 0.7.

·                At the end of paragraph 4.3.7 the following to be added:

Block A would introduce 3 storey development into the partial rear aspect of No 41 Mill Road.  However, this would be an addition to the existing three storey block but with a much lower roof and a significantly lesser mass.  Furthermore, the building would be set off the boundary by some 12 metres from No 41 and largely opposite the flank of this property with intervening trees remaining.  The occupier of No 41 had objected to the development for other reasons but concluded that the new buildings themselves would not impact unduly on their living conditions. I agree with this assessment.

Add Noise Informative as follows:

Construction Noise

During the construction phase the guidance in BS5228-1:2009, (Code of Practice for noise control on construction and open sites) should be adhered to. 

During the construction phase no activities should take place outside the following hours: Monday to Friday 08:00-18:00hrs; Saturdays 08:00-13:00hrs and Sundays and Bank Holidays: no work at any time.

Condition 15 be amended to read:

The approved  scheme  shall incorporate at least 2 rapid Electric Vehicle (EV) ready domestic charging points as well as charging facilities for personal battery powered transport such as mobility scooters and cycles.  These will be available prior to first occupation.

Reason: To contribute to the objective of providing a sustainable transport network and to provide the necessary infrastructure to help off-set the adverse impact of the operational phase of the development on local air quality.

Condition 21 be amended to read:

Residents cycle parking: Prior to first occupation of the development hereby approved the details of the type, design of twelve cycle parking spaces as well as facilities for personal battery powered transport shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority and the Highway Authority.  Residents cycle parking should be in the form of lit, lockable and weather resistant cycle lockers or stores and be sited away from bin stores.  Cycle parking and other facilities shall be fully completed to the satisfaction of the Local Planning Authority and the Highway Authority before first occupation of the new development.

Reason: To ensure the provision in line with the Council's adopted standards contained in Policy 1 and 5 of the Hertfordshire's Local Transport Plan 4 and in accordance with the North Hertfordshire's parking standards and the NPPF as it relates to the promotion of sustainable transport.

Add a new Condition 26 to read:

Details and/or samples of materials to be used on all external elevations and the roof of the development hereby permitted shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority before the development is commenced and the approved details shall be implemented on site.

Reason:  To ensure that the development will have an acceptable appearance which does not detract from the appearance and character of the surrounding area.

The Chairman confirmed that the 4 registered speakers were in attendance.

(1)       The Chairman welcomed those present at the meeting, especially those who had attended to give a presentation;

(2)       The Chairman advised that, in accordance with Council Policy, the meeting would be audio recorded;

(3)       The Chairman 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.

There was no other business notified.

RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the Meeting of the Planning Control Committee held on 17 October 2019 be approved as a true record of the proceedings and be signed by the Chairman.

Apologies for absence was received from Councillor Val Shanley.

Having given due notice Councillor Michael Muir advised that he would be substituting for Councillor Shanley.

RESOLVED:  That the report entitled Planning Appeals be noted.

RESOLVED:

That application 19/01748/FP be DEFERRED planning permission for the following reasons:

·                In respect of Condition 4 within the report – CCTV Monitoring - Members requested that they be provided with fuller, in-depth detail and specification with respect to the type of surveillance system proposed, hours of operation and monitoring, positioning and height;

·                In respect of Condition 5 within the report – Members requested that they be provided with more detailed information and specification to include the type of lighting proposed, a programme of maintenance and operation, position and height; and

·                Paragraph 3.2 within the report - In light of the concerns raised by the Police Crime Prevention Design Advisor, Members felt that they would be in a position to make an informed decision once they had been supplied with and were satisfied with the outcome of information with respect to CCTV and lighting.

RESOLVED:  That the Minutes of the Meeting of the Planning Control Committee held on 19 September 2019 be approved as a true record of the proceedings and be signed by the Chairman.

There was no other business notified.

RESOLVED:That the Minutes of the Meeting of the Committee held on 24 June 2019 be approved as a true record of the proceedings and be signed by the Chairman.

Audio Recording – Start of Item – 32 Seconds

Apologies for absence was received from Councillor Valentine Shanley.

Audio Recording – Start of Item – 1 Minute 50 Seconds

(1)       The Chairman welcomed those present at the meeting, especially those who had attended to give a presentation;

(2)       The Chairman advised of the running order of that evenings proceedings;

(3)       The Chairman advised that, in accordance with Council Policy, the meeting would be audio recorded; and

(4)       The Chairman 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.

There were no ward matters raised by Members.

RESOLVED:

(1)       That the content of the report entitled Annual Update on S106 Obligations for Baldock and District be noted;

(2)       That a report shall continue to be presented on Section 106 contributions to the Baldock Committee on an annual basis;

(3)       That S106 Monitoring and Transport Officer be requested to investigate specific fund allocation in regard to parking issues in Baldock;

(4)       That, other than where a contribution has been negotiated for a specific purpose or project, Ward Members of the area where the Section 106 Obligation or Unilateral Undertaking funding is generated and the Area Committee be consulted prior to funding being allocated away from that area.

REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATION:

(1)       To ensure that there is a robust system for negotiating and managing Section 106 Obligations and Unilateral Undertakings, that records activity for each financial year and is placed in the public domain.

(2)       To ensure that the process is kept under constant review and Member scrutiny and that the risk associated with this activity is managed in an appropriate manner.

RESOLVED: That Polling Places, as illustrated in the Returning Officer’s Proposals set out in Appendices A and C be designated.

REASON FOR DECISION: The Electoral Registration and Administration Act 2013 introduced a change to the timing of compulsory reviews of UK Parliamentary Polling Districts and Polling Places. The compulsory review must commence and conclude between 1 October 2018 and 31 January 2020 (inclusive).

Councillor Jim McNally and The Communities Engagement Officer updated the Committee on recently held, and forthcoming Baldock Community Events.

RESOLVED:

(1)       That funding should be initially allocated from the 2018/19 carry forward and not the 2019/20 base budget;

(2)       That the actions taken by the Community Officer to promote greater community capacity and well-being for the Baldock be endorsed.

REASONS FOR DECISIONS:

(1)       To ensure the Committee is kept informed of the work of the Community Engagement Team;

(2)       To inform Members of the financial resources available to the Committee. It draws attention to the current budgetary situation by assisting in the effective financial management of the Area Committee’s budget. This ensures that all actions are performed in line with the Authority’s Financial Regulations, the Council’s Constitution, and the guidance of the existing Grants policy as agreed by Cabinet in June 2016.

Mr Rob Hemmings, Baldock Rotary Club thanked the Chairman for the opportunity to address the Committee and gave a verbal presentation regarding their grant application.

Mr Richard Meredith Hardy, RevIvel Association, thanked the Chairman for the opportunity to address the Committee and gave a verbal presentation regarding Reviving the Upper Ivel For Future Generations.

RESOLVED:  That both Affinity Water and the Environmental Agency would be invited to attend the next meeting of the Baldock and District Committee to give a presentation on Ivel Springs. 

REASON FOR DECISION:

To provide strategy and future plans for the River Ivel.

Ms Christine Watson, Baldock Beats Waste, thanked the Chairman for the opportunity to address the Committee and gave a verbal presentation regarding their grant application.

Ms Jane Turner, Turning Worlds, thanked the Chairman for the opportunity to address the Committee and gave a verbal presentation regarding their grant application.

RESOLVED:  That grant funding of £1,150 be awarded to Baldock Rotary Club to assist with purchase of Christmas Lights and Decorations and the hire of Cherry Picker for installing Christmas Tree Lights.

REASON FOR DECISION:  To improve services provided by local organisations and groups which are accessed by the Community.

RESOLVED:  That grant funding of £350 be awarded to Baldock Beats Waste to assist with Venue Hire and Publicity Costs.

REASON FOR DECISION:  To improve services provided by local organisations and groups which are accessed by the Community.

RESOLVED:  That grant funding of £500 be awarded to Turning Worlds to assist with Venue Hire, Publicity and Equipment Costs.

REASON FOR DECISION:  To improve services provided by local organisations and groups which are accessed by the Community.