Agenda, decisions and minutes

The Leader of the Council submitted a report advising the Executive of the outcome of the referendum on the Bishop’s Stortford Neighbourhood Plan for Silverleys and Meads wards.  She invited the Executive Member for Economic Development, who had chaired the neighbourhood planning team, to update Members.

The Executive Member referred to the referendum result as detailed in the report submitted, and stated that, following the overwhelming vote in favour, the Council could now adopt the Plan formally, as part of the Development Plan for East Herts.

The Executive supported the recommendation as now detailed.

RECOMMENDED – that the Bishop’s Stortford Neighbourhood Plan for Silverleys and Meads Wards, as detailed at Essential Reference Paper ‘B’ to the report submitted, be formally ‘made’ and used as part of the Development Plan.

The Executive Member for Finance and Support Services submitted a report reviewing the Council’s Rick Management Strategy.  The Strategy had been reviewed by the Audit Committee, at its meeting held on 18 March 2015, and some minor amendments had been proposed.  These were set out in the report now submitted.

The Executive supported the updated Strategy as now detailed.

RECOMMENDED – that (A) the comments of Audit Committee be received; and

(B)      the updated Risk Management Strategy be approved.

The Executive considered and supported the recommendations of the District Planning Executive Panel meeting held on 19 March 2015, on the Delivery Study Update.

RECOMMENDED – that the Update Report, including the slow progress with Local Plans across England, and the risks of proceeding without sufficient evidence to meet the requirements of the National Planning Policy Framework and Planning Practice Guidance, be noted.

(see also Minute 60)

An apology for absence was submitted on behalf of Councillor Jackson.

The Leader welcomed new Members to the meeting and reminded them and the public that the meeting was being webcast.

RESOLVED – that the Minutes of the Executive meeting held on 3 March 2015 be approved as correct record and signed by the Leader.

The Executive received a report detailing those issues referred to it by the Scrutiny Committees, which were noted.  Issues relating to specific reports for the Executive were considered and detailed at the relevant report of the Executive Member.

RESOLVED – that the report be received.

That the application for the designation of a Neighbourhood Area, submitted by Braughing Parish Council, be supported.

The Leader submitted a report regarding an application for the designation of a Neighbourhood Area by Braughing Parish.  She stated that this was the first stage in the local parish designation process.

The Executive supported the application, as now detailed.

RESOLVED – that the application for the designation of a Neighbourhood Area, submitted by Braughing Parish Council, be supported.

That the application for the designation of a Neighbourhood Area, submitted by Standon Parish Council, be supported.

The Leader submitted a report regarding an application for the designation of a Neighbourhood Area by Standon Parish.  She stated that this was the first stage in the local parish designation process.

The Executive supported the application, as now detailed.

RESOLVED – that the application for the designation of a Neighbourhood Area, submitted by Standon Parish Council, be supported.

That (A) authority for setting Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) fee rates be delegated to the Director of Neighbourhood Services in consultation with the Executive Member for Environment and the Public Space;

(B)     to avoid duplication, records of use of these powers be kept by the Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) Officer; and

(C)    East Herts District Council lead on Closure Notices and Orders for Housing Association properties.

The Executive Member for Environment and the Public Space submitted a report advising that the new Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) Crime and Policing Act had come into effect.  The Act had introduced new powers in regards to ASB, dangerous dogs, forced marriage, sexual harm and illegal firearms used by gangs and in organised crime.  It also included changes to improve the provision of services to victims and witnesses.

The Executive Member advised on how the powers had already been used in East Herts and made recommendations on how they could be used in future to ensure the best use of resources and outcomes.

The Executive noted that Community Scrutiny Committee, at its meeting held on 10 March 2015, had supported the proposed recommendations.

The Executive approved the proposals now detailed.

RESOLVED - that (A) authority for setting Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) fee rates be delegated to the Director of Neighbourhood Services in consultation with the Executive Member for Environment and the Public Space;

(B)      to avoid duplication, records of use of these powers be kept by the Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) Officer; and

(C)      East Herts District Council lead on Closure Notices and Orders for Housing Association properties.

That (A) the Council agree to the transfer for £1 to Riversmead/Network Housing Associations the capital asset identified at Tudor Way, Hertford  in exchange for nomination rights to lettings in perpetuity; and

(B)     the Council agree to the transfer in (A) above on the condition that the new affordable dwellings on Tudor Way have a mix of tenure of rental and shared ownership family dwellings.

The Executive Member for Health and Wellbeing submitted a report seeking approval to release a capital asset at Tudor Way, Hertford, for the provision of affordable homes to be delivered by Riversmead/Network Housing Associations. 

The Leader advised Members that Essential Reference Paper ‘B’ of the report submitted, included exempt information as defined by paragraph 3 of Part I of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.  She expressed her wish to consider the matter in the public arena as far as possible.  However, if Members wished to ask detailed questions relating to this document, the meeting could exclude the press and public.

The Executive Member detailed the current property situation and suggested that the proposed disposal was the best course of action available to the Council, in view of the affordable housing that would be provided within the new development.  He clarified that the Council would have nomination rights in perpetuity.

The Executive approved the proposals now detailed.

RESOLVED - that (A) the Council agree to the transfer for £1 to Riversmead/Network Housing Associations the capital asset identified at Tudor Way, Hertford  in exchange for nomination rights to lettings in perpetuity; and

(B)      the Council agree to the transfer in (A) above on the condition that the new affordable dwellings on Tudor Way have a mix of tenure of rental and shared ownership family dwellings.

That the Council’s ICT Strategy as detailed in Essential Reference Paper ‘B’ of the report submitted, be approved.

The Executive Member for Finance and Support Services submitted a report proposing an ICT Strategy for 2015-18.  The proposals had been considered and supported by the Corporate Business Scrutiny Committee, at its meeting held on 17 March 2015.

The East Herts ICT Strategy for 2015-2018, as detailed in Essential Reference Paper ‘B’ of the report submitted,reflected the work of the new Shared Service covering ICT and Print and Graphic Design Services, which had been established in August 2013.  During the first eighteen months of operation, the ICT Service had implemented a range of new systems and services that were urgently required by the Council.  ICT Service Managers had also talked at length to managers and staff across the Council to understand how ICT could support the Council’s key priorities for the future.  The Executive Member acknowledged the input of Councillor P Phillips in this work during his time as the ICT portfolio holder.

The Executive approved the recommendation as now detailed.

RESOLVED - that the Council’s ICT Strategy as detailed in Essential Reference Paper ‘B’ of the report submitted, be approved.

That (A) the General Fund Revenue Outturn as set out in paragraph 2.2 for 2014/15 be noted;

(B)     the future use of the New Homes Bonus Priority Fund budget as set out in paragraph 2.7 and Essential Reference Paper ‘D’ be agreed;

(C)    the transfer of the underspend in Contingency budget for 2014/15 to the Transformation Reserve as set out in paragraph 2.8 be agreed;

(D)    the level of Reserve Balances at 31 March 2015 as set out within the report be noted;

(E)     the Capital outturn for 2014/15 as set out in paragraph 4.2 be noted;

(F)     capital slippage as set out in paragraph 4.3 be approved; and

(G)    the Capital Programme for 2015/16 to 2017/18 as set out in paragraph 4.6 be noted.

The Executive Member for Finance and Support Services submitted a report advising the Executive on the General Fund Revenue Outturn for 2014/15, which included explanations for the significant variances against the approved budget.  He also advised Members of the financing arrangements for the 2014/15 Capital Outturn and the planned financing of the updated 2015/16 capital budget allowing for the approved slippage from 2014/15.

The Director of Finance and Support Services reminded Members that the final outturn was subject to external audit and the final audited accounts would be presented for approval to the Audit Committee in September 2015.

The Executive approved the proposals as now detailed.

RESOLVED - that (A) the General Fund Revenue Outturn as set out in paragraph 2.2 for 2014/15 be noted;

(B)      the future use of the New Homes Bonus Priority Fund budget as set out in paragraph 2.7 and Essential Reference Paper ‘D’ be agreed;

(C)      the transfer of the underspend in Contingency budget for 2014/15 to the Transformation Reserve as set out in paragraph 2.8 be agreed;

(D)      the level of Reserve Balances at 31 March 2015 as set out within the report be noted;

(E)      the Capital outturn for 2014/15 as set out in paragraph 4.2 be noted;

(F)       capital slippage as set out in paragraph 4.3 be approved; and

(G)      the Capital Programme for 2015/16 to 2017/18 as set out in paragraph 4.6 be noted.

RESOLVED – that the Minutes of the District Planning Executive Panel held on 19 March 2015 be received.

(See also Minutes 49 and 61 – 62)

The Executive considered and approved the recommendations of the District Planning Executive Panel meeting held on 19 March 2015, on the Draft Appendix to the District Plan Concerning Vehicle Parking Standards.

RESOLVED - that (A) the draft District Plan Appendix concerning Vehicle Parking Standards be noted, with a decision on its final content being deferred and considered alongside the rest of the District Plan; and

(B)      a replacement Supplementary Planning Document on Vehicle Parking be prepared alongside the District Plan which will include updated guidance on design issues.

(see also Minute 60)

The Executive considered and approved the recommendations of the District Planning Executive Panel meeting held on 19 March 2015, on the Draft District Plan Chapters 15 and 16: Response to Issues Raised During Preferred Options Consultation and Draft Revised Chapters.

RESOLVED – that (A) the issues raised in respect of Chapters 15 and 16 of the Draft District Plan Preferred Options, as detailed at Essential Reference Papers B and C to the report submitted, be received;

(B)      the Officer response to the issues referred to in (A) above, as detailed in Essential Reference Papers B and C to the report submitted, be noted; and

(C)      the draft revised chapters, as detailed in Essential Reference Papers B and C to the report submitted, be noted, with decision on their final content being deferred to allow consideration of further technical work and other issues.

(see also Minute 60)

That the outturns for 2014/15 as detailed at Essential Reference Paper ‘B’ of the report submitted and the analysis in section three of the report, be noted.

The Leader of the Council submitted a report setting out the performance indicators outturns for 2014/15, which would be published in the Annual Report.  The Corporate Business Scrutiny Committee, at its meeting held on 26 May 2015, had received and noted the outturns.

In response to concerns expressed by Councillor Mrs R Cheswright on EHPI 155 (number of affordable homes delivered) being off target, the Leader commented that she expected performance to improve significantly this year.

The Executive noted the outturns.

RESOLVED - that the outturns for 2014/15 as detailed at Essential Reference Paper ‘B’ of the report submitted and the analysis in section three of the report, be noted.