Agenda, decisions and minutes

The Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Development Management and Council Support submitted a report on the Tewin Conservation Area Appraisal following public consultation.  She detailed the outcome of the public consultation in the report now submitted and advised that some comments had been taken on board.

The Appraisal identified the special character of the Conservation Area together with the elements that should be retained or enhanced and those which detracted from the identified character.  Once adopted by the Council, the Appraisal would become a ‘material consideration’ in the process of determining planning applications.  It would also link into the development of neighbourhood planning.

The Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Development Management and Council Support also detailed progress on the overall programme of Area Appraisals and advised that further details would be provided in an email link.

The Leader, speaking as the local Member, thanked Officers for taking on board the comments of residents in the consultation process.

The Executive supported the recommendations as now detailed.

RECOMMENDED – that (A) the responses to the public consultations be noted and the Officer responses and proposed changes to the Tewin Conservation Area Appraisal be approved; and

(B)      the Tewin Conservation Area Appraisal be adopted.

(see also Minute 125)

An apology for absence was submitted on behalf of Councillor G Jones.

The Leader advised that the item on Joint Working with North Herts Council on Waste and Street Cleansing contained an Essential Reference Paper ‘B’ comprising exempt information as defined by paragraph 3 of Part I of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.  Therefore, this would be considered as the last item of the agenda, in case it would be necessary to exclude the press and public.

To approve the Minutes of the meeting held on 8 June 2015.

RESOLVED – that the Minutes of the Executive meeting held on 8 June 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.

Note - Essential Reference Paper ‘B’ contains exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part I of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.  As such, it is enclosed for Members only.

That the Council proceed to the next stage, to develop an Outline Business Case for a Shared Waste and Street Cleansing Service with North Herts District Council (NHDC).

The Executive considered a joint report of the Executive Member and Ambassador for Shared Services and Executive Member for Environment and the Public Space on a proposal to develop an outline business case for a shared Waste and Street Cleansing Service with North Herts District Council (NHDC).

The Executive recalled that in December 2014, it had agreed in tandem with the NHDC Cabinet, that both Authorities undertake jointly, a project to consider whether there were benefits in developing a joint contract and shared service for waste collection and street cleansing services.  This had resulted in the strategic outline case, which was set out at Essential Reference Paper ‘B’ of the report submitted.  The Leader reminded Members that this contained exempt information and 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 and Ambassador for Shared Services referred to the strategic driver for the project in that both Councils were likely to have increasing financial pressures on their budgets in future years.  Therefore, new ways of working needed to be explored to determine what improvements and efficiencies could be achieved.  He explained that the existing contracts for both Councils terminated on the same day in May 2018, which would allow for a joint contract, if this was the preferred way forward.

In response to questions and comments from Members, the Executive Member and Ambassador for Shared Services stated that he expected to see savings achieved on both contractor and client management sides.  Further details would become clearer as the outline business case was developed.

The Leader referred to the Environment Scrutiny Committee’s support for the recommendation at its meeting held on 9 June 2015.

The Executive approved the proposal as now detailed,

RESOLVED - that the Council proceed to the next stage, to develop an Outline Business Case for a Shared Waste and Street Cleansing Service with North Herts District Council (NHDC).

That (A) the comments and recommendations of Community Scrutiny Committee be received; and

(B)     the revised Shared Ownership Local Priorities Cascade, to be implemented on 1 September 2015, be agreed.

The Executive Member for Health and Wellbeing submitted a report proposing amendments to the Council’s Shared Ownership Local Priorities Cascade.  These changes were proposed to align the Cascade with the Council’s Allocations Policy, to ensure that those with a local connection and housing need were prioritised at point of sale.

The Community Scrutiny Committee, at its meeting held on 16 June 2015, had supported the proposed changes.  The Executive Member suggested that the changes, if approved, be implemented from 1 September 2015, which would allow time for marketing materials to be prepared.

In response to Members’ questions, the Executive Member and the Housing Strategy and Development Manager confirmed that the proposed changes would result in more flexibility and give more priority to local people with an East Herts connection.

The Executive approved the changes now detailed.

RESOLVED - That (A) the comments and recommendations of Community Scrutiny Committee be received; and

(B)      the revised Shared Ownership Local Priorities Cascade, to be implemented on 1 September 2015, be agreed.

That authority be delegated to the Head of Planning and Building Control, in consultation with the Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Development Management and Council Support, to make any further minor and consequential changes to the Appraisal which may be necessary.

The Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Development Management and Council Support submitted a report on the Tewin Conservation Area Appraisal following public consultation.

RESOLVED - that authority be delegated to the Head of Planning and Building Control, in consultation with the Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Development Management and Council Support, to make any further minor and consequential changes to the Appraisal which may be necessary.

(see also Minute 118)