Agenda, decisions and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber, Wallfields, Hertford. View directions

Contact: Martin Ibrahim  Tel: (01279) 502173 Email:  martin.ibrahim@eastherts.gov.uk

Media

Items
No. Item

166.

Leader's Announcements

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Leader welcomed Members, Officers and the public to the meeting and reminded everyone that the meeting was being webcast.

 

The Leader made the following statement:

 

“At 2.15 pm, the Director of Planning at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government notified the Chief Executive of East Hertfordshire District Council that the Secretary of State, Rt. Hon James Brokenshire MP has today issued a holding direction under section 21a of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (inserted by section 145(5) of the Housing and Planning Act 2016) on the adoption of the East Herts District Plan, due to be adopted this evening.

 

Accordingly items 9 and 10 are being withdrawn from tonight’s Agenda, because this means we are currently unable to adopt the District Plan.

 

I am, of course,  very disappointed with this decision both because it has been made at such a late stage in the process and also because the Plan was inspected by a senior and experienced planning inspector (appointed by the Secretary of State) and the Council has fully accepted all of her recommendations and suggestions.

 

We remain confident in the soundness of the Plan and will work with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to resolve any issues it has with the Plan.  Due to the impact that this will have on the local and wider community and in view of the thorough examination of the Plan that has already taken place, we will encourage the Secretary of State to act expeditiously to avoid further uncertainty.  We are all too well aware of the speculative development that has taken place in parts of our district because of the lack of a 5 year land supply.  None of us want to be in that position again.”

167.

Minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 17 July 2018 (previously circulated as part of the Council agenda of 25 July 2018)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor E Buckmaster moved, and Councillor G McAndrew seconded, a motion to approve the Minutes of the previous meeting as a correct record.  After being put to the meeting, and a vote taken, the motion was declared CARRIED.

 

RESOLVED – that the Minutes of the Executive meeting held on 17 July 2018 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Leader.

168.

Update from Overview and Scrutiny Committee pdf icon PDF 57 KB

To receive a report of the Committee Chairman.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Executive received a report from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee detailing its comments and recommendations on various matters considered at its meeting held on 10 July 2018, including on:

 

·                        Shared Services Update : IT

·                        Shared Services : CCTV

·                        Potential Kingsmead Scheme

 

The Executive received the report.

 

RESOLVED – that the report be received.

169.

Update from Performance, Audit and Governance Scrutiny Committee pdf icon PDF 75 KB

To receive a report of the Committee Chairman.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Executive received a report from the Performance, Audit and Governance Scrutiny Committee detailing its comments and recommendations on various matters considered at its meeting held on 19 June 2018, including on:

 

·                        General Fund Revenue and Capital Outturn 2017/18 and Medium Term Financial Plan

·                        Annual Statement of Accounts

·                        External Auditors’ Report

·                        SIAS – Assurance Statement

·                        SIAS – Progress report on Audit Plan

·                        Annual Governance Statement 2017/18

·                        Risk Management Annual Report

·                        Work Programme

·                        Insurance Options for 2019

 

The Executive received the report.

 

RESOLVED – that the report be received.

170.

Bishop’s Stortford North – Allocation of s106 Funding for Sports Investments pdf icon PDF 62 KB

Key Decision

Additional documents:

Decision:

That (A) the proposed process for allocating s106 payments arising from the Bishop’s Stortford North housing development for sports investments be noted;

 

(B)     authority be delegated to the Deputy Chief Executive and the Executive Member for Health and Wellbeing to agree the final details of the process including the application, evaluation, award, terms and conditions and the agreement, etc; and

 

(C)     authority be delegated to the Executive Member for Health and Wellbeing to determine funding awards to organisations.

Minutes:

The Executive Member for Health and Wellbeing submitted a report proposing a process for the allocation of Section 106 funding arising from the Bishop’s Stortford North housing development.  He also proposed the use of this framework for future allocations of S106 sports investments across the District as they arise.

 

The Executive Member outlined the identified demand for sports facilities which far exceeded the funding streams available, thus necessitating the need for a clear process to allocate resources that would address key needs.  He referred to the timetable for the funding becoming available and the priority criteria identified in the Sports Investment Strategy.

 

The proposals for the application process and form were detailed in Essential Reference Papers ‘C’ and ‘D’ of the report submitted.

 

In response to Members’ comments and questions, the Executive Member referred to the need for a robust process to ensure that funding was sustainable and would help sports organisations to become self-sufficient.

 

Councillor E Buckmaster moved, and Councillor J Goodeve seconded, a motion that the recommendations now detailed, be approved.  After being put to the meeting and a vote taken, the motion was declared CARRIED.

 

The Executive approved the proposals now detailed.

 

RESOLVED - that (A) the proposed process for allocating s106 payments arising from the Bishop’s Stortford North housing development for sports investments be noted;

 

(B)       authority be delegated to the Deputy Chief Executive and the Executive Member for Health and Wellbeing to agree the final details of the process including the application, evaluation, award, terms and conditions and the agreement, etc; and

 

(C)       authority be delegated to the Executive Member for Health and Wellbeing to determine funding awards to organisations.

171.

Options for the Future of the Pinehurst Community Centre and Attached Properties pdf icon PDF 859 KB

Key Decision

 

Note – Essential Reference Papers B – C are enclosed for Members only as they contain exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part I of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.  In considering these matters, if necessary, the meeting may exclude the press and public in accordance with Agenda Item 21.

Additional documents:

Decision:

That support is granted ‘in principle’ for the redevelopment of the Pinehurst Community Centre and attached shops and flats, for the purposes of reproviding the community centre, a shop and residential flats as outlined in this report, and for engagement with residents and stakeholders.

Minutes:

The Executive Members for Finance and Support services and Housing submitted a joint report considering the potential for improving and/or redeveloping the Pinehurst Community Centre, the adjacent shop and flat and attached Network Homes flat, collectively referred to as the Kingsmead site.  They sought ‘in principle’ support for the redevelopment of the site to reprovide an improved community centre, a shop and residential flats.  They also sought an Executive recommendation to Council that the council’s housing company, Millstream Property Investments Ltd, be requested to carry out this development.

 

The Executive considered the current state of the site and the redevelopment opportunities.  A member/officer group had carried out an appraisal of the following options:

 

·                        refurbishment of the community centre and shop with no changes to the two residential flats;

·                        disposal of the site to a housing association or developer; and

·                        a council-led redevelopment of the site.

 

The Executive considered the key criteria against which each option was assessed including the financial appraisals.  The working group had concluded that the favoured option was the council-led redevelopment of the site.  This view had also been supported by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, at its meeting held on 10 July 2018.

 

The Executive Member for Finance and Support Services expressed his thanks to the local ward Members, Councillors J Goodeve and M Stevenson for their contribution to the member/officer group.

 

Councillor G Williamson moved, and Councillor J Goodeve seconded, a motion that the recommendations now detailed, be approved.  After being put to the meeting and a vote taken, the motion was declared CARRIED.

 

The Executive approved the recommendations now detailed.

 

RESOLVED - that (A) support is granted ‘in principle’ for the redevelopment of the Pinehurst Community Centre and attached shops and flats, for the purposes of reproviding the community centre, a shop and residential flats as outlined in this report, and for engagement with residents and stakeholders; and

 

(B)       Council is recommended to, acting in its role as shareholder of the council’s housing company, Millstream Property Investments Ltd, request that Millstream assesses the viability of the scheme for inclusion in its business plan. 

172.

Adoption of the East Herts District Plan pdf icon PDF 53 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

As noted earlier in the meeting (Minute 166 refers), this item had been withdrawn.

173.

East Herts District Plan - Sustainability Appraisal Adoption Statement pdf icon PDF 49 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

As noted earlier in the meeting (Minute 166 refers), this item had been withdrawn.

174.

Community Governance Review of Bishop's Stortford Town Council - Second Stage Consultation pdf icon PDF 124 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Executive Member for Finance and Support Services submitted a report detailing the responses received during the second stage consultation period for the Community Governance Review of Bishop’s Stortford Town Council.  He asked the Executive to consider these and forward recommendations to Council, which would agree the final outcome of the review. 

 

The Executive noted the responses as detailed in the report submitted.  The Executive Member commented on the consultation responses and suggested that amended proposals be forwarded to Council for consideration.  In particular, he referred to the land south of Whittington Way and the uncertainties and timescales in respect of the proposed development.  He suggested that in view of these, no change to the boundary be made at this stage, but that the situation be kept under review when residents in the area could be consulted.

 

In respect of the proposals on St. Michaels’s Mead, he proposed the new boundary in the original suggested changes, except that the unoccupied land adjacent, including Southern Country Park, be left in Thorley.

 

Finally, in respect of the Thorley Parish Council electoral arrangements, given the more limited change to the boundary now proposed, he suggested that the change to an unwarded parish was now unnecessary.

 

The Executive Member for Economic Development reiterated his previously expressed view that the land south of Whittington Way should be transferred from Thorley to Bishop’s Stortford and did not support the Executive Member for Finance and Support Services’ proposal on this. 

 

The Leader expressed her appreciation to John Williams for his continued support on all community governance review matters.

 

Councillor G Williamson moved, and Councillor S Rutland-Barsby seconded, a motion that the recommendations now detailed be supported.  After being put to the meeting and a vote taken, the motion was declared CARRIED.

 

The Executive supported the recommendations now detailed.

 

RECOMMENDED – that (A) the responses received to the second stage consultation on the community governance review of Bishop’s Stortford Town Council, as set out in the report submitted, be noted;

 

(B)       the draft recommendations for the community governance review of Bishop’s Stortford Town Council be confirmed, subject to the following amendments:

 

(i)        the land south of Whittington Way earmarked in the District Plan should not be transferred to Bishop’s Stortford at this stage and that no change be made to that section of the parish boundary in connection with this review;

 

(ii)       all of St Michael’s Mead be included in Bishop’s Stortford as proposed but that the parish boundary should follow Moor Hall Lane from St James’ Way to the existing boundary so that Southern Country Park and other undeveloped adjacent land will remain in Thorley Parish;

 

(iii)      the size of Bishop’ Stortford Town Council be reduced from 18 to 17 town councillors as proposed by the Town Council, to be achieved by reducing the number of town councillors to be elected to represent All Saints Ward from 4 to 3;

 

(iv)      Thorley Parish Council on its new boundaries continue to be divided into Urban and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 174.

175.

Community Governance Review of Buntingford Town Council - Second Stage Consultation pdf icon PDF 97 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Executive Member for Finance and Support Services submitted a report detailing the responses received during the second stage consultation period for the Community Governance Review of Buntingford Town Council.  He asked the Executive to consider these and forward recommendations to Council, which would agree the final outcome of the review. 

 

The Executive noted the responses as detailed in the report submitted.  The Executive Member commented on the consultation responses and suggested that amended proposals be forwarded to Council for consideration.  In particular, he suggested that in relation to Parkside and its neighbouring properties, these should remain in Cottered parish.

 

Councillors S Bull and J Jones, as the local ward Members, both expressed support for the revised proposals.

 

Councillor G Williamson moved, and Councillor G McAndrew seconded, a motion that the recommendations now detailed be supported.  After being put to the meeting and a vote taken, the motion was declared CARRIED.

 

The Executive supported the recommendations now detailed.

 

RECOMMENDED – that (A) the responses received to the second stage consultation on the community governance review of Buntingford Town Council as set out in the report submitted, be noted; and

 

(B)       the draft recommendations for the community governance review of Buntingford Town Council, be confirmed, subject to the following amendment:

 

·                        That in relation to the land between the A10 and Ermine Street north of Park Farm Industrial Estate, only the area of the Redrow housing development be transferred into Buntingford and that the parish boundary then follow the northern edge of the Redrow development site so that Parkside and the neighbouring properties remain within Cottered Parish.   

176.

Community Governance Review of Eastwick and Gilston Parish Council - Second Stage Consultation pdf icon PDF 83 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Executive Member for Finance and Support Services submitted a report detailing the second stage consultation for the Community Governance Review of Eastwick and Gilston Parish Council.  He asked the Executive to note that no responses were received and to forward recommendations to Council, which would agree the final outcome of the review. 

 

Councillor G Williamson moved, and Councillor E Buckmaster seconded, a motion that the recommendations now detailed be supported.  After being put to the meeting and a vote taken, the motion was declared CARRIED.

 

The Executive supported the recommendations now detailed.

 

RECOMMENDED – that (A) the receipt of no further responses to the second stage consultation on the community governance review of Eastwick and Gilston Parish Council, be noted; and

 

(B)       the draft recommendations for the community governance review of Eastwick and Gilston Parish Council, be confirmed.

177.

Council Tax Reduction Scheme 2019/2020 pdf icon PDF 93 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Executive Member for Finance and Support Services submitted a report on the latest available information around the current local Council Tax Support (CTS) scheme at East Herts and whether any changes to the scheme should be considered for 2019/20.   

 

He referred to the consideration by Overview and Scrutiny Committee, at its meeting held on 17 April 2018, of a potential new scheme for 2019/20 based on income bands.  This aimed to simplify the criteria for customers as well as mitigating the impact of changes in circumstances on workload and council tax collection, resulting from universal credit reassessments.  Members were advised that substantial modelling would need to be carried out to avoid any unintended consequences, as well as enabling full consultation with taxpayers and major preceptors.  Unfortunately the software modelling tool had proved to be insufficiently sophisticated to enable the modelling to be progressed with sufficient confidence in the results.  A new module was due for release in the autumn and it was proposed to recommence modelling again at that time, for consideration for a scheme from 2020.

 

As such, the Executive Member advised that it would be necessary to continue the existing scheme for 2019/20.  The Chairman of Overview and Scrutiny Committee had been consulted on this proposal.

 

Councillor G Williamson moved, and Councillor J Goodeve seconded, a motion that the recommendation now detailed be supported.  After being put to the meeting and a vote taken, the motion was declared CARRIED.

 

The Executive supported the recommendation now detailed.

 

RECOMMENDED – that there be no changes to the scheme design for East Herts local Council Tax Support scheme for April 2019. 

178.

East of Stevenage Masterplan pdf icon PDF 63 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Leader submitted a report which considered the Masterplan for the East of Stevenage site.  She reminded the Executive of the Council’s approach to master planning.  It was noted that the proposed Framework would provide the basis on which preparation of the detailed planning application stage could proceed.

 

Councillor L Haysey moved, and Councillor S Rutland-Barsby seconded, a motion that the recommendation now detailed be supported.  After being put to the meeting and a vote taken, the motion was declared CARRIED.

 

The Executive supported the recommendation now detailed.

 

RECOMMENDED - that the Masterplan for the strategic allocation known as ‘Land to the East of Stevenage, as detailed at Essential Reference Paper ‘B’ to the report submitted, be agreed as a material consideration for Development Management purposes.

179.

Request for Area Designation for Neighbourhood Planning: Ware, Ware Town Council pdf icon PDF 42 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

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

Minutes:

The Leader of the Council submitted a report seeking approval for the designation of a neighbourhood area for Ware, as detailed on the plan attached to the report submitted. 

 

The Executive considered the application made by Ware Town Council and the consultation undertaken.  The report submitted detailed the main areas of consideration in determining the application in accordance with Schedule 9 of the Localism Act 2011.

 

Councillor L Haysey moved, and Councillor G McAndrew seconded, a motion that the recommendation now detailed, be approved.  After being put to the meeting, and a vote taken, the motion was declared CARRIED.

 

The Executive approved the recommendation now detailed.

 

RESOLVED - that the application for the designation of a Ware Neighbourhood Area, submitted by Ware Town Council, be supported.

180.

Request for Area Designation for Neighbourhood Planning: Stanstead Abbotts and St Margaret’s, Stanstead Abbotts Parish Council pdf icon PDF 42 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

That the application for the designation of a Stanstead Abbotts and St Margarets Neighbourhood Area, submitted by Stanstead Abbotts Parish Council, be supported.

Minutes:

The Leader of the Council submitted a report seeking approval for the designation of a neighbourhood area for Stanstead Abbots and St. Margaret’s, as detailed on the plan attached to the report submitted. 

 

The Executive considered the application made by Stanstead Abbots Parish Council and the consultation undertaken.  The report submitted detailed the main areas of consideration in determining the application in accordance with Schedule 9 of the Localism Act 2011.

 

Councillor L Haysey moved, and Councillor E Buckmaster seconded, a motion that the recommendation now detailed, be approved.  After being put to the meeting, and a vote taken, the motion was declared CARRIED.

 

The Executive approved the recommendation now detailed.

 

RESOLVED - that the application for the designation of a Stanstead Abbotts and St Margaret’s Neighbourhood Area, submitted by Stanstead Abbotts Parish Council, be supported.

181.

General Fund Revenue and Capital Outturn 2017/18 and Medium Term Financial Plan 2019/20 Update pdf icon PDF 73 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

That (A) the transfer of the General Fund revenue outturn of £8k under-spend to the General Reserve, be approved; and

 

(B)     Capital budgets of £1.496m be re-profiled from the 2017/18 capital programme to 2018/19 programme to fund ongoing capital schemes.

Minutes:

The Executive Member for Finance and Support Services submitted a report advising on the General Fund Revenue Outturn for 2017/18 and providing explanations for significant variances against the approved budget.  He also advised on the financing arrangements for the 2017/18 Capital Outturn and the updated 2018/19 Capital budget allowing for the approved slippage from 2017/18. 

 

Councillor G Williamson moved, and Councillor G McAndrew seconded, a motion that the recommendations now detailed, be approved.  After being put to the meeting, and a vote taken, the motion was declared CARRIED.

 

The Executive approved the proposals as now detailed.

 

RESOLVED - that (A) the transfer of the General Fund revenue outturn of £8k under-spend to the General Reserve, be approved; and

 

(B)       Capital budgets of £1.496m be re-profiled from the 2017/18 capital programme to 2018/19 programme to fund ongoing capital schemes.

182.

Insurance Contracts Options pdf icon PDF 44 KB

Note – Essential Reference Paper B is enclosed for Members only as it contains exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part I of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.  In considering these matters, if necessary, the meeting may exclude the press and public in accordance with Agenda Item 21.

Additional documents:

Decision:

That (A) the Council’s insurance contracts should be extended for up to two years; and

 

(B)     ongoing participation as a Founding Member of the Local Government Association Mutual is maintained as recommended by Performance, Audit and Governance Scrutiny Committee.

Minutes:

The Executive Member for Finance and Support Services submitted a report regarding future insurance arrangements as the Council’s Long Term Agreement ends in 2019.  He detailed the options available and referred to the consideration by the Performance, Audit and Governance Scrutiny Committee on 24 July 2018.  The Committee had recommended that the Council extend existing contracts for up to two years with a report submitted in 2019 providing updates on the options available then.  The Committee also recommended that the Council remain a Founding Member of the LGA Mutual and requested that next year’s report included an update on that offering.

 

The Executive Member thanked Councillors G Cutting and B Deering for their contributions on the options appraisal.  Councillor B Deering expressed his support for the recommended approach.

 

Councillor G Williamson moved, and Councillor E Buckmaster seconded, a motion that the recommendations now detailed, be approved.  After being put to the meeting, and a vote taken, the motion was declared CARRIED.

 

 The Executive approved the recommendations now detailed.

 

RESOLVED - that (A) the Council’s insurance contracts should be extended for up to two years; and

 

(B)       ongoing participation as a Founding Member of the Local Government Association Mutual is maintained as recommended by Performance, Audit and Governance Scrutiny Committee.

183.

Risk Management Annual Report 2018/19 pdf icon PDF 45 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

That the content of the Strategic Risk Register be agreed.

Minutes:

The Executive Member for Finance and Support Services submitted a report advising the Executive of the proposed content of the Strategic Risk Register for 2018/19.

 

The Executive recalled that during 2017/18, it had been agreed that an annual risk report would be submitted with updates received on an exception basis only, rather than reports being submitted four times per year.  This report represented the first annual report received by the Executive. 

 

Councillor G Williamson moved, and Councillor J Goodeve seconded, a motion that the recommendation now detailed, be approved.  After being put to the meeting, and a vote taken, the motion was declared CARRIED.

 

The Executive approved the recommendation now detailed.

 

RESOLVED - that the content of the Strategic Risk Register be agreed.