Agenda and minutes

To receive any announcements.

The Chairman welcomed the press and Members to the meeting and reminded them that the meeting was being webcast.

Members were advised of the courier delivery arrangements for the Christmas/New Year period with the last one in 2014 being on Monday 22 December.  He reminded Members wishing to use the courier for sending Christmas cards to ensure that they were received in the post room at Wallfields by the Friday before.

The Chairman was pleased to advise that fundraising for the East Herts Community Chest had reached £770 to date.  Further events had been arranged and he highlighted a quiz evening being hosted by Councillor J Mayes at Wodson Park on 9 January 2015.  He asked Members to advise of any events they were involved in.  He also advised that four umbrellas were still available in aid of the Community Chest.

Finally, the Chairman invited Members to join him for seasonal light refreshments after the meeting.

To approve as a correct record and authorise the Chairman to sign the Minutes of the Council meeting held on 1 October 2014.

RESOLVED – that the Minutes of the Council meeting held on 1 October 2014 be approved a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive any Members' declarations of interest.

Councillor M Carver asked Council to note his disclosable pecuniary interest in the matter referred to at Minute 302 relating to a planning application on behalf of Hertford Regional College, for which he was Chairman of the Governors.

In respect of the same matter, Councillor J Wing asked Council to note that his wife was Vice-Chairman of the Governors at Hertford Regional College.

Councillor J Thornton asked Council to note his disclosable pecuniary interest in the matter referred to at Minute 407 relating to a change of use application.

To receive a presentation from Andrew Harrison, Managing Director, Stansted Airport.

The Chairman welcomed Alistair Andrew, Andrew Harrison and Chris Wiggan of Manchester Airports Group (MAG) to the meeting to give a presentation on their work at Stansted Airport since MAG had brought the airport in January 2013.

Andrew Harrison referred to the untapped potential of the airport, its capacity for growth and the strong economic catchment area served in the burgeoning London-Stansted-Cambridge corridor.  Since the acquisition, MAG had been focussing on customer satisfaction, offering value to airlines and developing the “Team Stansted” ethos of strong communications, relationship management with partners and a commitment to corporate social responsibility.

Finally, he looked forward to the future and referred to the recent Sustainable Development Plan issued for consultation and gave an overview of the feedback received.  He highlighted the commencement of works on a new education centre which would boost the local skills base and provide employment opportunities.

Various Members asked a number of questions highlighting issues on parking, transport infrastructure, employment opportunities and the general customer experience. 

In response, Andrew Harrison referred to the numbers of East Herts residents who worked at the airport and highlighted their contribution to the community and the economy.  He explained the improvements made to car parks resulting in greater occupancy.  Chris Wiggan believed that the problem of airport users parking in Bishop’s Stortford had reduced, but invited Members to report such activities.  A levy on car park income was available for assisting parking scheme proposals.

Alistair Andrew referred to section 106 contributions to the Little Hadham bypass.  Andrew Harrison acknowledged the further infrastructure improvements needed and spoke of the ongoing work with partners to achieve greater funding from the Government.  He accepted some criticism of the lack of seating at the airport, but reminded Members that this was a period of change and that the situation would improve as enhanced catering facilities became available.

The Chairman thanked the three MAG representatives for attending the meeting.

To receive a report from the Leader of the Council and to consider recommendations on the matters below:

The Leader of the Council gave a brief update on the latest developments on the devolution debate and his work within the District Councils Network.

RESOLVED – that the Minutes of the Executive meeting held on 7 October 2014 be received.

(see also Minutes 418 – 419)

Minute 287 refers

RESOLVED - that (A) the responses to the public consultation be noted and the Officer responses and proposed changes to the Bishop’s Stortford Conservation Area Appraisal be agreed;

(B)      authority be delegated to the Head of Planning and Building Control, in consultation with the Executive Member for Strategic Planning and Transport, to make any further minor and consequential changes to the Appraisal which may be necessary; and

(C)      the Bishop’s Stortford Conservation Area Appraisal be adopted.

(see also Minute 417)

Minute 288 refers

RESOLVED – that (A) the responses to the public consultation be noted and the Officer responses and proposed changes to the Sawbridgeworth Conservation Area Appraisal be agreed;

(B)      authority be delegated to the Head of Planning and Building Control, in consultation with the Executive Member for Strategic Planning and Transport, to make any further minor and consequential changes to the Appraisal which may be necessary; and

(C)      the Sawbridgeworth Conservation Area Appraisal be adopted.

(see also Minute 417)

To receive a report from the Leader of the Council and to consider recommendations on the matters below:

RESOLVED – that the Minutes of the Executive meeting held on 4 November 2014 be received.

(see also Minutes 421 – 429)

Minute 314 refers

RESOLVED – that (A) the responses to the public consultation be noted and the Officer responses and proposed changes to the Brickendon Conservation Area Appraisal be agreed;

(B)      authority be delegated to the Head of Planning and Building Control, in consultation with the Executive Member for Strategic Planning and Transport, to make any further minor and consequential changes to the Appraisal which may be necessary; and

(C)      the Brickendon Conservation Area Appraisal be approved for adoption.

(see also Minute 420)

Minute 315 refers

RESOLVED – that (A) the responses to the public consultation be noted and the Officer responses and proposed changes to the Little Berkhamsted Conservation Area Appraisal be agreed;

(B)      authority be delegated to the Head of Planning and Building Control, in consultation with the Executive Member for Strategic Planning and Transport, to make any further minor and consequential changes to the Appraisal which may be necessary; and

(C)      the Little Berkhamsted Conservation Area Appraisal be approved for adoption.

(see also Minute 420)

Minute 316 refers

Councillor J Ranger referred to one site that had been rejected previously and questioned whether this should be considered a potential site.  In reply, the Executive Member for Strategic Planning and Transport commented that this represented work in progress and it was too soon to rule anything in or out.

RESOLVED – that (A) the East Herts Gypsies and Travellers and Travelling Showpeople Identification of Potential Sites Study, September 2014, be agreed as part of the evidence base to inform and support the East Herts District Plan;

(B)      the East Herts Gypsies and Travellers and Travelling Showpeople Identification of Potential Sites Study, September 2014, be agreed to inform Development Management decisions; and

(C)      in light of the potential site options suggested in the Identification of Potential Sites Study, a joint Member/Officer Working Group be established to take forward the requirement to provide sufficient pitches and plots to meet the accommodation needs of Gypsies and Travellers and Travelling Showpeople and to formulate an appropriate policy approach.

(see also Minute 420)

Minute 317 refers

RESOLVED – that (A) the issues raised during the public consultation on the draft Mead Lane Urban Design Framework, together with the Officer responses, be agreed;

(B)      in light of the responses received, the suggested amendments to the document be agreed; and

(C)      the Mead Lane Urban Design Framework be adopted as a Supplementary Planning Document to the East Herts Local Plan, Second Review, April 2007 (Saved Policies).

(see also Minute 420)

Minute 318 refers

RESOLVED – that the Neighbourhood Planning Guidance Note contained at Essential Reference ‘B’ to the report submitted be agreed and published.

(see also Minute 420)

Minute 319 refers

RESOLVED – that the Greater Essex Demographic Forecasts 2012 - 2037 Phase 6 technical study, be agreed as part of the evidence base to inform and support the East Herts District Plan.

(see also Minute 420)

Minute 320 refers

RESOLVED – that the District Plan Delivery Study Briefing Note from Peter Brett Associates, including the implications for the District Plan timeline, and the updated ATLAS Deliverability Advice Note, contained at Essential Reference Papers B and C of the report submitted, be noted.

(see also Minute 420)

Minute 321 refers

RESOLVED – that (A) the notes of Member-level meetings held with Stevenage and Welwyn Hatfield Councils, be agreed; and

(B)   the Terms of Reference for the ‘Co-Operation for Sustainable Development Group’ of Authorities, be noted.

(see also Minute 420)

Minute 322 refers

RESOLVED – that the East Herts Resident Survey July 2014, on the Draft District Plan Preferred Options, be agreed as part of the evidence base to inform the East Herts District Plan.

(see also Minute 420)

To receive a report (to follow) from the Leader of the Council and to consider recommendations on the matter below:

RESOLVED – that the Minutes of the Executive meeting held on 2 December 2014 be received.

(see also Minute 431)

Note – Members are asked to bring their copies of the Executive agendas to the meeting.

RESOLVED – that (A) the comments of Corporate Business Scrutiny Committee be received;

(B)      the forecasted financial implications arising from the recommended scheme for the Council Tax reduction scheme (CTS) with effect from 1 April 2015 and the risks and assumptions attached to these, be noted; and

(C)      the proposed CTS Scheme be approved.

(see also Minute 430)

Chairman: Councillor Mrs R Cheswright

RESOLVED – that the Minutes of the Development Management Committee meeting held on 15 October 2014, be received.

Chairman: Councillor G McAndrew

To consider a recommendation on the matter below:

RESOLVED – that the Minutes of the Human Resources Committee meeting held on 22 October 2014, be received.

(see also Minute 434)

Minute 305 refers

RESOLVED – that the Pay Policy Statement 2014/15, as now submitted, be approved.

(see also Minute 433)

Chairman: Councillor M Pope

Council noted that Councillor C Woodward had attended this meeting, but had been omitted from the attendance list.

RESOLVED – that the Minutes of the Environment Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 11 November 2014, be received.

Chairman: Mrs R Cheswright

RESOLVED – that the Minutes of the Development Management Committee meeting held on 12 November 2014, be received.

Chairman: Councillor Mrs D Hollebon

RESOLVED – that the Minutes of the Community Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 18 November 2014, be received.

Chairman: Councillor R Beeching

RESOLVED – that the Minutes of the Licensing Committee meeting held on 20 November 2014, be received.

Chairman: Councillor G Jones

RESOLVED – that the Minutes of the Corporate Business Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 25 November 2014, be received.

Chairman: Councillor J Ranger

RESOLVED – that the Minutes of the Audit Committee meeting held on 26 November 2014, be received.

Chairman: Mrs R Cheswright

(report to follow)

RESOLVED – that the Minutes of the Development Management Committee meeting held on 10 December 2014, be received.

To consider a report of the Executive Member for Finance.

The Executive Member for Finance submitted a report recommending the calculation of the council tax base for the whole District and for each parish and town council for 2015/16.

Council approved the recommendations as now detailed.

RESOLVED – that (A) the calculation of the Council’s tax base for the whole District, and for the parish areas, for 2015/16, as now detailed, be approved; and

(B)      pursuant to the report and in accordance with the Local Authorities (Calculation of Tax Base) Regulations 2012, the amount calculated by East Hertfordshire District Council as its council tax base for the whole area for 2015/16 shall be 56425.45 and for the parish areas for 2015/16 as listed in the report now submitted.

To consider a report of the Executive Member for Community & Partnership Liaison.

The Executive Member for Community Partnership & Liaison submitted a report seeking adoption of the East Herts Member Development Pledge.  She referred to the work of the Member Development Charter Group which included representatives of all the political groups on the Council.  

Council approved the recommendation as now detailed.

RESOLVED - that the East Herts Member Development Pledge be endorsed and formally signed, on behalf of Members, by the leaders of all political groups represented on the Council.