Agenda and minutes

To receive any announcements.

The Chairman welcomed the press and public to the meeting and reminded everyone that the meeting was being webcasted.

On behalf of all Members, the Chairman advised that he would like to place on record Council’s great appreciation for the dedicated work of its Head of Finance and Performance,  Simon Chancellor.  Simon’s last day in work would be 30 October after 37 years service.

The Chairman stated that he had 25 Gleneagles umbrellas for sale at £15 each and all the proceeds would go to the East Herts Community Chest Fund.  He commented that this was a good cause and a sheet was available for Members to sign up for one.

The Chairman commented that another sheet was available for East Herts Community Chest events and there were 5 arranged so far.  He reminded Members of a hair and beauty fashion secrets revealed event that would be taking place on 24 October 2014 and all the proceeds would go to the Isobel Hospice.

The Chairman promoted, as the next Council meeting was not until 17 December, an Old Time Music event that would be taking place on 14 December 2014.

RESOLVED – that the Minutes of the Council meeting held on 30 July 2014 be approved a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive any petitions.

MioneGoldspink, a Bishop’s Stortford resident, submitted a petition, comprising 984 signatures, as follows:

We, the undersigned, call on East Herts District Council not to use its Powers of Compulsory Purchase in order to assist Hendersons with its development scheme on the Old River Lane/Causeway site in Bishop’s Stortford.

The Council considered the petition under its petitions scheme in accordance with the provisions of the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009.

MioneGoldspink stated that a further 307 people had signed the petition since it had been handed into the Authority two weeks ago, making a total of 984 signatures.  She emphasised that all of these people were very concerned regarding the use of Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPOs) and felt that they should only be used in very rare and exceptional cases where the use of such powers was clearly in the very best interests of the community.

The petitioner emphasised that the Human Rights and Equality Act 2010 – circular 0604 – detailed that CPOs should only be made where there was a compelling case in the public interest.  She stated that the purpose for which CPOs were made should justify the interference with the human rights of those with an interest in the affected land.

MioneGoldspink commented that those who had signed the petition did not believe there was a compelling case in the public interest in this situation. The signatories also did not believe there was any public benefit that would outweigh the private loss.  She stated that all of the proposed shops and new dwellings could be delivered on the derelict Goods Yard Site without upsetting existing businesses.

The petitioner urged Members to consider the loss of the Waitrose car park which was an attractive open space that allowed safe parking day and night without any risk of flooding.  She referred to the benefits of the rear area of the Lemon Tree restaurant, Coopers’ much used delivery yard and the United Reformed Church Hall and its car park.  She urged Members not to support the use of CPOs on this site.

The Leader stated that, if at all possible, East Herts Council’s preference was that all interests on the Old River Lane site would be acquired via private treaty negotiations by East Herts Council or by Hendersons.  East Herts Council considered the use of CPO powers a last resort. A CPO timescale was being planned as a contingency in conjunction with the private treaty negotiations with the relevant landowners.

The Leader stated that this approach was standard practice and a further update was expected from the land agent in the very near future.  Members were advised that East Herts Council owned a significant proportion of the site and all attempts were being made to acquire the land assets without using CPOs.  He concluded that East Herts Council had not resolved to make any CPOs at present.

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 5 August 2014 be received.

(see also Minutes 267 – 276).

RESOLVED – that (A) the responses to the public consultation be noted and the Officer responses and proposed changes to the Little Hadham, Bury Green and Hadham Ford 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 Hadham, Bury Green and Hadham Ford Conservation Area Appraisal be adopted.

(see also Minute 266).

RESOLVED – that (A) the responses to the public consultation be noted and the Officer responses and proposed changes to the High Wych 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 High Wych Conservation Area Appraisal be adopted.

see also Minute 266.

RESOLVED – that (A) the East Herts Gypsies and Travellers and Travelling Showpeople Accommodation Needs Assessment, April 2014, be agreed as part of the evidence base to inform and support the East Herts District Plan; and

(B)   the East Herts Gypsies and Travellers and Travelling Showpeople Accommodation Needs Assessment, April 2014, be agreed to inform Development Management decisions.

(see also Minute 266).

RESOLVED – that (A) the record of consultation activity, together with the analysis of comments logged, as contained at Essential Reference Papers ‘B’ and ‘C’ respectively, be noted; and

(B)   explanation of the Duty to Co-Operate, together with the letter from the Planning Minister in relation to Green Belt policy contained at Essential Reference Paper ‘D’, be noted.

(see also Minute 266).

RESOLVED – that (A) the specification for the District Plan Delivery Study contained at Essential Reference Paper ‘B’, be noted; and

(B)   the presentations to site promoters and subsequent meeting notes contained at Essential Reference Papers ‘C’ and ‘D’, be noted.

(see also Minute 266).

RESOLVED – that the Greater Essex Demographic Forecasts 2012 - 2037 Phase 5 technical study, be agreed as part of the evidence base to inform and support the East Herts District Plan.

(see also Minute 266).

RESOLVED – that (A) the Employment Land Review Update 2013, be agreed as part of the evidence base to inform and support the East Herts District Plan; and

(B)   the Employment Land Review Update 2013, be agreed to inform Development Management decisions.

(see also Minute 266).

RESOLVED – that the Buntingford Employment Study, June 2014, be agreed as part of the evidence base to inform and support the East Herts District Plan and for Development Management purposes in the determination of planning applications.

(see also Minute 266).

RESOLVED – that (A) the full list of identified sites being assessed through Round 3 of the SLAA, attached at Essential Reference Paper ‘B’ of the report submitted, be noted; and

(B)   any future Call for Sites suggestions be included and assessed as part of the annual monitoring and review of the SLAA.

(see also Minute 266).

RESOLVED – that (A) the roles and responsibilities of the Council in accordance with the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012 and outlined in paragraphs 2.1 to 2.13 of this report submitted be noted; and

(B)   the growing level of interest in Neighbourhood Planning in the District, together with the requirement to ensure that this area of work is adequately and appropriately resourced, be noted.

(see also Minute 266).

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

(see also Minutes 278 – 279).

RESOLVED – that the 2015/16 – 2018/19 Corporate Strategic Plan be approved.

(see also Minute 277).

RESOLVED – that (A) the proposed Financial Strategy as now submitted, be adopted, subject to further consideration of the Reserves Policy; and

(B)   the planning assumptions set out in the report submitted, be adopted as the basis for framing the 2015/16 budget and Medium Term Financial Plan to 2018/19, subject to further consideration of the Pay Settlement, Members Allowances and Fees and Charges, as now detailed.

(see also Minute 277).

Chairman: Councillor G McAndrew

RESOLVED – that the Minutes of the Human Resources Committee meeting held on 18 August 2014, be received.

Chairman: Councillor Mrs R Cheswright

RESOLVED – that the Minutes of the Development Management Committee meeting held on 20 August 2014, be received.

Chairman: Councillor G Jones

RESOLVED – that the Minutes of the Corporate Business Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 26 August 2014, be received.

RESOLVED – that the Minutes of the Environment Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 9 September 2014, be received.

Chairman: Councillor Mrs R Cheswright

RESOLVED – that the Minutes of the Development Management Committee meeting held on 17 September 2014, be received.

Chairman: Councillor Mrs D Hollebon

RESOLVED – that the Minutes of the Community Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 23 September 2014, be received.

Chairman: Councillor J Ranger

RESOLVED – that the Minutes of the Audit Committee meeting held on 24 September 2014, be received.