Agenda and minutes

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

He advised that a few tickets were still available for the “Elvis Lives” night on 14 February 2015.  Also, invitations to his Civic Dinner on 20 March 2015, at County Hall, would be issued shortly.

The Chairman was pleased to announce that fundraising for the East Herts Community Chest continued with £454 being raised by Councillor J Mayes at her recent quiz night.  He advised that there was still time for Members to come forward with other events and referred to the fundraising efforts of those Members on weight loss programmes.

RESOLVED – that the Minutes of the Council meeting held on 17 December 2014 be approved a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

RESOLVED – that the Minutes of the Executive meeting held on 6 January 2015 be received.

(see also Minutes 491 – 495)

RESOLVED – that (A) the District Council work in partnership with the Neighbourhood Plan team to inform on an emerging policy for the Goods Yard site in order to agree a set of priorities for the site and work in conjunction with the site promoters to agree cost/value inputs to inform development choices based around an agreed priority list be approved; and

(B)      the updated policy context for the planning application be provided by a revised District Plan Policy on the Goods Yard, subject to further public consultation and be closely aligned with any emerging Neighbourhood Plan Policy for the site be approved.

(see also Minute 490)

RESOLVED – that the Retail and Town Centres Policy Critical Friend Appraisal (November 2014) be agreed as part of the evidence base to inform and support the East Herts District Plan.

(see also Minute 490)

RESOLVED – that the Authority Monitoring Report 2013/14 contained as Essential Reference Paper “B” and Essential Reference Paper “C” as now detailed be agreed for publication.

(see also Minute 490)

RESOLVED – that the District Plan Delivery Study Update Notes from PBA, together with the presentation on Financial Viability and the Progress Update contained at Essential Reference Papers ‘B’, ‘C’ and ‘D’ respectively, including the implications of those for many aspects of the District Plan work, including the timeline, be noted.

(see also Minute 490)

RESOLVED – that (A) the notes of the Member-level meeting held with Harlow Council be agreed;

(B)      the Terms of Reference for the Member Board of the ‘Co-operation for Sustainable Development Group’ of authorities be noted. 

(see also Minute 490)

RESOLVED – that the Minutes of the Development Management Committee meeting held on 7 January 2015, be received.

RESOLVED – that the Minutes of the Human Resources Committee meeting held on 14 January 2015, be received.

(see also Minute 498)

RESOLVED - that the Pay Policy Statement for 2015/16, as now submitted, be approved.

(see also Minute 497)

RESOLVED – that the Minutes of the joint meeting of Scrutiny Committees held on 20 January 2015, be received.

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

Council considered a report recommending the calculation of the National Non Domestic Rates Budget 2015/16.  Under theprovisions ofthe Non-Domestic Rating (Rates Retention) Regulations 2013, by a direction under paragraph 43 of schedule 7B of the Local Government Finance Act 1988, localauthorities were required on or before 31st January to estimate and then notify the Secretary of State and any relevant precepting authorities of the amounts of each relevant precepting authority’s share of its non-domestic rating income for the relevant year.

Council approved the calculation as now detailed.

RESOLVED – that (A) in accordance with the Non-Domestic Rating (Rates Retention) Regulations 2013, theamount calculatedby East Herts Council for theyear 2015/16shall be £44,774,931 (Non domestic rating income from rates retention scheme;

(B)      the Council’s section 31 grant in relation to the Business Rates proposals within the ‘Autumn Statement’ shall be £1,306,680;

(C)      the estimated Collection Fund Deficit for 2014/15 of

-3,791,951 be allocated to the constituent bodies as detailed at paragraph 2.21 of the report submitted; and

(D)      the Council’s share of the estimated 2014/15 NDR Collection Fund deficit will be funded from a reserve.