Agenda and minutes

The Chairman gave an overview of the varied events she had attended over the past month.  She also looked forward to her big fundraising event, which would be held at Hertford Theatre on 1 May 2016.  She hoped that this would be aided by two sponsors from each of the main towns in East Herts and advised on Members who had offered to assist in this regard.

The Chairman also referred to the leaflets in the chamber detailing the East Herts Community Chest.  She advised on the range of successful applicants to the fund and asked Members to organise fundraising activities, however small, to support the fund.

To approve as a correct record and authorise the Chairman to sign the Minutes of the Annual Council meeting held on 20 May 2015.

RESOLVED – that the Minutes of the Annual Council meeting held on 20 May 2015, be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

(A)      Chantry Area B7 Resident Permit Parking

Richard Owen, a resident of Chantry Road, Bishop’s Stortford, presented a petition comprising 253 signatures in respect of the Chantry Area B7 resident permit parking.  The petition read:

“We the undersigned call upon East Herts Council to move the boundary of the parking bay at the Hadham Road end of Chantry Road to allow traffic to negotiate this junction more safely.”

Mr Owen referred to the concerns of residents and the need to improve safety for road users and pedestrians.  He reminded Members of the outcome of the Mott MacDonald post-implementation review, which had highlighted the access problems caused by the layout of the parking bays and had not been addressed by the Council.

Mr Owen outlined the perceived benefits of relocating the parking bays, namely, improved safety, easier access and the removal of potential obstruction in the evenings at the bottom of Chantry Road caused by visitors to the restaurant on the corner.  Although meeting the petitioners’ request might result in the loss of up to six parking bays, Mr Owen drew attention to Mott MacDonald’s assessment that there was “abundant available on-street parking”.

In response, the Executive Member for Economic Development accepted that there was poor visibility and limited queueing space at the junction in question.  Having received the petition, Officers had visited the site with a representative of Hertfordshire Highways and they were satisfied with the layout.  The Executive Member advised that any changes to the scheme would require a new traffic regulation order at a cost of approximately £5k.  He was aware that some residents at the lower end of Chantry Road had a slightly different view.

Notwithstanding these issues, the Executive Member expressed sympathy for the petition and undertook to address the concerns raised within the next review of the Chantry scheme.  He also commented that the Council’s Resident Permit Parking policy would be reviewed in the Autumn 2015 and that the new policy would provide an opportunity to address the changes sought by the petitioners.

(B)      Save the Southern Maltings – Arts for All

Darren Bender, a resident of Thundridge, had submitted a petition hosted on the change.org website, which had reached over 1000 signatures.  The petition read:

“There is a desperate need for an Arts For All facility in the East Herts area and this unique building in the centre of Ware (a) is perfect for the purpose as it already holds an overwhelmed existing arts centre, (b) has unique historical features that preserve the story of Ware's 400 year malting industry, (c) was bought by the old urban council who were folded into the East Herts District Council who are now trying to sell the building to developers, and (d) has previously had permission from EHDC to be converted into an arts centre going back to the 70s. 

We need more homes in the wider Ware area but we also need community assets like this to provide much needed activities and access to all  ...  view the full minutes text for item 185.

MioneGoldspink, a resident of Bishop’s Stortford, asked the Leader of the Council what steps the Council had taken to remedy the shortfall in numbers of sports pitches across the District, and especially in Bishop's Stortford.  This shortfall had been identified by the Council's own survey which she believed had been conducted in 2009. 

In response, the Leader outlined the active relationship the Council enjoyed with sporting partners.  She referred to the support given for upgrading artificial pitches and acknowledged the growing demand for football pitches in particular.  The Leader commented on the development of the District Plan and the funding obtained from the Bishop’s Stortford North development.  She also referred to the use and availability of schools’ facilities and urged Members who were governors to encourage greater use by the wider community.

Councillor R Henson commented that fuel poverty affected many of his residents in Hertford Sele and across East Herts.  7.5% of households were judged to be fuel poor, meaning that the residents of those households, who were usually on low incomes, could not keep their homes heated at a reasonable cost.  He asked the Executive Member for Environment and the Public Space what measures was the Council taking to combat fuel poverty, and would the Council commit to investing in tackling it through the provision of grants and loans to insulate poorer homes for the long term across the District, to help some of the most vulnerable residents

In response, the Executive Member for Environment and the Public Space detailed the active role the Council was taking in attempting to alleviate fuel poverty, as outlined in various reports to Environment Scrutiny Committee over the past two years.  He referred to various activities which included:

·        looking into fuel oil buying clubs;

·        seeking external funding for household energy efficiency measures;

·        general advice on a range of energy efficiency information;

·        providing home insulation grants; and

·        partnership working within Herts Healthy Homes.

Finally, the Executive Member referred to promotional work via Link magazine, presentations to community groups and the use of the Christmas Wheelie Bin Hanger.

RESOLVED – that the Minutes of the Executive meeting held on 8 June 2015 be received.

(see also Minutes 189 – 191)

Minute 47 refers

RESOLVED – that the Bishop’s Stortford Neighbourhood Plan for Silverleys and Meads Wards, as detailed at Essential Reference Paper ‘B’ to the report submitted, be formally ‘made’ and used as part of the Development Plan.

(see also Minute 188)

Minute 48 refers

RESOLVED – that (A) the comments of Audit Committee be received; and

(B)      the updated Risk Management Strategy be approved.

(see also Minute 188)

Minute 49 refers

RESOLVED – that the Update Report, including the slow progress with Local Plans across England, and the risks of proceeding without sufficient evidence to meet the requirements of the National Planning Policy Framework and Planning Practice Guidance, be noted.

(see also Minute 188)

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

RESOLVED – that the Minutes of the Executive meeting held on 7 July 2015 be received.

(see also Minute 193)

Minute 118 refers

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

RESOLVED – 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 192)

To receive a report of the Scrutiny Chairmen 2014-15.

Councillor Mrs D Hollebon, on behalf of the 2014/15 Scrutiny Chairmen, presented the Scrutiny Annual report 2014/15.  She wished to place on record her thanks and appreciation to all the Officers for their support, and in particular, Marian Langley, the Scrutiny Officer, for her skilful guidance.

RESOLVED – that the Annual Report on the work of the East Herts Scrutiny Committees (and Health and Wellbeing Panel) during 2014/15 be received and approved for publication.

To receive a report of the Leader of the Council.

The Leader of the Council submitted a report recommending the appointment of Liz Watts as Chief Executive (Head of Paid Service).

RESOLVED – that (A) Liz Watts be appointed as Chief Executive (Head of Paid Services);

(B)      in accordance with the Council’s Pay Policy Statement 2015/16, the salary of £90,000 basic pay, plus £10,000 payment for the designated post of Head of Paid Service increasing to £100,000 basic pay plus £10,000 payment for Head of Service following successful completion of a six month probation period, be approved; and

(C)      the Council’s Pay Policy statement 2015/16 July 2015 be approved.

To receive a report of the Acting Monitoring Officer.

Standards Sub-Committee, at its meeting held on 30 June 2015, had considered a complaint against Councillor J Jones alleging that he had breached the Authority’s Code of Conduct.  The Sub-Committee agreed to request the Monitoring Officer to secure an informal resolution by requesting Councillor J Jones to apologise formally to Council in writing. 

Council noted the apology.

RESOLVED – that the formal apology received from Councillor J Jones now detailed be noted.

Chairman: Councillor P Moore

RESOLVED – that the Minutes of the joint meeting of Executive, Committees, etc, held on 20 May 2015, be received.

Chairman: Councillor P Phillips

RESOLVED – that the Minutes of the Corporate Business Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 26 May 2015, be received.

Chairman: Councillor P Ruffles

RESOLVED – that the Minutes of the Development Management Committee meeting held on 27 May 2015, be received.

Chairman: Councillor L Haysey

RESOLVED – that the Minutes of the Chief Officer Recruitment Committee meeting held on 3 June 2015, be received.

Chairman: Councillor J Wyllie

In respect of Minute 71 – Resident Permit Parking Policy Scheme Review, Councillor C Woodward believed there was an error which he would take up at the next Environment Scrutiny Committee meeting.

Councillor A Alder asked Council to note that her attendance at this meeting had not been recorded.

RESOLVED – that the Minutes of the Environment Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 9 June 2015, be received.

Chairman: Councillor D Andrews

RESOLVED – that the Minutes of the Development Management Committee meeting held on 10 June 2015, be received.

RESOLVED – that the Minutes of the Community Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 16 June 2015, be received.

Chairman: Councillor L Haysey

RESOLVED – that the Minutes of the Chief Officer Recruitment Committee meeting held on 17 June 2015, be received.

Chairman: Councillor N Symonds

RESOLVED – that the Minutes of the Health and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 23 June 2015, be received.

Chairman: Councillor D Andrews

RESOLVED – that the Minutes of the Development Management Committee meeting held on 24 June 2015, be received.

Chairman: Councillor L Haysey

RESOLVED – that the Minutes of the Chief Officer Recruitment Committee meeting held on 29 June 2015, be received.

Chairman: Councillor C Woodward

In respect of Minute 131 – Human Resources Management Statistics, Councillor C Woodward asked Council to note the additional information that would be included within the Minutes submitted for approval at the next Human Resources Committee meeting.

RESOLVED – that the Minutes of the Human Resources Committee meeting held on 8 July 2015, be received.

Chairman: Councillor Mrs R Cheswright

RESOLVED – that the Minutes of the Licensing Committee meeting held on 9 July 2015, be received.

Chairman: Councillor P Phillips

(to follow)

RESOLVED – that the Minutes of the Corporate Business Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 14 July 2015, be received.

Chairman: Councillor W Mortimer

(to follow)

RESOLVED – that the Minutes of the Audit Committee meeting held on 15 July 2015, be received.

Chairman: Councillor D Andrews

(to follow)

RESOLVED – that the Minutes of the Development Management Committee meeting held on 22 July 2015, be received.