Agenda and minutes

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

The Chairman referred to the outcome of the recent Hertford Castle by-election at which Linda Radford had been elected.  He welcomed her to her first Council meeting.

The Chairman also referred to the outcome of the recent Buntingford Community Area Neighbourhood Planning Referendum which had seen a resounding “Yes” vote.  He invited the Vice-Chairman to say a few words.

The Vice-Chairman expressed his gratitude to everyone who had contributed to the success of the Referendum.  In particular, he thanked the members of the neighbourhood forum, the Town Council, Planning Officers for their support and advice and Electoral Services for the conduct of the Referendum.

The Chairman updated Council on recent events he had attended and highlighted the East Herts Got Talent evening, which had been an outstanding success.

To approve as a correct record and authorise the Chairman to sign the Minutes of the Council meeting held on 1 March 2017.

RESOLVED – that the Minutes of the Council meeting held on 1 March 2017, be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Question 1

Councillor N Symonds asked the Executive Member for Health and Wellbeing what the Council could do to make sure that affordable rent for social housing was affordable rent for all, particularly for some of the most vulnerable residents, especially as one housing association, Hightown, was putting their rent above the local housing allowance.

In reply, the Executive Member for Health and Wellbeing shared these concerns and referred to the national problem of local housing allowances being set above a level that was affordable for the most vulnerable residents.  In respect of Hightown, the Council had challenged several of their nominations and refusals and had succeeded in overturning some of them.  Their rent levels were typically £20 - £40 above the local housing allowance rates and the Executive Member explained how these were set according to a needs assessment involving property size, local area circumstances and benefit entitlement.  Given the benefit cap up to the local housing rate due to be implemented in 2019, many properties would become unaffordable to residents relying on benefits. 

Hightown’s policy was to charge 80% of market rents and although this was similar to other providers, they did not cap the rent at the local housing allowance level.  Some housing associations imposed a cap in order to make their properties affordable.  The Executive Member advised that he written to the Chief Executive of Hightown and would copy the response received to all Members. 

As for what East Herts could do, its Members and Officers could continue to fight for its residents in meetings and forums with housing associations.  The Council could also seek to achieve more explicit section 106 agreements that would provide a better deal for residents.  In respect of Hightown, the Council had offered them the use of an office in Hertford so that local residents would not have to travel to their offices in Hemel Hempstead.  However, this had been declined on the basis of staffing difficulties.

He concluded by stating that he would continue to monitor the situation.

Question 2

Councillor I Devonshire stated that under Clause 4.7 of the Regulation 22 Consultation Statement, it stated that “in terms of the tests of soundness, legal compliance and Duty to Co-operate requirements 3,500 (90%) of responses state that the Plan is considered to be unsound.”  He asked the Leader of the Council if she considered this very high percentage to be worrying and if so, how would the Executive and Officers address respondents’ concerns.  Furthermore, he asked if the Inspector was likely to be concerned and if so, whether this would require wholesale changes to large sections of the Plan.

In reply, the Leader stated that this related to the Regulation 22 Consultation Statement, an item for Council’s consideration later at this meeting (Minute 656 refers).  This report had summarised the process undertaken by the Council from 2014 until March 2017.  She reminded Members of the process that had been followed culminating in the Draft District  ...  view the full minutes text for item 654.

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

The Leader referred to Tony Jackson’s resignation as a Councillor and paid tribute to his outstanding service to the residents of East Herts.  Having been elected in 1999, he had served on the Executive since its inception in 2001.  From 2006 – 2015, he had served as Leader, overseeing a time of tremendous change in local government.  He had shown a great interest in the wellbeing of residents and was a respected figure nationally.  The Leader commented that Tony had been a great teacher and she owed him an enormous debt.  She wished him well in his retirement.

Councillor E Buckmaster added his own unique perspective experienced from both sides of the chamber, in which he believed Tony had made his mark and had secured a better deal for East Herts residents.

RESOLVED – that the Minutes of the Executive meeting held on 21 March 2017, be received.

(see also Minutes 656 – 662)

Minute 622 refers

RESOLVED - that the Regulation 22 Consultation Statement, March 2017, as detailed at Essential Reference ‘B’ to the report submitted and now amended, be agreed as a companion document to the East Herts District Plan, for submission to the Planning Inspectorate.

(see also Minute 655)

Minute 623 refers

RESOLVED – that (A) the Duty to Co-operate Compliance Statement be agreed in support of the Pre-Submission District Plan; and

(B)   the Head of Planning and Building Control, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, be authorised to agree any further amendments to the Duty to Co-operate Compliance Statement  as required.

(see also Minute 655)

Minute 624 refers

RESOLVED – that the Equality Impact Assessment, March 2017, as detailed at Essential Reference Paper ‘B’ of the report submitted, be agreed.

(see also Minute 655)

Minute 625 refers

RESOLVED – that (A) the schedule of Proposed Minor Changes, as detailed at Essential Reference Paper ‘B’ of the report submitted, be agreed, with any further additions authorised by the Head of Planning and Building Control, in consultation with the Leader of the Council;

(B)      the submission of the District Plan and supporting documents to the Planning Inspectorate on 31 March 2017, be agreed;

(C)      the process following submission of the District Plan be noted; and

(D)      the Head of Planning and Building Control, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, be authorised to agree any further information required for the Examination.

(see also Minute 655)

Minute 626 refers

RESOLVED – that (A) the East Herts Infrastructure Delivery Plan, February 2017, as detailed at Essential Reference ‘B’ of the report submitted, be supported as part of the evidence base to support the East Herts District Plan; and

(B)      the Head of Planning and Building Control, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, be authorised to update the Infrastructure Delivery Plan as required for the Examination.

(see also Minute 655)

Minute 627 refers

RESOLVED – that (A) the COMET Technical Paper, January 2017, be agreed as part of the evidence base to support the East Herts District Plan;

(B)      the outputs of VISSIM modelling be noted;

(C)      the Head of Planning and Building Control, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, be authorised to agree the VISSIM Technical Paper prior to the submission of the District Plan to the Planning Inspectorate; and

(D)      further transport modelling be undertaken prior to the District Plan Examination Hearing Sessions.

(see also Minute 655)

Minute 628 refers

RESOLVED – that the approach to Masterplanning set out in the report submitted, be agreed to support the delivery of sites allocated for development in the emerging District Plan.

(see also Minute 655)

Chairman: Councillor T Page

RESOLVED – that the Minutes of the Development Management Committee meeting held on 8 February 2017, be received.

To consider a report of the Head of Legal and Democratic Services

Council considered a report of the Monitoring Officer on the Members’ Allowances Scheme for 2017/18.

It was noted that the Council’s Constitution required the Members’ Allowance Scheme to be reviewed by an Independent Remuneration Panel (IRP) by 31 March of each year.  Members were advised of the circumstances requiring the recruitment of three new IRP members and their need for training before they could meet.  Council also noted the ongoing review of the Constitution and that the Monitoring Officer would report on this at the next meeting.

Given the circumstances, Council was asked to extend the current Members’ Allowance Scheme for consideration at the Annual Council meeting in May 2017.

Council approved the recommendations as now detailed.

RESOLVED – that (A) the appointment of three new Independent Remuneration Panel Members be noted; and

(B)      the deadline for consideration of the Members’ Allowance Scheme be extended until Annual Council in May 2017.