Agenda and minutes

To receive any announcements.

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

The Chairman referred to the recent death of former Councillor Fred Strong, who had represented the former Parsonage ward in Bishop’s Stortford from 1973 – 1983 and again from 1987 – 1991.  He had also served on the Town Council and was Mayor of Bishop’s Stortford in 1979-80.  His funeral had been arranged for Monday 12 March, at 11.30am, at Parndon Wood crematorium, in Harlow. 

The Chairman also referred to the recent death of Lynne Sparks, the Mayor of Welwyn Hatfield Council, from a rare form of cancer at the age of 51.  The Chairman commented on the occasions he had met with her at various events.  She had been a remarkable and inspirational community leader who had been held in high regard by all those who had met her. 

As a mark of respect, everyone present stood and observed a minute’s silence in memory of Fred Strong and Lynne Sparks.

The Chairman reminded Members that there would be a flag raising ceremony at County Hall, to mark Commonwealth Day on 12 March 2018.  He also thanked Members for the great response he had received for his forthcoming Civic Dinner on 17 March 2018. 

Finally, the Chairman referred to feedback he had received from some Members following the previous Council meeting and undertook to ensure that decision-making was more visual in future.

To approve as a correct record and authorise the Chairman to sign the Minutes of the Extraordinary Council meeting held on 6 February 2018.

RESOLVED – that the Minutes of the Extraordinary Council meeting held on 6 February 2018, be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To consider a report of the Executive Member for Finance and Support Services

Note – In respect of this matter, the provisions of The Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2014, require that a recorded vote is taken on the matter. 

The Executive Member for Finance and Support Services presented the Budget report and service plans for 2018/19 – 2021/22.  He set out the:

·        Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) 2018/19 – 2021/22;

·        Capital Programme 2017/18 – 2021/22; and

·        Schedule of Charges for 2018/19.

He referred to the overall situation of reduced funding for local government, the withdrawal of Revenue Support Grant and continuing uncertainties over the New Homes Bonus.

The Executive Member detailed the Council’s integrated approach to setting the budget so that the MTFP was driven by the Council’s strategic priorities.  He drew Members’ attention to the comments of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee in respect of the draft service plans set out at Essential Reference Paper ‘G’ of the report submitted.

The Executive, at its meeting held on 6 February 2018, had supported the recommendations (Minute 350 refers) for a balanced MTFP and increase in Council Tax as now detailed.

The Executive Member thanked Officers, especially those in the finance team, for their continued efforts in meeting the difficult challenges before them.  In particular, he thanked Adele Taylor for her guidance, as this was her last Council meeting before leaving the Authority.

The Executive Member moved, and Councillor M Allen seconded, the recommendations detailed in the report submitted.

In response to Members’ questions, the Executive Member commented on the savings achieved through the shared IT services arrangement.  The Head of Strategic Finance and Property advised that these costs were under constant review to ensure value for money was achieved.

In accordance with the provisions of The Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2014, a recorded vote was taken on the budget proposals now detailed, the result being:

FOR

Councillors A Alder, M Allen, P Ballam, P Boylan, R Brunton,

E Buckmaster, M Casey, Mrs R Cheswright, K Crofton, G Cutting, B Deering, M Freeman, J Goodeve, L Haysey, G Jones, J Jones,

 J Kaye, G McAndrew, M McMullen, P Moore, W Mortimer,

T Page, L Radford, S Reed, P Ruffles, S Rutland-Barsby, T Stowe, N Symonds, K Warnell, G Williamson, J Wyllie.

AGAINST

None

ABSTENTIONS

None

For: 31

Against: 0

Abstentions: 0

Council approved the recommendations as now detailed.

RESOLVED – that (A) the draft service plans for 2018/19 be adopted;

(B)       the East Herts share of Council Tax for a band D property at £164.09, be approved;

(C)       the updated position on the Medium Term Financial Plan and Budget for 2018/19 including the significant budget pressures and risks, be approved;

(D)      new savings in 2018/19 as shown in Essential Reference Paper ‘B’ of the report submitted, be approved;

(E)       the Head of Strategic Finance and Property be authorised to lead on a process to investigate and implement the projects set out in Essential Reference Paper ‘C’ of the report submitted, with an investment pot of £200k for “invest to save” projects (those that will pay back and ultimately create a revenue saving);

(F)       the implementation of the Capital Programme as set out in Essential Reference Paper  ...  view the full minutes text for item 374.

To consider a report of the Executive Member for Finance and Support Services

Note – In respect of this matter, the provisions of The Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2014, require that a recorded vote is taken on the matter. 

The Executive Member for Finance and Support Services submitted a report proposing Council Tax levels in 2018/19.  Council noted the precepts set by Hertfordshire County Council (HCC), Hertfordshire Police Authority (HPA) and the Parish and Town Councils, which had been detailed in the updated report now submitted.

The Executive Member moved, and Councillor M Allen seconded, the recommendations as now detailed.

In accordance with the provisions of The Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2014, a recorded vote was taken on the Council Tax resolution, the result being:

FOR

Councillors A Alder, M Allen, P Ballam, P Boylan, R Brunton,

E Buckmaster, M Casey, Mrs R Cheswright, K Crofton, G Cutting, B Deering, M Freeman, J Goodeve, L Haysey, G Jones, J Jones,

 J Kaye, G McAndrew, M McMullen, P Moore, W Mortimer,

T Page, L Radford, S Reed, P Ruffles, S Rutland-Barsby, T Stowe, N Symonds, K Warnell, G Williamson, J Wyllie.

AGAINST

None

ABSTENTIONS

None

For: 31

Against: 0

Abstentions: 0

Council approved the recommendations as now detailed.

RESOLVED – that (A) the Council Tax resolution, as now submitted, be approved;

(B)       the local precepts as set out at Essential Reference Paper ‘B’ be noted; and

(C)       the Hertfordshire County Council and Hertfordshire Police Authority precepts be noted.

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

The Leader of the Council thanked the Executive Member for Finance and Support Services and Officers for their hard work in preparing and delivering the budget now agreed.  She also thanked Adele Taylor for her sound advice and wished her well for the future.

RESOLVED – that the Minutes of the Executive meeting held on 6 February 2018 be received.

(see also Minutes 378 – 381)

Minute 351 refers – Also attached is a report of the Executive Member for Finance and Support Services

The Executive Member for Finance and Support Services submitted a report seeking to change the level of council tax discount granted on empty properties.  He proposed that the discount for empty and unfurnished properties be removed from 1 April 2018.  He also proposed that the discount for empty and unfurnished properties undergoing major repairs/structural work be removed from 1 April 2018.

The Executive Member referred to the Executive’s consideration of this matter (Minute 351 refers) and the request for further information in respect of listed buildings.  This information was set out in paragraph 2.3 of the report now submitted.  The Executive Member had concluded that the loss of discount would not discourage owners from repairing listed properties.

The Executive Member moved, and Councillor R Brunton seconded, the recommendations as now detailed.  After being put to the meeting, and a vote taken, the recommendations were declared CARRIED.

Council approved the recommendations as now detailed.

RESOLVED – that (A) the discount for empty and unfurnished properties be removed from 1 April 2018;

(B)       the discount for empty and unfurnished and undergoing major repairs /structural work properties be removed from 1 April 2018; and

(C)       a local discount is not created for listed buildings undergoing major repairs /structural work.

Minute 352 refers

Council considered the recommendations of the Executive in respect of the Aspenden Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan. 

The Leader moved, and the Executive Member for Economic Development seconded, the recommendations as now detailed.  After being put to the meeting, and a vote taken, the recommendations were declared CARRIED.

Council approved the recommendations now detailed.

RESOLVED – that (A) the responses to the public consultation be noted and the Officer responses and proposed changes to the Aspenden Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan be supported;

(B)   authority be delegated to the Head of Planning and Building Control, in consultation with the Executive Member for Development Management and Council Support, to make any further minor and consequential changes to the  document which may be necessary; and

(C)   the Aspenden Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan be adopted.

(see also Minute 376)

Minute 353 refers

Council considered the recommendations of the Executive in respect of the Aston Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan. 

The Leader moved, and the Executive Member for Environment and the Public Realm seconded, the recommendations as now detailed.  After being put to the meeting, and a vote taken, the recommendations were declared CARRIED.

Council approved the recommendations now detailed.

RESOLVED – that (A) the responses to the public consultation be noted and the Officer responses and proposed changes to the Aston Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan be supported;

(B)   authority be delegated to the Head of Planning and Building Control, in consultation with the Executive Member for Development Management and Council Support, to make any further minor and consequential changes to the  document which may be necessary; and

(C)   the Aston Conservation Area Appraisal and

Management Plan be adopted.

(see also Minute 376)

Minute 354 refers

Council considered the recommendations of the Executive in respect of the Cottered Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan. 

The Leader moved, and the Executive Member for Finance and Support Services seconded, the recommendations as now detailed.  After being put to the meeting, and a vote taken, the recommendations were declared CARRIED.

Council approved the recommendations now detailed.

RESOLVED – that (A) the responses to the public consultation be noted and the Officer responses and proposed changes to the Cottered Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan be supported;

(B)   authority be delegated to the Head of Planning and Building Control, in consultation with the Executive Member for Development Management and Council Support, to make any further minor and consequential changes to the  document which may be necessary; and

(C)   the Cottered Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan be adopted.

(see also Minute 376)

Minute 355 refers

Council considered the recommendations of the Executive in respect of the Allocation of a Capital Budget for a Fire Suppression Unit at Buntingford Depot. 

The Leader moved, and Councillor M Allen seconded, the recommendations as now detailed.  After being put to the meeting, and a vote taken, the recommendations were declared CARRIED.

Council approved the recommendation now detailed.

RESOLVED – that capital funding, as detailed in the report submitted, for the supply and fit of a fire suppression system at Buntingford depot, be approved, subject to written agreement from North Herts District Council to contribute 50% of costs as part of the Shared Waste Service.

(see also Minute 376)

Chairman: Councillor C Woodward

RESOLVED – that the Minutes of the Human Resources Committee meeting held on 4 October 2017, be received.

Chairman: Councillor M Allen

RESOLVED – that the Minutes of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 17 October 2017, be received.

Chairman: Councillor T Page

RESOLVED – that the Minutes of the Development Management Committee meetings held on 8 November and 6 December 2017, be received.

Chairman: Councillor M Pope

RESOLVED – that the Minutes of the Performance, Audit and Governance Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 21 November 2017, be received.

To consider a report of the Executive Member for Finance and Support Services

The Executive Member for Finance and Support Services submitted a report setting out the proposed Treasury Management Strategy and Annual Investment Strategy for 2018-19.  He also sought approval for the Prudential Indicators 2018-19.

Council noted there had been no additional regulatory changes since the previous Strategy had been approved.

The Executive Member moved, and Councillor M Pope seconded, the recommendations as now detailed.  After being put to the meeting, and a vote taken, the recommendations were declared CARRIED.

Council approved the recommendations now detailed.

RESOLVED – that (A) the Treasury Management Strategy and Annual Investment Strategy discussed in paragraphs 2.1 – 2.2 of the report submitted, be approved;

(B)       the Prudential Indicators discussed in paragraph 2.3 of the report submitted, be approved; and

(C)       the counterparty listing discussed in paragraph 2.4 of the report submitted, be approved.

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

The Head of Legal and Democratic Services submitted a report outlining a request for a community governance review of the electoral arrangements of Eastwick and Gilston Parish Council.  The parish was seeking an increase in the number of parish councillors from six to seven.

Council noted the issues highlighted in the report submitted and that the costs of the review, if accepted, would need to be absorbed within existing resources.

Councillor R Brunton moved, and Councillor E Buckmaster seconded, a motion that the request be accepted and a review be undertaken as detailed in the report submitted.  After being put to the meeting, and a vote taken, the motion was declared CARRIED.

Council approved the recommendations now detailed.

RESOLVED – that (A) a Community  Governance Review of the electoral arrangements of Eastwick and Gilston Parish Council be undertaken; and

(B)       the terms of reference for, and the timing of, the review in (A) above be determined by the Chief Executive.

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

The Monitoring Officer submitted a report requesting an extension to the Members’ Allowances Scheme 2017/18 until 16 May 2018.

Council noted the ongoing review of the current scheme, the outcome of which would be reported to the Annual Council meeting on 16 May 2018.

The Executive Member for Finance and Support Services moved, and the Executive Member for Environment and the Public Realm seconded, the recommendation as now detailed.  After being put to the meeting, and a vote taken, the recommendation was declared CARRIED.

Council approved the recommendation as now detailed.

RESOLVED – that the deadline for consideration of the Members’ Allowances Scheme 2017/18 be extended until Annual Council on 16 May 2018.