Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber, Wallfields, Hertford. View directions

Contact: Lorraine Blackburn  Tel: (01279) 502172 Email:  lorraine.blackburn@eastherts.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

357.

Update from the Leader

The Leader, Councillor L Haysey will be providing Members with a presentation.

Minutes:

Councillor L Haysey, Leader of the Council provided an update on the Council’s progress over the last four years.  She commented that East Herts had become a more ambitious Council both in terms of its financial viability and in terms of the large projects it was undertaking to enhance the life of local residents, including:

 

·       Old River Lane

·       Grange Paddocks

·       Hertford Theatre

·       Hartham Leisure Centre

 

The Leader thanked the involvement of Councillors over the few years in many of the projects which had also led to the development of a range of Community Champions and Leaders and better ties with the community.  She hoped that the recent development of the East Herts Lottery would further enhance the community and the charities it supported. 

 

The Leader referred to the difficulties in relation to the adoption of the District Plan and the strong role this would play in influencing developers to get the best it could generally and in relation to the Harlow and Gilston Garden Town development.  Councillor L Haysey explained her role on several organisations and welcomed Members to spend a day with her.

 

The Chairman sought and was provided with assurances that going forward, and in relation to the forthcoming elections, that development strategies were future proofed.  The Chairman, on behalf of Members thanked the Leader for her work over the last few years.

 

RESOLVED – that the update be received.

 

358.

Apologies

To receive apologies for absence.

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors D Abbott, G Cutting and Mrs D Hollebon.

 

359.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 62 KB

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 18 December 2018.

Minutes:

It was moved by Councillor M Allen and seconded by Councillor M Casey, that the Minutes of the meeting held on 18 December 2018 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

 

RESOLVED – that the Minutes of the meeting held on 18 December 2018 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

 

360.

Chairman's Announcements

Minutes:

The Chairman commented that this was the last Overview and Scrutiny Committee for the civic year and thanked everyone for their participation in the scrutiny process and the topics covered. The Chairman added that he looked forwarded to continuing the process after the elections.

 

361.

Declarations of Interest

To receive any Members’ Declarations of Interest and Party Whip arrangements.

Minutes:

Although not a pecuniary interest, the Chairman, Councillor M Allen, stated that in relation to agenda item 7 (Financial Sustainability Strategy) he was a member of the Financial Sustainability Group.

 

362.

Digital Innovation Zone Strategy pdf icon PDF 32 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Leader of the Council submitted a report updating Members on the progress on the West Essex and Eastern Herts Digital Innovation Zone and the associated draft strategy.  The Head of Communications, Strategy and Policy provided an overview of the report and introduced Mr John Houston, Director of One Partnership and Councillor A Lion, (of Epping Forest District Council), Chairman of the DIZ. 

 

Mr Houston explained the background to the development of the DIZ which covered a geography of around 49,000 business and 454,000 residents in over 212,000 households.  He explained that the DIZ was established by 10 partner organisations including local government, social care, strategic health partners and the private sector to leverage the advances of digital technologies and the growth of the digital economy to create a better place to live, work study and di business.   Mr Houston explained that the digital revolution would impact on all aspects of life, both individually and collectively and that it was important to ensure that the challenges and opportunities (both negative and positive) were faced to future proof economic prosperity and work together to deliver more public services jointly.   Mr Houston explained that the study (Essential Reference Paper “B”) had cost £70,000 funded by 12 different organisations.

 

Councillor L Haysey explained that it was a vision which looked at the next 50 years to future proof such issues as heath care and cited by example, Uttlesford District Council’s smart house which enabled an elderly disabled gentleman to live independently.

 

The Chairman sought and was provided with assurances about potentially conflicting technology Fibre or 5G especially in relation to security risks of WIFI. 

 

Councillor M Stevenson sought and was provided with assurances that advice was being sought from Europe and beyond in relation to smart systems and of the 70 different organisations which partnered to the DIZ. 

 

In response to a query from Councillor H Drake, Epping DC, Councillor A Lion explained how negatives could be turned into positives from the viewpoint of the High Street and changing shopping patterns and offering a different services to maintain its vibrancy. 

 

The Leader urged Members to review YouTube to see what was happening in Ocado, Hatfield Park, and Milton Keynes.

 

Councillor N Symonds explained that it was important to ensure that social housing providers were on board in the provision of appropriate broadband cabling. 

 

From the viewpoint of shared resources, Councillor A Lion thanked Mr Houston and his team who had done 99.9% of the work so far.  He hoped that partner organisations could support greater sharing of resources and that partner organisations could lead on some projects. 

 

The Chairman sought clarification on the how data on energy usage (gas / electric) could be used to better effect.  Mr Houston explained that data was the new “oil” and data mining needed to be used sensitively to reflect needs.

 

The Chairman, on behalf of Members, thanked the Mr J Houston and Councillor A Lion for their detailed and exceptional report.  It was moved by Councillor  ...  view the full minutes text for item 362.

363.

Financial Sustainability Strategy pdf icon PDF 30 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Executive Member for Finance and Support Services submitted a report outlining a proposed Financial Sustainability Strategy in the delivery of the Medium Term Financial Plan from 2020 onwards.  The Head of Strategic Finance and Property provided a summary of the report.  She requested that the strategy be amended slightly by the removal of one year items and that these  be referred to in the body of the report.  This was supported. 

 

Councillor I Devonshire suggested that more money could be generated by imposing a £1 all day parking on Sunday.  Councillor N Symonds explained that this had been tried but had been opposed by Churches.  The Head of Strategic Finance and Property explained that there were a number of opportunities in relation to the generation of car parking income and this would be reviewed at a Task and Finish group.

 

Councillor H Drake sought and was provided with clarification on number of issues in relation to :

 

·       The 1% difference in the rate of return between the higher risk/reward and the standard risk/reward and whether this was worthwhile;

 

·       The use of mortgage syndicates and whether this had been explored;

 

·       The acquisition of properties at public auditions;

 

·       The Capital sum and the need to be diversify.

 

In supporting Councillor Drake’s comments, Councillor B Deering referred to the need to ensure that robust checks and balances were in place in terms of levels of investment.  In response to a further query, Councillor Deering was advised that the £3M would not be used to leverage more funds but that this was a starting point as the Council’s approach was slow and steady with the right level of risk and return. 

 

Members debated the high levels of return in relation to HCC’s pension fund management.  The Chairman asked whether the Head of Strategic Finance and Property had sufficient time to be involved as a member of the Pension Board.  She explained that the Council would shortly be recruiting for a Head of Property. 

 

It was moved by Councillor I Devonshire and seconded by Councillor M Casey that the recommendations, as amended, be supported.  After being put to the meeting and a vote taken, the recommendations, as amended were declared CARRIED.

 

RESOLVED – that (A) the Executive be advised that Members support the adoption of the Financial Sustainability Strategy and that this be used as the key methodology for delivering the Medium Term Financial Plan 2020 onwards;

 

(B)   the Financial Sustainability Group be embedded as a Financial Sustainability Board and that it hold delegated powers to invest in projects that meet the Financial Sustainability Strategy criteria; and

 

(C)   A capital sum of £3M be made available to the Financial Sustainability Board to invest in commercial income generating activity that achieves the Financial Sustainability Strategy key requirements.

  

364.

Complaints, Performance and Updated Vexatious Complaints Policy pdf icon PDF 90 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Executive Member for Development Management and Council Support submitted a report on the complaints received against the Council and of a proposed new vexatious complaint policy.  The Customer Services Manager provided a summary of the report and the complaints received.  In response to a query from Councillor N Symonds, the Customer Services Manager explained that there were no regular complainers but that there was a need to identify and deal with vexatious customers.

 

It was moved by Councillor J Jones and seconded by Councillor N Symonds, that a recommendation to Council to support a new vexatious complaint policy be approved.  After being put to the meeting and a vote taken, the motion was declared CARRIED.

 

RESOLVED – that (A) Members support the recommendation to Council to adopt a new vexatious complaint policy; and

 

(B)   the complaint performance and handling be noted.

 

365.

Brexit: Task and Finish Group report and recommendation pdf icon PDF 401 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Head of Communications, Policy and Strategy submitted a report on the present findings of the Brexit Task and Finish Group and provided a summary of the report.  Councillor J Jones reminded Members of the scare stories in relation to the millennium bug but was assured that the Council was prepared.

 

The Chairman welcomed the inclusion of World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules and thanked Officers for the inclusion of the (low) tariffs.  The Chairman also recognised the efforts of former Policy Officer, (Nathan Bookbinder) for his work in the process.  

 

It was moved by Councillor M Casey and seconded by Councillor N Symonds that the Executive be advised that Members support the recommendations, as detailed.  After being put to the meeting and a vote taken, the motion was declared CARRIED.

 

RESOLVED – that (A) the Executive be advised that the findings be shared with Herts County Council and the East of England Local Government Association (gathering and co-ordinating Brexit issues for the county and region);

 

(B)   Local business be directed to the Herts Growth Hub landing pages for any Brexit related issues;

 

(C)   Officers explore possible options to support EU residents in the district with the process of applying for “settled status”; and

 

(D)   the Task and Finish Group continue to meet to consider Brexit related issues as they emerge.

 

366.

Planning Enforcement: Update pdf icon PDF 96 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report providing an update on the action plan and an update on the overall position in relation to the Council’s Planning Enforcement Service.  The Deputy Chief Executive provided a summary of the report, adding that she was confident that the service had now stabilised.  Councillor M McMullen welcomed the news and was happy to see that the figures looking much better.

 

In response to a query from Councillor B Deering regarding the recruitment of an Compliance Officer, the Deputy Chief Executive provided an update in that approval by Leadership Team had recently been tabled, to employ one FTE (full time equivalent) Officer to this role rather than the vacant 0.5FTE.

 

It was moved by Councillor M McMullen and seconded by Councillor H Drake that the report be received.  After being put the meeting and a vote taken, the motion was declared CARRIED.

 

RESOLVED – that the report be received.

 

367.

Work Programme Proposals 2019/20

The Scrutiny Officer will make a verbal presentation seeking Members’ views on a future work programme.

Minutes:

The Interim Scrutiny officer explained that this was the last meeting of the civic year and that next year (following the May elections), the work programme would commence with a blank sheet.  He urged Members to provide him with any issues which could warrant scrutiny.

 

The Chairman, on behalf of Members thanked the Interim Security Officer and the Democratic Services Officer for their help in supporting the scrutiny process.