Agenda, decisions and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber, Wallfields, Hertford

Contact: Martin Ibrahim  Tel: (01279) 502173 Email:  martin.ibrahim@eastherts.gov.uk

Media

Items
No. Item

233.

Leader's Announcements

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Leader welcomed Members, Officers and the public to the meeting and reminded everyone that the meeting was being webcast.  She advised the public of the fire exits should the alarm sound.

 

Finally, she reminded Members that an Extraordinary Council meeting would be held after this Executive meeting to consider recommendations on the District Plan.

234.

Minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 11 September 2018 (previously circulated in Council Agenda of 17 October 2018).

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor G McAndrew moved, and Councillor S Rutland-Barsby seconded, a motion to approve the Minutes of the previous meeting as a correct record.  After being put to the meeting, and a vote taken, the motion was declared CARRIED.

 

RESOLVED – that the Minutes of the Executive meeting held on 11September 2018 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Leader.

235.

Update from Overview and Scrutiny Committee pdf icon PDF 51 KB

To receive a report of the Committee Chairman.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Executive received a report from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee detailing its comments and recommendations on various matters considered at its meeting held on 18 September 2018, including on:

 

·               Executive Member of Development Management and Council Support – Presentation

·               Draft Community Transport Strategy 2018 – 2021

·               Economic Development Vision: Update 2016/17 to 2019/21

·               Overview and Scrutiny Work Programme

 

The Executive received the report.

 

RESOLVED – that the report be received.

236.

Update from Performance, Audit and Governance Scrutiny Committee pdf icon PDF 55 KB

To receive a report of the Committee Chairman.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Executive received a report from the Performance, Audit and Governance Scrutiny Committee detailing its comments and recommendations on various matters considered at its meeting held on 4 September 2018, including on:

 

·                        Annual Leisure Report

·                        Quarterly Corporate Health check – Quarter One, 2018-19

·                        Annual Treasury Review 2017/18 Outturn

·                        Shared Internal Audit Service – Annual Report

·                        Shared Internal Audit Service – Progress Report

·                        Performance Audit and Governance – Work Programme.

 

The Executive received the report.

 

RESOLVED – that the report be received.

237.

Future Management of Herford and Ware Markets pdf icon PDF 72 KB

Note – Essential Reference Paper ‘A’ is enclosed for Members only as it contains exempt information as defined by paragraph 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

Additional documents:

Decision:

That (A) the results of the engagement exercise with the traders relating to the street trading consent proposals be noted;

 

(B)     the use of street trading consents for managing Hertford market be approved;

 

(C)     the use of street trading consents for managing Ware market be approved; and

 

(D)    the implementation date for (B) and (C) be January 2019.

Minutes:

The Executive Member for Economic Development submitted a report on the future management of Hertford and Ware markets.  He advised on the outcome of engagement with traders and other stakeholders and suggested a way forward based on the use of street trading consents. 

 

The Executive was reminded that Bishop’s Stortford Town Council had been operating its own market since 2015 and that East Herts Council had sought to devolve management to Hertford and Ware Town Councils on a similar basis.  However, both town councils had declined this opportunity, thus the proposal to suspend the market service delivered through the Food Act 1984 and to instead support traders with the use of street trading legislation.

 

Various Members expressed their support for the proposals.  The Leader expressed her thanks to Officers.

 

Councillor G Jones moved, and Councillor G McAndrew seconded, a motion that the proposals now detailed in the report submitted, be approved.  After being put to the meeting, and a vote taken, the motion was declared CARRIED.

 

The Executive approved the proposals now detailed.

 

RESOLVED - that (A) the results of the engagement exercise with the traders relating to the street trading consent proposals be noted;

 

(B)       the use of street trading consents for managing Hertford market be approved;

 

(C)       the use of street trading consents for managing Ware market be approved; and

 

(D)      the implementation date for (B) and (C) be January 2019.

238.

Community Transport Strategy pdf icon PDF 47 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Executive Member for Economic Development submitted a report introducing the Council’s first Community Transport Strategy.  This outlined the proposed vision for community transport in East Herts along with the Council’s three key priorities:

 

·                        to provide practical support and advice to those considering the need for community transport in their locality;

·                        to assist with funding new and existing services; and

·                        to promote the importance of community transport.

 

The Executive Member for Health and Wellbeing referred to the successful scheme run in Sawbridgeworth, which involved sponsorship from various partnerships.  He expressed concern that smaller schemes in smaller parishes might prove to be unsustainable.  He commented on the importance of flexibility, the role of the masterplanning process and the need for towns and parishes to take the initiative to link their communities.

 

Various Members commented on the deterioration of bus services generally, especially in the evenings, and the impact this had on vulnerable groups.

 

In response to Members’ questions, the Executive Member for Economic Development referred to the twice yearly conference with town and parish councils and undertook to engage directly on this Strategy.

 

Councillor G Jones moved, and Councillor E Buckmaster seconded, a motion that the recommendation now detailed be supported.  After being put to the meeting and a vote taken, the motion was declared CARRIED.

 

The Executive supported the recommendation now detailed.

 

RECOMMENDED - that the draft Community Transport Strategy 2018-2021, as now submitted, be approved.

239.

Mead Lane Area Masterplanning Framework pdf icon PDF 61 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Executive considered a report on the Masterplan Framework for the Mead Lane Area (HERT2) in Hertford.

 

The Executive Member for Development Management and Council Support commented on recent public statements suggesting that up to 380 units would be delivered on this site.  She emphasised that in the District Plan that would be considered later in the meeting, around 200 units had been identified for this site.

 

In response to comments from Councillor T Page, the Leader and the Head of Planning and Building Control both reiterated the role of masterplans and the certainty they provided to residents and developers.

 

Councillor S Rutland-Barsby moved, and Councillor E Buckmaster seconded, a motion that the recommendation now detailed be supported.  After being put to the meeting and a vote taken, the motion was declared CARRIED.

 

The Executive supported the recommendation now detailed.

 

RECOMMENDED – that the Masterplan Framework for the strategic allocation, Mead Lane Area, as detailed at Essential Reference Paper ‘B’ to the report submitted, be agreed as a material consideration for Development Management purposes.

240.

East End Green Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan pdf icon PDF 2 MB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Executive Member for Development Management and Council Support submitted a report on the East End Green Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan. 

 

The Appraisal identified the special character of the Conservation Area together with the elements that should be retained or enhanced and those which detracted from the identified character.  Once adopted by the Council, the Appraisal would become a ‘material consideration’ in the process of determining planning applications.  It would also link into the development of neighbourhood planning.

 

She reminded Members that this had been deferred previously to enable consideration to be given to a late objection.  She detailed the outcome of those further considerations and the alternative options for the Conservation Area boundary line.

 

The Executive Member also proposed an additional recommendation that a full survey of trees in any area excluded from the Conservation Area be undertaken to determine the need for any tree preservation orders.

 

The Leader moved, and Councillor S Rutland-Barsby seconded, a motion that Alternative 2 be supported, along with an additional recommendation on surveying trees.  After being put to the meeting, and a vote taken, this motion was declared CARRIED.

 

The Executive supported the recommendations now detailed.

 

RECOMMENDED – that (A) the responses to the public consultation, the Officer responses and proposed changes to the East End Green Conservation Area Character Appraisal and Management Proposals and Alternatives 1 and 2 described in the report submitted, be noted;

 

(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;

 

(C)       the East End Green Conservation Area Character Appraisal and Management Proposals, as set out in Alternative 2 described in the report submitted, be approved; and

 

(D)      a full survey of trees in any area excluded from the Conservation Area be undertaken to determine the need for any tree preservation orders.

241.

Quarterly Corporate Healthcheck – Quarter 1 June 2018 pdf icon PDF 138 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Executive considered and noted a report on finance and performance monitoring for April – June 2018.

 

RESOLVED – that (A) the projected revenue budget forecast underspend of £16k in 2018/19 be noted;

 

(B)     the capital budget  for 2018/19 of £4.485m be noted; and

 

(C)     the reported performance and actions for the period April 2018 to June 2018 be noted.

242.

Adoption of the East Herts District Plan 2018 pdf icon PDF 54 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Leader submitted a report recommending that the Executive support the District Plan.  She commented that, once adopted, the District Plan would be at the heart of the planning system and would help to shape future growth and development in East Herts.

 

The Plan presented an ambitious vision and framework for East Herts, which the Inspector had concluded to be sound.  The holding direction issued by the Secretary of State had served to reiterate the importance of having a Plan and to be able to demonstrate a five year land supply in order to deter speculative applications.

 

The Leader thanked Officers and all partners involved in the work undertaken to lift the holding direction.  She referred to a similar direction that had prevented Stevenage Council from adopting its Plan for nearly a year.  She committed the Council to continue to support them in their bid to lift the direction order.

 

In lifting the direction order for East Herts, the Secretary of State had confirmed the Plan as sound, positive and consistent with national planning policies.

 

The Leader referred to the importance of the masterplanning process that would be undertaken for all the strategic sites.  This would support the Plan and provide the framework to better manage development.  The adoption of the Plan would also provide certainty for residents, developers and partners.

 

The Leader acknowledged that for some residents and Members, the process had been challenging.  However, without a sound Plan, the challenges would have been far more difficult.

 

Finally, the Leader reiterated her appreciation to the Planning Policy team, including former employees who had taken their knowledge and experience elsewhere.  She also referred to the invaluable contribution of former Councillor Mike Carver, who had set the process in motion. 

 

The Leader commented that this was a sound and balanced Plan that should be commended to Council.

 

The Executive Member for Environment and the Public Realm also paid tribute to everyone involved in the production of the Plan and the work undertaken to lift the holding direction.

 

The Leader moved, and Councillor S Rutland-Barsby seconded, a motion that the recommendations now detailed, be supported.  After being put to the meeting, and a vote taken, the motion was declared CARRIED.

 

The Executive supported the recommendations now detailed.

 

RECOMMENDED – that (A) the content of the Inspector’s Report (and associated Appendix detailing the Main Modifications) as set out in Essential Papers ‘B’ and ‘C’ of the report submitted, be noted; and

 

(B)       the East Herts District Plan as set out in Essential Reference Paper ‘E’ of the report submitted, incorporating the main modifications and minor changes as set out in Essential Reference Papers ‘C’ and ‘D’, be adopted.

243.

East Herts District Plan - Sustainability Appraisal Adoption Statement pdf icon PDF 49 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Leader submitted a report recommending the Sustainability Appraisal Adoption Statement for publication alongside the District Plan.  This document communicated the likely significant effects of an emerging plan, and the reasonable alternatives considered during the plan-making process.  It aimed to inform and influence the plan-making process with a view to avoiding or mitigating negative effects and maximising positive effects. 

 

Councillor Haysey moved, and Councillor S Rutland-Barsby seconded, a motion that the recommendations now detailed, be supported.  After being put to the meeting, and a vote taken, the motion was declared CARRIED.

 

The Executive supported the proposals now detailed.

 

RECOMMENDED – that (A) the content of the Sustainability Appraisal Adoption Statement as set out in Essential Reference Paper ‘B’ of the report submitted, be noted; and

 

(B)       the Sustainability Appraisal Adoption Statement be published alongside the adopted District Plan 2011-2033 in accordance with Regulation 16 of the Strategic Environmental Assessment Regulations 2004.