Agenda item

To receive any public questions.

Bailey Nash-Gardner asked the Executive Member for Environmental Sustainability, “What steps have East Herts Council taken so far in response to the climate change declaration at the last Council meeting on 24 July?”. 

Councillor G McAndrew thanked him for his question, and said given the importance of tackling climate change, he welcomed being required to provide an update.  On 24 July 2019, the Council had voted unanimously to make a climate change declaration which committed the Council to a proactive stance on net carbon neutrality and acting as an exemplar of best practice.  Councillor McAndrew set out how the Council would realise this aim in three ways:  by changes directly to its own buildings, through its people and through its services; by its powers to prioritise actions taken by others, under regulation; and by influencing and encouraging others to act.

Councillor McAndrew referred to current analysis of the carbon footprint of East Herts, which was 2,800 tonnes of CO2 per year, and said there was much further to go to meet the aspiration to be carbon neutral by 2030.  He outlined measures which had been taken since the Declaration had been made, including enhancing the sustainability specification of the development of the Leisure Centres at Grange Paddocks and Hartham, going beyond building regulation requirements.  The Council was facilitating Officers’ use of electric vehicles; and would move towards swapping its diesel van to electric vans.  The Council was developing an environmental sustainability Supplementary Planning Document, a draft of which would be consulted upon in the New Year.  The Council’s revised taxi emissions policy was having a significant impact, and the Council was in the process of registering the first two electric cars as taxis.  On 25 September the Council had held an E-vehicle roadshow in Bishop’s Stortford.  He reminded all that they could book the Council’s e-pool cars could be booked outside work.  There was more to do, and he would be working to promote BREEAM (the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method).  The Council would not be working alone, as he was pleased to announce that the first meeting of the East Herts Environmental Climate Forum would be taking place in Ware on 4 December.  The Forum would bring together local groups, Members and others, and invitations would be issued shortly.  He encouraged all to participate. 

Mr Nash-Gardner thanked Councillor G McAndrew for his answer.

Jill Goldsmith, on behalf of Bishop’s Stortford Climate Change Group, asked Councillor McAndrew as the Executive Member for Environmental Sustainability, “What has the Council done to examine whether its current District Plan includes the very best measures to help the District become carbon neutral by 2030 and more specifically has it examined whether and to what timescale it could revise the Climate Change chapter in the Plan or agree a Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) to deliver its commitment in its Climate Change motion?”. 

Councillor McAndrew said the Council was committed to addressing climate change, and recognised its role in reducing emissions.  The SPD would reduce emissions to sustainable levels, through requiring use of less energy and increasing energy efficiency.  The detail of the SPD was currently being finalised, and would, once adopted, become a material consideration in development.  Work would also be undertaken in planning for the Harlow and Gilston Garden Town to enhance sustainability, and Officers would ensure all planning guidance would promote the Council’s policy.  Work was also being brought forward on the Hertfordshire Planning Partnership.

Jill Goldsmith welcomed the response and said she looked forward to being involved in consultations.  She said it was important the SPD should require developers to be committed to measuring their predicted emissions, and asked whether the SPD would include this requirement. 

Councillor McAndrew said he anticipated that the SPD would include this provision, but he would reply in writing to that further question. 

Joe Thomas asked the Executive Member for Communities what the Council was doing in order to ensure that young people’s voices were being listened to and taken into consideration when decision making. 

Councillor G Cutting, on behalf of Councillor S Rutland-Barsby as the Executive Member for Communities, said it was important to ensure the Council was able to hear the voices of all members of the community.  The Executive now included a new portfolio responsibility of resident engagement, and Councillor H Drake had been appointed the Member Champion for Young People.  Only 3% of people who visited her website were aged 18 – 24, so there was a need to be more proactive.  Councillor Drake and the Leader had visited the District’s schools before the Local Plan had been adopted.  Regarding Hertford Theatre, feedback had indicated showing first release films was what young people wanted, and the Council’s plans for Hertford Theatre included proposals to deliver that service.  Councillor Drake had attended Downing Street with a group of young people, and had had feedback on getting young people involved.  The Council always listened and sought the views of young people. 

Joe Thomas asked whether any particular schemes had been implemented in the last few years for young people. 

Councillor Cutting said he would research the answer to this supplementary question and respond in writing. 

Daniel Chichester-Miles asked the Leader what the Council had done to engage with the new owners of Bircherley Green to ensure that the heart of Hertford had a vibrant town centre. 

Councillor L Haysey said the site had been purchased by Chase New Homes at the end of August.  The company had local connections, being based in Welwyn Garden City.  Officers from the planning team had met the company and an introductory meeting had taken place.  Members had made a number of suggestions, and looked forward to collaborating with them on a way forward to engage in the Masterplanning process . The company was amendable to working with the Steering Group, which would act as a preliminary sounding board . Last week the first meeting of the Steering Group had taken place, with Officers and Members from each tier of government, the Civic Society and Traders.  All were agreed this was a key site in the middle of a country town.  The development needed to attract footfall, to support shops, which otherwise might not survive, so should be mixed development with access to the River.  The development needed to bring different demographics into the Town.  The Steering Group would meet monthly but was not the only forum of engagement.  Chase New Homes aimed to submit a planning application prior to Christmas.  The Council looked forward to working in partnership with them.