Decisions

To seek support for the allocation of additional expenditure to

meet a funding gap between the existing council contribution

and the final value of the HLF grant to carry out improvement

works to the park.

That (A) capital funding of £124k is made available in 2019/20 to bridge the funding gap to enable the HLF project at

Castle Park to proceed.

To review the Risk Management Strategy.

That (A) the updated Risk Management Strategy be approved; and

(B) recommendations that could enhance or streamline risk management and the associated monitoring process be noted.

To agree publication of the draft revised Statement of Community Involvement for public consultation.

That (A) the draft Statement of Community Involvement, as set out in the documents submitted, be agreed, and published for a six-week period of consultation; and

(B) authority be delegated to the Head of Planning & Building Control to make minor or consequential changes to the document.

To enable the Executive to consider key documents relating to the extent and provision of infrastructure associated with the Harlow and Gilston Garden Town.

Recommended to Council that (A) the Harlow and Gilston Garden Town Infrastructure Delivery Plan, Strategic Viability Assessment and How To Guide for Planning Obligations, Land Value Capture and Development Viability be agreed as material considerations for Development Management purposes; and

(B) the Leader be delegated authority to make minor consequential changes necessitated by the publication of the National Planning Guidance.

The Leader submitted a report recommending that the draft Harlow and Gilston Garden Town Transport Strategy be published for a six week period of public consultation following the May elections.

The Leader moved and Councillor D Andrews seconded, a motion that the recommendations, as detailed in the report submitted, be approved.  After being put to the meeting and a vote taken, the motion was declared CARRIED.

Council approved the proposals now detailed.

RESOLVED – that the draft Harlow and Gilston Garden Town Transport strategy, as detailed in Essential Reference Paper “C” to this report, be published for a six week period of public consultation following the May elections; and

(B)   that following consultation and any subsequent revisions to the document, it is intended that the final Transport Strategy be agreed as a material planning consideration for the preparation of masterplans, the preparation of the Gilson Area Charter, pre-application advice, assessing planning applications and any other development management purposes.

(see also Minute xxx)

Council considered the recommendations of Human Resources Committee regarding proposed changes to the Local Joint Panel’s Constitution.   Councillor C Woodward commended and thanked Councillor P Boylan for the excellent job he was doing as Local Joint Panel Chairman, for his role as safety officer and for organising defibrillator training. 

Councillor P Boylan moved and Councillor M Allen seconded, a motion that the recommendations now detailed, be approved.  After being put to the meeting, and a vote taken, the motion was declared CARRIED.

Council approved the proposals now detailed.

RESOLVED – that the revised Local Joint Panel’s Constitution presented to Council be approved, subject to the deletion of 7.15e in essential Reference Paper “A”

(see also Minute xxx)

The Executive Member for Finance and Support Services submitted a report proposing that a Financial Sustainability Strategy be adopted for the use of both staff and Members in the Delivery of the East Herts Medium Term Financial Plan for 2020 onwards.

The Chairman explained that only recommendations (B) and (D) as detailed needed Council approval. 

Councillor G Williamson moved and Councillor M Allen seconded, a motion that the recommendations (B) and (D), as detailed in the report submitted, be approved.  After being put to the meeting and a vote taken, the motion was declared CARRIED.

Council approved the proposals now detailed.

RESOLVED – that (A) the Financial Sustainability group be embedded as a Financial Sustainability Board and holds delegated powers to invest in projects that meet the Financial Sustainability Strategy criteria; and

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

(see Minute xxx above)

The Leader of the Council submitted a report seeking agreement the Draft Retail Frontages, Design and Signage Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) should go out to public consultation and also sought agreement that a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of the Emerging Retail Frontages, Design and Signage Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) is not required.

Councillor C Woodward sought and was provided with clarification on how and where the information would be disseminated.  He stated that the Council needed to ensure that it was adequately resourced.

Councillor D Andrews welcomed the document and echoed the comment regarding adequate resources.

Councillor B Deering explained that the work had originated from the Hertford Urban Design Group.  He thanked the former Head of Planning and Development Control for attending every meeting and his work in moving the initiative forward.

Councillor J Jones welcomed the report and referred to the need for better enforcement by Hertfordshire County Council of “A”-Boards.  The report was also welcomed by Councillor P Ballam and N Symonds, the latter referred to the menace caused by “A”-Boards especially to those whose vision was impaired.

Councillor C Woodard urged Members to write to HCC’s enforcement team regarding problems with “A”-Boards.  Council approved the proposals now detailed.

The Leader moved and Councillor B Deering seconded a motion, that the recommendation be approved.  After being put to the meeting and a vote taken, the motion was declared CARRIED.

RESOLVED – that (A) the draft Retail Frontages, Design and Signage Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) as set out in Essential reference Paper “A” be approved and published for a six week period of consultation; and

(B)   In accordance with the Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes Regulations 2004, it has been determined that a Strategic Environmental Assessment of the emerging Retail Frontages, Design and Signage Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) is not required as it is unlikely to have significant environmental effects.

(see also Minute xxx)

The Leader of the Council submitted a report presenting an updated version of the Council’s Local Development Scheme (LDS), and the schedule and work programme that set out the timeline for preparation of any emerging Local Development documents.  The document replaced the previous LDS, dated September 2017.  The Leader explained that the document was fundamental to support the District Plan.  

Councillor L Haysey moved, and Councillor G McAndrew seconded, a motion to support the recommendation as now detailed.  After being put to the meeting, and a vote taken, the motion was declared CARRIED.

The Executive supported the proposal as detailed.

RESOLVED – that Council be recommended to approve the Local Development Scheme (LDS) March 2019, attached at Essential Reference Paper “B” to take effect from March 2019.