Decisions

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.

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.

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)

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)

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)

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.

Report providing details of funding requirements for a fire suppression unit

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)

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 set Council Tax levels for 2018/19.

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 approve the Council’s budget for 2018/19 and the MTFP for 2018/19 – 2021/22 to include:

·        Capital programme

·        Fees and charges

·        Service budgets

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 ‘E’ of the report submitted, be approved;

(G)      the schedule of charges set out in Essential Reference Paper ‘F’ of the report submitted, with an overall increase of 5% for 2018/19, be approved; and

(H)      authority to approve the final schedule of taxi fees and charges for 2018/19, as in Essential Reference Paper ‘F’, following the required consultation with the taxi trade, be delegated to the Head of Strategic Finance and Property acting in consultation with the Chairman of the Licensing Committee.