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.

The Head of Legal and Democratic Services submitted a report calculating the political balance of the Council following the ordinary election of all Members.  She said Council, at its annual meeting, was required to approve the decision-making arrangements for the discharge of functions as set out in the recommendations now detailed. The appointment of the Leader, Councillor L Haysey was proposed, together with the composition of the portfolios of Executive Members, and those appointed to those roles. 

Councillor L Haysey proposed the recommendations, which were seconded by Councillor E Buckmaster.  Council approved the recommendations as set out in the report and in the supplementary report.

RESOLVED – that (A) the following scrutiny committee, regulatory committees and joint committees be appointed, with the number of voting Members stated: 

Committee                         Number of Members

Overview and Scrutiny                                  14

Performance, Audit and

Governance Oversight                                   7

Development Management                         12

Licensing                                                          12

Human Resources                                          7

Chief Officer Recruitment                             5

East Herts Council and

Stevenage Borough Council

Joint Revenues and Benefits                         3

Joint CCTV Executive (3 from

East Herts)                                                       12

(B) the membership of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, the regulatory committees (Development Management and Licensing Committees) and other committees (Performance, Audit and Governance Oversight, Human Resources, Chief Officer Recruitment and East Herts Council and Stevenage Borough Council Joint Revenues and Benefits Committees) be as set out in Essential Reference Paper ‘C’ with Members being appointed in accordance with the wishes of the political group to whom the seats on these bodies have been allocated;

(C) Councillor Linda Haysey be appointed Leader of the Council for the four year term of the Council;

(D) the intention of the Leader of the Council to appoint 7 Members to the Executive (in addition to the Leader) with the portfolio responsibilities as detailed in Essential Reference Paper ‘B’, be noted;

(E) the programme of Council meetings, as detailed at paragraph 5.1 of the report, be approved;

(F) the Head of Legal and Democratic Services be authorised to make changes in the standing membership of committees and joint committees in (A) above, in accordance with the wishes of the political group to whom seats on these bodies have been allocated;

(G) Appointments of representatives to outside bodies be taken by the Head of Legal and Democratic Services, in consultation with the Leader, under delegated authority; and

(H) the Monitoring Officer be authorised to make such amendments to the Council’s Constitution as may be necessary to account for the decisions in (A) to (G) above.

The Chairman, former Councillor K Warnell opened the meeting. 

Former Councillor Warnell spoke of the numerous interesting events he had both arranged and attended during his tenure, including a bike ride on behalf of the Isabel Hospice, Music in the Garden, several quiz nights and a ball.  He was pleased to report that he had raised a total of £10,555, which had been divided between his charities, the Air Ambulance for Hertfordshire and Isabel Hospice.  The majority of the funds raised had been given to Isabel Hospice, and he had been delighted to present the charity with a cheque for £9,500. 

Former Councillor Warnell said his time as Chairman had been a marvellous experience.  He thanked Councillor Jonathan Kaye for attending several events on his behalf.  He thanked his PA for arranging his engagements, and his wife for her support throughout his year in office.

Former Councillor Warnell said he had compiled a slideshow of memorable occasions from his year as Chairman, which he invited Members to watch. 

The Leader, Councillor L Haysey, said the photo montage clearly showed the Chairman’s ability to make people feel part of the community.  In particular she recalled the moving Holocaust Memorial Day which the Chairman had shown was a truly inclusive event.  She thanked the Chairman for his dedicated service to the residents of East Hertfordshire, and presented him with a bouquet of flowers.  The Leader proposed the Council place on record its thanks to the Chairman. 

Councillor M Goldspink, seconding the proposal, thanked the Chairman on behalf of the Liberal Democrat group.  Members supported the proposal.