Agenda and minutes

To receive any announcements.

The Chairman welcomed Members and reminded them that the meeting was being webcast.

He advised that there were five umbrellas still available with the proceeds being donated to the Community Chest, for which over £1400 had been raised to date.  He also reminded Members of the arrangements for his Civic Dinner on 20 March 2015.

The Chairman referred to this being the last Council meeting of the civic year and indeed, this Council’s four year term.  He understood that some Members would be retiring and highlighted Councillor Ranger’s 42 years’ service.  He paid tribute to his dedicated service and hard work on behalf of residents and wished him well in his retirement.  The Chairman advised that Councillor Ranger had provided light refreshments for all Members which would be available after the meeting.

The Chairman also thanked Officers for their hard work and wished George A Robertson well in his forthcoming retirement.  Finally, he thanked the Vice-Chairman for her support to him throughout the year.

At the Chairman’s invitation, Councillors A Jackson, M Newman and J Wing, on behalf of their Groups, spoke in honour of Councillor Ranger.

To approve as a correct record and authorise the Chairman to sign the Minutes of the Council meeting held on 18 February 2015 (to follow).

RESOLVED – that the Minutes of the Council meeting held on 18 February 2015 be approved a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive any Members' questions.

Question 1

Councillor G Jones asked the Executive Member for Economic Development if he could outline what impact the introduction of the 30 minutes free parking in September 2014 had had on the local economy.

In reply, the Executive Member believed that there had been a significant impact.  He advised that an additional 26,000 visits to the car parks in Bishop’s Stortford, Hertford and Ware per month had been recorded and that evidence suggested that the introduction of the £1 flat charge had increased use of the car parks across the day.  He also referred to the financial impact for the Council not being as great as anticipated, resulting in positive news all round.

Question 2

Councillor J Wyllie referred to the current pay and display machines in the Council’s car parks having been in operation for a number of years and asked the Executive Member for Economic Development if there were any plans to replace these and improve the convenience of parking in East Herts.

In reply, the Executive Member advised that a tendering process was underway and that an appraisal of options would be reported to Environment Scrutiny Committee in September 2015.  Subsequent to this, the Executive would be asked to determine which option to proceed with a contract being awarded in early 2016.  Any new system agreed would need to maximise convenience for residents and offer value for money.  The Executive Member also referred to the success of the RinGo scheme.

Question 3

Councillor C Rowley asked the Executive Member for Health, Housing and Community Support if she agreed that the Council’s continued investment in summer activities programmes and funding for sports, music, drama, arts and other community groups all year round was vital to ensuring every child in East Herts had the opportunity to discover new talent, have the best possible start in life and reach their full potential.

In the absence of the Executive Member, the Leader agreed with Councillor Rowley.  He detailed the opportunities provided for young people through the provision of playschemes, community grants and sports facilities.  The Council continued to support development in culture and the arts and the Leader highlighted 3music, the annual event for singers and musicians now in its tenth year.  He encouraged Members to support this year’s event at Hertford Theatre on 29 May 2015.

Question 4

Councillor M Pope asked the Executive Member for Finance if it was not the case that, given the difficult decisions that had had to be taken nationally to restore the public finances, it had been down to the effective management at East Herts that had enabled the Council to budget efficiently to protect and maintain public services, whilst at the same time, helping hardworking residents right across East Herts by freezing and reducing its council tax.

The Executive Member agreed with Councillor Pope.  He referred to the economic situation nationally and stated that the Council had reduced the council tax burden significantly. 

Question 5

Councillor E Buckmaster asked the Executive  ...  view the full minutes text for item 568.

To receive a report (to follow) from the Leader of the Council and to consider recommendations on the matters below:

RESOLVED – that the Minutes of the Executive meeting held on 3 March 2015 be received.

(see also Minutes 570 – 571)

RESOLVED - that (A) the Council’s Customer Service Strategy be approved as detailed in Essential Reference Paper ‘B’ of the report submitted; and

(B)      Officers be authorised to progress an outline project plan for its delivery, with any resource requests needed to deliver the Customer Service Strategy being reported to Corporate Business Scrutiny Committee on 26 May 2015 and the Executive on 2 June 2015.

(see also Minute 569)

Note – Members are asked to bring their copy of the Executive agenda to the meeting.

RESOLVED – that (A) the changes in national planning policy announced through the Ministerial Statement be noted;

(B)      the Council implements a threshold of 5 units or less in Category 1 and 2 Villages, below which affordable housing contributions will not be sought; and

(C)      the Council’s policy requirement for the provision of affordable housing in Category 1 and 2 Villages be amended and the revised wording for policy HSG3 (II), (III) and (IV) as set out in paragraph 2.18 of the report submitted, be approved.

As a result, the threshold and requirement for provision of affordable housing would be as follows:

(a)                 Main Settlements:

Threshold: Sites over 15 units or 0.5ha

Provision: Up to 40%

(b)                 Category 1 and 2 Villages:

Threshold: Sites of up to 5 units or 0.17ha

Provision: None

Threshold: Sites of 6-10 units or 0.18 – 0.32ha and a combined gross internal floorspace of less than 1000sqm

Provision: Financial contribution

Threshold: Sites of 11-14 units or 0.33 – 0.49ha or combined gross internal floorspace of more than 1000sqm

Provision: Up to 25%

Threshold: Sites over 15 units or 0.5ha

Provision: Up to 40%

(see also Minute 569)

Chairman: Councillor M Pope

(to follow)

RESOLVED – that the Minutes of the Environment Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 17 February 2015, be received.

Chairman: Councillor Mrs R Cheswright

(to follow)

RESOLVED – that the Minutes of the Development Management Committee meeting held on 25 February 2015, be received.

To consider a report (to follow) of the Executive Member for Finance.

The Executive Member for Finance submitted a report proposing Council Tax levels in 2015/16.  Council noted the precepts set by Hertfordshire County Council (HCC), Hertfordshire Police Authority (HPA) and Parish and Town Councils.

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 M Alexander, D Andrews, P Ballam, R Beeching,

E Buckmaster, S Bull, M Carver, Mrs R Cheswright, H Crofton, G Cutting,

A Dearman, Mrs D Hollebon, Mrs D Hone, A Jackson, G Jones, J Jones,

G Lawrence, J Mayes, G McAndrew, M McMullen, P Moore, W Mortimer,

M Newman, T Page, P Phillips, M Pope, J Ranger, C Rowley, P Ruffles,

S Rutland-Barsby, N Symonds, M Tindale, K Warnell, G Williamson,

C Woodward, B Wrangles, J Wyllie.

AGAINST:

None

ABSTENTIONS:

Councillors J Wing, M Wood.

For: 37

Against: 0

Abstentions: 2

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 ‘C’ of the report submitted, be noted; and

(C)      the Hertfordshire County Council’s and Hertfordshire Police Authority’s precepts be noted.