Agenda and minutes

To receive any announcements from the Chairman.

The Chairman thanked Reverend Stephen Bate, for his welcome. He also thanked Members for wearing Christmas attire for the meeting and explained the background to the tradition in that it was a fundraising event to raise money for the Chairman’s charity. 

The Chairman summarised the events that he and the Vice Chairman Councillor Rosemary Bolton, had attended since the last meeting of Council. 

·            Light of Love events in Buntingford, Hertford and Bishop’s Stortford which were Isabel Hospice events

·            The High Sheriffs Justices Service at St Albans Cathedral

·            A Tour of the Essex and Herts Air Ambulance at North Weald. He said that Air Ambulance was a charity and solely funded from charitable donations

·            He advised Members that this weekend, Hertford Theatre gave away 14 free tickets to local children plus their parents so that they could attend the Christmas Production of “The Snowsmith” at Ware Drill Hall.

The Chairman advised Members that there would be a Holocaust Memorial Event on Thursday 26 January at 6:30pm in the Council Chamber. This event would be in person, the first since 2019.

The Chairman was pleased to announce that Councillor Stan Bull had been awarded a Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Coin for his services as a Voluntary Ambulance Car Driver. He said that Councillor Bull had been volunteering for over 22 years.

Councillor Bull explained that his work as a voluntary driver had happened by chance in that he had been working with a friend who had asked him what he was going to do when he retired. He said that he had enjoyed every minute of his time as a driver, and that it was a very rewarding job helping people. He felt that it was an ideal job for a retiree adding that two weeks ago the traffic manager for the service had said just how much he appreciated his help. Councillor Bull said that he was very proud to receive the award.

Finally, the Economic Development Team had provided a lot of work on business support during the Covid recovery period. The Chairman introduced Pam Charman, the Lead for the Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire Federation of Small Businesses who explained the background to the federation, which was to influence government and policy to secure business friendly ideas. She presented the award to the Economic Development Team and thanked the team for producing a thriving business programme, working in a way which was relevant and said that we should all celebrate what had been achieved in East Hertfordshire.

The Chairman reminded Members to pick up their mail from the pigeon-holes. 

The Chairman announced that item 11 (Member Non-Attendance Waiver and Extension to Six Month Time Limit) be withdrawn as the Member was now in attendance.

To receive any announcements from the Leader of the Council.

The Leader said that she always enjoyed this meeting just before Christmas. She thanked the staff who she said had come through a very difficult time especially to the refuse crews who continued to do an essential job. She said that very few bins had been missed. The Leader said that the roads were not easy and would remain so for more days and asked Members and residents to be careful.

At the Leader’s request Councillors Kaye and Cutting made announcements on her behalf:

Councillor Kaye provided an update on the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.  The Council had applied for money for various projects and had been given £219,000 to spend by March 2023.  Two further tranches of money would be provided in 2023/24 and 2024/25. 

Secondly the Council had been successful in achieving the bronze award in relation to the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme organised by the Ministry of Defence.  Councillor Huggins had been instrumental in raising this issue at a previous Council meeting.  Under the scheme, additional priority was afforded to members of the armed forces in relation to social housing and providing grant support to commemorate the work of armed forces. Councillor Kaye said that there were only two other councils in Hertfordshire which had been given this award. He thanked Councillor Huggins for raising this initially and championing this cause adding that the Council would be working towards achieving the silver award status.

Councillor Cutting provided an update in relation to the headline results following a residents’ survey on how the Council runs things. He provided a comparative study to Members.

To receive any Members’ apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Bell, Brady, Burmicz, Frecknall, Hollebon, Huggins, McMullen, Page and Stevenson.

To approve as a correct record and authorise the Chairman to sign the Minutes of the Council meeting held on 16 November 2022.

Councillor Curtis said that he had emailed the Chairman regarding Anti-Semitism and the publication of the Anti-Semitism audit on the adoption on the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of anti-Semitism.  He asked for confirmation that the Council would adopt the full definition, including the examples. 

The Head of Legal and Democratic Services thanked the Member for the early notification of his query and confirmed that the Council had accepted the definition and the policy had been adopted in 2019.

The Chairman confirmed that he, the Vice Chairman and Councillor Crofton attended the Remembrance Sunday events at all five of our towns, not four.

Councillor L Haysey proposed, and Councillor E Buckmaster seconded a motion that the Minutes of the meeting held on 16 November 2022 be approved as a correct record and be signed by the Chairman.

On being put to the meeting and a vote taken, the motion was declared CARRIED.

RESOLVED – that the Minutes of the meeting held on 16 November 2022 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive any Members' declarations of interest.

There were no declarations of interest.

To receive any petitions.

There were no petitions to consider.

To receive any public questions.

David Royle, on behalf of the Sustainable Sawbridgeworth Community Group, to ask Cllr Graham McAndrew, Executive Member for Environmental Sustainability

Is this Council aware of the Cornwall Development and Decision Wheel (CDDW) used by Cornwall Council for cabinet decisions since September 2019* and has it considered a similar approach for its own decision making, using the Doughnut Economics model pioneered by Kate Raworth, which aims to ensure that no one misses out on life’s essentials (from food and housing to healthcare and political voice), while ensuring that, collectively, we do not overdo the pressure on Earth’s life-supporting systems,  such as  a stable climate, fertile soils, and a protective ozone layer? If not, how does this Council propose to keep this balance?

Response

I’d like to thank David Royle for bringing Cornwall’s approach to my attention. I have to admit that I was not aware of this model but form an initial look, I can see that it aims to locate council decision-making within the wider environmental sustainability context.

I am pleased to report, therefore, that while not specifically using Cornwall’s Development and Decision Wheel, East Herts Council has already adopted many of the model’s key principles. Notably, all reports put before members, whether at a scrutiny committee, the Executive or the full Council, include a section on environmental implications. Added to this, as environmental sustainability has been one of the council’s corporate priorities for three years now, decision-making across the council’s broad remit is increasingly being seen through the lens of climate change, air quality, biodiversity and the like. Examples range from the solar panels, air source heating and other energy efficiency measures at Grange Paddocks and Hartham Leisure Centre to advanced discussions with housing associations about Passivhaus development and new emission standards for licensed taxis set to become among the strictest in Hertfordshire from next April. 

I think a great example of the council taking difficult financial decisions with regard to its wider environmental responsibilities is our decision to switch our vehicle fleet to five e-vehicles. While delivering a modest but welcome financial savings of £2,000 over the coming five years, more importantly, this will give an annual saving of at least nine tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent – that’s a total saving of at least 45 tonnes over five years – and will also contribute to improving air quality.

Finally, earlier today, I, together with members and officers from a across Hertfordshire, met representatives of the National Farmers Union to discuss biodiversity and soil sustainability as these are obviously important considerations given the rural nature of much of our district.

So, while I and officers will most definitely look into Cornwall’s approach in more detail, I hope I have been able to provide assurances that sustainability considerations already play a central role in East Herts Council’s decision-making. 

There was no supplementary question.

To receive any Members' questions.

Question 1

Cllr Norma Symonds to ask Cllr Peter Boylan, the Executive Member for Neighbourhoods

Our council agreed a five-year housing plan in May this year. Six months has now gone, and I would like to ask the Executive Member for Neighbourhoods for an update on what has happened so far, especially with social housing.

Response

Since Council’s approval of the Housing Strategy in May this year, considerable progress has been made. Members may recall that delivering more affordable homes with lower rents – and even social rents where possible – is the very first objective listed in the Strategy. I was therefore particularly pleased to officially open the new housing scheme in Pegram Drive, Buntingford last month where Hightown Housing have delivered nine homes at social rent. Added to this, B3 Living’s new scheme in Bengeo sees rents capped at the local housing allowance, meaning they are just 60%-70% of private market rents in Hertford. I think both schemes show that low rents can and are being delivered when the council and registered providers work together. On top of this, officers are currently exploring new ways to ensure low rents, including talking to two registered providers about building homes for social rent on the few small plots of land still in the council’s ownership.

The Housing Strategy is, however, about more than simply rent levels. Providing homes for our most vulnerable residents is another major priority and so the development of affordable rented bungalows on two sites this year, in Buntingford and in Bishop’s Stortford, is especially welcome when we remember that there are 33 people on the Housing Register with significant mobility-related needs, who would greatly benefit from level access homes.

Furthermore, the Strategy prioritises making homes more energy efficient, thus I was thrilled to see so many of Network Homes new affordable rented and shared ownership homes at the Blakemoor Manor development in Hertford had solar panels and e-car charging points when I visited earlier this year. I know that Network are currently drawing up a proposal to build homes to the Passivhaus specification in the district. Added to this, private home-owners have also been able to benefit from the county-wide ‘solar panel bulk buy’ scheme which the council was part of this summer. The scheme was so over-subscribed that another round next year now seems likely.

Finally, we cannot overlook the importance of getting the day-to-day work of helping homeless people find accommodation and running an effective housing application and nomination process. I am currently working with officers on options for speeding up the assessment of applicants’ medical circumstances and I am very grateful to Cllr Symonds for agreeing to look over those proposals when they are ready in the new year.

So, although we only six months into the five- year Housing Strategy, I hope I have been able to demonstrate that work is already well underway to deliver the priorities so resoundingly endorsed by members back in May.

There was no supplementary question.

Although  ...  view the full minutes text for item 276.

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

The Leader of the Council presented a report setting out recommendations to the Council made by the Executive at its meetings on 25 October and 22 November 2022.

The Executive Member for Financial Sustainability presented the recommendation which was referred to in the Executive report of 25 October 2022 that no changes be made to the local Council Tax Support Scheme for April 2023.

Councillor G Williamson proposed that the recommendation in the report be supported.

Councillor M Pope seconded the proposal. 

Councillor M Goldspink said that her party supported the recommendation.

The motion to support the recommendation having been proposed and seconded was put to the meeting and upon a vote being taken, was declared CARRIED.

          RESOLVED – that no changes be made to     the local Council Tax Support Scheme for         April 2023.

The Executive Member for Planning and Growth presented the recommendation which was referred to the Executive on 22 November 2022 regarding a recommendation to agree the Masterplanning Framework as a material consideration for Development Management purposes.

Councillor J Goodeve proposed that the recommendation in the report be supported.

Councillor Ruffles seconded the proposal.

Councillor Goldspink said that she was confused by this proposal given that there was some opposition.

She said that the plan seemed to centre on whether there should be a quarry and if the quarry was not included whether housing could be built.  She said that situation was complicated to residents and that there was a campaign to stop housing being built in this area. Councillor Goldspink said she would be abstaining from voting.

The Executive Member for Planning and Growth said that this site was an allocated site in the District Plan and it complied with the council’s policies. She said that there had not been a planning application submitted but it was anticipated that one would be forthcoming  shortly.

Councillor Wilson said that he supported the “Save Bengeo Fields Campaign” and was hopeful that an application would not go through but he understood the need for a Masterplan.

Councillor Curtis said that he was aware of the campaign and that green space should be retained and would not be voting but would be drafting a judgement to all ward Members and would vote in line with them..   

The motion to support this recommendation having been proposed and seconded was put to the meeting and upon a vote being taken, was declared CARRIED.

          RESOLVED – that the North of Hertford –      Land West of Wadesmill Road,Bengeo      (HERT4, Phase 2) Masterplanning           Framework October 2022 be agreed as          a material consideration for Development    Management purposes.

The Executive Member for Neighbourhoods presented the recommendation which was referred to the Executive report 22 November 2022.

Councillor P Boylan proposed that the recommendation in the report be supported.

Councillor N Symonds seconded the proposal.

Councillor Goldspink said that the Liberal Democrat Group was happy to support the recommendation but that it was sad to see that there was still so much need for affordable housing in the district.  She hoped that the Council would try to provide more affordable homes. 

Councillor Curtis welcomed the assessment on the update. He said that he was disappointed that under 20% of the total number of affordable homes were homes for people to own not rent. He felt that the Council should be doing more to encourage home ownership rather for people to rent. It was for that reason he would be voting against the recommendation.

Councillor Crystall asked if the Assessment referred to in the report could be made available to Members.

The motion to support the recommendation, having been proposed and seconded was put to the meeting and upon a vote being taken, was declared CARRIED.

RESOLVED – that the Affordable Housing Needs Assessment Update 2022 be supported to form part of the evidence base to inform Development Management decisions and support the East Herts District Plan 2018 and any future reviews and revisions to it.

The Executive Member for Neighbourhoods presented the recommendation which was referred to in the Executive report of 22 November 2022 regarding the adoption of a Technical Guidance Note.

Councillor P Boylan proposed that the recommendation in the report be supported.

Councillor B Deering seconded the proposal.

Councillor Deering said that the Council was one of the highest providers of affordable housing in the county and took the provision of affordable housing very seriously. 

Councillor Goldspink said that the Liberal Democrat Group was happy to support the recommendation.  She added that it was unfortunate that decisions appeared to be taken by developers in terms of whether they might want to use this scheme in terms of providing affordable homes. 

Councillor Redfern added her grateful thanks to officers and supported the comments made by Councillor Goldspink.

The motion to support the recommendation having been proposed and seconded was put to the meeting and upon a vote being taken, was declared CARRIED.

          RESOLVED – that the First Homes         Technical Advice Note be approved.

The Executive Member for Financial Sustainability presented the recommendation which was referred in the Executive report of 22 November 2022 regarding the calculation of the Council Tax base for the whole district and for each Parish and Town Council for 2023/24.

Councillor Williamson proposed that the recommendations in the report be supported. Councillor R Fernando seconded the proposal.

The motion to support the recommendations having been proposed and seconded were put to the meeting and upon a vote being taken, was declared CARRIED.

          RESOLVED – that (A) the calculation of the Council’s tax          base for the whole district and for the parish areas for     2023/24 be approved.

          (B)     that pursuant to the report and in accordance      with the Local authorities (Calculation of Tax Base)     Regulations 2012 the amount calculated by Est         Hertfordshire District Council as its council tax base for          the whole areas for 2023/24 shall be 63892.8 and for the    parish areas listed below for 2023/24 shall be as follows:

This is item was withdrawn.

The Leader proposed the following motion on notice:

This Council notes the Local Government Association are calling for support from organisations to sign the Debate Not Hate public statement, aiming to address the rise in abusive and intimidating behaviour directed at local politicians.

This Council acknowledges the findings of this report, principally that 88% of the locally elected representatives who responded to the LGA’s survey have faced abuse and intimidation in the last 12 months. 73% said they have experienced it over social media where it seems to be becoming increasingly normalised and 64% said they have experienced it in person.

The Council understands this can have a significant impact on the health and wellbeing of our Members and their families and we should be taking steps to ensure elected representatives feel safe and secure in their own communities.

By signing up to the Debate Not Hate public statement, The Council will lend its support to the LGA’s recommendations, one of which is that the relevant Government department should convene a working group, in partnership with the LGA, to bring together agencies to develop and implement an action plan to address the issue of abuse.

I invite Councillors to share any experiences they have had and lend their support to Debate Not Hate

Councillor Goldspink seconded the motion and she said that it was a very important motion. She added that it was important as Members, to be able to express feelings but in a courteous and respectful manner. She wanted to support the proposal made by the LGA and felt that all seven recommendations be supported and made available with the Minutes of this meeting.

The Executive Member for Wellbeing said that he was aware of the pressures on Members and Officers and that Members  were now more accessible  through social media and as such had more direct contract with residents who perhaps might say things which they might not in a face to face situation. He felt that people should be encouraged to speak in an appropriate manner.

Councillor Crofton said that he had not experienced any anger or abuse but had had nothing but “kindness and love”.

Councillor Dumont said that he had not experienced any abuse as a Councillor but was concerned about the abuse on Parish Councillors, who were volunteers.

Councillors Symonds said that some years ago someone had written to her about bomb making instructions and said that “someone was coming to get me”.

Councillor Boylan reminded Members that over the last few years, two Parish Councils were almost wiped out because of abuse from one councillor to another. He said that Members were here to be held to account but that they needed to be respectful to one another. He explained that abusive behaviour might put off future volunteers from standing on Parish Councils.

Councillor Curtis supported the motion. He said he had received several comments over the years and comments about taking “backhanders” about councillors working with developers. He supported the LGAs  ...  view the full minutes text for item 280.