Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber, Wallfields, Hertford. View directions

Contact: Katie Mogan  Tel: (01279) 502174 Email:  katie.mogan@eastherts.gov.uk

Media

Items
No. Item

1.

Chairman's Announcements

To receive any announcements.

Minutes:

Councillor Crofton said his year as Chairman had been an interesting adventure with many highlights. He said that the year saw an increase in the number of visits after the pandemic. He had attended the Holocaust Memorial Day organised by Councillor Kaye, attended many school award ceremonies, official opening of new premises and numerous speaking engagements. Councillor Crofton said that on 28 April 2022, eight Moldovan Mayors and their officials visited East Herts Council to learn about democracy. He showed them aspects of planning, housing, licensing and democratic services and gave his thanks to Officers who engaged with them.

 

Councillor Crofton said he had visited 30 local businesses that had benefited from the Covid Recovery Scheme and East Herts Council were able to give £240,000 out in support. He gave his thanks to the Head of Communications, Strategy and Policy and the Communications and Digital Media Manager for their assistance in arranging the visits.

 

Councillor Crofton gave thanks to those who attended his Quiz Night earlier in the year and those who came to the garden party at the Henry Moore Foundation to say thank you to the district’s Town and Parish Councillors. He said he had raised £3,852 for his chosen charity Macmillan Cancer Care.

 

Councillor Crofton thanked the Chairman’s PA for her work and support over the last year and gave thanks to the Vice Chairman, Councillor Ian Devonshire, for his full support in attending events when there was a clash of dates. He said that he had valued and enjoyed his year in office and thanked Members for their support in electing him as Chairman for the 2021-22 civic year.

 

The Leader of the Council gave her thanks to Councillor Crofton for what he had given to the community over the last Civic Year. She thanked him for the Garden Party he held for Town and Parish Councillors and many of them had said they were very grateful for the celebration as they were at the forefront of the work done in the community.

 

Councillor Goldspink echoed the Leader’s comments and thanked Councillor Crofton on behalf of the Liberal Democrat group for his hard work and efforts on behalf of the Council and the community.

 

2.

Election of a Chairman 2022/23

To elect the Chairman of the Council for 2022/23 following which the Chairman will make the statutory declaration of acceptance of office.

Minutes:

It was proposed by Councillor Haysey and seconded by Councillor Williamson that Councillor Devonshire be elected as Chairman of the Council for the 2022/23 Civic Year. After being put to the meeting and a vote taken, the motion was declared CARRIED.

 

RESOLVED – That Councillor Devonshire be elected as Chairman of the Council for the 2022/23 Civic Year.

 

Councillor Devonshire made the statutory declaration of acceptance of office and took the chair.

 

3.

Election of a Vice-Chairman

To elect the Vice-Chairman of the Council for 2022/23 following which the Vice-Chairman will make the statutory declaration of acceptance of office.

Minutes:

It was proposed by Councillor Goodeve and seconded by Councillor Rutland-Barsby that Councillor Bolton be elected as Vice-Chairman of the Council for the 2022/23 Civic Year. After being put to the meeting and a vote taken, the motion was declared CARRIED.

 

RESOLVED – That Councillor Bolton be elected as Vice-Chairman of the Council for the 2022/23 Civic Year.

 

Councillor Bolton made the statutory declaration of acceptance of office.

 

4.

Further Chairman's Announcements

Minutes:

The Chairman thanked Councillor Crofton for his help, advice and support over the past year and congratulated Councillor Bolton on her election to Vice-Chairman.

 

The Chairman announced that he would be holding a Civic Service on Sunday 10 July 2022 at St Andrews Church, Much Hadham and a Race Night at Henry Moore Foundation Studios on Friday 23 September 2022. He added that he would be attending several events over the next year to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

 

The Chair of Trustees for the Chairman’s chosen charity, The Stroke Association, gave an introduction to the charity and the work they did.

 

The Chairman asked Councillor Jones to give a short presentation on his recent trip to Ukraine.

 

Councillor Jones addressed the Council on his two trips to Ukraine to deliver humanitarian aid and detailed his experience travelling to the warzone.

 

5.

Apologies for Absence

To receive any Members’ apologies for absence.

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Andrews, Beckett, Frecknall, Hall, McMullen, Newton, Snowdon and Ward-Booth.

 

6.

Minutes - 1 March 2022 pdf icon PDF 51 KB

To approve as a correct record and authorise the Chairman to sign the Minutes of the Council meeting held on 1 March 2022.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Chairman said that an amendment to the Minutes for the Extraordinary Meeting on 1 March 2022 was to add Councillor Crystall to the attendance list.

 

Councillor Kemp asked for an amendment to the Minutes for the Ordinary Meeting on 1 March 2022. He referred to Minute number 366 and requested that “20 pence a week” be changed to “20 pence a month”.

 

Councillor Haysey proposed and Councillor Fernando seconded a motion that the Minutes of the Extraordinary and Ordinary meeting held on 1 March 2022, as amended, be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

 

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

 

RESOLVED – that the Minutes of the Extraordinary and Ordinary Meeting held on 1 March 2022, as amended, be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

 

7.

Declarations of Interest

To receive any Members' declarations of interest.

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest.

 

8.

Petitions

To receive any petitions.

Minutes:

There were no petitions.

 

9.

Public Questions

To receive any public questions.

Minutes:

There were no public questions.

 

10.

Members' Questions pdf icon PDF 136 KB

To receive any Members' questions.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Ben Crystall to ask Councillor Graham McAndrew, Executive Member for Environmental Sustainability:

“It is clear East Herts Council needs to promote active travel. It is also clear, according to HCC Highways, that in providing funds for active travel, the government looks extremely favourably on those districts and boroughs which have prepared Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans (LCWIPs).

 

Several authorities in Hertfordshire, including Stevenage and Broxbourne, have had LCWIPs for 3 or 4 years and have used these to develop ambitious active travel strategies. There is no mention of LCWIP in our EHC Sustainability Action Plan.

 

Why hasn’t East Herts developed an LCWIP, and when will we have one?”

 

Councillor Graham McAndrew’s response:

 

“I would like to thank Councillor Crystall for his question and indeed his scrutiny of the council’s Sustainability Action Plan. The action plan is a living document and I and officers are always open to observations and suggestions. 

While developing an East Herts Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) is not within the council’s Sustainability Action Plan, it is in the companion Hertfordshire Climate Change and Sustainability Partnership (HCCSP) Strategic Action Plan for Transport which, in fact, East Herts’ Environmental Sustainability Co-ordinator led on developing for the Partnership.

The HCCSP action plan obliges all districts in Hertfordshire to work with the County Council on LCWIPs, with a progress report to the Partnership required by the end of 2022 so as to build, monitor and maintain momentum.


We understand that the county council is taking a systematic area-by-area approach and following discussions with them, and in line with the Government’s approach to partnership working, it has been proposed that the county council should lead on the scheme for East Herts. Officers from East Herts will be actively engaged in the work and will oversee the progress of the project.  We anticipate that the LCWIP development will commence in summer this year and will be reported to the Executive on completion.


It is also worth noting that Harlow Gilston Garden Town (HGGT) has an LCWIP that includes linkages to Gilston Village and discussions regarding existing and proposed cycling and walking routes across the district are already under way.


In conclusion, I would like to reassure Councillor Crystall that the council is working towards a comprehensive cycling and walking infrastructure plan which will play a crucial role in helping promote greener travel options.”


Supplementary question from Councillor Ben Crystall:


Councillor Crystall asked for clarification about the deadline for the government’s Active Travel Funds. He understood the deadline to be the end of summer 2022 so asked if the council would meet next year’s deadline.


Response from Councillor Graham McAndrew:


Councillor McAndrew confirmed that was correct.

 


 

Councillor Ben Crystall to ask Councillor Graham McAndrew, Executive Member for Environmental Sustainability:

“The excellent East Herts Sustainability Action Plan states that action 3.10: “Incentivise the public to make more use of the council e-car pool” has been completed.


It states: The scheme has now been fully re-opened to the public  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

11.

Executive Report - 8 February 2022 pdf icon PDF 63 KB

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

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Leader congratulated the Chairman and Vice-Chairman on their new roles and thanked Councillor Jones for his extraordinary effort, innovation and initiative to drive to Ukraine twice to deliver aid and bring back families.

 

The Leader presented a report setting out recommendations to the Council made by the Executive at its meeting on 8 February 2022.

 

12.

East Herts Housing Strategy 2022 to 2027

Minutes:

The Executive Member for Neighbourhoods presented the recommendation, which was referred to in the Executive report of 8 February 2022, regarding the East Herts Housing Strategy 2022 to 2027.

 

The Executive Member for Neighbourhoods said there was no statutory requirement to produce a strategy but he believed the extent and range of housing issues made it imperative as the previous strategy had expired. The strategy included evidence from independent research by the Housing Quality Network, comments from organisations such as Town and Parish Councils, Hertfordshire County Council, the Chamber of Commerce and eight Registered Providers in the District.

 

Councillor Boylan said that the draft strategy had four evidence based priorities and was grateful to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee for their detailed consideration. He said that Members across the Council wished to increase the number of homes for social rent and said it was worth noting that the majority of affordable homes are already let at social rent levels and the strategy supports that and the first objective states a desire to increase supply of new homes close to 50-60% of market rents.

 

Councillor Boylan proposed that the recommendation in the report be supported. Councillor Symonds seconded the proposal.

 

Councillor Goldspink said that she was happy to see the strategy and thanked the Executive Member and the Housing Officers for their work. She referred to page 12 of the Strategy and the acceleration of house prices in East Herts when compared to the incomes on page 13. She said it was difficult for people to own homes with low to moderate incomes. She said she was delighted to see the objectives on page 23 and hoped work would start soon on achieving the objectives.

 

Councillor Redfern echoed the comments from Councillor Goldspink and was pleased to see the objective on sustainability.

 

Councillor Curtis referred to the four priorities and asked the Executive Member to confirm if the priority to increase affordable homes would focus on increasing homes to own not just rent.

 

Councillor Boylan said the focus of the strategy was specifically around social rent and affordable rented accommodation. He said that other plans and strategies would deal with home ownership, such as the District Plan.

 

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 East Herts Housing Strategy from 2022 to 2027 be approved.

 

13.

Review of the Constitution pdf icon PDF 80 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Head of Legal and Democratic Services presented the report. He said that an Officer and Member Constitution Review Group had been set up to undertake a comprehensive review of the Constitution and recommend any amendments to Council.

 

Councillor Williamson proposed the recommendation in the report. He said the review was a comprehensive exercise and now hoped that the council had a document that was fit for purpose and would assist the council as it moved into the next Civic Year. Reviewing the Constitution would be a continuous, rolling exercise as and when required. He thanked the Head of Legal and Democratic Services and the Democratic Services Manager for providing helpful guidance, the Officers and Members involved in the review.

 

Councillor Deering seconded the recommendation. He thanked the Officers and the Member Group for their hard work.

 

Councillor Dumont asked how the Town and Parish Councillors would be chosen to sit on the Standards Committee and whether they would be voting members. He said that the addition of Leader’s Announcements at Council was a good idea. He suggested that the time limit of 15 minutes for Members Questions at Council should be looked at.

 

Councillor Goldspink said that she struggled with the recommendation to change ‘Chairman’ to ‘Chair’ as she preferred the term ‘Chairperson’. She thought the public participation rules at Overview and Scrutiny Committee was a good idea.

 

Councillor Symonds likewise did not agree with the change in terminology for the Chairman.

 

Councillor Curtis asked how the membership of the review groups was chosen.

 

The Head of Legal and Democratic Services said that the review groups looked at the terminology across other authorities in Hertfordshire and Chair was the most common term utilised. It would be for Council to decide whether to agree to the change or not. He said that the review groups would continue to meet as and when required so the 15 minute time limit for Members Questions could be looked at. He referred to the Standards Committee and said that Town and Parish councillors would be able to apply to sit on the committee and confirmed that they would be non-voting members. He responded to Councillor Curtis’ question about the membership of the groups, he said that the Member Group was not an official committee of the Council so did not need to be politically balanced and said that Group Leaders were invited to put forward Members.

 

Councillor Redfern said she defended the new title of Chair.

 

Councillor Williamson said there were a variety of views on the terminology and so it was recommended to Council for discussion. He said that Chairman was an established term and was still a neutral term and did not need to cause offence.

 

Councillor Haysey agreed that the term Chairman was a term of respect and was not gender specific.

 

Councillor Williamson proposed a recommendation to stay with the term Chairman. Councillor Curtis seconded the recommendation.

 

The motion to support the recommendation having been proposed and seconded was put  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

14.

Committee Membership and Political Balance of the Council 2022/23 pdf icon PDF 166 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Head of Legal and Democratic Services presented the Committee Membership and Political Balance of the Council 2022/23 report and said that Council were required to approve its decision making arrangements at the start of a new Civic Year. In May 2019, the Council appointed Councillor Linda Haysey as Leader for the “life” of the Council until the next scheduled District Council elections in 2023. It was the responsibility of the Leader to determine the size and membership of the Executive, as well as the allocation of executive portfolio responsibilities. These remained unchanged at seven members, as well as the Leader, with the portfolios as set out in Appendix B. Two new committees had been established, the Standards Committee and the Joint Information Communication Technology Committee and Members have been appointed onto all Committees according to each political group’s entitlements.

 

Councillor Williamson proposed, and Councillor Stowe seconded, a motion that the proposal be supported. A motion to support the recommendations having been proposed and seconded was put to the meeting and a vote taken. The motion was declared CARRIED.

 

          RESOLVED – that

(A)  the following Scrutiny Committees, Regulatory Committees and Joint Committee be appointed, with the number of voting Members stated:

 

Committee

No. of Members

 

Overview and Scrutiny

      14

 

Audit and Governance

        7

 

Development Management                

      12

 

Human Resources

        7

 

Licensing

Standards

      12


7

 

Chief Officer Recruitment

        5

 

East Herts Council and Stevenage Borough Council Joint Revenues and Benefits Committee (3 from East Herts)

        6

 

Joint CCTV Executive (3 from East Herts)

 

East Herts Council and Stevenage Borough Council Joint Information Technology Committee (3 from East Herts)

 

      12

 

6

(B)

the membership and Chairmen of Scrutiny Committees, Regulatory Committees, joint Committees be as set out in Appendix A, with Members being appointed in accordance with the wishes of the political group to whom the seats on these bodies have been allocated,

 

(C)

the Members to the Executive (in addition to the Leader) with the portfolio responsibilities as detailed in Appendix B, be noted;

 

(D)

the programme of Council meetings, as detailed at paragraph 5.1 of the report submitted, be approved; and

 

(E)

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

 

 

15.

Review of Scheme of Members' Allowances 2022 pdf icon PDF 108 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Head of Legal and Democratic Services presented the report on behalf of the Independent Remuneration Panel who had conducted a review of Members’ Allowances under The Local Authorities (Members’ Allowances) (England) Regulations 2003. The Panel met three times and their recommendations and reasons for making the proposals are in the report.

 

Councillor Haysey thanked the Panel for their diligence and time spent looking at the Scheme of Allowances and providing recommendations that are fair and balanced. She thanked the Democratic Services Manager and Democratic Services Officer for supporting the Panel in their work. Councillor Haysey provided comments on each of the recommendations.

 

Councillor Haysey felt it was important that Members accepted Recommendation A, the 1% increase to the Basic Allowance. She said she appreciated that people are facing hardship but also needed to recognise the work that councillors did and the value put upon it. She said that the District elections were approaching and new councillors should be a valued part of the community. She said it was not a great deal of money and if individual councillors did not think it was appropriate to increase the allowance, they can choose not to accept it or donate the increase to charity. She said that Members postponed the increase last year and historically had accepted the same as the staff pay award which this year was 1.75%.

 

Councillor Haysey said that the majority group did not accept Recommendations B and C, the increase in Special Responsibility Allowance (SRA) for the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Development Management Committee. She said that the Chairmen of all Committees did a great job and felt the current level of remuneration was correct. She also said the group did not accept Recommendation D to give £50 to each Development Management Committee for each meeting attended. Councillor Haysey said that she believed this would become an attendance allowance and would be difficult to administer. She added that all Members took their jobs seriously and the council should not differentiate between members across committees.

 

Councillor Haysey referred to Recommendation E and the decrease in SRA for the Audit and Governance Committee. She believed there had been a misunderstanding in the roles of the Audit and Governance Committee and the new Standards Committee. She said the amount of work undertaken by the Audit and Governance Committee that was now under the Standards Committee remit was minimal and therefore the reduction in SRA was not proportionate. She said the Council should not accept this recommendation.

 

Councillor Haysey referred to Recommendation F and the proposed SRA for the Standards Committee Chairman. She said this was the same as the Human Resources Committee Chairman and that committee met four times a year but the Standards Committee was proposed to meet twice a year. Therefore she proposed an amendment to recommendation F that the SRA for the Standards Chairman should be £2,431.

 

Councillor Haysey referred to Recommendation G and H and the increases to the Dependents Carers Allowance. She said  ...  view the full minutes text for item 15.

16.

Outside Bodies Update Report pdf icon PDF 70 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Leader of the Council presented the recommendation in the report and thanked Members who had volunteered to sit on Outside Bodies for their extra work to bring their substantial knowledge and experience to the Council. Councillor Haysey proposed that the recommendation in the report be supported and Councillor Curtis seconded the proposal.

 

The Chairman highlighted that the authors had spent a lot of time producing their reports and encouraged Members to go through the report and read the work they have done over the last year.

 

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 reports of Members appointed to Outside Bodies for the 2021 – 2022 civic year be received and noted.

 

17.

Annual Scrutiny Report 2021/22 pdf icon PDF 153 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee presented the Annual Scrutiny Report for 2021-22 and proposed that the recommendation in the report be supported. Councillor Pope seconded the proposal.

 

Councillor Goldspink welcomed the Annual Scrutiny Report 2021-22. She hoped that the Committee’s suggestions and recommendations in relation to ‘Digital by Default’ would be taken on board. She also hoped that the cross party working group would be set up as soon as possible to look at the shared waste service.

 

Councillor McAndrew assured Councillor Goldspink that the working group would commence the end of June/beginning of July.

 

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 reports of Members appointed to Outside Bodies for the 2021 – 2022 civic year be received and noted.

 

18.

Review of the Council's Grant Priorities pdf icon PDF 71 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Executive Member for Communities presented the recommendation, which was referred to in the report regarding the Review of the Council’s Grant Priorities.

 

Councillor Kaye said the report set out the proposed updated priorities for 2022/23 and one of the new priorities would encourage applicants to think creatively in their neighbourhood. The policy was not changing so the council would continue to make available small grants of £100-£300 for small grounds and applications would need to focus on one or more of the following priorities: COVID recovery, diversity and inclusion, mental and physical wellbeing, environmental sustainability and the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

 

Councillor Kaye said that there had been many excellent bids for grants for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations and East Herts Council has allocated over £9,000 to 45 charities, voluntary groups, community groups and individuals.

 

Councillor Kaye proposed, and Councillor Townsend seconded, a motion that the proposal be supported. A motion to support the recommendations having been proposed and seconded was put to the meeting and a vote taken. The motion was declared CARRIED.

 

RESOLVED – That (A) the updated Community Grants priorities for community grant giving be approved; and
 

(B) authority be delegated to the Head of Housing and Health, acting in consultation with the Executive Member for Communities, to determine operational matters relating to community grant giving in 2022-23.

 

19.

Platinum Jubilee pdf icon PDF 19 KB

Minutes:

Councillor Alder proposed the following motion on notice:

 

This Council recognises that this year marks the 70th anniversary of Her Majesty the Queen’s accession to the throne.


This Council notes that Her Majesty the Queen is the first British Monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee, marking 70 years of service to the people of the United Kingdom, the Realms and the Commonwealth.


The Council resolves that:

1. The Chairman of the Council will write to Her Majesty the Queen to congratulate her on this significant achievement; and

2. The Council will do what it can to support local community events and activities to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee. “

 

The motion was seconded by Councillor Ruffles.

 

Councillor Bell was pleased that Councillor Alder had proposed the motion. She noted her pleasure in point 2 and that the Jubilee celebrations would bring communities together again after a difficult two years.

 

Councillor Goldspink welcomed this motion and supported it.

 

The motion having been proposed by Councillor Alder and seconded by Councillor Ruffles was put to the meeting and was declared CARRIED.

 

RESOLVED That this Council recognises that this year marks the 70th anniversary of Her Majesty the Queen’s accession to the throne.


This Council notes that Her Majesty the Queen is the first British Monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee, marking 70 years of service to the people of the United Kingdom, the Realms and the Commonwealth.


The Council resolves that:

1. The Chairman of the Council will write to Her Majesty the Queen to congratulate her on this significant achievement; and

2. The Council will do what it can to support local community events and activities to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee.

 

20.

No confidence in the Prime Minister pdf icon PDF 18 KB

Minutes:

Councillor Wilson proposed the following motion on notice:

 

Council notes its severe disappointment in the Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Council further notes that the Prime Minister acted unlawfully, misled Parliament and lied to the residents of our country.

 

Council adds that while the Prime Minister attended Downing Street parties, millions of people, including countless East Herts residents, obeyed the lockdown rules, often at huge personal cost. They missed funerals, cancelled weddings and said goodbye to loved ones on video calls – some on the very day that Number Ten illegally hosted a garden party.

 

Council condemns the Prime Minister whose disregard for his own rules itself represents a threat to the health of our nation, including residents of East Herts as he failed to set an example for the country to follow.  This is also a threat to the rule of law and the standing of democracies at all levels. For these reasons he must resign.

 

Council calls upon the Leader of the Council to write to Boris Johnson stating that the Council has no confidence in his leadership and calls for him to resign.

 

Council resolves that we no longer have confidence in the Prime Minister.

 

Councillor Dumont seconded the motion.

 

Councillor Wilson spoke to his motion. He said that this motion was about standards in public life and the ideals of democracy. The current Prime Minister had breached these ideals and reports had emerged of him attending parties during lockdown resulting in a fine from the police. Councillor Wilson said that his actions had implications and others might start to think why they should follow the rules if the Prime Minister himself did not. Residents of East Herts will assume that all politicians are the same which he said was not the case and the Councillors at East Herts have done great things, they don’t see that Councillor Jones has been to the Ukraine, the role that Councillor Haysey has played in the rebuilding of the District after Covid-19 or the work of Councillor Symonds with the homeless. Councillor Wilson said that Councillors do represent residents in an honourable way and asked the Council to condemn the Prime Minister.

 

Councillor Curtis said that the Council were being asked to have no confidence in the Prime Minister but said that to do that, there needed to be confidence in an alternative. He said that this was a point scoring motion and he said he would be voting against it as the government had lots of good policies.

 

Councillor Redfern said that she fully supported Councillor Wilson’s motion. She said it had a bearing on all elected officials when the public believed that all politicians were the same. She said that the Prime Minister had brought the country into disrepute. She believed the Prime Minister should be someone the country could trust, had integrity and was competent.

 

Councillor Goldspink said she supported the motion. She said that the residents of East Herts deserved to know what standards their Councillors find  ...  view the full minutes text for item 20.