Decisions

A)     Executive approved an allocation of £105,000 from the Executive Priority Reserve to support the reopening of Ward Freeman Swimming Pool in Buntingford.

Proposal to establish joint working arrangements between the council with SNG Housing to promote resident and stakeholder engagement and consultation, increase the overall supply of new and genuinely affordable housing and improvement the quality of the local environment and biodiversity.

Executive:

(a) approved in principal the Memorandum of Understanding (included at Appendix A) covering joint arrangements for collaborative working at Sele Farm, Hertford.

(b) delegated authority to the Director for Communities, acting in consultation with the Executive Member for Neighbourhoods, to sign the finalised Memorandum of Understanding on behalf of East Herts Council.

Executive:

a) Considered and approved the recommendations found in the action plan at appendix A.

b) Agreed that the recommendations outlined in the action plan to be taken forward are implemented and Overview and Scrutiny Committee provided with a progress report on implementation.

The Leader advised that this report had been deferred to the Executive meeting being held on 14 July 2026, following presentation of this item to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 9 June 2026.

The Executive Member for Planning and Growth presented the report and highlighted the Council’s statutory duty to maintain an up-to-date Local Plan and the introduction of a new Government plan-making system, including a 30?month timetable and gateway assessments.

It was reported that this marked the initial stage, requiring publication of a Local Plan timetable and Notice of Intention. Approval was sought for both, with the timetable setting out key stages and the notice formally commencing the process and advising how stakeholders could engage.

Executive Members noted that the report should be read alongside the forthcoming scoping consultation report, outlining early engagement. It was further noted that, despite uncertainty regarding Local Government Reorganisation, work on the Local Plan would continue to ensure an up-to-date and robust planning framework remained in place.

The Executive Member for Planning and Growth proposed the recommendations as detailed in the report. The Executive Member for Neighbourhoods seconded the proposal.

Members noted that the proposed timetable reflected a significant and intensive programme of work required to progress the new Local Plan and acknowledged the considerable effort already undertaken by officers in preparing the evidence base. Appreciation was expressed to officers and councillors for their ongoing work and commitment.

It was emphasised that councillors should actively engage residents and community groups to ensure wider understanding of the plan and its implications.

In response to a question, it was advised that Neighbourhood Plans would continue to form part of the development framework. However, it was noted that the Council would need to determine their future role, including whether communities would be expected to prepare or update plans going forward.

In response to concerns regarding the ‘call for sites’, it was confirmed that decisions on site selection would not be made for some time and that further evidence would be presented to the appropriate committees later in the year.

Regarding resourcing, Executive Members were informed that whilst there were recruitment challenges in parts of the planning service, the policy team responsible for the Local Plan was currently fully staffed. It was noted that the timetable had been set nationally and must be adhered to, with appropriate use of resources, reserves and government grant funding to support delivery.

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

RESOVLED – that Executive recommended to Council

That (A) the East Herts Local Plan Timetable, attached at Appendix A, be approved for publication; and
 

(B)   The Notice of Intention to Commence the East Herts Local Plan, attached at Appendix B, be published on the Council’s website.

The Open Space Assessment, as attached at Appendix A of the report, was agreed as part of the evidence base to inform the new East Herts Local Plan and as a material consideration for Development Management purposes in the determination of planning applications.

To agree that the East Herts Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) can be used as part of the evidence base for the new Local Plan, as a material consideration in the determination of planning applications, and to seek funding opportunities, where appropriate.

a) That the East Herts Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP), attached as Appendices E and F (1 to 7) be agreed as part of the evidence base to inform the new East Herts Local Plan and as a material consideration for Development Management purposes in the determination of planning applications; and

b) Any minor amendments to the content of the East Herts Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) be delegated to the Director for Place, in consultation with the Executive Member for Planning and Growth.

a) That the Employment Land Review, attached as Appendix A to the report, was agreed as part of the evidence base to inform the new East Herts Local Plan and as a material consideration in the determination of planning applications.

Report on the findings / outcome of the Bishop's Stortford Employment Study.

A)   The Bishop’s Stortford Employment Study, attached at Appendix A to the report, was agreed as part of the evidence base to inform the new East Herts Local Plan and as a material consideration for Development Management purposes in the determination of planning applications.