Issue - meetings

To receive announcements and business brought forward by the Mayor, Leader, and Members of the Cabinet or the Chief Executive.

4.1       By the Mayor:

4.2       By the Chief Executive:

4.3       By the Group Leaders:  Any apologies for absence

4.4       Council Leader and Members of the Cabinet:

6.1       By the Mayor:

The Mayor thanked everyone for participating and working their way through this very different and remote meeting.

6.2       By the Chief Executive:

None.

6.3       By the Group Leaders:

None.

6.4       Council Leader and Members of the Cabinet:

(Full details are in the minutes under Announcements of the Leader and Cabinet).

6.1       By the Mayor:

The Mayor thanked everyone for participating and working their way through this very different and remote meeting.

6.2       By the Chief Executive:

None.

6.3       By the Group Leaders:

None.

6.4       Council Leader and Members of the Cabinet:

Councillor Williams, Leader of the Council

Questions:

Councillor Tindall thanked all DBC staff on behalf of the Liberal Democrat Councillors for their continuous service under these extreme conditions, in particular those at Cupid Green depot for maintaining essential services. He then referred to the sad resignation of the Chief Executive and asked Councillor Williams if any decision had been made as to when she will leave. Councillor Williams advised that the Chief Executive’s resignation was due to take effect at the end of July, however she had agreed to be flexible about that date. He explained that recruitment would be very difficult in the current circumstances but they had appointed recruitment consultants to assist them with the process.

Councillor Uttley referred to the forward plan in the Cabinet agenda for next week’s meeting and asked if the Climate Change Strategy was still due to be published on 19 May. Councillor Williams said the report was still on course to go to Cabinet in May. He advised that some of the underlying work had fallen behind slightly due to officers being seconded to other roles. The work to engage a Climate Change officer was also continuing and they hope to interview in early May.

Councillor Symington advised she was a representative for the Berkhamsted Town Hall Trust and the trustees would like to know what the Council could do to protect this asset. Councillor Williams said we would seek to give any support we could but he couldn’t commit to a firm answer at this stage as it depends on the financial support we receive from Central Government. He explained we would have to prioritise charities that are providing immediate support to residents to supply food, mental health support, etc. and we would have to look at the wider sector on a case-by-case basis. Councillor Symington thanked The Leader and said the trustees understood that there was a hierarchy of need.

Councillor Birnie asked if it would still be possible to observe Cabinet meetings if they’re carried out remotely. Councillor Williams advised that all members can join the Cabinet meeting via Microsoft Teams if they wished to. 

There were no further questions.

Councillor Williams, Portfolio Holder for Corporate and Contracted Services

Questions:

Councillor England asked if the Portfolio Holder could share the package details that have been agreed with Everyone Active during the lockdown situation. Councillor Williams said he didn’t have any agreement details to hand but he would happily share the information subject to any commercial confidentiality. Councillor England asked if the information could also be made available to the public as it was in the public’s interest. Councillor Williams said he could, but again it would be subject to commercial confidentiality.

There were no further questions.

Councillor Elliot,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6