Announcements
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:
Councillor Williams Leader of the Council
Councillor Elliot Finance and Resources
Councillor Griffiths Housing
Councillor Williams Corporate and Contracted Services
Councillor Barrett Environmental Services
Councillor Banks Community and Regulatory Services
Councillor Anderson Planning and Infrastructure
Decision:
4.1 By the
Mayor:
The Mayor reminded members that they were required to complete and return their DBC Related Party Transaction Declaration if they hadn’t already done so.
4.2 By
the Chief Executive:
C Hamilton advised that the following Elections will take place on 6th May 2021:
Leverstock Green Ward
Tring Central Ward
Hertfordshire County Council
Police and Crime Commissioner
4.3 By the Group
Leaders:
Councillor Tindall gave apologies on behalf of Councillors
Hollinghurst, McDowell, Pringle and Uttley.
4.4 Council Leader and Members of the Cabinet:
(Full details are in the minutes under Announcements of the Leader and Cabinet).
Minutes:
4.1 By the
Mayor:
The Mayor reminded members that they were required to complete and return their DBC Related Party Transaction Declaration if they hadn’t already done so.
4.2 By
the Chief Executive:
C Hamilton advised that the following Elections will take place on 6th May 2021:
Leverstock Green Ward
Tring Central Ward
Hertfordshire County Council
Police and Crime Commissioner
4.3 By the Group
Leaders:
Councillor Tindall gave apologies on behalf of Councillors
Hollinghurst, McDowell, Pringle and Uttley.
4.4 Council Leader and Members of the Cabinet:
Councillor Williams, Leader of the Council
The Leader presented his update as follows:
Following the sad loss of Councillor Graham Sutton, a couple of changes have been made to the Cabinet; Councillor Anderson is the Portfolio Holder for Planning and Infrastructure and Councillor Barrett is the Portfolio Holder for Environmental Services.
There were no questions.
Councillor Elliot, Portfolio Holder for Finance and Resources
The Portfolio Holder presented his update as follows:
FINANCIAL SERVICES
The Financial Services teams focus has switched during March and April on the preparation and closure of the 2020/21 financial accounts and the completion of the 20/21 financial statements.
Initial discussions took place in March with the auditors of the financial statements, and these discussion were very positive with the service expecting to deliver fully signed off audited accounts by the end of September, well within the required deadlines.
The finance service as expected is continuing to lead on the financial reporting and monitoring requirements early on in the new financial year and as part of this process will report on any financial issues that arise and the direct financial impact of the ongoing pandemic.
As businesses and industries are starting to reopen the role of the accounts receivable service in working with council partners and creditors will become more challenging and the need to work hard with these partners to find short and medium term solutions that support the local business economy will be essential.
COMMERCIAL ASSETS AND PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT
Despite the unprecedented challenges presented by the pandemic, the Estates, Building Services & Bereavement Teams continue to deliver effective services to customers, operational buildings and commercial partners in a difficult period.
During March the Commercial Assets team have been able to complete on the sale of the Maylands Gateway site, which has resulted in the Council receiving its largest capital receipt. In a period of uncertainty to complete on this deal at a price agreed prior to pandemic levels is a great achievement for the service and these funds will assist in financing the wider Council Strategies.
The Building services team are continuing to liaise with Health partners and the County Council to support the Covid testing and vaccination programme in regards to assets and locations available for vaccination and testing as required.
BUNKERS PARK CEMETERY – NEW POPPY FIELDS CEMETERY
The construction project was completed in 2020 and the building is now being fitted out with appropriate signs, furniture and IT to enable the site to be fully operational ... view the full minutes text for item 4