Agenda, decisions and minutes

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting of the council

The minutes of the meetings held on 17 May 2017 were agreed by the Members present and then signed by the Mayor.

To receive any declarations of interest

There were no declarations of interest.

There were no declarations of interest.

To consider questions (if any) by members of the public of which the appropriate notice has been given to the Solicitor to the Council.

Questions were received from Lee Royal, Christine Mabley and Anne Lyne.

Full details can be found in the minutes. 

Two questions submitted by Lee Royal on behalf of West Hemel Action Group (WHAG).

Question A:

With hands on hearts can councillors, when voting for the adoption of the Site Allocations, genuinely declare that they believe that the overwhelming feedback from the residents who vote for them, challenging many aspects of particularly LA3, during public consultations, has been fairly and impartially considered, given that other than for LA5, no key changes have been made as a result of public feedback from the consultations, particularly for the residents of West Hemel who are affected by far by the biggest & most negatively impacting allocation of LA3?

Response from Councillor Graham Sutton, Portfolio Holder for Planning and Regeneration: 

Yes. The process for altering the Green Belt is through the development plan preparation process and the Council has followed all necessary steps set out in legislation. If full Council approve adoption of the Site Allocations DPD tonight, the land will be formally released from the Green Belt.

The developer will need to ensure that they too are complying with national and local policy requirements as part of the forthcoming planning application process.

Question B:

Given that through public consultations on the Core Strategy before and the Site Allocations and Master Plan since, have described the location of the G&T site in LA3 as “potential” & “indicative”, can DBC please explain what process is in place to review the location and timing of the Gypsy & Traveller Site within LA3 to ensure that it is not built on a site in isolation from the rest of the development for potentially many years in advance of any new housebuilding in the same area of LA3, leaving the G&T site in contravention of national policy for G&T sites? It should be noted that even prior to any planning application, developers are positioning the G&T site & standing firm on it, in the location that will leave it in contravention of national policy based upon their phased planning for LA3.

Response from Councillor Graham Sutton, Portfolio Holder for Planning and Regeneration: 

The matter of LA3 has been given very great consideration by the Council since the Core Strategy was prepared – key dates are:

o          Independently run workshops with stakeholders on LA3 to discuss the masterplan (May 2013).

o          Consultation on draft masterplan (September 2013)

o          Consultation on Pre-Submission (draft) Site Allocations (Sept 2014)

The Borough has an evidential need for new housing, and as a result, some release of land from the Green Belt was needed – LA3 is an important part of this

Consultation on the SA DPD took place in September / October 2014 for a period of 6 weeks; publicity was given in the press, Dacorum Digest (which is delivered to every home in the Borough) and the Council’s website. There was also an exhibition at Warner’s End Community Centre.  WHAG have actively engaged with the process, and together with their response, a further 119 residents’ individuals and organisations responded also.

All these  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

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 Harden                   Residents & Corporate Services

Councillor G Sutton                Planning and Regeneration

Councillor Marshall                 Environmental, Sustainability and Regulatory Services

Councillor Elliot                       Finance & Resources

Councillor Mrs Griffiths           Housing

1.      By the Mayor:

The Mayor welcomed Councillor Barrett

2.      By the Chief Executive:

The Chief Executive welcomed Councillor Barrett and introduced him to Members.

3.      By the Group Leaders:

Councillor Griffiths gave apologises on behalf of Councillor Armytage, Matthews, Williams, W Wyatt-Lowe, Bhinder, Elliot, Bateman, Madden and Timmis.

Councillor Tindall gave apologies on behalf of Councillor Ransley.

4.    By the  Leader and Members of the Cabinet:

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

1.      By the Mayor and Chief Executive:

Mayor and the Chief Executive welcomed Councillor Barrett and introduced him to Members.

2.      By the Group Leaders:

Councillor Griffiths gave apologies on behalf of Councillor Armytage, Matthews, Williams, W Wyatt-Lowe, Bhinder, Elliot, Bateman, Madden and Timmis.

Councillor Griffiths had nothing to report but was happy to take questions.

Councillor Tindall gave an apology on behalf of Councillor Ransley and asked for an update on Councillor Williams.

Councillor Griffiths confirmed that he is recuperating well and is hoping to be back in September.

3.    By the  Leader and Members of the Cabinet:

Councillor Williams, Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Community Leadership.

There were no announcements from the leader.

Councillor Harden, Portfolio Holder for Residents and Corporate Services

Resident Services

The Cycle Hub at Cupid Green Playing Fields will be hosting an Osbourne’s thank you event on 25^th August for partners who gave their time and resources to get the works to cycle hub complete.  All Councillors will receive a formal invitation.

The ASB Team has been successful in obtaining injunctions against rough sleepers who have been aggressively begging in the town centre – one person has breached the injunction and was arrested and dealt with by the court.

People & Performance

Armed Forces Day

2,000 people visited Gadebridge park on 1 July for our first Armed Forces Day celebrations where the Royal signals motorbike team the White Helmets wowed the crowds with their dramatic displays.  Visitors also enjoyed activities like, safety demonstrations from the fire service, RAF Halton pipes and drum bands, fairground rides and many stalls.  MP Mike Penning also presented certificates to the winning children of our military themed poetry competition.

Tring Swimming Pool Refurbishment

Kier Group (building specialists) have been commissioned to undertake detailed design work and building preparation for the £1 million refurbishment of Tring Swimming Pool. This is likely to take 2 – 3 months with work beginning shortly after.

Leisure Management Procurement

The planning for the leisure management procurement is progressing well. Consultation has been held with a number of local clubs, sports representatives, Sport England and the Herts Sport Partnership as well as all Councillors. The procurement process will begin at the end of July.

CSU

The transfer of the Customer Services Unit back into the Council is progressing well and the service is due to begin in-house from the 1^st August.

ICT & Digital Transformation

Civic Centre Decommissioning

ICT decommissioning of Civic Centre complete, save for some networking equipment enabling door security.

Resident’s Portal

Resident portal development is progressing well, with initial emphasis on waste services. This will be launched in Autumn 2017.

Councillor Harden was happy to take questions.

Councillor England asked if the portfolio holder agreed with him that Hemel’s Vitality index, reported in the Gazette last week of the 5th July, being 391 in the country compares unfavourably with Hemel’s position at approximately 100 in order of town population size and what would be our target for next year.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

To consider questions (if any) by members of the Council of which the appropriate notice has been given to the Solicitor to the Council.

None. 

None. 

To consider any business referred from the previous meeting

None. 

To consider the following referrals from Cabinet:

7.1       CA/052/17       23 May 2017   Provisional Outturn 2016/17

7.2       CA/053/17       23 May 2017   Development Company update

7.3       CA/063/17       27 June 2017   Council tax support scheme 2018/19

7.4       CA/064/17       27 June 2017   Proposal to build a new Athletics Track              and Pavilion at Longdean School

7.5       CA/066/17       27 June 2017   Dacorum Borough Site Allocations Development Plan Document & Local Allocations Master Plan

7.6       CA/068/17       27 June 2017   Community Infrastructure Levy Governance update

That the following be approved:

23 May 2017

7.1                   CA/052/17       Provisional Outturn 2016/17

Decision

1. the reserve movements outlined in Section 10 of the Cabinet report

7.2                   CA/053/17       Development Company update

Decision

1.   the approval of a budget of £200k to progress Recommendation 1 of this report. This will cover the finalisation of design work, the finalisation of the business case, and consequent legal advice on the most appropriate tax and governance arrangements on creation of a Development Company.

7.3                   CA/063/17       Council tax support scheme 2018/19

Decision

1.            Not to revise or replace the current Council Tax Support scheme for 2018/19.

7.4                   CA/064/17       Proposal to build a new Athletics Track and Pavilion at Longdean School

Decision

1. a supplementary estimate as set out in Paragraph 2.1 of Appendix 1of the report to Cabinet

7.5                   CA/066/17       Dacorum Borough Site Allocations Development Plan Document & Local Allocations Master Plan

Decision

1.    That the key issues raised through consultation on the Main Modifications to the Site Allocations DPD, and associated changes to the Policies Map, set out in the Report of Representations (Annex 1 of the report to Cabinet) be noted.

2.    That the content of the final Report received from the Planning Inspector into the Site Allocations DPD examination (Annex 2 of the report to Cabinet) be noted.

3.   that the Pre-Submission Site Allocations DPD (Written Statement and Map Book) incorporating Focused Changes (January 2016), as amended by main and minor modifications (Annex 3(a) and (b) of this report, in accordance with Regulation 26 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) Regulations 2012) be adopted;

4.   that an updated version of the Policies Map to reflect (3) above be published

5.    that the Assistant Director - Planning, Development and Regeneration to authorise:

(a)  any  necessary minor and non-consequential changes to the Site Allocations (Written Statement and Map Book) and associated Policies Map prior to publication; 

(b)  the Adoption Statement for the Site Allocations  in accordance with the planning regulations be published; and

(c)  the final version of the Sustainability Appraisal Adoption Statement (Annex 4 of this report), in accordance with environmental protection legislation be agreed.

6.    That the finalised master plans for the six Local Allocations (Annexes 5(a) to (f) of this report), as Supplementary Planning Documents and authorise the Assistant Director - Planning, Development and Regeneration to make any  necessary minor and non-consequential changes to these documents prior to publication be adopted

That the Policy Advice Note (May 2017) (Annex 6 of this report) be agreed for publication on the Council’s website, and the Assistant Director – Planning, Development and Regeneration be authorised to update and amend this Note as necessary and to reflect discussion at Cabinet.     

7.6                   CA/068/17       Community Infrastructure Levy Governance update

Decision

1. Officers defer requesting project submissions for the use of CIL funding until April 2018.
2. Officers request expressions of interest for the use of CIL funds from July 2017.
3. the amendments to the CIL submission timetable as set out in Table 2of the report to Cabinet are agreed.  ...  view the full decision text for item 14.

The referral from Cabinet on 23 May 2017 was submitted.  It was moved by Councillor Griffith, duly seconded and

Resolved

That the following be approved:

7.1                   CA/052/17       Provisional Outturn 2016/17

1. The reserve movements outlined in Section 10 of the Cabinet report

7.2                   CA/053/17       Development Company update

Resolved:

1.   The approval of a budget of £200k to progress Recommendation 1 of the report to Cabinet. This will cover the finalisation of design work, the finalisation of the business case, and consequent legal advice on the most appropriate tax and governance arrangements on creation of a Development Company.

Councillor Tindall said that giving the news on borrowing to invest on properties, could we consider more of an industrial approach.

Councillor Griffiths understood his concerns but the report is not at its final stages yet.

7.3                   CA/063/17       Council tax support scheme 2018/19

Resolved:

1.            Not to revise or replace the current Council Tax Support scheme for 2018/19.

7.4                   CA/064/17       Proposal to build a new Athletics Track and Pavilion at Longdean School

1.    A supplementary estimate as set out in Paragraph 2.1 of Appendix 1of the report to Cabinet.

Councillor England asked how sure we were regarding the move of the athletics track to Longdean School, and was there a restriction on times.

Councillor Harden gave his reassurance and said that the report was proposed. The design is set to hold high quality events.

Councillor England gave dual agreement on looking after it.

Councillor Griffiths said the site at the moment needs a lot of work to bring it up to spec, the new site would be better and she will take on the comments made.

7.5                   CA/066/17       Dacorum Borough Site Allocations Development Plan Document & Local Allocations Master Plan

Resolved:

1.    That the key issues raised through consultation on the Main Modifications to the Site Allocations DPD, and associated changes to the Policies Map, set out in the Report of Representations (Annex 1 of the report to Cabinet) be noted.

2.    That the content of the final Report received from the Planning Inspector into the Site Allocations DPD examination (Annex 2 of the report to Cabinet) be noted.

3.   That the Pre-Submission Site Allocations DPD (Written Statement and Map Book) incorporating Focused Changes (January 2016), as amended by main and minor modifications (Annex 3(a) and (b) of this report, in accordance with Regulation 26 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) Regulations 2012) be adopted;

4.   That an updated version of the Policies Map to reflect (3) above be published.

5.    That the Assistant Director - Planning, Development and Regeneration to authorise:

(a)  any  necessary minor and non-consequential changes to the Site Allocations (Written Statement and Map Book) and associated Policies Map prior to publication; 

(b)  the Adoption Statement for the Site Allocations  in accordance with the planning regulations be published; and

(c)  the final version of the Sustainability Appraisal Adoption Statement (Annex 4 of this report), in accordance with environmental protection legislation be agreed.

6.    That the finalised master plans for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.

None.

There were no overview and scrutiny committee referrals.

To consider the following changes to the committee membership:

Councillor Barrett to replace Councillor E Collins on Strategic Planning and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Councillor Barrett to join the Housing and Community Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

The following changes to committee membership were agreed:

Councillor Barrett to replace Councillor E Collins on Strategic Planning and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Councillor Barrett to join the Housing and Community Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

The following changes to committee membership were agreed:

Councillor Barrett to replace Councillor E Collins on Strategic Planning and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Councillor Barrett to join the Housing and Community Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

To consider the following proposal for changes to committee dates:

Move JNC from Monday 4 September 2017 to Monday 9 October 2017.

There were no changes in committee dates.

To consider passing a resolution in the following terms:

That, under s.100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972 Schedule 12A Part 1 as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006 the public be excluded during the items in Part 2 of the Agenda for this meeting, because it is likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted, that, if members of the public were present during those items, there would be disclosure to them of exempt information relating to the financial and business affairs of the Council and third party companies/organisations.

Local Government Act 1972, Schedule 12A, Part 1, paragraph 3.