Agenda, decisions and minutes

To confirm the minutes of the 11 July 2018 meeting of the council

The minutes of the meeting held on 11 July 2018 were agreed by the Members present and then signed by the Mayor.

The minutes of the meeting held on 11 July 2018 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.

None.

There was no public participation.

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                   Community & Regulatory Services

Councillor G Sutton                Planning & Infrastructure

Councillor Marshall                 Environmental Services

Councillor Elliot                       Finance & Resources

Councillor Mrs Griffiths           Housing
Councillor D Collins                Corporate & Contracted Services

1.      By the Mayor:

There were no announcements from the Mayor.

2.      By the Chief Executive:

There were no announcements from the Chief Executive.

3.      By the Group Leaders:

Councillor Williams confirmed that apologies had been received from Councillors Chapman, Clark, Mills, Matthews and Bateman (Councillor Imarni joined the meeting at 7.48pm)

Councillor Tindall had no apologies.

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:

There were no announcements from the Mayor.

2.      By the Chief Executive:

There were no announcements from the Chief Executive.

3.      By the Group Leaders:

Councillor Williams confirmed that apologies had been received from Councillors Chapman, Clark, Mills, Matthews and Bateman (Councillor Imarni joined the meeting at 7.48pm)

Councillor Tindall had no apologies.

4.    By the Leader and Members of the Cabinet:

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

Cllr Williams referred to the minutes of previous meeting; specifically the motion Council approved.  Cllr Williams updated that the Police & Crime Commissioners bid to take control of Hertfordshire Fire Service has now been suspended pending a more collaborative arrangement between Hertfordshire Police & Hertfordshire Fire Service.

Councillor Williams invited questions, there were none.

Councillor Harden, Portfolio Holder for Community and Regulatory Services

Communications and Consultation

Corporate projects and campaigns - examples include the Armed Forces Day celebrations, Dacorum Business Heroes, Dacorum’s Den, Splash Park launch and service specific consultations such as the Grovehill Athletics Track.

Staff Recognition Scheme - attracted 60 nominations from staff and managers, supported the hosting of the event.

Community Safety and Children Services

APGs – commenced commercialisation project: looking at single provider for food & drink, re-branding, party options and marketing.  Operational changes now in place. Finalising the new staffing structure.

Safeguarding –refresher course being delivered to leadership team, policies being updated and reviewing referral process.  Preparing for the children’s safeguarding audit which will be later this year.

Community Safety – bids are now open for Police Commissioner grants, the team are reviewing the criteria and drafting bids relating to our high priority projects.

Next DCSP meeting Wed 24 Oct 2018

Community partnerships and Leisure

Athletics Track – consultation completed.  Reporting to Cabinet and Housing OSC in Oct.

Sports and Physical Activity Strategy – updated version also   reporting to Cabinet and Housing OSC in Oct.

The Old Town Hall

40^th Anniversary - autumn Programme was launched 15 September 2018.

Animal Welfare

Following discussions with Boxmoor Trust, National Trust, Dogs Trust, RSPCA and the Police. Public Space Protection Order relating to dog issues went live and has attracted over 1000 responses (closes 14^th September). The results are due to be presented to OSC in Oct. 

ASB

The premises closure on the tents on the land by the fire station was a success and the business concerned (BPA) were very pleased. This was the first closure order we have done on open land and there was good co-operation with CSG in terms of clearance of the site.

Environmental Health

We are participating in some initial benchmarking looking at potential for joint working between Hertfordshire Authorities on Environmental Health Services. Once the data has been gathered there will be a process to look at future opportunities and areas for efficiencies.

Grovehill Action Day – 9^th August 2018

On Thursday 9^th August a number of people, had a very early start, in order to undertake a clean-up event for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

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. 

None. 

To consider the following referrals from Cabinet:

Resolved:

That the following be approved:

31^st July 2018

7.1       CA/080/18       MEDIUM TERM FINANCIAL STRATEGY

That the Revised Medium Term Financial Strategy for the period 2018/19 – 2022/23 be approved

7.2       CA/081/18       DACORUM SINGLE LOCAL PLAN 2020-2036: LOCAL

DEVELOPMENT SCHEME

A.    The adoption of the new Local Development Scheme (2018-2021) and;

B.    That Council Authorise the Assistant Director - Planning, Development and Regeneration to make any necessary minor and non-consequential changes to the Local Development Scheme prior to its final publication.

7.3       CA/082/18       PRIVATE SECTOR HOUSING

That Council approve the Private Sector Enforcement Policy, as set out in the report to Cabinet and attached appendices.

7.4       CA/084/18       COUNCIL TAX SUPPORT SCHEME 2019/20

That the Council do not revise or replace the current Council Tax Support scheme for 2019/20.

18^th September 2018

7.5       CA/091/18       Q1 FINANCIAL REPORT

That Council agree that;

1. That the revised capital programme to move slippage identified at Quarter 1 into financial year 2019/20 as detailed in Appendix C be approved.

2. That the draw down of reserves previously agreed by Cabinet be approved. Details are set out below:

·         Draw down £165k from Capital Development reserve to fund Development Company (DevCo) phase 1 costs incurred.

·         Draw down £70k from On-Street Car Parking reserves to cover costs of ongoing parking zone consultation.

3. That the supplementary capital budgets be approved.

·         Capital budget of £15k for Gadebridge Park Walled Garden irrigation system

·         Capital budget of £34k for Warners End Community Centre heating and door improvement works

4. That the virements detailed in Appendix D of the Cabinet report of 18^th September 2018 be approved:

·         Virement to transfer the budget for the debt recovery function from Legal Services to Financial Services

·         Virement for the purpose of realigning capital budgets in order to deliver recycling facilities at flats

·         Virement for the purpose of realigning the car parking budget to reflect new cashless parking system

7.6       CA/092/18       BROWNFIELD LAND REGISTER UPDATE

1.    That the sites listed in Parts 1 and 2 of the Brownfield Land Register (BLR) as drafted in Appendix 1 be approved and;

2.    Delegate authority to the Assistant Director (Planning, Development and Regeneration) to finalise the site specific information before publication.

That the following be approved:

31^st July 2018

7.1       CA/080/18       MEDIUM TERM FINANCIAL STRATEGY

That the Revised Medium Term Financial Strategy for the period 2018/19 – 2022/23 be approved

Agreed.

7.2       CA/081/18       DACORUM SINGLE LOCAL PLAN 2020-2036: LOCAL

DEVELOPMENT SCHEME

A.    The adoption of the new Local Development Scheme (2018-2021) and;

B.    That Council Authorise the Assistant Director - Planning, Development and Regeneration to make any necessary minor and non-consequential changes to the Local Development Scheme prior to its final publication.

Agreed.

7.3       CA/082/18       PRIVATE SECTOR HOUSING

That Council approve the Private Sector Enforcement Policy, as set out in the report to Cabinet and attached appendices.

Agreed.

7.4       CA/084/18       COUNCIL TAX SUPPORT SCHEME 2019/20

That the Council do not revise or replace the current Council Tax Support scheme for 2019/20.

Agreed.

18^th September 2018

7.5       CA/091/18       Q1 FINANCIAL REPORT

That Council agree that;

1. That the revised capital programme to move slippage identified at Quarter 1 into financial year 2019/20 as detailed in Appendix C be approved.

2. That the draw down of reserves previously agreed by Cabinet be approved. Details are set out below:

·         Draw down £165k from Capital Development reserve to fund Development Company (DevCo) phase 1 costs incurred.

·         Draw down £70k from On-Street Car Parking reserves to cover costs of ongoing parking zone consultation.

3. That the supplementary capital budgets be approved.

·         Capital budget of £15k for Gadebridge Park Walled Garden irrigation system

·         Capital budget of £34k for Warners End Community Centre heating and door improvement works

4. That the virements detailed in Appendix D of the Cabinet report of 18^th September 2018 be approved:

·         Virement to transfer the budget for the debt recovery function from Legal Services to Financial Services

·         Virement for the purpose of realigning capital budgets in order to deliver recycling facilities at flats

·         Virement for the purpose of realigning the car parking budget to reflect new cashless parking system

Agreed.

7.6       CA/092/18       BROWNFIELD LAND REGISTER UPDATE

1.    That the sites listed in Parts 1 and 2 of the Brownfield Land Register (BLR) as drafted in Appendix 1 be approved and;

2.    Delegate authority to the Assistant Director (Planning, Development and Regeneration) to finalise the site specific information before publication.

Agreed.

The meeting moved to Part 2 to discuss Cabinet referrals 7.7 and 7.8; full details can be found in the Part 2 minutes.

None.

There were no referrals from Overview & Scrutiny.

There were no referrals from Overview & Scrutiny.

To consider any proposals for changes to committee membership

Cllr Tindall referred to the facing sheet of tonight’s meeting and commented that Cllr Pringle’s name has been omitted asking for this to be addressed.

Cllr Tindall referred to the facing sheet of tonight’s meeting and commented that Cllr Pringle’s name has been omitted asking for this to be addressed.

To consider any proposals for changes to committee dates

There were no changes to committee dates.

There were no changes to committee dates.

To consider a waiver of the six month non-attendance at meetings of the authority rule due to the ill health and recovery of a Councillor for a six month period up to 16 April 2019 pursuant to Section 85 (1) of the Local Government Act 1972.

Resolved:

To extend the waiver of the six month non- attendance at meetings of the authority rule due to ill health and recovery of a Councillor for a six month period up to 16 April 2019 pursuant to Section 85 (1) of the Local Government Act 1972.

To consider a waiver of the six month non- attendance at meetings of the authority rule due to ill health and recovery of a Councillor for a six month period up to 16 April 2019 pursuant to Section 85 (1) of the Local Government Act 1972.

Cllr Williams introduced the item and asked if Members agreed.

Cllr Peter asked that before the Council agree this, he would like to know who will pick up Cllr Clark’s ward work, stating that Cllr Clark has been ill for several years and that he (Cllr Peter) has picked up his ward work during that time, advising that he cannot continue with that so would like to request the decision goes to a formal vote.  Cllr Peter added that he has made his views very clear on this previously, asking that if this does go to a vote and that it is found in favour, there is recognition that he will not pick up the vacant work.

Mark Brookes advised that for a formal vote to go forward, two more Councillors would need to support the call for that, otherwise the objection would be recorded for the minutes only.

Cllr Peter confirmed he understands but just wants it to be recorded that he is not able to pick up that volume of work.

Cllr Howard expressed her strong objection to Cllr Peter comments, stating that as an Apsley Ward councillor she has done everything she can to pick up some of the vacant work.  Confirming that when Cllr Clark first became ill it was agreed between the Ward Councillors that she would cover the Aspley area and Cllr Peter would cover the Corner Hall; stating that has been the case.

Cllr Marshall commented on her disappointment to hear Cllr Peter comments and her disappointment at learning how he feels.  Further stating that there is no doubt that both Cllr Peter and Cllr Howard work for their constituents and recognising that it can be difficult when one member of your group is not available for some period of time.  Would expect colleagues to support Councillors in their ward in their workload if that is required.  Cllr Marshall offered assurance to Cllrs Peter and Cllr Howard, that whilst she would expect them to continue working hard for their constituents, they can always look to their colleagues for support.  Cllr Marshall stated that she does not support Cllrs Peter request but she does hear what he says.

Cllr Williams endorsed the comments made by Cllr Marshall, adding that if Cllr Clark could be here he would be; he is frustrated not to be fit to fulfil his duties.  Cllr Williams added that he does not support this motion but if Cllr Peter or Cllr Howard feel they need support, their colleagues will do that. 

Cllr Williams stated that he feels it is the appropriate thing to do to extend this waiver.

Waiver agreed.

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.

Resolved:

That, under section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded during the item in Part II 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 this item 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).

To consider passing a resolution in the following terms:

That, under section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded during the item in Part II 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 this item 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).

The meeting ended at 8.33pm