Agenda, decisions and draft minutes
PDF 258 KBVenue: Council Chamber, The Forum. View directions
Contact: Jim Doyle Ext 2222
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Minutes To confirm the minutes of the meetings of the council held on 28 September and 26 October 2016 Decision: The minutes of the meetings held on 28 September and 26 October 2016 were agreed by the Members present and were then signed by the Mayor.
Minutes: The minutes of the meetings held on 28 September and 26 October 2016 were agreed by the Members present and were then signed by the Mayor.
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Declarations of Interest To receive any declarations of interest Decision: None. Minutes: None. |
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Public Participation To consider questions (if any) by members of the public of which the appropriate notice has been given to the Solicitor to the Council.
Decision: None. Minutes: None. |
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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 G Sutton Planning and Regeneration Councillor Marshall Environmental, Sustainability and Regulatory Services Councillor Elliot Finance & Resources Councillor Mrs Griffiths Housing Councillor Harden Residents & Corporate Services
Decision: 1. By the Mayor:
There were no announcements from the Mayor
2. By the Chief Executive:
The Chief Executive announced the results of the Adeyfield West by election held on 29 September 2016.
3. By the Group Leaders:
Councillor Williams gave apologies on behalf of Councillors Ashbourn, Brown, Guest, Howard, Ransley and Ritchie.
4. By the 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
None.
4.2 By the Chief Executive:
The Chief Executive announced the results of the Adeyfield West by election held on 29 September 2016.
4.3 By the Group Leaders:
Councillor Williams gave apologies on behalf of Councillors Ashbourn, Brown, Guest, Howard, Ransley and Ritchie.
4.4. Council Leader and Members of the Cabinet:
Councillor Williams, Leader of the Council and
Portfolio Holder for Community Leadership Members were encouraged to attend the Budget training being held on the 17th of November 2016 as it was good preparation for the budget scrutiny process beginning in December.
Questions and Answers
Councillor Tindall referred to the Crown estates roadshow in St Albans recently and was surprised on the size of the proposal being considered as it would impinge considerably on Dacorum. He asked that this council receive a presentation so we know how to address our concerns. Councillor Williams agreed that this was a considerably significant proposal on the edge of Hemel Hempstead which could have significant consequences on this borough. He explained that it was a long process which Dacorum needed to work closely on with St Albans to monitor.
Councillor C Wyatt Lowe noted that this was impinging directly on the ward she represents and asked that officers kept members updated and involved in the process.
Councillor Bassadone said that St Albans had circulated the plan in November 2013. She said that Leverstock Green Association needed useful information to take to the AGM in the future.
Councillor Imarni arrived at 7.37pm
Councillor Williams said he would keep members informed as much as possible, bearing in mind it was a St Albans plan and therefore Dacorum would not have the final decision.
Councillor Birnie asked if the land belonged to the crown estate. Councillor Williams confirmed this was the case.
Councillor Mills arrived at 7.40pm
Councillor G Sutton, Portfolio Holder for Planning and Regeneration
Maylands Business Centre extension
· The site has now been cleared · All planning conditions have been discharged · Construction Work is starting on site for this 5-unit development · Completion expected by May 2017
Water Gardens
Notable progress including: · All railings to bridges and balconies now installed · Turf laid on the bank by Waterhouse Street – progressing well
GB High Street Awards Best town centre category
· Just a final reminder to vote – closes on Friday 18 Nov – go to www.thegreatbritishhighstreet.co.uk · Our officers hosted a visit by the judges on 3 Nov, received a very comprehensive tour of the town centre · We will get the result on 12 December
Questions & Answers
Councillor Tindall was impressed with the grass area at the Water Gardens. He asked what action would be taken to ensure the geese did not ruin it. Councillor Sutton said they were looking at options available but assured members that the grass was protected.
Councillor Marshall, Portfolio Holder for Environmental, Sustainability and Regulatory Services
Environmental Services
The last Garden Refuse collection rounds are in the weeks commencing 28 November and 2 December. The service will recommence ... view the full minutes text for item 4. |
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Questions To consider questions (if any) by members of the Council of which the appropriate notice has been given to the Solicitor to the Council.
Decision: None Minutes: None |
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Notice of Motion To consider the following motion from Councillor Tindall given in accordance with Standing Orders:
‘Dacorum Borough Council believes
that local pharmacies are an intefgral
part of the Borough's Health Structure and that the Government's
plans in relation to the funding of local pharmacies Decision: The following motion was moved by Councillor Tindall and seconded by Councillor Link:
"Dacorum Borough Council
believes that local pharmacies are an integral part of the
Borough's Health Structure and that the Government's plans in
relation to the funding of local pharmacies
The Mayor put the motion to the meeting and declared it lost.
Minutes: The following motion was proposed by Councillor Tindall and seconded by Councillor Link.
"Dacorum Borough Council believes that
local pharmacies are an integral part of the Borough's Health
Structure and that the Government's plans in relation to the
funding of local pharmacies
Councillor Tindall introduced the motion;
Councillor Ron Tindall said we are following over 2 million people who have signed the petition to persuade the government not to follow through with their proposals. Community Pharmacies are a key resource for communities with 95% of people living and working within 20 minutes of a pharmacy.
The proposals as currently presented will be another blow to the quality of care for patients facing cuts in their income from December, with further cuts expected in April next year. The cuts will be across the board and irrespective of the quality of service or patient choice. Reducing community pharmacy funding could result in the closure of up to one third of those pharmacies.
The proposed reduction could affect Public Health Prevention and the ability of pharmacies to deal with more clinical outcomes leaving GPs free to concentrate on clinically complicated ones and thus relieve pressure on hospitals. This at a time when pharmacies are being urged by the government to help to relieve GPs workload.
We ask that the Members of Parliament for Dacorum take note of the concerns, and lobby the government accordingly. Questions & Answers
Councillor Williams had carefully considered the motion however did
not feel he could support it as it did not include any real facts,
only assumptions. He felt that pharmacies who embrace new services
will see an increase in income so they would survive the new
arrangements. He was unsure how this would affect the local
residents as there was not enough information to consider. Councillor Taylor was unable to support the motion. He was speaking as Vice-Chairman of the Health in Dacorum Committee, in the absence of the Chairman. He had been aware of this issue at the Health Committee and advised members that ... view the full minutes text for item 6. |
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Business from the last council meeting To consider any business referred from the previous meeting Decision: None Minutes: None |
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Cabinet referrals None
Decision: None Minutes: None |
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Overview and Scrutiny referrals None Decision: None Minutes: None |
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Referral from Health in Dacorum committee - minute OS/233/16 Decision: Acute Hospital Care In West Hertfordshire:
That Dacorum Borough Council shows its proactive support of maintaining a hospital presence in West Herts in general and Dacorum in particular in the most appropriate location to give the people of Dacorum the best possible care. Minutes: Acute Hospital Care In West Hertfordshire:
That Dacorum Borough Council shows its proactive support of maintaining a hospital presence in West Herts in general and Dacorum in particular in the most appropriate location to give the people of Dacorum the best possible care.
Councillor Taylor introduced the proposal:
At our Health in Dacorum (HiD) Committee meeting on 14 September 2016 we agreed to a proposal that we would seek to obtain sanction from the leader of the Council to heighten our overt support of our aim to achieve a Hospital facility for Hemel Hempstead.
I was tasked to research the possibility of bringing the matter to the attention of our group and subsequently presenting a proposal at the next full Council meeting. I contacted the Leader of the Council, Cllr Andrew Williams to ask if we could present our case at the next Group meeting on 27 September and at the following day’s Full Council meeting, make our proposal that DBC shows greater overt support of proposals for hospital services in West Herts in general and DBC in particular. I had researched a number of issues both ahead of that HiD meeting and also following it, due to what I had perceived to be something of a predetermined outcome.
The Watford Campus project was well underway with the new access road to Watford hospital due to be completed before the end of this year. Also, Underground railway access had been authorised and Watford Council was included as one of a number of “partners” in the much-heralded Watford scheme.
Dacorum Hospital Action Group had enlisted support for its plan, based on the Northumbrian example and already operating successfully, from the Hemel Hempstead MP, Rt Hon Mike Penning which I had been involved with. Other groups were also holding campaign meetings for their proposals.
DBC have never, in my opinion, been overtly supportive any of the schemes in such a way as Watford Council are to retain their hospital next door to Watford football ground. My proposal was for DBC to actually openly commit to “our” hospital provision.
Unfortunately, the leader advised me that the agenda for the group meeting following September’s HiD meeting was full and as I felt we needed more than a few minutes asked if we could have an opportunity at November’s Group and Council meetings. The postponement was fortuitous as much public activity occurred soon after, confirming my fear that Watford was a “done deal”.
I still felt that we MUST show commitment and an additional HiD meeting was held on 7th November, which the leader of the Council attended and to which he contributed. The issue was then added to last night’s Group meeting and tonight’s agenda, thus being the reason I now stand before you.
The HiD meeting on 7 November was attended by the three senior NHS executives for our area; David Evans Programme Director - Your Care, Your Future David Law Chief Executive Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust Helen Brown Director ... view the full minutes text for item 10. |
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Changes to committee membership To consider any proposals for changes to committee membership
Decision: Councillor England to replace Councillor Link on the Housing and Community Overview and Scrutiny Committee.
Councillor Mills and Councillor Adeleke to join the Appeals panel.
Councillor Adeleke to joint he Licensing Health & Safety Committee.
Councillor C Wyatt-Lowe to join JNC Minutes: Councillor England to replace Councillor Link on the Housing and Community Overview and Scrutiny Committee.
Councillor Mills and Councillor Adeleke to join the Appeals panel.
Councillor Adeleke to join the Licensing Health & Safety Committee.
Councillor C Wyatt-Lowe to join JNC |
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Change to committee dates To consider any proposals for changes to committee dates
Decision: The Audit Committee taking place on the 30th of November will begin at 7pm Minutes: The Audit Committee taking place on the 30th of November will begin at 7pm |
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Standards Committee - Localism Act 2011 - Re-appointment of Independent Person Decision: That Council re-appoints Rachel Keil as the Council’s Independent Person until Annual Council held in 2019.
Minutes: That Council re-appoints Rachel Keil as the Council’s Independent Person until Annual Council held in 2019.
Councillor Williams noted that this was the last Full Council meeting in the Civic Centre. He added that he felt very unfortunate to have been a part of the council for the past 29 and a half years and to be involved in the move to the new building. He said it was a start of an exciting new era and new ways of working. He congratulated the Corporate Director for Housing & Regeneration and everyone involved in the project in delivering it on time and on budget.
Councillor Tindall added his thanks to the Portfolio Holder and members of the Cabinet for the courtesy given to each of the councillors. He said there had been some disagreements but hoped this working relationship would continue in the new building.
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