Agenda, decisions and minutes

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on  18 September 2018

Minutes of the meetings held on 18 September 2018 were agreed by Members present and signed by the Chair.

Minutes of the meetings held on 18 September 2018 were agreed by Members present and signed by the Chair.

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies of absence were received by Councillor Griffiths.

Apologies of absence were received by Councillor Griffiths.

To receive any declarations of interest

A member with a disclosable pecuniary interest or a personal interest in a matter who attends a meeting of the authority at which the matter is considered -

(i)            must disclose the interest at the start of the meeting or when the interest becomes apparent

and, if the interest is a disclosable pecuniary interest, or a personal interest which is also prejudicial

(ii)            may not participate in any discussion or vote on the matter (and must withdraw to the public seating area) unless they have been granted a dispensation.

A member who discloses at a meeting a disclosable pecuniary interest which is not registered in the Members’ Register of Interests, or is not the subject of a pending notification, must notify the Monitoring Officer of the interest within 28 days of the disclosure.

Disclosable pecuniary interests, personal and prejudicial interests are defined in Part 2 of the Code of Conduct for Members

[If a member is in any doubt as to whether they have an interest which should be declared they should seek the advice of the Monitoring Officer before the start of the meeting]

There were no declarations of interest.

There were no declarations of interest.

An opportunity for members of the public to make statements and ask questions in accordance with the rules as to Public Participation.

Howard Russell and Steve Day spoke on items 9 and 10. Full details in the minutes.

Howard Russell and Steve Day made statements regarding the Athletics Track Relocation and the Physical Activity and Sports Strategy.

Howard Russell

1. Would the Council agree that with both higher heart disease and substantial sports facilities, there is something wrong in Dacorum. The answer is not more structures recommended by large national clubs who count success by membership numbers. This will only result in the permanent loss of precious natural land. Money would be better spent on improving quality which always attracts.

2. Would the Council also consider a refocus away from structures and more to the strategy of converting people from an unhealthy to a permanent healthy lifestyle with our important sports organisations giving back to the community by funding lifestyle conversion without necessarily targeting future membership. The primary objective is health and happiness for all.

3. Can we also ask the Council to consider the use of Psychology and associated professions to develop conversion programs and to avoid using unfamiliar Sports structures and Trainers for such purposes. It’s about educating people to understand there is a better way to live. It’s initially a cerebral process. Dacorum is ideally placed to initiate such a program with measurable results and to move converted people into organised or freestyle sports activities. More structures, more variety and more land use is simply not the answer to the primary objective.

4. Does the Council provide statistics of sports facility utilisation to determine if expansion is actually required.

5. Regarding Cupid Green, does the Council agree that the permanent designated open recreational land will be maintained to protect Cupid Green playing fields for the future benefit of all.

6. Does the council also agree that the parking area at Cupid Green needs resurfacing as it has fallen well below the standard seen in many other Dacorum Parks.

Councillor Williams thanked Mr Russell for his statement and said he would get a response sent to him as the points he raised were quite detailed.

Steve Day

Hi I’m Steve Day the founder of the Facebook group LeisureFacilitiesAreNotForProfit I am also a trustee of Dacorum Sport trust but not speaking in that capacity tonight.

Regarding the track

The Housing and Community committee recommended cabinet reviewed all responses, look at the financial case and the benefits of the scheme.

Despite yet again huge public opposition to the council’s direction of travel the scrutiny committee failed to stop it in its tracks by recommending to cabinet that the proposal was rejected. Yet again political influence takes priority over the community interest.

For Cllr Williams to then state he will recommend the scheme is not carried forward is blatant electioneering and spineless.

Irrespective of that I recommend that you take up his advice and discontinue the proposal once and for all enabling the people of Cupid Green to get on with their lives

Regarding the Strategy

Several organisations with direct experience in developing strategies and sport management fed back during the consultation. To the best of my knowledge none  ...  view the full minutes text for item CA/103/18

There were no referrals to Cabinet

There were no referrals to Cabinet.

There were no referrals to Cabinet.

The Forward Plan was noted and agreed.

The Forward Plan was noted and agreed.

That Cabinet do not progress with the relocation of the athletics track to Cupid Green Fields.

Decision

That Cabinet do not progress with the relocation of the athletics track to Cupid Green Fields.

Corporate objectives

·         A clean, safe and enjoyable environment

·         Building strong and vibrant communities

Monitoring Officer/S.151 Officer comments

Monitoring Officer:

There will be no legal implications if Members decide to keep the track in its current location. If Members decide to relocate further site due diligence will need to be carried out to ensure that there are no legal, planning or property impediments to the proposed development as part of the project plan.

Deputy S.151 Officer:

Any potential financial impact of cabinets consideration of this issue will be reported at a later date as part of the wider leisure strategy.

Advice

Councillor Harden introduced the report to members. He said the consultation had 548 responses and the majority were not in favour of the relocation.

Councillor Williams said there was a clear consensus from the consultation regarding noise pollution, increased activity and the capacity of Cupid Green Fields so the recommendation will be to not relocate the athletics track.

Councillor Marshall said the number of responses to the consultation were impressive and Cabinet hear what residents say and need to recognise this and therefore the recommendation is correct.

Councillor Elliot said this recommendation shows we have listened.

Councillor Tindall asked whether the budget could be reallocated to refurbishing the existing track and the arena used for other events.

Councillor Williams said he was happy to look into this but there was no identified budget for the relocation as the money would have come from the proceeds of the site.

Voting

None.

That the proposed Physical Activity & Sport Strategy be approved.

Decision

That the proposed Physical Activity & Sport Strategy be approved.

Corporate objectives

Building strong and vibrant communities

Monitoring Officer/S.151 Officer comments

Monitoring Officer:

This is a high level strategy for the Borough presented for member approval and therefore the Monitoring Officer has no comments to make at this stage; however, the detailed action plans will need to be assessed in due course to ensure that all relevant equality implications are fully considered.   

Deputy S.151 Officer:

The proposed physical activity and sports strategy will be delivered within existing and future projected service budgets as outlined in the medium term financial strategy principles, and annual budget setting process.

Advice

Councillor Harden introduced the report to members. The aim of the overall strategy is to look at the direction of travel to make residents more active. In responding to the statements from the public, the Get, Set, Go project received a grant of £345,000 from Sports England which engaged 3,000 people in sport before the council even had a strategy. This is a good opportunity to get extra funding.

Councillor England referred to the scrutiny committee last week and said Mr Bullard provided a powerful contribution and gave the strategy a 2 out of 10. He said he was concerned that the scrutiny committee were asked to make comments on the first draft back in June yet this doesn’t seem to have been incorporated into the final draft.

Councillor Williams had asked officers to have another look at the minutes from that meeting and compare with the final draft and he was confident that some of the suggestions had been included.

Councillor Marshall asked if there was an idea of when the action plans would be drawn up and submitted.

Councillor Harden said there would a biannual report to the scrutiny committee.

Councillor England said if action plans were implemented then Dacorum borough Council would already have a strategy. A big decision on the provider of sport and leisure was made in January and implemented in April.

Councillor Williams said the change in sports provider had taken 15 – 18 months and was a change in management, not structures.

Councillor D Collins asked if this strategy would address children that leave school and do not continue to take part in sports.

Councillor Harden said yes, it will look at these aspects and work to develop projects like how we continue to keep people engaged in physical activity.

Voting

cal Activity & Sport Strategy be approved.

1.     That the delivery of the parking, access and movement proposals for Hemel Hempstead town centre as set out in the report be approved.

2.     That authority be delegated to the Assistant Director (Planning, Development and Regeneration) to approve further design, planning and implementation decisions on recommendation 1 above. 

3.     That authority be delegated to the Assistant Director (Planning, Development and Regeneration) for the appointment of consultants and contractors to deliver the Parking, Access and Movement project as set out under recommendation 1 above.

4.     That authority be delegated to the Assistant Director (Planning, Development and Regeneration) in consultation with the Assistant Director (Corporate and Contracted Services) for the approval of a legal agreement with Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) to enable the works to be undertaken on the public highway.

5.    That approval is given for either DBC to make or for DBC to submit to Hertfordshire County Council to make a Traffic Regulation order required to prevent blue badge parking along Bridge Street, west of Waterhouse Street and to seek delegated authority from HCC to enforce the Traffic Regulation Order.

6.    That Cabinet recommends to Council approval of a supplementary capital budget of £165k in financial year 2019/20 to enable the project to be delivered.

7.    That the use of s106 income and income from sustainable transport funding from HCC to supplement existing budgets on this scheme; the virements brought in from these sources will increase the respective project budget be approved.

8.      That Cabinet recommends to Council a supplementary one off reserve draw down of £25,000 in 2019/20 to support the delivery of the project, funded from the Planning and Regeneration Project Reserve.

Decision

1.     That the delivery of the parking, access and movement proposals for Hemel Hempstead town centre as set out in the report be approved.

2.     That authority be delegated to the Assistant Director (Planning, Development and Regeneration) to approve further design, planning and implementation decisions on recommendation 1 above. 

3.     That authority be delegated to the Assistant Director (Planning, Development and Regeneration) for the appointment of consultants and contractors to deliver the Parking, Access and Movement project as set out under recommendation 1 above.

4.     That authority be delegated to the Assistant Director (Planning, Development and Regeneration) in consultation with the Assistant Director (Corporate and Contracted Services) for the approval of a legal agreement with Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) to enable the works to be undertaken on the public highway.

5.    That approval is given for either DBC to make or for DBC to submit to Hertfordshire County Council to make a Traffic Regulation order required to prevent blue badge parking along Bridge Street, west of Waterhouse Street and to seek delegated authority from HCC to enforce the Traffic Regulation Order.

6.    That Cabinet recommends to Council approval of a supplementary capital budget of £165k in financial year 2019/20 to enable the project to be delivered.

7.    That the use of s106 income and income from sustainable transport funding from HCC to supplement existing budgets on this scheme; the virements brought in from these sources will increase the respective project budget be approved.

8.      That Cabinet recommends to Council a supplementary one off reserve draw down of £25,000 in 2019/20 to support the delivery of the project, funded from the Planning and Regeneration Project Reserve.

Corporate objectives

A clean, safe and enjoyable environment - The Parking, Access and Movement project will aid traffic flow, improve visitor experience and maximise the benefits of the Water Gardens restoration. It will create an attractive, safe and accessible route for pedestrians between the Leighton Buzzard Road/Water Gardens and the pedestrianised shopping area via Bridge Street. 

Monitoring Officer/S.151 Officer comments

Monitoring Officer:  

The Project Team will need work closely with the Legal Team to ensure that the proposed Traffic Regulation Orders and S.278 Highway Agreements are legally sound and protect the Council’s legal position.   

The procurement for works will also require an EU compliant procurement process, and the contract for works must be drafted prior to commencement of the procurement to ensure that all bidders are aware of the terms which they are bidding on.   

Deputy S.151 Officer

The development of this access project has resulted in an increase in the estimated capital costs of £165,000, that will require adding to the 2019/20 capital programme.

The project estimates that up to £25k of reserves are required to cover one off revenue costs incurred to deliver this project, these reserves will be drawn down and approved through cabinet in 2019/20 as these costs are realised. 

Advice

Councillor G Sutton introduced the report to members and said this proposal is to improve the access in the  ...  view the full minutes text for item CA/108/18

1.      That the progress on preparing Dacorum’s Local Plan as set out in the report be noted.

2.      That the setting up of a Task and Finish group to consider key issues related to the Local Plan be agreed.

3.      That authority be delegated to the Corporate Director Housing and Regeneration in consultation with the Portfolio Holder Planning and Infrastructure to submit a bid for financial support from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government ‘Garden Cities Prospectus’.

Decision

1.      That the progress on preparing Dacorum’s Local Plan as set out in the report be noted.

2.      That the setting up of a Task and Finish group to consider key issues related to the Local Plan be agreed.

3.      That authority be delegated to the Corporate Director Housing and Regeneration in consultation with the Portfolio Holder Planning and Infrastructure to submit a bid for financial support from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government ‘Garden Cities Prospectus’.

Corporate objectives

The Council’s Local Plan helps support all 5 corporate objectives:

• Safe and clean environment: e.g. contains policies relating to the design and layout of new development that promote security and safe access;
• Community Capacity: e.g. provide a framework for local communities to prepare area-specific guidance such as Neighbourhood Plans, Town / Village Plans etc.;
• Affordable housing: e.g. sets the Borough’s overall housing target and the proportion of new homes that must be affordable;
• Dacorum delivers: e.g. provides a clear framework upon which planning decisions can be made; and
• Regeneration: e.g. sets the planning framework for key regeneration projects, such as Hemel Hempstead town centre and the Maylands Business Park.

Monitoring Officer/S.151 Officer comments

Monitoring Officer:  

If Cabinet approves the request to set up a Task and Finish Group, the request will be referred to the Programming Panel, which consists of the political group leaders or their representatives, who will appoint the membership of the group and decide upon the terms of reference for the group.

Deputy S.151 Officer

The submission of a funding application can be produced within the existing local plan approved funding and these funds will be profiled as required to support the delivery of the local plan.

Advice

Councillor G Sutton introduced the report to members and said it was an update on the progress of the Local Plan. Cabinet last considered the Local Plan in July and the timetable was agreed. The draft plan will be issued in Autumn 2019 alongside the production of a Growth and Infrastructure strategy. There is an intention to submit a bid to the Garden Communities programme to assist with the delivery of land.
Site falls to both sides of the boundary – HCC, DBC and St Albans. Major opportunity to bring forward new infrastructure. There is ongoing work to gather evidence for members to make informed decisions. This report also recommends setting up a Task and Finish Group.

Councillor Tindall referred to paragraph 14 and asked if this was a misphrasing as it sounds like Hemel Hempstead is being extended but placed in St Albans.

Councillor Williams said it refers to the St Albans extension to the East of Hemel Hempstead. The extension to the north is DBC. He said it was of benefit to DBC to emphasise the considerable issues arising from the east expansion. It may be in the St Albans district but the infrastructure, education and transport issues will fall heavily on DBC.

Councillor G Sutton said that Crown Estates are already marketing it  ...  view the full minutes text for item CA/109/18

Resolved to recommend:

The acceptance of the report on Treasury Management performance in 2017/18 and the Prudential Indicators for 2017/18 actuals.

Decision

Resolved to recommend:

The acceptance of the report on Treasury Management performance in 2017/18 and the Prudential Indicators for 2017/18 actuals.

Corporate objectives

Optimising investment income for General Fund and Housing Revenue budgets whilst managing investment risk is fundamental to achieving the corporate objective of delivering and efficient and modern council.

Monitoring Officer/S.151 Officer comments

Monitoring Officer

No comments to add to the report.

Section 151 officer

This is a S151 Officer report

Advice

Councillor Elliot introduced the report to members and said that Local Government Regulations require that the Council produces an annual report on the previous year’s treasury performance, and confirming compliance with the Council’s approved treasury strategy. There are a number of technical tables and indicators within the report, but key headlines from the report are as follows:
Borrowing – The Council undertook no new borrowing within 2017/18 and continues to make annual repayments against existing borrowing which now stand at £18 million in the General Fund and £346 million in the HRA.
Investment – Over the course of 2017/18, interest rates remained low, as they have been for the past 10 years which has continued to suppress the Council’s investment returns. The council held average balances of £96.8 million throughout the year, and earned an average rate of return of 0.37%. the weighted average maturity for investments held by the Council at the end of the year was 162 days. Investment activity during the year conformed to the approved strategy and the Council had no liquidity difficulties.

Councillor Marshall referred to page 67 and asked if those investments are under one year.

Councillor Elliot said yes.

Councillor Birnie congratulated officers on a well-balanced and well-presented report.

Voting

None.