Agenda, decisions and minutes

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on  16/03/21

Minutes of the meeting held on 16 March 2021 were agreed by Members present and signed by the Chair.

Minutes of the meeting held on 16 March 2021 were agreed by Members present.

To receive any apologies for absence.

There were no apologies for absence.

There were no apologies for absence.

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.

There was one member of the public present.

There was one member of the public present.

There were no referrals to Cabinet

There were no referrals to Cabinet.

There were no referrals to Cabinet.

The forward plan was noted as not having any items for May 2021.

Cllr Ron Tindall queried the removal of the future items on the Forward Plan this time around.

He also asked about when the Bury Project and South West Herts Strategic Plan would be coming forward.

James Doe stated that Bury project has been delayed during pandemic and therefore not scheduled at the moment, however a further report on it will be produced at the right time.  With regards to the SW Herts Strategic Plan – a report would be going to Strategic Planning and Environment OSC as an information update and once a programme had been agreed, a report would follow in due course. Unfortunately no set timescales at the moment.

Cllr Andrew Williams advised that the items would be bought forward as and when they were ready and therefore the Forward Plan was a work in progress.

The update was therefore Noted.

Claire Hamilton advised that the sub-cabinet future items forward plan was removed following internal discussions because some of the items were a long way off and therefore it was considered better to only reflect the issues that were forthcoming in order to simplify the arrangements.  Claire Hamilton advised that if Cabinet felt they would like to see a list of future items, then this would be considered internally as to the best way to present that information going forward.

Mark Gaynor said that a report on Climate and Ecological Emergency Strategy and Action Plan was coming to Cabinet on 20th July 2021.

Cllr Margaret Griffith queried the lack of items on the Forward Plan scheduled for May 2021.

Mark Brookes stated that at the moment there are no items and therefore it would be cancelled.

Cllr Andrew Williams stated that he did not think it was necessary to list the future items on the forward plan until we knew what was coming forward and on what date.

The additional Report put forward by Mark Gaynor and the discussion regarding the forward plan were therefore Noted.

Agreed;

1.         That the Council’s Green Community Grants scheme be doubled to £20,000 for 2021/22 (funded from the Climate Emergency Budget)

2.         That the Council no longer maintain the ISO140001 Energy Management accreditation given the shift to the more comprehensive action being taken on carbon reduction across all services and actions in the Council.

3.         To note the progress and actions set out in the report.

4.         That the draft Climate and Ecological Emergency Strategy be presented to Cabinet in July.

5.         That the Council makes an application to the On-street Residential Chargepoint Scheme and initially uses the Climate Emergency Budget to match-fund.

Decision:

Agreed that the Council’s Green Community Grants scheme be doubled to £20,000 for 2021/22 (funded from the Climate Emergency Budget)

Agreed that the Council no longer maintain the ISO140001

Energy Management accreditation given the shift to the more comprehensive action being taken on carbon reduction across all services and actions in the Council.

Agreed that the Council notes the progress and actions set out in the report.

Agreed that the Council agrees that the draft Climate and Ecological Emergency Strategy be presented to Cabinet in July.

Agreed that the Council agrees that the Council makes an application to the On-street Residential Charge point Scheme and initially uses the Climate Emergency Budget to match-fund.

Advice:

Mark Gaynor and Melanie Parr noted that the report was comprehensive and that there was a focus on the rights things and delivery of the carbon reduction we are looking for. Important to have national and international context and specifically a national one with the 10 point plan and may need to be update with Prime Minister’s update today. Very ambitious in respect to carbon reduction and requires a significant shift in terms of action from the government in order deliver and investment and direction required, where reluctant companies may not want to participate and where encouragement may not be appropriate.

The Report itself does cover issues such as ongoing housing and the way to deal with the retrofit of our Council homes and is a longer term process.

Excellent work on community and communications process which Melanie Parr has been focussing on, appended “learning from lockdown strategy” which has helped advice. Ecological emergency and updating of Ecology and Bio-diversity strategy. Happy to take questions rather than run through entire report.

Cllr Julie Banks – Appreciative of reports put forward and huge sense of pride that we are ahead of the game. Criticism in the lack of branding and communication with residents, particularly Cupid Green, Electric Vehicle Charging points and no celebration of what impact we have made or even signposting the good things we have been doing. We are not promoting or speaking out about what we’ve done. Need signage, website update, notices in and around the Forum.

Mark Gaynor – We have not had the public platform we would like and the report demonstrates the direction we would like to go, including online presence and community group involvements. Accept part of moving forward will involve communication and publicity, communication, consultation, feedback and dialogue with residents.  Fair criticism and one we are working on.  Expect to see a lot more coming forward.

Cllr Banks – what are the timescales for seeing signs on grass verges, wildflower meadows being celebrated, electric vehicle points and signage being promoted? Perhaps a fanfare at entrance. We should have window stickers available to residents to say they have carbon neutral homes/business. We should consider ideas such as “push a button to donate a tree” and get a Facebook page and/or website to promote, to let residents see what we  ...  view the full minutes text for item CA/26/21

Approved;

1.         The preparation of a Hemel Place Strategy, subject to final approval by Cabinet and Council once further work has been carried out.

2.         The establishment of a Hemel Place Board as outlined in the report to oversee the development and implementation of the Place Strategy, and delegates authority to the Leader of the Council to approve the final membership of the Place Board and its Terms of Reference.

3.         The proposals as outlined in the report to carry out engagement with key partners, stakeholders and local residents to help shape the Hemel Place Strategy vision and objectives.

4.         Endorsing the creation of a comprehensive strategy for the future physical, economic, social and environmental development of Hemel Hempstead Town Centre as an early priority for the Hemel Place Strategy work.

5.         The provision of resources to develop the Hemel Hempstead Place Strategy and the related Town Centre Strategy.

6.         RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND;

That Council approves a budget of £500K to be drawn down from the Dacorum Development Reserve as required to fund the work to develop the Place Strategy.

7.         To delegate authority to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Corporate Director (Finance & Operations) to draw down the allocated funds to produce the work set out in this report.

8.         To delegate authority to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader, to prepare and submit a bid to MHCLG for funding under the Levelling Up Fund programme.

Approved;

1.         The preparation of a Hemel Place Strategy, subject to final approval by Cabinet and Council once further work has been carried out.

2.         The establishment of a Hemel Place Board as outlined in the report to oversee the development and implementation of the Place Strategy, and delegates authority to the Leader of the Council to approve the final membership of the Place Board and its Terms of Reference.

3.         The proposals as outlined in the report to carry out engagement with key partners, stakeholders and local residents to help shape the Hemel Place Strategy vision and objectives.

4.         Endorsing the creation of a comprehensive strategy for the future physical, economic, social and environmental development of Hemel Hempstead Town Centre as an early priority for the Hemel Place Strategy work.

5.         The provision of resources to develop the Hemel Hempstead Place Strategy and the related Town Centre Strategy.

6.         RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND;

That Council approves a budget of £500K to be drawn down from the Dacorum Development Reserve as required to fund the work to develop the Place Strategy.

7.         To delegate authority to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Corporate Director (Finance & Operations) to draw down the allocated funds to produce the work set out in this report.

8.         To delegate authority to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader, to prepare and submit a bid to MHCLG for funding under the Levelling Up Fund programme.

Advice:

James Doe – There are a lot of things coming together for Hemel Hempstead at this time and the existing Hemel Hempstead Town Centre Strategy is in need of a refresh but other critical projects such as Hemel Garden Communities and Two Waters and Apsley Master Plan are really starting to take off with a number of key sites coming forward. Very important Trends around how people will live and work in the future post-Covid will need to be looked at, as well as fundamental structural changes in economy.

The report proposes Cabinet to consider the establishment of Hemel Hempstead Place Strategy to pull all different strands together, drawing upon work already approved under the growth and infrastructure strategy and the Hemel garden community spatial vision, this applies to whole of the town.

To coordinate action across the town and transformative approach across the town. Section 3 of report outlines things it would cover. There is a need for climate change to be underpinned.

Looking at the strategy around the Town Centre, the next main part needs to be an early piece of work and considering the impact on retailing post-Covid. We need to tackle key sites within the town centre. See appendices for information on addressing key changes and how to make town centre successful, vibrant and ambitious in the future. Looking at all aspect of life and economy within the town centre such as urban design, need for transport, community and wellbeing issues, as there has been a considerable rise in new residential properties within town centre.  ...  view the full minutes text for item CA/27/21

Noted;

1.         The feasibility work for the project and the options for facility mix as set out in Section 5 to allow the next stages of the project to be developed and considered in more detail during the next project stage.

2.         (a) the consultation undertaken with stakeholders and the further consultations required, including public consultation, as set out in Section 4. (b) the indicative project timeline at Section 7.

3.         The potential forecast project costs for each option (detailed in Part II Appendix) and agree to use £420,000 of the approved project budget to proceed with the next project stage (RIBA Stage 2 – Concept Design).

Agreed;

4.         To award the multi-disciplinary consultant project team contract to Faithful+Gould (via the CCS Project Management & Full Design Team Services Framework (RM3741)) with contractual break clauses at the end of each RIBA stage.

5.         Endorsed the proposal to provide a further update to Cabinet at the end of RIBA Stage 2 (Concept Design), at which point a more detailed level of understanding of the site will have been achieved and a design, cost and business plan developed accordingly.

Noted;

1.         The feasibility work for the project and the options for facility mix as set out in Section 5 to allow the next stages of the project to be developed and considered in more detail during the next project stage.

2.         (a) the consultation undertaken with stakeholders and the further consultations required, including public consultation, as set out in Section 4. (b) the indicative project timeline at Section 7.

3.         The potential forecast project costs for each option (detailed in Part II Appendix) and agree to use £420,000 of the approved project budget to proceed with the next project stage (RIBA Stage 2 – Concept Design).

Agreed;

4.         To award the multi-disciplinary consultant project team contract to Faithful+Gould (via the CCS Project Management & Full Design Team Services Framework (RM3741)) with contractual break clauses at the end of each RIBA stage.

5.         Endorsed the proposal to provide a further update to Cabinet at the end of RIBA Stage 2 (Concept Design), at which point a more detailed level of understanding of the site will have been achieved and a design, cost and business plan developed accordingly.

Advice:

Mark Brookes – As report notes, now concluded stage 1 of the project, extensive early consultation and strong support shown for the project and given valuable insight. Feasibility studies indicate that the site is suitable for development and can meet needs.

The appointment of Faithful and Gould as leading consultants, they stood out as having collective experience on similar projects and creativity.

Detailed design and costs will be reported back to OSC and Cabinet.  The report should set out the information but happy to take questions.

Cllr Ron Tindall – In the report paragraph 4.6, it states that the intention is to have wider public consultation. Will they be bought to H&C OSC and F&R OSC before going to wider consultation?

Mark Brookes – noted the comments and will try to build that into the programme.

The member of the public was excluded from this part of the meeting in order to discuss the Part II items.

James Deane – requested a move into Part II to discuss finances.

Cllr Andrew Williams agreed to move to Part II to discuss and then back to Part I for the recommendations.

Cllr Margaret Griffiths – We have had consultation with residents and we have listened to the residents.

Recommendations 1-5  were 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.

The member of the public was excluded from this part of the meeting in order to discuss the following items:

Appendix – Berkhamsted Leisure Centre Development – Part II item

Recommendations Agreed

The member of the public was excluded from this part of the meeting in order to discuss the following items:

Appendix – Berkhamsted Leisure Centre Development – Part II item

Recommendations were Agreed.

This part II item was discussed and the recommendations were Agreed. 

This part II item was discussed and the recommendations were Agreed.