Agenda, decisions and minutes

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 21 April 2020.

Minutes of the meeting held on 21 April 2020 were agreed by Members present.

Minutes of the meeting held on 21 April 2020 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 no public participation

There was no public participation

There were no referrals to Cabinet

There were no referrals to Cabinet

There were no referrals to Cabinet

The forward plan was noted.

The forward plan was noted.

That the report be noted and:

1.    The movement on earmarked reserves as set out in section 9 of the report be approved

2.    The capital slippage into financial year 2020/21 as set out in Appendix C of the report be reviewed and approved

Resolved to recommend:

3. The approval of a supplementary capital budget  of £300k in 2020/21 to complete works to the Berkhamsted multi-storey car park

Decision

That the report be noted and:

1. The movement on earmarked reserves as set out in section 9 of the report be approved
2. The capital slippage into financial year 2020/21 as set out in Appendix C of the report be reviewed and approved

Resolved to recommend:

3. The approval of a supplementary capital budget of £300k in 2020/21 to complete works to the Berkhamsted multi-storey car park

Corporate objectives

Ensuring efficient, effective and modern service delivery.

Deputy Section 151 Officer

This is a Deputy S.151 Officer report

Monitoring Officer

No comments to add to the report

Advice

Councillor Elliot introduced the report to members. The report summarises the financial performance in 2019-20 and details other minor accounting changes. The final audited accounts will be presented to the Audit Committee for scrutiny and approval in September prior to final publication. The General Fund shows an overall balanced budget with small variances in different services areas as outlined in the report. The Housing Revenue Account has an in year surplus of £884k and the Capital Programme is broadly on track and there is a projected rephrasing of £0.4 million into the 2020/21 General Fund. Due to the current crisis with Covid-19, next year may show a very different set of accounts with many challenges up ahead.

Councillor Birnie referred to page 11, paragraph 4.2 and asked for further details about the £115k of additional insurance costs relating to uninsured losses.

N Howcutt explained that the council undertakes its own insurance provision for minor claims and for significant claims, the council has external insurance. For the small claims, this is covered from reserves which is far more cost effective than having external insurance for all eventualities because of the large premiums.

Councillor Birnie asked if the £115k was multiple small claims or one claim.

N Howcutt confirmed that this total was made up of all insurance claims under £10k.

Councillor Birnie then referred to page 31, paragraph 5.1 relating to the vacancy pressure within the Clean, Safe and Green team. He asked if it would be better to increase the budget for staff vacancies in this team.

J Deane said the vacancy factor comes from balancing budgeting experience with what experience has shown in the past. The council budgets on a post by post basis and experience shows that at the end of the financial year, the council comes in at 5% under budget. This process gives an easy way to show what is a realistic saving over the year when taking all vacancies across the council into account.

Councillor Birnie asked if the external auditors were comfortable with this approach.

N Howcutt confirmed they were comfortable with this approach because it is part of the budget setting process and uses sound reasoning to justify. It is also reviewed every year.

Recommendations agreed.

That the progress on the New Normal programme be noted alongside the proposals for resuming the programme and future projects.

Decision

That the progress on the New Normal programme be noted alongside the proposals for resuming the programme and future projects.

Corporate objectives

Ensuring efficient, effective and modern service delivery.

Monitoring Officer

There are no legal implications to this report

Deputy S.151 Officer

There are no financial implications to this report

Advice

L Roberts introduced the report to members which details the impact that the current Covid-19 crisis has had on the programme. Much of the project based work has had to be paused as there is a focus on continuing front line services. The report indicates some of the progress made with robotic process automation, key processing in housing and mobile working prior to Covid-19. The current situation means remote working has been tested in a way not thought of before but the goal is to make sure staff can work from any location, not just from home. There has also been progress within the People team, an improved recruitment site has been launched alongside a graduate and apprenticeship scheme. It is now important to make sure these projects continue without overloading staff with current workloads.

Councillor Williams said that mobile working has been rolled out a lot quicker than expected due to the current circumstances.

Recommendations agreed.

1.    That the approach to the development and delivery of the Climate Emergency Strategy and Action plan as set out in the report be provisionally approved subject to consideration of the comments and feedback from the June Strategic Planning and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee and, on the housing elements, the June Housing and Community Overview and Scrutiny Committee. That a further report be made to Cabinet in June 2020 to formally consider the views of the Overview and Scrutiny Committees.

2.    That the Climate Emergency Statement in Appendix 4 be approved

Resolved to recommend:

3.    The creation of a budget for the Climate Emergency of £75,000 in 2020/21  and authority be delegated for its expenditure be made to the Corporate Director Housing and Regeneration and the Assistant Director Corporate and Contracted Services in consultation with the Leader be approved

4.    That an annual review of the progress of the Strategy and Action Plan be made to Cabinet each year and an update be provided to Cabinet in September 2020 on initial progress

5.    That a training and development programme for both staff and Members be delivered in 2020/21

6.    That a ‘Climate Emergency impact statement’ be incorporated into Cabinet and Overview and Scrutiny reports

Decision

1.    That the approach to the development and delivery of the Climate Emergency Strategy and Action plan as set out in the report be provisionally approved subject to consideration of the comments and feedback from the June Strategic Planning and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee and, on the housing elements, the June Housing and Community Overview and Scrutiny Committee. That a further report be made to Cabinet in June 2020 to formally consider the views of the Overview and Scrutiny Committees.

2.    That the Climate Emergency Statement in Appendix 4 be approved

Resolved to recommend:

3.    The creation of a budget for the Climate Emergency of £75,000 in 2020/21  and authority be delegated for its expenditure be made to the Corporate Director Housing and Regeneration and the Assistant Director Corporate and Contracted Services in consultation with the Leader be approved

4.    That an annual review of the progress of the Strategy and Action Plan be made to Cabinet each year and an update be provided to Cabinet in September 2020 on initial progress

5.    That a training and development programme for both staff and Members be delivered in 2020/21

6.    That a ‘Climate Emergency impact statement’ be incorporated into Cabinet and Overview and Scrutiny reports

Corporate objectives

The Council’s Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan will help to support all 5 corporate objectives:

·         Safe and clean environment: e.g. contains actions relating to the quality of existing environments and design and layout of new development that promote security and safe access;

·         Community Capacity: e.g. provide a framework for local communities to be better informed and involved in climate emergency mitigation.;

·         New and Affordable housing: through both direct delivery and setting improved sustainability requirements in new homes would help to reduce both the cost of energy and water and the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions the homes would produce;

·         Dacorum delivers: fulfilling the zero carbon pledge will make a huge contribution to local sustainability and assist in the national target to reach zero carbon as a nation by 2050;

·         Regeneration: the strategy and action plan will provide improvements to air quality, biodiversity, opportunities for cycling and walking as well as major economic potential for ‘green’ businesses.

Monitoring officer

The Strategy and Action Plan will require continual review against the baseline data in order to measure the effectiveness of the agreed actions.

S151 Officer

The recommended £75k budget can be funded through draw down from the Climate Change and Sustainability Reserve.

Whilst the Council remains ambitious in the delivery of its Climate Change Action Plan, it should be acknowledged that there may be occasions when financial restrictions prevent the implementation of desirable service changes in the future.

Future recommendations to Members will need to be presented within the context of the Council’s broader financial position in order to support evidence-based decision-making.

Advice

Councillor Williams introduced the report to members and notified the meeting that he had made some minor changes to Appendix 4 to reflect comments made by the Liberal Democrat group. The  ...  view the full minutes text for item CA/48/20

1.   That the Draft Strategic Design Guide Supplementary Planning Document be approved for public consultation;

2.    That authority be delegated to the Portfolio Holder for Planning and Infrastructure and Assistant Director, Planning, Development & Regeneration to agree the timing of the public consultation on the Draft Strategic Design Guide Supplementary Planning Document.

Decision

1.   That the Draft Strategic Design Guide Supplementary Planning Document be approved for public consultation;

2.    That authority be delegated to the Portfolio Holder for Planning and Infrastructure and Assistant Director, Planning, Development & Regeneration to agree the timing of the public consultation on the Draft Strategic Design Guide Supplementary Planning Document.

Corporate objectives

The DSDG design standards for new development will support the following objectives:

•    A clean, safe and enjoyable environment: e.g. design principles that include promoting walkable neighbourhoods, accessible green infrastructure and prioritising pedestrians.

•    Building strong and vibrant communities: e.g. including design principles providing a mix of uses and range of housing types and tenures integrated within neighbourhoods.  

•    Ensuring economic growth and prosperity: e.g. including design principles that promote contemporary, sustainably designed employment areas.

•    Providing good quality affordable homes: e.g. including design principles to promote a range of tenures and housing typologies that meet all socio-economic needs and  conform to best practice space, quality and sustainability standards.

Deputy Monitoring Officer:  

There is a requirement for public participation prior to the adoption of a SPD by a local planning authority as set out in the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012. 

Deputy S.151 Officer

There are no financial implications of this report.

Advice

Councillor G Sutton introduced the report to members and said this was an exciting document which sets out the council’s vision for the future. It sets out the strategy for ensuring future developments provide a vibrant, happy and healthy environment. This ties in with the previous report on climate change because it gives the opportunity to create buildings and properties that fit within the environmental aims the council wants to achieve.

J Doe added that the report had been to the Strategic Planning and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee and their views have been embedded into the report. The document focusses on strategic sites as there is some large growth coming to Dacorum to give developers the appropriate tools to create developments in line with standards and style the council would like to see in Dacorum, dependant on the location. A more specific design guide will be coming forward soon for smaller sites. This project has been done in conjunction with St Albans District Council and the Hertfordshire LEP because it will be used by St Albans for development in their district and also covers large areas of employment land being considered on the Crown Estate land in East Hemel Hempstead. The recommendation asks Cabinet to approve the document to go out to public consultation. The consultation requires documents to be available to view at The Forum and other sites for public inspection so the consultation will need to be arranged for when these sites reopen.

Recommendations agreed.