Decisions

1.    To engage consultants to undertake a statutory consultation on the proposal to introduce waiting restrictions in Wood Lane End, Hemel Hempstead from Hales Park to the road closure. Monday to Saturday 08.30am to 6.30pm on both sides of the road

2.      To engage consultants to undertake a statutory consultation on the proposal to introduce waiting restrictions in Redbourn Road, Hemel Hempstead from the Queensway roundabout to the Link Road roundabout  Monday to Saturday 08:00am to 6.00pm, Sunday 10am to 5pm on both sides of the road.

 

3.    To delegate the decision to implement the proposal, if applicable, to the Solicitor to the Council in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Corporate & Contracted Services.

 

The introduction of the restrictions is proposed for:

 

·         avoiding danger to persons or other traffic using the road or any other road or for preventing the likelihood of any such danger arising

 

·         facilitating the passage on the road or any other road of any class of traffic (including pedestrians)

4.       

Decision made and reasons:

 

1.    To engage consultants to undertake a statutory consultation on the proposal to introduce waiting restrictions in Wood Lane End, Hemel Hempstead from Hales Park to the road closure. Monday to Saturday 08.30am to 6.30pm on both sides of the road

 

 

2.    To engage consultants to undertake a statutory consultation on the proposal to introduce waiting restrictions in Redbourn Road, Hemel Hempstead from the Queensway roundabout to the Link Road roundabout  Monday to Saturday 08:00am to 6.00pm, Sunday 10am to 5pm on both sides of the road

 

 

3.    To delegate the decision to implement the proposal, if applicable, to the Solicitor to the Council in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Corporate & Contracted Services.

 

 

RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND:

 

The acceptance of the Cabinet report on mid-year treasury management performance and prudential indicators for 2020/21.

The forward plan was noted.

There were no referrals to Cabinet.

There was no public participation.

There were no declarations of interest

There were no apologies for absence.

Minutes of the meeting held on 24 November 2020 were agreed by Members present and signed by the Chair.

To seek approval of a proposed Investment Strategy for the DBC Garages estate

That progress made to date be noted.

To seek approval on an updated Equality and Diversity Strategy

1        That the draft Equalities, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy and Action Plan (as set out in the report) be approved

 

RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND:

2        That the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism be adopted as set out in the report and the illustrative examples that are presented alongside.

That the new post for a Diversity and Community Inclusion Officer be included as part of the 2021/22 budget as set out in section 5 of this report.

Annual council tax setting report sets out the projected 2021/22 baseline for the number of properties in DBC and the projected proportional volume of band D equivalent households that will be charged council tax.

1.    That Cabinet approves the Collection Fund surplus estimate of £43,362.84as at 31 March 2021. The Dacorum Borough Council share of this surplus is £5,268.18.

 

2.    That Cabinet approve the distribution profile for the surplus identified at 1.) as required by the Collection Fund: Surplus and Deficit (Coronavirus)(England) Regulations 2020.  This is contained at section 2.8 of the Cabinet report.

 

3.    That Cabinet approves the calculation of the Council’s tax base for the year 2021/22 incorporating an estimated collection rate of 99.4%.

 

4.    That, in accordance with the Local Authorities (Calculation of Tax Base) Regulations 2012, the amount calculated by the Council as its tax base for the year 2021/22 shall be 58,693.7 and its constituent elements shall be:

 

Part of Area -  Parished and Non Parished	100% Tax base	99.4% Tax base
Hemel Hempstead	31,519.5	31,330.4
Aldbury	479.4	476.5
Berkhamsted	8,611.6	8,559.9
Bovingdon	2,132.3	2,119.5
Chipperfield	867.5	862.3
Flamstead	647.5	643.6
Flaunden	178.8	177.7
Great Gaddesden	456.0	453.3
Kings Langley	2,316.0	2,302.1
Little Gaddesden	640.4	636.6
Markyate	1,358.6	1,350.4
Nash Mills	1,244.2	1,236.7
Nettleden with Potten End	802.7	797.9
Northchurch	1,301.5	1,293.7
Tring Rural	690.6	686.5
Tring Town	5,120.6	5,089.9
Wigginton	680.8	676.7
Total	59,048.0	58,693.7

 

RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND:

 

The approval of the Meeting Timetable for 2021/22 as set out in Appendix A to the Cabinet report.

 

As part of its response to the disruption caused by COVID-19, Central Government has announced funding and outline guidance for the distribution of an Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG).

 

Local authorities are responsible for delivering grants to businesses and have discretion over the design and implementation of their local scheme. Funding has been distributed among local authorities, following the November lockdown, at the rate of £20 per head of population. Dacorum has received funding of £3.1m.

 

 

To formally approve the adoption of the policy based on the principles and criteria detailed within the body of this report to implement an ARG scheme across Dacorum for the allocation of £3.1m of Government funding.

 

Approval is sought through PH Decision in order to expedite decision-making and ensure that payments can be made to eligible businesses as quickly as possible.

 

Authority to make decisions of this type has been delegated to Portfolio Holders by Cabinet decision CA/78/17.

 

Minutes of the meeting held on 20 October 2020 were agreed by Members present and signed by the Chair.

The forward plan was noted

There were no referrals to Cabinet

There was no public participation

There were no apologies for absence.

To seek approval of a long term lease arrangement for Camelot Rugby club

1. That subject to consideration of comments received pursuant to recommendation 2 below the principle of granting of a 75 year lease of Chaulden Lane Playing Field to Hemel Hempstead (Camelot) Rugby Union Football Club in accordance with the heads of terms at Appendix 1 be approved.

 

2.    Delegate authority to the Portfolio Holder for Finance and Resources and the Leader of the Council to consider any representations received from the public notice published, pursuant to Section 123 Local Government Act 1972 and decide whether to proceed with the leasehold disposal and finalise the terms of disposal.

There were no declarations of interest

To review and approve the content of the annual update to the register of brownfield land in Dacorum

That the sites listed in Parts 1 of the Brownfield Land Register (BLR) as drafted in Appendix 1 be approved and delegate authority to the Assistant Director (Planning, Development and Regeneration) to finalise the site specific information before publication and note that no sites are recommended for inclusion in Part 2.

 

To highlight the work and support the Council has been carrying out across service areas in relation to Covid-19.

1.    That the following be noted:

 

(a)  The projected financial impact of Covid-19 for 2020/21 as set out in section 1.

 

(b)  The service updates provided in section 2.

 

RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND

 

2.    The approval of £76,000 (over two years) additional funding for Citizens Advice Dacorum.

 

To provide an update on the Financial forecast for 2020/21 as at the end of Quarter 2.

RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND

 

1.   The approval of the revised capital programme to move £2.409m slippage identified at Quarter 2 into financial year 2021/22 as detailed in Appendix C.

 

2.   The approval of supplementary revenue budgets as follows:

 

·         Supplementary budget of £300k in the Local Development Framework (LDF) budget to fund the costs of producing the Local Plan, to be funded from the LDF reserve.

 

·         Supplementary budget of £30k in the Waste Development employees budget to fund a Recycling Officer post, to be funded from the Management of Change reserve.

 

3.   The approval of supplementary capital budgets as follows:

 

·         Additional capital budget of £180k in the Commercial Assets and Property Development budget to fund the costs of completion of the new Bunkers Farm cemetery, to be funded from a contribution from West Herts Crematorium Joint Committee.

 

·         Additional capital budget of £210k in the Leisure service to fund a Multi-Use Games Area at The Hemel Hempstead School.

 

·         Additional capital budget of £70k to fund audio-visual improvement works at The Forum.

 

4.   Approve a budget virement following receipt of £200k New Burdens funding related to Revenues and Benefits. Increase the budget in Revenues and Benefits employees costs by £75k and decrease the income budget by £125k, with an offsetting increase in the budget for Corporate Grants of £200k.

 

That Council adopts and publishes in accordance with statutory requirements:-

The draft Statement of Licensing Policy as the Council’s ‘Statement of Licensing Policy’ for the five-year period from 7 January 2021 to 6 January 2026.

 

 

The following Motion was withdrawn by Councillor Symington:

 

Feeding Hungry Children

 

1.  This Council notes:

a.  That numbers of pupils entitled to Free School Meals are rising fast.  

b.  That every child who is entitled to Free School Meals is a sign of a family under significant financial pressure.

c.  That this picture of increasing child poverty is supported by the rapid rise in the number of families dependent on food banks. 

d.  That children who are hungry are less able to learn and thrive at school.

e.  That the extension of the school meals voucher scheme (campaigned for by Marcus Rashford) to cover the period of the summer holiday was incredibly important and valuable to families in food poverty. 

f.  The very welcome commitment from Education Minister in the Welsh Assembly, Kirsty Williams, to guarantee free school meal provision for school holidays until at least Easter 2021.

2.  This Council recognises that the second lockdown will lead to further increases in child poverty and

 

a.  supports the calls by the Child Food Poverty Task Force, supported by Marcus Rashford and many leading food suppliers and producers, for the expansion of free school meals provision to every child whose family is in receipt of Universal Credit or equivalent, or with a low-income and no recourse to public funds.

 

b.  calls for the provision of food vouchers to cover school holidays and periods of lockdown for all families in receipt of Universal Credit or with low-income and no recourse to public funds.

 

c.  asks that Healthy Start vouchers should be increased in value to £4.25, and expanded to be made available to all those in receipt of Universal Credit or with a low-income and no recourse to public funds.

 

3.  Therefore this Council resolves to write to the Secretary of State for Education and the Chancellor of the Exchequer to call for

 

a.  extend eligibility for free school meals to every pupil whose parents or guardians are in receipt of Universal Credit

 

b.  food vouchers for every one of those pupils in every school holiday and during any period of lockdown in which schools are closed

 

c.  extended eligibility for free school meals to pupils from low-income families whose parents or guardians have no recourse to public funds or who are destitute asylum seekers under s4 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

 

 

 

A motion was proposed by Councillor Tindall and seconded by Councillor Taylor. An amendment to the motion was proposed by Councillor Williams and seconded by Councillor Griffiths which was accepted by Councillor Tindall. Therefore, the substantive motion proposed (as amended) was as follows:

 

Local Plan

 

In the 2019 General Election both the Conservative and Liberal Democrat Manifestos promised to deliver 300,000 new homes a year to address the national housing shortage.

 

This Council believes that this target is in excess of the ONS projections of housing need and will lead to higher levels of Green Belt development in the Dacorum Local Plan than is necessary to meet our housing need. 

This Council therefore requests

·        the Leader of the Council to write to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government asking that the figure of 922 per annum be revised in line with the figures from the Office of National Statistics which project a need for between 170-200,000 new homes to be started per annum significantly below the 300,000 proposed in the manifesto, and

·        A copy of that letter be sent to the Borough’s two Members of Parliament with a request that they make representations to the Secretary of State in support of the Council’s position

A vote was held:

 

43 for,

0 against,

0 abstentions,

 

Therefore the motion was carried.

 

 

 

 

An additional meeting of the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee scheduled for 25 November was agreed.

 

None.

None.

Resolved:

That the following be approved:

22 September 2020

 

8.1       CA/076/20       Budget Monitoring Q1 report

 

Decision

 

1. Recommend to Council approval of the revised capital programme to move £7.3m slippage identified at Quarter 1 into financial year 2021/22 as detailed in Appendix C.

 

2. Recommend to Council approval of supplementary revenue budgets as follows:

 

·         Supplementary budget of £140k in The Forum premises budget to fund the costs of ensuring the building is safe for staff to return under Coronavirus.

 

·         Supplementary budget of £60k in the Premises Insurance budget to fund additional costs of Uninsured Losses, to be funded from the Uninsured Losses reserve.

 

·         Supplementary budget of £253k in the Building Control service to fund the final settlement of Work in Progress following the transfer of the service to Hertfordshire Building Control. This is to be funded from the Management of Change reserve.

 

·         Supplementary budget of £33k in the Garage service, funded from the Invest to Save reserve, to fund a specialist project manager to lead on improvements to the garage letting process.

 

3. Recommend to Council approval of supplementary capital budgets as follows:

 

• A capital budget of £90k in the Waste and Recycling Capital budgets for new Wheeled Bins.

 

• Additional budget of £400k in the Fleet Replacement Budget, to fund additional vehicles.
  
  

• Capital budgets of £24k and £19k to fund electrical upgrade works at Berkhamsted Civic Centre and Victoria Hall Tring respectively.

 

• Capital budget of £15k for essential roofing improvements at The Denes.

 

 

8.2       CA/078/20       Loan agreement with West Herts Crematorium Committee

 

Decision

 

1. A £6m loan to the partner authorities of the West Herts Crematorium Joint Committee (WHCJC), and a supporting Deed of Contribution and Indemnity and delegate authority to the Corporate Director, Finance and Operations in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance and Resources to finalise terms of the required legal documentation.

 

20 October 2020

 

8.3       CA/087/20       Treasury Management Report

 

Decision

 

The acceptance of the report on Treasury Management performance in 2019/20 and the Prudential Indicators for 2019/20.

 

8.4       CA/088/20       Medium Term Financial Strategy

 

Decision

 

The approval of the revised Medium Term Financial Strategy for the period 2020/21 – 2024/25, including the recommendations at Section 2 of the Strategy.

 

8.5       CA/089/20       Local Plan Consultation Report

 

Decision

 

1. That the Emerging Strategy for Growth (Appendix 1) is published for consultation under Regulation 18 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 (as amended).

 

2. That authority is delegated to make changes to the Emerging Strategy for Growth , including any necessary to reflect the Cabinet’s and/or Council discussions and decision,  to the Assistant Director Planning, Development and Infrastructure in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning and Infrastructure.

A recorded vote was held:

For: Adeleke, Anderson, Banks, Barrett, Bassadone, Beauchamp, Bhinder, Birnie, Durrant, Elliot, Griffiths, Guest, Hearn, Imarni, Maddern, Mahmood (Sobaan), Mahmood (Suqlain), Peter, Riddick, Rogers, Silwal, Sinha, G Sutton, R Sutton, Timmis, Williams, Wyatt-Lowe (27)

Against: Allen, Barry, Claughton, England, Freedman, Hobson, Hollinghurst, Link, McDowell, Pringle, Ransley, Stevens, Symington, Taylor, Tindall, Townsend, Uttley, Woolner (18)

Abstain: Mayor (1)

Therefore the decision was agreed.

 

8.6       CA/091/20       Car Parking Supplementary Planning Document

 

Decision

 

That the draft SPD is adopted.

 

8.7       CA/092/20       Herts Growth Board – Section 101 Committee

 

Decision

 

(1)   Agree to the establishment of the Hertfordshire Growth Board Joint Committee and Hertfordshire Growth Board Scrutiny Joint Committee and delegate such functions to the committees as set out in the annexed Hertfordshire Growth Board - Integrated Governance Framework and annexed Terms of Reference and Standing Orders for each committee.

 

(2)  Adopt the Hertfordshire Growth Board - Integrated Governance Framework into the Councils own constitutional framework and delegate authority to the Assistant Director, Corporate and Contracted Services to make any required changes to the Council’s constitution to give effect to the Governance Framework.

 

(3)  Agree that the Council’s nominated representative on the Hertfordshire Growth Board Committee shall be Councillor Andrew Williams as Leader of the Council and the approved substitute shall be Councillor  Margaret Griffiths as Deputy Leader

 

(4)   Delegate authority to the Leader of the Council to nominate the Council’s representative on the Hertfordshire Growth Board Scrutiny Joint Committee and approved substitute.

 

None.

1.              Question to Councillor Williams from Councillor Tindall:

 

Q1: Given the misinformation and falsehoods that abound on Facebook and other Social Media, it would be good for the Council to ensure that residents of Dacorum have the opportunity to access accurate knowledge of the Council’s proceedings and deliberations.  Please can the Leader of the Council inform us when video film of those proceedings and deliberations will be made available on the Council’s website, or on other means accessible to residents?

 

Response: I do agree that there’s lots of misinformation and rumours can start on social media and in some cases that’s not helpful when people who do have access to that information post stuff which they could research and get more accurate information before posting. But that is the nature of social media. The recording and showing of council meetings and procedure is something which I discussed with the previous Chief Executive and you might recall at the beginning of this year we talked about trying a recording of a council meeting and found that the equipment in the council chamber wasn’t sufficient to enable that to be done with any degree of quality that residents would find useful to follow. I agreed with the previous Chief Executive that we would upgrade the equipment in the council chamber and conference rooms one and two. That work has been completed in the last couple of days and we now have the capacity to record and broadcast meetings live. We also have the capacity within the new system to hold hybrid meetings where some members of the council can be in the chamber and some members can be remote. So we are in a position now to broadcast and have the equipment for that but of course that is dependent on us being able to get back into what you might consider to be a more normal routine of proceedings. Whilst we’re currently using Microsoft Teams and we’re very grateful for this so that we can order some degree of normality and business to proceed, I do not think the quality of nature of these recordings are sufficient for our website as records of our proceedings. It is our intention when we begin to move forward with a more normal cycle of meetings to make use of the newly installed equipment and make those meetings available in both live and recorded forms.

 

2.            Question to Councillor Williams from Councillor Symington:

 

Q1: Given the recent advice from the Dacorum Borough Council Legal Department regarding the Council's responsibility to maintain the unadopted road at Broadwater, Berkhamsted, could the portfolio holder assure the residents, other landowners and users of the DBC-owned car park that the Council will commit to a clear, transparent and long term resolution to the recurring maintenance issue?

 

Response: As Councillor Symington has referred to legal advice received from our legal department, advice that she has benefitted from that I haven’t, I think it would be inappropriate of me to make any comment upon the situation or the advice which she has received before also seeing that advice. He requested a copy of that document from the legal department so he could be in a position to reply to Councillor Symington in writing.

 

Councillor Symington advised that she had two supplementary questions that she would also like answered by Councillor Williams once he had sought advice from the legal department, which were as follows:

 

Q2: Now that the potholes have been fixed and the road is on a good state of repair, would the Portfolio Holder be willing to enter into discussions with Herts County Council about having the road adopted? (the poor state of repair was given by HCC as a reason for not considering adoption).

 

Q3: What are the Portfolio Holder’s intentions for the longer term use of the car park (viz: charges, free parking allowance – currently 4 hours- etc) and how will he work with other stakeholders (such as the tennis and bowls clubs who need the free parking) to find an inclusive way forward?

 

 

3.            Question to Councillor Graham Sutton from Councillor Symington:

 

Q1. What can the portfolio holder do to help expedite the delivery of the now HCC-owned Durrants Lane pitches for use by the community given that DBC was originally taking on the lease and subsequently decided not to?

 

Response: Councillor G Sutton said he would need to provide Councillor Symington with a written response.

 

Councillor Symington advised that she had two supplementary questions that she would also like answered by Councillor G Sutton, which were as follows:

 

Q2. Could the portfolio holder explain the reasons for the council deciding in July 2020 that it would not take the lease from HCC for the playing fields on behalf of the community, thereby failing to provide much needed additional football pitches for youth clubs?

 

Q3. How does the portfolio holder intend to restore the resident’s confidence in the planning process and delivery of Section 106 agreements in light of the failure of this one?

 

4.1       By the Mayor:

Welcome to the new Chief Executive of Dacorum Borough Council, Claire Hamilton.

4.2       By the Chief Executive:

 

The Chief Executive thanked the Mayor for the introduction and welcome and said she looked forward to meeting everyone in person as soon as she was able to.

 

4.3       By the Group Leaders:

Councillor Williams gave apologies on behalf of Councillor Arslan. 

 

4.4       Council Leader and Members of the Cabinet:

 

(Full details are in the minutes under Announcements of the Leader and Cabinet).

 

1.            Questions from Graham Bright (Grove Fields Residents Association) to Councillor Williams:

Q1: I note that the Leader of the Council is being requested to write to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government asking that the figure of 922 houses per annum for Dacorum be revised downwards. You state that this because this Council believes that the Government’s centrally-determined targets for housing development in the Borough will adversely affect the development of the Dacorum Local Plan, forcing high levels of new housing onto green belt land. If the motion is agreed, please can you confirm that Dacorum will wait for the central government response to this letter before commencing the public consultation?

Response:I don’t believe that the motion and the item before us this evening in relation to the local plan are mutually exclusive and we will consider both of these in due course this evening, and members will contribute to the reasons why they support the motion and/or the consultation. I do not believe that we cannot do both. We currently have a figure, the latest from the government, of 922 as stated by Mr Bright. As you will see from the motion when we discuss it that’s not a figure that we necessarily think is appropriate. We don’t know the course of the government’s reiterations, and not forgetting the ONS figures have not yet been accepted as the figure that should be used. We will still be looking nationally for potentially the 300,000 that has been quoted on several occasions. I still think it’s appropriate for us to consult with our residents because I think we need the evidence base if we are to contest the 922, and if that figure is not reduced over time and we need to contest at 922 I think having consulted with our residents will strengthen the argument should our local plan not be in conformity with the numbers required. So in essence, I don’t think that agreeing to one includes the other.

Q2: I note that the authority has delegated to make changes to the Emerging Strategy for Growth , including anything necessary to reflect the Cabinet’s and/or Council discussions and decision, to the Assistant Director Planning, Development and Infrastructure in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning and Infrastructure. Please can you confirm that the FINAL Local Plan, once amended as a consequence of the public consultation, will be voted on by local councillors?

Response: Yes, absolutely. The delegation to the director in consultation with the portfolio holder only relates to minor changes to wording or to reflect any decisions taken by our councillors at this stage in amending our draft consultation. Any final decision will still be subject to the process of the scrutiny committee and the cabinet, and only the full council has the authority to agree a local plan. So yes, the final decision has to be one taken by full council.

2.         Questions from Malcolm Allen to Councillor Williams:

Q1: How can the ancient Market Town of Berkhamsted cope with 2230 new homes, in addition to the hundreds already under construction, and a possible population rise of 41% when our current infrastructure is inadequate? In particular how will the southern side of Berkhamsted, which carries the bulk of this expansion handle the enormous increase in traffic flow primarily along Shootersway which is already a rat run for the sole access to the A41 and which suffers large back up of traffic at rush hour even now. Backups which pollute the air as children walk to the four schools served by this route. A further hazard is the narrowing of the road between Kings Road and Crossoak Road causing a hazard when two HGVs pass with their wing mirrors hanging over the pavement thus endangering pedestrians. This plan detracts from the character of the area, destroys Green Belt, damages bio-diversity and converts a sorely needed playing field, Haslam’s, into a housing estate. We will need new signs for our town stating 'welcome to Berkhamsted, a modern example of inglorious sprawl.' Are you happy taking responsibility for that?

 

Response: I’m happy to take responsibility for the fact that this council needs to go out and consult on the local plan. I’m under no illusions that Berkhamsted like many parts of the borough is under considerable constraint in terms of the amount of development it can take, and this consultation will inform that level of development which is appropriate for a particular area. All of the local plan process will be backed up by transport infrastructure studies which will give a very clear indication of the level of development that can be taken in a particular area given the amount of infrastructure that is either affordable or possible to provide given the constraints of any particular location. As an authority we take responsibility for the plan and as we develop the plan we will ensure that the constraints of a particular area, the infrastructure requirements of an area, or indeed the infrastructure limits of an area are taken into account when coming to a final figure for any particular level of development.

 

3. Question from Antony Harbidge to Councillor Williams:

Q1: How is it in the best interests of the public, specifically the residents of Dacorum who you represent, to put the Draft Local Plan out for consultation during a pandemic when there is no reasonable prospect of engaging in normal democratic processes?

 

Response: We recognise that additional restrictions will be in place until 2 December and the current health situation does make consultation different to what it would be previously, but the fact that we’re all here this evening using this different form of technology to hold his meeting and have more people engaged in this meeting than normally would be is an indication that there are ways in which we can consult and engage the public other than by direct meetings, which of course I recognise during this consultation we will not be in a position to have more traditional public meetings in halls and community centres etc. and we have very clear government advice that we should not allow the current situation to stop the progress of local plans. There is an expectation from government that the planning process will continue and that we make use of available technologies in order to do so. The council is seeking to start the consultation in late November, and traditionally these consultations run for six weeks. We planned this one for eight weeks and as we will come on to later we intend to extend that further to be well clear of the Christmas and new year period and allow people to engage. The Council is seeking to make the consultation as accessible as possible and will be undertaking the following activities:

 

-           Extending the consultation for 10 weeks, instead of the statutory 6 weeks

-           Hosting a permanent ‘virtual’ exhibition on our website throughout the consultation. The exhibition will allow people to leave questions for Officers.

-           Providing copies of the documents for inspection at the Forum (where an appointment can be made to view the document)

-           Providing copies of the documents to libraries where these will be available for loan.

-           Produced a video advertising the consultation

-           Published articles in both the Dacorum Digest (63,000 copies) and the digital digest (11,400 subscribers)

 

Q2: Why can’t you afford your constituents that you represent by equal respect that delaying consultation to a post pandemic time which will also allow correspondence with government MP’s as well as allowing the latest ONS data to be incorporated into the evidence base which is isn’t at present.

 

Response: The decision to go for a full review is not a decision taken solely by the assistant director but by the council. The plan was approved in 2013 as I’m sure Mr Harbidge who I know takes a keen interest in these matters is aware. This plan was challenged through the courts and the judge came to a view that he would support our plan as did the inspector subject to us understanding an early partial review. Although the plan runs until 2031 the government requirement is that the plans are reviewed every five years. So whilst we could have gone for a partial review we would have been straight into a full review almost before we finished the partial reviews so the view was taken that it would be better to do a full review because by 2018 we would have been well in to doing that anyway. Similarly if we got to the point where this plan, which we’re currently at the draft stage, was adopted and takes us through to 2038, we will still be doing a full review of that plan in 2026/2027 assuming we adopt in 2022. We are required to do a full review every five years. So once we got to 2017 and we have delayed this process because of confusions and uncertainties over government numbers and there’s no uncertainty that the latest ONS figures will be embedded in the governments requirements. The ONS figures as I’m sure you’re aware are considerably lower than the manifesto commitments of all the major political parties to deliver an increasing number of homes. It’s possibly the case that the government may, through looking at reconfiguring the algorithm, redistribute that requirement elsewhere. It is not yet clear that requirement is going to reduce and I, as leader of this council, want us to get to a position where we are in the best possible shape to defend our plan should we come under a requirement to produce more homes than we think is acceptable. I’m sure you’re aware our figure a while ago was 1025 and is being reduced to 922. There’s no guarantee when the government reconstitute those figures that it won’t go up or down, so we need to be in a position to be absolutely resolute in our defence of that position.

 

There were no declarations of interest.

The minutes of the meeting held on 16 September 2020 were agreed by the members present and will be signed by the Mayor at the next available opportunity.

 

Decision made and reasons:

 

1.     To engage consultants to undertake a statutory consultation on the proposal to introduce waiting restrictions at the junction of Chaulden Terrace and Long Chaulden, Hemel Hempstead

 

 

2.     To delegate the decision to implement the proposal, if applicable, to the Assistant Director Corporate & Contracted Services in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Corporate & Contracted Services.

 

The introduction of the restrictions is proposed for:

 

·       avoiding danger to persons or other traffic using the road or any other road or for preventing the likelihood of any such danger arising

 

·       facilitating the passage on the road or any other road of any class of traffic (including pedestrians)

 

 

1. The White Paper proposes the most radical and significant reforms to the existing planning system in over 70 years. The principal aim of the reforms is to provide more homes by introducing measures to simplify and speed up the planning process.

2. The measures proposed in the White Paper will take some time to implement. Therefore interim measures to modify aspects of the current planning system are proposed in the consultation on Changes to the current planning system whilst pending implementation of reforms proposed in the White Paper.

3. Both the plan making and development management processes would be significantly reformed. The reforms are largely based on the premise that the planning system is largely at fault in the failure to provide Government led targets on the provision of new homes. Proposed reforms include:

·     Introduction of 3 new categorisations of land – Growth, Renewal and Protected

·     Extension of the Planning in Principle (PiP) to major developments

·     Creating a fast track system for “beautiful buildings” by greater use of design codes

·     Sanctions against local planning authorities for failure to determine planning applications within time limits and where appeals are lost

·     Tighter timescales for delivery of Local Plans (30 months)

·     Replacement of the current s106 planning obligations and CIL with a new nationally set Infrastructure Charge to fund delivery of infrastructure and affordable homes. Also to change point of payment from grant of permission to point of occupation.

·     Greater use of digital technology for sharing of information and community engagement.

 

Decision made and reasons:

To submit responses on behalf of the Council to the above mentioned Government Consultations. The responses are attached as Annex A. 

Whilst many of the aims within the White Paper are laudable, such as simplified processes, desire to deliver more homes and greater use of digital technology there are a number significant and very serious concerns regarding the proposed reforms:

 

·         The approach taken is too simplistic and unlikely to achieve stated aims. There are more significant reasons for failure to meet Government housing targets than failures or shortcomings in the planning system (many of which could be addressed by providing greater resources and capacity within the current system). The White Paper does not address more major dislocations in other parts of the delivery system to provide new homes including, operation of land market forces and driving efficiency and productivity across the construction sector.

·         There is serious risk that local democracy will be curtailed, including the exclusion of local members from the decision making process. Input of the community into the plan making process will be only at two points. First at an initial “call for sites” stage before any meaningful plan is developed for comment and second, when the local plan has been submitted for examination.

·         Not enough information has been provided to be confident that the new regime for delivery of infrastructure will deliver the desired objectives. Delivery of new infrastructure is a key priority for residents within the Borough.

·         The abolition of s106 planning obligations allied to the requirement for First Homes as being the first 25% of affordable homes to be provided. This is an owner occupied element which does not meet the housing needs of those on very low incomes. It would likely result in a greatly diminished supply of genuinely affordable rented accommodation and will exacerbate an already crisis level shortage of affordable homes.

·         That the proposed 30 month timescale for delivery of a new local plan is feasible given the proposed front end loaded detail that will be required, such as settling of Design Codes which will be an important (and possibly only) influence that local communities may have over new development in their areas.   

 

 

To set a Parking Services refund policy

To engage consultants to undertake a consultation on the proposal to introduce new part time taxi ranks in the Berkhamsted and Tring High Streets.

 

Consultation on a proposal to introduce new part time taxi ranks in the Berkhamsted and Tring High Streets and to revert the part time taxi rank in Forge Car Park back to permanent parking spaces.

 

To be provided

RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND

1. That the draft SPD is adopted.

 

2.    That authority to make changes to the documents, including any necessary to reflect the Cabinet’s discussions and decision, be delegated to the Assistant Director Planning, Development and Infrastructure in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning and Infrastructure.

To consider the content of the new draft (Regulation 18) Local Plan for the Borough of Dacorum for the purposes of public consultation

RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND

1. That the Emerging Strategy for Growth (Appendix 1) is published for consultation under Regulation 18 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 (as amended).

2.      That Cabinet consider the views of Strategic Planning and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee and officer response (Appendix 5) and to set out any changes to be made to the consultation document.

3. That the temporary changes needed to the Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) (Appendix 2) be approved to ensure the consultation can take place in accordance with the approved Local Development Scheme.
4. That authority is delegated to make changes to the Emerging Strategy for Growth , including any necessary to reflect the Cabinet’s and/or Council discussions and decision,  to the Assistant Director Planning, Development and Infrastructure in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning and Infrastructure.

 

To be provided

RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND

 

The approval of the revised Medium Term Financial Strategy for the period 2020/21 – 2024/25, including the recommendations at Section 2 of the Strategy.

 

There were no referrals to Cabinet.

To be provided.

That the following be noted and approved:

 

1.    The progress on actions and approach to key issues as set out in the report with the inclusion of any changes and additions that Cabinet are minded to accept following the feedback from the September 29 Strategic Planning and Environment Overview and Scrutiny meeting (shown as Appendix 1).

2.    That a further progress report be submitted to Cabinet in February 2021.

 

3.    That the proposal to establish a Green Community Grant scheme, as set out in paragraph 6.3.3 of the report, be approved to be funded from the £75,000 Climate budget already established.

 

To consider the establishment of a joint committee to regulate strategic growth bids across Hertfordshire

 

RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND

(1)   Agree to the establishment of the Hertfordshire Growth Board Joint Committee and Hertfordshire Growth Board Scrutiny Joint Committee and delegate such functions to the committees as set out in the annexed Hertfordshire Growth Board - Integrated Governance Framework and annexed Terms of Reference and Standing Orders for each committee.

 

(2)  Adopt the Hertfordshire Growth Board - Integrated Governance Framework into the Councils own constitutional framework and delegate authority to the Assistant Director, Corporate and Contracted Services to make any required changes to the Council’s constitution to give effect to the Governance Framework.

 

(3)  Agree that the Council’s nominated representative on the Hertfordshire Growth Board Committee shall be Councillor Andrew Williams as Leader of the Council and the approved substitute shall be Councillor  Margaret Griffiths as Deputy Leader

 

(4)   Delegate authority to the Leader of the Council to nominate the Council’s representative on the Hertfordshire Growth Board Scrutiny Joint Committee and approved substitute.

 

To progress consultation for the continuation of existing alcohol based Public Space Protection Orders

1.    That the consultation on the establishment of alcohol related Public Spaces Protection Orders for the areas previously covered as outline in section 2 be agreed.

 

2.    To report the outcomes of the consultation to Cabinet to decide to whether to reinstate the PSPO.

 

To be provided

That the information provided on the Infrastructure Funding Statement in Appendix 1 be noted and agrees to its publication as required under the CIL Regulations 2010 (as amended).

 

Minutes of the meeting held on 22 September 2020 were agreed by Members present and signed by the Chair.

 

There were no apologies for absence.

There were no declarations of interest

There was no public participation.

The forward plan was noted with the following changes:

• Add Hemel Hempstead Garden Communities vision to January

·         Add Dacorum Strategic Sites Design Guide to January

A report on the 2019/20 treasury management performance

RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND

 

The acceptance of the report on Treasury Management performance in 2019/20 and the Prudential Indicators for 2019/20.

 

The Council in September 2017 approved for staff lease car allowances to be consolidated into basic pay on 30 days’ written notice.  This change was due to be implemented 1 October 2020.  However, it is necessary to slightly delay the implementation of this amendment to the lease car allowance.  The reason for this is that the Council will be moving to a new payroll provider in November 2020 and in order to support this transition, the Council wishes to avoid any significant changes to underlying pay structures during this period of time.

 

To delay the implementation to staff lease car allowances from 1st October 2020 to 1 January 2021

 

This payment is designed to support people on low incomes, if they lose income as a result of self-isolating, and to encourage them to get tested if they have symptoms. This is important to help stop the transmission of COVID-19 and avoid further economic and societal restrictions. The scheme will operate until 31 January 2021.

These payments will be made available from 28 September 2020, and local authorities are required to have arrangements in place to administer them by no later than 12 October 2020. Someone told to self-isolate on or after 28 September (but before the scheme is operational in their local authority) will need to be able to make a backdated claim for payment.

The scheme has 2 separate categories, the main Test and Trace Support payment and the Discretionary Test and Trace Support payment, in both categories individuals will be entitled to a Test and Trace Support Payment of £500

To formally approve the implementation of the Test and Trace Support Payment policy in line with government guidance.

 

The following Motion was proposed by Councillor Freedman and seconded by Councillor Uttley:

 

This Council resolves:

 

·      to require all public firework displays within the local authority boundaries to be advertised in advance of the event, allowing residents to take precautions for their animals and vulnerable people

 

·      to actively promote a public awareness campaign about the impact of fireworks on animal welfare and vulnerable people–including the precautions that can be taken to mitigate risks

 

·      to write to the UK Government urging them to introduce legislation to limit the maximum noise level of fireworks to 90dB for those sold to the public for private displays

 

·      to encourage local suppliers of fireworks to stock ‘quieter’ fireworks for public display.

 

A vote was held:

 

17 for,

26 against,

2 abstentions,

 

Therefore the motion failed.

 

The following Motion was proposed by Councillor Tindall and seconded by Councillor Williams:

 

The recent changes to planning law made by the Government are causing a stir across the country, removing the right of local people to have a say in the planning process.

In protecting the public’s say in the planning process;

A. This Council notes:

1.  The publication by Government of the White Paper, ‘Planning for the Future’ on 6 August 2020, which set out proposals on reforms to the planning process for the future.

2.  That the vast majority of planning applications are given the go ahead by local authority planning committees, with permission granted to around 9 out of 10 applications.

3.  That research by the Local Government Association has said that there are existing planning permissions for more than one million homes that have not yet been started.

B.   This Council is concerned that the proposals seek to:

1.  Reduce or remove the right of residents to object to applications near them.

2.  Grant automatic rights for developers to build on land identified as ‘for growth’.

3.  Remove the consultation role of Parish and Town Councils to comment and make recommendations on local planning applications.

 

C.   This Council Further Notes:

1. The Royal Institute for British Architects called the proposals ‘shameful and which will do almost nothing to guarantee delivery of affordable, well-designed and sustainable homes’. RIBA also said that proposals could lead to the next generation of slum housing.

2. The reforms are opposed by the all-party Local Government Association, currently led by Conservative Councillors.

3.  That the reforms remove section 106 payments for infrastructure and proposes their replacement with a national levy, paid direct to councils and non-negotiable by developers.

 

D.  This Council Believes:

1.  That existing planning procedures, as currently administered by our own team in   Dacorum Borough Council allow for local democratic control over future development, and provides an opportunity for local people to make contributions regarding planning proposals that affect them.

2.  That proposals for automatic rights to build in ‘growth’ areas, and increased permitted development rights, risk unregulated growth and unsustainable communities.

3.  That local communities must be in the driving seat on shaping the future of their communities, and local determination of the planning framework and planning applications play an important part in this process.

 

E.   This Council requests that, when considering the response from Dacorum Borough Council, the Strategic Planning and Environment O&S Committee takes into account the sentiments expressed in this motion.

A vote was held:

 

42 for,

0 against,

0 abstentions,

 

Therefore the motion was carried.

 

The following changes to committee dates were agreed:

 

Ø  Additional Strategic Planning and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 30 September.

 

None.

None.

None.

None.

1.      To Councillor Williams from Councillor Symington:

 

“The government is keen to promote the roll out of 5G networks and has a target that the majority of the population will be covered by a 5G signal by 2027. As stated in 2017, the government ‘wants to provide world class digital connectivity that is gigabit-capable, reliable, long-lasting and widely available across the UK – and to do so at pace.’ In July 2020 the government announced it is taking forward proposals to simplify planning rules to speed up 5G rollout and improve rural mobile coverage.

 

Could the portfolio holder please confirm that Dacorum Borough Council will work with stakeholders to promote and facilitate the roll-out of 5G networks to ensure the residents of Dacorum benefit at the earliest opportunity from the commercial and personal benefits of super-fast broadband connectivity?”

 

Councillor Williams said the borough had always supported improved broadband facilities whether it was 5G or fibre cables across the borough we recognise the importance of both in the commercial and residential sector for maximum possible connectivity to support businesses. He wasn’t sure that the borough council had a massive role in this, the planning process for telecommunications providers had always been generous in the permissions that they’re able to implement and if the government is further relaxing that as Councillor Symington has stated it does give flexibility to telecoms providers to install the equipment and improve the network. He said there has to be a small degree of caution on that and there are some public concerns about the installation of some of this equipment and there has to be a role in the process for that. There also has to be a degree of understanding that we expect some sort of consideration from telecoms providers about where and when they install the equipment. He said the amount of power and legislation that supports the objective of delivering 5G and other forms of connectivity across the country is already very much in favour of the telecoms providers to enable them to deliver the standards of communication that Councillor Symington refers to.

 

Councillor Symington felt Councillor Williams only answered part of her question. She requested that we do follow through with the work we need to do see this through. 

 

Councillor Williams said the powers that mobile network providers have are quite significant in planning terms, it is very few of the applications that actually come through the planning process in full. He said there were a number of 5G masts that have appeared around Hemel Hempstead over the last six months that were delivered under the powers that the operators have to install these. The vast majority of the installations do not go through a full planning process because the legislation favours the installation of this equipment and favours the fastest possible roll out of it. He said there were very few occasions when they come to a planning committee and when they do it is usually because there is a reason why they effect a particular property or neighbourhood and the process should take place. A vast amount of equipment is installed under delegated authorities or permissions and he felt that the planning process was a positive contribution rather than a hindrance towards the improvement of the system.

 

2.      To Councillor G Sutton from Councillor Tindall:

 

“Dacorum Borough Council rightly set a high target for the provision of affordable housing in new developments of 40% in its supplementary planning document on affordable housing dated 25/9/2013. Unlike a number of other local authorities, Dacorum Borough Council policies allow that C2 land need not contribute to affordable housing provision. As the definition of ‘extra-care’ is not defined in law, there is scope for developers to bring forward schemes which do not meet the spirit of the exemption to providing affordable housing. Would the portfolio holder consider revising the supplementary planning documents to prevent this happening by bringing Dacorum Borough Council’s policies in line with those of other local authorities?”

 

Councillor G Sutton said they have been working on a new policy for affordable housing in the new local plan to address current and future issues. He said they were aware that one of the specific issues is over the provision of care facilities and the affordability of care facilities through increasing proportion of our older and less able residents. The delivery of these types of schemes has specific liability issues  that may require exemptions to the normal affordable housing policies, however such matters will need careful consideration to ensure that they are genuine community needs for care are secured in perpetuity and not to the detriment of the supply of affordable properties. The local plan policy will set the basis of our approach to affordable housing generally and we will need in due course to add to this through the new affordable housing supplementary planning document to add necessary and appropriate detail.

 

Councillor Tindall asked if the portfolio holder agreed that as extra care facilities were not envisaged in 2013 that an update on the policy is needed urgently in order that profiteering developers cannot take advantage of this loophole in the law which we unfortunately were unaware of until the first example recently.

 

Councillor G Sutton agreed that we do need to investigate further as there are issues around this. The current proposals for site LA4 at Hanburys, Shooters Way in Berkhamsted for an extra care residential development. This application is under consideration and will be coming in due course to the development management committee for determination and is expected to be at the meeting on 15 October. Officers are currently addressing the issue of extra care housing on the site against the council’s current policies and advice from Hertfordshire County Council and this will be set out to members in the report to DMC.

 

Councillor Tindall asked if the portfolio holder agreed that when presenting the report it would be good to include the detail of the various legal actions that councils have taken successfully in order to prevent this happening elsewhere and to explain why we have the loophole at present.

 

Councillor G Sutton replied he would raise that with the responsible officers.

 

3.      To Councillor Elliot from Councillor Symington:

 

“Could the portfolio holder confirm that the total payments made to Everyone Active to date amount to £825k? At the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny committee meeting on 7 July 2020, it was stated: ‘in relation to Everyone Active the only supplier relief they have received at this stage was the management fee being waived for the first five months of the financial year’. However, the report to the F&R OSC meeting on 8 September 2020 states that ‘an initial support payment of £205k was made to allow EA to top up the furlough pay for their staff to 100% of salary in the first 3 months of closure. A second support payment of £320k has been agreed relating to July to September to support reopening of leisure services across Dacorum,’ in addition to the previously reported £300k management fee rebate.”

 

Councillor Elliot said this question was raised at the finance and resources overview and scrutiny committee on 8 September and was responded to by Mark Brookes. He advised that the information provided was confidential and commercially sensitive and must not be disclosed to any third parties or discussed in any public forum so he was unable to discuss the matter at this meeting.

 

Councillor Symington thanked Mark Brookes for his email. She said the information she quoted was taken from minutes of the finance and resources overview and scrutiny committee on the council’s website. She highlighted the in-year pressure of £2.5m and the £825k to Everyone Active and then asked if the portfolio holder recognised that is a large percentage of the pressure that we are facing as a council and our current in-year projected deficit. 

 

Councillor Elliot replied that St Albans and Watford had provided the same level of support and possibly at the same percentage as we have to their leisure centres. He said that we needed to provide this support to keep our leisure centres open and had no other option.

 

Councillor Symington said she wasn’t commenting on what other councils were doing and whether they were right or wrong, she was interested in what we were doing with public money and that is why she was asking this question. She felt as much information as possible should be in the public domain.

 

Councillor Elliot said he couldn’t answer Councillor Symington’s question following advice from the council’s solicitor.

 

The Mayor suggested that Councillor Elliot could provide Councillor Symington with a confidential written response. Councillor Elliot agreed.

 

 4.   To Councillor Elliot from Councillor Symington:

 

“The Council is projected to suffer a £5.8m pressure on finances for the current year. In the light of this, does the portfolio holder think they could reconsider their position on turning down grants from the Football Association amounting to £200k which would enable local clubs to upgrade Dacorum Borough Council owned football pitches? “

 

Councillor Elliot replied we were responsible for football pitches, particularly the health and safety aspect. He said the grant wouldn’t come to us, it would be given to us on a separate entity who would be looking after the pitches but we would still be responsible for the health and safety. He felt this would be outside of our control. He said he understood from the football association that the grant would be for football pitches only and would preclude it from being an open space for general public and other uses and that is why we were not prepared to go down that route.

 

Councillor Symington said it was her understanding that other authorities were able to work under this arrangement and asked what differentiates our policies to other councils that prevents us from using these funds.

 

Councillor Elliot replied he was unaware of any other councils that operated in this way so he was unable to make a comparison. He suggested Councillor Symington could give him some examples and he would come back to her.

 

5.   To Councillor G Sutton from Councillor Symington:

 

“The land at the top of Durrant’s Lane, on the corner of Shootersway, was part of a S106 agreement with the developer, Taylor Wimpey and with the intention to provide a community facility in the form of football pitches and general amenity space. The land has been transferred to Hertfordshire County Council but has not been delivered up for use by the community, either in the form of amenity space or football pitches. What can the portfolio holder do to ensure that the policies of the planning department and intentions of the Council in terms of providing amenity space to the community are followed through on and that the community has access to the land set aside for its use?”

 

Councillor G Sutton explained the land referred to has been transferred to Hertfordshire County Council and DBC property officers were liaising with them on this matter. They have passed details over to HCC of a local sports club who is now liaising directly with them with the view of them taking on the space for local use. The delivery and management of other sports pitches and facilities is an important issue for the borough and one we are addressing within the new local plan.

 

Councillor Symington asked what can we do to facilitate this and how can we actually make it happen to ensure the land is used by the people in the local community.

 

Councillor G Sutton replied that the arrangements were subject to negotiations and as this was a HCC matter he was unable to make any further comment.

 

Councillor Symington asked how we could link up the policies to ensure they’re actually carried through.  Councillor G Sutton said he would discuss the matter with the officers and let her know.

 

4.1       By the Mayor:

The Mayor announced the sad passing of former Dacorum Councillor and Mayor Maureen Flint. One minutes silence was held in remembrance.

 

On Sunday 13 September, the Mayor attended the reef laying to commemorate the Battle of Britain and this gave the opportunity to reflect on the huge sacrifices and bravery of all those involved.

4.2       By the Chief Executive:

 

None.

 

4.3       By the Group Leaders:

None.

 

4.4       Council Leader and Members of the Cabinet:

 

(Full details are in the minutes under Announcements of the Leader and Cabinet).

 

There was no public participation.

 

The minutes of the meetings held on 15 July and 5 August 2020 were agreed by the members present and will be signed by the Mayor at the next available opportunity.

 

Members expressed their gratitude and farewell wishes to Sally Marshall as this was her last Full Council meeting before retiring from her role of Chief Executive of Dacorum Borough Council.

 

There were no declarations of interest.

To retrospectively approve an exemption to comply with the Council’s commissioning & procurement standing orders and award a contract directly without the need to carry out a competitive tendering process in relation to:

 

The Supply of Furniture to the Council’s Supported Housing Schemes.

Decision:  To approve the amendments to Help to Move and Housing Allocation Policies, as detailed in this decision sheet.

 

Reason: To ensure the best use of the social housing stock and enable it to be allocated to those most in need.

 

Background to report:

 

1. Changes have been made to the Help to Move Policy (which is replacing the Moving to a smaller Home Policy) to reflect the current demand on council properties and we would like to implement changes with immediate effect.

 

2. In order for the Allocation Policy to support and work alongside the new Help to Rent Policy, minor amendments are required to existing Allocations Policy which are detailed within this report.

 

3. The report is also proposing additional changes to our Allocations Policy to review points awarded to applicants living in a parental home with no other housing need and those that are homeless or at risk of homelessness.   This is to ensure that we continue to ensure that properties are allocated to those with the greatest housing need and will help address the demand for one bedroom accommodation. 

 

To be provided

1.    That Cabinet note:

 

(a)  The projected financial impact of Covid-19 for 2020/21 as set out in section 1 of the report.

 

(b)  The service updates provided in section 2 of the report.

 

To seek delegated approval for a long term loan to the West Herts Crematorium Consortium

RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND;

1.    a £6m loan to the partner authorities of the West Herts Crematorium Joint Committee (WHCJC), and a supporting Deed of Contribution and Indemnity  and delegate authority to the Corporate Director , Finance and Operations in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance and Resources to finalise terms of the required legal documentation.

 

2.    That Cabinet delegate authority to the Assistant Director of Finance and Operations in consultation with the Assistant Director, Corporate and Contracted services to agree a land management or lease agreement with one or all of the partner authorities of WHCJC for the proposed crematorium site on Bedmond Road.

 

Minutes of the meeting held on 21 July 2020 were agreed by Members present and signed by the Chair.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor G Sutton. 

There were no declarations of interest.

 

There was no public participation

There were no referrals to Cabinet

To seek approval to award the main contract and appoint a Principle Contractor to construct 10 Units at Coniston Road

 

1.    That the main contract to construct 10 x social rented Houses at Land Adjacent to the corner of Coniston Road and Barnes Lane, Kings Langley be awarded to Bugler Developments Ltd. 

 

2.    That delegated authority be approved to the Council’s Assistant Director (Corporate and Contracted Services) to execute and complete all legal agreements ancillary to the JCT Design & Build Contract and/or reasonably required to complete the Project, including (but not limited to):

a.    all professional appointments;

b.    collateral warranties; and

c.     Agreements under

S.38, & S.278, of the Highways Act 1980;

S.247, Part III of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990;

S.104 of the Water Industry Act 1991, and

S.50 of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991.

 

The forward plan was noted with the following change:

-       Add Equality and Diversity Strategy to December

To seek approval to award the main contract and appoint a Principle Contractor to construct10 Units at Coniston Road

 

1.    That the main contract to construct 36 x social rented units at Eastwick Row, Hemel Hempstead be awarded to Jarvis Contracting Limited.

 

2.    That delegated authority be approved to the Council’s Assistant Director (Corporate and Contracted Services) to execute and complete all legal agreements ancillary to the JCT Design & Build Contract and/or reasonably required to complete the Project, including (but not limited to):

a.    all professional appointments;

b.    collateral warranties; and

c.     Agreements under

S.38, & S.278, of the Highways Act 1980;

S.247, Part III of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990;

S.104 of the Water Industry Act 1991, and

S.50 of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991.

 

A first quarter (April – June) review of the council’s financial performance

That Cabinet consider the budget monitoring position for each of the above accounts and:

 

RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND;

 

1.    Recommend to Council approval of the revised capital programme to move £7.3m slippage identified at Quarter 1 into financial year 2021/22 as detailed in Appendix C.

 

2.    Recommend to Council approval of supplementary revenue budgets as follows:

 

·         Supplementary budget of £140k in The Forum premises budget to fund the costs of ensuring the building is safe for staff to return under Coronavirus.

 

·         Supplementary budget of £60k in the Premises Insurance budget to fund additional costs of Uninsured Losses, to be funded from the Uninsured Losses reserve.

 

·         Supplementary budget of £253k in the Building Control service to fund the final settlement of Work in Progress following the transfer of the service to Hertfordshire Building Control. This is to be funded from the Management of Change reserve.

 

·         Supplementary budget of £33k in the Garage service, funded from the Invest to Save reserve, to fund a specialist project manager to lead on improvements to the garage letting process.

 

3.    Recommend to Council approval of supplementary capital budgets as follows:

 

·         A capital budget of £90k in the Waste and Recycling Capital budgets for new Wheeled Bins.

 

·         Additional budget of £400k in the Fleet Replacement Budget, to fund additional vehicles.

 

·         Capital budgets of £24k and £19k to fund electrical upgrade works at Berkhamsted Civic Centre and Victoria Hall Tring respectively.

 

·         Capital budget of £15k for essential roofing improvements at The Denes.

 

 

To advertise and enact THE BOROUGH OF DACORUM (HEMEL HEMPSTEAD)

(PROHIBITION AND RESTRICTION OF WAITING) (CONSOLIDATION) ORDER 2003 (AMENDMENT) ORDER 2020. Following a periodic review of The Borough of Dacorum (Hemel Hempstead) (Prohibition and Restriction of Waiting) (Consolidation) Order 2003, minor errors have been discovered within the Schedules relating to Wolsey Road, Hemel Hempstead. It is therefore considered necessary to make the above traffic order in order to correct those errors and to better reflect the way the restrictions in that Order currently exist on street and to ensure that the Order is commensurate with existing signs and lines.

 

To advertise and enact THE BOROUGH OF DACORUM (HEMEL HEMPSTEAD)

(PROHIBITION AND RESTRICTION OF WAITING) (CONSOLIDATION) ORDER 2003 (AMENDMENT) ORDER 2020. Following a periodic review of The Borough of Dacorum (Hemel Hempstead) (Prohibition and Restriction of Waiting) (Consolidation) Order 2003, minor errors have been discovered within the Schedules relating to Wolsey Road, Hemel Hempstead. It is therefore considered necessary to make the above traffic order in order to correct those errors and to better reflect the way the restrictions in that Order currently exist on street and to ensure that the Order is commensurate with existing signs and lines.

 

To delegate authority to the Assistant Director of Housing to award contracts for fire safety works in consultation with the Portfolio Holder of Housing and Regeneration up to the value of £500k.

 

To set aside the Council’s Procurement Standing Orders for 12 months (from the approval of this decision) to award these contracts up to the value of £500k.

Councillor Williams confirmed that apologies had been received from Councillors Adeleke, Durrant and Sinha.

Councillor Tindall confirmed that apologies had been received from Councillors Allen, Hollinghurst and Stevens.

 

There were no declarations of interest.

Resolved:-

 

That, under s.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 an individual (Item 4).

 

To update Cabinet on the progress of the Garages Review programme

That the progress of the programme and the impact of COVID-19 on the garage programme be noted

New policy to support the use of Disabled facilities grant and Better Care Fund and links between housing and health

That the draft Private Sector Housing Assistance Policy as set out in the Appendix to the Cabinet report be approved

Minutes of the meeting held on 23 June 2020 were agreed by Members present.

 

There were no apologies for absence.

There were no declarations of interest

There were no referrals to Cabinet

The forward plan was noted with no changes.

That the justification for an additional consultation under Regulation 18 be noted, and approve it being incorporated into the revised timetable for the Local Plan and other updates to the Local Development Scheme appended to this report and delegate authority to the Assistant Director- Planning, Development and Regeneration to make any final minor editorial and typographical revisions to the document including any necessary to reflect the Cabinet’s discussions and decision.

1.    That responsibility for granting, refusal and revocation  of licences, including the setting of conditions, be delegated to the Assistant Director – Corporate and Contracted Services and the Group Manager, Legal and Corporate Services

2.    That the fees will be set at the maximum permitted level  of £100 in order to recover as much of the cost of issuing licences as possible be approved.

3.    That the duration of licences will be to 30^th September 2021, unless revoked be approved.

 

There was no public participation

The Council noted the following urgent Portfolio Holder Decisions:

 

Ø  PH/009/20 - Local Authority Discretionary Grant Fund, (Ladgf) – Covid-19 Support for Local Businesses

Ø  PH/010/20 - Local Authority Discretionary Grant Fund, (Ladgf) – Covid-19 Support For Local Businesses Phase 2

Ø  PH/013/20 - Building Control Financial Settlement With Hertfordshire Building Control Ltd

 

The minutes of the meeting held on 15 April 2020 were agreed by the members present and will be signed by the Mayor at the next available opportunity.

 

The following Motion was proposed by Councillor Tindall and seconded by Councillor Freedman:

 

1.            Climate Emergency

 

This council takes note of the Strategy and Action Plan adopted by the Cabinet at their meeting on 23rd June. In addition, the council welcomes the Climate Change Emergency Statement and the undertaking to work with businesses, community groups and residents to reduce emissions across the Borough.

 

In furtherance of these decisions and objectives, the council believes that the bringing together of those interested in working with the Council in a public programme of Community Engagement would be beneficial, and asks that as soon as reasonably possible, given the present restrictions imposed because of the health crisis, a series of consultative events are promoted which will engage all sectors of the community, culminating in a Climate Emergency event at which representatives of those community sectors will meet to discuss with the Council the attainment of the Council's objectives by 2030.

 

An amendment to the motion was proposed by Councillor Williams and seconded by Councillor Griffiths

 

Revise the first line to read:

 

“This council endorses the administrations ambitious Strategy and action plan….”

 

A vote was held on the amendment to the motion:

 

36 For, 0 Against and 1 Abstain

 

Therefore the amendment was agreed

A vote was then held on the amended motion

39 For, 0 Against and 1 Abstain

 

Therefore the Motion was carried.

 

 

The following Motion was proposed by Councillor England and seconded by Councillor Hobson:

 

2.            Overview and Scrutiny

 

This Council recognises that scrutiny is an important part of a well-functioning administration where policies, strategy and decisions are tested by members and justified by Portfolio-holders with the support of officers.

 

Now that the Council is once again in a state of credible balance, and all Councillors have at least one year's experience, Council believes that scrutiny ought rightly to be led by a politically-proportionate group of Chairs and Vice-Chairs.

 

The council resolves to review Scrutiny and reform Chairmanship of OSCs so that Scrutiny in Dacorum is cross-party, with Chairs and Vice Chairs being drawn proportionately from the recognised political groups of the council, the appropriate amendment to the Constitution to be presented to the Council at their meeting in September.

 

The following amendment was made by Councillor Williams and seconded by Councillor Griffiths:

 

Delete all text after the first paragraph and insert a new second paragraph

 

“This  council resolves that the current arrangements for Chairs and Vice Chairs supports the effective process of scrutiny and supports continuing with the current allocations of Chairs and Vice Chairs of the Overview and Scrutiny Committees”

 

A vote was held on the amendment to the motion:

 

24 For, 18 Against and 3 Abstain

 

Therefore the amendment was agreed

A vote was then held on the amended motion

21 For, 17 Against and 3 Abstain

 

Therefore the Motion was carried.

 

 

The following changes to committee membership were agreed:

 

Ø  Councillor Allen to replace Councillor Taylor on the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Ø  Councillor Allen to replace Councillor England on the Health in Dacorum Committee.

Ø  Councillor Tindall to replace Councillor Symington on the Development Management Committee.

Ø  Councillor McDowell to replace Councillor Woolner on the Strategic Planning and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Ø  Councillor Symington to fill the vacancy on the Health in Dacorum Committee.

Ø  Councillor Woolner to fill the vacancy on the Licensing and Health and Safety Enforcement Committee.

 

There were no declarations of interest.

There was no public participation.

4.1       By the Mayor:

The Mayor announced the sad passing of former Dacorum Councillor John Bowden. One minutes silence was held in remembrance.

4.2       By the Chief Executive:

 

None.

 

4.3       By the Group Leaders:

Councillor Williams confirmed that apologies had been received from Councillors Elliot and Johnson

 

Councillor Tindall confirmed that apologies had been received from Councillor Stevens

 

4.4       Council Leader and Members of the Cabinet:

 

(Full details are in the minutes under Announcements of the Leader and Cabinet).

 

Question from Councillor Allen to Councillor G Sutton:

 

“Given the concerns of local residents, can the portfolio holder please confirm that Chaulden Lane, the much-loved designated country lane, will not need any widening beyond the passing points agreed when the LA3 planning application was granted”

 

Councillor G Sutton responded that the proposals for development at site LA3 (land at West Hemel Hempstead) involve the provision of passing places on Chaulden Lane. Responsibility for the management and future use of the Lane rests with Hertfordshire County Council, which it regards as a rural route. Dacorum Borough Council has no further plans other than those in relation to site LA3 that it would wish to put to HCC in respect of Chaulden Lane.

 

Councillor Allen asked if there will be width restrictions on the static homes permissible at Chaulden Lane Gypsy and Traveller site which often can be as wide as 16ft and are often 14ft when the HCC assessment of the lane has only assessed on traffic that is 9.5ft wide?

 

Councillor G Sutton said he believed that it was up to the hauliers or carriers of these vehicles to ensure that they are able to travel through the lane but believes the passing places should allow the access required. This issue is faced across rural areas, especially on the coast with mobile holiday homes. He reassured Councillor Allen that this wouldn’t be turned into a rat run that can be used by the public.

 

Councillor Allen asked in the instance of there being wider loads, that might cause damage to hedgerows and banks of the lane, can the portfolio holder commit to working with Herts Highways to ensure that these wider loads do not cause damage?

 

Councillor G Sutton said he was sure that this could be included in the planning conditions of the site which are still being considered.

 

Councillor Allen asked if the Gypsy and Traveller community had been consulted on the HCC assessment which has assessed the lane on the basis of a 9.5ft wide load?

 

Councillor G Sutton said he was not privy to those conversations to be aware of it.

 

None.

The Chairman ofthe Strategic Planning and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Councillor John Birnie, introduced the Annual Reports of the Overview and Scrutiny Groups to the Council and highlighted certain aspects of the work carried out by the individual committees.

 

The following changes/additions to committee dates were agreed:

 

Ø  Move Audit Committee from 30^th September to 17^th September 2020.

Ø  Add Appointments Committee on 30^th July 2020.

Ø  Add a special Council meeting on 5^th August 2020.

 

Resolved:

That the following be approved:

19 May 2020

 

8.1      CA/046/20    Provisional Outturn 2019/20

 

Decision

 

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

 

23 June 2020

 

8.2      CA/059/20    Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan

 

Decision

 

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.

 

The decision relates to a full and final settlement between Dacorum Borough Council and Hertfordshire Building Control Ltd., in respect of payment for ‘work in progress’ (WIP) to cover the final processing of Building Control application cases received by DBC prior to the transfer of the service to HBC in December 2019. The decision also covers payment for IT data transfer work carried out by HBC.

 

To make a payment of £320,000 to Hertfordshire Building Control in respect of work in progress and IT work carried out. The Borough Council has a legal duty under the Building Act 1984 to progress applications made to it for consent under the Building Regulations. DBC transferred operational responsibility for determining building control applications to HBC on 16 December 2019. The payment covers a fair and reasonable settlement for the likely costs to HBC of dealing with DBC’s outstanding caseload of applications prior to the transfer date.

 

Proposed sale of strip of land adjacent to 103 Rucklers Lane, Kings Langley.

 

Proposed sale of strip of land adjacent to 88 Claymore, Hemel Hempstead.

 

 

This is a new strategy, which will be informed by the outcome of the BRE stock model report and will outline the council’s approach to tackling rogue landlords and improving standards in the private sector in Dacorum.

That the Private Sector Housing Strategy be approved.

1.         That the approach to the development and delivery of the Climate Emergency Strategy and Action plan as set out in the report be approved.

 

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

1. That:

 

(a) The projected financial impact of Covid-19 for 2020/21 as set out in section 1 and;

 

(b) The proposed recovery framework as set out in section 2 be noted.

 

2. That the extension of the voluntary sector contracts as set out in paragraphs 3.2 – 3.5 and the new one year contract to DENS as highlighted in paragraph 3.7 be

agreed.

 

3. That the Covid-19 Strategic Risk annexed to the report is agreed.

 

 

The forward plan was noted with the following change:

·         Add Herts Growth Board for Hemel Garden Communities to the July meeting

 

There were no referrals to Cabinet.

Minutes of the meeting held on 19 May 2020 were agreed by Members present.

 

There were no apologies for absence.

There were no declarations of interest

There was no public participation

This is a new strategy (2020-2024) to replace the council’s 2016-2020 Homelessness Strategy, this strategy developed in consultation with multi-agency stakeholders, will identify the council’s priorities in relation to preventing homelessness and eradicating rough sleeping in the borough.

 

That the 2020-24 Homelessness & Rough Sleeper Policy be approved.

As part of its response to the disruption caused by COVID-19, Central Government has announced funding and outline guidance for the distribution of a Local Authority Discretionary Grant Fund scheme (LADGF). A national fund of £617m has been distributed among local authorities.

 

Local authorities are responsible for delivering grants to eligible businesses and have discretion over the design and implementation of their local scheme. However, Government has stipulated some national criteria for the scheme, and stated that the fund is aimed at small and micro businesses that are ineligible for the Small Business Grant Fund or the Retail Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund.

 

Applications for funding under Phase 1 of the DBC Discretionary Grant Fund were invited for a two-week period from 8 June 2020. In line with the original Portfolio Holder Decision published on 3 June, (http://www.dacorum.gov.uk/home/council-democracy/portfolio-holder-decisions/decisions-2020) a second phase of funding is now proposed to award the remaining funds.

 

To formally approve the adoption of Phase 2 of the Discretionary Grant Funding Scheme based on the principles and criteria detailed within the body of this report.

 

Approval is sought through PH Decision in order to expedite decision-making and ensure that payments can be made to eligible businesses as quickly as possible.

 

Authority to make decisions of this type has been delegated to Portfolio Holders by Cabinet decision CA/78/17.

 

1) The extension of the contract for the Supply and installation of an innovative ground stabilisation solution.

 

2) An exemption to comply with the Council’s commissioning & procurement standing orders and award a contract directly without the need to carry out a competitive tendering process.

 

To set out the Climate Change Strategy and approach and the initial action plan

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

There were no apologies for absence.

The forward plan was noted.

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

 

To update Cabinet on the progress of the New Normal programme and consider proposals for further activities

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

To set out the content of a new Supplementary Planning Document to address key issues of urban design guidance on large scale, strategic development sites within the  Borough

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.

 

This report outlines the draft financial outturn position projected for 2019/20.

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

There were no referrals to Cabinet

There was no public participation

There were no declarations of interest.

To award Dacorum Heritage Trust a grant of £58,000 for the 2020/21 financial year.

 

To award Dacorum Heritage Trust a grant of £58,000 for the 2020/21 financial year.

 

To award a grant of £9000 to Great Gaddesden Cricket Club

To award a grant of £9000 to Great Gaddesden Cricket Club

The minutes of the meeting held on 26 February 2020 were agreed by the members present and will be signed by the Mayor at the next available opportunity.

 

Councillor England declared he was an employee of the East of England Ambulance Service Trust.

 

Councillor G Sutton declared that he ran a small business in the town and was a recipient of a small business grant.

 

The Mayor declared the firm he was the principal shareholder in had applied for a small business grant. 

 

Councillor Suqlain Mahmood declared he was the Director of a small business based in the Old Town.

 

Councillor Beauchamp declared he was the Chairman of a Community Association and was a recipient of a small business grant.

 

Councillor Symington declared she was DBC representative of the Berkhamsted Town Hall Trust and had applied for a grant.

 

There was no public participation.

 

6.1       By the Mayor:

The Mayor thanked everyone for participating and working their way through this very different and remote meeting.

6.2       By the Chief Executive:

 

None.

 

6.3       By the Group Leaders:

None.

 

6.4       Council Leader and Members of the Cabinet:

 

(Full details are in the minutes under Announcements of the Leader and Cabinet).

 

None.

To approve and amend the Constitution to provide additional emergency decision making powers and agree procedures for the remote conduct of meetings.

 

A vote was held:

 

22 for,

0 against

The Mayor abstained

 

Therefore it was agreed:

 

1.         That Council agree to the changes to the Constitution and procedures as set out in paragraphs 8-44 to the report and authorise the Monitoring Officer to make the required changes to the Constitution.

 

2.         In the event that government guidance changes the Leader of the Council in consultation with the Chief Executive and the Leader of the Opposition shall have authority to agree to reintroduce face to face meetings and suspend either in full or in part these temporary arrangements pending formal agreement at the next available Council meeting.

 

3.         That authority be delegated to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader of the Council and the S151 Officer, to draw down funds from reserves in order to finance expenditure that may be required in the Council’s response to Covid-19. This expenditure will be reported back to Cabinet and Council at the next available meeting.

 

4.           That the proposals for Development Management Committee as set out in paragraph 29-36 shall be for an interim period to allow officers time to test the use of remote meeting systems, to develop a meeting protocol and train committee members.  As soon as the Chief Executive in consultation with the Leader of the Council, Leader of the Opposition and Monitoring Officer is satisfied that remote meetings or meetings with appropriate social distancing can work efficiently with appropriate public participation,  the Chief Executive shall be delegated authority to agree to commence remote meetings, or meetings with appropriate social distancing, and the proposals set out in paragraph 29-36 shall cease to operate and the normal constitutional rules in relation to Development Management Committee shall re-commence subject to allowing participation by councillors and members of the public by remote access and subject to any other procedural rules agreed by the Monitoring Officer.

 

None.

 

None.

 

None.

 

None.

 

The following changes to committee dates were agreed:

 

Ø  Move Housing & Community Overview and Scrutiny Committee from 2 March 2021 to 3 March 2021.

Ø  Move Standards Committee from 4 March 2021 to 25 March 2021.

Ø  Cancel the additional Council meeting that was scheduled for 17 June as it was no longer required.

 

That Council noted the Council’s initial and planned response to Covid-19 as set out in the report.

 

The Council noted the following two urgent Portfolio Holder Decisions:

 

Ø  PH/002/20 - Business Rates Retail and Pubs Discount 2020-21

Ø  PH/004/20 - Covid-19 Support for Businesses

 

That the revised timetable for the Local Plan and other updates to the Local Development Scheme appended to this report be agreed and authority be delegated to the Assistant Director, Planning, Development and Regeneration  to make any final minor editorial and typographical revisions to the document including any necessary to reflect the Cabinet’s discussions and decision

The forward plan was noted.

There were no referrals to Cabinet.

There was no public participation.

There were no declarations of interest.

There were no apologies for absence.

Minutes of the meeting held on 10 March 2020 were agreed by Members present.

 

As part of its response to the disruption caused by COVID-19, Government has announced several policies aimed at supporting businesses through this economically difficult period including;

-       Implementation of a 12-month business rates holiday for businesses in the retail, leisure, hospitality sectors, and for childcare providers.

 

-       £10k Grants for small businesses which receive small business rate relief or rural rate relief,

 

-       £10k or £25k Grants for business premises in the retail, hospitality or leisure sectors.

 

This decision is to formally adopt these policies to support businesses in Dacorum.