Decisions

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 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/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.

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.

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.

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.

None.

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.

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).

There was no public participation.

There were no declarations of interest.

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 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.