Decisions

Full details can be found in the Part 2 Decision Sheet.

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 the financial affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information) (Item 14).

The Council noted the following urgent Portfolio Holder Decision:

PH/013/21 - Additional Restrictions Grant Phase 2 – Covid-19 Support For Local Businesses.

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

Planning Bill

Whilst welcoming and participating in some of the Government’s proposed changes to the Planning system, for example the use of design codes and mapping, this Council is opposed to the reduction in community involvement, and requests that the Leader and Portfolio Holder for Planning write to the Secretary of State at Ministry of Housing, Community and Local Government to express the Council’s objection to the reduction.

The Council has concerns about the removal of local policies from the Development Plans part of the system, and the other consequences of allowing certain planning proposals to bypass local decision making in the Development Management part of the system altogether through further permitted development and prior approval, and asks that these matters are included too in objecting to the Secretary of State.

An amendment to the Motion was proposed by Councillor Tindall and seconded by Councillor England. The amendment was to include the following paragraph to the preliminary Motion:

Further, following the passage of the Bill, with consequential amendments and additions to the draft Local Plan

a.    The Council recognises that community involvement would benefit from a re-run of the Regulation 18 consultation, and

b.     The Council believes that the draft Local Plan would be strengthened for local people by added provisions for social housing, distinct from affordable housing.

A vote was held on the amended Motion:

15 for,

20 against,

0 abstentions,

Therefore the motion was denied.

A vote was then held on the original Motion:

22 for,

0 against,

12 abstentions,

Therefore the motion was carried.

The following changes to committee dates were agreed:

·        Reschedule Licensing Committee from Tuesday 27 July to Tuesday 20 July.

·        Reschedule Cabinet from Tuesday 20 July to Tuesday 27 July.

The following changes to committee membership were agreed:

·        Councillor Beauchamp to replace Councillor Wyatt-Lowe as Vice-Chairman of the Development Management Committee.

·        Councillor Beauchamp to replace Councillor Bhinder on the Hertfordshire Health Scrutiny Committee.

None.

Resolved:

That the following be approved:

20 April 2021

8.1       CA/027/21       HEMEL HEMPSTEAD PLACE STRATEGY

Decision

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

22 June 2021

8.2       CA/037/21       TRANSFORMATION PHASE 2 BUSINESS CASE

Decision

1.     A draw down of £361k from the Management of Change reserve to fund the General Fund elements of the programme.

2.     A reduction of £305k in the HRA contribution to capital to fund the HRA elements of the programme

8.3 was considered under item 14.

8.4 was considered under item 14.

8.5       CA/041/21       PROVISIONAL FINANCIAL OUTTURN

Decision

That Council approve the following supplementary capital budgets in financial year 2021/22:

1.   £95k for Fire Door improvement works at Hemel Hempstead Leisure Centre.

2.   £50k for Hemel Hempstead swimming pool dosing equipment.

None.

None.

4.1       By the Mayor:

The Mayor announced the sad passing of former Dacorum Borough Councillor and Mayor, Allan Lawson. One minutes silence was held in remembrance.

4.2       By the Chief Executive:

None.

4.3       By the Group Leaders:

Councillor Williams gave apologies on behalf of Councillors Arslan, Banks, Bassadone, Bhinder, Elliot, Harden, Sinha and Sutton.

Councillor Tindall gave apologies on behalf of Councillors McDowell, Stevens, Symington, Townsend and Woolner.

4.4       Council Leader and Members of the Cabinet:

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

None.

There were no declarations of interest.

The minutes of the meetings held on 14 April and 12 May 2021 were agreed by the members present and then signed by the Mayor.