Decisions

Decision made and reasons:

1.    To engage ADL Traffic & highways Engineering Ltd consultants to undertake a consultation on the proposal to introduce the F-zone Controlled Parking Zone in Elm Grove, Berkhamsted

2.    The proposal for the F-Zone permit holder only restrictions are:

Monday to Sunday

8:00am – 8:00pm

The rule as established in adopted Council policy is one permit per person, per vehicle, up to a maximum of three permits per property.

Maximum number of virtual visitor session allocation of 700 hours per year, which is in line with other DBC residents only Controlled Parking Zones with similar restricted times.

3.    The introduction of the restrictions is proposed to regularise the on-street parking provision and improve amenities.

4.    The reason for the decision is to deter inappropriate parking by commuters using the area for parking

5.    To delegate the decision to undertake a statutory consultation and implement the restriction, if applicable, to the Head of Commercial Development in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Commercial Strategy & Delivery.

6.    No waiting at any time on the north-western side of Elm Grove to allow emergency vehicles to pass, and also no waiting at any time restrictions on the junction of Elm Grove & the High Street to protect the junction, please see the plan below:

Motion One.  Proposed by Cllr. Ron Tindall

1. This motion calls upon the Council to address the present Cost of Living Crisis which is a complex problem which may be with us for some years.  The Ofgem energy price cap has risen by 54%, the pension’s triple lock has been suspended, and food and petrol price rises have contributed to the highest levels of inflation for nearly 30 years.

2. Whilst the opportunities for action at local level are limited, it is important this council does what it can to ease the pressures on our residents.  Therefore, this Council resolves as a matter of urgency to

a.         instruct officers to look at and improve the current support mechanisms available to residents,

b.         arrange discussions with all concerned organisations across Dacorum including food banks and the voluntary sector, and 

c.         initiate discussions with Council Tax Preceptors regarding 2023/2024

With the purpose of enabling proposals to be brought forward in a timely manner to provide assistance and support for those most in need in our communities.

Cllr Williams proposed an alternative motion, which was accepted by Cllr Tindall.

Alternative Motion :

1            This motion calls upon the Council to recognise the present cost of living crisis which is likely to be with us for some years causing challenges for many in our community. The Ofgem price cap has risen by 54%, the pension’s triple lock has been suspended and food and fuel price rises have contributed to the highest level of inflation for nearly 30 years.

2          The Council welcomes the 37 Billion pounds of support the government has already committed to help families through the crisis but recognises that many will require more support whilst the opportunities for action at local level are limited it is important that we do what we can. Therefore this council resolves to

a.         Work with the Community and Voluntary sector partners to hold a Cost of Living Symposium to fully understand the extent of local issues and discuss potential solution

b.         Instruct officers to review current support mechanisms available to residents following the symposium.

c.         Work county-wide to ensure that collectively we ensure that we maximise the support available.

With the purpose of enabling proposals to be brought forward in a timely manner to provide assistance and support for those most in need in our communities.

The alternative motion was put  to a vote.

The Council voted unanimously in favour of this alternative Motion proposed by Cllr Williams.

Motion Two.  Proposed by Cllr., Garrick Stevens

1. While acknowledging that home ownership is an aspiration for many, this Council also recognises that many in the community will, for various reasons, be unable or unwilling to be other than a lifetime tenant of a Registered Social Landlord [‘RSL or Housing Assn’].

In this Borough approximately 5,000 dwellings are owned by RSLs and they make a vital contribution to the provision of affordable housing in the rental sector.

2. The Government has made a proposal to introduce the Right to Buy to tenants of Housing Associations. Until now this has been restricted to tenants of public sector housing stock.

3. To safeguard the property and other assets of Housing Assns/RSL,  which are independent corporate bodies, and to maintain the stock of local housing for rent [or shared ownership], this Council -

Calls upon the Leader of the Council to write to the Minister  at DLUHCG, [with copies to the respective MPs, -

a. requesting that the Government proceeds with its proposals only with an unequivocal commitment to ensure that any dwelling so removed from the RSL Housing stock in the Borough shall be replaced on a 1 -for- 1 basis, and

b. the Government provide the additional funding to meet the full  replacement costs to include provision for the supply of land within the Borough.

Cllr England proposed an alternative motion, the motion was as follows

1. While acknowledging that home ownership is an aspiration for many, this Council also recognises that many in the community will, for various reasons, be unable or unwilling to be other than a lifetime tenant of a Registered Social Landlord [‘RSL or Housing Assn’].

In this Borough approximately 5,000 dwellings are owned by RSLs and they make a vital contribution to the provision of affordable housing in the rental sector.

2. The Government has made a proposal to introduce the Right to Buy to tenants of Housing Associations. Until now this has been restricted to tenants of public sector housing stock.

3. To safeguard the property and other assets of Housing Assns/RSL,  which are independent corporate bodies, and to maintain the stock of local housing for rent [or shared ownership], this Council -

Calls upon the Leader of the Council to write to the Minister at DLUHCG, [with copies to the respective MPs,

a. requesting that the Government proceeds with its proposals “and forthcoming consultation” only with an unequivocal commitment to ensure that any dwelling so removed from the RSL Housing Stock in the Borough shall be replaced on a 1 -for- 1 basis, and

b. the Government provide the additional funding to meet the full  replacement costs to include provision for the supply of land within the Borough.

The Council voted on the Alternative motion

For  13      Against   20   Abstain 3

The motion failed

The Council voted on the substantive motion

For  13      Against   20   Abstain 3

The substantive motion also failed

Council were informed of an urgent (Part 2) Portfolio Holder Decision. 

This is for information purposes only.

PH-014-22-Leisure Contract

None

None

None.

None.

Resolved:

That the following be approved:

13 April 2022

Item 8.1 CA/32/22 Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Business Plan Update

Decision

1.    1. Council approved the updated Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Business Plan

2.     

Recommendation agreed

12 July 2022

Item 8.2 CA/55/22 Provisional Financial Outturn 2021-22

Decision

2. Council approved the following General Fund reserve movements  in respect of 2021-22:

· £0.009m surplus Filming income to be transferred to the Dacorum Development Reserve, to be drawn down in 2022-23 for work on town centre improvements.

·  £0.216m surplus CIL admin income to be transferred to the Dacorum Development Reserve to support the costs of CIL administration in future years.

·  £0.565m overall General Fund surplus to be  transferred to a new reserve- Inflationary  Pressures- in order to meet unexpected  inflationary pressures brought about by  fluctuations in the current economy.

3. Council  approved  the following General Fund reserve movements  in respect of 2022-23:

·         £0.022m draw down from the Dacorum Development reserve to support the cost of the Armed Forces event in 2022-23.

·         £0.020m draw down from the Dacorum Development reserve to support the cost of the Queen’s Baton relay event in 2022-23.

·         £0.150m reserve draw down from the Dacorum Development reserve for Berkhamsted Leisure Centre redevelopment planning.

4. Council approved an HRA transfer of £0.020m to the HRA Lift sinking fund reserve.

5. Council approved the following slippage on the capital programme:

·         £2.777m to be slipped to 2022-23 in respect of General Fund capital schemes.

·         £0.595m to be slipped to 2022-23 in respect of Housing Revenue Account capital schemes.

Recommendation agreed

Item 8.3 CA/56/22 Chief Housing Officer Post

Decision

1 Council approved an additional post of Chief  Housing Officer to be added to the establishment which  will sit at Tier 3 within the Corporate Leadership Team

2 Council approved a total budget for the post of up to £130,000 per annum.

Recommendation agreed

Item 8.3 CA/59/22 PMO (Project Management Office) Resource Funding

Decision

2. Council approved the funding of £170,000 to temporarily fund the Cabinet www.dacorum.gov.uk General Fund PMO while permanent resource is planned and implemented.

Recommendation agreed

Item 8.4 CA/61/22 Constitution update

Decision

1. Council agreed the amendments to Part 3 of the Constitution as highlighted in the report and shown in tracked changes on the attached document entitled “Constitution – Part 3 – Responsibility for Functions”

2. Council agreed the amendments to Part 4 of the Constitution as highlighted in the report and shown in tracked changes on the attached document entitled “Constitution – Part 4 – Rules of Procedure”

3. Council agreed the amendments to the Council’s Financial Regulations as highlighted in the report and shown in tracked changes on the attached document entitled “Financial Regulations v.1.1”

4. Council approved the proposed amendment to Commissioning and Procurement Standing Orders as set out in section 4.5 to the report.

Recommendation agreed

None.

The following people asked questions and the full details can be found in the full minutes

Cllr England to Cllr Williams

Cllr Hobson to Cllr Banks

Cllr Symington to Cllr Barratt

Cllr Symington to Cllr Williams

Cllr Symington to Cllr Anderson

4.1       By the Mayor:

None

4.2       By the Chief Executive:

Update given under item 1 - Minutes.

4.3       By the Group Leaders:

Cllr Williams gave apologies for Cllrs Durrant, Timmis, Silwal & Johnson

Cllr Tindall gave apologies for Cllrs Foster, Cllr Wilkie, Cllr Pringle, Cllr McDowell & Cllr Ransley

4.4       Council Leader and Members of the Cabinet:

Full details can be found in the full minutes.

There was a question from a member of the public to Cllr Alan Anderson.

None

The Minutes from the 14th April and 11th May were agreed.

C Hamilton gave an announcement referring to the minutes of the 13 th April.