Decisions

That, under s.100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972 Schedule 12A Part 1 as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006 the public be excluded during the items in Part 2 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 those items, there would be disclosure to them of exempt information relating to the financial and business affairs of the Council and third party companies/organisations.

Local Government Act 1972, Schedule 12A, Part 1, paragraph 3.

The forward plan was noted with the following changes:

Add ‘Tring Conservation Area Review’ to September

There were no referrals to Cabinet.

There was no public participation. 

There were no declarations of interest.

Apologies of absence were received from Councillor Griffiths.

Minutes of the meeting held on 25 June 2019 were agreed by Members present and signed by the Chair.

To outline the Council’s approach in licensing Houses of Multiple Occupation and to seek approval for a new policy.

1.    That the update on the work of the Private Rented Sector Team be noted.

2.    That the Private Sector Enforcement Policy update be approved.

3.    That the Houses in Multiple Occupation Policy be approved.

To outline the Council’s approach in working with Registered Providers and details the approach in relation to affordable housing and types of tenancies offered in Dacorum.

That the Tenancy Strategy be approved

To consider the final version of the Statement of Community Involvement in planning applications and planning policy documents, including the Local Plan, following the outcome of the consultation on the draft revised SCI.

1.     That the draft revised Statement of Community Involvement annexed 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 prior to approval by Council

2.    RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND that Council adopts the revised Statement of Community Involvement

To consider proposals for the area that the proposed Neighbourhood Plan for Kings Langley is intended to cover.

That:

1. The Neighbourhood Plan Area for Kings Langley is agreed to be consulted upon; and

2.    Formal arrangements for the designation of the Kings Langley Neighbourhood Plan area is delegated to the Assistant Director for Planning, Development and Regeneration in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning and Infrastructure

Update Members on the Medium Term Financial Strategy

RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND that:

the revised Medium Term Financial Strategy for the period 2019/20 – 2023/24, including the recommendations at Section 2 of the Strategy be approved.

To be provided

To update Cabinet on progress of the Hemel Garden Communities programme and agree key actions and resource allocations for the next stages of work.

That:

1.    the success of the bid and receipt and application of £0.75m equally shared with Dacorum Borough Council and St. Albans District and City Council for their work in 2018/19 be noted.

2.    The draw down from the Local Development Framework Reserve of £0.14m in 19/20 and the residual £0.235m in 20/21 in line with Table 2 - 2 Year Spending Plan be approved and RESOLVE TO RECOMMEND its approval to Council.

3.    MHCLG has given Garden Town status to Hemel Hempstead as a result of the bid be noted.

4.    Funds to progress Hemel Hempstead Garden Town and Hemel Garden Communities are allocated and spent in broad alignment with the submitted Garden Communities bid to MHCLG.

5.    Delegated authority is given to the Portfolio Holder for Planning and Infrastructure and Assistant Director Planning, Development and Regeneration to agree the detail in the Operational Project Plan.

6.    Cabinet endorses the Project Plan in Appendix 6, 2 Year Spending Plan in Table 2 and Strategic Memorandum of Understanding between SADC, DBC and HCC in Appendix 4 and Indicative Governance Structure in Appendix 5.

7.     Progress on Hemel Garden Communities and next steps are noted. 

The following motion proposed by Councillor Tindall and seconded by Councillor Williams, was unanimously supported:

A.        

To assist and inform the development of the new Corporate Plan for 2020 – 2025, which will outline the council’s vision and priorities for the next five years, this Council notes that –

1.         The overwhelming weight of scientific evidence pointing to dangerous man-made climate change in terms of CO2 Global Warming, loss of habitat for wildlife leading to a dramatic drop in bio-diversity, alarming consequences of the accumulation of plastic waste across the planet and the continuing unsustainable depletion of natural resources. The harmful effect that such climate change and other human impact on the planet is increasingly feeding back into our lives, eco-systems, erratic rainfall and poor air quality.

2.         The Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5C published by the IPCC in October 2018 which describes the enormous harm that a 2C average rise in global temperatures is likely to cause, and advises that limiting global warming to 1.5C may still be possible with ambitious action from national and sub-national authorities, civil society and the private sector.

3.         Local residents have been actively involved in environmental initiatives and have organised into campaign groups looking to influence all levels of government policy. DBC recognises that this is a reflection of their concerns about climate change and loss of biodiversity.

4.         UK Central Government has announced a target for net zero emissions of greenhouse gas by 2050 for the UK, and Council recognises that if this is to be achieved, immediate action and progress in advance of that schedule is required at all levels of government.

5.         Dacorum Borough Council has been working on environmental issues, based upon the "Nottingham Declaration” endorsed by Council in 2000 and in continuing to improve recycling rates.

6.         District authorities are well placed to lead the vanguard in reducing carbon emissions and protecting biodiversity, as their responsibility for planning policies and housing stock opens up a range of sustainable transport, buildings, household and commercial/community waste and energy opportunities.

7.         This Council has control over local policies and services, the Local Plan and particularly the specification of the housing stock.

B.        

In recognition of the factors noted above the Council resolves to –

1.         Join other councils at all levels of Local Government in declaring a climate emergency that requires urgent planning and action, and commits to work towards reducing carbon emissions across the full range of council activities to net zero by the end of budget year 2029/30, this to include the production of a strategy and action plan to make the activities of Dacorum Borough Council carbon neutral by 2030 in accordance with the IPCC recommendation

2.         Evaluate all practical means to reduce then impact of council services on the environment as soon as possible.

3.         Work with the established groups of Hertfordshire Public Sector Organisations to review their services and implement measures to reduce their impact on the environment and climate breakdown.

4.         Urge the two Dacorum Members of Parliament to impress upon Central Government the need for regulations and resources that will support communities to meet the goal of carbon neutrality by 2030.

5.         Ensure the new Local Plan and associated regulations when adopted contains all available measures to cut carbon emissions and reduce the impact on the environment.

6.         Having regard for the duties required under the General Fund Account and the Housing Revenue Account, and consider the use of available reserves to introduce improvements to social housing energy efficiency.

7.         Implement evolving environmental best practice wherever/whenever there is an opportunity to re-specify services at reasonable and cost-effective intervals.

8.         Engage with local residents and businesses, in all sectors of our communities to publicise this declaration and gain their active support in reducing and preventing environmental harms and tackling climate change by making wise, early, significant choices towards achieving carbon neutrality and environmental sustainability.

None.

The following changes to committee membership were agreed:

Appointment of Councillor Nigel Nutkins to the Standards Committee.

Appointment of Councillor Alex Bhinder as Dacorum’s Representative on the Hertfordshire Health Scrutiny Committee.

None.

Resolved:

That the following be approved:

21 May 2019

8.1  CA/048/19   Vehicle Repair Shop

Decision

That Council approve the additional capital funds required of £60k as outlined in the report to Cabinet in paragraph 3.

None.

None.

4.1       By the Mayor:

The Mayor highlighted two recent events he had been to;

The Armed Forces Day on 29^th June, and The Freedom Parade at RAF Halton on 30^th June.

He said there would be several events this year to support his Charity, Sunnyside Rural Trust, and asked that as many people as possible support this very worthwhile Charity.

4.2       By the Chief Executive:

None.

4.3       By the Group Leaders:

Councillor Williams confirmed that apologies had been received from Councillors Anderson, Chapman, Elliot, Imarni, Oguchi, and Independent Member Councillor Maddern.

Councillor Tindall confirmed that apologies had been received from Councillors Bowden, Hollinghurst, Link and Symington.

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 17 April and 15 May 2019 were agreed by the Members present and then signed by the Mayor.