Agenda, decisions and minutes

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 8 August 2023 (previously circulated).

The minutes of the meeting held on 8^th August 2023 were approved as a correct record of the meeting.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Broach (Executive Member for Governance).

Up to thirty minutes will be made available for questions from members of the public on issues relating to the work of the Cabinet and to receive any petitions.

No questions or petitions were received.

Report of the Executive Director (Finance and Transformation).

The Cabinet noted the Actions Status Report.

There was no notification of urgent business to be considered.

To note declarations of Members’ disclosable pecuniary interests, non-disclosable pecuniary interests and non-pecuniary interests in respect of items on the Agenda.

Councillor Zukowskyj declared an interest as a Hertfordshire County Councillor.

To consider the following items for decision in the current Forward Plan:-

The following item was considered for decision in the current Forward Plan:

Report of the Chief Executive on the supply of kitchens.

The Cabinet received the report on the supply of kitchens.

DECISION TAKEN

RESOLVED:

(unanimous)

The Cabinet agreed that the Council enter into a framework agreement with Howden Joinery Limited for a period of 5 years for the supply of kitchens.

REASON FOR DECISION

Kitchen installation in Council properties is part of a planned maintenance programme. It will be mandatory for delivery partners installing kitchens in Council housing stock to use this framework.

The Cabinet received the report on the supply of kitchens.

DECISION TAKEN

RESOLVED:

(unanimous)

The Cabinet agreed that the Council enter into a framework agreement with Howden Joinery Limited for a period of 5 years for the supply of kitchens.

REASON FOR DECISION

Kitchen installation in Council properties is part of a planned maintenance programme. It will be mandatory for delivery partners installing kitchens in Council housing stock to use this framework.

Recommendations from the meeting of the Cabinet Planning and Parking Panel on 17^th August 2023

The following items were considered following recommendation from the Cabinet Planning and Parking Panel on 17^th August 2023:

The following items were considered following recommendation from the Cabinet Planning and Parking Panel on 17^th August 2023:

The Cabinet Planning and Parking Panel recommended to Cabinet that:

a)     the Biodiversity Net Gain Guidance Note be endorsed; and

b)     delegates powers to the Assistant Director (Planning) in consultation with the Executive Member for Planning, to update the Guidance Note as required.

The paper set out the minutes from the Cabinet Planning and Parking Panel held on 17^th August 2023.

Councillor Kingsbury thanked the Cabinet for agreeing to bring this item back to Cabinet Planning and Parking Panel prior to 1^st March 2024. Councillor Kingsbury queried whether the 10% aim would be considered as part of the Local Plan. Councillor Quinton confirmed that 10% would be the minimum and the administration would be looking for opportunities to increase this.

DECISION TAKEN

RESOLVED:

(unanimous)

The Cabinet agreed that the Biodiversity Net Gain Guidance Note be endorsed, and that authority be delegated to the Assistant Director (Planning) in consultation with the Executive Member for Planning, to update the Guidance Note as required with a further report detailing subsequent changes to come back to CPPP before 1 March 2024.

REASON FOR DECISION

This report presents the Biodiversity Net Gain - Guidance Note for the Panel’s

consideration and onward recommendation for approval by Cabinet.

On commencement of the relevant provisions of the Environment Act 2021, a mandatory requirement for Biodiversity Net Gain of at least 10% will be brought into force for development under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

Secondary legislation, and further national guidance is awaited to clarify how the

mandatory requirement will be applied in practice.

The Guidance Note had been prepared to provide interim guidance and information for applicants and decision makers on how the mandatory requirement for Biodiversity Net Gain will apply to development proposals. Reference is also made to relevant policies in the emerging Local Plan.

The paper set out the minutes from the Cabinet Planning and Parking Panel held on 17^th August 2023.

Councillor Kingsbury thanked the Cabinet for agreeing to bring this item back to Cabinet Planning and Parking Panel prior to 1^st March 2024. Councillor Kingsbury queried whether the 10% aim would be considered as part of the Local Plan. Councillor Quinton confirmed that 10% would be the minimum and the administration would be looking for opportunities to increase this.

DECISION TAKEN

RESOLVED:

(unanimous)

The Cabinet agreed that the Biodiversity Net Gain Guidance Note be endorsed, and that authority be delegated to the Assistant Director (Planning) in consultation with the Executive Member for Planning, to update the Guidance Note as required with a further report detailing subsequent changes to come back to CPPP before 1 March 2024.

REASON FOR DECISION

This report presents the Biodiversity Net Gain - Guidance Note for the Panel’s

consideration and onward recommendation for approval by Cabinet.

On commencement of the relevant provisions of the Environment Act 2021, a mandatory requirement for Biodiversity Net Gain of at least 10% will be brought into force for development under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

Secondary legislation, and further national guidance is awaited to clarify how the

mandatory requirement will be applied in practice.

The Guidance Note had been prepared to provide interim guidance and information for applicants and decision makers on how the mandatory requirement for Biodiversity Net Gain will apply to development proposals. Reference is also made to relevant policies in the emerging Local Plan.

That Cabinet Planning and Parking Panel (CPPP) recommended to Cabinet that the Birchall Garden Suburb Masterplan be agreed as a material consideration for Development Management purposes.

The paper set out the minutes from the Cabinet Planning and Parking Panel held on 17^th August 2023.

Councillor Zukowskyj highlighted he had hoped that there would be an expansion of the green corridor southwards to link with the River Lee river corridor to the south of the site.

DECISION TAKEN

RESOLVED:

(unanimous)

The Cabinet agreed that the Birchall Garden Suburb Masterplan, be agreed as a material consideration for Development Management purposes.

REASON FOR DECISION

Birchall Garden Suburb is a large strategic site to the southwest of Welwyn Garden City straddling the boundary between Welwyn Hatfield and East Hertfordshire. A joint masterplan had been prepared to ensure the site is planned comprehensively to create a new sustainable community incorporating Garden City Principles. The policy position of the adopted East Herts District Plan and emerging Welwyn Hatfield Local Plan is that any application for development should be preceded by, and be consistent with, a masterplan.

The paper set out the minutes from the Cabinet Planning and Parking Panel held on 17^th August 2023.

Councillor Zukowskyj highlighted he had hoped that there would be an expansion of the green corridor southwards to link with the River Lee river corridor to the south of the site.

DECISION TAKEN

RESOLVED:

(unanimous)

The Cabinet agreed that the Birchall Garden Suburb Masterplan, be agreed as a material consideration for Development Management purposes.

REASON FOR DECISION

Birchall Garden Suburb is a large strategic site to the southwest of Welwyn Garden City straddling the boundary between Welwyn Hatfield and East Hertfordshire. A joint masterplan had been prepared to ensure the site is planned comprehensively to create a new sustainable community incorporating Garden City Principles. The policy position of the adopted East Herts District Plan and emerging Welwyn Hatfield Local Plan is that any application for development should be preceded by,

and be consistent with, a masterplan.

There were no other items of business and the meeting was drawn to a close.