Agenda, decisions and minutes

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 9^th January 2024 and 23^rd January 2024 (previously circulated).

The minutes of the meeting held on 9 January 2024 and 23 January 2024 were approved as a correct record.

There were no apologies for absence.

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) on the status of actions agreed at the last Cabinet meeting.

Cabinet noted the Action Status report.

There was no notification of urgent business.

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

Cllr Zukowskyj declared an interest as a Hertfordshire County Councillor. He reminded Members that they have a dispensation on budget-setting and, therefore, they could take part in the discussion and decision on the budget.

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

Reports of the Service Director (Resident and Neighbourhood).

RESOLVED

DECISION TAKEN:

Cabinet:

a)    Noted the evidence of the ongoing anti-social behaviour and its impact on the location, and noted the results of the public consultation which supported the introduction of a PSPO;

b)    Approved the introduction of a PSPO (set out at Appendix A) within the proposed area for a period of 3 years commencing on 1 April 2024.

REASON FOR THE DECISION:

The town centre in Welwyn Garden City is experiencing persistent and continuing anti-social behaviour and a number of interventions and support have not resolved the issues. Over 95% of those responding to the Council’s consultation supported the implementation of a PSPO.

Cabinet received a report recommending the approval of a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) for Welwyn Garden City.

RESOLVED

DECISION TAKEN:

Cabinet:

a)    Noted the evidence of the ongoing anti-social behaviour and its impact on the location, and noted the results of the public consultation which supported the introduction of a PSPO;

b)    Approved the introduction of a PSPO (set out at Appendix A) within the proposed area for a period of 3 years commencing on 1 April 2024.

REASON FOR THE DECISION:

The town centre in Welwyn Garden City is experiencing persistent and continuing anti-social behaviour and a number of interventions and support have not resolved the issues. Over 95% of those responding to the Council’s consultation supported the implementation of a PSPO.

Report of the Service Director (Resident and Neighbourhood).

RESOLVED:

DECISION TAKEN:

Cabinet approved:

a) The amended Singlers Marsh Landscape Management Plan for 2023-2033 in Appendix A; and

b) the amended Danesbury Park Landscape Management Plan for 2023-2033 in Appendix B.

REASON FOR THE DECISION:

The Landscape Management Plans are produced to ensure the Council’s Nature Reserves are maintained in a strategic and planned way. The plans typically run for 10 years and the previous management plans for both Singlers Marsh and Danesbury Park are due for renewal. Both plans were amended following public consultation.

Cabinet received a report that sought approval of the amended Singlers Marsh and Danesbury Park Landscape Management Plans.

RESOLVED:

DECISION TAKEN:

Cabinet approved:

a) The amended Singlers Marsh Landscape Management Plan for 2023-2033 in Appendix A; and

b) the amended Danesbury Park Landscape Management Plan for 2023-2033 in Appendix B.

REASON FOR THE DECISION:

The Landscape Management Plans are produced to ensure the Council’s Nature Reserves are maintained in a strategic and planned way. The plans typically run for 10 years and the previous management plans for both Singlers Marsh and Danesbury Park are due for renewal. Both plans were amended following public consultation.

Recommendation from the meeting of the Cabinet Housing Panel on 31^st January 2024:

Report of the Service Director (Resident and Neighbourhood)

Cabinet received a report which set out how the Council intended to engage

RESOLVED

DECISION TAKEN:

Cabinet approved the amended Resident Involvement strategy.

REASON FOR THE DECISION:

The Regulator of Social Housing has set out Consumer Standards which providers of social housing, such as local authorities, are required to comply with. The overall aim of the strategy is to widen involvement, using what tenants and leaseholders tell us to shape our housing services. The strategy was amended following feedback. 

Cabinet received a report which set out how the Council intended to engage with and involve its tenants and leaseholders in council housing. Cabinet Housing Panel on 31 January 2024 had proposed some helpful amendments which were reflected in the addendum report.  

RESOLVED

DECISION TAKEN:

Cabinet approved the amended Resident Involvement strategy.

REASON FOR THE DECISION:

The Regulator of Social Housing has set out Consumer Standards which providers of social housing, such as local authorities, are required to comply with. The overall aim of the strategy is to widen involvement, using what tenants and leaseholders tell us to shape our housing services. The strategy was amended following feedback. 

To receive a report of the Services Director (Resident and Neighbourhood).

RESOLVED

DECISION TAKEN:

Cabinet approved the Council’s Modern Slavery statement.

REASON FOR THE DECISION:

In 2015, the Modern Slavery Act (s.54) introduced the obligation on certain businesses to publish an annual modern slavery statement and local councils are also being encouraged to publish one. Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council is fully dedicated to tackling modern slavery and ensuring transparency in its procurement. It is committed to reporting on its business practices and supply chain as well as acting as a first responder and raising awareness of the issue in line with the Modern Slavery Act 2015.

Cabinet received a report from the Community Safety Partnership Team Leader.

RESOLVED

DECISION TAKEN:

Cabinet approved the Council’s Modern Slavery statement.

REASON FOR THE DECISION:

In 2015, the Modern Slavery Act (s.54) introduced the obligation on certain businesses to publish an annual modern slavery statement and local councils are also being encouraged to publish one. Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council is fully dedicated to tackling modern slavery and ensuring transparency in its procurement. It is committed to reporting on its business practices and supply chain as well as acting as a first responder and raising awareness of the issue in line with the Modern Slavery Act 2015.

Reports of the Service Director (Resident and Neighbourhood).

RESOLVED

DECISION TAKEN:

Cabinet approved a public consultation for the review of the current PSPO that is in place in Hatfield Town Centre and to vary the PSPO to extend the designated area of the PSPO to cover Hilltop Way/High View area in Hatfield.

REASON FOR THE DECISION:

The current Hatfield PSPO expires on the 30 July 2024. The purpose of this report was to seek members’ approval to undertake a public consultation on the current Hatfield Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) with the view to ascertaining whether or not the PSPO should continue for a further 3 years on expiry of the current PSPO, and whether to vary it to include an additional area.

Cabinet received a report from the Service Director (Resident and Neighbourhood).

RESOLVED

DECISION TAKEN:

Cabinet approved a public consultation for the review of the current PSPO that is in place in Hatfield Town Centre and to vary the PSPO to extend the designated area of the PSPO to cover Hilltop Way/High View area in Hatfield.

REASON FOR THE DECISION:

The current Hatfield PSPO expires on the 30 July 2024. The purpose of this report was to seek members’ approval to undertake a public consultation on the current Hatfield Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) with the view to ascertaining whether or not the PSPO should continue for a further 3 years on expiry of the current PSPO, and whether to vary it to include an additional area.

Report of the Executive Director (Finance and Transformation).

Cabinet received a report that presented the forecast revenue outturn position as at 31 December 2023.

RESOLVED:

DECISION TAKEN:

Cabinet noted the revenue forecast outturn position as of Q3 and the position on debts set out in section 5 of the report.

Report of the Executive Director (Finance and Transformation).

RESOLVED

DECISION TAKEN:

Cabinet:

a)    Noted the capital forecast outturn position;

b)    Noted the forecast position as at 31 December 2023 for funding of the capital programme and reserve balances as reflected in Table 2

c)     Approved the virements set out in Section 3.2 of the report.

Cabinet received a report that presented the capital expenditure and associated capital funding as at the end of Quarter 3. 

RESOLVED

DECISION TAKEN:

Cabinet:

a)    Noted the capital forecast outturn position;

b)    Noted the forecast position as at 31 December 2023 for funding of the capital programme and reserve balances as reflected in Table 2

c)     Approved the virements set out in Section 3.2 of the report.

Report of the Executive Director (Finance and Transformation).

Cabinet received a report from the Executive Director (Finance and Transformation).

RESOLVED

DECISION TAKEN:

Cabinet noted the risk registers at quarter 3; and the comments and actions in respect of the strategic and serious/severe operational risks.

Report of the Executive Director (Finance and Transformation).

RESOLVED

DECISION TAKEN:

Cabinet noted the contents of the report and approved the proposed actions highlighted in the appendices.

REASON FOR THE DECISION:

A performance exception report is presented to Cabinet on a quarterly basis as part of our current performance management framework.

Cabinet received a report from the Assistant Director (Customer Service and Transformation).

RESOLVED

DECISION TAKEN:

Cabinet noted the contents of the report and approved the proposed actions highlighted in the appendices.

REASON FOR THE DECISION:

A performance exception report is presented to Cabinet on a quarterly basis as part of our current performance management framework.

Report of the Executive Director (Finance and Transformation).

Cabinet received a report that summarised the Council’s key achievements and service improvements during Q3. Cabinet noted achievements included the adoption of the Local Plan, the major refurbishment of Hatfield Swim Centre changing rooms, selling over 11,000 tickets for the pantomime (which received a 5 star review in Panto Mag) and celebrating Campus West turning 50. Successful events that had been delivered included Remembrance Sunday services, an event for Black History month, facilitating crew sessions for local schools and hosting a conference on domestic violence. Campaigns had included Orange The World (a campaign to end violence against women and girls) and supporting Breast Cancer Awareness Month by dyeing the Coronation Fountain pink, as well as others detailed in the report. The Council had launched the One Community Awards last quarter and had received over 93 nominations.

Cabinet noted the report and contents of the Achievements List.