Agenda, decisions and minutes

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 5 November 2019 (previously circulated).

The Minutes of the meeting held on 5 November 2019 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Report of the Corporate Director (Public Protection, Planning and Governance) on the status of actions agreed at the last Cabinet meeting.

The status of actions agreed at the Cabinet meeting on 5 November 2019 in the report of the Corporate Director (Public Protection, Planning and Governance) was noted.

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

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

Report of the Chief Executive seeking agreement to the Memorandum of Understanding for the Board.

The Cabinet agreed to the Hertfordshire Growth Board Memorandum of Understanding.

Report of the Chief Executive seeking agreement to the Memorandum of Understanding setting out the objectives, principles and scope of the collaborative work being undertaken through the Board.

(1)       The Decision Taken

RESOLVED:

That the Cabinet agrees to the Hertfordshire Growth Board Memorandum of Understanding, as set out in Appendix 1 to the report of the Chief Executive.

(2)       Reasons for the Decision

Hertfordshire County Council Leaders and Chief Executives agreed to develop a Memorandum of Understanding to signal their intent to work collaboratively on placed-based issues to central Government, partners and Hertfordshire residents to help set out the objectives of the work to be undertaken through the Hertfordshire Growth Board, the principles which the parties would apply to their work and to working with each other and what was and what was not within its scope.

The Growth Board Development Programme had allowed the Leaders to identify their key growth challenges, emerging programmes of work, and key features of an emerging proposition to Government.  Work was now taking place to move those programmes into implementation and to deepen ongoing collaborative ways of working and engagement with central Government.

The Leaders of the District Councils, County Councils, and the Local Enterprise Partnership agreed at the September Hertfordshire Growth Board meeting to develop a Memorandum of Understanding to be considered by the Hertfordshire Growth Board at its meeting on 15 October 2019.  The Memorandum of Understanding had now been considered by the Growth Board and was recommended for agreement by all the Hertfordshire Councils and the Local Enterprise Partnership Board.

(Note:  Councillor S.Boulton declared a non-pecuniary interest in this item as a Member of Hertfordshire County Council).

Report of the Corporate Director (Resources, Environment and Cultural Services) summarising strategic performance data from the last performance clinic for quarter 2 (2019/20).

The strategic performance data for Quarter 2 of 2019/20 was noted.

Report of the Corporate Director (Resources, Environment and Cultural Services) summarising strategic performance data from the last performance clinic for Quarter 2 of 2019/20.

RESOLVED:

That the strategic performance data for Quarter 2 of 2019/20 be noted.

Report of the Corporate Director (Resources, Environment and Cultural Services) summarising the council’s key achievements and service improvements for Quarter 2 of 2019-20.

The Council’s key achievements and service improvements for Quarter 2 of 2019/20 were noted.

Report of the Corporate Director (Resources, Environment and Cultural Services) summarising the Council’s key achievements and service improvements for Quarter 2 of 2019/20.

RESOLVED:

That the Council’s key achievements and service improvements for Quarter 2 of 2019/20 be noted.

Report of the Corporate Director (Resources, Environment and Cultural Services) summarising the local and county level preparations that have been completed over recent months leading up to the Hertfordshire Year of Culture 2020.

The work that had been completed over 2019 and the further work in which Officers would be engaged in mapping different activities and events next year, as part of this Borough’s contribution to the Hertfordshire Year of Culture 2020, was noted.

Report of the Corporate Director (Resources, Environment and Cultural Services) summarising the local and County level preparations that had been completed over recent months leading up to the Hertfordshire Year of Culture 2020.

RESOLVED:

That the work that had been completed over 2019 and the further work in which Officers would be engaged in mapping different activities and events next year, as part of this Borough’s contribution to the Hertfordshire Year of Culture 2020, be noted.

The Cabinet is asked to resolve:

That under Section 100(A)(2) and (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be now excluded from the meeting for Items 13, 14 and 15 (if any) on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of confidential or exempt information as defined in Section 100(A)(3) and Paragraph 3 (private financial or business information) and 5 (legal and professional privilege) of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the said Act (as amended).

In resolving to exclude the public in respect of the exempt information, it is considered that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

RESOLVED:

That under Section 100(A)(2) and (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be now excluded from the meeting for Agenda items 13 to 15 (Minutes 79 and 80 refer) on the grounds that they involved the likely disclosure of confidential or exempt information as defined in Section 100A(3) and paragraphs 3 (private financial or business information) and 5 (legal and professional privilege) of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the said Act (as amended). 

In resolving to exclude the public in respect of the exempt information, it was considered that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information.

To consider the following items of an exempt nature:-

The following item of an exempt nature for decision in the current Forward Plan was considered:-

Exempt report of the Corporate Director (Resources, Environment and Cultural Services) providing details of the procurement process for the award of this contract.

In accordance with the unanimous recommendation of the Streetscene Mobilisation Board, the award of the contract for the supply and rollout of food waste caddies to Straight Recycling Limited was approved.

Exempt report of the Corporate Director (Resources, Environment and Cultural Services) providing details of the procurement process for the award of this contract.

(1)        The Decision Taken

RESOLVED:

That, in accordance with the unanimous recommendation of the Streetscene Mobilisation Board, the award of the contract for the supply and rollout of food waste caddies to Straight Recycling Limited be approved.

(2)        Reasons for the Decision

Part of the service enhancement offered by Urbaser Limited, for the new Streetscene contract would include the weekly collection of food waste, to commence in mid-September 2020. Therefore, kerbside food caddies needed to be purchased and delivered to residents prior to this date.

To consider the following item of an exempt nature for decision not in the current Forward Plan:-

The following item for decision not in the current Forward Plan was considered:-

Exempt report of the Corporate Director (Housing and Communities) on the award of one for one / right to buy grant to registered provider, to support increased delivery of social rented homes.

(Note: The Chairman of the Social Overview and Scrutiny Committee has been given notice that it was impracticable to comply with the requirement that at least twenty eight days notice must be given of the intention to make a key decision not in the Forward Plan in accordance with Regulation 10 of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012 because it was urgent and could not reasonably be deferred for the reason specified).

The reason for this item is that detailed information and the viability of the development has just been made available.

A capital funding subsidy of £750,000 to the Home Group as part of the Council’s Affordable Housing Programme to deliver a mix of 1 and 2 bedroom flats at social rent levels was approved.

Exempt report of the Corporate Director (Housing and Communities) seeking approval to provide funding from the restricted right to buy receipts to support the Home Housing Group provide an enhanced affordable housing mix as part of the regeneration scheme at High View in Hatfield.

(1)       The Decision Taken

RESOLVED:

That a capital funding subsidy of £750,000 to the Home Group as part of the Council’s Affordable Housing Programme to deliver a mix of 1 and 2 bedroom flats at social rent levels be approved.

(2)        Reasons for the Decision

The regeneration of High View local shopping centre was a high corporate priority for the Council as was the delivery of more affordable homes via the Council’s Affordable Housing Programme.

The site developer had selected Home Group as the preferred partner to deliver affordable homes. The new affordable homes on the development would be owned and managed by Home Group with the Council having nomination rights to house people from the Housing Needs Register.

The scheme would deliver a total of 37 affordable homes, securing 24 of these for social rent and 13 for shared ownership.

(Note: The Chairman of the Social Overview and Scrutiny Committee had been given notice that it was impracticable to comply with the requirement that at least twenty eight days notice must be given of the intention to make a key decision in the Forward Plan in accordance with Regulation 10 of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012 because it was urgent and could not reasonably be deferred for the reason specified).

The reason for this item is that detailed information on the viability of the development had just been made available.