Full Council - 25 February 2020

To:      ALL MEMBERS OF THE THREE RIVERS DISTRICT COUNCIL

You are hereby summoned to attend an ordinary meeting of the Council to be held in the Penn Chamber, Three Rivers House, Rickmansworth, on Tuesday 25 February 2020 at 7.30pm for the purpose of transacting the under mentioned business:-

AGENDA

1.  APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

2.  MINUTES

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the Full Council meeting held on 10 December 2019 and the Extraordinary meeting held on 21 January 2020.

19-12-10-cl-minutes-draft

(Addendum to the minutes -

tree-planting-list-2018

,

tree-planting-2019

and

trdc-tenders-2019

)

20-01-21-cl-extra-minutes

3.  FINANCIAL PLANNING

To consider the recommendations from the Administration on the Financial Plan.

(Members are referred to Procedural Rule 17 for budget setting provided below)

RULE 17

PROCEDURE RULES FOR BUDGET SETTING

(1)     The budget shall be proposed by a member of the Administration who will be allowed a maximum of ten minutes to present the budget.

Electronic copies of the budget proposal and of any related visual presentation must be circulated electronically to all Councillors 5 working days before the meeting. The proposal must be accompanied by a statement from the Council’s Chief Financial Officer as to the robustness of any estimates used and the adequacy of the financial reserves resulting from the budget proposal, in accordance with Section 25 of the Local Government Act 2003. The proposals must also be agreed by the Chief Executive or relevant Director to ensure that they are deliverable and that any associated risks are identified. Electronic Copies of all budget proposals must have been supplied to the Chief Financial Officer 10 working days prior to the meeting.

(2)     The Leaders of other parties (or nominated Member) or any individual Member may each propose an alternative budget and will be allowed a maximum of ten minutes to present their budget. These proposals will be circulated electronically to all Councillors 5 working days prior to the meeting and must be accompanied by a statement from the Council’s Chief Financial Officer as to the robustness of any estimates used and the adequacy of the financial reserves resulting from the budget proposal, in accordance with Section 25 of the Local Government Act 2003. The proposals must also be agreed by the Chief Executive or relevant Director to ensure that they are deliverable and that any associated risks are identified. Electronic Copies of all budget proposals must have been supplied to the Chief Financial Officer 10 working days prior to the meeting.

(3)     Each budget will be seconded and the seconder may reserve the right to speak later in the debate for up to five minutes.

(4)     After all budgets have been proposed, there will be one debate covering all the propositions,

(5)     All other Members may have the opportunity to comment/ask questions but they may only speak once during the debate and for no longer than five minutes, apart from points of order.

(6)     The proposer of each budget may sum up/answer questions for no more than ten minutes each, in the reverse order of being proposed.

(7)     A vote will be taken in reverse order of being proposed until a majority of Members present vote in favour of one budget.”

(8)     In accordance with regulations, voting on resolutions setting the budget and Council Tax shall be by means of recorded vote.

-03-20-02-25-cl-administration-budget-proposal-to-council-25-feb-final

Please find below a weblink to the Budget Consultation 2020/21 survey results which was undertaken during January 2020.  The report below shows the headline results of this survey.

https://www.threerivers.gov.uk/egcl-page/consultation-results

4.  SPECIAL EXPENSES 2020/21

-04-20-02-25-cl-special-expenses

5.  COUNCIL TAX – DISTRICT ELEMENT

-05-20-02-25-cl-i-council-tax-2020-2021-district-element-report

6.  SETTING THE COUNCIL TAX

-06-20-02-25-cl-i-council-tax-2020-2021-setting-the-council-tax-report

7.  COUNCIL PAY POLICY STATEMENT 2020

-07-20-02-25-cl-i-trdc-council-pay-policy-statement

-07-20-02-25-cl-i-council-pay-policy-statement

8.  CLIMATE CHANGE STRATEGY

-08-20-02-25-cl-sustainability-and-climate-change-report-08-20-02-25-cl-green-expectations-action-plan-appa-08-20-02-25-cl-sustianability-and-climate-change-research-appb

9.  RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE POLICY AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE

To receive the recommendation from the Policy and Resources Committee meeting held on 21 January 2020:

A weblink to the minutes of the meeting is provided below:

https://www.threerivers.gov.uk/meeting/policy-and-resources-committee-21-january-2020

Hertfordshire Growth Board – Memorandum of Understanding

Council are asked to agree the following:

The Memorandum of Understanding as set out in Appendix 1 to the report.

The report and appendix can be viewed using the weblink below:

Customer Experience Strategy

Council are asked to agree the following:

The adoption of the Customer Experience Strategy

The strategy can be viewed using the weblink below

https://www.threerivers.gov.uk/meeting/policy-and-resources-committee-21-january-2020

Revocation of Delegated Powers to Hold a Market in St Andrews Road, South Oxhey due to Relocation of the Market as Part of the South Oxhey Development

Council are asked to agree the following:

That on or before the 20 March 2020 the Council revokes the powers delegated to Watford Rural Parish Council in 1990 to hold a market at St Andrews Road, South Oxhey and that the Chief Executive be authorised to formally revoke that delegation and to take all necessary steps in connection with the revocation.

That the Council using Section 101 of the Local Government Act 1972 agrees to delegate its powers under Section 50 of the Food Act 1984 to Watford Rural Parish Council to hold a market in Prestwick Road South Oxhey on the basis that the Parish Council will seek and obtain all necessary permissions licences and consents to operate a market at Prestwick Road at its own cost.

• That the Chief Executive (in consultation with the Leader of the Council and Ward Councillors) be authorised to agree and approve:-
• all the specific details around the delegation including, but not limited to, the date the delegated powers can be exercised from, the actual location of the market in Prestwick Road and any decisions on the Operator of the market.

the Business Plan to be produced by Watford Rural Parish Council.

The report can be viewed using the weblink below:

https://www.threerivers.gov.uk/meeting/policy-and-resources-committee-21-january-2020

CORPORATE FRAMEWORK 2020-23

Council are asked to agree the Corporate Framework 2020-23.

The report can be viewed using the weblink below:

https://www.threerivers.gov.uk/meeting/policy-and-resources-committee-21-january-2020

FINANCIAL PLANNING – RECOMMENDATIONS

Members are referred to Item 3 on the agenda (Financial Planning 2020-23) where the report, debate and vote will take place.

10.  REVISED LOCAL DEVELOPMENT SCHEME

To receive the recommendation from the Local Plan Sub-Committee meeting held on 22 January 2020. It was agreed at the Local Plan Sub-Committee meeting that the item be brought directly to Full Council to agree which all Members present at the Sub-Committee meeting agreed.

Council are asked to agree the following:

The revised Local Development Scheme as set out in Appendix 1 of the report be agreed.

The report and the Local Development Scheme (Appendix 1) can be viewed below:

update-on-local-planlocal-development-scheme-2020-app1

11.  TO RECEIVE ANY PETITIONS UNDER PROCEDURE RULE 18

None received.

12.  QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC UNDER PROCEDURE RULE 15

Question from a Member of the Public

"The climate change strategy and action plan which was due to be presented by the end of 2019 is now overdue. Can the council please demonstrate to the public what steps it is taking to compile the report and give a timescale for when the report is expected to be presented?"

13.  CHAIRMAN’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

14.  REPORTS AND QUESTIONS TO THE LEADER AND LEAD MEMBERS

LEADER OF THE COUNCIL

Question to Councillor Sara Bedford, Leader of the Council, from Councillor Alison Wall

When is this Council going to step up and formally remember significant events, such as the 75th anniversary of VE Day and are we ever going to recognise all that Barbara Owen MBE did for Three Rivers?

INFRASTRUCTURE, HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Reports from the Lead Member for Transport and Economic Development (Cllr Stephen Giles-Medhurst), Lead Member for Infrastructure and Planning Policy (Cllr Steve Drury), Lead Member for Housing (Cllr Andrew Scarth).

Question to Councillor Stephen Giles-Medhurst, Lead Member for Transport and Economic Development from Councillor Donna Duncan

There is no community toilet in South Oxhey and there seems to be no plan to allocate one. Is this correct?

Question to Councillor Andrew Scarth, Lead Member for Housing, from Councillor David Raw

Can you update us on the current homeless figures, since the Bury has been operational?

• No of single persons that have used the facility;
• No of families that have used the facility;
• The longest staying occupants to the facility;
• How many of the residents of the facility are from outside the area.

LEISURE, ENVIRONMENT AND COMMUNITY

Reports from the Lead Member for Leisure (Cllr Chris Lloyd), Lead Member for Environmental Services & Sustainability (Cllr Phil Williams), Lead Member for Community Safety and Partnerships (Cllr Roger Seabourne) and questions.

Question to Councillor Chris Lloyd, Lead Member for Leisure, from Councillor Alison Wall

Is it right that the Leads of Committees take items for discussion away from Committees and discuss them individually away from the Committee forum? I am referring specifically in this instance to a recent communication to the LEC?

Question to Councillor Chris Lloyd, Lead Member for Leisure, from Councillor Stephen King

When is the walnut tree in Hayling Road being replaced?

Question to Councillor Chris Lloyd, Lead Member for Leisure, from Councillor Stephen Cox

What progress has been made in assisting Watford Rural Parish Council in their desire to secure Village Green status for South Oxhey Playing Fields?

Question to Councillor Chris Lloyd, Lead Member for Leisure, from Councillor Reena Ranger

Please can we have an update on the wildflower verges behind Eastbury Tennis Courts and any others that have been planted since the July 2019 Council meeting.

Questions to Councillor Phil Williams, Lead Member for Environmental Services and Sustainability, from Councillor David Sansom

When will the residents of Maple Cross get reliable up to date information on their air quality?

Why is cardboard and plastic recycling being put in the skip behind Three Rivers House to go to landfill and not being recycled?

RESOURCES AND SHARED SERVICES

Report from the Lead Member for Resources and Shared Services (Cllr Matthew Bedford) and questions.

Questions to Councillor Matthew Bedford, Lead Member for Resources and Shared Services, from Councillor Joan King

How many Councillors have experienced problems with their surface pros since they were first issued and how many have been returned to Three Rivers District Council?

What percentage of affordable housing and of what tenure is Three Rivers District Council’s target for the South Oxhey Initiative and what percentage of each tenure has been achieved thus far?

Question to Councillor Matthew Bedford, Lead Member for Resources and Shared Services, from Councillor Stephen King

Why did Three Rivers District Council lock the gates to the doctor’s surgery car park in Oxhey Drive, thus preventing doctors, staff and patients using it for many months longer than necessary?

Question to Councillor Matthew Bedford, Lead Member for Resources and Shared Services, from Councillor Stephen Cox

Was an acknowledgement received by Watford Rural Parish Council in the first instance following its submission to this Council of two Freedom of Information requests last year?  Why was there a delay in providing a full response to the Freedom of Information (FOI) requests and should everyone who makes a FOI request be expected to chase twice for a response and then submit a complaint because no reply has been forthcoming?  Further, can it be confirmed if the redacted figures supplied as part of the answer were previously supplied in unredacted form to members and if so when and to whom?

15.  REPORTS AND QUESTIONS TO THE CHAIRMEN OF THE AUDIT, PLANNING, LICENSING AND REGULATORY SERVICES COMMITTEES (RULE 14)

AUDIT COMMITTEE

Report from and questions to the Chairman of the Audit Committee (Cllr Keith Martin).

PLANNING COMMITTEE

Report from and questions to the Chairman of the Planning Committee (Cllr Sarah Nelmes).

LICENSING

Report from and questions to the Chairman of the Licensing Committee (Cllr Martin Trevett).

REGULATORY SERVICES

Report from and questions to the Chairman of the Regulatory Services Committee (Cllr Martin Trevett).

16.  MOTIONS UNDER PROCEDURE RULE 11

1. Councillor Sara Bedford, seconded by Councillor Stephanie Singer to move under Notice duly given as follows:

Council notes that:

1. Hate crime in this country is steadily increasing and that the vast majority of hate crime involves a person’s actual or perceived race or religion.
2. Almost half of all religious hate crime is directed against Muslims, whilst almost 20% is antisemetic.
3. 70% of victims of hate crime do not feel able to report these crimes to the police or other authorities.
4. International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism is the most widely accepted and recognized definition of anti-Jewish racism. It states that: “Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities”.
5. The All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims (APPG) definition of Islamophobia: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness”.

Council agrees that:

1. All hate crime is unwarranted, toxifying public life, and prevents many minority groups from being able to go about their lives feeling safe and secure.
2. By using these definitions of antisemitism and Islamophobia it helps everyone to understand, identify, and tackle antisemitism and Islamophobia.

Council holds that the right to freedom of speech and freedom of religion are fundamental but freedom of speech is not freedom to demonise, scapegoat and discriminate.

Council resolves to:

1. Condemn all hate crimes and deplore the rise in hate crimes.
2. Condemn all inflammatory rhetoric in political discourse: including antisemitic and Islamophobic tropes used by politicians and public servants.
3. Adopt the IHRA definition of antisemitism.
4. Adopt the APPG definition of Islamophobia.
5. Consider other definitions of hate crime as they emerge.
6. Ask officers to update this council’s equality policies to this effect.

2.  Councillor Sara Bedford, seconded by Councillor Stephen Giles-Medhurst to move under Notice duly given as follows:

This Council agrees that local democracy should be truly local.

Council therefore opposes any move to a unitary Hertfordshire, or a larger local authority, with or without a Mayor.

3.  Councillor Dominic Sokalski, seconded by Councillor Peter Getkahn, to move under Notice duly given as follows:

Council recognises the invaluable contribution of EU citizens living and working in Three Rivers to the economic success and cultural vibrancy of the area

Council believes that all EU citizens in the District should retain their existing right to vote in and stand as candidates at local elections.

Council therefore resolves:

1. That subject to existing budgets and resources, to facilitate the advising of EU citizens in the District in applying for Settled Status or Citizenship so they may continue to be valued members of our local community;
2. To write to the three MPs covering part of the District, confirming Council's view that all EU citizens should retain their right to vote in and be candidates in local elections;

To request that the Community Safety Partnership monitors violence and harassment against EU citizens, and to discuss what actions they could implement to provide reassurance and support to EU Citizens living and working in the District.

4)   Councillor Sara Bedford, seconded by Councillors Andrew Scarth and Sarah Nelmes, to move under Notice duly given as follows:

Homelessness and poor housing are a growing issue, harming the lives of families across the country and in particular across the south of England, where housing costs are highest.

Council believes that the housing needs of this authority are best addressed through the Council’s own policies.

Council therefore calls on the Government to:

1. Ensure that Councils are able to access sufficient funding to increase housing stock within their areas to meet local needs.
2. Continue to permit Local Panning Authorities to set the levels of affordable housing and tenure split within their own local plans.

17.  EXCLUSION OF PRESS AND PUBLIC

If Council wishes to consider the remaining item in private, it will be appropriate for a resolution to be passed in the following terms:-

"that under Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972 the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined under paragraphs 3 and 5 of Part I of Schedule 12A to the Act. It has been decided by the Council that in all the circumstances, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.”

(Note: If other confidential business is approved, it will also be necessary to specify the class of exempt or confidential information in the additional items.)

1.  PROPERTY INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES

To receive a report on property investment opportunities.

Joanne Wagstaffe

Chief Executive

17 February 2020