Full Council - 14 July 2015
Penn Chamber, Three Rivers House14th July 2015
THREE RIVERS DISTRICT COUNCIL
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 14 July 2015 at 7.30pm for the purpose of transacting the under-mentioned business:-
A G E N D A
1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
2. MINUTES
To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the Council meeting held on 19 May 2015 (pages A1 to A18).
3. CHAIRMAN’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
4. LEADER’S REPORT
5. RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE POLICY AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE
To consider recommendation(s) of the Policy and Resources Committee at its meeting on 6 July 2015.
15 07 14 CL i - (05) recs of P&R Committee - 6 July 2015 (doc)
6. REPORTS AND QUESTIONS TO THE LEADER AND LEAD MEMBERS
LEADER OF THE COUNCIL
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, PLANNING AND TRANSPORT
Reports from the Lead Member for Economic Development, Sustainability and Transport (Cllr Stephen Giles-Medhurst) and the Lead Member for Housing, Planning and Strategic Schemes (Cllr Martin Trevett) and questions.
LEISURE, WELLBEING AND HEALTH
Reports from the Lead Member for Leisure, Community and Wellbeing (Cllr Chris Lloyd) and the Lead Member for Health (Cllr Sara Bedford) and questions.
GENERAL PUBLIC SERVICES AND COMMUNITY SAFETY
Reports from the Lead Member for Public Services (Cllr Phil Brading) and the Lead Member for Community Safety (Cllr Roger Seabourne) and questions.
RESOURCES AND SHARED SERVICES
Report from and questions to the Lead Member for Resources and Shared Services (Cllr Matthew Bedford)
Question from Councillor David Sansom to the Councillor Matthew Bedford (Lead Member Resources and Shared Services)
Over the last year this Council has witnessed a terminal decline in I.T. performance at the same time as dramatically increasing costs. As this clearly demonstrates a stark failure of management, what action is he going to take to bring the I.T. system up to an acceptable level of performance and when will this be achieved?
7. REPORTS AND QUESTIONS TO THE CHAIRMEN OF THE AUDIT, PLANNING, LICENSING AND REGULATORY SERVICES COMMITTEES
AUDIT COMMITTEE
Report from and questions to the Chairman of the Audit Committee (Cllr Sarah Nelmes).
PLANNING COMMITTEE
Report from and questions to the Chairman of the Planning Committee (Cllr Chris Whately-Smith).
Question from Councillor Heather Kenison to the Councillor Chris Whately-Smith, Chairman of the Planning Committee
The Conservative Group is concerned that the post of Conservation Officer within Three Rivers District Council (TRDC) has been vacant for over six months. Given that there are 22 Conservation Areas in TRDC, how can relying on the services of the officer from Watford be adequate? Does this officer have sufficient time and detailed knowledge of these areas to ensure that appropriate actions are taken in response to planning applications? It is clearly impossible for any proactive work to be undertaken at present. Can any insight be provided as to why this post has remained vacant for so long and what actions are being taken to expedite the recruitment of a suitable candidate?
LICENSING
Report from and questions to the Chairman of the Licensing Committee (Cllr Steve Drury).
REGULATORY SERVICES
Report from and questions to the Chairman of the Regulatory Services Committee (Cllr Steve Drury).
8. QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC UNDER PROCEDURE RULE 15
9. PETITIONS UNDER PROCEDURE RULE 18
10. MOTIONS UNDER PROCEDURE RULE 11
(1) Councillor Ralph Sangster, seconded by Councillor Marilyn Butler, to move under Notice duly given as follows:
At the recent Local Government Conference, Greg Clark, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, made devolution one of the central themes of his conference speech.
He made it clear that the opportunity to receive devolved powers was not limited to large metropolitan areas such as Manchester but was available to all areas of the country including Shire Counties where the willingness of District, Borough and County Councils to work together could be demonstrated.
This Council calls upon the administration to ensure that Three Rivers District Council participates fully in the opportunities that will develop as this policy is implemented and that we have a strong voice in the forums at which these issues will be debated and decisions reached.
(2) Councillor Sara Bedford, seconded by Councillor Phil Brading, to move under Notice duly given as follows:
Council recognises the outstanding work carried out by Home-Start and its volunteers in providing a service to families with children under five.
Council believes that the plan to replace Home-Start’s services with services provided by the reorganised Children’s Centres will fail because they have neither the resources, the volunteers, nor the time to provide the same quality of service.
Council believes that the £390,000 ‘savings’ will not be realised, as the direct costs to Children’s Centres will be substantial and will result in further significant costs, as many of these families develop more serious issues, requiring direct engagement with other public services and agencies.
Council therefore resolves to write to Hertfordshire County Council to request that the Council recommissions a home visiting service in the expectation that current costs will be reduced, and invite HomeStart to tender for the service.
11. OCCUPATIONAL SICK PAY
15 07 14 CL i 11 occupational sick pay council
12. APPOINTMENTS TO OUTSIDE BODIES 2015/16
(1) To agree to extend the appointment of the Community Governor at Shepherd Primary School, Rickmansworth, from 1 year to 3 years (this is a request by the School). Councillor Diana Barber is the Council’s appointee who was appointed in May 2015.
(2) To advise that Arnett Hills JMI School Governing Body has been reconstituted and no longer has Community Governor roles. They therefore do not need another Three Rivers District Council representative to be appointed (the current appointment runs until the end of the Summer Term 2015).
(3) To advise that the Community Interest Company Green Deal Together (trading as Green Homes Together) will not require an appointee from Three Rivers District Council in the future as it has decided to end its operations. The current appointee is Councillor Chris Whately-Smith.
The loan from the United Sustainability Energy Agency (USEA) which was to have been made to Green Deal Together should they require it, will now not go to Green Deal Together.
USEA is also being wound up. With the set aside money for Green Deal Together for a potential loan now not being required, 15% will be made available to Three Rivers District Council as a grant towards USEA objectives.
A resolution to wind up USEA has been passed.
13. DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY TO RESPOND AND NEGOTIATE ON ANTICIPATED FURTHER HS2 PROPOSALS ON PROVISIONS OF THE HS2 HYBRID BILL
15 07 14 CL i 13 delegated-powers-to-address-further-hs2-proposals
Chief Executive
6 July 2015
Three Rivers House
Northway
Rickmansworth
Herts WD3 1RL
NOTE AS TO PRAYERS: Bryan Jukes, Carpenders Park Church,will read prayers at 7.25pm. Members who are not already in their places are requested to refrain from entering the Chamber during the reading of prayers. Sufficient time will be allowed for Members to do so after the close of prayers in order that the business of the meeting may begin at 7.30pm.