Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage and Councillor Ellie Plater.

Councillor Forhad Chowdhury substituted for Baroness Taylor.

There were no declarations of interest.

It was RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the Meeting of the Committee held on 10 October 2023 be approved as a true record of the proceedings and be signed by the Chair.

Members are invited to interview the Executive Portfolio Holder for Environment and Performance and the Chief Executive regarding an update on the Council’s Climate Change ambitions and delivery against the Committee’s previous review recommendations (updated document to follow in a supplementary agenda). Members will also be shown the Climate Change Portal which will soon be available on the Council’s website as a tool to inform the public of targets and performance in this area.

The Chair introduced the Chief Executive Matt Partridge, the Assistant Director (Planning & Regulatory) Zayd Al-Jawad, the Assistant Director (Direct Services) Steve Dupoy, and the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Performance Councillor Simon Speller.

The Chief Executive informed the Committee he was the Lead Hertfordshire and East of England CEO for climate change. He co-authored the report which led to the launch of the Hertfordshire Climate Change Partnership. He referenced both the Hertfordshire Climate Change and Sustainability Partnership (HCCSP) and the Regional Climate Change Forum (RCCF).

Previously there was very limited joined up working across the districts, boroughs, and county council on climate change. Accordingly, the HCCSP was set up in 2020 to maximise the opportunities across the 11 local authorities and the Herts Local Enterprise Partnership.

There was a funding agreement set out and the HCCSP was being resourced by two part time officers. An officer group fed into the Members board. There were now over 100 Officers contributing to the broader objectives to achieve climate change targets. They were also ensuring that the partnership was connected to the right groups in Hertfordshire such as the Herts Infrastructure and Planning Partnership and the Herts Climate Change and Sustainability Partnership. The HCCSP was also working with Suffolk and Cambridgeshire Councils as well to further collaboration.

The Chief Executive added that the HCCSP was shortlisted at the LGC awards for a local government award. Unfortunately, they didn’t win but the Partnership was recognised as doing good things for the County in terms of climate change and the CE was invited to present at the national Local Government Chronicle conference.

The RCCF represented 50 Councils in the Eastern region and HCCSP represented Hertfordshire at a regional level. A baseline assessment had been undertaken on what was being done in the East of England region and this led to the development of 8 priorities such as developing a regional switchboard to share information more effectively and lobbying in government circles. By collaborating together, Councils could increase resources, have a good strategy, and develop a clear plan. All Councils had agreed to put more money in to get more things done.

The Chief Executive updated the HCCSP on what was being done at a regional level. They had developed 6 action plans which included:

·         Carbon reduction such as solar together which was a scheme offering solar panels at a discounted rate.

·         Biodiversity such as the green spaces audit.

·         Transport such as the clean air day which featured anti-idling activities.

·         Water such as sustainable drainage systems.

·         Behaviour changes such as focusing on communications and training.

HCCSP were looking at how they engaged with sectors and wanted to move into a coordinating role recognising that there were other organisations who could support some of the delivery. They were briefing leaders and top teams on what they were focusing on and further resourcing communication into the wider public. He noted that there was always more to be done in this area but there was a lot of positive  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

Members are invited to consider an updated work programme for the committee for the remainder of 2023-24 municipal year.

The Chair informed Members that the next meeting was looking at policy development and pre-scrutiny of the Cycle Hire scheme. The Assistant Director (Planning & Regulatory) advised that there were some cycle groups involved in the development of the scheme and may want to attend the meeting.

A Member suggested that the Committee should look at affordability and the cost of a low-income household trying to keep a car running versus reinstating a working and reliable bus system.

Another Member suggested that the Committee should keep track of the town centre regeneration. The Chair agreed but believed it was too big to look at in the 2023/24 year and suggested it should be looked at in the next civic year. The Chief Executive added that there was another all-Member briefing on the regeneration at the end of November. They were looking at doing more of these briefings and there was a chance to ask questions over the year.

It was RESOLVED: That the Members noted the updated E&E Select Committee Work Programme for 2023/24.

To consider any Part 1 business accepted by the Chair as urgent.

There was none.

To consider the following motions –

1.  That under Section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as described in paragraphs1 – 7 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act as amended by Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006.

2.  That Members consider the reasons for the following reports being in Part II and determine whether or not maintaining the exemption from disclosure of the information contained therein outweighs the public interest in disclosure.

Not required.

To consider any Part II business accepted by the Chair as urgent.

There was none.