Approved.

Approved.

To award the contract for the provision of furnishings, household items and fittings for homes provided under the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Programme to David Phillips. 

Approved

Cabinet received a report from the Deputy Managing Director and Director of Place Shaping and Corporate Performance regarding an opportunity for the council to lead on improvement works to the High Street between Clarendon Road and St Mary’s Square. 

Councillor Sharpe introduced the report.  He explained that Cabinet was being asked to approve a proposal to include £800,000 in the 2018/19 Capital Programme to allow further important investment in the public realm.  Considerable investment had continued in Watford’s town centre at a time of falling expenditure in such schemes elsewhere in the country.

The proposal before Cabinet would tie in with highway improvements in the High Street associated with the on-going Charter Place redevelopment, and with The Parade enhancement works which had already been carried out by the council. 

In addition to the re-paving works to the foot and carriage ways between Clarendon Road and St Mary’s Square, Councillor Sharpe explained that the proposed improvements envisaged a shared space with reduced traffic levels, changes to the current taxi and blue badge arrangements, some re-routing of the buses and improved lighting and CCTV provision.

Councillor Bell sought assurance that the views of the general public from the recent consultation as well as those of key stakeholders, particularly the taxi drivers and blue badge holders, would be taken into account when the details of the project were finalised.  In response, the Mayor confirmed that a series of discussions were planned with interested groups, including those mentioned by Councillor Bell, in order to agree a final proposal that balanced a range of disparate views.

In response to a further query by Councillor Bell about the development of the former One Bell public house, there followed a short discussion about the proposal to allow an extension of the building in the conservation area.  The Mayor explained that this was a pragmatic solution, which by making the iconic building more economically viable would ensure its future existence on the High Street. 

Officers commented that in addition, it was hoped the proposal for this asset would provide a catalyst to improve the surrounding area.  Discussions with the Business Improvement District and Hertfordshire County Council were continuing to progress this objective.

RESOLVED –

That Cabinet recommends to Council that £800,000 is included in the Capital Programme 2018/19 for the scheme.

Cabinet received a report of the Section Head of Facilities Management / Buildings & Projects about the development of the town hall.

Introducing the report, the Managing Director explained that developing the town hall site would bring a number of benefits: establishing a public service hub, including the co-location of Hertfordshire Constabulary on a long term lease; removing the single storey modular building “The Terrapin”, which was beyond its life expectancy and no longer financially viable; and improving current parking provision with a part single/part double storey vehicle parking deck over the town hall and leisure centre car parks.

Subject to Cabinet approval of the current project proposal and the capital funding required to undertake the development, a planning application for the new four or five storey building would be submitted towards the end of 2017.  It was envisaged that construction work would begin in spring 2018 and be completed by the end of 2019.  These timescales were consistent with the requirements of Hertfordshire Constabulary.

In parallel, the Managing Director confirmed that work had been undertaken with Hertfordshire County Council (Highways Authority) to develop a transport strategy to support the new access requirements for the building and to assess the potential impact on surrounding roads.

Costs for the proposed scheme would be paid back over a 15 year period and would thereafter generate income to Watford Borough Council.

Cabinet welcomed the proposal, particularly the decision of Hertfordshire Constabulary to co-locate to the proposed new building which represented a significant benefit to the safety of the town.  This would be particularly welcomed by residents, who were concerned about the potential loss of a permanent police building in Watford.

It was hoped that, once vacated by Hertfordshire Constabulary, the Shady Lane site would provide an opportunity to ease current affordable housing constraints in the town.

Although there were concerns about disruption during the construction phase, it was acknowledged that dialogue was being maintained with the Colosseum and Central Leisure Centre, as well as with the council’s existing tenants, to mitigate any impacts.

There followed a short discussion about the Colosseum’s capital maintenance programme, which required some significant work to be undertaken on its building.  It was reported that discussions were underway with the Colosseum to investigate whether this maintenance work might coincide with the council’s own development to keep overall disruption to the public to a minimum.

RESOLVED –

That Cabinet:

1.      approves the project

2.      recommends to Council to approve the capital funding required to undertake this development.

Not to submit Local Plan Part 2 for examination, but to focus resources on progressing the Local Plan review.

Cabinet received a report of the Deputy Managing Director and Director of Place Shaping and Corporate Performance. 

Councillor Sharpe introduced the report, explaining that it was being proposed to focus resources on progressing the Local Plan Review 2016-2036.  This followed recent evidence suggesting that the need for homes and jobs was much higher than planned in the Local Plan Part 1 Core Strategy.  Separate to this, an appeal decision in April 2017 had brought into question the council’s five year housing supply.  As a consequence, it had become apparent that the council needed to revise its housing supply to reflect the more recent objectively assessed need figures.

Work undertaken in preparation for Local Plan Part 2 would not be wasted as it would feed directly into the preparation of the plan review which was already underway.

Councillor Sharpe emphasised the scale of work ahead and the need to engage with the community to shape the future development of the town.  He acknowledged Watford Borough Council’s duty to cooperate with neighbouring authorities and partners, and emphasised the need for the council to shape its policy and direction and not be subject to planning by appeal.

The Deputy Managing Director confirmed that the South West Hertfordshire Strategic Housing Market Assessment and Economic Study suggested that the objectively assessed need for homes in Watford was 577 per year.  This compared with 260 per year proposed in the Core Strategy.  However, in response to confusion and inconsistency in methods being used to calculate these figures, the Government would be introducing a standard methodology.  This was expected in the next six months.  The Deputy Managing Director advised that the figure could change as the most up to date analysis of the evidence would be needed.

Councillor Bell questioned how the recent Ascot Road planning permission would impact on the five year housing supply.  The Deputy Managing Director confirmed that this had contributed to a current 5 year supply, however the figure was not static and likely to fluctuate over time.

The Mayor acknowledged comments from Cabinet about the need to balance demands for further housing against significant traffic problems around the town.  Questions of density and traffic congestion were key and required the council to be robust in defence of its limited geographical space.

RESOLVED –

That Cabinet recommends to Council that the Local Plan Part 2 is not submitted for examination and that resources should now be focussed on progressing the Local Plan Review to cover the period 2016-2036.

To award the contract to provide support to Syrian Refugees as part of the Government’s Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Programme to the Refugee Council.

Belgrave Avenue:

29^th September to 2^nd October 2017, Side of 29 Queens Avenue to 8 Belgrave Avenue / Side of 27 Queens Avenue to 7 Belgrave Avenue.

3^rd October to 5^th October 2017, O/S 10 Belgrave Avenue to 28 Belgrave Avenue / 9 Belgrave Avenue to 27 Belgrave Avenue.

6^th October to 9^th October 2017, 28 Belgrave Avenue to 46 Belgrave Avenue / 27 Belgrave Avenue to 45 Belgrave Avenue.

10^th October to 12^th October 2017, O/S 48 Belgrave Avenue to 66 Belgrave Avenue / 47 Belgrave Avenue to 65 Belgrave Avenue.

13^th October to 16^th October 2017, 66 Belgrave Avenue to Side of 204 Hagden Lane / 65 Belgrave Avenue to Side of 202 Hagden Lane.

17^th October to 19^th October 2017, all bays Side of 204 Hagden Lane / Side of 202 Hagden Lane.

Hagden Lane:

9^th September to 10^th September 2017, from 206 Hagden Lane to The Bus Stop.

23^rd September to 24^th September 2017, from 206 Hagden Lane to The Bus Stop.

30^th September to 1^st October 2017, Belgrave Avenue - Side of 204 Hagden Lane / Belgrave Avenue - Side of 202 Hagden Lane.

7^th October to 8^th October 2017, Belgrave Avenue - Side of 204 Hagden Lane / Belgrave Avenue - Side of 202 Hagden Lane.

30^th September to 1^st October, 206 Hagden Lane to The Bus Stop.

7^th October to 8^th October 2017, 206 Hagden Lane to The Bus Stop.  

Approved

The Committee received a report of the Head of Human Resources which detailed the profile of Watford Borough Council’s workforce from 1 April 2016 to 31 March 2017.

Watford Borough Council was committed to equality and diversity across the full spectrum of its services and in its role as an employer.  The commitment was articulated in its equality objective and associated action plan which identified key actions the council would take to ensure equalities for its workforce and that it reflected the community it served.  Watford’s commitment went beyond its statutory obligations and reinforced its corporate priority to ensure equality and diversity was at the heart of everything it did.

The Interim Head of Human Resources introduced the report to the Committee.  Although the report was an annual statutory requirement, there was no obligation on the part of staff to complete a survey and the relatively low number of respondents remained an issue in terms of obtaining accurate data.  However, the 50% response was generally reliable in facilitating an analysis and provided actionable headline data.

The age profile of Watford was not unusual, compared with other authorities, but it was important to attract younger staff.  The council had introduced apprenticeships to improve the situation, but not all council roles lent themselves to younger people, especially where experience was required.

The Watford outturn for BAME top 10% Earners was 13.64%.  This was higher than the local government average, which was to be commended.

The Committee expressed the view that with a Watford BAME population of 38.12%, it was desirable for the council to aim to reflect this figure in its recruitment, acknowledging, however, that positive discrimination was not permissible.  They also considered that low uptake amongst certain ethnic and religious groups might be the result of cultural attitudes to choosing a career in local government, or a desire not to disclose origin or religion because of perceptions of discrimination. There was scope for further investigation in this area.  Also, it would be ascertained whether the overall figure referred to working population, which was acknowledged as being more reliable.

It was noted that recruitment training to all appropriate managers had taken place in January 2017.  The Committee would be provided with percentage attendance figures in due course.

The disability information had some limitations, as 64.65% of employees had not made a disability declaration.  The Disability Focus Group, which met twice yearly, would be consulted about the probable reasons for low reporting.  Staff surveys, also, would provide further useful information in this and all areas covered in the Monitoring Report.

The Committee felt that local government was not always fully understood by the public and were of the view that raising awareness amongst certain groups was a priority. The Interim Head of Human Resources reported that, already, the council was raising its profile through work placements and school visits. This work would continue, but the council, as a relatively small local employer, would be proportionate in its efforts.

Approved

To authorise giving notice of proposals to appoint hackney carriage stands at a number of locations in the Borough under s.63 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976

Awarded £2000 towards training courses on parenting, employability and self-awareness and confidence

Decision makers did not approve this application as decision was made in 2016/17 to prioritise Small Grant funds for smaller, informal/grassroots groups

Awarded £1975 towards costs of a pantomime performance project for disabled children

To award a one year Discretionary rate relief scheme to those organisations that have been impacted by the new 2017 rating list that meet the criteria set out in the agreed policy

Decision makers referred the application to the councillors’ Neighbourhood Locality budget

Awarded £1654 towards the costs of the film festival hosted at the Pumphouse Theatre and Watford Museum.

To authorise a closure of part of the pedestrianised section of Hempstead Rd adjacent to the Town Hall under s21 of Town Police Clauses Act 1847 to accommodate the Lights of Love Event  on 12 December 2017

Approved

See attached decision report

To authorise a closure of part of the pedestrianised section of Hempstead Rd adjacent to the Town Hall under s21 of Town Police Clauses Act 1847 to accommodate the Remembrance Event on 12 December 2017

Approved

Approved