Agenda, decisions and minutes

Agenda, decisions and minutes

Venue: Virtual meeting

Contact: Sandra Hancock  Email: democraticservices@watford.gov.uk

Media

Items
No. Item

The Mayor welcomed everyone to the virtual Cabinet meeting.  He introduced the councillors and officers present.  He advised that at the end of each item he would ask each member of Cabinet how they wished to vote.

 

33.

Apologies for absence

Minutes:

There were no apologies for absence.

 

34.

Disclosure of interests (if any)

Minutes:

There were no disclosures of interest.

 

35.

Minutes of previous meeting

The minutes of the meeting held on 7 September 2020 to be submitted.

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting held on 7 September were agreed.  It was noted that the minutes would be signed once officers and members were able to return to the Town Hall.

 

36.

Conduct of meeting

The Cabinet may wish to consider whether there are any items on which there is general agreement which could be considered now, to enable discussion to focus on those items where the Cabinet sees a need for further debate.

Minutes:

The Mayor reported he would go through the agenda as published.

 

37.

Ombudsman's Decision pdf icon PDF 467 KB

Report of the Group Head of Democracy and Governance

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Cabinet received a report of the Group Head of Democracy and Governance which set out the findings of the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman into a matter relating to Development Management.

 

Councillor Watkin, Portfolio Holder for Resources, introduced the report.  He explained the role of the Ombudsman and briefly outlined the case.

 

Councillor Sharpe, Portfolio Holder for Regeneration and Development, added that the report highlighted the changes the service had put in place in response to the Ombudsman’s decision.

 

In response to a question from Councillor Bell about the experience of current staff and reference to training, the Managing Director advised that the council was working on continuous improvement.  She stressed that all Development Management officers undertook continuous professional training.  The review of the complaints process was not only about how Development Management handled complaints but how the complaints process was used across the council.  She had asked senior officers to carry out a review of the complaints process and anticipated bringing a report to a future Cabinet meeting.

 

Councillor Sharpe commented that the Ombudsman’s report also highlighted the need to ensure that officers show they have considered impacts on neighbouring properties.

 

RESOLVED –

 

that the Ombudsman’s decision be noted.

 

38.

Joint Committee for the Herts Growth Board pdf icon PDF 371 KB

Report of the Group Head of Democracy and Governance

Additional documents:

Decision:

RESOLVED –

 

that Cabinet recommends to Council:

 

1.         that it agrees to the establishment of the Growth Board and Growth Board Scrutiny Joint Committees (to hold their inaugural meetings in December 2020 and then HGB Scrutiny February 2021) for the Hertfordshire Growth Board and that the Council becomes a member of both.

 

2.         that the Council adopts the Growth Board Integrated Governance Framework into its own constitutional framework.

 

3.         that it nominates a member and substitute member as its representative to the Scrutiny Committee. (Nominees must not be members of the Executive).

 

4.         that it notes that the Elected Mayor is nominated as the Council’s representative on the Joint Committee and that the Elected Mayor has delegated authority to nominate a substitute representative as required.

 

5.         that Cabinet nominates the Elected Mayor as the Council’s representative on the Joint Committee and that he be entitled to nominate a substitute from other members of the executive to attend meetings in his absence.

 

Minutes:

Cabinet received a report of the Group Head of Democracy and Governance requesting Council approval for agreement to the setting up of a formal Joint Committee and Scrutiny Committee to manage and oversee the work of the Herts Growth Board.  The report was being presented to all 10 district councils and the county council for approval.

 

The Mayor introduced the report and explained that it was essential to have the appropriate structures in place.  He acknowledged the significant amount of collaboration between all councils within Hertfordshire at both district and county level. 

 

The Group Head of Democracy and Governance set out the arrangements for the joint committee and joint scrutiny committee which were covered in the appendix to the report.  The committees would also include a co-opted member from the Local Enterprise partnership.  The report would be forwarded for final endorsement at Council on 13 October and would include the appointment to the scrutiny committee.

 

RESOLVED –

 

that Cabinet recommends to Council:

 

1.         that it agrees to the establishment of the Growth Board and Growth Board Scrutiny Joint Committees (to hold their inaugural meetings in December 2020 and then HGB Scrutiny February 2021) for the Hertfordshire Growth Board and that the Council becomes a member of both.

 

2.         that the Council adopts the Growth Board Integrated Governance Framework into its own constitutional framework.

 

3.         that it nominates a member and substitute member as its representative to the Scrutiny Committee. (Nominees must not be members of the Executive).

 

4.         that it notes that the Elected Mayor is nominated as the Council’s representative on the Joint Committee and that the Elected Mayor has delegated authority to nominate a substitute representative as required.

 

5.         that Cabinet nominates the Elected Mayor as the Council’s representative on the Joint Committee and that he be entitled to nominate a substitute from other members of the executive to attend meetings in his absence.

 

 

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