Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Lynch.

There were no disclosures of interest.

The minutes of the meeting held on 24 July 2013 to be submitted and signed.  (All minutes are published on the Council’s website.)

The minutes of the meeting held on 24 July 2013 were submitted and signed.

Audentior Awards

The Chairman stated that the Audentior Awards had been very successful, celebrating the excellent volunteer service in Watford.  He added that the event had raised £1,470 for his charities.

Civic Carol Service

The Chairman reminded Council that the Civic Carol Service would take place at Christ Church in St Albans Road on 15 December, commencing at 6.30 p.m.

Report of the Elected Mayor

A report of the Mayor had been circulated with the agenda.

a)      Councillor Turmaine asked the Mayor for clarification of the composition of the Town Centre partnership and the outputs that would be derived from the meetings.

          The Mayor responded that it was important the Town Centre Partnership was a partnership of all groups involved and not dominated by the local authority.  The Council would facilitate it.  Previously there had been a Town Centre Partnership but it had been based on an ‘old-fashioned’ model.  The new one would be based on current best practice.  In order to meet this, the Partnership would comprise representatives from a cross-section of stakeholders in the Town Centre, including the night time economy, retail businesses, the Chamber of Commerce and the Police.  This would create an active dynamic partnership.  The Council was proposing to appoint a new Town Centre Manager who would have a very proactive role and the post had recently been advertised.  The Mayor added that in the future she hoped the Partnership would attain financial autonomy; not dependent on the Council.  There had been high interest from businesses wishing to be involved.  She asked Members to let her know if there were any organisations or businesses they felt should be involved. 

b)      Councillor Khan asked the Mayor whether she had decided if she would run for Parliament.

          The Mayor stated that when she knew then the Councillor would know.

c)      Councillor Brandon referred to a recent Public Health England report, which he stated showed that Watford had the highest percentage of mortality attributed to air pollution in 2011.  The last Air Quality action plan produced by the Council was in April 2011.  There had been a partial review in 2012.  In light of the recent Public Health England report, he asked the Mayor whether the action plan needed to be reviewed further.

          The Mayor responded that the legislation was already in place.  There was rigorous testing of air quality.  Once a certain level had been reached it was necessary to have an action plan in place.  She advised that there were a few areas which were borderline; these tended to be near major traffic ‘pinchpoints’.  She was not aware of any areas that had breached the set levels.  She advised that if Members required further details they could contact the Head of Community and Customer Services who would be able to provide the latest information.  The Council would do what was necessary to reduce levels.

d)      Councillor Meerabux commented on the recent results of the consultation to introduce parking charges on Watford Business Park.  He asked whether this was the start of seeking parking charges in other parts of the town.

          The Mayor responded that there was always a lack of support when it was proposed to introduce parking charges.  Officers would advise that the best way to manage parking was to charge.  With regards to the Business Park, the main concern had been safety due to poor  ...  view the full minutes text for item 39.

The Chairman reported that two questions had been received from Councillor Bell.

The questions and responses were circulated at the meeting and are attached as Appendix 1 to these minutes.

No questions had been received.

No petitions had been received.

There was no urgent business.

(1)       The following motion is being moved by Councillor Jeffree and seconded by Councillor Sharpe

“Council

Welcomes the recent Herts County scrutiny of 20mph speed limits and the public consultation on a revised draft Speed Management Strategy

Notes that adoption of the revised draft speed management strategy would align county policy with current Government guidance on local speed limits.

Reaffirms its belief that implementation of a town-wide speed limit of 20mph on all non-major residential roads, combined with a public information campaign would have an immediate and beneficial impact on accidents and fatalities in Watford.

Resolves

1. That the Mayor should invite Hertfordshire County Council to work with Watford Borough Council on the feasibility, consultation, planning and implementation of 20mph limits on all residential roads in Watford, excluding major roads.

2. That Hertfordshire County Council be informed of this motion as part of Watford’s response to the consultation.”

(2)       The following motion is being moved by Councillor Turmaine and         seconded by Councillor Connal.

“Motion to support the introduction of standardised packaging for tobacco products

This council notes that:

More than 200,000 children under the age of 16 take up smoking every year, around 570 every single day. Half of lifetime smokers will die from the habit and the proportion of smokers (adults and children) is higher in vulnerable groups. Smoking kills 100,000 people every year, the equivalent of nearly two full Airbus A320 planes every day.

The last Labour government implemented a very successful set of anti-smoking policies, including the banning of smoking in pubs, the ending of sports sponsorship, billboard advertising and raising the legal age at which people may purchase tobacco products. The result of this was that the proportion of children who smoked fell by half and adults by 25%.

Since 2010, fewer people are successfully quitting smoking and fewer people are making use of the NHS Stopping Smoking services.

Evidence is clear that among both children and adults, standardised, unbranded packaging makes tobacco products less attractive and will reduce smoking rates.

The current government’s approach has been to implement precisely what the tobacco lobby wants – a delay to ‘wait and see what happens in Australia’ (which has passed standardised packaging law). Waiting for the results of the implementation of the policy in Australia will mean that 500,000 under 16 year olds in the UK will have taken up smoking.

This council resolves to:

Write to the Secretary of State for Health to add its support to the drive to introduce standardised packaging.

Write to Watford’s MP to do the same.”

Council was informed that a motion had been received.

(1)     The following motion was proposed by Councillor Jeffree and seconded by Councillor Sharpe –

          “Council

          Welcomes the recent Herts County scrutiny of 20mph speed limits and the public consultation on a revised draft Speed Management Strategy

          Notes that adoption of the revised draft speed management strategy would align county policy with current Government guidance on local speed limits.

          Reaffirms its belief that implementation of a town-wide speed limit of 20mph on all non-major residential roads, combined with a public information campaign would have an immediate and beneficial impact on accidents and fatalities in Watford.

          Resolves

          1.      That the Mayor should invite Hertfordshire County Council to work with Watford Borough Council on the feasibility, consultation, planning and implementation of 20mph limits on all residential roads in Watford, excluding major roads.

          2.      That Hertfordshire County Council be informed of this motion as part of Watford’s response to the consultation.

          Members debated the motion.

          On being put to Council the motion was agreed.

          RESOLVED –

          Council

          Welcomes the recent Herts County scrutiny of 20mph speed limits and the public consultation on a revised draft Speed Management Strategy

          Notes that adoption of the revised draft speed management strategy would align county policy with current Government guidance on local speed limits.

          Reaffirms its belief that implementation of a town-wide speed limit of 20mph on all non-major residential roads, combined with a public information campaign would have an immediate and beneficial impact on accidents and fatalities in Watford.

          Resolves

          1.      That the Mayor should invite Hertfordshire County Council to work with Watford Borough Council on the feasibility, consultation, planning and implementation of 20mph limits on all residential roads in Watford, excluding major roads.

          2.      That Hertfordshire County Council be informed of this motion as part of Watford’s response to the consultation.

(2)     The following motion, amended from that printed in the agenda, was proposed by Councillor Turmaine and seconded by Councillor Connal –

          “This council notes that:

          More than 200,000 children under the age of 16 take up smoking every year, around 570 every single day. Half of lifetime smokers will die from the habit and the proportion of smokers (adults and children) is higher in vulnerable groups. Smoking kills 100,000 people every year, the equivalent of nearly two full Airbus A320 planes every day.

          Notes that successive governments have implemented measures to encourage people to stop and discourage people from starting smoking, based on expert evidence and willingness of the public to support such measures.

          Evidence is clear that among both children and adults, standardised, unbranded packaging make tobacco products less attractive and will reduce smoking rates.

          The tobacco lobby wants to delay legislation, to ‘wait and see what happens in Australia’ (which has passed standardised packaging law).  Waiting for the results of the implementation of the policy in Australia will mean that 500,000 under 16 year olds in the UK will have taken up smoking.

          This council resolves  ...  view the full minutes text for item 44.

Report of the Licensing Committee  - 22 October 2013

Council received a report of the Licensing Committee including the original report presented to the Committee at its meeting on 22 October 2013.

RESOLVED –

that Council, acting as the Licensing Authority for the Borough of Watford, adopts the amended Statement of Licensing Policy as set out in Appendix 1 to the report.

Report of the Head of Democracy & Governance

Council received a report of the Head of Democracy and Governance including an updated Financial Procedure Rules for inclusion in the Council’s Constitution.

RESOLVED –

that the Financial Procedure Rules set out in Appendix 1 to the report be approved for inclusion in the Constitution.

Report of Cabinet 11 November 2013

Council received a report of Cabinet, including the original report presented to Cabinet at its meeting on 11 November 2013.

RESOLVED –

that the change to the Capital Programme to reflect a revised capital budget estimate of £2.65 million be approved.