Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Fahmy, Mills and Shah.

There were no disclosures of interest.

The minutes of the meeting held on 24 January 2017 to be submitted and signed. 

Copies of the minutes of this meeting are usually available seven working days following the meeting.

(All minutes are available on the Council’s website.)

The minutes of the meeting held on 24 January 2017 were submitted and signed.

Chairman’s Charity Quiz

The Chairman informed council that his charity quiz had been very successful.  There had been 80 participants and they had raised over £700 for his charities.

Civic reception

The Chairman announced that he would be holding a civic reception on Friday 5 May at West Herts Golf Club.  He advised that invitations would be sent out shortly.

First of all the Mayor wished to thank the Chairman, Councillor Walford, for being a great Chairman during the year.  He had kept all members in order.  She felt the tone of the chair helped set the tone of the meetings and this was appreciated.  The number of fellow Mayors and Chairman at the quiz showed how popular the Chairman and his consort were with everyone.

The Chairman thanked the Mayor for her comments and added that he would not have been able to do the role without the support of his wife, Tanya.

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

The Chairman invited Members to indicate whether they wished to ask a question of the Mayor.  Councillors Bell, Saffery, Turmaine, Laird and Asif Khan indicated that they wished to ask questions.

a)      Councillor Bell asked whether she agreed with him that with the cross party support for the Metropolitan Line Extension, the Conservative Government should find the extra money needed for this project.  It was vitally important for the employment and growth in Watford.

         The Mayor responded that there was a short answer which was ‘yes’.  There was another answer which was slightly longer.  There had been a change of administration since the scheme had started.  Boris Johnson had worked well with the government and she felt promises had been made that Transport for London would absorb any increased costs.  She had thought this was good, but was unsure she could have made that commitment.  She said it was important to give Mayor Khan his due, as he had come into office and questioned the commitment to pick up the extra costs.  She added that it was not a secret the relationship between the Department of Transport and the London Mayor was not good. 

         The Mayor commented that she considered the amount of money in question was relatively small in comparison to the full cost of the scheme.  She felt the scheme would continue.

         The Mayor said it was essential that all parties put pressure on their respective contacts.  The Mayor had met with Richard Harrington MP and he was doing everything he could for the scheme.  She had also spoken to Caroline Pidgeon who was respected at Transport for London for her stance on transport.  The Mayor informed council that a professional lobbying organisation had been commissioned to work on behalf of the funding partners who had put money into the scheme.  All businesses were concerned about the delay in the scheme and she had received an email earlier that day from Travis Perkins, who expressed their concerns.  The county council was also concerned.  A coalition was being formed around the line to make sure that the London Mayor and Secretary of State for Transport Chris Grayling MP were clear that there should be no backtracking on the scheme.

b)      Councillor Saffery said that observers of social media may be aware that Watford Momentum had been encouraging its members to sign a petition to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 65.

No questions had been received.

No questions had been received.

No petitions had been received.

There was no urgent business.

Report of Cabinet 6 March 2017

Council received a report that had been considered at Cabinet on 6 March 2017.  The minutes of the meeting were attached. 

Members debated the report.

RESOLVED –

1.      that the Corporate Plan 2020 be approved.

2.      that council notes the corporate work programme within the plan will underpin service plans and staff’s individual work programmes as set out in their annual performance development reviews.

3.      that council notes the corporate work programme set out in the plan will be monitored through the year.

Report of Cabinet 6 March 2017

Councillor Sharpe informed members that he was asking council to agree to withdraw the item on the Local Plan Part 2.  The council had to consider whether to continue with the Local Plan or move straight to a review of the Core Strategy.  He outlined further reasons for suggesting that the council should not proceed with Local Plan 2, which included the government’s proposed changes in the Housing White paper.  There was also the potential cost of a planning inquiry, which would be a six-figure sum.  The council needed to take stock of the best way forward.  Cabinet and Planning Policy Advisory Group would be kept informed of any changes.

The Chairman stated that he was proposing that the item should not be debated.  The matter would be monitored by Planning Policy Advisory Group.

RESOLVED –

that the item to consider the Local Plan Part 2 be withdrawn.

1. The following motion has been proposed by Councillor Rabi Martins and seconded by Councillor Jackie Connal:

“Council recognises that this is the 10^th Anniversary of the Town’s status as a Fairtrade Town and wishes to record its thanks to all those who have helped promote and ensure extensive access to products displaying the Fairtrade Mark in our local shops and other establishments

Council further notes that supporting Fairtrade helps Watford enhance its reputation as a place that actively seeks to ensure that producers of goods from developing countries sold in the town get a fair price for their goods and labour. Council believes this is not only the right thing to do but that it also enhances the town’s reputation as a family friendly town both here and abroad, particularly in the producer countries

The Council therefore resolves to:

·       Continue to promote the sale and purchase of Fairtrade Products in the town

·       Improve the awareness amongst local people of the impact on children, adults and families of producers around the world which results from unfair pricing for their goods and services

·       Persuade those responsible for purchasing and supplying goods that Fairtrade creates significant opportunities for all and is good for sustainable development.

·       Keep the Council’s procurement policies under review : and encourage the purchase and use of products from Fairtrade suppliers whenever possible

·       Encourage its partners and other agencies it works closely with to promote the use of Fairtrade products by its suppliers and users of their services

·       Continue to promote Watford as a Fairtrade Town through the Fairtrade Steering Committee and Support Group such that Fairtrade issues and practices remain high on the agenda all businesses, commercial organisations and voluntary organisations.

Council also calls on our local M.P. Richard Harrington to urge the Secretary of State for International Trade, Liam Fox to make it easier for developing countries who rely on Fairtrade to sell higher value products to the UK.“

2. The following motion has been proposed by Councillor Kareen Hastrick and seconded by Councillor Tim Williams

“Council recognises that bus services are a lifeline to many residents in Watford without access to a car.

Council notes with concern plans by Mullany’s Buses to withdraw the R8 and 346 routes as of 1st April 2017.

Council further notes that the withdrawal of these services would leave residents of the Kingswood and Leavesden Green estates without a bus service at all.  Residents in Nascot Village, Tudor and Meriden also face a reduction in service that would have a negative impact on elderly people, residents with disabilities, Watford UTC students and those on low incomes.

The Council therefore resolves that:

The Mayor will write to Cllr Derrick Ashley, portfolio holder for transport at Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) calling for:

o   HCC to approach alternative operators with a view to continuing a service on both routes on a commercial basis.

o   HCC to consider making these routes ‘socially necessary’ services and provide financial support if an operator is unwilling  ...  view the full agenda text for item 72.

Council was informed that three motions had been received.

1) The following motion was proposed by Councillor Rabi Martins and seconded by Councillor Jackie Connal

“Council recognises that this is the 10th Anniversary of the Town’s status as a Fairtrade Town and wishes to record its thanks to all those who have helped promote and ensure extensive access to products displaying the Fairtrade Mark in our local shops and other establishments

Council further notes that supporting Fairtrade helps Watford enhance its reputation as a place that actively seeks to ensure that producers of goods from developing countries sold in the town get a fair price for their goods and labour.  Council believes this is not only the right thing to do but that it also enhances the town’s reputation as a family friendly town both here and abroad, particularly in the producer countries

The Council therefore resolves to:

·             Continue to promote the sale and purchase of Fairtrade Products in the town

·             Improve the awareness amongst local people of the impact on children, adults and families of producers around the world which results from unfair pricing for their goods and services

·             Persuade those responsible for purchasing and supplying goods that Fairtrade creates significant opportunities for all and is good for sustainable development.

·             Keep the Council’s procurement policies under review : and encourage the purchase and use of products from Fairtrade suppliers whenever possible

·             Encourage its partners and other agencies it works closely with to promote the use of Fairtrade products by its suppliers and users of their services

·             Continue to promote Watford as a Fairtrade Town through the Fairtrade Steering Committee and Support Group such that Fairtrade issues and practices remain high on the agenda all businesses, commercial organisations and voluntary organisations.

Council also calls on our local M.P. Richard Harrington to urge the Secretary of State for International Trade, Liam Fox to make it easier for developing countries who rely on Fairtrade to sell higher value products to the UK.”

Members debated the motion.

On being put to council the motion was AGREED.

RESOLVED –

that Council recognises that this is the 10th Anniversary of the Town’s status as a Fairtrade Town and wishes to record its thanks to all those who have helped promote and ensure extensive access to products displaying the Fairtrade Mark in our local shops and other establishments

Council further notes that supporting Fairtrade helps Watford enhance its reputation as a place that actively seeks to ensure that producers of goods from developing countries sold in the town get a fair price for their goods and labour.  Council believes this is not only the right thing to do but that it also enhances the town’s reputation as a family friendly town both here and abroad, particularly in the producer countries

The Council therefore resolves to:

·             Continue to promote the sale and purchase of Fairtrade Products in the town

·             Improve the awareness amongst local people of the impact on children, adults and families of producers  ...  view the full minutes text for item 72.