Apologies had been received from Councillors Devonish, Stanton and Stiff.

There were no disclosures of interest.

The minutes of the meeting held on 19 July 2022 to be submitted and signed. 

The minutes of the Council meeting held on 19 July 2022 were submitted and signed. 

Black History Month

The Chairman informed the Council that there were a number of events taking place in October to mark Black History Month.  These included a special exhibition at the Watford Museum.  Further information was available at watfordblackhistorymonth.co.uk.

Rock ‘n’ Roll bingo

The Chairman thanked all those who attended the event and commented on a successful evening that raised £1,420 for her two charities.

Centenary Event

On 18 October at 11.30 am at the flag pole, the Mayor and Chairman would be raising the Centenary flag.  The flag had been designed by local schoolchildren.  Everyone was welcome to attend.

Remembrance

The Chairman informed Council that the Remembrance ceremony would take place on Sunday 13 November and would include a parade from St Mary’s Church to the Town Hall.  Councillors were asked to meet at St Mary’s from
1.45 pm for the parade or at 2.45 pm at the Town Hall to join the ceremony there.  They were advised that further details were available from the Events Manager and they were urged to attend this important event. 

Chairman’s engagements

The Chairman gave a brief overview of her activities, since taking up the role and added that it had been an honour to pay respects on behalf of the council to her late Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, and to mark the reign of his Majesty, King Charles III.

Other events have included many which celebrate our diverse community, both young and old:

·            An event for South Asian heritage month

·            Herts Pride

·            Hindu festival at the manor

·            Chase Care Home summer fair

·            Monkey Puzzle nursery graduation

The Chairman expressed her delight at her participation in events which recognised the achievements and service of our residents and local organisations, including:

·            Prince’s Trust TEAM programme

·            Samaritans Open Morning

·            Afternoon tea event at Watford Museum

She added that the council had celebrated Watford’s rich heritage and culture and she had attended:

·            Glitterball Show and Little Women at the Palace Theatre

·            Watford Fringe

·            Watford Centenary Film

The Chairman had also represented Watford, both regionally and as part of national events and attended events including:

·            Raising the flag for Merchant Navy Day

·            High Sheriff’s garden party

·            Hertsmere Civic Service

·            The local proclamation of the new sovereign.

Report from Mayor Taylor

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 Turmaine, Trebar, Watling, Dhindsa, Bell, Martins and Watkin indicated that they wished to ask questions.

The Mayor presented his report.  He paid tribute to the service of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and thanked the Director of Performance and the Events and Filming Manager for their hard work on the council’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations and Centenary events. 

1.      Councillor Turmaine asked how hopeful the Mayor was that he would receive a response from the Prime Minister Liz Truss about the future of Watford General Hospital, now that the source of power seemed to be with the former Health Secretary and new Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt.

The Mayor replied that together with the Chief Executive, he had met with the Hospital Trust, who were pleased to learn that he had written so early on in her leadership of the Conservatives.  The Mayor pointed out that some of the first business dealt with by the new Minister for Health, was to visit Watford General Hospital to see the conditions.  He added that all members were united in wanting to see investment in our hospital and he would continue to make the case for the benefit of Watford residents and the wider region.

2.      Councillor Trebar described the problems with fly tipping in the borough and explained that she had been contacted by a resident of Chester Road, a notorious area for fly tipping.  She added that now CCTV had been rolled out, as well as the mobile unit, would it be possible to obtain CCTV at Chester Road.

The Mayor agreed that it was important to place CCTV at target hotspots and explained that this was being progressed by Councillor Williams and he was hopeful that progress would soon be made.  He stressed the importance of reporting such offences, so that the matter could be investigated and where evidence was uncovered, to prosecute the perpetrators.  He concluded by assuring Councillor Trebar that Councillor Williams would have noted her request.

3.      Councillor Watling stated that at a previous Council, he had asked the Mayor regarding an evaluation of the Beryl bike scheme, particularly collection and the time taken for bikes to be repaired.  He asked if there was a meeting planned to look at this and if so what would be on the agenda.

The Mayor assured him that there had been meetings about this very matter, adding that with Councillor Stotesbury, he had met with officers from Beryl bikes only recently and he assured the member that they remained committed to ensuring that there were enough Beryl bikes and they were correctly distributed.  There were 2,500 to 3,000 journeys per week on Beryl bikes.  The Mayor remarked that the officers from Beryl had commented that Watford was the first town of its size to have such a bike scheme.   

4.      Councillor Dhindsa pointed out that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 37.

No written questions had been received from members.

No questions from the public had been received.

No petitions had been received.

The Chief Executive explained that there was one item of urgent business that related to the member attendance rules, and it had been agreed with the Chairman that it was urgent and should be considered at this meeting of Council.  The matter for debate was whether to increase the six month limit for non-attendance for a specific member.  The Chief Executive informed Council that the issue had arisen just prior to the meeting and she was seeking a waiver and extension of time limit for Councillor Stiff who was unable to attend meetings due to significant ill-health.

She requested that under Section 85(1), Local Government Act 1972, Councillor Stiff was granted an extension to 8 May 2023. 

The Chair moved that Councillor Stiff be granted a waiver of the six month attendance rule, in accordance with Section 85(1) of the Local Government Act 1972, and an extension of the time limit to 8 May 2023 be approved.  Upon being seconded, the motion was approved by Council.

RESOLVED –

that Councillor Stiff be granted a waiver of the six-month attendance rule, in accordance with Section 85 (1) of the Local Government Act 1972, and an extension of the time to 8 May 2023 be approved. 

Council received the report of the Democratic Services Manager which requested the appointment of Councillor Tom Osborn as Chair of Overview and Scrutiny Committee.  Additionally, Council was asked to appoint Councillor Osborn to the Hertfordshire Health Scrutiny Committee. Both of these appointments would be until the end of the 2022/23 municipal year or until Councillor Feldman returned.

                   RESOLVED –

1.          that Councillor Tom Osborn be appointed as Chair of Overview and Scrutiny Committee for the remainder of 2022/23 or until Councillor Simon Feldman returns.

2.          that Councillor Tom Osborn be appointed to the Hertfordshire County Council Health Scrutiny Committee for the remainder of 2022/23 or until Councillor Simon Feldman returns.

Council received the report of the Spatial Planning Manager which sought approval for the adoption of the Local Plan.  This was a statutory planning document to guide decision-making when considering development proposals in the borough. It set out the growth strategy to 2038, including planning policies used to determine planning applications and identifying development sites that would enable growth needed in the borough.  It was noted that the Democratic Services Manager had circulated some amendments to the Local Plan prior to the meeting, which had also been published on the council’s website.

                   RESOLVED –

1.          That, Council adopts the Watford Local Plan as attached as appendix A in accordance with S23(3) of the 2004 Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act (as amended);

2.          That delegated authority be given to the Associate Director of Planning, Infrastructure and Economy in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Strategic Partnerships and Planning to undertake revisions to formatting of the Local Plan.

Report of the Group Head of Democracy and Governance

Council received a report of the Group Head of Democracy and Governance setting out the necessary updates to the Council’s Scheme of delegation, to reflect new posts and responsibilities. 

  It was also necessary to update the Budget and Policy Procedure Rules and Contract Procedure Rules to again reflect the change of posts.

                   RESOLVED –

1.           that the Council Scheme of Delegation at appendix 1 be approved.

2. that the Budget and Policy Procedure Rules at appendix 2 be approved.

3. that the Contract Procedure Rules at appendix 3 be approved.

1.     The following motion has been proposed by Councillor Watling and seconded by Councillor Bell –

This council resolves that the Mayor write to Watford's MP Dean Russell to speak up on behalf of his residents on issues such as the cost of living crisis, the disastrous effects the mini budget has had on the pound and the huge profits made by energy companies whilst his constituents' bills & mortgage costs continue to rise.

2.     The following motion has been proposed by Councillor Turmaine and seconded by Councillor Khan –

Motion to Council: Warm Banks in Watford

This Council also notes that:

Many individuals and families will not be able to warm their homes this winter due to the cost of energy, despite the government's deferred payment energy unit price cap. Increasingly, councils like Watford are creating ‘Warm Bank’ schemes, to give residents a place to stay warm and keep the cost of bills at home down after school and during evenings and weekends.

This Council believes that:

No one should go cold in Watford. Fuel poverty in the United Kingdom is disgraceful and a shaming indictment of the policies of the Conservative government. People should be able to affordably warm their own homes

This Council resolves:

That Watford Council will develop an emergency plan for the use of ‘Warm Banks’ across the borough. This includes the opening of community centres, leisure centres and other suitable buildings to provide support.

To work closely and provide extra funding for charities that are combating poverty such as food banks, children’s and pensioners poverty charities.

Work with local businesses across Watford this winter so that they too, can help with dealing with the emerging fuel crisis.

That Watford Council will write to Dean Russell, Watford’s MP, to demand the government does more in dealing with fuel poverty in the town by providing funding to councils to cope this winter.

3.     The following motion has been proposed by Councillor Stotesbury with a seconder to be advised –

Council notes with concern recent reports that all 980 staffed ticket offices in England could be closed, following discussions between the Department for Transport and the Rail Delivery Group and changes to the Government’s guidance relating to ticket office opening hours.

Council believes that ticket offices provide a vital service to residents in Watford. Having a clearly sign-posted place in the station for people with ticket enquiries provides certainty and confidence for customers who may struggle to otherwise locate station staff. 

Not all residents are able to use station ticket machines, or have the means to book a ticket in advance. Complicated journeys involving connections are likely to require human assistance to ensure customers purchase the most appropriate and cheapest tickets, and do not incur penalties from mis-booked tickets.

Council is concerned the closure of ticket offices will disproportionately affect elderly and disabled residents in Watford – as well as those with poor literacy and IT skills. Council also notes the possible implications for current station staff and  ...  view the full agenda text for item 45.

Council was informed that three motions had been received.

                   Motion 1

                   The following motion was proposed by Councillor Watling and seconded by Councillor Bell: 

                   “This council resolves that the Mayor write to Watford's MP Dean Russell to speak up on behalf of his residents on issues such as the cost of living crisis, the disastrous effects the mini budget has had on the pound and the huge profits made by energy companies whilst his constituents' bills & mortgage costs continue to rise.”

     Members debated the motion.

     On being put to Council the motion was agreed.

   RESOLVED –

          That this Council resolves that the Mayor write to Watford's MP Dean Russell to speak up on behalf of his residents on issues such as the cost of living crisis, the disastrous effects the mini budget has had on the pound and the huge profits made by energy companies whilst his constituents' bills & mortgage costs continue to rise.

Motion 2

The following motion was proposed by Councillor Turmaine and seconded by Councillor Khan:

     “Warm Banks in Watford

This Council also notes that:

Many individuals and families will not be able to warm their homes this winter due to the cost of energy, despite the government's deferred payment energy unit price cap. Increasingly, councils like Watford are creating ‘Warm Bank’ schemes, to give residents a place to stay warm and keep the cost of bills at home down after school and during evenings and weekends.

This Council believes that:

No one should go cold in Watford. Fuel poverty in the United Kingdom is disgraceful and a shaming indictment of the policies of the Conservative government. People should be able to affordably warm their own homes

This Council resolves:

That Watford Council will develop an emergency plan for the use of ‘Warm Banks’ across the borough. This includes the opening of community centres, leisure centres and other suitable buildings to provide support.

To work closely and provide extra funding for charities that are combating poverty such as food banks, children’s and pensioners’ poverty charities.

Work with local businesses across Watford this winter so that they too, can help with dealing with the emerging fuel crisis.

That Watford Council will write to Dean Russell, Watford’s MP, to demand the government does more in dealing with fuel poverty in the town by providing funding to councils to cope this winter.”

     Mayor Taylor moved an amendment to the motion, which was seconded by Councillor Dychton. 

“This Council notes that:

Many individuals and families will not be able to warm their homes this winter due to the cost of energy, despite the government's deferred payment energy unit price cap. Increasingly, councils including Watford are creating ‘Warm Bank’ schemes, to give residents a place to stay warm and keep the cost of bills at home down after school and during evenings and weekends and give an opportunity to meet others.

Watford Council declared a cost of living emergency at a previous meeting. In response to the emergency, the Mayor has convened  ...  view the full minutes text for item 45.