Council received a late report of the Democratic Services Manager setting out that there had been no change to the political balance following the Tudor by-election.  It also included the appointment of the new councillor, Councillor Bill Stanton, to a committee and to fill the vacancy on the Licensing Committee.

RESOLVED –

1.      that Council notes the political balance remains unchanged following the by-election.

2.      that Councillor Stanton be appointed to the Finance Scrutiny Committee.

3.      that Councillor Martins be appointed to Licensing Committee.

Council was informed that two motions had been received.

Motion 1

The following motion was proposed by Councillor Hofman and seconded by Councillor Saffery

“Hate Crime destroys lives and devastates communities, it attacks an individual’s identity and can have an appalling and devastating impact on victims. People who experience such crimes can feel isolated and vulnerable and suffer from significant emotional and physical stress.

Sadly, since the Brexit referendum in 2016 the UK has experienced an unprecedented rise in hate crimes motivated by individuals and groups trying to promote a sense of “otherness” or discrimination towards people based on their race, religion, sexual orientation, disability or transgender identity.

Watford Borough Council is committed to defending the rights of everyone in our area to live free from fear and discrimination. Council fully condemns hate crime in all its forms and strongly believes that any acts motivated by prejudice or hate against a person are totally unacceptable. Watford’s diverse population is one of our great strengths.

Council notes that

Home Office figures for last year, showed that in 2017/18:

·               There were 94,098 hat crime offences recorded by the police in England and Wales, an increase of 17% compared with the previous year. This continues the upward trend in recent years with the number of hate crimes recorded by the police having more than doubled since 2012/13.

·               52% of religious hate crimes were targeted against Muslims (2,965 offences), with a further 12% targeted against Jews (672 offences).

·               At the same time, the charge rates have fallen.  Only 12% of hate crimes reported to the police resulted in a charge in 2017/18, which is down from 21% in 2015/16.

Therefore Watford Borough Council resolves to:

1.      Continue to ensure that all possible steps should be taken by the Police Services at local level in consultation with local Government and other agencies and local communities to encourage the reporting of racist incidents and crimes.

2.      Commit to recruit volunteer Hate Crime Ambassadors from across the council family who will help raise awareness of the issue among their colleagues and partner organisations to ensure reporting.

3.      Challenge attitudes and behaviours that underpin hate crimes.

4.      Raise awareness of the impact of hate crime by supporting the annual Hate Crime Awareness Week and other initiatives.

5.      Stand up for the right of everyone in Watford to live free from hate.”

Members debated the motion.

On being put to council the motion was AGREED.

RESOLVED –

Hate Crime destroys lives and devastates communities, it attacks an individual’s identity and can have an appalling and devastating impact on victims. People who experience such crimes can feel isolated and vulnerable and suffer from significant emotional and physical stress.

Sadly, since the Brexit referendum in 2016 the UK has experienced an unprecedented rise in hate crimes motivated by individuals and groups trying to promote a sense of “otherness” or discrimination towards people based on their race, religion, sexual orientation, disability or transgender identity.

Watford Borough Council is committed to defending the rights of everyone in our area to live free from fear and discrimination. Council fully condemns hate crime in all its forms and strongly believes that any acts motivated by prejudice or hate against a person are totally unacceptable. Watford’s diverse population is one of our great strengths.

Council notes that

Home Office figures for last year, showed that in 2017/18:

·               There were 94,098 hat crime offences recorded by the police in England and Wales, an increase of 17% compared with the previous year. This continues the upward trend in recent years with the number of hate crimes recorded by the police having more than doubled since 2012/13.

·               52% of religious hate crimes were targeted against Muslims (2,965 offences), with a further 12% targeted against Jews (672 offences).

·               At the same time, the charge rates have fallen.  Only 12% of hate crimes reported to the police resulted in a charge in 2017/18, which is down from 21% in 2015/16.

Therefore Watford Borough Council resolves to:

1.      Continue to ensure that all possible steps should be taken by the Police Services at local level in consultation with local Government and other agencies and local communities to encourage the reporting of racist incidents and crimes.

2.      Commit to recruit volunteer Hate Crime Ambassadors from across the council family who will help raise awareness of the issue among their colleagues and partner organisations to ensure reporting.

3.      Challenge attitudes and behaviours that underpin hate crimes.

4.      Raise awareness of the impact of hate crime by supporting the annual Hate Crime Awareness Week and other initiatives.

5.      Stand up for the right of everyone in Watford to live free from hate.

Motion 2

The following motion was moved by Councillor Ezeifedi and seconded by Councillor Bell

“This Council calls on the Mayor to initiate and introduce on an annual basis ‘Black History month’ to celebrate the rich contribution of the Afro-Caribbean community in our town.”

Following discussions with representatives from the Liberal Democrat Group, it was agreed that the original motion would be amended and read as follows –

“This council calls on the Mayor and council to actively support and promote the annual ‘Black history month celebrations’ to celebrate the rich contribution of the African Caribbean community in our town.”

Members debated the motion.

On being put to Council the amended motion was AGREED.

RESOLVED –

This council calls on the Mayor and council to actively support and promote the annual ‘Black history month celebrations’ to celebrate the rich contribution of the African Caribbean community in our town.

Council received a report of the Democratic Services Manager providing information about the vacancy for the Chair of Licensing Committee following the resignation of Joe Fahmy.

RESOLVED –

that Councillor Stephen Bolton be appointed as Chair of Licensing Committee for the rest of the municipal year.

Council received a report of the Group Head of Human Resources and Organisational Development which recommended the appointment of the new Managing Director and Head of Paid Service for Watford Borough Council, effective from 3 February 2020.

RESOLVED –

that the appointment of Donna Nolan as Managing Director and Head of Paid Service for Watford Borough Council be approved.  Donna will also be the Electoral Registration Officer and Returning Officer for Watford and Clerk to the West Herts Crematorium Joint Committee.

Council received a report of the Electoral Services Manager which set out the results of a review of the Polling Districts and Polling Places within the Borough.  Proposals for changes, including alternative premises had been received and shown in Appendix 1 to the report.

RESOLVED –

1.      that the current arrangements for Callowland, Central, Meriden, Nascot, Park, Stanborough, Vicarage and Woodside wards, as set out in Appendix 1 to the report, continue without change.

2.      that the existing 2 x polling places / 5 x polling stations within Holywell Ward be retained without addition for the reasons set out in Appendix 2 of the report.

3.      that the current arrangements, including the use of Orchard Primary School and Cherry tree Primary, within Leggatts Ward be retained for the reasons set out in Appendix 2 of the report.

4.      that the arrangements for Oxhey Ward continue unchanged following advice that the existing polling arrangements for polling district LB is acceptable to the Bushey and Oxhey Infants School for the foreseeable future, as set out in Appendix 1 of the report.

5.      that the current arrangements for Tudor Ward be retained and to note that upon completion of the rebuild of Centrepoint Community Centre these facilities will be checked and consideration will be given for the return from the current arrangement with Glen Rovers Hurling and Football Club.

The Mayor introduced the report and explained that the proposed phase three, with regards to road layout, would be looked at as part of the review of the long term wider town centre transport network, working with Hertfordshire County Council (HCC). The Mayor thanked the Group Head of Corporate Strategy and Communications and the Place Shaping team for their work.

Councillor Sharpe commented that there had been a healthy response to consultation and it had been discussed in the Watford Observer. Overall responses to the proposals had been positive.  This area of the town needed a boost and there were opportunities for improvement.  The Masterplan set out a route for doing something special and would give this area of the town its own identity.  The phase three elements had been met with scepticism, however, the proposals were over a long term.  There was increasing concern about climate change and the council had declared a climate emergency, therefore, the only option was to take steps to boost more sustainable modes of transport.

In response to a question from Councillor Bell, the Mayor explained that phase three was part of the original consultation but would not be happening immediately, it would be in 15-20 years’ time.  The underpass would still be looked at and the road as a whole would be considered as part of the work the council was doing around transport.  The Managing Director commented there was a need for a wider highways review in terms of connectivity in the town centre.  The council was working with HCC on solutions for Watford’s transport post Metropolitan Line Extension.

The Managing Director commented that a constructive response had been received from HCC which was included in section 6.12 of the report.  The next stages of delivering the scheme would be to engage with a wide range of stakeholders and land owners.  Groups would be set up for both and the stakeholders would also include key cultural partners.  Subject to agreement by Cabinet, the council would look to appoint a development partner by the start of 2021 and begin delivery.  There was a strong programme board led by the Interim Group Head of Place Shaping.

Councillor Bell asked a question about previous schemes for developing the museum and the Managing Director explained that the Heritage Lottery Fund bid had been to extend the museum.  Unfortunately the cost of the proposals were unaffordable and the council had committed to looking for other options to improve the museum setting.  There would be a full soft market test, proper cost assessment and feasibility which would come back to Cabinet with a cost plan.  The Mayor commented that the Friends of Watford Museum were positive about the proposals and the council would be working with them to shape plans from the outset.

RESOLVED

            That Cabinet:

1.         Notes the interim results of the consultation and engagement on the draft Watford High Street (North) and Cultural Hub Masterplan

2.         Delegates to the Managing Director in consultation with the Mayor and the Portfolio Holder for Regeneration and Development the authority to make required minor changes to the Masterplan document in line with the findings from the consultation

3.         Agrees that the proposal to remove the underpass on Rickmansworth Road be taken out from the final Masterplan and that the Council should work with the County Council to look at the wider town centre transport network as a separate project

4.         Notes the proposed governance structure to take forward implementation of the masterplan area

5.         Notes that a detailed budget for taking forward the Masterplan will be presented in the forthcoming 2020/21 budget process once a fuller cost assessment has been undertaken

6.         Approves the next steps on implementing delivery of the masterplan

7.         Approves in principle that the council offices should be re-provided within the phase 1 masterplan area

8.         Agrees to take forward a detailed feasibility for the new Museum to relocate into the Phase 1 Masterplan area and notes that other cultural development will also be pursued in line with the Council’s Cultural Strategy

9.         Notes that the proposed changes to the Avenue Car Park gyratory are to remain, subject to further work with the county council.