Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Joan King, Steve Drury.

Councillor Oliver Cooper and Christopher Alley arrived at 19:32.

There were no Declarations of Interest.

To confirm as being a correct record the minutes of the meeting of Full Council held on 19 May 2025 and for them to be signed by the Chair.

The minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Council held on 20 May 2025 were confirmed as a true record.

To receive an update on the Chair’s activities since the last meeting.

Councillor Raj Khiroya was presented with the Record of Appreciation for his service as Chairman of the Council.

The Chair announced that they had attended various events since the Annual Council held on 20 May 2025 including the presentation night on the River Thames for Oxhey Jets Football Club and Mission Employable graduations in Chorleywood.

The Chair congratulated Councillor Raeburn on undertaking a 1000 Mile cycle ride for charity.

Members congratulated Councillor Giles-Medhurst on being awarded an OBE for services to the community.

Under Rule 6 (2) of the Constitution the order of business had been changed to ensure time critical items were reached.

To consider any petitions received by the Council under Procedure Rule 18.

None received.

To receive any questions from the public submitted under Procedure Rule 15 and to note the answers provided.

No questions from the public were received.

To consider any recommendations arising from the meetings of the Policy and Resources Committee held on:

·          09 June 2025

·         23 June 2025

Standing Orders were suspended to allow for items 66, 69 ,70, 71, 75 to be taken before other items that were not reached   .   

That:

1.1              The Councils Risk Management Strategy is adopted.

1.2              The risk to the Green Belt be added to the Risk Register.

1.3              The Committee agrees to give delegated Authority to Associate Director of Corporate, Customer and Community to authorise minor changes to the policy, such as terminology, clarification, or administrative corrections with no significant impact.

Councillor Price proposed the recommendation as set out in the report and seconded by Councillor Nelmes.

Councillor Reed proposed an Amendment to the Risk Strategy Management, Seconded by Councillor Sims emphasising that the Green Belt is a crucial area that warrants consideration.

“To add a separate column to the right of the second table at Appendix A, concerning impact of the Green Belt, the precise risk thresholds to be agreed by Audit Committee.”

Members discussed the importance of the Green Belt; it was noted that the Local Plan was not produced in February and there had been an increase in housing and development. Concerns were raised on how the Green Belt would be measured as while Farmers themselves are part of the Green Belt they are too a risk to the Green Belt.

Demarcation lines between Audit Committee and Policy & Resources Committee were discussed. Concern was raised that if the risk adjustment and framework were wrong then the consequence would be more risk to the Council. Members were reminded that Officers had advised that no other local authority had the Green Belt in the Risk Management Strategy. The Risk Management Strategy was designed to manage risks in a balanced way.

On being put to the Council the proposed amendment fell by the vote being 13 For, 23 Against and 1 Abstention.

Members expressed approval that the Green Belt was a high priority, but members felt that too much officer time would be taken in assessing each risk against the Green Belt. The importance of putting the risk in the right place was discussed it was noted that if the risk was put in the right place, the appropriate action could be taken. Risk Management had been reviewed at each Full Council meeting.

On being put to the Council the substantive motion was declared CARRIED by the Chair of the Council by general assent.

RESOLVED:

That:

1.1              The Councils Risk Management Strategy is adopted.

1.2              The risk to the Green Belt be added to the Risk Register.

1.3              The Committee agrees to give delegated Authority to Associate Director of Corporate, Customer and Community to authorise minor changes to the policy, such as terminology, clarification, or administrative corrections with no significant impact.

Approval be granted to vary the current PSPO relating to dog control for the remainder of the current PSPO.

This item was withdrawn.

That Full Council:

• Approves the Regulation 18 Consultation document in Appendix 1 to this report

• Grants delegated authority to the Head of Planning Policy and Conservation in consultation with the Lead Member for the Local Plan to make any minor changes that are required prior to the documents being published for consultation

Councillor Giles-Medhurst proposed the recommendation as set out in the report and seconded by Councillor Nelmes.

Members received a verbal report on the Local Plan Regulation 18 Document. It was noted that the Council was legally required to undertake a consultation, residents would be invited to give their views at a later date. Sites were deemed either potentially suitable, some concerns, considerable concerns and may be further ruled out following the consultation. The consultation exercise was not a decision making process. It was noted that Hertfordshire Highways was a statutory consultant.

Councillor Cooper proposed an amendment to the Local Plan Regulation 18 Consultation Document seconded by Councillor Hearn.

“That the following sites be discounted from consultation, and to be listed within the consultation solely as discounted:

NCFS1 – Chequers House, Chequers Lane

NCFS2 – Fortune Farm, High Elms Lane

NCFS3 – The Old Dairy, Chequers Lane

NCFS4 – High Elms Manor

NCFS6 – Land to the east of Watford Road

NCFS8 – Land off St Albans Lane, Bedmond

NCFS9 – Land to the north-west of Woodstock, Bedmond

NCFS10 – Great Westwood Park

NCFS11 – Grange Wood, Carpenders Park

NCFS12 – Lane East of Oxhey Lane, Carpenders Park

NCFS13 – Catlips Farm

NCFS14 – Homefield Road

NCFS17 – North Hill Farm

NCFS18 – Land to the east of Sarratt Lane

NCFS19 – Land adjacent to 60 Harthall Lane

NCFS22 – Nine of Herts Golf Club and surrounding land

NCFS24 – The Island, Rickmansworth

NCFS27 – Green End Farm, Sarratt

NCFS28 – Ravenswood, Sarratt

NCFS29 – New Model Farm, Sarratt

NCFS30 – Sarratt Lodge, Sarratt Green

NCFS31 – Land to the south-east of Poles Hill

NCFS32 – Land to the south-west of Bragmans Lane

NCFS34 – Land south of Chalfont Lane (employment)

NCFS35 – Land north of Little Green Lane”

Some members felt that the above sites would cause more harm to the Green Belt, had the exercise been undertaken in Autumn 2023 under the previous NPPF, the sites would be classed as a low growth option and discounted. Some members felt the sites would do more than moderate harm to the Green Belt.

Members debated the removal of the sites, some members felt some sites should fall into the Green Belt review. The new NPPF and guidance would mean a low bar for properties to be considered part of the grey belt. Members had previously requested a map with the proposed sites but this had not been provided as this would be provided after the Green Belt Assessment. It was noted that the sites in the documents were not proposed for development but instead sites to be consulted on. Members felt clarity needed to be given to the consultation before being released to the public, it was noted that with the sites proposed removed from the consultation only about 69  additional possible housing units would be consulted on, and this would most likely  result in the consultation ruled as “invalid” at the public inquiry.

Councillor Cooper moved for a recorded vote  ...  view the full minutes text for item 63c

That Full Council approve the constitutional amendments as set out in paragraphs 3.4.1 to 3.4.19 below.

Councillor Giles-Medhurst moved the recommendations as set out in the report, seconded by Councillor Nelmes.

Members received a verbal updated regarding the changes to the constitution. There had been more than 500 written questions in the past years with an approximate 144 officer days spent answering questions. Members felt that the question processes needed streamlining with the administration to stop asking question of themselves. Members raised the query of whether a plain English summary of the constitution was feasible.

Councillor Cooper proposed an amendment to the amendments to the constitution, seconded by Councillor Reed.

“Amend New Rule 14(2) to state: "Each opposition group will be allowed to submit a total of one written questions to the Full Council Meeting per member in their group. Each group will prioritise their questions in order of importance. Any non-group Member will be allowed one question."

Amend New Rule 14(8) to replace: "this should be limited to two questions only per group" with "this should be limited to one question per member for each group"

Members discussed the amount of questions raised at Full Council. Some members felt that no other council has received 77 questions for one meeting. Whilst replies were drafted by officers, it was felt that responses by lead members should respond. It was noted that a burden had been placed on officers to answer the questions. Some members felt there was an imbalance in the proposal as a smaller group covering less wards would have the same amount of questions as groups with more people and wards. It was noted that due to the amount of questions asked, lead members were then unable to give reports and updates as the questions took up too much of the meeting.

On being put to the Council the amendment fell, the voting being 12 For, 23 Against, 1 Abstention.

On being put to the Council the substantive motion was declared CARRIED by the Chair of the Council, the vote being 23 For, 12 Against and 1 Abstention.

RESOLVED

That Full Council approve the constitutional amendments as set out in paragraphs 3.4.1 to 3.4.19 below.

Councillor Giles-Medhurst added an amendment that Opposition group be changed throughout the constitution to non-administration groups.

1.1             That the revenue budget virements as set out in appendices 1 to 3 be approved and incorporated into the three-year medium-term financial plan.

1.2             That the revenue budget supplementary estimates as set out in appendices 1 to 3 be approved and incorporated into the three-year medium-term financial plan.

1.3             That the revenue variances to be managed as set out in appendices 1 to 3 be noted.

1.4             That the capital variances as set out in appendices 1 to 3 be approved and incorporated into the three-year medium-term financial plan.

This item was not reached.

·         That the revenue year end variance after carry forwards of £0.061m be noted.

·         That the capital year end position as summarised in paragraph 2.12 and Appendix 3 be noted.

·         To approve to carry forward the unspent service budgets from 2024/25 to 2025/26 which total £0.432m to enable completion of projects as detailed at Appendix 2.

To approve the rephasing of capital projects from 2024/25 to 2025/26 and 2026/27 as detailed at Appendix 4.

This item was not reached.

1.    That Members approve CIL funding for the following schemes detailed in Table 1 of this report and summarised in the table below for 2025/2026:

2.    The final funding and implementation of the 2 agreed projects is delegated to the Director of Finance, in consultation with the Lead Members for Resources and Planning Policy and Infrastructure, to determine to enable the agreed projects to be progressed and implemented.

Councillor Giles-Medhurst moved the recommendation as set out in the report, seconded by Councillor Lloyd.

On being put to the Council the motion was declared CARRIED by the Chair of Council by general assent.

RESOLVED:

That Members approve CIL funding for the following schemes detailed in Table 1 of this report and summarised in the table below for 2025/2026:

2.    The final funding and implementation of the 2 agreed projects is delegated to the Director of Finance, in consultation with the Lead Members for Resources and Planning Policy and Infrastructure, to determine to enable the agreed projects to be progressed and implemented.

Full Council consider and agree the final Service Plans 2025-2028.

This item was not reached.

1.     Members agree the Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) attached at Appendix A is agreed and adopted.

This item was not reached.

1.                 Agree that the Council will commit up to £4,832,400 in capital expenditure as match funding for the LAHF3 scheme;

2.                 Agree that the Council will commit up to £826,438 in capital expenditure as match funding for the LAHF1&2 residual funds;

3.                 Agree to the allocation of £750,000 in Affordable Housing (off-site) s.106 funding as part of TRDC’s LAHF match funding;

4.                 Approve the purchase of up to 14no. residential properties and delegate the approval and details of each purchase to the Director of Finance, in consultation with the Leader of the Council and Lead Member for Resources, Regeneration & Economic Development.

5.                 Approve the principle of the management arrangements and delegate the approval and details of grant of any lease or management agreements for any of the residential properties with one of our Housing Association partners to the Director of Finance, in consultation with the Leader of the Council and Lead Member for Resources, Regeneration & Economic Development.

Councillor Giles-Medhurst moved the recommendation as set out in the report, seconded by Councillor Nelmes.

Some members expressed concern regarding match funding.

This was disputed by other members as it had been explained the background and basis for match funding had been explained to members for the Commercial Ventures Shareholder Panel. It was stated there was not a requirement for match funding to be provided as long as the council could provide housing units.

On being put to the Council the motion was declared CARRIED by the Chair of Council, the voting being; 23 For, 12 Against and 1 Abstention.

RESOLVED

That:

1.                 Agree that the Council will commit up to £4,832,400 in capital expenditure as match funding for the LAHF3 scheme;

2.                 Agree that the Council will commit up to £826,438 in capital expenditure as match funding for the LAHF1&2 residual funds;

3.                 Agree to the allocation of £750,000 in Affordable Housing (off-site) s.106 funding as part of TRDC’s LAHF match funding;

4.                 Approve the purchase of up to 14no. residential properties and delegate the approval and details of each purchase to the Director of Finance, in consultation with the Leader of the Council and Lead Member for Resources, Regeneration & Economic Development.

5.                 Approve the principle of the management arrangements and delegate the approval and details of grant of any lease or management agreements for any of the residential properties with one of our Housing Association partners to the Director of Finance, in consultation with the Leader of the Council and Lead Member for Resources, Regeneration & Economic Development.

1.                 It is recommended to Full Council to:

1.1.         Approve the surrender of the existing lease and regrant on the terms as discussed within the report and as included within the heads of terms at Appendix 3;

1.2.         Agree that the proposed letting is at ‘less than best consideration’, but in accordance with the provisions of the Local Government Act 1972 and subsequent guidance on ‘best value’, the Council acknowledges that the grant of a new lease will become a net costs to the Council of approximately £11,033 p.a. as set out in the report above;

1.3.         Delegate the approval and the agreement to the finer detailed terms of the lease to the Director of Finance, in consultation with the Leader of the Council and Lead Member for Resources, Regeneration & Economic Development.

Members received a verbal report which featured the work undertaken at the museum having collated and processed Three Rivers local history which included diaries from local farmers. The security of the tenure of the lease was discussed with the lease due to expire in 2026. Members appreciated the work undertaken by the Chairman of Three Rivers Museum Trust to have improved the Museum and rallied volunteers.

Councillor Martin proposed the recommendation as set out in the report and seconded by Councillor Giles-Medhurst.

On being put to the Council the motion was declared CARRIED by the Chair of the Council having been agreed by general assent.

RESOLVED:

1.                 It is recommended to Full Council to:

1.1.         Approve the surrender of the existing lease and regrant on the terms as discussed within the report and as included within the heads of terms at Appendix 3;

1.2.         Agree that the proposed letting is at ‘less than best consideration’, but in accordance with the provisions of the Local Government Act 1972 and subsequent guidance on ‘best value’, the Council acknowledges that the grant of a new lease will become a net costs to the Council of approximately £11,033 p.a. as set out in the report above;

1.3.         Delegate the approval and the agreement to the finer detailed terms of the lease to the Director of Finance, in consultation with the Leader of the Council and Lead Member for Resources, Regeneration & Economic Development.

That Full Council appoint Kimberley Grout, Assistant Director Corporate, Customer and Community as Interim Monitoring Officer until further notice.

Councillor Giles-Medhurst moved the recommendation as set out in the report, seconded by Councillor Nelmes.

Members noted that the Interim Monitoring Officer did not have a legal background.

On being put to the Council the motion was declared Carried by the Chair of Council by general assent.

RESOLVED

That Full Council appoint Kimberley Grout, Assistant Director Corporate, Customer and Community as Interim Monitoring Officer until further notice

NOTE: Kimberley Grout left the room for the duration of this item.

To receive written reports from the Lead Members on activities falling within their remit since the last meeting of Full Council.

This item was not reached.

To receive written reports from the Chairs of the Audit, Planning Licensing and Regulatory Committees and any question of those Chairs.

This item was not reached.

To receive the answers to questions submitted to the Leader and Lead Members.

This item was not reached.

To receive urgent questions from members.

Councillor Giles-Medhurst thanked Councillor Grewal and replied to the Urgent Question. The Leader of the Council was pleased to attend the Area Forum and felt it was a slight to resident that after having agreed to attend Red Rose did not attend the previous meeting despite confirmation having been sent to both Councillor Giles-Medhurst and Councillor Grewal. Further issues have been raised within the Leaders local division. The issues with Red Rose need to be addressed and they need to be held accountable. The Leader would  write to the CEO of Red Rose and use other officers held to persuade Red Rose to attend an Area Forum to hear residents’ concerns.

To consider any Motions submitted under Council Procedure 11.

This item was not reached.