Agenda and draft minutes

To appoint the Chair of the Council for the ensuing Municipal Year.

It was moved by Councillor Stephen Cox and seconded by Councillor Stephen Giles-Medhurst that Councillor Stephen King be elected Chair for the ensuing year. There being no further nominations, it was unanimously

 

RESOLVED that Councillor Stephen King be appointed as the Chair of Three Rivers District Council for the 2025/26 municipal year.

 

Councillor Stephen King made and signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office of Chair and was invested with the Chair’s Chain of Office

 

Note: Cllr Raj Khiroya arrived at 19:38

 

COUNCILLOR KING IN THE CHAIR

 

The retiring Chair to reply and to receive a Scroll from the new Chair thanking the retiring Chair for their Term of Office.  (Retiring Chair to take the Vice-Chair’s seat and to move to the main chamber area after their reply).

 

Councillor Stephen Giles-Medhurst led the vote of thanks to the retiring Chair, Councillor Raj Khiroya, who had done a tremendous job as the Chair of the Council meetings. 

 

Councillor Raj Khiroya received the scroll of record of appreciation from Councillor Stephen King.

 

The Immediate Past Chair gave a speech to the members stating that it was an honour and a privilege to be the chairman for the past two year and that last year the chair made a commitment to raise two thousand GBP for the Chairs Charity and that was achieved at the Chairs Quiz the previous week.

 

 

To elect the Vice-Chair of the Council for the ensuing Municipal Year.

It was moved by Councillor Sarah Nelmes and seconded by Councillor Andrew Scarth that Councillor Humphries be appointed Deputy Chair for the ensuing year. There being no further nominations, it was unanimously

 

RESOLVED that Councillor Tony Humphries be appointed Vice-Chair of Three Rivers District Council for the 2025/26 municipal year.

 

Councillor Humphries was invested with the Deputy Chair’s Chain of Office.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meetings of 7 January 2025 and 25 February 2025

The minutes of the previous meetings held on 07 January 2025 and 25 February 2025 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Apologies were received from Councillors Christopher Alley, Khalid Hussain and Debbie Morris.

Members are invited to declare any Disclosable Pecuniary Interests and nonpecuniary interests they may have with respect to matters which are to be considered at this meeting.

There were no declarations of interest.

The Chair to make their announcements

The Chair thanked Council for the honour of investing him as Chair of the Council for the ensuing municipal year and welcomed newly elected councillors.

 

The Chair announced the Chair’s charities EDS UK and Oxhey Jets Football Club.

 

To appoint the Leader of the Council for the ensuing year.

It was proposed by Councillor Sarah Nelmes, and seconded by Councillor Louise Price, that Councillor Stephen Giles-Medhurst be appointed as the Leader of the Council for the 2025/26 municipal year.  There being no other nominations the proposal was agreed by general assent.

 

 

RESOLVED that Councillor Stephen Giles-Medhurst be appointed as Leader of the Council for the 2025/26 municipal year.

The Leader to advise the Council in relation to:

 

a)    The appointment of the Deputy Leader

b)    The appointment of Lead Members and their portfolio areas

 

For Council to then make the appointments.

 

Council considered proposed appointments to the positions of Deputy Leader of the Council and Lead Members.

 

Councillor Ciaran Reed queried the change in Lead Members from 7 to 5 and could not find the change reflected in previous minutes. The Monitoring Officer clarified that the report on proportionality provided a delegation to the Monitoring Officer to make consequential changes to the constitution arising from the Annual General Meeting.

 

Councillors Chris Mitchell and Oliver Cooper both raised concern that they had not been contacted about the change to the lead member amounts prior to the meeting and stated a conversation should have taken place.

 

It was proposed by Councillor Stephen Giles-Medhurst and seconded by Councillor Kevin Raeburn to appoint Sarah Nelmes as deputy Leader of the Council

 

 

RESOLVED that:

 

1. Councillor Sarah Nelmes be appointed Deputy Leader of the Council for the 2025/26 municipal year.
2. The following be appointed as Lead Members for the 2025/26 municipal year:

 

Councillor Giles-Medhurst gave thanks for Councillor Andrew Scarth’s contribution to Community Safety and Partnerships.

 

To appoint the committees of the Council for the ensuing year, to determine the number of Members on each committee and to review the political proportionality of the committees.

The Council was required by law to allocate seats in proportion to the political composition of the Council, with the aggregate membership of all the committees also being proportionate. The Council received a report setting out a proposed scheme of proportionality.

 

Members agreed by General Assent unanimously

 

RESOLVED that:

 

(i)             the committees as set out at Annex A of the agenda report be appointed with the committee sizes shown; and

(ii)            the scheme of proportionality as set out at Annex A of the agenda report be adopted for the ensuing municipal year.

In accordance with the allocation of seats, as determined at Item 8 above, and having regard to the nominations of the political groups (to be laid on the table), to appoint members to the following committees for the 2025/26 municipal year:

 

a)     Policy & Resources Committee

b)     General Public Services & Community Engagement Committee

c)     Climate Change and Leisure Committee

d)     Planning Committee

e)     Licensing Committee

f)       Regulatory Services Committee

g)     Audit Committee

h)     Council Tax Setting Committee

 

Council considered the proposed nominations to the standing committees of the Council.

 

Members agreed by General Assent unanimously

 

RESOLVED that:

 

1. the membership of the standing committees of the Council for 2025/26 be as follows:

 

Policy and Resources Committee

Councillors Oliver Cooper, Stephen Cox, Steve Drury, Vicky Edwards, Stephen Giles-Medhurst, Rue Grewal, Philip Hearn, Chris Lloyd, Chris Mitchell, Sarah Nelmes, Louise Price, Reena Ranger and Jon Tankard.

 

Planning Committee

Councillors Oliver Cooper, Harry Davies, Steve Drury, Elinor Gazzard, Philip Hearn, Stephen King, Chris Lloyd, Abbas Merali, Chris Mitchell, Debbie Morris and Chris Whately-Smith

 

Named substitutes

Councillors Stephen Cox, Vicky Edwards, Andrea Fraser, Stephen Giles-Medhurst, Keith Martin, Sarah Nelmes, Louise Price, Reena Ranger, Narinder Sian, Mike Sims, and Tom Smith

 

Licensing Committee

Councillors Stephen Cox, Harry Davies, Andrea Fraser, Raj Khiroya, Debbie Morris, Ciaran Reed, Andrew Scarth, Narinder Sian and Anne Winter.

 

Regulatory Committee

Councillors Stephen Cox, Harry Davies, Andrea Fraser, Raj Khiroya, Debbie Morris, Ciaran Reed, Andrew Scarth, Narinder Sian and Anne Winter.

 

General Public Services, Community Safety and Infrastructure Committee

Councillors Christopher Alley, Ian Campbell, Steve Drury, Lisa Hudson, Stephen King, Sarah Nelmes, Paul Rainbow, Kevin Raeburn and Narinder Sian.

 

Climate Change, Leisure and Housing Committee

Councillors Raj Khiroya, Joan King, Chris Lloyd, Abbas Merali, Reena Ranger, Mike Sims, Tom Smith, Cheryl Stungo and Jon Tankard.

 

Audit Committee

Councillors Harry Davies, Lisa Hudson, Tony Humphries, Khalid Hussain, Stephen King, Keith Martin, Ciaran Reed, Mike Sims and Cheryl Stungo.

 

Council Tax Setting Committee

Councillors Oliver Cooper, Stephen Cox, Stephen Giles-Medhurst, Philip Hearn, Chris Mitchell, Sarah Nelmes and Louise Price.

 

To appoint Chairs and Vice-Chairs to the Committees established at Item 8 above.

Council considered proposed nominations to the positions of Chairs and Vice-Chairs of the committees and sub-committees of the Council.

 

RESOLVED that councillors be appointed to the positions of Chair and Vice-Chair of the committees of the Council as set out below:

 

Policy and Resources Committee

Chair - Councillor Stephen Giles-Medhurst

Vice-chair - Councillor Sarah Nelmes

 

General Public Services, Community Engagement

Chair – Councillor Sarah Nelmes

Vice-chair – Councillor Steve Drury

 

Planning Committee

Chair – Chris Whately-Smith

Vice-chair – Elinor Gazzard

 

Climate Change and Leisure Committee

Chair - Councillor Jon Tankard

Vice-chair - Councillor Chris Lloyd

 

Licensing Committee

Chair - Councillor Harry Davies

Vice-chair - Councillor Raj Khiroya

 

Audit Committee

Chair - Councillor Tony Humphreys

Vice-chair - Councillor Anne Winter

 

Council Tax Setting Committee

Chair - Councillor Stephen Giles-Medhurst

Vice-chair - Councillor Sarah Nelmes

 

Local Plan Sub-Committee

Chair - Councillor Stephen Giles-Medhurst

Vice Chair - Councillor Louise Price

 

Shareholder and Commercial Ventures Scrutiny Panel Committee

Chair - Councillor Stephen Giles-Medhurst

Vice-Chair - Councillor Louise Price

 

Local Plan Sub-Committee

Chair - Councillor Stephen Giles-Medhurst

Vice Chair - Councillor Louise Price

 

Shareholder and Commercial Ventures Scrutiny Panel

Chair - Councillor Stephen Giles-Medhurst

Vice-Chair - Councillor Matthew Bedford

 

To appoint council representatives to outside bodies

Council considered a report setting out its proposed appointments to Outside Bodies for the 2025/26 municipal year. It was noted that South Oxhey Community Board had been disbanded and so no councillors were allocated.

 

Clarification had been sought by Councillor Oliver Cooper in regard to Committees requesting two members with one to be a substitute member, it was clarified by the Monitoring Officer that one member would sit on the committee and the other member would be a substitute.

 

RESOLVED that the Council appoints representatives to outside bodies as set out below:

 

East of England Local Government Association

Councillor Stephen Giles-Medhurst

 

Chilterns Conservation Board

Councillor Louise Price

 

Denham Aerodrome Consultative Committee

Councillor Raj Khiroya

 

Herts Waste Partnership

Councillor Sarah Nelmes

Councillor Stephen Giles-Medhurst (Substitute)

 

LGA General Assembly

Councillor Sarah Nelmes

Councillor Stephen Giles-Medhurst (Substitute)

 

Hertfordshire Building Preservation Trust

Councillor Elinor Gazzard

Councillor Jon Tankard (Substitute)

 

Herts County Council Health Scrutiny Committee

Councillor Tony Humphreys

Councillor Steve Drury (Substitute)

 

Three Rivers Museum Trust

Councillor Keith Martin

 

Moor Park Mansion Heritage Foundation Trust

Councillor Cheryl Stungo

Councillor Andrew Scarth

Councillor Stephen King

Councillor Reena Ranger

 

New Agreement Traffic Management Act 2004 Adjudication Joint Committee

Councillor Sarah Nelmes

Councillor Stephen Giles-Medhurst (Substitute)

 

Abbots Langley Community Centre Management Committee

Councillor David Major

 

Hertfordshire Police and Crime Scrutiny Committee

Councillor Andrew Scarth

Councillor Rue Grewal (Substitute)

 

Hertfordshire Armed Forces Covenant

Councillor Sarah Nelmes

 

Herts Climate Change and Sustainability Partnership

Councillor Chris Mitchell

Councillor Jon Tankard

Councillor Chris Lloyd (Substitute)

 

Herts Growth Board

Councillor Stephen Giles-Medhurst

Councillor Sarah Nelmes (Substitute)

 

South West Herts Strategic Planning Members Group

Councillor Stephen Giles Medhurst

Councillor Louise Price (Substitute)

 

Watford and Three Rivers Trust

Councillor Narinder Sian (Observer)

 

To appoint the following Sub Committees of the Council and to appoint the membership thereof having regard to the nominations of the political groups, as laid on the table:

a)     Local Plan Sub Committee

b)     Appointments Committee

c)     Appeals Committee

d)     Investigatory & Disciplinary Committee

 

 

 

 

Council considered proposed appointments to the Sub-Committees of the Council and other Council bodies for the ensuing municipal year.

 

It was noted that Three Rivers Community Safety Partnership Board and Three Rivers Local Strategic Partnership had been merged and renamed to Connecting Three Rivers. It was further noted that South Oxhey Community Board had been disbanded.

 

RESOLVED

 

1. that appointments be made to the Sub Committees and other Bodies of the Council as set out below:

 

Local Plan Sub Committee

Councillors Oliver Cooper, Vicky Edwards, Philip Hearn, Chris Mitchell, Stephen King, Stephen Giles-Medhurst, Steve Drury and Louise Price

 

Shareholder Scrutiny Panel

Councillors Abbas Merali, Oliver Cooper, Ian Campbell, Narinder Sian, Stephen King, Stephen Giles-Medhurst, Keith Martin, Sarah Nelmes and Louise Price

 

Appointments and Appeals Committees:

To be constituted as 7 members, being 3 Liberal Democrats, 2 Conservatives, 1 Green and 1 Labour, to be nominated by group leaders if meetings are convened.

 

Standards Committee:

To be nominated as per the constitution if convened

 

Three Rivers Community Safety Partnership Board

Councillors Stephen Giles-Medhurst, Sarah Nelmes and Steve Drury

 

Community Safety Board (Police and Crime Commissioner Board)

Councillor Steve Drury

 

Environmental Forum

Chair – Councillor Jon Tankard

Vice Chair – Councillor Chris Lloyd

All members can attend

 

Equalities Forum

Chair – Councillor Kevin Raeburn

Vice Chair – Councillor Anne Winter

All members can attend.

 

Seniors Forum

Councillor Andrea Fraser Nominated by Councillor Oliver Cooper and Seconded by Councillor Ciaran Reed.

 

Youth Council

Councillors Narinder Sian, Jon Tankard, Stephen Cox and Ciaran Reed.

 

Internal Complaints Panel

To be notified on as required basis.

 

Staff Employer Forum

To be notified on as required basis

Council considered proposed appointments to the Sub-Committees of the Council and other Council bodies for the ensuing municipal year.

 

It was noted that Three Rivers Community Safety Partnership Board and Three Rivers Local Strategic Partnership had been merged and renamed to Connecting Three Rivers. It was further noted that South Oxhey Community Board had been disbanded.

 

RESOLVED

 

       i.         that appointments be made to the Sub Committees and other Bodies of the Council as set out below:

 

Local Plan Sub Committee

Councillors Oliver Cooper, Vicky Edwards, Philip Hearn, Chris Mitchell, Stephen King, Stephen Giles-Medhurst, Steve Drury and Louise Price

 

Shareholder Scrutiny Panel

Councillors Abbas Merali, Oliver Cooper, Ian Campbell, Narinder Sian, Stephen King, Stephen Giles-Medhurst, Keith Martin, Sarah Nelmes and Louise Price

 

Appointments and Appeals Committees:

To be constituted as 7 members, being 3 Liberal Democrats, 2 Conservatives, 1 Green and 1 Labour, to be nominated by group leaders if meetings are convened.

 

Standards Committee:

To be nominated as per the constitution if convened

 

Three Rivers Community Safety Partnership Board

Councillors Stephen Giles-Medhurst, Sarah Nelmes and Steve Drury

 

Community Safety Board (Police and Crime Commissioner Board)

Councillor Steve Drury

 

Environmental Forum

Chair – Councillor Jon Tankard

Vice Chair – Councillor Chris Lloyd

All members can attend

 

Equalities Forum

Chair – Councillor Kevin Raeburn

Vice Chair – Councillor Anne Winter

All members can attend

 

Seniors Forum

Councillor Andrea Fraser

 

Youth Council

Councillors Narinder  ...  view the full minutes text for item CL14/25

Council considered the proposed appointments to the positions of Chair and Vice-chair of the Local Area Forums for the ensuing municipal year.

Council considered the proposed appointments to the positions of Chair and Vice-Chair of the Local Area Forums for the ensuing municipal year.

 

As there were two nominees for Rickmansworth Chair, Chorleywood and Sarratt Vice Chair and Abbots Langley Vice Chair, a vote for each seat was undertaken and carried.

 

Rickmansworth Local Area Forum Chair

For Councillor Sarah Nelmes, 24 votes.

For Councillor Andrea Fraser, 13 votes

Abstaining none

 

The vote concluded it was agreed by General Assent Councillor Andrea Fraser become Rickmansworth Local Area Forum Vice Chair.

 

Chorleywood and Sarratt Local Area Forum Vice Chair

For Councillor Harry Davies, 24 Votes

For Councillor Philip Hearn, 13 Votes

Abstaining none

 

Abbots Langley Local Area Forum Vice Chair

For Councillor Jon Tankard, 24 Votes

For Councillor Vicky Edwards, 13 Votes

Abstaining none

 

The debate having concluded the substantive motion was put to General Assent and carried.

 

RESOLVED that:

 

        i.         the following appointments be made to the Chair and Vice Chair positions on the Local Area Forums

 

 

 

Members received a verbal update of the outcome of the Batchworth Neighbourhood Development Plan.

 

The Committee by General Assent agreed to adopt and make the Batchworth neighbourhood Development Plan.

This report proposes two amendments to the Council’s constitution related to updates to the LGA Model Code of Conduct and providing a delegation to the Director of Finance to write off irrecoverable debts.

 

The council received a report setting out changes to the code of conduct and debt write offs which had been recommended by the Policy and Resources Committee.

 

Councillor Oliver Cooper queried whether the council would write off all debts from companies that had become insolvent. The Chief Executive clarified that only irrecoverable debts would be written off.

 

Members agreed by General Assent that the proposed constitutional amendments set out in paragraph 2.3 and 2.5 on the Recommendation from the Policy and Resources Committee: Constitution Amendments report be APPROVED.

 

To note the results of the District Council By-Elections on 19 March 2025 for Abbots Langley and Bedmond, Ian Campbell Conservatives and 1 May 2025 for Durrants Ward, Paul Rainbow Liberal Democrats

 

Council received and noted a summary of the election results following the District Elections on 2 May 2024.