Agenda

To confirm, as being a correct record, the minutes of the Climate Change, Leisure and Housing Committee, held on 16 October 2024, and for them to be signed by the Chair.

Items of other business notified under Council Procedure Rule 30 to be announced, together with the special circumstances that justify their consideration as a matter of urgency. The Chair to rule on the admission of such items.

To receive any declarations of interest.

This report covers this Committees financial position over the medium term (2024 – 2028) as at Period 10 (end of January).

Recommendation

That Members note & comment on the contents of the report.

This report provides an update on the council’s performance against the Climate Emergency and Sustainability Strategy 2024 -2027 and associated Action Plan detailed at Appendix 1.

Recommendation

That:

The Climate Change, Leisure and Housing Committee note the progress being made towards the delivery of the Climate Emergency and Sustainability Strategy 2024-2027, and support officers to continue their progress in accordance with the Action Plan.

In April 2024, Grand Union Community Energy (GUCE), in partnership with Three Rivers District Council (TRDC), was awarded a £40,000 grant from the Greater South East Net Zero Hub’s Community Energy Fund (CEF) to assess the feasibility of installing solar canopies in council-owned car parks funded by community investment.

A team of technical, legal, financial and community engagement experts collaborated to evaluate the feasibility of installing solar canopies in seven TRDC-owned car parks.

Recommendations

That Members agree to:

       i.          Officers pursuing the development of business cases for solar canopies at William Penn Leisure Centre car park and the Rose Garden car park, utilising a blend of grant funding, and internal budgets.

      ii.          Note that the Feasibility Study detailed in Attachment 2 will be shared with the GSENZH, and neighbouring authorities in Hertfordshire.

The purpose of this report is to provide an update on the Rickmansworth Aquadrome Programme, including funding progress and opportunities.

Recommendation

       i.          To note the content of the report.

      ii.          Give delegated authority to the Director of Finance, in agreement with the Lead Member, to enter into a contract or funding agreement above the value of £25,000, subject to securing external funding in order that external funds where awarded for the Aquadrome Programme can be accepted by the Council

     iii.          Give delegated authority to the Director of Finance, in agreement with the Lead Member, to  enter into contracts above the value of £25,000 for works procured under the councils procurement and contracts procedure rules relating to those secured external bids.

The purpose of this report is to present and recommend for approval, a new Three Rivers Play Space Strategy for the period 2025-2030.

Recommendation

       i.          To approve the Three Rivers Play Space Strategy 2025 – 2030.

      ii.          To approve the updated Capital Programme for the period of this strategy and beyond (2025/26 – 2044/45) as detailed at Appendix C and within Appendix A.

     iii.          To give delegated authority to the Director of Finance to enter into a contract or funding agreement above the value of £25,000 for the play space capital programme, subject to capital budget confirmation as part of the medium-term financial planning process.

    iv.          To agree to the use of S106 funding to be used for the play space projects outlined in Appendix C, subject to the agreement from the legal team at the appropriate time.

To celebrate this 50th anniversary there are a series of special events designed to honour the venue’s legacy and bring the community together. Throughout 2025, a diverse programme of events will be offered to engage residents of all ages, celebrate the theatre’s relationship with the community and create lasting memories.

Recommendation

That the Climate Change, Leisure and Housing Committee note the Watersmeet Anniversary summary of detail for 2025.

As part of the council’s Housing, Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2023-2028, an Action Plan was produced detailing key projects and aims to be taken or delivered by the Service during the five years, that will ensure the delivery of our key objectives.

Recommendation

That the Committee to review and note the Year One Review of the council’s Housing, Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2023-2028 Action Plan.

To receive the Committee’s Work programme.

If the Committee wishes to consider any items in private, it will be appropriate for a resolution to be passed in the following terms:

“that under Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972 the press and public be excluded from the meeting on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of Schedule 12A to the Act. It has been decided by the Council that in all the circumstances, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.”

(Note:  If other confidential business is approved under item 3, it will also be necessary to specify the class of exempt or confidential information in the additional items.)