Agenda item

To consider any Motions submitted under Council Procedure 11.

Motion 3, Improving Oversight and Accountability of HMOs in Three Rivers has been WITHDRAWN.

The Local Government Reorganisation motion was amended before the meeting. Proposed by Councillor Giles-Medhurst and seconded by Councillor Nelmes

Council notes the requirement of the Government to put before its different options for new unitary government in Hertfordshire. Councill notes that three options are to be presented to the government based on joint working with the 11 authorities and the Police and Crime Commissioner.

Given this and in the interests of local accountability and community links believes the most suitable option for Three Rivers is the three unitary options. That would involve Three Rivers, Watford and Dacorum (including Bushey Divisions) which would mean a current population of 386,013 rising most likely to 463,000 by 2045 with 72 elected councillors (three per County Council Division).

That this Council undertakes an indicative vote regarding this, whilst noting that this is an Executive Decision to indicate the preference on the submission of the options of 2, 3 or 4 Unitaries that will be submitted by all the Herts Leaders to the Secretary Of State. Council notes that the Secretary of State will make the final decision, but that council expects the SoS to agree to a consultation on three submissions submitted by the Herts Leaders.

Councillor Giles-Medhurst introduced the motion and explained that the Council was not making a binding decision but giving a view to informing Hertfordshire’s collective response. The Government required an indication of preference between two, three or four unitary models and a directly elected mayor. The Leader reiterated that the final decision would rest with the Secretary of State.

Some Members expressed concern at the lack of detailed information and financial data and questioned the adequacy of resident consultation. Several Members regarded the process as rushed, politically driven or undemocratic, noting that the full public consultation results had not been circulated. Others emphasized the important of protecting SEND provision, maintaining local representations, and ensuring reorganization served residents rather than party interests. While some speakers criticized the process, some acknowledged that if a view had to be given, the three unitary option was the most practical of the models proposed.

The Motion was put to an indicative recorded vote and the Chair of the Council announced the councillors votes as follows:

For option 2 (0),

For option 3 (13) Councillors Davies, Giles-Medhurst, Humphreys, King, Mitchell, Nelmes, Raeburn, Scarth, Sian, Stungo, Tankard, Whatley-Smith and Winter,

For option 4 (0)

Abstain (20) Councillors Campbell, Cooper, Drury, Edwards, Gazzard, Grewal, Hearn, Hudson, Hussain, Khiroya, Lloyd, Major, Martin, Merali, Morris, Price, Rainbow, Ranger, Reed and Sims.

Motion 1 Misinformation and Fake news

This item was not reached.

Motion 3 Improving Oversight and Accountability of HMOs in Three Rivers – Withdrawn

Motion 4 – Save the Aquadrome

This item was not reached.

Motion 5 – Raising our flag in Three Rivers

This item was not reached.

Motion 6 – Celebrating our heritage

This item was not reached.

Motion 7 – Restore Chorleywood’s Parish Council Elections

This item was not reached.

Motion 8 – Boulders at the Green

This item was not reached.