To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Graham Andrews, Graham Jones and Mark Millmore.

To receive declarations of interest in respect of Schedule 1, Schedule 2 or Other Interests from members of the Council in respect of items on the agenda.

Councillor Jim Kenyon declared a schedule 1 interest in agenda item no. 7, Licensing Policy 2020-2025, as a licensee.

Councillor Paul Rone declared a schedule 1 interest in agenda item no. 7, Licensing Policy 2020-2025, as a holder of various licenses with Herefordshire Council.

The monitoring officer recorded the following as schedule 2 interests but they were not a personal interest in the item being discussed so did not preclude those declaring from participating in the debate and voting:

Councillor John Stone declared a schedule 2 interest in agenda item no. 7, Licensing Policy 2020-2025, as a treasurer of a village hall.

Councillor Polly Andrews declared a schedule 2 interest in agenda item no. 7, Licensing Policy 2020-2025, as a chairman of a community hall.

Councillor Carole Gandy declared a schedule 2 interest in agenda item no. 7, Licensing Policy 2020-2025, as a secretary of Orleton Village Hall.

Councillor Mike Jones declared a schedule 2 interest in agenda item no. 7, Licensing Policy 2020-2025, as the treasurer to the Mansel Lacy Community Association.

Councillor Jenny Bartlett declared a schedule 2 interest in agenda item no. 7, Licensing Policy 2020-2025, as a trustee of the Leominster District Community Association.

Councillor Toni Fagan declared a schedule 2 interest in agenda item no. 7, Licensing Policy 2020-2025, as a trustee of Llanwarne Village Hall.

Councillor Felicity Norman declared a schedule 2 interest in agenda item no. 7, Licensing Policy 2020-2025, as a member of the LARC (Grange Court) management committee.

Councillor Tracy Bowes declared a other interest in agenda item no. 7, Licensing Policy 2020-2025, as a partner to a licensee.

To approve and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 9 October 2020.

The Chairman introduced a challenge to the accuracy of the minutes and proposed the minutes for confirmation subject to the change below:

Minute 19, bullet point 5, on page 15 of the agenda pack: the wording ‘The Leader explained that the council did not want to repay the money and was attempting to use it in accordance with the initial objectives.’ to be replaced with the wording ‘The Leader explained that the Council would be using all arguments at its disposal to resist the claim.’

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 9 October 2020 be confirmed as a correct record, subject to the change outlined above, and signed by the Chairman.

To receive the Chairman and Chief Executive’s announcements.

Council noted the Chairman’s and Chief Executive’s announcements as printed in the agenda papers. Members paid Tribute to the Chief Executive who was attending his last meeting of the full Council before leaving Herefordshire Council. The Chief Executive thanked members for their kind words.

To receive questions from members of the public.

Deadline for receipt of questions is 5:00pm on Monday 7 December.

Accepted questions and answers will be published as a supplement prior to the meeting.

A copy of the public questions and written answers, together with the supplementary question asked at the meeting and its answer, is attached to the Minutes at Appendix 1.

Councillors Jim Kenyon and Paul Rone left the meeting.

To review and approve the draft Licensing Policy 2020-2025.

Council considered a report by the cabinet member housing, regulatory services and community safety to approve the Licensing Policy 2020 – 2025. The report was introduced by the cabinet member who proposed the recommendation to approve the Licensing Policy 2020 – 2025.

During the course of the debate members raised the principal points below:

·         The removal of crime and disorder zone from Hereford city centre was welcomed as it removed onerous conditions and requirements on prospective licensees and supported the licensing trade in the county;

·         It was queried if a condition could be added to the policy to require events to use reusable and recyclable plastic cups; and

·         There was support for the policy which was felt to be a positive approach to the licensee community during the difficulties posed by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Councillor Alan Seldon seconded the approval of the Licensing Policy 2020 – 2025 as the standing Chairman of the licensing sub-committee.

The approval of the Licensing Policy 2020 – 2025 was approved by a simple majority of the Council.

RESOLVED: That:

1. the draft Licensing Policy appended to the report be approved: and

2. that authority be delegated to the Assistant Director Regulatory Environment and Waste to make any minor amendments to the statement of licensing policy, as and when required to be updated by legislation and guidance issued by government.

Councillor Paul Rone re-joined the meeting.

To receive a report from the leader on the activities of the executive (cabinet) since the meeting of Council on 9 October.

The Leader presented his report on the activities of Cabinet since the meeting of full Council 9 October 2020 and the following points were raised:

·         The signs of safety briefing should be provided to all members and the importance of providing detailed information to scrutiny committees. The length of time it had taken to produce a final report concerning peer on peer abuse was questioned and that in future issues should be addressed in a more timely and compassionate manner.  It was confirmed that the signs of safety briefing would be offered to all members and that is was important that scrutiny committees had all relevant information to enable an examination of significant issues. The outcomes of the peer on peer abuse report would be followed-up and in future the council would be more responsive.

·         There was concern over the timing of bids for the stronger towns fund and the council was encouraged to withdraw the applications it had made to allow local groups and bodies to access the funding. It was confirmed that applications to the fund from the council would proceed and projects were being shortlisted to include in applications.

·         The budget setting process was queried and whether there was any update on funding from central government and the progress of the budget consultation. The extension of the medium term financial strategy (MTFS) to a period of 5 years was queried. It was confirmed that central government would announce the settlement before Christmas and that the online budget consultation would be live over the Christmas period into the New Year. The MTFS covered a period of 4 years which was aligned with the county plan.

·         The role of the council to continue the provision of free school meals was welcomed and it was queried how the council could make council services more accessible to such groups as children with English as an additional language and with special education needs. It was confirmed that free school meals would be provided across Christmas and government funding was being passed to schools to distribute to families entitled to free school meals.

·         It was queried how many fixed penalty notices had been issued for non –compliance with tier 2 restrictions and if the council had been in contact with schools regarding pupils social distancing after leaving school. It was confirmed that a written response would be provided on the fixed penalty notices and that advice had been sent to schools.

·         The review of waste management services was queried and it was felt that the current system worked effectively in rural areas of the county. It was confirmed that the review of the services was being undertaken to address low recycling rates.

·         The risk management arrangements concerning Brexit were queried. It was confirmed that an officer group was working in preparation for the changes in 2021.

RESOLVED:  That the report be noted.

To consider Notices of Motion.

Motion 1 – That this Council bestow Lady Darnley an honorary freewoman of Herefordshire.

In moving the motion Councillor Sebastian Bowen explained that Lady Darnley had undertaken her role of Lord Lieutenant with distinction and served the interests of Herefordshire. She had always been respected by those she met and had ensured a close working relationship between the Lord Lieutenancy and Herefordshire Council.

In seconding the motion Councillor Bob Matthews explained that Lady Darnley had been very supportive for the county of Herefordshire and had a natural ability to empathise with people of the county.

The following principal points were raised during the debate:

·         It was queried if the proposed award was consistent with the scheme for awarding individuals the freedom of Herefordshire.

·         Lady Darnley had shown a commitment to charities and community groups across Herefordshire.

·         Lady Darnley had modernised the role of the Lord Lieutenant.

·         Lady Darnley involved herself with local organisations and maintained a close link to local communities.

·         The award was to honour the individual and the exemplary manner in which she had undertaken the role of Lord Lieutenant.

The motion was put to the vote and agreed by a simple majority of the Council.

RESOLVED: That this Council bestow Lady Darnley an honorary freewoman of Herefordshire.

Motion 2 – Climate and Ecological Emergency

In moving the motion Councillor William Wilding explained that the motion sought to build on the earlier climate emergency motion. It was felt that the original motion should include mention of the ecological emergency which faced the county to ensure that the actions of the council took account of and sought to address the emergency.

In seconding the motion Councillor Elissa Swinglehurst explained that the motion demonstrated cross-party working. The ecological emergency had been implicit in the earlier debate in March 2019 around the climate emergency motion. The ecological emergency included the loss of insects, pollution in rivers and the collapse of soil structure. The motion sought to raise awareness and encourage people to be considerate of the natural world: such an approach needed to be incorporated in the processes and polices at the council.

The following principal points were raised during the debate:

·         The inclusion of the ecological emergency was welcomed as it helped to embed an awareness and an emphasis into the actions of the council.

·         There was concern that the declaration in the motion might hinder some opportunities for economic growth in the county.

·         It was considered that the commitment in the motion could have a positive economic impact by encouraging tourism.

·         There was concern about the use of insecticides and the impact on insect species in the county.

Councillor Wilding, as the mover of the motion, closed the debate and explained that the local economy should seek to enhance and protect local ecology.

The motion was put to the vote and agreed by a simple majority of the Council.

RESOLVED: Thatthis council, already having declared a ‘Climate Emergency’ in March 2019, wishes to strengthen its commitment by changing  ...  view the full minutes text for item 28.

The next meeting is the extraordinary meeting of Council on 15 December 2020 at 2.00 p.m.

Forthcoming meetings in the remainder of 2020/21 are listed below:

22 January 2021 – Extraordinary meeting

12 February 2021 – Budget meeting

5 March 2021

21 May 2021 – Annual meeting

Council is asked to approve the schedule of full Council meeting dates in 2021/22 as below:

23 July 2021

8 October 2021

10 December 2021

11 February 2022 – Budget meeting

4 March 2022

20 May 2022 – Annual meeting

Council considered meeting dates in the 2021/22 municipal year and agreed those dates set out below:

RESOLVED: That Council approves the schedule of full Council meeting dates in 2021/22 as below:

23 July 2021

8 October 2021

10 December 2021

11 February 2022 – Budget meeting

4 March 2022

20 May 2022 – Annual meeting