Open Council Network - East Hertfordshire

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Weekly updates

Sat Jun 29
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Sat Jun 8

CCTV Effectiveness in East Herts Reviewed; Fairlands Valley Park Sees Benefits

In the past week, the East Hertfordshire Council held two meetings: the Licensing Sub-Committee on Tuesday, 25 June 2024, and the Joint CCTV Executive on Monday, 24 June 2024. Below, I will focus on the most impactful discussions from these meetings.

Licensing Sub-Committee - 25 June 2024

This meeting was cancelled, and no further details are available.

Joint CCTV Executive - 24 June 2024

The Joint CCTV Executive met to discuss various issues related to the operation of CCTV in East Herts. The meeting reviewed statistics on CCTV usage and discussed a report on the use of CCTV at Fairlands Valley Park. The meeting agreed to note the contents of all the reports discussed.

CCTV Usage Statistics

The meeting reviewed statistics on the use of CCTV across the East Herts partnership. There were 27,890 activations of CCTV in the East Herts district between 1 April 2023 and 31 March 2024, down slightly from 28,183 activations the previous year. The meeting heard that there had been a decrease in the number of activations in Broxford and East Herts and an increase in the number of activations in Hertford and Sawbridgeworth.

The most common reason for CCTV activations was to identify and observe people suspected of committing crime. The second most common reason for activations was to monitor traffic flow. The meeting heard that CCTV was being used increasingly to support police investigations. For example, CCTV footage had been used to identify and apprehend suspects in a number of recent cases, including a robbery at a shop in Hertford and an assault in Bishop's Stortford.

CCTV in Fairlands Valley Park

The meeting received a report on the use of CCTV in Fairlands Valley Park in Stevenage. The park, which is owned and managed by Stevenage Borough Council, had seen an increase in anti-social behaviour in recent years. In response, the council had installed several CCTV cameras in the park. This had been controversial.

The report found that the installation of CCTV had led to a decrease in anti-social behaviour in the park. There was some discussion of the use of redeployable cameras, and whether they could be used in the park during events or at particular times of the year:

If there is a particular event on and you know you've got issues previously, whether it's an option to deploy it for a 24-48 hour period.

Cllr Taylor, Stevenage Borough Council. Minutes - CCTV Partnership Joint Executive - 26 Sept 2023

Overall, the report concluded that CCTV was an effective tool for reducing anti-social behaviour and that its continued use in the park was justified. However, it noted that CCTV should be used in a proportionate and transparent way, and that the privacy of park users should be respected.

Implications

The discussions and decisions made during the Joint CCTV Executive meeting highlight the council's ongoing efforts to balance public safety with privacy concerns. The review of CCTV usage statistics and the specific case of Fairlands Valley Park demonstrate the council's commitment to using surveillance tools effectively and responsibly. The decrease in anti-social behaviour in the park following the installation of CCTV cameras suggests that such measures can be beneficial, though they must be managed carefully to respect individual privacy.

For more detailed information, you can access the full transcripts and meeting details through the provided links.

Key Decisions on Harlow and Gilston Garden Town Development and Budget Approval

In the past week, the East Hertfordshire Council held two meetings: the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Tuesday, 11 June 2024, and the Harlow and Gilston Garden Town Joint Committee on the same day. Below, I will focus on the most impactful discussions from these meetings.

Overview and Scrutiny Committee - 11 June 2024

Unfortunately, we have not been able to find a video broadcast of this meeting, so no details are available.

Harlow and Gilston Garden Town Joint Committee - 11 June 2024

The inaugural meeting of the Harlow and Gilston Garden Town Joint Committee was held, marking a significant step in the development of the Garden Town. Key decisions included the election of Councillor Dan Swords as the Chair and Councillor Stephen Bolton as the Deputy Chair. The committee also discussed the introduction to the joint committee and approved the 2024-25 budget and programme for the Garden Town.

Introduction to the Harlow and Gilston Garden Town Joint Committee

Naysha Plain, Director of the Harlow and Gilston Garden Town, introduced the Harlow and Gilston Garden Town Joint Committee. The committee was established by five council partners to provide accountable and cross-boundary leadership for delivering spatial growth proposals as set out in the local plans of the three district councils, supported by the two county councils. The committee aims to coordinate and maximise opportunities for new and existing residents and communities.

Key points included:

Terms of reference for the joint committee, including public access arrangements and the provision to appoint an independent facilitator.
Functions of the joint committee, noting that planning development management decisions and transport and highway powers remain with the respective partner authorities.

The committee agreed to note the processes and functions, review the requirement for an independent facilitator at a future meeting, and approve the revised protocol for public access.

Harlow-Gilston Garden Town 2024-25 Budget and Programme

The 2024-25 budget and programme for the Garden Town was presented by Naysha Plain. The programme, previously agreed by the Garden Town board in March 2024, includes ongoing work and new commissions to progress the joint committee's key objectives. The budget details funding contributions from central government and Garden Town partners.

The committee approved the budget and work programme for 2024-25, allowing delegated authority to the Garden Town director, in conjunction with the chair, to make minor changes if required. A three-year business plan will be presented during 2024-25.

Implications

The establishment of the Harlow and Gilston Garden Town Joint Committee signifies a collaborative effort among multiple councils to manage and oversee the development of the Garden Town. This initiative aims to provide sustainable growth and improve the quality of life for residents in the area. The approval of the 2024-25 budget and programme ensures that the necessary resources and plans are in place to achieve these goals.

For more detailed information, you can access the full transcripts and meeting details through the provided links.

Raising the Bar: New Quality Charter and Neighbourhood Plan Revisions in East Hertfordshire

This week, the East Hertfordshire Council held two meetings: the Executive on Tuesday, 4th June 2024, and the Human Resources Committee on Wednesday, 5th June 2024. Below, I will focus on the most impactful discussions from these meetings.

Executive Meeting - 4th June 2024

The Executive meeting covered several important topics, including the adoption of the Hertfordshire Development Quality Charter and the first revision of the Walken Neighbourhood Plan.

Hertfordshire Development Quality Charter

Councillor Vicki Glover-Ward presented the Hertfordshire Development Quality Charter, which was launched by the Hertfordshire Growth Board in 2023. The charter aims to raise construction standards in Hertfordshire, focusing on design and sustainability. Seven local authorities and two developers have endorsed the charter or agreed to consider it in development management decisions.

Key points from the discussion included:

The charter is voluntary but serves as a benchmark for high-quality development.
It encourages developers to exceed minimum standards in design and sustainability.
The charter will be a material consideration in planning decisions, although not mandatory.

Councillor Glover-Ward stated:

The charter does not seek to replace or require higher standards than current regulations allow, but it does encourage developers to be more ambitious to demonstrate excellence in design and sustainability.

The council plans to update the district plan and create a district design code, which will be mandatory and provide more detailed guidance.

Walken Neighbourhood Plan First Revision

The Walken Neighbourhood Plan, originally adopted in 2018, has undergone its first revision. The changes focus on protecting the village's character and natural environment, including:

Identification of a countryside gap to the west of the village.
New non-designated heritage assets.
Two new local green spaces.
Creation of a tree charter to protect important trees.

The plan does not allocate new development sites, as the housing requirement has already been met. The examiner praised the revision for its positive impact on the environment and local heritage.

Councillor Glover-Ward noted:

The plan will be a positive addition to the East Arts Development Management process.

Human Resources Committee - 5th June 2024

The Human Resources Committee meeting did not have a transcript available, so details on the discussions and decisions made are not provided.

Implications

The adoption of the Hertfordshire Development Quality Charter signifies a commitment to higher standards in construction, which could lead to more sustainable and aesthetically pleasing developments across the district. The revision of the Walken Neighbourhood Plan demonstrates the council's dedication to preserving local character and environmental quality, setting a precedent for other neighbourhood plans in the region.

These developments indicate a broader trend towards sustainability and community involvement in planning decisions, aligning with national and regional goals for environmental stewardship and quality of life improvements.

For more detailed information, you can access the full transcripts and meeting details through the provided links.