Decision Maker:

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: June 16, 2025

Purpose:

Content: (1)  The Chair advised that, in accordance with Council Policy, the meeting would be recorded.   (2)  The Chair reminded Members that the Council had declared both a Climate Emergency and an Ecological Emergency. These are serious decisions, and mean that, as this was an emergency, all of us, Officers and Members had that in mind as we carried out our various roles and tasks for the benefit of our District.   (3)  The Chair drew attention to the item on the agenda front pages regarding Declarations of Interest and reminded Members that, in line with the Code of Conduct, any Declarations of Interest needed to be declared immediately prior to the item in question.   The Chair confirmed that a dispensation had been granted by the Monitoring Officer to all dual hatter Councillors (i.e. those who are both County and District Councillors) for Item 6, Growing Baldock Strategic Masterplan.   (4)  The Chair advised that the normal procedure rules in respect of debate and times to speak will apply.   (5)  The Chair advised that 4.8.23(a) of the Constitution applied to part of this meeting and that Members could not leave the Chamber during Item 6, Growing Baldock Strategic Masterplan. A comfort break would be held at an appropriate time, should proceedings continue at length.   (6)  The Chair advised of a change to the agenda order and Item 5, Referrals from Other Committees, would be taken following Agenda Item 6, Growing Baldock Strategic Masterplan, other than Referral 5A which would be taken alongside Item 6.   (7)  The Chair advised that Callum Reeve, Electoral Services Assistant, was leaving the Council and thanked him for his support to Members during his time at the authority.   (8)  The Chair advised that Jeanette Thompson, Monitoring Officer and Director – Governance, had been awarded the Lawyers in Local Government ‘Legal Professional of the Year’. He paid tribute to the work Jeanette had done at the Council and congratulated her on the achievement.