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Cabinet - Tuesday, 23rd September, 2025 7.30 pm

September 23, 2025 View on council website  Watch video of meeting

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Summary

The North Hertfordshire Council Cabinet is scheduled to meet on 23 September 2025 to discuss a range of issues, including the adoption of the Codicote Neighbourhood Plan, the approval of a new Economic Development Strategy, and an update to the Developer Contributions Supplementary Planning Document. The Cabinet will also review the council's financial performance and progress against its delivery plan.

Economic Development Strategy

The Cabinet is scheduled to discuss and potentially approve the new North Herts Economic Development Strategy 2025-2030. The strategy aims to boost the local economy over the next five years.

The strategy focuses on several key areas, including:

  • Supporting existing businesses and attracting new investment
  • Developing a skilled workforce
  • Promoting tourism
  • Improving infrastructure

The report pack includes the North Hertfordshire Economic Strategy and the North Hertfordshire Economic Evidence Base.

Codicote Neighbourhood Plan

The Cabinet is scheduled to consider the results of the referendum for the Codicote Neighbourhood Plan and formally make the Neighbourhood Plan so that it becomes part of the statutory development plan for North Hertfordshire.

Neighbourhood plans allow local communities to have a greater say in the planning and development of their area1.

Developer Contributions Supplementary Planning Document

The Cabinet is scheduled to discuss a review of the Developer Contributions Supplementary Planning Document (SPD). The SPD provides guidance to developers and case officers on developer contributions2 that can be used to make a development acceptable. The review is intended to update the SPD, particularly with regard to the provision of open space in new developments.

Following the adoption of the Local Plan in November 2022, the Council adopted a Developer Contributions Supplementary Planning Document to provide additional details for developers and case officers about developer contributions which can be used to make a development acceptable. This review is to update the SPD, particularly with regard to the provision of open space in new development.

The report pack includes the Developer Contributions SPD and a document showing the track changes to Appendix A.

Strategic Planning Matters

The Cabinet is scheduled to receive a report on strategic planning matters affecting the council. This report identifies the latest position on key planning and transport issues. The report pack includes a document on Strategic Planning Matters, and appendices on speeding up build out and the HIPP Consultation Response to the Reform of Planning Committees Technical Consultation.

Financial Monitoring

The Cabinet is scheduled to discuss the first quarter revenue budget monitoring for 2025/26. The purpose of this report is to inform the Cabinet of the summary position on revenue income and expenditure forecasts for the financial year 2025/26, as at the end of the first quarter. The Cabinet will also receive updates on the Treasury Management Strategy and the Capital Programme.

Council Delivery Plan

The Cabinet is scheduled to receive an update on the Council Delivery Plan for 2025-26. The report presents progress on delivering the plan as of mid-August.

Flooding Position Statement

The Cabinet is scheduled to discuss a position statement in relation to flooding. The council is a Category 1 responder under the Civil Contingencies Act 20043, which means it is required to have plans for emergencies, respond to emergencies, and support recovery efforts. The report considers the options available to the council in relation to the level of support provided during flooding events.

The Council is a Category 1 responder under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004. Amongst other requirements this means that the Council (with other responders) is required to have plans for emergencies, respond to an emergency when it happens and support the recovery from an emergency. Whilst this places obligations on the Council, there are still options available in relation to the level of support that is provided when emergencies occur. This report considers the options in relation to flooding.

Strategic Housing Site GA2

The Cabinet is scheduled to discuss a grant for an option agreement for the sale of land to facilitate access to strategic housing site GA2. Site GA2 is a strategic housing site in the Local Plan. It is proposed that a new access road to the development will be created from Mendip Way. The report seeks Cabinet approval for the heads of terms for an option agreement to give the developer a right to acquire land owned by the council to facilitate access to GA2, in collaboration with the other four owners. The report pack includes several appendices showing the land owned or controlled by Picture Estates, the extent of council ownership, Policy SP18 Great Ashby GA2, a plan showing site allocation GA2 - Great Ashby, and GA2 illustrative Masterplan and Landscape Strategy.

Corporate Peer Challenge Action Plan

The Cabinet is scheduled to receive an update on progress against the Corporate Peer Challenge Action Plan. The report pack includes the Corporate Peer Challenge Action Plan Update and a September review of the CPC 2024 Action Plan.


  1. Neighbourhood planning is a right for communities introduced through the Localism Act 2011. Communities can shape the area in which they live through neighbourhood planning. They can choose where they want new homes, shops and offices to be built, have their say on what those new buildings should look like and what infrastructure should be provided, and grant planning permission for new development they want to see happen. Neighbourhood plans can be developed by a town or parish council, or by a designated neighbourhood forum. 

  2. Developer contributions are payments or other benefits that developers provide to local authorities to mitigate the impact of their developments. These contributions can be used to fund infrastructure improvements, such as new roads, schools, and parks. 

  3. The Civil Contingencies Act 2004 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom that establishes a framework for emergency preparedness and response. 

Attendees

Profile image for CouncillorDaniel Allen
Councillor Daniel Allen Leader of the Council, Leader of the Labour and Co-operative Group and Executive Member for Governance • Labour and Co-operative • Letchworth Norton
Profile image for CouncillorVal Bryant
Councillor Val Bryant Deputy Leader of the Council and Executive Member for Customer Experience • Labour and Co-operative • Hitchin Bearton
Profile image for CouncillorIan Albert
Councillor Ian Albert Executive Member for Resources and Chair of the Hitchin Community Forum • Labour and Co-operative • Hitchin Bearton
Profile image for CouncillorAmy Allen
Councillor Amy Allen Executive Member for Environment and Chair of the Cabinet Panel on the Environment • Labour and Co-operative • Letchworth Wilbury
Profile image for CouncillorMick Debenham
Councillor Mick Debenham Executive Member for Regulatory • Labour and Co-operative • Letchworth South East
Profile image for CouncillorTamsin Thomas
Councillor Tamsin Thomas Executive Member for Enterprise • Labour and Co-operative • Letchworth South East
Profile image for CouncillorLaura Williams
Councillor Laura Williams Executive Member for Local Government Reorganisation/Devolution • Labour and Co-operative • Great Ashby
Profile image for CouncillorDonna Wright
Councillor Donna Wright Executive Member for Place • Labour and Co-operative • Hitchin Walsworth

Topics

No topics have been identified for this meeting yet.

Meeting Documents

Agenda

Agenda frontsheet 23rd-Sep-2025 19.30 Cabinet.pdf

Reports Pack

Public reports pack 23rd-Sep-2025 19.30 Cabinet.pdf

Additional Documents

Appendix B - North Hertfordshire Economic Evidence Base - Final.pdf
CPC 2024 Action Plan - Sept review.docx.pdf
MDocPackPublic.version0001.pdf
6A - Council Delivery Plan 2025-26 Q1 Update.pdf
6B - FIRST QUARTER REVENUE BUDGET MONITORING 2025-26.pdf
6C - FIRST QUARTER TREASURY MANAGEMENT REVIEW 2025-26.pdf
6D - FIRST QUARTER CAPITAL PROGRAMME MONITORING 202526.pdf
Developer Contributions SPD.pdf
2025.09.05 - Developer Contributions SPD - track changes - Appendix A.pdf.pdf
2025.09 Strategic Planning Matters.pdf
Appendix 1 - Speeding Up Build Out 17 July 2025.pdf
Appendix 2 - HIPP Consultation Response to the Reform of Planning Committees Technical Consultation-.pdf
Codicote Neighbourhood Plan.pdf
Cabinet Report - Economic Development Strategy - 23.09.2025 Final.pdf
Appendix A - North Hertfordshire Economic Strategy - Final.pdf
CORPORATE PEER CHALLENGE ACTION PLAN UPDATE.pdf
POSITION STATEMENT IN RELATION TO FLOODING.pdf
Council Delivery Plan Q1 update.pdf
Appendix A- Examples of support provided during flooding incidents.pdf
FIRST QUARTER REVENUE BUDGET MONITORING 202526.pdf
Appendix A - Council Delivery Plan.pdf
FIRST QUARTER CAPITAL MONITORING REVIEW 202526.pdf
FIRST QUARTER TREASURY MONITORING REVIEW 202526.pdf
Uploaded 1st Qrt Treasury Management Appendix 2025-26.docx.pdf
Capital App A 2526RecV3.pdf.pdf
Grant of an option agreement for the sale of land to facilitate access to strategic housing site GA2.pdf
Appendix A - Land owned or controlled by Picture Estates edged red and access land coloured blue.pdf.pdf
Appendix B - Extent of Council Ownership.pdf.pdf
Appendix C - Policy SP18 Great Ashby GA2.pdf.pdf
Appendix D - Plan showing site allocation GA2 - Great Ashby.pdf.pdf
Appendix E - GA2 illustrative Masterplan and Landscape Strategy.pdf.pdf