Decision

The Director for Communities has decided to approve recommendations in the community

Analysis

outcome: Recommendations were approved

summary: The council has made a decision regarding recommendations in the community

topline: The Director for Communities has decided to approve recommendations in the community

reason_contentious: This issue may be contentious due to potential impact on local stakeholders and community members

affected_stakeholders: ["Local community members", "Council members", "Director for Communities"]

contentiousness_score: 5

political_party_relevance: There are no explicit mentions of political parties or influence on the decision

URL: https://democracy.eastherts.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=2889&J=1

Decision Maker: Director for Communities

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose: At its meeting on 2nd June 2026, the Executive approved, in principle, that the council and Sovereign Network Group (SNG), a registered provider of social housing, adopt a series of overarching objectives to improve the environment and affordable housing supply in the Sele Farm area of Hertford. The Executive considered it important that the council and SNG agree and document a set of shared objectives and a mechanism for joint working in a Memorandum of Understanding that can pass to the new successor unitary authority, thus minimising the risk of any loss of momentum during the local government reorganisation process. The Executive recognised that a little more work was required between the council and SNG before the MoU could be signed, notably the drawing up of a customer care charter by SNG to make clear what levels of service their customers could expect. This customer care charter, specifically relating to their customers in East Herts, has now been produced by SNG, with input from the council. At the same meeting, the Executive delegated authority to the Director for Communities, acting in consultation with the Executive Member for Neighbourhoods, to sign the finalised MoU with SNG on behalf of East Herts. As the Executive Member for Neighbourhoods is content with the customer care charter and MoU, she has provided her support for the Director for Communities to sign the MoU on behalf of the council.

Content:

Date of Decision: August 19, 2026