Printer Friendly Agenda
Summary of Decisions
1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE AND DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
2. MINUTES - COUNCIL - 4 OCTOBER 2016
To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 4 October 2016.
Minutes attached - Item 2 (from page1)
3. MAYOR'S COMMUNICATIONS
To receive any communications that the Mayor may wish to put before Council.
4. MAIN DEBATE - PRESENTATION FROM THE POLICE AND CRIME COMMISSIONER FOR HERTFORDSHIRE
To receive a presentation from David Lloyd Police and Crime Commissioner for Hertfordshire on the new Community Safety and Criminal Justice Plan (previously called the Police and Crime Plan).
5. PETITIONS AND DEPUTATIONS
None received
6. QUESTIONS FROM THE YOUTH COUNCIL
None received
7. QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC
A. Question from Aubert Pereira*
Road Safety and Cyclists
An increasing number of cyclists in Stevenage cycle on the pavement and within the Town Centre shopping precinct. Also some cyclists do not stop at pedestrian crossings but keep on cycling at speed, ignoring pedestrians who are on the crossing.
As it is against the law to cycle on the pavement and to ignore pedestrian crossings, what action will the Commissioner take to stop this menace and danger to the safety of Stevenage
pedestrians?
Examples:
8. LEADER OF THE COUNCIL'S UPDATE
In accordance with the Council's Standing Orders, the Leader of the Opposition shall be given the opportunity to raise one matter relevant to the Borough that has arisen since the last meeting of the Council.
The Leader of the Council shall then have the opportunity to advise the Council of matters relevant to the Borough that have arisen since the last meeting.
9. NOTICE OF MOTIONS
A. To consider the following Motion submitted by Councillor R Raynor:
'That, at a time of significant planned growth, which can only be delivered sustainably by continuing investment in public transport, the prospect of rail services between Hertford and Stevenage being severed for up to six years is totally unacceptable. Not only will this inconvenience thousands of passengers every week but it will encourage more traffic onto already congested roads.'
B. To consider the following Motion submitted by Councillor S Taylor OBE CC:
'That the Council calls upon the Government to reconsider transitional arrangements for the state pension from women born after 6 April 1951, so that women do not live in hardship due to pension changes they were not told about until it was too late'
10. QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS TO COMMITTEE CHAIRS / PORTFOLIO HOLDERS
A. Question from Councillor R Parker -
Regarding the recent refurbishment of the Autun Room in Daneshill House, and in view of the severe financial constraints under which SBC is supposed to be operating can we please be told what was the need for the refurbishment of it, the cost, details of any savings that will result from it, the payback time, the benefit to the council tax payers of Stevenage and the original cost of the furniture which has been disposed of and where has it gone?
B. Question from Councillor G Snell -
Regarding the recent refurbishment of the toilets in Daneshill House, and in view of the severe financial constraints under which SBC is supposed to be operating can we please be told what was the need for the refurbishment and the cost and details of what savings will result from it, the payback time and the benefit to the council taxpayers of Stevenage?
C. Question from Councillor A McGuinness -
With the cold weather setting in, what are the Council doing to ensure there is enough spaces in suitable homeless accommodation within the Town so that those that desperately need it, our given the support they deserve?
11. 2016/2017 MID YEAR TREASURY MANAGEMENT REVIEW
The report, attached as item 11, was considered by both the Audit Committee and the Executive at their respective meetings on 9 and 22 November 2016. Both bodies agreed the following recommendations to Council -
Report attached
Appendix A
Appendix B
Appendix C
Appendix D
12. REVISION TO CONTRACT STANDING ORDERS
The report, attached as item 12 was considered by the Audit Committee at its meeting on 9 November 2016 when that Committee agreed -
That the revised Contract Standing Orders be recommended to Council for approval.
Report attached
Appendix A
Appendix B
13. APPOINTMENT OF EXTERNAL AUDITORS (FOR AUDIT OF ACCOUNTS FROM 2018/19 ONWARDS)
The report, attached as item 13, was considered by both the Audit Committee and the Executive at their respective meetings on 9 and 22 November 2016. Both bodies agreed the following recommendation to Council -
That the Council opts in to the appointing person arrangements provided by Public Sector Audit Appointments (PSAA) for the appointment of external auditors for a five year period commencing on 1 April 2018.
Report attached
Appendix A
Appendix B
14. STEVENAGE BOROUGH COUNCIL CO-OPERATIVE CORPORATE PLAN FUTURE TOWN FUTURE COUNCIL
To consider an officer report, attached as item 13, that seeks approval of the Council's Corporate Plan - Future Town Future Council. As a Budget & Policy Framework item a draft report was submitted to Executive and the Overview & Scrutiny Committee. Final proposals were considered by the Executive on 22 November 2016 and the attached report has been drafted in line with the final recommendations arising from that meeting.
Report attached
Appendix A
Appendix B
Appendix C
15. AUDIT COMMITTEE MINUTES - 28 SEPTEMBER AND 9 NOVEMBER 2016
To note the Minutes of the meetings of the Audit Committee held on 28 September and 9 November 2016.
Minutes attached