Decision - WORK PROGRAMME 2020/21

Decision details

WORK PROGRAMME 2020/21

Decision Maker: Environment & Economy Select Committee

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: No

Is subject to call in?: No

Decision:

The Select Committee considered its draft Work Programme for 2020/21.   The Scrutiny Officer highlighted the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the work programme. 

 

The following observations were made in respect of the Work Programme:

 

Local Neighbourhood Centres - Members had carried out site visits to selected neighbourhoods.  It was agreed that further site visits would not add much value to the review but that lessons from site visits could inform the Cooperative Neighbourhoods approach.  Members were advised to collate notes from meetings between Communities & Neighbourhoods Officers and Ward Members as documentary evidence for the review. 

 

The Scrutiny Officer reported that he was in discussions with Assistant Director (Housing Development) regarding arrangements for a Committee briefing on regeneration plans for Neighbourhood Centres, update on Kenilworth Close Scheme, the Oval and future regeneration projects.

 

Climate Emergency Strategy Action Plan – Scrutiny of the Council’s Climate Emergency Strategy Action Plan would be the Committee’s major project for the next two years.  The Chair highlighted the importance of tackling Climate Change and the urgency of reviewing the Council’s Climate Emergency Strategy Action Plan.  Strategic Director (TP) confirmed that the draft Climate Change Strategy was approved at the September Executive meeting, to be followed by a Citizen’s Panel to review the draft strategy and action plan.  Members and Officers highlighted the importance of engaging Members of the Executive.  The Chair informed the Committee that he would take part in future meetings of the Implementation Group that would be created to help drive and monitor progress made against the Climate Change Action Plan.

 

Impact of Covid-19 – A review of the impact of Covid-19 on economic development in Stevenage was considered to be urgent.  Strategic Director (TP) confirmed that the Council received economic data pertaining to Covid-19 from a variety of sources including the Department for Work and Pension, SBC Housing & Investment, CA Stevenage, Herts LEP and the Council-commissioned survey on the impact of Covid-19 on local businesses. 

 

Update on the 2016 Business Technology Centre Review – to remain on the Work Programme.

 

It was RESOLVED:

 

1.       That the Select Committee’s Work Programme for 2020/21 be updated, as outlined above

 

2.       That the Scrutiny Officer drafts a scoping document for scrutiny of the impact of Covid-19 on economic development in Stevenage and the Council’s response

 

3.       That the Scrutiny Officer presents the scoping document to Members at the November Committee meeting

 

4.       That the Scrutiny Officer updates the Committee on arrangements for the briefing with Assistant Director (Housing Development)

Publication date: 25/09/2020

Date of decision: 22/09/2020

Decided at meeting: 22/09/2020 - Environment & Economy Select Committee

Accompanying Documents: