Agenda and decisions

Apologies for Absence were received from Councillors Howard Burrell, Dave Cullen, Jamie Fraser, Lizzy Kelly, Maureen McKay, Robin Parker and Ann Webb.

There were no declarations of interest.

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 25 July 2018.

It was RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Council meeting on 25 July 2018 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Mayor.

To receive any communications that the Mayor may wish to put before Council.

The Mayor announced the sad death of former Mayor and Councillor Alderman Ken Vale. A number of tributes were given and a minute’s silence held in his honour.

The Mayor presented Councillor John Gardner with a certificate in recognition of his 20 years service as a Councillor to Stevenage Borough Council.

The Mayor then informed Council that since the last meeting the Mayoral Team had attended 52 engagements. She referred to a number of highlights including:

·         The Coptic Service held in St Margaret’s Church, Westminster Abbey;

·         The film -  A County At War, Life On The Home Front in Hertfordshire at the Rex Cinema in Berkhamstead - a DVD commissioned by HM Lieutenancy of Hertfordshire

·         The Stevenage Reception/ Pride Awards which celebrates and honours the wonderful people of Stevenage who do so much in and for the Community.

·         The fundraising Quiz for the Mayor’s Charities, with over 120 people taking part.

The Mayor also reminded Members of her upcoming events:

·         The Annual Fireworks Display on Monday 5 November;

·         Christmas Lights Switch on at 6.30 town centre on Thursday 22 November;

·         Carol Service – 2.30 – 4.30 Holy Trinity on Sunday 2 December

·         Christingle - 4.30 Church of St Andrew & St George – 2 December

·         Mayors Christmas Social –Daneshill House 7pm – 17 December

To receive a presentation from the Stevenage Youth Council.

The Council received a presentation from the Stevenage Youth Council (SYC) on the development of SYC over the past 12 months, celebrating and reflecting on the growth of the group and their work while also presenting the opportunities to develop further, modernise and further increase inclusivity over the next year.

The Youth Council were thanked and congratulated by Members on their presentation.

After a full debate it was moved, seconded and RESOLVED "That this Council welcomes the participation of Stevenage Youth Council at Stevenage Borough Council meetings and supports their aspirations for improving the quality of life of young people across the town.

This Council also supports the Youth Council’s aspirations to grow and evolve with new engagement mechanisms to continue to meet young people’s needs."

None.

None received.

None.

None received.

None.

None received.

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.

The Deputy Leader of the Opposition asked about the current situation regarding Fairlands Valley Farmhouse. He referred to the failure of maintaining the building and not undertaking repairs to it since 2016. He asked what measures were being put in place for the future of the Farmhouse.

In response, the Leader of the Council advised that the cuts in the Council funding by the Government had contributed to the inability of the Council to maintain the building. The building had recently been the focus of the Community Right to Bid process which had resulted in two bids from community groups which unfortunately the Council was not in a position to progress. The Council was now reconsidering options for a future solution for the Farmhouse.

The Leader stated that a number of security measures had been undertaken and that a written reply would be sent to Councillor Bibby regarding the cost for the security of the building.

The Leader advised that the Council was committed to the preservation of the older buildings in the Town and she would encourage representations to be made to the Department for Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) regarding the unusual position of Stevenage as a New Town and the importance of preserving the very few older buildings in the Town.

The Council then received updates on the following:

·         A public showing of the Lord Lieutenants DVD – A County at War, Life on the Home Front;

·         Modern Slavery Charter;

·         Arts Council Award;

·         Stevenage Celebrates 100s years of votes for women;

·         Fraud;

·         Stevenage MRC (Flat Block Contract);

·         Housing Development;

·         Older People’s Day 2018;

·         SADA Expands to North Herts;

·         Play Area Investment;

·         Yes Futures;

·         Regeneration

·         Planning;

·         Business and Economy.

Finally, the Leader advised that she would request Officers to provide to Members the results of the Broadwater Parking Survey.

To consider the following Motion submitted by Councillor S Taylor OBE CC –

This Council adopts the full IHRA definition of anti-semitism, together with its examples, as follows.

“Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.”

Manifestations might include the targeting of the state of Israel, conceived as a Jewish collectivity. However, criticism of Israel similar to that levelled against any other country cannot be regarded as anti-Semitic. Antisemitism frequently charges Jews with conspiring to harm humanity, and it is often used to blame Jews for “why things go wrong.” It is expressed in speech, writing, visual forms and action, and employs sinister stereotypes and negative character traits.

Contemporary examples of antisemitism in public life, the media, schools, the workplace, and in the religious sphere could, taking into account the overall context, include, but are not limited to:

•             Calling for, aiding, or justifying the killing or harming of Jews in the name of a radical ideology or an extremist view of religion.

•             Making mendacious, dehumanizing, demonizing, or stereotypical allegations about Jews as such or the power of Jews as collective — such as, especially but not exclusively, the myth about a world Jewish conspiracy or of Jews controlling the media, economy, government or other societal institutions.

•             Accusing Jews as a people of being responsible for real or imagined wrongdoing committed by a single Jewish person or group, or even for acts committed by non-Jews.

•             Denying the fact, scope, mechanisms (e.g. gas chambers) or intentionality of the genocide of the Jewish people at the hands of National Socialist Germany and its supporters and accomplices during World War II (the Holocaust).

•             Accusing the Jews as a people, or Israel as a state, of inventing or exaggerating the Holocaust.

•             Accusing Jewish citizens of being more loyal to Israel, or to the alleged priorities of Jews worldwide, than to the interests of their own nations.

•             Denying the Jewish people their right to self-determination, e.g., by claiming that the existence of a State of Israel is a racist endeavour.

•             Applying double standards by requiring of it a behaviour not expected or demanded of any other democratic nation.

•             Using the symbols and images associated with classic antisemitism (e.g., claims of Jews killing Jesus or blood libel) to characterize Israel or Israelis.

•             Drawing comparisons of contemporary Israeli policy to that of the Nazis.

•             Holding Jews collectively responsible for actions of the state of Israel.

Anti-Semitic acts are criminal when they are so defined by law (for example, denial of the Holocaust or distribution of anti-Semitic materials in some countries).

Criminal acts are anti-Semitic when the targets of attacks, whether they are people or property – such as buildings, schools, places of worship and cemeteries – are selected because they are, or are perceived to  ...  view the full agenda text for item 9.

After a full debate, it was moved, seconded and RESOLVED:

That this Council adopts the full IHRA definition of anti-semitism, together with its examples, as follows.

“Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.”

Manifestations might include the targeting of the state of Israel, conceived as a Jewish collectivity. However, criticism of Israel similar to that levelled against any other country cannot be regarded as anti-Semitic. Antisemitism frequently charges Jews with conspiring to harm humanity, and it is often used to blame Jews for “why things go wrong.” It is expressed in speech, writing, visual forms and action, and employs sinister stereotypes and negative character traits.

Contemporary examples of antisemitism in public life, the media, schools, the workplace, and in the religious sphere could, taking into account the overall context, include, but are not limited to:

•   Calling for, aiding, or justifying the killing or harming of Jews in the name of a radical ideology or an extremist view of religion.

•   Making mendacious, dehumanizing, demonizing, or stereotypical allegations about Jews as such or the power of Jews as collective — such as, especially but not exclusively, the myth about a world Jewish conspiracy or of Jews controlling the media, economy, government or other societal institutions.

•   Accusing Jews as a people of being responsible for real or imagined wrongdoing committed by a single Jewish person or group, or even for acts committed by non-Jews.

•   Denying the fact, scope, mechanisms (e.g. gas chambers) or intentionality of the genocide of the Jewish people at the hands of National Socialist Germany and its supporters and accomplices during World War II (the Holocaust).

•   Accusing the Jews as a people, or Israel as a state, of inventing or exaggerating the Holocaust.

•   Accusing Jewish citizens of being more loyal to Israel, or to the alleged priorities of Jews worldwide, than to the interests of their own nations.

•   Denying the Jewish people their right to self-determination, e.g., by claiming that the existence of a State of Israel is a racist endeavour.

•  Applying double standards by requiring of it a behaviour not expected or demanded of any other democratic nation.

•  Using the symbols and images associated with classic antisemitism (e.g., claims of Jews killing Jesus or blood libel) to characterize Israel or Israelis.

•  Drawing comparisons of contemporary Israeli policy to that of the Nazis.

•  Holding Jews collectively responsible for actions of the state of Israel.

Anti-Semitic acts are criminal when they are so defined by law (for example, denial of the Holocaust or distribution of anti-Semitic materials in some countries).

Criminal acts are anti-Semitic when the targets of attacks, whether they are people or property – such as buildings, schools, places of worship and cemeteries – are selected because they are, or are perceived to be,  ...  view the full decision text for item 9.

Question from Councillor Ann Webb:

“How many Council houses has Stevenage Borough Council built since 2016?”

Council received one question. Details of the response is set out below:

Stevenage Borough Council has delivered 82 completed new council homes since 2016 with a further 54 new homes being under construction.

There are a  further 238 homes currently being consulted on through the planning process and an additional  65 homes going through the design process, prior to being submitted for planning permission.

The report circulated at item 11 was considered by the Executive on 5 September 2018 when the following recommendations to Council were agreed:

1.         That the 2017/18 Annual Treasury Management Strategy be recommended to Council for approval.

2.         That the provisions of the Sustainable Communities Act 2007 be invoked to call upon the Government to share with the Council information it has on Brexit and its impact on Stevenage.

It was moved, seconded and RESOLVED that the Annual Treasury Management Review is approved.

To note the minutes from the Audit Committee meetings held on 26 July 2018 and 12 September 2018.

Minutes attached – Item 12A and 12B.

It was moved, seconded and RESOLVED that the minutes from the Audit Committee meetings held on 26 July 2018 and 12 September 2018 be noted.