Agenda and decisions

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors D Cullen, D Bainbridge and L Harrington.

There were no declarations of interest.

The Mayor announced the sad death of Bob Fowler, who served as a Councillor for Bedwell Ward and then St. Nicholas Ward between 1969 and 2000 and was Mayor twice, in 1977/78 and 1991/92.  A number of tributes were given and a minute’s silence held in his honour and also to commemorate all victims of the Coronavirus Pandemic.

To approve as a correct record the attached Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 26 February 2020 for signature by the Mayor.

It was RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Council meeting held on 26 February 2020 are approved as a correct record and signed by the Mayor.

At this juncture, the outgoing Mayor thanked Members and Officers who had sent messages of condolences for the loss of his mother and brother.  Councillor Speller summarised a year in office that since March 2020 had been disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic. He thanked the Mayoress, his family, his PA Tracey Frost, Deputy Mayor, Members and Officers of the Council and his mayoral charities for their help and support throughout the year.

On behalf of Members, the Leader of the Council thanked the outgoing Mayor for a successful year in office, and his commitment to the role and the Borough.

To elect the Mayor for the Municipal Year 2020/21.

The Mayor asked for nominations for the Office of Mayor for 2020/21.

Councillor S Taylor OBE CC nominated Councillor Jim Brown.

The nomination was seconded by Councillor L Rossati.

There being no other nominations a vote was taken it was RESOLVED that Councillor Jim Brown be elected as a Mayor for the 2020/21 Municipal Year.  Councillor Jim Brown then made the statutory declaration of office.

The Mayor announced that Penny Schenkel would be the Mayoress for 2020/21.

The Mayor thanked the outgoing Mayor and Mayoress. Councillor Brown pointed out that due to the Covid-19 Pandemic; he was having a rethink about his charities for the year. Consultations were in progress and details of mayoral charities would be announced soon.

To elect the Deputy Mayor for the Municipal Year 2020/21.

It was moved and seconded that Councillor Michelle Gardner be appointed as Deputy Mayor for the 2020/21 Municipal Year.

There being no other nominations a vote was taken and it was RESOLVED that Councillor Michelle Gardner be appointed as Deputy Mayor for the 2020/21 Municipal Year.

Councillor Michelle Gardner then made the statutory declaration of acceptance of office.  She announced that Councillor John Gardner would be the Deputy Mayor’s Consort for the 2020/21 Municipal Year.

To appoint a Youth Mayor for 2020/21, as nominated by the Stevenage Youth Council.

It was moved, seconded and RESOLVED that Alissa Nixon Crew be elected as Youth Mayor for the 2020/21 Municipal Year.

To note the appointment of the Leader and Deputy Leader of the Opposition for the Municipal Year 2020/21.

The Chief Executive advised the Council that the Leader of the Opposition would be Councillor Phil Bibby CC and that Councillor Graham Lawrence would be his deputy.

To note the appointment of the Leaders and Deputy Leaders of the Political Groups on the Council for the Municipal Year 2020/21.

The Chief Executive advised the Council that Councillors Sharon Taylor OBE CC, Phil Bibby CC and Robin Parker CC had been appointed as Leaders of the Labour, Conservative and Liberal Democrat Groups respectively.  It was noted that Councillors Mrs Joan Lloyd, Graham Lawrence and Andy McGuinness would be Deputy Leaders of the Labour, Conservative and Liberal Democrat Groups respectively.

To consider various issues concerning the Council’s political management structure and the Constitution for 2020/21.

Council considered various matters relating to the Member level decision making structure of the Council and the Council’s Constitution for the forthcoming Municipal Year.

The Chief Executive referred Members to paragraph 4.6 of the report. He advised that after consulting the Mayor and obtaining his approval, the Council meeting provisionally scheduled for 3 June 2020 would not go ahead.  The Chief Executive drew Members’ attention to a typographical error in the footnote to recommendation 1.1 – the number of Committee places was 98, not ’94’ as quoted.  Members were also informed that a draft calendar of meetings up to the end of September would be circulated by the end of the week.  Where any meetings were not scheduled they would be convened as and when required. 

It was moved, seconded and RESOLVED:

1.         That the Terms of Reference, as detailed in the appendices to this report; and the size and political composition for the following bodies that form the non-Executive Member level decision making structure of the Council be approved subject to the rules of proportionality where appropriate for 98 Committee places where applicable (relevant Committees are identified thus*) -

·      Overview and Scrutiny Committee* (Appendix A to the report) – 14 Members (10 Labour Group, 2 Conservative Group,  2 Liberal Democrat Group)

·  Community Select Committee* (Appendix B to the report) – 10 Members (7 Labour Group, 2 Conservative Group, 1 Liberal Democrat Group

·  Environment and Economy Select Committee* (Appendix C to the report) – 11 Members (7 Labour Group, 3 Conservative Group, 1 Liberal Democrat Group)

·  Planning & Development Committee* (Appendix D to the report) –  13 Members (8 Labour Group, 3 Conservative Group, 2 Liberal Democrat Group)

·  Licensing Committee (Appendix E to the report) – 14 Members (9 Labour Group,  3 Conservative Group, 2 Liberal Democrat Group)

·  General Purposes Committee* (Appendix F to the report) – 14 Members (9 Labour Group,  3 Conservative Group, 2 Liberal Democrat Group)

·  Appointments Committee* (Appendix G to the report) -  8 Members (6 Labour Group, 1 Conservative Group, 1 Liberal Democrat Group)

·  Standards Committee* (Appendix H to the report) – 8 Members (6 Labour Group, 1 Conservative Group, 1 Liberal Democrat Group)

·  Audit Committee* (Appendix I to the report) – 8 Members (6 Labour Group, 1 Conservative Group, 1 Liberal Democrat Group) + 1 Co-opted non-elected member

·  Statement of Accounts Committee* (Appendix J to the report) – 8 Members (6 Labour Group, 1 Conservative Group, 1 Liberal Democrat Group)

·  Joint Consultative Committee* (Appendix K to the report) – 4 Members ( 3 Labour Group, 1 Conservative Group)

* Indicates where those bodies covered by the rules of proportionality for the purposes of the Local Government (Committees and Political Groups), Regulations 1990 – total Committee places being 98

2.         That the composition of the Executive and the Portfolios, details of which were circulated at the meeting, be noted.

3.         That the various Executive bodies appointed by the Leader, the details of which were circulated at the meeting, be noted.  The relevant Terms of Reference for  ...  view the full decision text for item 8.

A.     To appoint Members to the Standing Committees of Stevenage Borough Council for the Municipal Year 2020/21; and

B.     To appoint to the positions of Chair and Vice-Chair for each of those Committees.

DETAILS TO BE AVAILABLE AT THE MEETING

Details of the individuals nominated to serve on each Committee had been circulated prior to the meeting.  The membership was to be noted.  Members voted on the appointment of Chairs and Vice-Chairs where these had been quoted.

It was moved, seconded and RESOLVED:

1.         That the membership of Committees, together with the Chairs and Vice-Chairs, where detailed, are appointed for the 2020/21 Municipal Year as follows:

OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE

14 Members - (10-2-2)

Councillors – L Martin-Haugh (Chair), P Bibby CC (Vice-Chair), S Barr, L Chester, M Downing,            M Gardner, S-J McDonough, A McGuinness, J Mead, S Mead, A Mitchell CC, R Parker CC, C Parris,  S Speller

COMMUNITY SELECT COMMITTEE

10 Members - (7-2-1)

Councillors – S Mead (Chair), M Notley (Vice-Chair), S Barr, S Booth, A Brown, A Farquharson,           L Harrington,  J Mead, C Parris, L Rossati.

ENVIRONMENT AND ECONOMY SELECT COMMITTEE

11 Members - (7-3-1)

Councillors – M Downing (Chair), A Mitchell CC (Vice-Chair), D Bainbridge, S Booth, A Brown,            D Cullen, J Hanafin, L Kelly,  M McKay, L Rossati, S Speller

PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

13 Members – (8-3-2)

Councillors – S Speller (Chair), M McKay (Vice-Chair), D Bainbridge, S Barr, M Gardner, J Hanafin,     L Harrington, L Kelly, G Lawrence, J Lloyd, S-J McDonough, G Snell, T Wren.

LICENSING COMMITTEE

14 Members – (9-3-2)

Councillors – L Chester (Chair), M McKay (Vice-Chair), D Bainbridge, S Barr, M Downing, J Hanafin,   L Harrington,   R Henry, G Lawrence, J Lloyd, A McGuinness, L Rossati, G Snell, S Speller

GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE

14 Members – (9-3-2)

Councillors – L Chester (Chair), M McKay (Vice-Chair), D Bainbridge, S Barr, M Downing, J Hanafin,   L Harrington,   R Henry, G Lawrence, J Lloyd, A McGuinness, L Rossati, G Snell, S Speller

APPOINTMENTS COMMITTEE

8 Members – (6-1-1)

Councillors – S Taylor OBE CC (Chair), P Bibby CC, M Downing, J Gardner, R Henry, Mrs J Lloyd,     R Parker CC, J Thomas.

STANDARDS COMMITTEE

8 Members – (6-1-1)

Councillors – Mrs J Lloyd (Chair), T Callaghan, M Downing, L Martin-Haugh, J Mead, M Notley,           L Rossati, T Wren.

Independent Person who must be consulted on alleged breaches to the Code of Conduct – Dr. Robert Cawley

AUDIT COMMITTEE

8 Elected Members – (6-1-1) + 1 Independent Co-opted Member (G Gibbs)

Councillors – T Callaghan (Chair), J Gardner (Vice-Chair), S Barr, S Booth, L Chester, D Cullen,           L Kelly, G Lawrence.

STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE

8 Members – (6-1-1)

Councillors - Mrs J Lloyd (Chair), P Bibby CC, R Broom, J Hollywell, J Mead, S Mead, G Snell,              J Thomas.

2.         That 5 Members (4 Majority Group, 1 Opposition Member) be appointed to the Housing Management Advisory Board as agreed at Minute 8, resolution 5, as follows:

Councillors L Harrington, L Kelly, J Lloyd, L Martin-Haugh, M Notley.

To appoint Council representatives onto various outside bodies for the Municipal Year 2020/21.

SCHEDULE TO FOLLOW

Council considered the list of individuals nominated to serve on Outside Bodies which had been circulated before the meeting.  The Chief Executive advised that the Council no longer appointed Members to serve on the Board of Stevenage Leisure Limited (SLL).  Appointments to SLL were to be deleted from the list.

It was moved, seconded and RESOLVED that the following individuals are appointed to represent the Council on the various bodies detailed below for one year, unless otherwise stated:

COUNCIL FOR THE PROTECTION OF RURAL ENGLAND THE HERTFORDSHIRE SOCIETY - Portfolio Holder Environment and Regeneration

EAST OF ENGLAND LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION - The Leader of the Council

EAST OF ENGLAND REGIONAL PLANNING   - Portfolio Holder Environment and Regeneration

HCC JOINT WASTE MANAGEMENT GROUP  - Portfolio Holder Environment and Regeneration

HERTFORDSHIRE INFRASTRUCTURE PLANNING AND POLICY GROUP - Portfolio Holder Environment and Regeneration

HERTFORDSHIRE LOCAL AUTHORITIES LEADERS GROUP - The Leader of the Council

HERTFORDSHIRE SUPPORTING PEOPLE COMMISSIONING BODY MEMBERS OVERVIEW GROUP - Portfolio Holder Housing, Health and Older People

HERTFORDSHIRE SUSTAINABILITY FORUM STEERING GROUP - Portfolio Holder Environment and Regeneration

LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION- The Leader of the Council

RESPONSIBLE AUTHORITY GROUP (COMMUNITY SAFETY) - Portfolio Holder Communities, Community Safety and Equalities

SOSTEVENAGE PARTNERSHIP - The Leader of the Council and Deputy Leader

STEVENAGE COMMUNITY SAFETY PARTNERSHIP - Portfolio Holder Communities (including Safer Communities) and Equalities

AGE CONCERN STEVENAGE - John Lloyd

BEDWELL COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION - Liz Harrington

CHELLS MANOR COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION - Andy McGuinness

CROSSROADS CARE - John Gardner

DOUGLAS DRIVE SENIOR CITIZENS ASSOCIATION - John Lloyd

HOME-START STEVENAGE - John Gardner

KADOMA LINK ASSOCIATION - Graham Snell and John Gardner

LIVING ROOM PROJECT - Jackie Hollywell

OLD STEVENAGE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION - Jim Brown

OVAL COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION - Lloyd Briscoe

PIN GREEN COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION - Jeannette Thomas

SHEPHALL COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION - John Mead

ST NICHOLAS COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION - Sandra Barr

STEVENAGE CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU - Michael Downing

STEVENAGE COMMUNITY TRUST - Richard Henry and Maureen McKay

STEVENAGE CREDIT UNION LIMITED - Laurie Chester

STEVENAGE FURNITURE RECYCLING SCHEME - John Lloyd

STEVENAGE HAVEN - Rob Broom

STEVENAGE/AUTUN/INGELHEIM ASSOCIATION - Richard Henry and Simon Speller

STEVENAGE WORLD FORUM FOR ETHNIC COMMUNITIES - John Gardner

SYMONDS GREEN COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION - Laurie Chester

TIMEBRIDGE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION - Jackie Hollywell

TURN THE TIDE - Lizzy Kelly

EAST OF ENGLAND LGA IMPROVEMENT AND EFFICIENCY PANEL - Richard Henry

HCC HEALTH SCRUTINY COMMITTEE - Maureen McKay

LOCAL GOVERNMENT INFORMATION UNIT - Jim Brown

LUTON AIRPORT CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE - John Gardner

The attached report on the COVID-19 crisis is to be considered by the Executive at its meeting on 13 May 2020. The decisions of the Executive will be circulated on a supplementary agenda.

Council considered a report on the latest Covid-19 position, including the Council’s emergency response, the financial impact of Covid-19 on the Council and a proposed approach to recovery.

It was moved, seconded and RESOLVED:

1.               That the current position and the Council’s emergency response to date be noted.

2.               That the Officer Key Decisions which have been taken in response to the COVID-19 emergency, as set out in Paragraph 4.11.2 in the report, be noted and endorsed.

3.               That the recovery phase approach, as set out in Section 4.13 of the report, be approved.

4.               That the Executive records the significant pressures on the Council’s budget if the Government does not meet its promise to fund the shortfall being predicted and set out in the report, and that officers be requested to undertake a review of the General Fund and Housing Revenue Account Medium Term Financial Strategies and report back to the June 2020 Executive meeting.

5.         That the following Motion be agreed -

‘That this Council formally places on record its heartfelt thanks to all those across the NHS, care workers, local councils, food retailers, transport services, all other key workers and volunteers upon whom we have become reliant to get us through these unprecedented times. They have selflessly put their own lives at risk in order to support our community through the pandemic. Some have sadly fallen victim to the virus and our heartfelt condolences go to their families and loved ones. Their sacrifice will not be forgotten.   

We also wish to place on record our thanks to all of our SBC staff across the services who have faced extraordinary pressures and whose response to the Coronavirus pandemic has been quite simply amazing.

May we also thank the people of Stevenage whose response has been extraordinary, in protecting their families and communities by following government guidance, in spite of the personal sacrifice this has entailed, and in the many small acts of kindness and neighbourliness that have happened across the town.

We know that there will be no quick resolution and the impact of the pandemic will be with us for the foreseeable future.   Many are still falling ill but a greater number of people are recovering thanks to the efforts of our NHS heroes.  It is predicted now that we will face a deep recession which, if it happens, will further compound the suffering that many have already faced.  The Council will be working with our partners to tackle this with a Recovery Task Force.   And there is hope.  Our brilliant scientists are working flat out to find a vaccine and we are all adapting the ways we work and interact with each other to minimise the risk of infection.

It will be tough for us all to return to ‘normal’, whatever that normal may look like.  However the spirit of Stevenage has been clear to see in recent weeks when we have truly lived the value of our motto ‘The Heart of a Town Lies in  ...  view the full decision text for item 11.

The Mayor announced that the Council had commissioned a plaque to present to the Royal British Legion in memory of all those who paid the ultimate sacrifice during World War II.   Councillor John Lloyd, Vice Chairman of the local branch and District Veterans Champion, accepted the memorial plaque on behalf of the Royal British Legion.

The Mayor introduced a collection of short videos made by SBC staff to show their appreciation both to their colleagues who have been delivering key services and to all those in the community who have risked their own health during the Covid-19 Pandemic in order to help others in the Town.   At the end of the presentation, Members applauded the efforts and achievements of SBC staff and all key workers.