Agenda for Environment & Economy Select Committee on Wednesday, 13 June 2018, 6.00pm

Agenda and decisions

Venue: Shimkent Room - Daneshill House, Danestrete. View directions

Contact: Lisa Jerome Tel: 01438 242203 

Items
No. Item

1.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE AND DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Decision:

There were no apologies for absence and no declarations of interest.

 

Chris Berry was introduced to the meeting as the interim Assistant Director – Planning and Regeneration coving for Zayd Al-Jawad whilst he was on Adoption Leave.

2.

MINUTES - 21 MARCH 2018 pdf icon PDF 74 KB

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 21 March 2018.

Decision:

It was RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting of the Environment and Economy Select Committee held on 21 March 2018 are approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

 

3.

TERMS OF REFERENCE pdf icon PDF 59 KB

To note the Terms of Reference of the Committee approved by Annual Council on 23 May 2018.

 

Decision:

It was RESOLVED that the Terms of Reference are noted.

4.

ENVIRONMENT & ECONOMY SELECT COMMITTEE WORK PROGRAMME AND MEETING SCHEDULE 2018-19 pdf icon PDF 92 KB

To note the Work Programme and meeting schedule for the Environment & Economy Select Committee for 2018-19.

 

Decision:

The Chair welcomed Councillor Raynor, Portfolio Holder for Economy, Enterprise and Transport to the meeting and informed members that he had invited Councillor Raynor along to give an update to the meeting regarding the current situation with regards to the recent problems relating to the change of timetables on the rail network.

 

It was noted that there were no Rail User Groups in Stevenage and that the Committee should think about how the Town could develop a voice.

 

The Portfolio Holder advised that he had written to the Secretary of State to find out when the timetable would be fully implemented and what kind of compensation scheme would be available for those affected by the problems. He would update the Committee when he had received a response.

 

The Committee agreed that the matter should be added to the Committee’s work programme.

 

In relation to the remainder of the work programme, the Committee agreed to include the following items:

 

·         District Plan Regeneration as a discussion item;

·         Re-imaging Fairlands Valley Park;

·         Update on refurbishment of Middle Row and other public toilets – single meeting;

·         Licence to Occupy procedures – single meeting;

·         Cycling Strategy – single meeting;

 

The Assistant Director Stevenage Direct Services agreed to further consider the provision of outdoor space and sports provision and bring this back to the Committee for further discussion.

 

It was agreed that the items relating to Neighbourhood Maintenance and Neighbourhood Wardens should be addressed by the Community Safety Select Committee.

 

The Scrutiny Officer also outlined the items to be included in the work programme for monitoring of previous recommendations and those matters to be included as Policy Development Items including:

 

·         Indoor Market Review (six and twelve month monitoring);

·         BTC Contract Renewal;

·         Living Streets;

·         Transport Strategy;

·         Stevenage Direct Services Business Unit Review;

·         Trees Policy and

·         Bus Interchange (subject to the delivery of the Town Centre Regeneration).

 

It was Resolved that the main review items, one off meetings, statutory and standing items, review revisits and policy development items on the Work Programme 2018-19 and as detailed above are noted.

 

5.

STRATEGIC TRANSPORT STRATEGY 2031 - INCLUDING LIVING STREETS - DISCUSSION ITEM pdf icon PDF 95 KB

The Assistant Director, Planning & Regulatory will provide Members with an outline of the Strategic Transport Strategy 2031, including the Living Streets concept ahead of a report to Council in July 2018.

Decision:

The Assistant Director Planning and Regeneration introduced the Stevenage Strategic Transport Strategy 2031 to the Committee. He highlighted the seven key areas within the strategy which demonstrated the Council’s commitment to securing vital improvements for communities.

 

In response to a question the Assistant Director advised he would check the ‘Living Streets’ branding and also look at the inclusion of taxi and hire cars.

 

It was Resolved that the Strategy be noted and the start of the work on this area be welcomed.

6.

URGENT PART 1 BUSINESS

To consider any Part 1 business accepted by the Chair as urgent.

Decision:

None.

7.

EXCLUSION OF PUBLIC AND PRESS

To consider the following motions –

 

1.  That under Section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as described in paragraphs1 – 7 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act as amended by Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006.

 

2.  That Members consider the reasons for the following reports being in Part II and determine whether or not maintaining the exemption from disclosure of the information contained therein outweighs the public interest in disclosure.

 

Decision:

Not required.

8.

URGENT PART II BUSINESS

To consider any Part II business accepted by the Chair as urgent.

Decision:

None.