Agenda for Environment & Economy Select Committee on Tuesday, 3 September 2019, 6.00pm

Agenda and decisions

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

Contact: Fungai Nyamukapa  Email: fungai.nyamukapa@stevenage.gov.uk Tel: 01438 242707

Items
No. Item

1.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE AND DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Decision:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Stephen Booth and David Cullen.

 

There were no declarations of interest.

 

 

2.

MINUTES - 29 JULY 2019 pdf icon PDF 78 KB

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the Environment & Economy Select Committee meeting held on Monday 29 July 2019

Decision:

It was RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Environment & Economy Select Committee meeting held on 29 July 2019 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

3.

REVIEW OF LOCAL POST OFFICE SERVICES IN STEVENAGE pdf icon PDF 718 KB

To discuss the current provision of Post Offices in Stevenage and consider their ongoing viability in collocated retail stores

Decision:

The Chair informed the Committee that the two witnesses originally scheduled for the meeting were no longer able to attend due to work commitments and traffic problems. It was reported that the decision to review local post office services had been prompted by unsatisfactory answers to Member questions at a previous briefing on post offices in Stevenage.

 

The Strategic Director gave an update on the closure of the Waitrose Store in Stevenage High Streets and developments regarding the in-store post office. Members highlighted the huge demand for post office services in the Old Town area. Members also sought clarification on the timescale for the opening of a new post office in the Old Town area. The Committee suggested alternative solutions including:

 

·         Highlighting possible empty shop units that could be considered by the Post Office

·         Whether the Post Office would consider locating with other community or local service points such as Springfield House or Stevenage Old Town Library

·         Temporary post office facilities such as mobile units and portable cabins

 

In response to questions, the Strategic Director stated that:

 

  • The Council had offered to liaise with Post Office Limited, local retail outlets and other stakeholders in efforts to share information to help inform the search for sites for post office services in the Old Town area

 

  • The Council was actively liaising with stakeholders and sharing information where possible regarding the location and timescale for the opening of a new post office

 

  • Feedback would be provided to the Post Office regarding the suggestions made by the Environment and Economy Committee in respect of possible locations for permanent and temporary uses. 

 

It was RESOLVED that the review of local post office services in Stevenage be revisited in future.

 

 

 

 

 

4.

REVIEW OF LOCAL POST OFFICE SERVICES IN STEVENAGE - SCOPING DOCUMENT pdf icon PDF 126 KB

To consider a scoping document for the Select Committee’s review of Post Office Services in Stevenage

 

Decision:

The Committee considered the draft Scoping Document for the review of Local Post Office Services in Stevenage. Members indicated that in view of the uncertainty surrounding the High Street Post Office and issues affecting other post offices there was need for a further meeting to review local post office services in Stevenage.

 

It was RESOLVED:

 

1.         That the draft Scoping Document is noted

 

2.         That efforts be made to invite representatives from local post offices and the National Federation of Sub Post Offices to a future committee meeting

 

3.         That the Old Town Business and Community Partnership be added to the list of witnesses

 

5.

URGENT PART 1 BUSINESS

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

6.

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.

 

7.

URGENT PART II BUSINESS

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