Agenda item

(i)         Town and Country Planning

To consider the following motion submitted by the Labour Group:

In the Queen’s Speech on 11^th May 2021, the Conservative Government announced sweeping changes to the planning system that it is now clear to see amount to a ‘Developer’s Charter’.  This plan to introduce legislation to ‘zone’ areas for development and then allow developers a free rein with no further democratic planning process, is a recipe for untrammelled and inappropriate development in every town and community. No-one hear would argue that there is not a case for reform in the planning system, but these proposed reforms are taking planning absolutely in the wrong direction, away from the communities they affect.

Our Council has a very deep commitment to delivering the homes that people need, so we do not bring this motion forward as ‘nimbys’ who want no development at all.  But we believe that our new town principles should continue to be upheld, we believe in homes being built alongside the infrastructure to support them and with the creation of sustainable communities at the heart of the planning system.

Under these new proposals planning decisions will be taken away from democratically elected local councils and handed to development boards appointed by Ministers in Whitehall.  It is these new quangos that will decide where the ‘zones’ for development are located, with little local knowledge or input from local people.  Residents living in areas zoned for growth will find they no longer have an automatic right to object to individual planning applications on their own doorsteps, no right to object to inappropriate development on green space and no right to object to development that over-burdens local infrastructure like roads, doctors’ surgeries, schools, health facilities or public transport.

Plans to extend the permitted development regime are also of great concern to us in Stevenage as they too, see development taking place with no local democratic and community input and this regime does not require developers to contribute to infrastructure or affordable housing.  In Vista Tower where we see leaseholders facing huge and unaffordable charges to remedy fire safety issues, we see the worst of this permitted development regime.

So we bring forward the following resolution to urgently address the concerns we have relating to the Government’s proposals:

“That this Council believes that planning works best when the local community, councillors and developers work together to shape local areas and deliver the new homes that are necessary and therefore calls on the government to protect the right of communities to object to individual planning applications.  We demand that the Secretary of State urgently re-thinks these ill-conceived planning reforms.

Council requires that our Executive Member for Environment and Regeneration write to the Secretary of State setting out our concerns about all local democratic input being stripped from the planning system.

Council also pledges to lobby the Government to reconsider the extension to the permitted development regime.  Every local development should have the benefit of community input and for both objectors and supporters to be able to express their view to decision-makers in public through the democratic process.”

(ii)        Electric Bus Link

To consider the following motion submitted by the Labour Group:

Since 2009, this Council has had an ambition to provide a rapid electric bus link to all of the areas that comprise Central Stevenage; High Street, Town Centre, Leisure Park and Roaring Meg.  It was envisaged that this should be a hop-on/hop-off service, running frequently round the loop and with a low fixed-fee fare for each journey.  It could also serve a park and ride facility at Fairlands Valley Showground and may be suitable for a further extension to Gunnelswood Road to provide those working there with a fast and easy link from central Stevenage and the bus and train stations to their place of work.

Successive attempts to carry out feasibility studies on this project have failed or, in one case, only resulted in a traditional and non-sustainable form of bus service being outlined which proved not to meet the commercial barriers set by operators and could not deliver the improvement in carbon output that a fully sustainable service would be designed to do.

“That Council asks that every effort now be made to carry out a feasibility study on this rapid electric bus link initiative complete with costings.  This work should explore the possibility of delivering this service with partners, the highway authority (Hertfordshire County Council), the Local Enterprise Partnership, the Town Development Board and Hertfordshire Growth Board and explore all options for funding the project including use of grants, government initiatives, community infrastructure levy and section 106 funding and specific funds for sustainable transport initiatives. 

That a report be brought before the Council’s Executive setting out the options as quickly as possible and no later than the first quarter of 2022.”

(iii)       Supporting tougher action on pet thefts

To consider the following motion submitted by Councillor Alex Farquharson and seconded by Councillor Jody Hanafin.

Theft of pets has been on the rise both locally and nationally. Pets are a key part of many families here in Stevenage, and the emotional damage caused by the theft of pets is often as painful as the loss of a loved one.

While the Council's formal role in dealing with this issue is very limited, there are some gestures this authority can make to help tackle pet theft.

“That this Council notes:

·         Hertfordshire Constabulary data shows a 54% increase in dog thefts in the county during 2019/20 compared to the previous year.

·         Data for England and Wales shows an 11% increase in dog thefts nationally during 2020/21 compared to the previous year.

·         There are currently discussions in central government and parliament about increasing penalties for pet theft, which could potentially include custodial sentences.

That this Council resolves:

·         To encourage residents to ensure their pets, especially cats and dogs, are microchipped and that their microchip information is up to date. This is the best precaution to hinder the sale of stolen pets as well as identifying them once recovered by police.

·         To request that the Chief Executive of the Council writes to the Home Secretary to express this Council’s support for tougher pet theft penalties.

·         To request that the Chief Executive of the Council writes to Stephen McPartland MP to thank him for signing a parliamentary amendment calling for tougher action on pet theft and to request that the MP continues pursuing this issue.”

(i)         Town & Country Planning

Councillor John Gardner moved and Councillor Sharon Taylor seconded a motion in respect of Town & Country Planning.  Following debate and upon being put to the vote, it was RESOLVED that:

“This Council believes that planning works best when the local community, councillors and developers work together to shape local areas and deliver the new homes that are necessary and therefore calls on the government to protect the right of communities to object to individual planning applications.  We demand that the Secretary of State urgently re-thinks these ill-conceived planning reforms.

Council requires that our Executive Member for Environment and Regeneration write to the Secretary of State setting out our concerns about all local democratic input being stripped from the planning system.

Council also pledges to lobby the Government to reconsider the extension to the permitted development regime.  Every local development should have the benefit of community input and for both objectors and supporters to be able to express their view to decision-makers in public through the democratic process.”

(ii)        Electric Bus Link

Councillor Sharon Taylor moved and Councillor Lloyd Briscoe seconded a motion with regard to an Electric Bus Link.  Following debate and upon being put to the vote, it was RESOLVED that:

“This Council asks that every effort now be made to carry out a feasibility study on this initiative complete with costings.  This work should explore the possibility of delivering this service with partners, the highway authority (Hertfordshire County Council), the Local Enterprise Partnership, the Town Development Board and Hertfordshire Growth Board and explore all options for funding the project including use of grants, government initiatives, community infrastructure levy and section 106 funding and specific funds for sustainable transport initiatives. 

That a report be brought before the Council’s Executive setting out the options as quickly as possible and no later than the first quarter of 2022.”

(iii)       Supporting tougher action on pet thefts

The following motion was moved by Councillor Alex Farquharson and seconded by Councillor Jody Hanafin:

“That this Council notes:

§  Hertfordshire Constabulary data shows a 54% increase in dog thefts in the county during 2019/20 compared to the previous year.

§  Data for England and Wales shows an 11% increase in dog thefts nationally during 2020/21 compared to the previous year.

§  There are currently discussions in central government and parliament about increasing penalties for pet theft, which could potentially include custodial sentences.

That this Council resolves:

§  To encourage residents to ensure their pets, especially cats and dogs, are microchipped and that their microchip information is up to date. This is the best precaution to hinder the sale of stolen pets as well as identifying them once recovered by police.

§  To request that the Chief Executive of the Council writes to the Home Secretary to express this Council’s support for tougher pet theft penalties.

§  To request that the Chief Executive of the Council writes to Stephen McPartland MP to thank him for signing a parliamentary amendment calling for tougher action on pet theft and to request that the MP continues pursuing this issue.”

The following amendment to the motion was moved by Councillor Jackie Hollywell and seconded by Councillor Loraine Rossati:

‘At the first bullet point beginning “Hertfordshire Constabulary data show[s]…” insert after the word “year” the words “, although Council notes that there have been no reported pet thefts in Stevenage.”; and

Replace the final bullet point under “That this Council resolves:” with “To thank Stevenage Police for their proactive approach, as there have been no reported pet thefts in the Borough (as confirmed by Chief Inspector Simon Tabert).  However, this Council recognises that media attention (including social media) has raised residents’ concerns about the risks of pet theft, and we call on Hertfordshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner to raise these concerns with the Chief Constable and to include measures to combat pet theft as part of his crime action plan.”’

Following debate, and upon being out to the debate, this amendment was carried.

Further debate ensued on the substantive motion, and following it being put to the vote, it was RESOLVED:

“That this Council notes:

§  Hertfordshire Constabulary data shows a 54% increase in dog thefts in the county during 2019/20 compared to the previous year, although Council notes that there have been no reported pet thefts in Stevenage.

§  Data for England and Wales shows an 11% increase in dog thefts nationally during 2020/21 compared to the previous year.

§  There are currently discussions in central government and parliament about increasing penalties for pet theft, which could potentially include custodial sentences.

That this Council resolves:

§  To encourage residents to ensure their pets, especially cats and dogs, are microchipped and that their microchip information is up to date. This is the best precaution to hinder the sale of stolen pets as well as identifying them once recovered by police.

§  To request that the Chief Executive of the Council writes to the Home Secretary to express this Council’s support for tougher pet theft penalties.

§  To thank Stevenage Police for their proactive approach, as there have been no reported pet thefts in the Borough (as confirmed by Chief Inspector Simon Tabert).  However, this Council recognises that media attention (including social media) has raised residents’ concerns about the risks of pet theft, and we call on Hertfordshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner to raise these concerns with the Chief Constable and to include measures to combat pet theft as part of his crime action plan.”

(iv)       Achievements of England Football Team at European Championships

Councillor Simon Speller moved and Councillor Richard Henry seconded a motion with regard to the achievements of the England Football Team at the recent European Championships.  Following debate and upon being put to the vote, it was RESOLVED that:

“This Council wishes to express its grateful thanks and best wishes to the England Football Team, their manager Gareth Southgate and his staff for their performances in the recent Euro 2020 Football Tournament; and commends them for their conduct throughout.

They have lifted our spirits, and inspired and unified our country and communities; and we utterly condemn the abuse on social media directed at certain players immediately after the Final versus Italy.”