Decisions

None.

Not required.

None.

Apologies for absence were received from Cllr T Wren.

There were no declarations of interest.

The Committee considered a report by the Council’s Scrutiny Officer, which invited the Committee to agree the Scrutiny Work Programme for the 2019/2020 Municipal Year. The report was based on responses from all Members involved in the scrutiny process regarding current scrutiny arrangements and possible scrutiny topics. It was noted that the public had not raised any issues for consideration.

The Committee discussed the potential Scrutiny reviews items for 2019/2020 that were put forward by Members.

Members put forward the following issues as additional potential scrutiny items:

·         Council’s IT services

·         The perceived concern growing problem of “digital exclusion” for the town’s low-income groups, including older people and those with disabilities

It was RESOLVED:

1.         That Scrutiny Members’ feedback on ideas for improving Scrutiny (see section 4 of the Scrutiny Officer’s report) be noted

2.         That the Assistant Director (Housing & Investment) circulates to the Committee:

a)    A copy of the diagram in the Asset management strategy which shows the life cycle of each element

b)    Email address that can be provided for Members and for customers to contact to understand when an element might be replaced

3.         That the issue of homeless people living with family and friends be clarified in the Homelessness & Rough Sleeper Strategy that is due to go to the Executive in July 2019

4.         That the Assistant Director (Housing & Investment) provides the Committee:

a)    A written response on current arrangements for fly-tipping recharges

b)    An update on issues relating to digital exclusion that were highlighted in preparation for the introduction of Universal Credit

5.         That the Assistant Director (Communities and Neighbourhoods) provides updates on the following:

a)    Current guidelines on the use of LCBs

b)    Cultural Strategy &Stevenage Museum

6.         That the Assistant Director (Stevenage Direct Services) provides an    update on the roll out of the new play areas across the town

7.         The Healthy Hub be a key focus for the 2019/20 annual Public Health session

8.         That having considered ideas put forward by individual Members the following matters be added to the list for consideration, prioritisation and scoping as possible Community Select Committee Scrutiny Work Programme items for 2019/2020

a)    Stevenage Leisure Limited, Fairlands Valley Park and Sports & Leisure across Stevenage (Paragraphs 5.1.5, 5.1.6, 5.1.14 and 5.1.16 to the report referred). This would be covered under the heading of “Sports & Leisure in Stevenage”

b)    Neighbourhood Wardens (Paragraphs 5.1.8 and 5.1.15 to the report referred)

9.         That, the following statutory and standing items also be provided for within the Committee’s Scrutiny Work Programme for 2019/2020:

a)    Crime and Disorder Committee (Statutory Committee)

b)    Public Health Meeting (Standing Item)  

10.       That the following Portfolio Holder Advisory Group meetings to carry out policy development work identified so far be noted (Paragraph 7.1 to the report referred): 

a)    Homelessness & Rough Sleeper Strategy (June 2019)

b)    Housing Older Persons Strategy (June 2019)

c)    Housing Service Charge Review (October/November 2019)

d)    Community Centres Review (October 2019)

e)    Rent Policy (December 2019)

f)     Tenancy Strategy

g)    Customer Strategy

The Principal Planning Officer drew attention to the revised description of the  application, which now made reference to the conversion of the Employment Agency (Class A2), as well as the existing office (Class B1(a)), at first and second floor levels of units 25 to 29 Town Square.

It was RESOLVED that planning permission be granted, subject to the following conditions:

1          The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the following approved plans:

AA7916-2000; AA7916-2001; AA7916-2002;  AA7916-2100 A; AA7916-2101 A; AA7916-2102 A; AA7916-2103 A; AA7916-2105 A; AA7916-2106 A; AA7916-2200 B; AA7916-2201 B; AA7916-2202 A; AA7916-2203 A; AA7916-2205 A; AA7916-2206 A.

2          The development hereby permitted shall be begun before the expiration of three years from the date of this permission.

3          Prior to the undertaking of external concrete cladding works to the application building, samples of the materials to be used to replace the concrete cladding of the development hereby permitted shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The development shall thereafter be carried out in accordance with the approved details.

4          Prior to the undertaking of external fenestration works to the application building, drawn details of the replacement fenestration showing the detail and proportions of glazing bars compared to existing fenestration for the front elevations to Danestrete, Town Square and Queensway shall be submitted to and approved in writing but the Local Planning Authority. The development shall thereafter be carried out in accordance with the approved details.

5          Prior to the first occupation of a Class A3 (Restaurants and Cafes) as detailed in the submitted application, a scheme for the installation of equipment to control the emissions of fumes and smell from these premises shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority and the approved scheme shall be implemented prior to the first use of the premises as Class A3 (Restaurants and Cafes). All equipment installed as part of the scheme shall thereafter be operated and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

6          Before any plant and/or machinery is installed on the premises as detailed in the application submission, details of the acoustic louvered screen shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The acoustic screen shall be installed in accordance with the approved details prior to the first operation of the plant and/or machinery.

7          No demolition of construction work relating to this permission shall be carried out on any Sunday, Public or Bank Holiday nor at any other time, except between the hours of 0730 and 1800 on Mondays to Fridays and between the hours of 0830 and 1300 on Saturdays, unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority. These times apply to work which is audible at the site boundary.

8          Prior to the occupation the building, details of measures to address adaptation to climate change shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. These measures shall then be implemented and permanently maintained in accordance with the approved details.

9          Prior to the occupation of the building, details of cycle parking shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The cycle parking shall thereafter be erected in accordance with the approved details.

It was RESOLVED that planning permission be granted, subject to the following conditions:

1             The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the following approved plans:

            PL-001B; PL-002B; PL-003D.

2          The development hereby permitted shall be begun before the expiration of three years from the date of this permission.

3          The development hereby permitted shall be constructed in accordance with the details which have been specified in the application.

4          No access shall be provided to the roof of the single-storey rear extension by way of windows, doors or staircases and the roof of the extension hereby permitted shall not be used as a balcony or sitting out area.

None.

Not required.

Stevenage Local Plan

The Chair reminded Members that the Government’s Holding Direction on the Stevenage Local Plan had been lifted.  The Plan would progress through consideration by the Executive and Overview & Scrutiny Committee, with final approval anticipated to take place at the Annual Council meeting on 22 May 2019.

Report noted.

Report noted.

It was RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Planning and Development Committee held on 5 March 2019 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Maureen McKay.

There were no declarations of interest.