Decisions

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillor Liz Harrington.

None.

It was RESOLVED that the report be noted.

It was RESOLVED that the report be noted.

Not required.

None.

It was RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Planning and Development Committee held on 16 December 2019 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

It was RESOLVED that Planning Permission be GRANTED subject to conditions as per the recommendations in the report.

It was RESOLVED that Planning Permission be GRANTED subject to the following revised conditions and clarifications and as per the remaining recommendations in the report.

Revised conditions

1.            The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in broadly accordance with the following approved plans: UD01 Rev C, UD02 Rev L, UD03 Rev M, UD04 Rev L, UD05 Rev L and NSTV-WSP-00-XX-SK-CE-0002 P01.

16           Prior to occupation of the first dwelling the southern access shall be provided, and prior to occupation of the 100th dwelling hereby permitted, the northern vehicular accesses shall be provided and thereafter retained at the position shown on the approved in principle drawing number General Arrangement drawing number NSTV-WSP-00-XX-SK-CE-0002 revision P01. The principal access road shall be provided 6.75 metres wide complete with 10.0 metres radius kerbs. Arrangement shall be made for surface water drainage to be intercepted and disposed of separately so that it does not discharge from or onto the highway carriageway.

Clarifications:

·         to paragraph 7.2.26 of the report – the figure of £111,577.00 toward outdoor sport will absorbed in the cost of creating the Country Park not provided as well;

·         Section 9.1 bullet point 2 should refer to the gifting of land and a contribution not the provision of the Primary School which would be undertaken by Hertfordshire County Council;

·         Reference should be made to HCC Waste facilities included in the S106.

·         HCC have confirmed that following discussions with the applicant the Primary Education contribution has increased to £8,334,675.00 and the Secondary Education to £8,266,890.00.

·         HCC has also confirmed that there is no requirement for Contributions toward Nursery Education, however, Childcare contributions are required in accordance with the HCC Toolkit. This would amount to £96,750.00.

Following the decision and with the agreement of the Chair, Councillors Graham Snell and Tom Wren requested that their votes against the resolution be recorded in the Minutes.

None

Following debate it was moved, seconded and RESOLVED that the recommendations in the report are agreed.

None

It was RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting of the Appointments Committee held on 21 November 2019 are approved as a correct record for signature by the Chair.

It was RESOLVED that the minutes from the Audit Committee meetings held on 12 and 27 November 2019 be noted.

Members received a report with an update for members on the Treasury Management activities in 2019/20 and review effectiveness of the 2019/20 Treasury Management and Investment Strategy including the 2019/20 prudential and treasury indicators.

It was moved by Councillor Mrs Joan Lloyd, seconded by Councillor Maureen McKay and RESOLVED:

1.      That the 2019/20 Treasury Management Mid-Year review be approved.

2.      That the latest approved Countries for investments be approved (Appendix D).

3.      That the updated authorised and operational borrowing limits are approved (paragraph 4.4.7).

4.      That the updated MRP policy is approved (paragraph 4.4.10 and Appendix E).

Council considered a report, informing Members of the key outcomes of the public examination of the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Draft Charging Schedule (DCS); providing a summary of the Examiner’s report and seeking approval of the charging schedule.

It was moved by Councillor John Gardner, seconded by Councillor Lloyd Briscoe and RESOLVED:

1.               That the outcomes of the independent examination be noted.

2.               That the content of the Examiner’s Report be noted

3.               That  Council : 

(i)       accepts the Examiner’s modifications and recommendation to approve the Charging Schedule, and supporting Instalments Policy and Payments in Kind Policy, attached at Appendices B-D to the report

(ii)      approves the Charging Schedule, and supporting Instalments Policy and Payments in Kind Policy, to be brought into effect on 01 April 2020

(iii)      approves the setup of an allocated financial reserve to draw down on for the CIL Officer post with an annual review

None.

Paul Cheeseman, the Council’s Lead Officer on Community Wealth Building (CWB) and Professor Michael Brookes of the Hertfordshire Business School showed a short film and gave a presentation on CWB.

After a full debate, it was moved by Councillor Rob Broom, seconded by Councillor Richard Henry and RESOLVED:

“That this Council understands the benefits of community wealth building, drawing from learning both nationally and internationally, and believes that further opportunities can be unlocked for the local economy and our residents through work with partners in the town around;

• procurement and social value
• training and skills
• growing the social economy growth
• effectively tackling climate change

and that this Council commits to developing an inclusive Economy charter based on these foundations to build community wealth, to ensure that future regeneration and growth in Stevenage works for everyone.”

The Mayor advised Council that he was proud to introduce two local award winners from the Herts Business Awards – Supporting Young People Category - Jill Eaton from Sporting Futures Training and Tom and Rebecca from Bambu Brush – New Business of the Year. Both winners gave a short presentation on the work they were doing within their organisations.

The Mayor then provided updates on his engagements since the last Council meeting and upcoming events, highlighting the following:

·         Christmas morning visit to the Lister Hospital;

·         Holocaust Memorial Day Event held on 27 January 2020;

·         11 March Mayor’s Charity Concert;

·         75^th anniversary of VE Day – the Mayor encouraged local councillors and communities to take part in activities to commemorate the anniversary.

It was RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Council meeting held on 16 October 2020 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Mayor.

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillors Dave Cullen and Liz Harrington.

At this juncture, The Mayor apologised to Councillor Robin Parker for the comments made to him at the end of the last Council meeting. Councillor Parker accepted the apology.

The Mayor then advised that he had accepted as urgent a late Motion concerning smart motorways, which had been circulated around the chamber. Additionally the Mayor agreed to vary the order of business to bring forward Item 11, the Scrutiny Chairs’ Updates to be taken immediately after item 7.

The Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee informed Council that in addition to the Work Plan items, the Committee was part way through a review of the Council’s Scrutiny arrangements.

The Chair of the Community Select Committee informed Members that the Select Committee had concluded their review on Sports and Leisure in Stevenage. One of the findings of the review was that the majority of people visiting the Gordon Craig Theatre were Stevenage residents which was contrary to what was previously thought. The Chair also thanked the Culture, Wellbeing and Leisure Service Manager for his help on the site visits carried out by the Committee.

The Chair of the Environment and Economy Select Committee advised Council that the review on Post Offices in Stevenage had been completed. The review of the Neighbourhood Centres would commence in the next couple of weeks. He also suggested that the CWB presentation, which the Council had received earlier during this meeting, could help inform future scrutiny reviews.

It was RESOLVED that the updates are noted.

Council received seven questions.  The responses to the seven questions were circulated at the Meeting and are appended. Answers to the supplementary questions are set out below:

(B)      Question from Councillor Robin Parker, CC

In response to a supplementary question from Councillor Parker, Councillor John Gardner advised that he was not aware of any formal request from the developer of Park Place to change the ground floor units from retail to residential.

(C)       Question from Councillor McGuinness

In response to a supplementary question from Councillor McGuinness, Councillor John Gardner advised that the recycling bags had been provided in response to requests from the public to change the way recycling was collected. Councillor Gardner suggested that the Environment and Economy Scrutiny Committee could choose to monitor how the new arrangement was working.

(D)       In response to a supplementary question from Councillor Farquharson, Councillor John Gardner advised that Members should follow the planning process for the SG1 plans and that the development would have a lower carbon impact than many other schemes.

(E)       The Mayor advised that he would make a personal pledge to end the provision of red meat in catering at Council and civic events.

(F)       In response to a supplementary question from Councillor Mitchell, Councillor John Gardner agreed to ask officers to provide a written response explaining why since 2012 this Council had the highest or second highest rate of fly tipping across the County.

(G)       In response to a supplementary question from Councillor Notley, Councillor Rob Broom advised that the roll-out of the devices for Members was planned to commence after the start of the new Municipal Year in May and would include support for Members.

(i)            Luton Airport Expansion

Councillor Robin Parker moved and Councillor Stephen Booth seconded a motion as follows:

“In view of the impact on Stevenage and our recent declaration of a climate emergency, this Council opposes the further expansion of Luton Airport.”

An amendment was moved by Councillor Lloyd Briscoe and seconded by Councillor John Gardner and upon being put to the vote was carried.

Following further debate, the substantive motion was then put to the vote and carried as follows:

“In view of our recent declaration of a climate emergency, the considerable detrimental impact on Stevenage resulting from over-flying and also taking into account the opportunities that Luton Airport provides, this Council opposes further expansion of Luton Airport unless sufficient mitigation is secured and that expansion can be proved to have a net zero carbon impact.  The assessment of this impact must include a complete assessment of the additional traffic generated both by passengers and users of the airport itself and the travel to work of staff employed at the airport.

This Council also requires reassurance from Luton Airport on the emergency procedures relating to ‘fuel dumping’ which arise from the recent incident in Los Angeles.

This Council will continue to raise concerns about noise, environmental impact, aviation carbon levels in the South East, and transport connectivity in our representations on the forthcoming Planning Application to be considered by the Planning Inspector.”

(ii)          Animal Welfare

Councillor Jackie Hollywell moved and Councillor Sharon Taylor seconded a revised motion which had been circulated around the Chamber.

Following discussion, Councillor Hollywell agreed to accept a further revision to the motion to replace ‘silent fireworks’ with ‘low noise fireworks’.

Following further debate, the revised motion was then put to the vote and carried as follows:

“Stevenage Borough Council takes animal welfare seriously and pledges to work with partners to ensure that we do all we can within our Borough to protect animals from harm and to encourage the highest standards of animal welfare.

The Council notes the campaign to ban the release of sky lanterns and balloons supported by the RSPCA, the Marine Conservation Society, National Farmers Union and other national wildlife bodies, as both have been shown to be unsafe for animals and the environment and can cause injury, suffering and death by ingestion, entanglement and entrapment.

The Council also acknowledges that extensive use of high decibel fireworks can cause distress to both residents and their animals. A number of councils across the UK are seeking consultation from citizens on proposals from the RSPCA to further limit the permitted sales days and for all public firework displays to be licensed.

The Council also notes and welcomes the enactment of the Wild Animals in Circuses Act which bans the use of Wild Animals in Circuses in England, and came into force at the start of this month (January 2020).

In addition, the Council extends our support to the police and local animal welfare organisations for the full enforcement of the law around animal welfare, which in Hertfordshire includes illegal hare coursing, dog fighting and other wildlife and animal crimes.

Stevenage Borough Council is keen to continue progress on issues of animal welfare and request officers to look into the feasibility of the introduction of policies relating to:  

·         The release of sky lanterns and helium balloons from council land and property

·         The timing and licencing of fireworks displays

·         Moving as quickly as possible to using low noise fireworks for our public fireworks display

·         Encouraging other organisations within the Stevenage Borough area organising fireworks displays to use low noise fireworks

·         Prohibiting the use of animals in circuses performing in the Stevenage Borough Council area

·         Working with our partners in the Police and animal welfare organisations to support the enforcement of the hunting ban, illegal hare coursing and dog fighting as well as other wildlife and animal crimes

(iii)         A1M Smart Motorway

Councillor Lloyd Briscoe moved and Councillor Sharon Taylor seconded an urgent motion which following debate and upon being put to the vote was carried in the following terms:

“That this Council notes with growing concern the issues being raised relating to the safety of ‘Smart Motorway’ systems. Most recently through a body of evidence exposed in the BBC Panorama programme screened on 27th January. 

This Council now believes there can be no justification for any further introduction of ‘Smart Motorway’ systems anywhere on UK roads.

In the light of emerging evidence, Council demands;

1.  An urgent review by the Secretary of State for Transport into the ‘Smart Motorway’ proposals for the A1(M) between Junctions 6 - 8.

 
2. That no implementation of ‘Smart Motorway’ on this stretch of the A1M be carried out while the urgent review takes place.

3. That alternative proposals for relieving congestion on the A1(M) be brought forward as quickly as possible.

4. That officers of the Council communicate this resolution to the Secretary of State with immediate effect.”

The Leader of the Opposition asked the Leader of the Council if it was time to revisit the new homes target in the Local Plan following announcements from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) reducing the required numbers of new houses and in addition the possibility that more windfall sites would be coming forward.

In response, the Leader of the Council advised that officers would provide the Leader of the Opposition with a detailed response on this issue but noted that the ONS number was only lower for a one year period and that the need for new homes was still urgent and the Council was keen to do all it could to help to provide the homes that local people needed.

The Leader reported on a meeting she and the Chief Executive had attended with Nick Carver, Chief Executive East and North Herts NHS Trust at the Lister Hospital and that during the meeting he had indicated that over 250 people could have been discharged if adequate care arrangements had been in place. She stressed the importance of everyone doing what they could to continue to lobby the Government on this issue.

The Council then received updates on the following:

·         Homelessness and Rough Sleeping;

·         Major Refurbishment Contract;

·         Housing Programme On-site;

·         Kenilworth Close;

·         Sale of former Kodak Site;

·         Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst - one of six new Life Science Opportunity Zones in UK;

·         SG1;

·         People’s Orchards;

·         Arts Council Award for Stevenage Day.

The Leader agreed to circulate the written updates to Members following the meeting.

None.

None.

Council considered a report, which updated Members on the final proposals on the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) budgets and rent-setting for 2020/2021.

Prior to the debate, the Chief Executive referred to the Supplementary Agenda (tabled), which set out the Executive’s recommendations to Council following consideration of this matter at its meeting held on 22 January 2020.

It was then moved by Councillor Jeannette Thomas, seconded by Councillor Mrs Joan Lloyd and RESOLVED:

1.      That HRA dwellings be increased, week commencing 1 April 2020, by 2.7% an average increase of £2.56 for social rents £4.17 for affordable rents and £3.16 for Low Start Shared Ownership homes per week. This has been calculated using the rent formula, CPI +1% in line with the Government’s rent policy as set out in Paragraph 4.1.1. of the report.

2.      That the rent policy update to reflect the rent increase guidance of CPI+1%, (revised from a minus 1% rent reduction excluding LSSO properties) agreed at the December 2020 Executive, be confirmed.

3.      That the 2020/21 HRA budget, as set out in Appendix A to the report be approved.

4.      That the revised 2019/20 HRA budget, as set out in Appendix A to the report, be approved.

5.      That the HRA Fees and Charges, as outlined in Appendix C to the report be approved.

6.      That the 2020/21 service charges be approved.

7.      That the minimum level of reserves for 2020/21, as shown in Appendix E to the report be approved.

8.      That the contingency sum of £250,000 within which the Executive can approve supplementary estimates, be approved for 2020/21 (unchanged from 2019/20).

9.      That the comments from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, as set out in the report be noted.

10.   That officers write to the Secretary of State (MHCLG) to request that new build right to buy receipts that are projected to be returned in the last quarter of 2019/20 (estimated at £790,000) are not returned to the Government, but used to increase funding for the Council’s ambitious house building programme, such as Kenilworth or other pipeline programmes.

It was RESOLVED that the Part II section of the Minutes of the meeting of the Appointments Committee held on 21 November 2019 are approved as a correct record for signature by the Chair.

It was RESOLVED:

1. That under Section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as described in paragraphs 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act, as amended by SI 2006 No. 88.

2.  That having considered the reasons for the following items being in Part II it be determined that maintaining the exemption from disclosure of the information contained therein outweighs the public interest in disclosure.

None

None.

It was RESOLVED:

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 involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as described in paragraphs 1-7 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act as amended by Local Government (Access to information) (Variation) Order 2006.

2.         That Members considered the reasons for the following reports being in Part II and determined that the exemption from disclosure of the information contained therein outweighed the public interest in disclosure.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Dave Cullen.

There were no declarations of interest.

None.

The Assistant Director (Finance and Estates) presented a report which would be recommended to Council at its meeting on 26 February 2020 seeking approval of the Treasury Management Strategy 2020/21 including its Annual Investment Strategy and the prudential indicators.

In response to Members’ questions, the Assistant Director (Finance & Estates) replied:

·           The Treasury Management Strategy contained sufficient flexibility to allow borrowing to fund the Bus Station Re-location project should Growth Deal 3 funds be not forthcoming, however this would have a financial impact to be addressed elsewhere;

·           It was anticipated that the second phase of the Queensway scheme would commence in Spring 2021; and

·           There was an update on cash balances held and although projected £50.7Million at year end, the Assistant Director (Finance and Estates) pointed Members to the Final Capital Strategy report which showed in a chart that higher balances were required to be held now for the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) as HRA balances reduce close to minimum balances in the middle of the HRA Business Plan. In addition a proportion of the balances relate to provisions and third party balances.

The Assistant Director (Finance & Estates) acknowledged Members’ requests for additional general audit training and a further session on treasury management.  She commented that she intended to an All Member training session on Financial Risks in late March/early April 2020, to ensure that Members were fully aware of the challenging General Fund position going forward, which the Committee welcomed.

At a Member’s request, the Assistant Director undertook to consider the inclusion of trends in risk management in the year end Risk Management report.

The Chair asked for an item to be included on the Committee’s Work Plan for 2020/21 in respect of the allocation of Section 106 monies.

It was RESOLVED:

1.         That the Treasury Management Strategy 2020/21 be recommended to the Executive and Council for approval.

2.         That the draft prudential indicators for 2020/21 be approved.

3.         That the minimum revenue provision policy be approved.

4.         That an increase to the maximum level of long term (invested for longer than 12 months) investments from £10Million to £20Million when cash balances are higher than £30Million be approved.

It was RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meetings of the Audit Committee held on 12 November 2019 and 27 November 2019 be approved as correct records and signed by the Chair.

The Chair announced that a presentation on the progress of the Council’s ICT Strategy would be submitted to the next meeting of the Committee to be held on 17 March 2020.

In respect of Minute 3 of the meeting of the Committee held on 27 November 2019, it was noted that an appropriate senior officer in the Regeneration Team would be invited to a future meeting in the summer of 2020 to provide an update on the financial risks associated with the Queensway LLP.

In terms of the 2018/19 external audit, the Assistant Director (Finance & Estates) advised that Ernst & Young had 5 outstanding queries.  Due to priority work on the Council’s budget for 2020/21, she had been unable to respond to these queries, but would do so during February 2020, thereby enabling the Statement of Accounts to be signed off.

The Assistant Director (Finance & Estates) commented that Hertfordshire CFO’s would be collectively writing to the Public Sector Audit Appointments (PSAA) regarding clarification about EY’s move to for a 30 September deadline for 2019/20 audit of accounts from the 31 July for audit sign off of the accounts.  It is the CFO’s preference that if the Finance Team are required to publish their unaudited accounts by the end of May each year, it would be backward step to wait until the end of September for the accounts to signed off.

It was RESOLVED that the Part II Minutes of the meeting of the Audit Committee held on 12 November 2019 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

In the previous Committee Minutes there was reference to a CIPFA report on the assessment of models for the Council to provide a Corporate Landlord function.  The Assistant Director (Finance & Estates) advised that she would be preparing a briefing note for Members on this matter.

None.

None.

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee considered the Part II decision of the Executive concerning the appointment of a Development Partner at Kenilworth Close.

The Assistant Director (Housing Development) answered a number of Members’ questions regarding the report.

At the conclusion of the debate, Councillors Robin Parker CC and Andy McGuinness wished their names to be recorded as not supporting the decision of the Executive in respect of the appointment of a Development Partner at Kenilworth Close.

It was RESOLVED that the Part II decision of the Executive made at its meeting held on 22 January 2020 be noted.

It was RESOLVED:

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 involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as described in paragraphs 1 – 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.

None.

None.

In relation to Minute 3 – Part I Decisions of the Executive (Community Centres Review), the Assistant Director (Finance & Estates) undertook to follow up the issue of the ongoing determination of the lease for the Old Stevenage Community Association and respond to the Member who had raised this matter at the meeting.

It was RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 18 December 2019 be approved as a correct record for signature by the Chair.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Sarah Mead.

There were no declarations of interest.

The Committee considered the decisions on the following matters arising from the Executive meeting held on 22 January 2020:

Minutes of the Executive – 16 December 2019

Noted.

Minutes of the Overview & Scrutiny and Select Committees

Noted.

Final Housing Revenue Account (HRA) and Rent Setting Report 2020/21

In response to Members’ questions, the Assistant Director (Finance & Estates) commented:

·           After a number of years of rent reductions for Council tenants, the Government had reverted back to its previous policy of rent increases of CPI +1% for the next five year period; and

·           In relation to the retention of 1 for 1 right to buy receipts, it was confirmed that the eligibility criteria required the use of these receipts for replacement homes.  At present, the funds needed to be spent within 3 years, but officers would be writing to the MHCLG to request that the time period be extended to five years, as suggested in the Government’s consultation on “Use of Right to Buy (RTB) Receipts”.

Draft General Fund and Council Tax Setting 2020/21

Although the levels of 2020/21 fees and charges were to be noted, as they had taken effect from 1 January 2020, a Member raised doubts that the small increase in charges in the Old Town car parks would realise the level of additional income projected, as these car parks were invariably under-utilised.  The Assistant Director (Finance & Estates) confirmed that the options to reduce spend and maintain current level of services were becoming more difficult.

In reply to a Member’s question as to why the graph at Paragraph 3.2 of the report, which referred to Annual Government Grant Loss, commenced on 2011/12, the Assistant Director (Finance & Estates) commented that this was the year that the then Government’s “austerity” programme had commenced.  The Chair added that it was useful for Members to be shown the Grant Loss over the last 10 years in order to appreciate its cumulative impact on the Council’s budget since 2011/12.

The Assistant Director (Finance & Estates) confirmed that all the savings options recommended by the Leader’s Financial Security Group had been accepted by the Executive with the exception of the proposal to cease hard copy production of the Chronicle magazine.  However, this had been offset by savings identified as a result of managerial changes within Stevenage Direct Services.   

Draft Capital Strategy 2019/20 – 2024/25

In response to a Member’s query regarding why capital bid C59 (Improving the environmental credentials of the build at the Kenilworth Close scheme) had not been recommended for inclusion in the Capital Strategy, the Assistant Director (Finance & Estates) explained that, though not agreed as an additional resolution, the Executive had requested that, should there be a financial overachievement of land and asset sales during the year, then priority should be given to some of this income being earmarked for improvement of the environmental credentials of the build at the Kenilworth Close scheme.