1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE AND DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
2. MINUTES - COUNCIL - WEDNESDAY 9 OCTOBER 2013
To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the Council meeting held on Wednesday 9 October 2013.
Minutes attached
3. MAYOR'S COMMUNICATIONS
To receive any communications that the Mayor may wish to put before Council.
4. MAIN DEBATE - STEVENAGE - ON THE ROAD
To discuss highways issues in Stevenage.
5. PETITIONS AND DEPUTATIONS
None received.
6. QUESTIONS FROM THE YOUTH COUNCIL
None received.
7. QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC
None received
8. LEADER OF THE COUNCIL'S UPDATE
In accordance with the Council's Standing Orders, the Leader of the Opposition shall be given the opportunity to raise one matter relevant to the Borough that has arisen since the last meeting of the Council.
The Leader of the Council shall then have the opportunity to advise the Council of matters relevant to the Borough that have arisen since the last meeting.
9. NOTICE OF MOTIONS
To consider the following Motion submitted by Councillor S Taylor OBE CC -
'That this Council:
A) Notes that payday lenders are trapping many people in Stevenage into a spiral of debt.
B) Believes that the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)'s new proposals for regulating payday lenders are a step in the right direction, but do not go far enough.
C) Further believes:
i. that the FCA's proposals would not prevent payday lenders from drip-feeding new loans to people who already have payday debts and are struggling to pay them back
ii. that the FCA's proposals would not prevent people from being hit with escalating penalty fees
iii. that the FCA's proposals would not stop payday lenders from raiding people's bank accounts without telling them.D) Welcomes that some of Britain's biggest debt, consumer and anti-poverty organisations - including Which?, Citizens Advice, StepChange Debt Charity, Church Action on Poverty and the Centre for Responsible Credit - and MPs from every Party represented at Westminster have come together to support the Charter to Stop the Payday Loan Rip-Off.
And accordingly resolves to:
i. endorse the Charter to Stop the Payday Loan Rip-Off which calls on the FCA to introduce tougher regulation of payday lenders.
ii. encourage residents of Stevenage to support the Charter by signing the online petition at www.change.org/paydayloancharter
iii. promote and support the development of local credit unions and more affordable lending.
iv. work with partners on campaigns against increasing levels of personal debt.E) Agrees to send a copy of this motion to Martin Wheatley, Chief Executive of the Financial Conduct Authority and to the local Member of Parliament.'
10. QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS TO COMMITTEE CHAIRS / PORTFOLIO HOLDERS
None received
11. MATTER REFERRED FROM THE EXECUTIVE AND AUDIT COMMITTEE - TREASURY MANAGEMENT STRATEGY MID YEAR REVIEW
The Executive and Audit Committee at their meetings on 4 November and 18 November 2013 respectively, considered a report on the mid-year review of the Treasury Management Strategy.
Both bodies agreed that Council be recommended to approve of the 2013/14 Mid-year Treasury Management Strategy and Annual Investment Strategy Review.
Report attached
Appendix A
Appendix B
12. MATTER REFERRED FROM THE EXECUTIVE - LICENSING ACT 2003 - LICENSING POLICY REVIEW
The Executive at its meeting on 4 November 2013 considered a report for recommendation to Council that sought approval for the proposed changes to the current licensing policy, last approved by Council on the 8 December 2010.
It was resolved that Council be recommended to approve the proposed Stevenage Borough Council Licensing Policy, as shown at Appendix A of the report, which had been drafted in accordance with the Licensing Act 2003.
Report attached
Appendix A
Appendix B
Appendix C
13. MATTER REFERRED FROM THE EXECUTIVE - CONVICTIONS POLICY: HACKNEY CARRIAGE AND PRIVATE HIRE LICENSING
The Executive at its meeting on 4 November 2013 considered a report for recommendation to Council that sought approval for the proposed changes to the current Convictions Policy for the licensing of Hackney Carriage and Private Hire drivers and Private Hire operators.
It was resolved that Council be recommended to approve the proposed Stevenage Borough Council Convictions Policy for the licensing of Hackney Carriage and Private Hire drivers and Private Hire operators set out at Appendix A of the report.
Report attached
Appendix A
14. STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE MINUTES - 25 SEPTEMBER 2013
To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the Statement of Accounts Committee held on 25 September 2013.
Minutes attached
15. AUDIT COMMITTEE MINUTES - 25 SEPTEMBER 2013
To note the Minutes of the Audit Committee meeting held on 25 September 2013.
Minutes attached
16. AUDIT COMMITTEE MINUTES - 18 NOVEMBER 2013
To note the draft Minutes of the Audit Committee meeting held on 18 November 2013.
Minutes attached
17. URGENT PART I BUSINESS
To consider any Part I business accepted by the Mayor as urgent.
18. EXCLUSION OF PRESS AND PUBLIC
To consider the following Motions -
19. PART II MINUTES - COUNCIL - WEDNESDAY 9 OCTOBER 2013
To approve as a correct record the Part II section of the Minutes Council meeting held on Wednesday 9 October 2013.
20. URGENT PART II BUSINESS
To consider any Part II business accepted by the Mayor as urgent.