Location: Council Chamber, Daneshill House
Present: Members: Councillors D. Royall, CC (Mayor), S. Batson, CC, G. Clark, R.A. Clark (until 9.30pm), D.W. Cullen, M. Downing, CC, P.E.J. Gallagher, J. Gardner, B.P. Hall, L. Harrington, R.J. Henry, T.G.M. Kent, CC (from 8.25pm), P.D. Kissane, L.A. Lambert, C. Latif, Mrs J.E. Lloyd, J. Lloyd, S.M. Myson, M. Notley, R.G. Parker, M.P. Patston, J.A. Pickersgill, J.R. Raynor, R.J. Smith, MBE, DL, CC, S.K. Speller (from 8.55pm), Mrs L.G. Strange, P. Stuart, S. Taylor, H.C.L. Tessier, K. Vale and Mrs P.A Webb, CC.
Others: Superintendent Adrian Walter - Hertfordshire Constabulary Inspector Dean Patient - Hertfordshire Constabulary Paul Drakes - Divisional Commander, Hertfordshire Fire & Rescue Service Dave Stokes - Station Officer, Hertfordshire Fire & Rescue Service Barbara Follett, MP.
Duration:
Start Time: 7.00pm
End Time: 10.10pm
Status: Noted
Business: Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors J. Hollywell, B. Jackson (Deputy Mayor), L. Knight, M.A. Mason, G. Snell and A.T. Turner.
There were no declarations of interest.
Decision:
Status: Agreed
Business:
Decision: It was RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 23rd February 2005, having been circulated, be taken as read, confirmed and signed by the Mayor as a correct record, subject to the substitution of 'Prejudicial' with 'Non-Prejudicial' as the nature of Councillor G. Clark's interest in Stevenage Community Trust, as quoted in Minute 1 - Apologies for absence and declarations of interest.
Status: Noted
Business: The Mayor announced that the world had recently lost two peace loving and much admired leaders in Pope John Paul II and Lord Callaghan. The Mayor asked those present to stand and observe a minute's silence as a mark of respect for these two men.
The Mayor advised that Councillor A.T. Turner had suffered a serious fall and had broken two limbs. He requested that a letter be written to Councillor Turner wishing him a speedy recovery, and asked Councillor Kissane to pass on the Council's best wishes during his next visit.
The Mayor gave an update on the various engagements he had attended since the last meeting of the Council.
A number of the events had been linked to the theme of his Mayoral Year - Youth, and he was pleased to see the extent and range of activities with which young people in the town were involved.
The Council was updated on the Mayor's fund raising activities for his nominated charities and the work of the Working Party he had set up to assist victims of the Tsunami disaster in Sri Lanka.
The Mayor commented on the number of tributes and events held to commemorate Michael Miller and Jeff Wornham, the fire fighters who had lost their lives in the Harrow Court fire. He felt sure their memories would live on.
Up and coming Mayoral engagements included the launch of the One Book for Stevenage project on 15th April 2005. The Mayor expressed his appreciation for the time and energy Ken Follett had given to this initiative. The Mayor was also working with Councillor Simon Speller, on behalf of the Stevenage Community Trust, to boost interest and encourage participation in the Stevenage Fun Run on Monday, 2nd May 2005.
Decision:
Status: Agreed
Business: The Chief Executive summarised the Key Introductory Notes for the debate on anti-social behaviour, copies of which had been circulated around the Chamber. Additionally, comments received from members of the public for raising in this debate were also circulated.
The Mayor invited Superintendent Adrian Walter, Hertfordshire Constabulary, and Paul Drakes, Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, to address the meeting.
The Mayor stated that, as the question detailed at Item 6 on the agenda also concerned anti-social behaviour, he considered it would be appropriate to take this matter as part of the debate. The Mayor invited the questioner, Mrs Bunyan, to make a brief statement in relation to the question.
The Mayor called upon Councillor R.A. Clark, Executive Councillor (Community Safety), to respond to the question and the issues raised in the comments received from members of the public regarding anti-social behaviour.
At this juncture, it was moved, seconded and RESOLVED that Standing Order 18(c)(iii), concerning the time allowed for Members to speak, be waived for this item.
At the conclusion of Councillor R.A. Clark's speech, he moved a motion that was duly seconded. A debate ensued and the Mayor invited other Members of the Council and members of the public to participate therein.
Decision: Having been moved, seconded and debated, it was RESOLVED that the Council takes, and encourages its partners to take, as tough a line as possible within the law on all perpetrators of anti-social activity and also encourages the community as a whole to support the various initiatives in this endeavour.
Status: Noted
Business: The Council considered a Petition submitted by residents concerning the cleaning of play areas across the town. The Lead Petitioner addressed the Council and submitted the Petition, which contained 299 signatures. Members were informed that copies of the Petition were available on request.
The Executive Councillor (Health and E-Government) responded to the Petition.
A number of Councillors commented on this matter, following which the Mayor advised that, in accordance with Standing Orders, the Executive Councillor (Health and E-Government) would provide a written reply to the Lead Petitioner and keep her and Local Ward Members fully informed of progress in addressing the issues raised in the Petition.
Decision:
Status: Noted
Business: The question detailed in the agenda had been dealt with earlier in the meeting (see Minute 4).
Decision:
Status: Noted
Business: The Leader of the Council and appropriate Members of the Executive updated the Council in respect of the Council Tax Benefit Take Up Campaign; Transfer of Housing Repair Service to Customer Service Centre; Green Waste Collection Service; Town Centre Regeneration; Mini-Olympics; Youth Forum; Harrow Court; and the Anti-Social Tenants' Working Party.
Councillor R.A. Clark declared a prejudicial interest in respect of the above item on Harrow Court and withdrew from the Chamber during the update on this matter.
In accordance with Standing Order 11(c), the Leader of the Opposition raised the matter of the current policy for the distribution of leaflets in the Town Centre.
Decision: In response to this, the Leader of the Council moved a motion which was duly seconded, and it was RESOLVED that, during the course of an Election Campaign, political parties be allowed to distribute leaflets in the Town Centre.
Status: Noted
Business: None.
Decision:
Status: Noted
Business: None.
Decision:
Status: Agreed
Business: The Council considered a report and recommendation from the meeting of the Executive held on 8th March 2005, regarding the Best Value Performance Plan 2005/06.
Decision: It was RESOLVED that the Best Value Performance Plan 2005/06, as attached as an appendix to the report, be approved, subject to the addition of the 2004/05 Best Value Performance Indicator outturn performance.
Status: Noted
Business: The Chair of the Scrutiny Overview Committee introduced a report on the work undertaken by his Committee and the four Scrutiny Panels during the 2004/05 Municipal Year.
Decision: It was RESOLVED:
(i) That the work undertaken by the Scrutiny Overview Committee and the four Scrutiny Panels during 2004/05, as detailed in the report, be noted.
(ii) That the Scrutiny Overview Committee's decision to base its scrutiny role on high priority topics and the availability of resources be noted.
Status: Agreed
Business: The Council considered an officer report seeking a waiver to the Budget and Policy Framework Rules set out in the Council's Constitution, in relation to the consultation period following the publication, by the Executive, of initial policy framework proposals concerning the Housing Options Appraisal.
Decision: It was RESOLVED that the Budget and Policy Framework Rules, as set out in the Council's Constitution, be waived to allow the timetable for formal decision making on the Housing Options Appraisal, as detailed in the report, to be implemented.
Status: Noted
Business: None.
Decision:
Status: Noted
Business: Not required.
Decision:
Status: Noted
Business: None.
Decision: