Location: Council Chamber, Daneshill House
Present: Councillors: S.K. Speller (Mayor), J. Lloyd, CC (Deputy Mayor), G. Clark, D.W. Cullen, CC, M. Downing, CC, P.E.J. Gallagher, J. Gardner, B.P. Hall, Mrs E. Harrington, R.J. Henry, J. Hollywell, B. Jackson, T.G.M. Kent, CC, E. Knight, L.A. Lambert, C. Latif, Mrs J.E. Lloyd, M. Mason, S.M. Myson, M. Notley, R.G. Parker, CC, M. Patston, J. Pickersgill, J.R. Raynor, D. Royall, R.J. Smith MBE, DL, G. Snell, Mrs L.G. Strange, P. Stuart, S. Taylor, H.C.L. Tessier, J. Thomas, A. Turner, B.G. Underwood and K. Vale
Others: Stewart Gillies, Independent Chair of the Standards Committee.
Duration:
Start Time: 7.00pm
End Time: 9.55pm
Status: Noted
Business: Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors S. Batson, CC, R.A. Clark and Mrs P.A Webb.
Councillor D. Royall declared a prejudicial interest in Agenda Item 4 - Main Debate 'Stevenage - Our Health, Our Hospital' as his wife was employed as a nurse and left the meeting when the item was discussed.
Councillor J. Hollywell declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 4 - Main Debate 'Stevenage - Our Health, Our Hospital' as she was seconded to the Hertfordshire Partnership NHS Trust as manager of a specialist mental health team for older people. Councillor J. Hollywell left the meeting when the item was discussed.
Councillor R.J. Henry declared a prejudicial interest in Agenda Item 4 - Main Debate' Stevenage - Our Health, Our Hospital' as he had been appointed to the East and North Hertfordshire NHS as a non executive director and left the meeting when the item was discussed.
Decision:
Status: Agreed
Business:
Decision: It was RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 4th October 2006, having been circulated, be taken as read, confirmed and signed by the Mayor as a correct record.
Status: Noted
Business: The Mayor spoke about the recent tragic deaths of two fire fighters at a fireworks factory in East Sussex and sent his and the Council's condolences to their families.
A short clip from a film about the creation of Stevenage New Town that had been produced as part of the 60th Anniversary celebrations was shown to the Council. The Mayor explained that the film had first been shown at the Finale event at the Leisure Centre and marked the end of the many events that had taken place during the year.
The Mayor went on to talk about his recent activities that included a sleep out for the homeless in aid of the Haven and a night hike with the scouts. He had also attended the pantomime Dick Whittington at the Gordon Craig Theatre, where he had enjoyed a thoroughly entertaining evening and recommended that everyone go along.
Finally, the Mayor wished every one a Merry Christmas and gave his apologies for the remainder of the meeting. The Deputy Mayor, Councillor John Lloyd, Chaired the remainder of the meeting.
Decision:
Status: Noted
Business: The Deputy Mayor welcomed everyone to the meeting and announced that the Main Debate concerned the outcome of the acute services review and the implications for hospital services locally.
The Deputy Mayor introduced the two guest speakers who would each give a presentation about the acute service review and how the NHS was changing. The speakers were Anne Walker, Chief Executive of East & North Hertfordshire PCT and West Hertfordshire PCT and Nick Carver, Chief Executive of the East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust. Richard Beazley, Chairman of the East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust also addressed the meeting.
The Deputy Mayor stated that in order to give everybody the opportunity to take part in the debate, he would be happy to waive Standard Order 17 (F) so that the debate did not have to conclude after 40 minutes. He also proposed that speeches be limited to 3 minutes. The Leader of the Council seconded this proposal.
The Deputy Mayor thanked the speakers for their presentations and opened the debate to the public and Members of the Council.
Councillor Michael Downing opened the debate by moving a motion. The motion was seconded by Councillor Sharon Taylor.
A lengthy debate then took place that included the following views:
- There was deep disappointment that the hospital at Hatfield was no longer going to be built;
- Real concern was expressed about where the new Cancer Centre would be located, given the problems of travelling to Mount Vernon for treatment;
- The consultation process needed to be swift but comprehensive;
- Action needed to be taken quickly with no more time and money wasted;
- There was poor mental health provision in Stevenage;
- Concern was expressed about the high mortality rates in some areas of Stevenage;
- A&E services should be local to enable a swift response and treatment;
- This should be a non political issue;
- There had been inaccurate news coverage in the local press;
- The catchment area of Lister hospital extended north beyond Stevenage.
A question and answer session followed during which Anne and Nick responded to questions from the Members and thanked them for their comments.
Decision: Upon being put to the vote, It was RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY:
(i) That whilst regretting the decision not to build a new hospital at Hatfield, the Primary Care and Acute Trusts be urged to maximise opportunities to make more effective use of reshaped existing facilities to ensure that the people of Stevenage and the rest of Hertfordshire have better access to acute, emergency, community and primary care services.
(ii) That the Trusts be urged to work with Stevenage Borough Council and other partners in addressing both the inequalities in the provision of health services and, more importantly, long standing health inequalities.
Status: Noted
Business: None received.
Decision:
Status: Noted
Business: None received.
Decision:
Status: Noted
Business: Given the lengthy Main Debate, the Leader of the Council was happy to forgo her update on this occasion.
The Leader of the Opposition asked if the Council had signed up to the Nottingham Declaration on Climate Change and was advised that it had been signed on 6th December 2007. Officers had been asked to investigate the production of a Carbon Neutral Plan report to the Executive in due course.
Decision:
Status: Noted
Business: None received.
Decision:
Status: Noted
Business: None received.
Decision:
Status: Agreed
Business: Council considered an officer report regarding the conclusions and recommendations of the Inspectors' binding report into the Statement of Community Involvement.
A motion was then moved by Councillor John Gardner and seconded by Councillor Sharon Taylor.
Following debate and upon being put to the vote, it was RESOLVED that changes be made and the Statement of Community Involvement be adopted in accordance with the binding recommendations set out in the Inspector's report.
Decision:
Status: Agreed
Business: Council considered an officer report recommending approval for the revised Treasury Management Prudential indicators.
A motion was then moved by Councillor Brian Hall and seconded by Councillor Sharon Taylor.
Following debate and upon being put to the vote, it was RESOLVED that the revised Prudential Indicators, as detailed in Appendix A to the report, be approved.
Decision:
Status: Noted
Business: Council considered an officer report that recommended that the date of Annual Council be changed from Wednesday 23rd May 2007 to Tuesday 22nd May 2007.
A motion was then moved by Councillor Sharon Taylor and seconded by Councillor John Gardner.
Decision: Upon being put to the vote, it was RESOLVED that the date for Annual Council remain as Wednesday 23rd May 2007.
Status: Noted
Business: Council considered an Officer report that sought agreement to appoint an Independent Member to the vacancy on the Standards Committee.
A motion was then moved by Councillor Mrs Joan Lloyd and seconded by Councillor Tanis Kent.
Decision: Upon being put to the vote, it was RESOLVED that Mrs Ananda Hale to be appointed as an Independent Member of the Standards Committee.
Status: Agreed
Business: Council considered an officer report that sought approval of Stevenage Borough Council's Statement of Principles for the Gambling Act 2005 as at Appendix 1 to the report.
A motion was then moved by Councillor Hugh Tessier and seconded by Councillor Carol Latif.
Decision: Upon being put to the vote, it was RESOLVED:
(i) That the Statement of Principles as at Appendix 1 to the report be approved;
(ii) That a 'No casino resolution' not be made at this stage.
At this juncture, the Deputy Mayor referred to the Mayor's Communications earlier in the evening and added his praise to the production of Dick Whittington at the Gordon Craig Theatre. He stated that he would send a letter of congratulations to the company for producing such a superb show.
Status: Noted
Business:
Decision: It was RESOLVED 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 involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as described in paragraphs 1-7 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.
Status: Agreed
Business: The Deputy Mayor indicated that only the Deputy Chief Executive, the relevant Strategic Director and Constitutional Services staff were required to remain for this item.
Council considered a request from the Chief Executive, Ian Paske, to retire from the Council's service under the 'rule of 85'.
A number of Members paid tribute to the services given to the Council by Ian Paske, particularly in the 10 years that he had held the post of chief Executive.
A motion was then moved by Councillor Sharon Taylor and seconded by Councillor Reg Smith.
Decision: Upon being put to the vote, it was RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY:
(1) That the recommendations in 2.1 and 2.2 of the report be agreed;
(2) That the composition of the Appointments Committee be amended to comprise 8 Members; 6 Majority Group Members, one Member from the Opposition Group and one Member from the Minority Opposition Group;
(3) That Council formally place on record its thanks to Ian Paske for the excellent service he had given to the Council, particularly as its Chief Executive for over 10 years.