Location: Council Chamber, Daneshill House
Present: Members: Councillors, D. Royall, CC (Mayor), B. Jackson (Deputy Mayor), G. Clark, R.A. Clark, D.W. Cullen, M. Downing, CC, P.E.J. Gallagher, J. Gardner, B.P. Hall, L. Harrington, R.J. Henry, J. Hollywell, T.G.M. Kent, CC, P.D. Kissane, L.A. Lambert, C. Latif, J. Lloyd, M.A. Mason, D.F. Monaghan, S.M. Myson, M. Notley, R.G. Parker, M.P. Patston, J.R. Raynor, R.J. Smith, MBE, DL, CC, G. Snell, S.K. Speller, Mrs L.G. Strange, P. Stuart, S. Taylor, H.C.L. Tessier, A.T. Turner, B.G. Underwood, K. Vale and Mrs P.A Webb, CC
Others:
Duration:
Start Time: 7.00p.m.
End Time: 9.57p.m.
Status: Noted
Business: Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Mrs. J.E. Lloyd, J.A. Pickersgill and L. Knight.
The following declarations of interest were made:-
Councillor B.P. Hall - Prejudicial Interest in Item 13 Stonyhall Transfer Agreement.
Councillor A.T. Turner - Prejudicial Interest in Item 14 - Report of the Chief Executive - Strategic Organisational Review.
Decision:
Status: Noted
Business:
Decision: It was RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 29th September 2004, having been circulated, be taken as read, confirmed and signed by the Mayor as a correct record.
Status: Noted
Business: The Mayor paid tribute to the late Councillor Alf McCarthy. Councillor McCarthy was first elected to the Council in 1991, and served on a number of committees.
He also represented the Council on Age Concern and Broadwater Community Association
Councillor McCarthy was a life long Trade Unionist and worked as a printer. He was a fit and energetic man, who had cycled regularly and enjoyed playing squash. He was extremely well respected and held strong principles and beliefs. He would be missed by all who knew him.
A number of other Councillors spoke in tribute.
The Council observed a minute's silence in remembrance of Councillor McCarthy.
MAYOR'S BUSINESS
The Mayor had been busy since the last Council meeting. He had attended various events around the town including a Charity Swimming event, a Marathon, Cycle Run; visits to local schools; and the Remembrance Day Parade and Armistice Service.
The Mayor also updated the Council on a number of developments concerning youth provision in the town and on various Business developments.
The Mayor then called upon Councillor Sharon Taylor, Resources Portfolio Holder, to present to the Council the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM Award for Local and Regional Government. Councillor Taylor stated that the award was accepted on behalf of the Council for the work on the Customer Services Centre. Stevenage was the runner up in this category. There were six other nominated authorities all of which were much larger Councils. The award was for access to service for residents.
At this point the Mayor advised that he had to leave the meeting due to a prior agreement.
Councillor B. Jackson (Deputy Mayor) took the Chair.
Decision:
Status: Noted
Business: There were none received.
Decision:
Status: Noted
Business: There were none received.
Decision:
Status: Noted
Business: The Leader of the Council and appropriate Members of the Executive updated the Council in respect of the following Portfolio Areas:-
Councillor Bob Clark Portfolio Holder for Community Safety gave an update on Community Safety including information on Police Community Support Officers, Environmental Action Days and Crime Best Value Performance Indicators. The Portfolio holder for Community Safety updated Council on his response to the Government White Paper - 'Building Communities and Fighting Crime'
He proposed to set up informal joint neighbourhood groups which would report to the Area Committees. These groups would mirror the six Area Committees, meet a couple of weeks ahead of the Area Committee meetings and involve; Community Police Officers, PCSO's, Community Associations, Local Shopkeepers, Resident's Groups, local Members and Officers. These informal groups would look at the last quarter of BVPI's for their area and propose ways of joint working to tackle issues as they arose.
Councillor Ann Webb Portfolio Holder for Housing gave an update on Stonyhall Ballot and Ridgemond Park.
Councillor Sharon Taylor Portfolio Holder for Resources gave an update on Electoral Issues including Postal Ballot and the Register of Electors and on Garage Management Services
Councillor Sue Myson Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture gave an update on the Museum and on Leisure activities including the first Stevenage Mini Olympics.
Councillor John Gardner Portfolio holder for Environment, updated Council on the town wide Green Waste Collection Scheme and on developments with the new East of England Plan.
Councillor Richard Henry Portfolio Holder for Health and E-Government provided Council with news on a Commendation received for 'Most Innovative Partnership Scheme' from the Empty Homes Agency and on the publication of the standard of hygiene in food premises.
In accordance with Standing Order II(c), the Leader of the Opposition raised the matter of the Local Government Finance Settlement.
The Leader of the Council stated that initially it was thought that there would only be 0.6% increase in grant to District Councils, but actually the Government had provided a minimum increase of 2.5% for District Councils. Stevenage received a 2.9% cash increase in grant, which equated to £174,000 for the year. Hertfordshire County Council received 5.7% and East Hertfordshire and Broxbourne got considerably more than Stevenage, nearer 5%. The Leader had raised this issue with the MP as to why these more affluent areas had received a higher settlement.
Decision:
Status: Noted
Business: None.
Decision:
Status: Noted
Business: None.
Decision:
Status: Noted
Business: The Council considered a report and recommendation from the meeting of the Executive held on 24th November 2004.
Decision: It was RESOLVED that the Statement of Licensing Policy, as detailed in Appendix A of the report be approved by the Council.
Status: Noted
Business: The Council considered a report and recommendation from the meeting of the Executive held on 24th November 2004.
Decision: It was RESOLVED:-
1. That the responses to the representations received in respect of the proposed modifications be approved.
2. That the Stevenage District Plan Second Review, 1991 - 2011 as the statutory local plan for Stevenage be adopted.
3. That the Director of Environmental Services be granted delegated powers to make such minor and factual changes to the plan as are necessary or appropriate prior to its publication.
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 1-15 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act'.
Status: Noted
Business: The Executive, at its meeting held on 27th October 2004, considered a Part II report on the Terms and Conditions Audit and Outcome of Negotiations. The Executive's recommendations to Council on this matter are detailed in the confidential Part II (pink) papers circulated separately to Members.
Decision: It was RESOLVED that the recommendation of the Executive on the Terms and Conditions Audit and Outcome of Negotiations, as detailed in the Part II Agenda papers, be approved subject to any final consultation with the Trade Unions and that any minor amendments be agreed by the Chief Executive.
Status: Noted
Business: Prior to the consideration of this item, Councillor Brian Hall withdrew from the meeting.
The Council considered a Part II report and recommendation from the Executive meeting held on 24th November 2004, regarding Stonyhall Transfer Agreement.
Decision: It was RESOLVED that the recommendation of the Executive on the Stonyhall Transfer Agreement, as detailed in the Part II Agenda papers, be approved.
Status: Noted
Business: Prior to the consideration of this item, Councillor Tony Turner and all Officers, with the exception of the Chief Executive, the Borough Solicitor and Committee Staff, withdrew from the meeting.
The Council considered a Part II Officer Report - Report of the Chief Executive on a Strategic Organisational Review.
Decision: It was RESOLVED that with the exception of recommendation 2.5, the recommendations of the Chief Executive be approved, as detailed in the Part II Agenda papers and that a Special Appointments Committee be established with detailed terms of reference and Membership.