Location: Council Chamber, Daneshill House
Present: Members: Councillors B. Jackson (Deputy Mayor), S. Batson, CC, R.A. Clark, G. Clark, D.W. Cullen, CC, M. Downing, CC, P.E.J. Gallagher, J. Gardner, B.P. Hall, R.J. Henry, J. Hollywell (from 7.22pm), T.G.M. Kent, CC (from 7.40pm), L.A. Lambert (from 8.30pm), C. Latif, Mrs J.E. Lloyd, J. Lloyd, CC (from 7.20pm), M.A. Mason, D.F. Monaghan, S.M. Myson, M. Notley, R.G. Parker, CC, M.P. Patston, J.A. Pickersgill, J.R. Raynor, D. Royall, Reg Smith, MBE, DL, G. Snell, Mrs L.G. Strange, S. Taylor, H.C.L. Tessier, A.T. Turner, K. Vale and Mrs P.A Webb (from 8.25pm).
Others:
Duration:
Start Time: 7.00pm
End Time: 9.10pm
Status: Noted
Business: Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors B.G. Underwood (Mayor) and Councillors E. Harrington, P.D. Kissane, L. Knight, S.K.Speller and P. Stuart.
Councillor S. Batson, CC and Councillor M.P. Patston declared personal, prejudicial interest in Minute Number 16 in respect of their Board Membership of Stevenage Leisure Limited.
Decision:
Status: Agreed
Business:
Decision: It was RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 29th June 2005, having been circulated, be taken as read, confirmed and signed by the Mayor as a correct record subject to the resolutions shown under Minute Number 7 as one resolution, not two.
Status: Noted
Business: The Deputy Mayor announced that the Mayor had received confirmation from the families of the firefighters who died at Harrow Court to say that they were happy with the dedication proposed by the Council regarding the naming of the two roads on the Stonyhall Estate in memory of Jeff Wornham and Michael Miller.
Decision:
Status: Agreed
Business: The Deputy Mayor welcomed Shahzad Choudhry, the Council's Equalities & Diversity Officer, who made a presentation on the Council's Equalities and Diversity Strategy and accompanying Action Plan. He explained that in this context Equality was about fairness, non-discrimination, decency, respect and high standards of behaviour between individuals and groups. Diversity was recognising, accepting and valuing the fact that everyone is different and how everyone was able to benefit from this.
Shahzad then explained how equalities and diversity affected the Council. The Council needed to ensure that all communities had access to services appropriate to their needs. By creating partnerships with local groups, the Council aimed to ensure that everyone in Stevenage had a voice.
Concerning the Council's Equalities and Diversity Strategy and Action Plan it was explained that 4 key performance areas were highlighted, namely;
1. Leadership & Corporate Commitment
2. Consultation, Community Development and Scrutiny
3. Service Delivery and Customer Care
4. Employment and Training
Shahzad also referred to the Equality Standard for Local Government and listed the five levels of attainment. He stressed that the Council's aim was to achieve Level 2 by March 2006.
Councillor Ken Vale, the Council's Equalities Champion, congratulated Shahzad on what he had achieved and thanked him and all those involved in this work. He then moved a Motion that was duly seconded and subject to a full debate.
Decision: It was then RESOLVED that, to coincide with the launch the Council's Equalities & Diversity Strategy, the Council establish an Equalities Charter to be signed by all Councillors and Senior Officers, this charter to focus on the Council's role as an Employer, Service Provider and Community Leader.
Status: Noted
Business: None.
Decision:
Status: Noted
Business: A question had been received and was detailed in the Agenda. The questioner made a statement in relation to the question and a response was given by the Executive Councillor (Environment).
Decision:
Status: Noted
Business: The Leader of the Council and appropriate Members of the Executive updated the Council in respect of the Charter Mark, Open Evening in Customer Service Centre, Good Housing for All, Public Realm Enhancements, Gunnels Wood Initiative, Ridgemond Training moves to Caxton Way, Transforming Services, Summer Fest, Talented Young People Awards, Black History Month and Celebrate, Partnership Orientated Policing Award - Hertfordshire, SKY TV Film Partners Against Crime in Stevenage.
In response to a question as to whether the Partners Against Crime film could be sent to the Local Government Information Unit, Councillor R. Clark undertook to pursue this suggestion.
With regard to the Good Housing For All, Councillor Mrs. P.A. Webb thanked all the staff involved with the preparation of the Council's Housing Strategy & Business Plan, in particular Adrian Stones.
In accordance with Standing Order 11(c) the Leader of the Opposition raised the matter of Fair Trade being not mentioned specifically in the Council's Procurement Strategy and the staff handbook, as well as the lack of display of appropriate Certificates on Council premises.
The Deputy Leader and Executive Councillor for Resources indicated that she had provided a Leader's Update in respect of Fair Trade and two press releases had been issued to coincide with G8. There would be a review of the Procurement Strategy in October and, as soon as the Council had permission to use the logo, appropriate Certificates could be displayed. It was confirmed that the Assistant Chief Executive (Finance), was the Lead Officer for Fair Trade, with other officers involved.
Decision:
Status: Noted
Business: None.
Decision:
Status: Noted
Business: None.
Decision:
Status: Agreed
Business: The Council considered a report and recommendations from the meeting of the Executive held on 7th September 2005.
The Council's attention was drawn to the draft Minute of the Scrutiny Overview Committee meeting held on 12th September 2005 concerning the Housing Strategy and Housing Business Plan.
Decision: It was RESOLVED:-
1) That the Housing Strategy and Action Plan and the HRA Business Plan and Action Plan be approved.
2) That authorisation and amendments to this document be delegated to the Executive Member for Housing and the Strategic Director.
3) That the Corporate Housing Authorities be aligned under the ambition 'Good Housing for All' to:-
* Improve our homes
* Ensure the development of affordable homes
Status: Agreed
Business: The Council considered a report from the Borough Solicitor seeking to increase the number of officers who are authorised to witness the sealing of documents.
Decision: It was RESOLVED that Article 14.05(b) of the Council's Constitution be amended as set out in the annexe to the Borough Solicitor's report.
Status: Agreed
Business: The Council considered a report seeking Members' agreement to the Council's revised Contract Standing Orders as shown in the appendix to the report.
Decision: It was RESOLVED that the proposed Contract Standing Orders shown in the Appendix to the report, as well as the minor revision to Financial Regulations as outlined in Section 4.4, be approved.
Status: Agreed
Business:
Decision: It was RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting of the Statement of Accounts Committee held on 28th July 2005 be approved.
Status: Agreed
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: Agreed
Business: The Council considered a report and recommendations from the meeting of the Executive held on 7th September 2005.
Decision: It was RESOLVED that a virement of £347,000 from 2006/07 Maintenance Deficit to finance the accommodation efficiency improvement works be approved.
Status: Agreed
Business: Having declared a Prejudicial Interest, Councillors S. Batson and M. Patston left the Chamber during consideration of this item.
The Council considered a report and recommendations from the meeting of the Executive held on 7th September 2005.
Decision: It was RESOLVED that it be agreed, in principle, to invest £1,370,000 in facility developments, detailed within the report, at Stevenage Arts & Leisure Centre and Stevenage Swimming Centre, and that the developments be funded from the Roaring Meg North Development Section 106 Agreement.