Location: Council Chamber, Daneshill House, Danestrete
Present: Members: Councillors, B. Jackson (Deputy Mayor - presiding), 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, C. Latif, Mrs J.E. Lloyd, M.A. Mason (from 7.30p.m.), A.J.R. McCarthy, D.F. Monaghan , N. Notley, R.G. Parker, M.P. Patston, J.R. Raynor, S.K. Speller, S. Taylor, H.C.L. Tessier, A.T. Turner, B.G. Underwood (from 7.15p.m.), K. Vale, Mrs. P.A. Webb, CC and D. Webb.
Others:
Duration:
Start Time: 7.00p.m.
End Time: 9.35p.m.
Status: Noted
Business: Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of The Mayor - Councillor Mrs. L.G. Strange, and Councillors D. Kissane, E. Knight, Mrs. S. Myson, D. Royall, R. Smith, CC. G. Snell, P. Stuart and J.A. Thomas.
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 17th September 2003, having been circulated, be taken as read, confirmed and signed by the Deputy Mayor as a correct record.
Status: Noted
Business: At the request of the Deputy Mayor, the Council observed a minutes silence as a mark of respect following the recent deaths of two former Councillors, Stan Greenfield and Joy Shea.
Decision:
Status: Noted
Business: The Council considered a presentation from Members of the Stevenage Youth Council concering the work of the Youth Council and they had decided to spend the £4,000 allocated to it as part of the Local Democracy Week project. Members of the Council asked questions of the Youth Council representatives.
After a full debate, it was moved, seconded and RESOLVED - that the Council endorses the Youth Council's proposal to spend the allocated £4,000 to provide a mobile youth club (Wheels Bus) in Longmeadow and Old Town Ward areas.
The Deputy Mayor thanked the representatives of the Youth Council for their attendance and presentation.
Decision:
Status: Noted
Business: No petitions or deputations were received.
Decision:
Status: Noted
Business: No questions from the Public were received.
Decision:
Status: Noted
Business: The Leader of the Council and appropriate Executive Members updated the Council in respect of the following - the Housing Needs Survey; Tenancy Enforcement Officer and New Computer System; Convictions for non-payment of Council Tax, Land Sales North East Stevenage; GOE Assessment of the SBC Capital Strategy and Asset Management Strategy; closure of the Glebe Post Office; Regional Planning; Gunnels Wood; Community Partnership; Town Centre Pond; Cultural Strategy; Mayor's Festival of Sport; Celebrate; Makonde Outreach Workshops; Beacon Shortlisting; Peformance and Improvement including Peer Challenge Self Assessment and Progress on CPA; the Rugby World Cup; Community Safety including Clean and Safe Projects and half term activities and Equalities and Diversity Awareness.
It was noted that the Mayor was to send a letter to Clive Woodward conveying the congratulations of the Council for the England Rugby Team victory in the World Cup.
In accordance with Standing Order 11 (c), the Leader of the Opposition raised the issue of the confidential report on the Play Service Review which had got into the public domain possibly leading to questions from the public in the current round of Joint Local Committees. The Leader of the Council responded that Members of the public should be advised that the matter remained confidential at present due to staffing issues. A decision was due to be made on the Review by the Executive at its meeting on 10th December 2003.
Decision:
Status: Noted
Business: No notices of motion were received.
Decision:
Status: Noted
Business: There were no questions to Committee Chairs/Portfolio Holders.
Decision:
Status: Agreed
Business: The Council considered a report and recommendations from the Executive meeting held on 15th October 2003, regarding the Capital Programme and Resources Review.
Decision: It was RESOLVED:-
(i) That the review of the Capital Programme and Resources for 2003/04 - 2009/10 be noted.
(ii) That a supplementary estimate of £581,500 in respect of the 2003/04 Housing Capital Programme be approved.
Status: Agreed
Business: The Council considered a report and a recommendation from the Executive meeting held on 15th October, 2003 regarding the General Fund Revenue Strategy and Budget Framework.
Decision: It was RESOLVED that the Council's revised Budget Framework be approved.
Status: Agreed
Business: The Council considered a report and a recommendation from the Executive meeting held on 12th November, 2003 regarding the 'Changing Gear' (Corporate Business Strategy) 2002/03 - 2006/07.
Decision: It was RESOLVED that the proposed revisions to the Councils Corporate Business Strategy - 'Changing Gear' as outlined in Appendix A of the report be agreed.
Status: Agreed
Business: The Council considered a report recommending approval to revisions to the Council's Constitution.
Decision: It was RESOLVED that the revised and updated version of the Council's Constitution, circulated separately, be approved.
Status: Agreed
Business: This report had not been circulated 5 clear days before the meeting. The Deputy Mayor determined however, that given the Council was, by law, required to agree a Members Allowance Scheme by 31st December 2003, the report be considered on this occasion.
The Council considered the late report of the Independent Panel, to determine a new scheme of allowances and to determine the pension arrangements for Members.
Decision: It was RESOLVED:-
(i) That the new scheme of allowances as set out at Appendix A to the report be approved.
(ii) That in relation to pension arrangements, the pension scheme be made available to all eligible elected Members and that pensions be calculated on the basic allowance and special responsibility allowance combined and that the implementation date be 1st April 2004.
(iii) That the appropriate revisions be made to the Council's Constitution.
Status: Noted
Business:
Decision:
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 item 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 Part II report seeking approval to purchase the freehold of the Forum Car Park.
Decision: It was RESOLVED that the recommendations contained in the report be approved.
Status: Agreed
Business: The Deputy Mayor explained that this item had not been circulated 5 clear days before the meeting, but that he had accepted it as urgent because negotiations had only recently been carried out and the matter needed to be progressed in conjunction with the purchase of the freehold of the Forum Car Park.
The Council considered the late Part II report seeking approval for expenditure to purchase the land adjacent to the Forum Car Park.
Decision: It was RESOLVED that the recommendations contained in the report be approved.