Issue - meetings

The following questions have been submitted by members of the public.  Written answers to the questions will be published on a supplementary agenda.

(A)      Question from Mr Jim Borcherds

“It is good to see that residents are moving into the new development at Kenilworth Close.

Can you give an update on when the ‘four new retail units and enhanced community spaces’ will be available for the current and future residents of Bragbury End to access?”

(B)      Question from Jennifer Huygen

“Having recently moved to Stevenage and having done so particularly because I enjoy going out in nature and cycling, I was disappointed to realise there are barely any streetlights.  This makes me uncomfortable going out after work by myself, particularly in Fairlands Valley Park. 

I understand that street lighting is the remit of Hertfordshire County Council, but I would like to ask you very specifically about Fairlands Valley Park which has long sections without lighting and falls under the responsibility of Stevenage Borough Council.  It is exceptionally dark, even early in the evening.  This creates an unsafe environment, especially for women who are already disadvantaged when it comes to leading active lifestyles.  Research from Sport England shows that the pandemic and cost-of-living crisis have had a disproportionate impact on women.  Meaning that women have less to spend on weekly budgets and less time to spend on themselves.  As a result, their activity levels have fallen and show little sign of recovery.  2.4 million fewer women than men strongly agree that they enjoy getting active.  Sport England calls this the enjoyment gap and their research shows that 1 in 5 women say they worry about their safety whilst working out. 

Given that wildlife friendly solutions to park lighting exist, can Stevenage Borough Council explain its plan to install lighting along paths across Fairlands Valley Park to ensure everyone can enjoy this park and lead more active lifestyles, even after sunset?”

(C)     Question from Mr Teun van Leeuwen

"Towns that increased their bike usage have shown that success hinges on periodic inclusive cycling policy audits that ensure policy matches with needs, not just infrastructure-focussed audits. How will Stevenage Borough Council audit its policy: through inviting experts from the Dutch Cycling Embassy, by employing the Bypad method — proven effective in the UK and towns and cities worldwide — or using a different recognised participatory cycle policy auditing framework that uses best practices and taps into the experiences of Stevenage residents?"

Question 1 from Mr Jim Borcherds

The Council noted that a response to the question submitted by Mr Borcherds regarding the new residential development at Kenilworth Close had been published in the supplementary agenda for the meeting.

Mr Borcherds was present at the meeting and asked the following supplementary question: no current information regarding the Kenilworth development was available either on the Council’s Website or in the local newsletters for the area; the link to receive the newsletter publicised in the Chronicle or available on the Website did not work either.  What improvements will Stevenage Borough Council make to its Website and digital and paper communications to ensure better communication with its residents.

The Leader of the Council advised that the Council’s IT systems were currently undergoing changes and would ensure that the points raised by Mr Borcherds would be considered as part of the review and changes.

Question 2 from Jennifer Huygen

The Council noted that a response to the question submitted by Jennifer Huygen regarding lighting in Fairlands Valley Park had been published in the supplementary agenda for the meeting.

Jennifer Huygen was present at the meeting and asked the following supplementary question: Could the Council give a timeline of when a review of its parks will take place and within that review when a decision would be made on more lighting in Fairlands Valley Park particularly on the North to South route through the park.

Councillor Simon Speller, Portfolio Holder for Environment and Performance advised that he would be happy to meet with Ms Huygen to look at the specifics of her concern in relation to the lighting and would welcome her input into the future design regarding safety through the park.

Question 3 from Mr Teun van Leeuwen

The Council noted that a response to the question submitted by Mr Teun van Leeuwen regarding cycling policy audits had been published in the supplementary agenda for the meeting.

Mr Teun van Leeuwen was present at the meeting and asked the following supplementary question: Will the Council commit to commencing a bike plan audit within the next 12 months to help achieve our shared vision of increased cycling participation if not what are the Council’s reservations for not doing so?

Councillor Briscoe, Portfolio Holder for Economy and Transport advised that he would take the request up with the relevant officers and reiterated the suggestion of working with Cycle UK and Sustrans.

Question 1 from Mr Jim Borcherds

The Council noted that a response to the question submitted by Mr Borcherds regarding the new residential development at Kenilworth Close had been published in the supplementary agenda for the meeting.

Mr Borcherds was present at the meeting and asked the following supplementary question: no current information regarding the Kenilworth development was available either on the Council’s Website or in the local newsletters for the area; the link to receive the newsletter publicised in the Chronicle or available on the Website did not work either.  What improvements will Stevenage Borough Council make to its Website and digital and paper communications to ensure better communication with its residents?

The Leader of the Council advised that the points raised by Mr Borcherds would be considered as part of the review and future changes to the website and associated communications activities.

Question 2 from Jennifer Huygen

The Council noted that a response to the question submitted by Jennifer Huygen regarding lighting in Fairlands Valley Park had been published in the supplementary agenda for the meeting.

Jennifer Huygen was present at the meeting and asked the following supplementary question: Could the Council give a timeline of when a review of its parks will take place and within that review when a decision would be made on more lighting in Fairlands Valley Park, particularly on the North to South route through the park?

Councillor Simon Speller, Portfolio Holder for Environment and Performance, advised that he would be happy to meet with Ms Huygen to look at the specifics of her concern in relation to the lighting and would welcome her input into the future design regarding safety through the park.

Question 3 from Mr Teun van Leeuwen

The Council noted that a response to the question submitted by Mr Teun van Leeuwen regarding cycling policy audits had been published in the supplementary agenda for the meeting.

Mr Teun van Leeuwen was present at the meeting and asked the following supplementary question: Will the Council commit to commencing a bike plan audit within the next 12 months to help achieve our shared vision of increased cycling participation if not what are the Council’s reservations for not doing so?

Councillor Briscoe, Portfolio Holder for Economy and Transport advised that he would discuss the request with the relevant officers and reiterated the suggestion of working with Cycle UK and Sustrans.