Issue - meetings

In accordance with the Council’s Standing Orders, the Leader of the Opposition shall be given the opportunity to raise one matter relevant to the Borough that has arisen since the last meeting of the Council.  The Leader of the Council shall then have the opportunity to advise the Council of matters relevant to the Borough that have arisen since the last meeting.

The Leader of the Opposition, Councillor Stephen Booth, asked the following question:

In view of the Council’s declaration of a climate emergency, and the high temperatures experienced to date this summer, what plans does the Council have to mitigate the effects of extreme heat for tenants and residents through measures such as fitting ceiling fans to Council homes, and providing air-conditioned refuges?

The Portfolio Holder for the Environment advised that the Council had considered the impact, in particular in sheltered housing accommodation for elderly residents.  Practical advice was offered but he advised that a full response would be given to Councillor Booth with all the support offered in this regard.

The Council then received updates from the relevant Cabinet Portfolio Holders on the following matters:

·         Underpass Artworks;

·         Fairlands Valley Splash Play Park;

·         Beryl Bikes Scheme;

·         Pioneering Young STEM Futures;

·         New Properties Allocated;

·         10 Year Housing Strategy;

·         Improving Recycling Rates;

·         Local Area Retrofit Accelerator;

·         New Town Centre Letting;

·         CCIN;

·         Tenancy Involvement;

·         Operation Educ8

·         Mission 44.

In accordance with the Council’s Standing Orders, the Leader of the Opposition shall be given the opportunity to raise one matter relevant to the Borough that has arisen since the last meeting of the Council.  The Leader of the Council shall then have the opportunity to advise the Council of matters relevant to the Borough that have arisen since the last meeting.

The Leader of the Opposition, Councillor Stephen Booth, asked the following question: Does the Leader of the Council agree that the Council should be fitting solar panels to all new Council homes as standard and run a programme to retrofit all Council homes with solar panels.  Would he also agree to join the campaign with the Liberal Democrat Group to get developers to fit solar panels as a standard feature for all new houses?

The Leader of the Council said that the Council was working hard to meet the net zero targets.  He would ensure that Councillor Booth received a written response in relation to the specific issue of solar panel installation.

The Council then received updates from the relevant Cabinet Portfolio Holders on the following matters:

·         Build a Better Bedwell;

·         Stevenage Green Business Grants;

·         Simpler Recycling;

·         National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF);

·         Older People/Age Friendly Communities;

·         Stevenage Works Update;

·         Severe Weather Emergency Protocol;

·         Budget Consultation;

·         Regeneration of the Town Centre.

In accordance with the Council’s Standing Orders, the Leader of the Opposition shall be given the opportunity to raise one matter relevant to the Borough that has arisen since the last meeting of the Council.  The Leader of the Council shall then have the opportunity to advise the Council of matters relevant to the Borough that have arisen since the last meeting.

In accordance with the Council’s Standing Orders, the Leader of the Opposition shall be given the opportunity to raise one matter relevant to the Borough that has arisen since the last meeting of the Council.  The Leader of the Council shall then have the opportunity to advise the Council of matters relevant to the Borough that have arisen since the last meeting.

In accordance with the Council’s Standing Orders, the Leader of the Opposition shall be given the opportunity to raise one matter relevant to the Borough that has arisen since the last meeting of the Council.  The Leader of the Council shall then have the opportunity to advise the Council of matters relevant to the Borough that have arisen since the last meeting.

The Leader of the Opposition, Councillor Stephen Booth, asked the following question:

“What plans does the Leader of the Council have to meet with the new Labour Government and does he expect next year’s financial settlement to allow Stevenage Borough Council to avoid having to cancel essential services and delay capital projects in order to balance the budget?”

The Leader of the Council replied that a number of contacts had been made with the new Government including a visit that morning from a senior minister at the Department of Communities and Local Government.  He would give an update later in the meeting on the work that the new MP had been doing to raise the aspirations of Stevenage.  He also informed the meeting that a visit from a representative of the Department of Business and Trade would take place the following week as well as regular contact with Baroness Taylor, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the Department of Housing Communities and Local Government

In relation to the financial settlement, the Leader advised that the Government had been clear in their consideration that a longer term settlement would help local authorities and it was hoped that this would be made clear in the Chancellor’s Autumn Budget.

The Council then received updates from the relevant Cabinet Portfolio Holders on the following matters:

·         Cycle Hire Scheme;

·         Co-operative Neighbourhood Management;

·         Building a Better Bedwell;

·         Youth Mayor and Deputy Youth Mayor 2024/25;

·         Equalities;

·         Stevenage Day;

·         Aqua Parc;

·         Stevenage Theatre wins National Award;

·         Museum Exhibitions;

·         Brodie Court;

·         Resident Engagement Strategy;

·         Green Spaces Strategy;

·         Visit to Stevenage – Department of Housing, Communities and local Government.