Issue - meetings

In accordance with Standing Orders, written answers to the following questions will be circulated on a supplementary agenda.

(A)         Question from Councillor Phil Bibby

Is the Major Refurbishment programme running on schedule and within budget?

(B)       Question from Councillor Peter Wilkins

The town has had no Beryl bike from 24th April to 30th June, over two months. Can you advise what financial losses or expense SBC has incurred while the bikes were recalled and if there is any provision in the contract to claw back some of these losses from Beryl?

(C)      Question from Councillor Andy McGuinness

What consideration has been given to the viability of current Stevenage Town Centre regeneration plans due to impending local government reorganisation?

(D)         Question from Councillor Stephen Booth

Recognising that under the Environment Act 2021, local councils have a responsibility to help halt the decline seen nationally in biodiversity by a deadline of 2030; and that specifically bee numbers are in decline, what measures is the Council taking to halt this decline and work towards making our green spaces bee friendly, e.g. by eliminating the use of glysophates and other harmful chemicals, reviewing any current bee-friendly practices to see how they can be improved and pledging to make ‘no-mow May’ as widely as possible?

(E)         Question from Councillor Julie Ashley-Wren

We are already receiving complaints from residents that the new bus interchange is not being properly cleaned and maintained and users feel unsafe at night. What assurances can the Council give that these aspects will be improved in the coming months?

(F)          Question from Councillor Tom Wren

Considering that a number of destination retail stores have now left the town centre and relocated to Roaring Meg, what plans do the council have to improve public transport links between the town centre and other retail/leisure areas?

In accordance with Standing Orders, written answers to the following questions will be circulated on a supplementary agenda.

(A)          Question from Councillor Julie Ashley-Wren

As we try to encourage residents to walk and cycle more can the Council, in conjunction with ward councillors, undertake a town-wide survey of pavements and footpaths, whether maintained by the County Council or the Borough Council, to reduce trip hazards and pavement obstructions by vehicles, ensuring safe and ease of passage for all including those with prams, disability scooters and walking aids?

(B)         Question from Councillor Andy McGuinness

What assessment has been undertaken to consider the value of ward Councillors locality budgets?

In accordance with Standing Orders, written answers to the following questions will be circulated on a supplementary agenda.

Question from Councillor Phil Bibby

Does the Cabinet Member agree that following the fire at the Luton Airport multi story car park, the Council would be expected to protect residents, shoppers and their cars by installing a sprinkler system in St Georges Way car park?

In accordance with Standing Orders, written answers to the following questions will be circulated on a supplementary agenda.

(A)      Question from Councillor Phil Bibby

How important does the Cabinet member believe defence industries based in Gunnels Wood Road are to Stevenage’s economic prosperity

(B)      Question from Councillor Andy McGuinness

Why has progress on Town Centre Regeneration stalled and what reassurances can be provided to concerned residents?

(C)      Question from Councillor Robin Parker

How is the UK Shared Prosperity Fund allocated between wards, by whom and on what basis?

(D)      Question from Councillor Tom Wren

How many enquiries/complaints has the council received regarding garage block cleaning charges and how many charges have not been paid by residents? 

(E)      Question from Councillor Stephen Booth

What efforts are being made by the Council to address the numerous flooding hotspots on roads across the Town in conjunction with the Highways Authority?

(F)      Question from Councillor Graham Snell

Why has the Garage Improvement Programme only delivered around a quarter of the planned refurbished garages target despite almost the entire allocated budget being spent already? 

In accordance with Standing Orders, written answers to the following questions will be circulated on a supplementary agenda.

(A) Question from Councillor Robin Parker

What progress has been made since the Council meeting of 20 December 2023 when Council agreed, inter alia, to investigate the installation of wildlife-friendly lighting in Fairlands Valley Park? 

Have similar sites in other local authorities been researched?

Has suitable technology been fully considered?

(B) Question from Councillor Stephen Booth

Following the successful trials by South Cambridgeshire Council of switching council employees to working a four-day week, what has the Council done to investigate the important outcomes of this important trial, and what impact it could have specifically for Stevenage Borough Council?

(B)Question from Councillor Andy McGuinness

What is the total amount received in capital receipts from land sales owned by the Council (excluding Right to Buy & property receipts) in each year covering the financial periods since 2019-2020?

(C) Question from Councillor Phil Bibby

Does the Cabinet Member consider there is enough ‘Grey Belt’ land in Stevenage to cater for the Labour Government’s likely increase in house building targets?

The Council received four questions from Members to Committee Chairs/Portfolio Holders.  The responses to the four questions had been published in the supplementary agenda for the meeting.

(A)      Question from Councillor Robin Parker CC re: lighting in Fairlands Valley Park

Supplementary question – what is the timescale on this matter and could a regular progress report come to Members to keep them updated.  In the absence of the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Performance, the Deputy Leader agreed that a written response would be sent to Councillor Parker.

(B)      Question from Councillor Stephen Booth re: a four day working week for Council officers

Supplementary question – “Subject to the outcome of the research and ongoing studies would the Council be in favour of the four day week for officers? 

The Deputy Leader advised that the Council would be monitoring the outcome of the research and make a decision at the appropriate time.

(C)  Question from Councillor McGuinness regarding land sales.

Supplementary question – could the Portfolio Holder outline in a bit more detail where the capital receipts were actually spent and were any of the spends ringfenced for similar programmes where the assets came from originally?

The Deputy Leader advised that the sale of land had helped to fund projects such as parks and open space schemes, vehicles and plant, fire protection works at Cavendish Road and spend on commercial and operational buildings.  All information could also be found in the quarterly monitoring reports submitted to Cabinet.  The majority of the £6m receipt related to the sale of the Marshgate Car Park and ringfenced for regeneration projects in the Town.  Councillor Thomas agreed to send the full details in her response to Councillor McGuinness in writing.

(D)      Question from Councillor Bibby concerning the use of grey belt land.

Supplementary question – in relation to green belt land in neighbouring authorities, does the Portfolio Holder expect other authorities to build on this land and would SBC be objecting to those green belt developments.

In the Portfolio Holder’s absence, the Deputy Leader agreed to arrange for a written response to Councillor Bibby.