Issue - meetings

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

Fire brigades nationally have been warning about the increasing danger of fires from lithium-ion batteries in e-scooters and home modified e-bikes. The London Fire Brigade recently announced there have been 169 e-bike and 36 e-scooter fires in the capital up to the end of September, sadly resulting in two fatalities

What proactive action is the Council taking to reduce the risks of these serious fires in our council properties, and in particular within our flat blocks?

(B)         Question from Councillor Robin Parker

The SBC website states that Chronicle magazine is delivered up to 5 times a year.  How many times was it actually delivered in 2023, 2024 and 2025; how many addresses were missed each time; what checking was done (and how) to obtain these figures; what remedial action is taken for missed addresses?

(C)         Question from Councillor Stephen Booth

Regarding the new food waste disposal scheme, I understand that DEFRA will be covering the initial set-up costs of this, the Government’s so-called "Simpler Recycling" scheme, how will ongoing and annual service costs be met and how much will this amount to annually? Given that waste collection authorities may decide "frequency and methodology for collection in a way that meets local needs and provides value for money for taxpayers" what consideration has been given to alternative collection methods to that proposed by the Council?

(D)         Question from Councillor Peter Wilkins

The Council website states it aims to remove offensive graffiti before other graffiti, and within one day of receiving a report, and all other graffiti within five days. Can you provide data that shows the councils performance against these standards for removing graffiti and offensive graffiti?

(E)         Question from Councillor Andy McGuinness

What costs have been already incurred by the Council and how much officer time has been taken up in dealing with Local Government Reorganisation in Hertfordshire?

(F)          Question from Councillor Tom Wren

At the council meeting held on 24th July 2019 I asked a question asking for figures for the number of council trees felled and replanted in the proceeding 3 years. This showed the council was not meeting it's pledge to plant replacements trees nearby for all felled trees. Please could the same figures be provided for each year 2020-2025. 

(G)         Question from Councillor Rob Henry

Does the Labour administration agree with me that free, fair, and open elections are fundamental to our democratic process and must be protected without exception?

(H)         Question from Councillor Mason Humberstone

Can this administration explain what it is doing to ensure that local infrastructure and essential services are not overwhelmed by the increasing number of new developments in our town?

The Council received eight questions from Members to Committee Chairs/Portfolio Holders. 

The responses to the eight questions had been published in the supplementary agenda for the meeting.

(A)      Question from Councillor Julie Ashley-Wren re: Fire risks from e-bikes and e-scooters.

Supplementary question from Councillor Tom Wren in Councillor Julie Ashley-Wren’s absence – is the provision of e-bike charging considered when looking at new developments in the Town?

The Portfolio Holder advised that he would provide a written response.

(B)      Question from Councillor Robin Parker re: Chronicle Magazine

Supplementary question – could the Council return to using council staff to deliver the Chronicle instead of the contractor currently bein employed and not doing a particularly good job.

The Leader of the Council advised that he would provide a written response.

(C)      Question from Councillor Stephen Booth regarding: the new food waste disposal scheme

Supplementary question – Had consideration been given to any alternative schemes?

The Portfolio Holder advised that service improvements would continue including the introduction of food waste recycling and flat block recycling facilities.

(D)      Question from Councillor Peter Wilkins regarding: Graffiti removal

Supplementary question – a number of incidents of graffiti around the team still needed to be removed.

The Portfolio Holder for Environment advised Councillor Wilkins to let him know directly of any areas that needed to be looked at and he would pass this on.

(E)      Question from Councillor Andy McGuinness regarding: Local Government Reorganisation

Supplementary question – What will scrutiny look like in Stevenage following LGR

The Leader of the Council advised that Herts Leaders were working together on the transition between now and June when the new configuration was known.  A number of all Member briefings were being organised and updates to Cabinet and the Overview and Scrutiny Committee would be arranged to update Members on the transition.

(F)      Question from Councillor Tom Wren regarding replacement tree planting

Supplementary question – could we use the 3 for 1 tree replacement requirement for the Council’s own developments?

The Portfolio Holder for Environment agreed to take this back to officers for consideration.

(G)     Question from Councillor Rob Henry regarding Council elections

Supplementary question – What impact does the Leader of the Council believe the decision to cancel the upcoming elections had on his credibility?

The Leader of the Council advised that this had been the subject of a long debate earlier in the meeting which had covered the issue.

(H)      Question from Councillor Mason Humberstone regarding: Local infrastructure and new developments

Supplementary question – will the Leader of the Council agree that there was a lack of communication between the Council and residents on the impact of new developments in the town?

The Leader of the Council advised that a communications summit had been held to look at how to get more information to a wider audience.  Short Cabinet briefings had also been launched but improvements to communications were constantly under review.

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

(A)         Question from Councillor Peter Wilkins

What air quality monitoring systems are currently in place across Stevenage, how is the council using any data generated to control and manage pollution hot spots, especially around our schools and nurseries?

(B)         Question from Councillor Phil Bibby

Does the Cabinet member consider that the level of compensation agreed for the period of stall holders being unable to trade, caused by the delay in relocating the Indoor Market, is sufficient?

(C)         Question from Councillor Robin Parker

Has a suitable small mechanical sweeper now been obtained, if so when did it start being used, and what proportion of the borough has now been covered using it?

(D)         Question from Councillor Stephen Booth

Can councillors please have a regular monthly summary statement of staff and employee movements and changes, including new postholder appointments and people leaving and joining the Council.

(E)         Question from Councillor Tom Wren

When letting commercial property, what due diligence checks does the council undertake on prospective tenants to safeguard against properties being used for illegal activity or money laundering?"

(F)          Question from Councillor Andy McGuinness

When can council leaseholders expect to receive final bills for the major refurbishment works? Please could the answer be broken down to include the years when work was completed and when final bills will be issued?

(G)         Question from Councillor Rob Henry

Does the Leader agree that this council has a duty to be financially responsible and to keep our debt as low as possible?

(H)         Question from Councillor Mason Humberstone

Does the Leader agree with me that community cohesion remains of paramount importance, and that it is increasingly at risk due to the rising number of illegal migrants arriving in our town?

The Council received eight questions from Members to Committee Chairs/Portfolio Holders. 

The responses to the eight questions had been published in the supplementary agenda for the meeting.

(A)      Question from Councillor Peter Wilkins re: Air Quality Monitoring

Supplementary question –the existing Local Air Quality Plan had been produced in 2003.  What progress have we made on developing a new plan?

The Portfolio Holder advised that he would provide a written response to Councillor Wilkins.

(B)      Question from Councillor Phil Bibby re: compensation for market stall holders

Supplementary question – although individual accounts had been looked at, how flexible was the Council given the constraints that some traders were under particularly in respect of supply chain issues, in relation to communicating the  availability of compensation to stall holders.

The Portfolio Holder for Resources advised that all stall holders were being encouraged to apply for any additional compensation that they may need and the Town Centre manager had been in communication with them.  Each application would be dealt with on its merits and would be treated fairly.

(C)      Question from Councillor Robin Parker regarding: mechanical sweeper

Supplementary question – when was the new sweeper purchased, when did it start being used and what proportion of the Borough had been covered and had the number of complaints reduced?

The Portfolio Holder advised that he would ask officers to respond to Councillor Parker as a review of fleet vehicles was currently underway.

(D)      Question from Councillor Stephen Booth regarding: Council employees

Supplementary question – Councillors should be advised on a regular basis about staff turnover and not have to utilise the MyView system.

The Portfolio Holder for Resources advised that additional training on the MyView application was available if Members felt this was needed.

(E)      Question from Councillor Tom Wren regarding: commercial property tenants

Supplementary question – there is currently a nationwide problem with commercial properties being used for money laundering and other illegal activities.  Does the Portfolio Holder believe the Council has adequate clauses within its tenancy agreements to be able to terminate them when there was relevant evidence.

The Portfolio Holder confirmed that the Council did have the adequate clauses to address these issues.

(F)      Question from Councillor Andy McGuinness regarding: the Major Refurbishment Works

Supplementary question – over 300 leaseholders had not yet received bills for the works and the uncertainty was having a detrimental impact on people’s lives.  How much is this costing the Council due to invoicing delays?

The Portfolio Holder for Housing advised that she would respond to Councillor McGuinness in writing with a fully detailed response.

(G)     Question from Councillor Rob Henry regarding: Council Finances

Supplementary question – is there a timescale to reduce the level of debt?

The Portfolio Holder advised that the HRA debt was a 30 year plan and the General Fund was over a much shorter period of time.

(H)      Question from Councillor Mason Humberstone regarding: Community Cohesion

Supplementary question – will the Leader of the Council confirm that he was against any  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11

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

(A)         Question from Councillor Peter Wilkins

Does the council have a strategy to limit or manage the number and siting of HMO’s (Houses in Multiple Occupation.)  For private development and for use by the public sector?

(B)         Question from Councillor Phil Bibby

Would the Cabinet Member please inform us as to what sporting and leisure activities, currently provided by the Leisure Centre, will not be accommodated within the planned new Leisure Centre, and how many residents will be affected?

(C)         Question from Councillor Robin Parker

Reference the charges for routine domestic garage forecourt maintenance which SBC introduced, please let me know:

The start date of the charges; the reason why the charges were introduced and which cabinet member(s) or committee made the decision to introduce them; whether tenants and owner occupiers pay the same; the way the charges are collected; the percentage collection rate for (a) tenants (b) owner occupiers; the action taken against (a) tenants and (b) owner occupiers, who fail or refuse to pay the charges; the process by which (a) tenants and (b) owner occupiers know for certain that the work that they have paid for has in fact been done; and what physical checking and monitoring there is to make sure that the work paid for has been done.

(D)         Question from Councillor Stephen Booth

Can you please inform Council when the current IT system used by councillors, involving Microsoft Outlook and Civica’s ModGov application, will be improved? Will councillors be consulted ahead of changes?

(E)         Question from Councillor Andy McGuinness

What is the cleaning regime for high foot fall destinations like neighbourhood and shopping areas across the Town?

The Council received five questions from Members to Committee Chairs/Portfolio Holders. 

The Mayor reminded Members that Standing Orders allowed for one question with a supplementary question only.  She advised that she had used her discretion this time to allow for a question with multiple parts but would not allow this at future meetings.

The responses to the five questions had been published in the supplementary agenda for the meeting.

(A)      Question from Councillor Peter Wilkins re: Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMO’s)

Supplementary question – Will the Council do all it can to stop the indiscriminate use of HMO’s to house asylum seekers when the hotels are closed as this is not an appropriate form of housing in terms of monitoring or support for asylum seekers and would be unpopular with local residents?

The Portfolio Holder advised that the future use of HMO’s in Stevenage was currently not known and Councillor Wilkins had been provided with the information relating to the practical planning policies in place to restrict the use of HMO’s in terms of ASB, parking and noise.  The Portfolio Holder agreed to provide a more detailed answer outlining the Home Office’s policy on rehousing people in an asylum situation into communities when he could.

(B)      Question from Councillor Phil Bibby re: Sports and Leisure Centre

Supplementary question – Is the Portfolio Holder disappointed that the new leisure centre does not accommodate as many sports as the current one does and does not include emerging sports such as pickle ball and padel tennis.

The Portfolio Holder advised that it had been fifty years since the original arts and leisure centre had been built separate from the original swimming pool and a new facility was needed and that this would be a much improved offer for more people in the Town.  He would be happy to meet with anyone particularly dissatisfied with the range of activities in the new leisure centre and had already arranged meetings with a number of interested parties.

(C)      Question from Councillor Robin Parker regarding: Garage Forecourt Maintenance.

Supplementary question – can buying a small sweeper be considered to ensure all parts of the garage forecourts could be cleaned.

The Portfolio Holder advised that she would ask officers to look at the possibility and price of the suggestion from Councillor Parker.

(D)      Question from Councillor Stephen Booth regarding: IT

Supplementary question – Could Members be given the opportunity to provide some input into the current software used at the Council

The Portfolio Holder for Resources advised that the software used was used across the Globe and it appeared that most Members managed to use it with no real issues.  Additional training was available if Members felt this was needed.

(E)      Question from Councillor Andy McGuinness regarding: the cleaning of shopping areas around the Town

Supplementary question – Could there be some consideration that due care and attention be given to our much loved and much used local shopping centres.

The Portfolio Holder for the Environment advised that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11