Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence or declarations of interest by Members.

An apology for absence was received on behalf of Councillor J Lloyd.  There were no declarations of interest by Members.

To approve as a correct record and for signing by the Chair, the minutes of the meetings of the Committee held on:

(a)  Thursday 8 March 2018; and

(b)  Monday 19 March 2018

It was RESOLVED:

1.    That the Minutes of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee Meeting held on 8 March 2018 are approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair; and

2.    That the Minutes of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee Meeting held on 19 March 2018 are approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair, subject to it being noted that Councillor John Lloyd had tendered his apologies for the meeting and that this be recorded.

To consider the following Part 1 decisions of the Executive taken on 4 April 2018.

Executive Agenda Item No                                                                      Page No.

2.         Minutes of the Executive of 13 March 2018                               3

3.         Minutes of Overview and Scrutiny Committees and                 11

            Select Committees

4.         New Homes Bonus                                                                         19

5.         Community Safety Strategy                                                           35

PLEASE BRING YOUR AGENDA AND REPORTS FOR THE EXECUTIVE MEETING HELD ON 4 APRIL 2018

The Committee considered a report, which had not been circulated to Members five clear days before the meeting, nor had it been made available for public inspection.  The Chair determined, however, that given the short time left before the end of the call-in period on 12 April 2018, it could be considered on this occasion.

(i)           Minutes of the Executive of 13 March 2018

(ii)          Minutes of the Overview and Scrutiny Committees and Select Committees

(iii)         New Homes Bonus

The Council’s Assistant Director of Finance and Estates introduced the report, which (i) updated Members on the progress of 2017/18 New Homes Bonus schemes announced at February 2018 Council meeting and approved by Members at the March 2018 Executive; and (ii) sought the Executive’s approval of a range of schemes and initiatives to be funded from the 2018/2019 New Homes Bonus allocation.

(iv)        Community Safety Strategy 2018/2021

The Council’s Assistant Director of Communities and Neighbourhood introduced the report, which sought the Executive’s consideration for recommendation to Council, the draft Community Safety Strategy, which outlined the emerging priorities of the SoSafe Partnership for the next three years and which had been considered by the Responsible Authorities Group at its meeting held on 5 February 2018.

A Member asked that the report to Full Council spell out what the new Strategy would achieve over and above the proposals set out in the previous (2015 to 2018) Strategy.

It was noted that Recommendation 2.2 to the report had been withdrawn.

It was RESOLVED that the decisions taken by the Executive on the following Part 1 items to the agenda for its meeting held on 4 April 2018, be noted:

·         Minutes of the Executive of 13 March 2018

·         Minutes of Overview and Scrutiny Committees and Select Committees

·         New Homes Bonus

·         Community Safety Strategy

NEW HOMES BONUS 2018/2019

At the last meeting of the Committee, the Chair agreed to waive the right to call-in with regard to New Homes Bonus money (£90,000) being allocated to the Stevenage Cycling Festival (incorporating the Tour Series)..

The Committee noted that at the last meeting, the Chair had agreed to waive the right to call-in with regard to New Homes Bonus money (£90,000) being allocated to the Stevenage Cycling Festival (incorporating the Tour Series).

To consider any Part 1 business accepted by the Chair as urgent.

None.

To consider the following motions –

1.  That under Section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as described in paragraphs1 – 7 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act as amended by Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006.

2.  That Members consider the reasons for the following reports being in Part II and determine whether or not maintaining the exemption from disclosure of the information contained therein outweighs the public interest in disclosure.

It was RESOLVED:

1.         That, under Section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as described in Paragraphs 1 to 7 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act, as amended, by the Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006; and

2.         That, Members consider the reasons for the following reports being in Part II and determine whether or not maintaining the exemption from disclosure of the information contained therein, outweighed the public interest in disclosure.

To consider the following Part II decisions of the Executive taken on 4 April 2018:

Executive Agenda Item No.                                                                     Page No.

8.         Part II Minutes – Executive – 13 March 2018                             P1.

Part II Minutes of the Executive – 13 March 2018

It was RESOLVED that the Part II decisions taken by the Executive at its meeting held on 13 March 2018, be noted.

None.

None.

To consider and Part II business accepted by the Chair as urgent.

None.