Agenda and decisions

There were no apologies for absence and no declarations of interest.

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 25 November 2020.

It was RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 25 November 2020 be approved as a correct record for signature by the Chair.

To consider the following Part I Decisions of the Executive taken on 9 December 2020:

3.         Minutes of the Overview and Scrutiny and Select                    17-24

            Committees

4.         Covid-19 Update

5.         Housing First Approach – Stevenage Borough Council          25-66

6.         Stevenage Parking Strategy 2021-2031 – Public                      67-110            Consultation

7.         Housing for Older People Strategy 2020-2030                          111-218

8.         Corporate Performance 2020/21 – Quarter Two                        219-270

9.         Draft Housing Revenue Account Rent Setting and                  271-288         Budget Report 2021/22                                                                                                           

Notice of Decisions to follow

PLEASE BRING YOUR AGENDA AND REPORTS FOR THE EXECUTIVE

MEETING HELD ON 9 DECEMBER 2020

The Committee considered the decisions on the following matters arising from the Executive meeting held on 18 November 2020.

Minutes of the Executive – 18 November 2020

Noted.

Minutes of Overview & Scrutiny Committee and Select Committees

Noted.

Covid-19 – Update

The Strategic Director (RP) updated the Committee on the latest Tier position in the County with parts of Hertfordshire having been put into Tier 3. He advised that there would be a Coronavirus Executive Committee on Friday 18 December at 2.00pm which members could view on YouTube which would include the latest epidemiology figures.

In response to a series of Members’ questions, the Strategic Director replied as follows:

·         In relation to supermarkets, there was a Covid protocol in place which had been agreed through the Local Resilience Forum (LRF) which all supermarkets should follow.

·         The SD agreed to find out whether shops had a duty to count customers in their stores, although it was thought that it was guidance/good practice rather than in any regulation.

·         Covid Marshals – a business case would be submitted to the County Council for additional resources for more marshals to increase compliance activity.

·         A deep dive into statistics included a daily analysis of epidemiology data received into the County from the NHS/hospital/test and trace information.   This allowed more targeted work to be undertaken.

·         The Council was still waiting for the formal notice for information regarding the location of vaccination centres.  Initially, vaccines would be administered through the hospital or doctors surgeries.  Individuals should be contacted by their surgeries in the priority order set out by the Government.  Members were of the view that some people could be missed and advised anyone concerned to contact their GP directly.

Housing First Approach - Stevenage Borough Council

In response to Members’ questions, the Housing Operations Manager replied as follows:

·         Officers would ask the Leader of the Council if she was happy for the Stevenage MP to be contacted in relation to the request to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to recognise and assist with the significant funding gap now experienced by local authorities operating a Housing Revenue Account.

·         In relation to the rules around local connection, officers advised that the Homelessness Reduction Act required local authorities to look at the local connexion of someone presenting themselves as homeless as a last step following their accommodation.

Stevenage Parking Strategy 2021 – 2031: Public consultation

In response to Members’ questions, the Engineering Services Manager replied as follows:

·         In relation to electronic vehicle charging points, the strategy was not too specific as officers were aware that it was still early stages for electronic charging/vehicles and full consideration would be given in the future towards a programme for delivery.  Officers confirmed that they would be working with the County Council to ensure there was a consistent electronic charging infrastructure;

·         The Verge and Footway parking prohibition order had not been rolled out to the Old Town, Woodfield and Symonds Green Wards for a number of reasons including:

o   The Old  ...  view the full decision text for item 3.

To consider any urgent Part I Decisions authorised by the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee

None.

To consider any Part I 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 paragraphs 1 – 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 100A 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 SI 2006 No. 88.

2.         That having considered the reasons for the following item being in Part II, it be determined that maintaining the exemption from disclosure of the information contained therein outweighed the public interest in disclosure.

To approve as a correct record the Part II Minutes of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 25 November 2020.

It was RESOLVED that the Part II Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 25 November 2020 be approved as a correct record for signature by the Chair.

To consider the following Part II Decisions of the Executive taken on 9 December 2020

13.       Financial Security options 2021/22                                  293-466

Notice of Decisions to follow

PLEASE BRING YOUR AGENDA AND REPORTS FOR THE EXECUTIVE

MEETING HELD ON 9 DECEMBER 2020

The Committee considered the Part II decisions on the following matters arising from the Executive meeting held on 9 December 2020.

Financial Security Options 2021/22

Noted.

To consider any urgent Part II Decisions authorised by the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee

None.

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

None.