Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Ceara Roopchand and Sarah Mead.

Councillor Tom Plater declared that within his current occupation he worked for the MP of Stevenage, Kevin Bonavia.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meetings of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 18 February 2025.

Minutes to follow.

It was RESOLVED that the minutes of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 18 February 2025 be agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

To consider the following Part I Decisions of the Cabinet taken on 12 March 2025.

4.    CORPORATE CO-OPERATIVE PROCUREMENT STRATEGY REVIEW

Cabinet Agenda Page Nos. 23 – 72

5.    CONFIRMATION OF AMENDMENT TO TWO ARTICLE 4 DIRECTIONS TO REQUIRE CHANGES OF USE FROM CLASS E (G) (I) (OFFICES) AND CLASS (E) (G) (III) (LIGHT INDUSTRIAL) TO CLASS C3 (RESIDENTIAL) TO OBTAIN PLANNING PERMISSION

Cabinet Agenda Page Nos. 73 - 96

6.    CORPORATE PERFORMANCE QUARTER 3 2024/25

Cabinet Agenda Page Nos. 97 – 142

7.    THIRD QUARTER REVENUE BUDGET MONITORING 2024/25 (INCLUDING THIRD QUARTER CAPITAL BUDGET MONITORING 2024/25)

Cabinet Agenda Page Nos. 143 – 174

8.    VOIDS POLICY AND LETTABLE STANDARDS

Cabinet Agenda Page Nos. 175 – 208

9.    AIDS AND ADAPTATIONS POLICY

Cabinet Agenda Page Nos. 209 – 232

10.HIGH STREET RENTAL AUCTIONS

Cabinet Agenda Page Nos. 233 – 244

11.URGENT PART I DECISIONS

Notice of Decisions to follow.

The Committee considered the following Part I Decisions of the Cabinet taken on 12 March 2025:

4. CORPORATE CO-OPERATIVE PROCUREMENT STRATEGY REVIEW

The Corporate Procurement Manager introduced the report, which supported the delivery of the Making Stevenage Even Better plan and addressed the legal changes from the Procurement Act 2023. The Committee was informed that Cabinet had agreed the recommendations set out in the report.

In response to a question regarding the reason for the delegated authority, it was advised that due to the tight timescales, the strategy needed to be approved by Cabinet in March 2025.

A member sought clarification on whether the strategy would impact the procurement of agency worker contracts. It was clarified that the strategy set out how the Council procured services, with a focus on social value, insourcing and cooperative principles within the legal framework.

A further question was raised about the climate policies and emission considerations in the Council’s supplier contracts. Officers explained that pre-market engagement and selection questionnaires allowed the council to assess supplier sustainability and incorporated social value into the procurement process. The council would also seek to embed these priorities throughout the contract lifecycle.

5.. CONFIRMATION OF AMENDMENT TO TWO ARTICLE 4 DIRECTIONS TO REQUIRE CHANGES OF USE FROM CLASS E (G) (I) (OFFICES) AND CLASS (E) (G) (III) (LIGHT INDUSTRIAL) TO CLASS C3 (RESIDENTIAL) TO OBTAIN PLANNING PERMISSION

The Assistant Director for Planning and Regulatory Services introduced the report, which ensured that from January 2026, planning permission would be required for changes from light industrial/office use to residential plans. Cabinet had agreed the recommendations set out in the report.

A member requested clarification if this item was driving further training for elected members of the Planning and Development Committee. It was noted that it was a separate matter, but further details on the required training were to be provided, and National Planning Policy updates were expected to be brought to cabinet in June for further clarification.

A question was raised about whether any specific buildings had been identified in relation to the report. The Assistant Director for Planning and Regulatory Services explained that the published Article 4 Directions included a map showing the specific protected buildings across the town.

6. CORPORATE PERFORMANCE QUARTER 3 2024/25

The Strategic Director introduced the report, providing an update on the Council’s performance suite. Cabinet was asked to note the improvement plan with the regulator for Social Housing following the previous year’s housing inspection.

At this juncture, it was noted that there has been a slight increase in the garage void rate, however renewed efforts were underway to improve occupancy through proactive marketing. The Strategic Director outlined the commended work on the Arts and Heritage Trail, particularly the artwork on utility boxes and encouraged members to identify other suitable boxes for similar projects.

A question was raised regarding the reason behind garage voids across the town. It was explained that the increase had been triggered by several factors, including rent prices, specific location preferences  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

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

There was no Urgent Part 1 Decisions authorised by the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

To consider any Part I business accepted by the Chair as urgent

There was no Urgent Part I Business.

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 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 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 18 February 2025.

It was RESOLVED that the Part II minutes of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 18 February 2025 be agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

To consider the following Part II Decisions of the Cabinet taken on 12 March 2025.

13. PROVISION OF AGENCY WORKERS

Cabinet Agenda Pages 245 – 258

14.  SPORTS AND LEISURE CENTRE - DESIGN AND PLANNING SUBMISSION

Cabinet Agenda Pages 259 - 274

15.  SBC LAND AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (LOCALITY REVIEW UPDATE)

Cabinet Agenda Pages 275 – 296

16. MAJOR PROJECT – BRAGBURY END

Cabinet Agenda Pages 297 - 312

17. URGENT PART II BUSINESS

Notice of Decisions to follow

The Committee considered the following Part II Decisions of the Cabinet taken on 12 March 2025:

12. PROVISION OF AGENCY WORKERS

The HR Manager updated the Committee on the procurement process for the supply of the Council’s agency workers. The Committee asked a number of questions regarding this item, which were answered by the HR Manager.

13. SPORTS AND LEISURE CENTRE – DESIGN AND PLANNING SUBMISSION

The Regeneration Manager updated the Committee on the design and development of the Sports and Leisure Centre. The Committee asked a number of questions regarding this item, which were answered by the Regeneration Manager.

14. SBC LAND AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (LOCALITY REVIEW UPDATE)

The Assistant Director for Housing Development updated the Committee on the Council’s Land and Development Programme as part of the locality review update.

The Committee noted the decision of the Cabinet.

15. MAJOR PROJECT – BRAGBURY END

The Assistant Director for Housing Development introduced the report on the Development project at Bradbury End. A number of questions were asked regarding this item, which were answered by the Assistant Director for Housing.

16. URGENT PART II BUSINESS

The Committee noted there had been no Urgent Part II Business at the Cabinet Meeting.

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

The Committee noted that there had been no Urgent Part II Decisions authorised by the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

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

There was no Urgent Part II Business.