Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Phil Bibby.

Councillor Tom Wren declared an interest in items 6 and 7 due to being a residential landlord and would not take part in the discussion of these items.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meetings of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 17 March 2026.

The Minutes of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee Meeting held on 17 March 2026 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

To note the Terms of Reference as agreed at Annual Council on 21 May 2026.

It was noted that the Terms of Reference be noted.

To approve the Overview and Scrutiny Committee Work Programme 2025 – 26.

The Committee considered the proposed work programme for 2026 – 27 and noted the inclusion of items such as Local Government Reorganisation (LGR),

ICT and cyber security, the social value of contracts, and routine Budget and Policy Framework matters.

It was noted that the Action Tracker would be reviewed by the Committee in July.

To consider the decision of the Cabinet for the Council’s draft pavement licensing policy which sets out the Council’s approach in the granting, monitoring and enforcement of Pavement Licences within the Borough of Stevenage (excluding the Town Centre), in accordance with the Business and Planning Act 2020. 

Notice of Decisions to follow in separate document.

The Committee received an update from the Director of Planning and Regulation regarding the Pavement Licence Draft Policy.

Members were advised that the policy established a clear framework for the granting, monitoring and enforcement of pavement licences.

The Committee noted the decisions of Cabinet.

To consider the decision of the Cabinet of the revised Civil Penalty Policy which sets out the approach to determining the level of a civil penalty in all cases where regulatory breaches or offences are established under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 and other legislation relating to private rented sector housing standards.

Notice of Decisions to follow in separate document.

The Committee received a presentation on the Civil Penalties Policy, which set out the Council’s approach to determining civil penalties for regulatory breaches under the incoming Renters’ Rights Act.

Members noted that the policy supported a robust enforcement approach where landlords failed to meet their legal obligations, and that income generated from civil penalties would be ring-fenced for private sector housing enforcement activities.

In response to questions, officers advised that the intention was for enforcement activity to be cost-neutral, supported by both civil penalty income and government funding.

Members were informed that the current number of civil penalties issued was low, however the new enforcement-first approach and increased penalty levels under the Renters’ Rights Act were expected to result in more penalties being issued and a greater cost recovery.

Officers also advised that work was ongoing with the Council’s legal team to strengthen arrangements for recovering unpaid penalties. Members requested that future updates on the implementation of the policy, enforcement activity and penalty recovery be reported back to the Committee and incorporated into the Council’s performance reporting framework.

The Committee noted the decisions of Cabinet.

To consider the decision of the Cabinet for the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 Enforcement Policy.

Notice of Decisions to follow in separate document.

The Committee received a presentation on the Renters’ Rights Act Enforcement Policy, which outlined the Council’s approach to enforcing the new requirements introduced by the Act.

Members were advised that the policy largely reflected statutory requirements prescribed in legislation and had been developed following consultation with the Council’s Environmental Health, Licensing and Housing Services teams. It was noted that the policy had previously been considered by the General Purposes Committee and subsequently approved by Cabinet.

Members welcomed the policy and commended officers for their work in ensuring the Council was prepared for the implementation of the legislation.

In response to questions regarding awareness and publicity, officers advised that communications had been undertaken to inform residents of the changes and that engagement with landlords had taken place to explain their new responsibilities. Members were informed that further communication and engagement activities would continue as the legislation was implemented, including promotion of the proposed landlord database.

The Committee noted the decisions of Cabinet.

To consider the decision of the Cabinet on the outcomes of the Main Modifications consultation on the Stevenage Borough Local Plan Partial Update, following the Examination in Public Hearing Sessions.

Notice of Decisions to follow in separate document.

The Committee received an update on the adoption of the Stevenage Borough Local Plan Partial Update. Members were advised that the Partial Update had followed a public examination and incorporated a number of modifications recommended by the Planning Inspector.

Officers noted that broader issues relating to future growth and infrastructure would be considered through the preparation of a new Local Plan, which would be the subject of a future report to Cabinet.

Members questioned whether an adoption of the Partial Update would help protect the Council from the risk of being placed into planning special measures. Officers explained that having an up-to-date Local Plan provided additional protection against this risk.

The Committee also discussed the potential impact of LGR on the Local Plan and officers advised that the current plan would remain in force until its end date. However, forthcoming changes to the planning system, alongside LGR proposals, would require the preparation of new Local Plans and the introduction of Strategic Spatial Development Strategies at a wider authority level.

It was noted that LGR would include additional considerations, but officers would seek to minimise costs through shared evidence bases, efficient consultation processes and careful project management to avoid unnecessary expenditure.

The Committee noted the decisions of Cabinet.

To consider the decision of the Cabinet on the progress of the Stevenage Borough Revised Community Infrastructure Levy, now it has progressed through Examination in Public stage.

Notice of Decisions to follow in separate document.

The Committee received a report on the adoption of the revised Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) charging schedule.

Officers advised that the revised schedule had been subject to an examination process and was primarily focused on development viability.

Members were informed that the revised charging rates increased contributions in certain areas, particularly for residential and industrial development, and would help ensure that appropriate infrastructure was secured through future development proposals.

The Committee noted the decisions of Cabinet.

To consider the decision of the Cabinet on the LGR structural changes order submission report.

Notice of Decisions to follow in separate document.

The Committee received a report seeking approval of the Council’s response to the Government consultation on the proposed Structural Changes Order for Hertfordshire as part of Local Government Reorganisation. Members were advised that the response had been developed collaboratively by all eleven Hertfordshire councils and would be submitted to Government by the consultation deadline.

Members were informed that the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee agreed to waive call-in of this item due to the necessity to provide a joint response for Hertfordshire in the timescales that the secretary of state had implemented.

Members sought clarification on the proposed governance arrangements, including the expected term of office for councillors elected to shadow authorities and the role of future joint committees.

Officers explained that, based on current proposals, the shadow authority councillors would serve an initial year preparing for vesting day followed by a four-year term. This however would be confirmed through the final Structural Changes Order.

Members were also advised that formal joint committee meetings would be held in public and would support preparations for the formation of the shadow authorities.

The Committee discussed the importance of maintaining Stevenage’s local identity, civic traditions and ability to respond to local needs following reorganisation. Officers confirmed that proposals included arrangements to preserve civic functions through Charter Trustees and acknowledged the importance of ensuring local communities continued to be represented within any future governance structure.

The Committee noted the decisions of Cabinet.

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

There was no Urgent Part I 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 consider the decision of the Cabinet on the progress with the Council’s Housing Development Programme.

Notice of Decisions to follow in separate document.

The Director of Land, Development and Neighbourhood Regeneration provided an updated to the Committee regarding the land development programme, contract awards and land sales at the Bragbury End scheme.

The Committee asked a number of questions which officers responded to.

The Committee noted the decisions of Cabinet.

To consider the decision of the Cabinet to seek approval to conclude the procurement process for the management and operation of the Business Technology Centre (BTC) and Chells Industrial Units (CIU) and the provision of business support services for the period 2026-31.

Notice of Decisions to follow in separate document.

The Director of Planning and Regulation provided an updated on the Business Technology Centre Contract.

The Committee asked a number of questions which officers responded to.

The Committee noted the decisions of Cabinet.

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

There were 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.