Agenda and minutes

Apologies of absence were received from Cllr Robin Parker CC.

There were no declarations of interest.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meetings of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 11 June 2024.

It was RESOLVED that the Part I minutes of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 11 June 2024 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

To consider the following Part I Decisions of the Cabinet taken on 24 July 2024.

2.    MINUTES – 5 JUNE 2024

3.    MINUTES OF OVERVIEW & SCRUTINY AND SELECT COMMITTEES

4.    RESIDENT ENGAGEMENT STRATEGY AND FRAMEWORK

5.    HOUSING ANNUAL REPORT

6.    HOMELESSNESS AND ROUGH SLEEPER STRATEGY 2025 – 2030

7.    TENANCY POLICY

8.    RESPONSIVE REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE POLICY

9.    CORPORATE PERFORMANCE SUITE 2024/25, PRODUCTIVITY PLAN 2024/25 AND ANNUAL REPORT 2023/24

10.4TH QUARTER MONITORING REPORT GENERAL FUND, HOUSING REVENUE ACCOUNT, CAPITAL AND GROUP COMPANIES

Notice of Decisions to follow

PLEASE BRING YOUR AGENDA AND REPORTS FOR THE CABINET

MEETING HELD ON 24 JULY 2024.

The Committee considered the following Part I Decisions of the Cabinet taken on 24 July 2024:

2.    MINUTES – 5 JUNE 2024

The minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 5 June 2024 were noted.

3.    MINUTES OF OVERVIEW & SCRUTINY AND SELECT COMMITTEES

The Cabinet’s review of the minutes of the following Overview & Scrutiny and Select Committee meetings was noted:

Overview & Scrutiny Committee, 11 June 2024

Community Select Committee, 13 June 2024

4.    RESIDENT ENGAGEMENT STRATEGY AND FRAMEWORK

The Assistant Director, Housing & Neighbourhoods introduced the report.

The Committee noted the decision of the Cabinet.

At this juncture, a Member raised concerns about the lengthy agenda and extensive reports. They recommended shorter, more concise reports for better efficiency and suggested reducing the number of items on the agenda for more thorough review.

5.    HOUSING ANNUAL REPORT

The Assistant Director, Housing & Neighbourhoods introduced the report.

The Committee noted the decision of the Cabinet.

6.    HOMELESSNESS AND ROUGH SLEEPER STRATEGY 2025 – 2030

The Assistant Director, Housing & Neighbourhoods introduced the report.

Members asked questions related to the residency requirements and the importance of engagement with homeless individuals and rough sleepers for the success of the strategy.

The Assistant Director, Housing & Neighbourhoods responded that support was typically for those with local connections to Stevenage but mentioned collaboration with other local authorities for individuals from neighbouring areas. Homeless individuals fleeing domestic abuse were assessed with input from their original local authorities to ensure appropriate support and refuge.

The Assistant Director, Housing & Neighbourhoods added that the Council actively sought input from homeless individuals and attempted to engage non-participants. Some identified as rough sleepers might not be genuinely homeless but were engaged through support measures.

The Committee noted the decision of the Cabinet.

7.    TENANCY POLICY

The Assistant Director, Housing & Neighbourhoods introduced the report.

Members asked questions related to the tenancy agreement, anti-social behaviour (ASB), collaborative working, and resourcing.

The Committee were advised that enforcement powers existed and efforts were ongoing to make service standards and tenant obligations clear and accessible. The tenancy agreement would be refreshed to ensure accountability for breaches, supported by annual inspections and tenancy audits.

The Assistant Director, Housing & Neighbourhoods acknowledged there were no additional resources sought at this stage, but emphasised a coordinated approach with the ASB team within the housing department. Efforts included policy review and preventive measures to support tenants in maintaining their tenancies.

The Assistant Director, Housing & Neighbourhoods confirmed ongoing partnership work with local health services, police, and other agencies through forums like the So Safe Partnership and Joint Action Group. The ASB team coordinated with neighbourhood policing to improve outcomes for victims and perpetrators.

The Committee were informed of the complexity of evictions, especially for cannabis use, which required persistent evidence and legal proceedings. More severe cases, such as those involving county lines or drug dealing, could lead to quicker actions, including property closures.

The Committee noted the decision of the Cabinet.

8.    RESPONSIVE REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE POLICY

The Assistant Director, Building Safety and Housing Property  ...  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 were none.

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

There was 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 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 the reasons for the following reports being in Part II were accepted, and that the exemption from disclosure of the information contained therein outweighs 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 11 June 2024.

It was RESOLVED that the Part II minutes of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 11 June 2024 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

To consider the following Part II Decisions of the CABINET taken on 24 July 2024.

13.MINUTES – 5 JUNE 2024

14.SOCIAL HOUSING DECARBONISATION PROGRAMME CONTRACT AWARD

15.TOWNS FUND – SKILLS AND ENTERPRISE

16.INVESTING IN THE TOWN CENTRE ASSETS

Notice of Decisions to follow.

PLEASE BRING YOUR AGENDA AND REPORTS FOR THE CABINET

MEETING HELD 24 JULY 2024.

The Committee considered the following Part II Decisions of the Cabinet taken on 24 July 2024:

13. MINUTES – 5 JUNE 2024

The Part II minutes of the meeting of the Executive held on 5 June 2024 were noted.

14. SOCIAL HOUSING DECARBONISATION PROGRAMME CONTRACT AWARD

The Assistant Director, Building Safety and Housing Property Services introduced the report.

The Committee noted the decision of the Cabinet.

15. TOWNS FUND – SKILLS AND ENTERPRISE

The Assistant Director, Regeneration introduced the report.

The Committee noted the decision of the Cabinet.

16. INVESTING IN THE TOWN CENTRE ASSETS

The Town Centre Manager introduced the report. Members asked a number of questions, which were responded to by officers.

The Committee noted the decision of the Cabinet.

It was RESOLVED that the Part II Decisions of the Cabinet taken on 24 July 2024 be noted.

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

There were none.

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

There was none.