Agenda and minutes

Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Tuesday, 17 December 2024 6.00pm

Venue: Council Chamber - Daneshill House, Danestrete

Contact: Email: Committees@stevenage.gov.uk 

Items
No. Item

1.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE AND DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Robin Parker and Tom Plater.

 

There were no declarations of interest.

2.

MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING pdf icon PDF 127 KB

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meetings of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 20 November.

 

To follow.

Minutes:

It was RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 20 November 2024 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair subject to the following inclusion:

 

Members requested that Cabinet report page numbers be included on the Overview and Scrutiny Committee agendas.

3.

PART I DECISIONS OF THE CABINET pdf icon PDF 113 KB

To consider the following Part I Decisions of the Cabinet taken on 11 December 2024

 

3.         Minutes of the Overview and Scrutiny and Select Committees

4.         Corporate Performance – Quarter 2 2024/25

5.         Council Tax Base 2025/26

6.         Housing Revenue Account (HRA) – Draft Budget and Rent Setting 2025/26

7.         Housing Inspection Outcome

8.         Repairs and Maintenance Policy – Approval

9.         Homelessness and Rough Sleeper Strategy

 

Notice of Decisions to follow

Minutes:

The Committee considered the following Part I Decisions of the Cabinet taken on 11 December 2024:

3. Minutes of the Overview and Scrutiny and Select Committees

 

The Committee noted the minutes of the Overview and Scrutiny and Select Committees.

 

4.         Corporate Performance – Quarter 2 2024/25

 

The Strategic Director (RP) advised the Committee that the Cabinet had received a presentation from the Chief Executive outlining corporate performance for Quarter 2. The update covered the performance suite and progress against the Council's corporate plan. Key areas of focus included improving tenant satisfaction, which will be supported by actions following the recent housing inspection.

 

The Cabinet discussed:

·         Ensuring accessibility of parks, play areas, and open spaces for all groups, particularly adults with learning disabilities.

·         Reviewing the framing of automated debt messaging to align with the Council's values.

·         Positive feedback on the Ellis Avenue development, noting its alignment with the surrounding area.

·         Acknowledgement of extensive resident consultation and engagement activity, which was well-received.

 

The Committee heard that the Cabinet approved all four recommendations outlined in the report.

 

A query was raised regarding resident feedback on developments. It was clarified that responses were typically mixed but informed design decisions, particularly around the Oval redevelopment, with a planning application anticipated for 2025/26.

 

At this juncture, the Chair noted difficulties with accessing visual elements of Cabinet presentations via YouTube. It was suggested that the presentation materials, already available on the Council's website, be made more accessible to address this issue.

 

The Committee noted the Corporate Performance – Quarter 2 2024/25.

 

 

5.         Council Tax Base 2025/26

 

The Assistant Director (Finance) advised the Committee that the Cabinet considered a report on the council tax base for 2025/26, which was calculated at £28,571.8 Band D equivalent properties. This figure included an allowance for a 98% collection rate. The Cabinet approved the recommendations in the report and the council tax base would be included in the draft 2025/26 report, which was scheduled to be presented to Cabinet in January 2025.

 

The Committee noted the Council Tax Base 2025/26.

 

 

6.         Housing Revenue Account (HRA) – Draft Budget and Rent Setting 2025/26

 

The Chief Financial Officer advised the Committee that the draft HRA budget for 2025/26 reflected pressures highlighted in the HRA Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) presented in November 2024.

 

The Committee heard that the average rent increase for 2025/26 was set at 2.7%, significantly lower than the 7.7% increase in 2024/25, due to a lower Consumer Price Index figure (1.7% in September 2024).

 

The Chief Financial Officer added that further budget pressures included potential increases in national insurance (pending confirmation from the finance settlement) and rising costs related to responsive repairs and disrepair demands. These would be incorporated into the final budget, which would be presented to the January 2025 Cabinet and Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

 

A question was raised regarding improved rent collection rates. It was noted that rent collection had increased but remained a challenge, particularly as more tenants transitioned from housing benefit to Universal Credit.

 

Approximately 90% of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

4.

STEVENAGE BOROUGH COUNCIL - WEBSITE pdf icon PDF 10 MB

To receive a presentation from the Business Improvement Manager regarding the Stevenage Borough Council Website.

Minutes:

The Head of Customer and Digital Services provided an update on the Council’s website, touching on its evolution over the last 30 years. Originally serving as a basic directory, the website had grown into a significant resource, now containing over 11 million words and more than 1,000 pages. It served a wide range of purposes, including providing information, advice, and guidance about Council services, promoting key services and events, and ensuring transparency through governance and regulatory information.

 

A major point highlighted was the behaviour of website visitors. Most users accessed the site via Google, particularly searching for topics like bin collections, housing, council tax, and waste management. Housing-related content was the most frequently visited, followed by payment options and news events. Notably, two-thirds of visitors use mobile phones, primarily iPhones, and the website must be optimised for small screen devices, especially for short, transactional tasks like reporting missed bins.

 

The Head of Customer and Digital Services also addressed the ongoing efforts to simplify the website’s content for better accessibility. The team aimed for a reading age of nine, though the average reading age on the site is currently 12.4 years. There was ongoing work to simplify and reclassify complex information, such as Council housing or planning services, making it easier for the public to navigate.

 

Accessibility remained a core focus, with particular attention to ensuring the site works for users with disabilities, including those who rely on screen readers. The team used various tools, such as Google and Microsoft analytics, to monitor user behaviour and identify areas for improvement, including search functionality and the presentation of events and services.

 

Looking ahead, The Head of Customer and Digital Services mentioned potential improvements in areas such as search functionality, where a more conversational query system (e.g., “I’m in council tax debt, what should I do?”) could enhance user experience. The Council also aimed to update photos and videos, ensure relevant content was displayed, and improve the way events were presented to engage visitors more effectively.

 

In conclusion, the website was seen as a key tool for delivering services and information to the public, and the Council was focused on making it more user-friendly, accessible, and responsive to the needs of its visitors.

 

The Chair thanked the Head of Customer and Digital Services for their presentation and invited the Committee to ask questions.

 

A Member raised questions about the placement of the "Find Your Refuge," "Recycling Dates," and "Local Councillors" sections in the same area of the website. It was noted that this layout might confuse users into thinking the Councillors are involved in these services directly, leading them to contact Councillors for issues like missed bin collections. The Head of Customer and Digital Services responded, acknowledging the feedback and indicating that such changes could be considered to improve clarity and user navigation.

 

A Member commented about the user experience on different devices. They highlighted the 18-second average time visitors spend on a page and asked about the frequency of testing pages on  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

5.

URGENT PART I DECISIONS AUTHORISED BY THE CHAIR OF THE OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE

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

Minutes:

There were no Urgent Part I Decisions authorised by the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

6.

URGENT PART I BUSINESS

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

Minutes:

There was no Urgent Part I Business.

7.

EXCLUSION OF PRESS AND PUBLIC

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.

 

 

Minutes:

It was RESOLVED that:

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.

8.

PART II MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING

To approve as a correct record the Part II Minutes of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 20 November.

Minutes:

It was RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 20 November 2024 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

9.

PART II DECISIONS OF THE CABINET

To consider the following Part II Decisions of the Cabinet taken on 11 December 2024

 

12.       Housing Benefit Overpayments and Sundry Debt Write Off Greater than £10,000

 

Notice of Decisions to follow

Minutes:

The Committee consider the following Part II Decisions of the Cabinet taken on 11 December 2024:

 

12. HOUSING BENEFIT OVERPAYMENTS AND SUNDRY DEBT WRITE OFF GREATER THAN £10,000

 

The Committee received a report from the Assistant Director (Finance)

 

It was RESOLVED that the Part II Decisions of the Cabinet be noted.

10.

STEVENAGE BOROUGH COUNCIL - WEBSITE

To receive a Part II presentation from the Business Improvement Manager on the Stevenage Borough Council Website.

Minutes:

It was RESOLVED that the presentation from the Head of Customer and Digital Services be noted.

11.

URGENT PART II DECISIONS AUTHORISED BY THE CHAIR OF THE OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE

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

Minutes:

There were no Urgent Part II Decisions authorised by the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

 

12.

URGENT PART II BUSINESS

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

Minutes:

There was no Urgent Part II Business.