Agenda and decisions

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Jackie Hollywell, Phil Bibby CC (observer) and Robin Parker CC (observer).

There were no declarations of interest.

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Executive held on 15 September 2021 for signature by the Chair.

It was RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting of the Executive held on 15 September 2021 be approved as a correct record for signature by the Chair.

To note the following Minutes of meetings of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee and Select Committees –

Environment & Economy Select Committee – 13 September 2021

Community Select Committee – 21 September 2021

Overview & Scrutiny Committee – 22 September 2021

Environment & Economy Select Committee – 4 October 2021

In relation to the Minutes of the meeting of the Environment & Economy Select Committee held on 13 September 2021, the Leader commented that she and the Portfolio Holder for Economy, Enterprise & Transport had been interviewed by the Committee in connection with their review of SBC’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic.  It was gratifying to learn that the Stevenage business community had felt supported by the Council throughout the pandemic, and the sterling efforts of the Council’s Shared Revenues & Benefits Team in administering the Government Support Grants had also been recognised and applauded.

In relation to the Minutes of the meeting of the Community Select Committee held on 21 September 2021, the Portfolio Holder for Children, Young People, Leisure & Culture expressed this thanks to the Committee for their work in investigating the feasibility of a New Town Heritage Centre, including their visits to other towns to seek best practice.  In response to a question from the Portfolio Holder for Economy, Enterprise & Transport, the Strategic Director (RP) undertook to provide a written response to him regarding the plans for storage of surplus Museum exhibits and artefacts once the Heritage Centre was in operation.

With regard to the Minutes of the meeting of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee held on 22 September 2021, the Leader explained that the first two Town Deal Business Cases (relating to the Marshgate Biotech Centre and the Gunnels Wood Road Infrastructure project) had both been endorsed by the Stevenage Development Board, and would be presented to the Executive in November 2021 for approval.

In respect of the Minutes of the meeting of the Environment & Economy Select Committee held on 4 October 2021, it was acknowledged that local authorities would require a much greater level of Government funding in order to realise both national and local Climate Change aspirations.

It was RESOLVED that the following Minutes of meetings of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee and Select Committees be noted:

Environment & Economy Select Committee – 13 September 2021

Community Select Committee – 21 September 2021

Overview & Scrutiny Committee – 22 September 2021

Environment & Economy Select Committee – 4 October 2021

To consider an update on the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Executive considered an overarching verbal progress report from the Strategic Director (RP), assisted by the Senior Environmental Health & Licensing Manager, together with a short presentation from the Corporate Policy & Research Officer, providing an update on the latest epidemiology statistics relating to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The following matters were raised during the verbal progress report/presentation:

In reply to a number of Members’ queries on the verbal progress update, the Senior Environmental Health & Licensing Manager undertook to:

·        clarify the position with regard to how and where in Stevenage Covid booster vaccinations were being administered; and

·        attempt to ascertain statistics relating to the correlation between flu and Covid booster vaccinations in terms of any increased risk of not being vaccinated for one or the other or both.

During the meeting, information was received stating that Robertson House was to start operating as walk-in facility for Covid booster vaccinations for the clinically vulnerable and Over 50s.  The Leader asked for details to be posted on the SBC website, together with information regarding the introduction of walk-in surgeries for 11 to 16 year olds offering them the opportunity to be vaccinated.

In relation to the epidemiology presentation, the following points were made:

·        Officers were requested to continue pressing for the visit of a mobile Covid vaccination unit to Bedwell Ward, in an attempt to improve the level of vaccine take up in that ward;

·        The Corporate Policy & Research Officer undertook to provide Members with some preliminary results in respect of national Antibody studies;

·        Professor Jim McManus and his Public Health Team had been recognised at the Pride of Stevenage Awards event by receiving the Judges’ Special Award for their excellent work throughout the Covid pandemic.  The Executive wished to record its own vote of thanks to Professor McManus and his Team, and also to the Hertfordshire Local resilience Forum for its commendable support role.

It was RESOLVED that the Covid-19 update be noted.

To consider the Climate Change Annual Update 2020/21.

The Executive considered a report providing an overview of the action taken to tackle Climate Change by Stevenage Borough Council and with partners, through the Council’s joint working on the Hertfordshire Climate Change and Sustainability Partnership (HCCSP).

The following issues were raised by Members:

·        it would be helpful if there was an SBC communications campaign about recycling/re-use of materials in order to inform and educate residents, in order to emphasise the fact that the collective effort in recycling/re-use would make an overall difference;

·        in reply to a question, it was confirmed that the intention was for the SBC fleet of waste collection vehicles to be low or zero carbon by 2030;

·        the Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhoods & Co-operative Council informed Member that he had asked the Co-operative Neighbourhood Teams to look for local initiatives/projects that could contribute towards the Council’s net zero carbon ambitions; and

·        the issue of pressure being brought to bear on the Government to provide increased and sufficient funding to Local Government to drive Climate Change initiatives was an important part of the Local Government Association’s lobbying of Government.

In order to reinforce the Council’s expectation that all new construction schemes were designed with low or zero carbon measures, Members supported an addition to Recommendation 2.2, with the following:

“(vi)  To work with the Council’s development and regeneration partners to ensure the Council’s construction work is making the maximum contribution to its net zero carbon ambitions.”

It was RESOLVED:

1.          That the content of the Climate Change Annual Update (2020- 2021) be noted.

2.          That the following additional measures be agreed to support the Council’s Climate Change journey:

(i)         To develop the business case to migrate the Council’s corporate and waste fleet to low or zero carbon from 2028, in the interim commit to switching fuel supplies to low or zero carbon alternatives, subject to a detailed business case;

(ii)        Following the Executive’s commitment to accelerate the SG1 Phase 2 programme, including a move to the low carbon Public Sector Hub by 2026; the Council will also develop proposals and a business case to reduce energy use, and reduce the physical and carbon foot print of other Council buildings;

(iii)       Embed the low carbon ways of working the Council has embraced during the pandemic into current and future ways of working, to continue that carbon saving;

(iv)      Support residents and business to reduce their carbon footprint by illustrating a comprehensive range of measures they can take, including education and publicity campaign, through a Communication and Collaboration Plan;

(v)       Provide a total of £8,000 to offer grants to local Stevenage businesses to help transition their business to lower carbon and to supplement bids for low carbon investments.  The amount is subject to budgeting for 2022/2023; and

(vi)      To work with the Council’s development and regeneration partners to ensure the Council’s construction work is making the maximum contribution to its net zero carbon ambitions.

3.          That Officers prepare a submission on behalf of the Council’s Executive to the Minister of  ...  view the full decision text for item 5.

To consider a review of the Co-operative Procurement Strategy 2021–2024.

The Executive considered a report in respect of the proposed updated Co-operative Procurement Strategy 2021-2024.

The Leader stated that the five foundation principles contained in the Strategy were key to the Council’s ethos as a Co-operative Council.  Members were pleased to see the emphasis on community wealth building and, where possible, the local sourcing of goods and services.

It was RESOLVED that the updated Co-operative Procurement Strategy for 2021-2024, as attached at Appendix A to the report, be approved.

Reason for Decision:  As contained in report.

Other Options considered:  As contained in report.

To consider the SBC Council Tax Support Scheme for 2022/23.

The Executive considered a report in respect of the proposed Council Tax Support Scheme for 2022/23.

The Leader commented that it was vital that the maximum Council Tax liability for those residents eligible was unchanged from 8.5%, especially in the light of the Government’s recent decision to remove the £20 per week uplift for those in receipt of Universal Credit, and its replacement with in her view an underfunded £500M Hardship Fund, which would be subject to an application process.

It was RESOLVED that the existing Council Tax Support Scheme of 8.5% council tax liability for those working age claimants on maximum benefits (subject to any benefit uplifts) be approved for the financial year 2022/23.

Reason for Decision:  As contained in report.

Other Options considered:  As contained in report.

To consider the 1^st and 2^nd Quarter Capital Programme Monitoring report 2021/22.

[REPORT TO FOLLOW]

The Executive considered a report in respect of 1^st and 2^nd Quarter Capital Programme Monitoring 2021/22 (General Fund and Housing Revenue Account).

It was RESOLVED:

1.          That the 2021/22 General Fund Capital Programme net decrease in expenditure of £59,000, as summarised in table one, Paragraph 4.1.1 of the report, be approved.

2.          That the General Fund net increase of capital expenditure of £271,000 in 2022/23, also as summarised in table one, Paragraph 4.1.1 of the report, be approved.

3.          That Council be recommended to approve the additional General Fund budget requirements of £291,000, as set out in table two, Paragraph 4.2.1 of the report.

4.          That the net decrease of £4.4 Million in the capital expenditure for the 2021/22 Housing Revenue Account, as summarised in table nine, Paragraph 4.4.1 of the report, be approved.

5.          That the corresponding net increase of £4.4 Million in the capital expenditure for the 2022/23 Housing Revenue Account, also as summarised in table nine, Paragraph 4.4.1 of the report, be approved.

Reason for Decision:  As contained in report.

Other Options considered:  As contained in report.

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

None.

To consider the following motions –

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 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 report being in Part II were accepted, and that the exemption from disclosure of the information contained therein outweighs the public interest in disclosure.

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

None.