Agenda for Executive on Wednesday, 12 June 2019, 2.00pm

Agenda and decisions

Venue: Shimkent Room, Daneshill House, Danestrete

Contact: Lisa Jerome (01438) 242703 

Items
No. Item

1.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE AND DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Decision:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Richard Henry.

 

There were no declarations of interest.

 

2.

MINUTES - 14 MAY 2019 pdf icon PDF 70 KB

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Executive held on 14 May 2019 for signature by the Chair.

Decision:

It was RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting of the Executive held on 14 May 2019 be approved as a correct record for signature by the Chair.

3.

MINUTES OF THE OVERVIEW & SCRUTINY AND SELECT COMMITTEES pdf icon PDF 71 KB

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

 

Environment & Economy Select Committee – 28 February 2019

Environment & Economy Select Committee – 13 March 2019

Overview & Scrutiny Committee – 18 March 2019

Community Select Committee - 26 March 2019

Community Select Committee – 1 April 2019

Overview & Scrutiny Committee – 30 April 2019

Overview & Scrutiny Committee – 14 May 2019

Additional documents:

Decision:

In relation to the Minutes of the Community Select Committee meeting held on 26 March 2019, the Members present at the meeting should include Councillor Jackie Hollywell, Portfolio Holder for Communities, Community Safety and Equalities.

 

In respect of the Minutes of the Community Select Committee meeting held on 1 April 2019, the Executive Leader asked for clarification regarding the numbers of rough sleepers reported in the Town as the figures referred to in the minutes did not appear to be correct. Officers agreed to look into the matter and advise Members and the Chair of the Select Committee of the correct information and a modification to the minutes to be made if appropriate.

 

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

 

Environment & Economy Select Committee – 28 February 2019

Environment & Economy Select Committee – 13 March 2019

Overview & Scrutiny Committee – 18 March 2019

Community Select Committee – 26 March 2019

Community Select Committee – 1 April 2019

Overview & Scrutiny Committee – 30 April 2019

Overview & Scrutiny Committee – 16 May 2019

 

4.

APPOINTMENT OF COMMITTEES OF THE EXECUTIVE pdf icon PDF 106 KB

To establish the Executive Committees and other bodies of the Executive with delegated powers and to appoint Members and Chairs/Lead Members for each.

Decision:

It was RESOLVED:

 

(i)            That the following Executive Bodies be established with the terms of reference as set out in Section 3 of the Report and membership as set out below:

 

Appeals, Grievances and Litigation Committee – Councillor Mrs J Lloyd (Chairman), Councillors John Gardner, Sharon Taylor and Jeannette Thomas;

 

Housing Development and Regeneration Committee – Councillor Sharon Taylor (Chair), Councillors Rob Broom, John Gardner, Mrs Joan Lloyd and Jeannette Thomas;

 

            Stevenage and East Herts. Joint Executive Revenues and Benefits Shared Service Committee – Councillor Mrs Joan Lloyd (Chairman when appropriate), Councillors Lloyd Briscoe, Jeannette Thomas and Jackie Hollywell (substitute).

 

(ii)       That the terms of reference as set out in the report and membership of the Stevenage, North Herts, East Herts and Hertsmere Joint CCTV Committee as agreed by the Leader and set out below be noted:

           

            Councillor Jackie Hollywell (SBC Lead), Councillors Mrs Joan Lloyd and Richard Henry.

 

Reason for Decision: As contained in report.

Other Options considered: As contained in report.

 

5.

DECENT HOMES REFURBISHMENT CONTRACT PROCUREMENT OPTIONS APPRAISAL (INVESTMENT) pdf icon PDF 99 KB

To seek approval to commence procurement of a Decent Homes Internal Works Contract, in order to maintain the Council’s housing stock in line with the Decent Homes standard.

Decision:

The following matters were discussed:

 

·         The advantages and disadvantages of appointing a single contractor to undertake the works;

·         Consideration of the potential to include external decent homes works into the contract;

·         The importance of fitting carbon monoxide detectors as part of the refurbishment of Council stock;

·         The possibility of bringing forward the insourcing of the contract to a period of less than 3 years and the approach to ensure the Repairs and Voids Team were adequately resourced to achieve this.

 

It was RESOLVED:

 

(i)            That approval be given for officers to procure a contract to conduct essential refurbishment work to various HRA properties as identified in the Asset Management Strategy.

(ii)          That contractors be appointed to undertake the works for reasons as set out in section 4.1 of this report.

 

(iii)         That the contract, including external decent homes works be offered to market at an estimated contract value of £3.5m per annum for a term of three years, with the option to extend the term by an additional three years.

 

(iv)         That where necessary the fitting of carbon monoxide detectors as part of the refurbishment works be included in the contracts;

 

(v)          That the price and quality aspects of the tender are evaluated based on a ratio of 40/60 (price/quality).

 

(vi)         That the procurement route is through a restricted process for reasons set out in section 4.4 of this report

 

(vii)        That the Strategic Director be given delegated authority to award and finalise the terms of the contract with the winning bidder(s) after officer evaluation of tenders received and having  consulted  the Portfolio Holder – Housing, Health and Older People.

 

Reason for Decision: As contained in report.

Other Options considered: As contained in report.

 

6.

HERTFORDSHIRE HOME IMPROVEMENT AGENCY - 12 MONTH REVIEW pdf icon PDF 129 KB

To provide information on the first year operation of the Hertfordshire Home Improvement Agency (HHIA) and to propose that the Council remains a member of the HHIA to give an opportunity for new arrangements to bed in.

Additional documents:

Decision:

The following matters were raised:

 

·         It was recognised that the performance of the contract with HHIA had been affected due to a number of reasons including dependency on temporary staff and variation in consistency and speed of delivery;

·         A recovery plan had been put in place with the aim of improving productivity;

·         As significant changes had been put in place to improve effectiveness, a further report should be provided to the Executive Leader and Portfolio Holder in six months time to ensure progress was being made.

 

It was RESOLVED:

 

                      i.        That the performance of the HHIA over the last 12 months and the Recovery Plan now in place be noted.

                    ii.        That the Council’s continued participation in the HHIA be endorsed.

                   iii.        That a further review report be brought to Executive in May 2020.

 

Reason for Decision: As contained in report.

Other Options considered: As contained in report.

 

7.

URGENT PART I BUSINESS

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

Decision:

None.

8.

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 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.

Decision:

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 involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as described in Paragraphs 1 to 7 of Schedule 12A of the Act, as amended by SI 2006 No. 88.

 

2.         That, having considered the reasons for the following items being in Part II, it be determined that maintaining the exemption from disclosure of the information contained therein outweighed the public interest in disclosure.

 

9.

STEVENAGE BUS INTERCHANGE

To update the Executive on the project to provide a new bus interchange for Stevenage in line with the Future Town Future Transport Strategy, and to approve the process for constructing the facility ahead of the SG1 proposals.

Decision:

That subject to a minor amendment to recommendation (ii), it was RESOLVED that the recommendations contained in the report be approved.

 

Reason for Decision: As contained in report.

Other Options considered: As contained in report.

 

10.

TOWN CENTRE REGENERATION - THE TOWN SQUARE AND NORTH BLOCK

To provide a progress update on the Town Square North Block and Town Square Public Realm proposals and to seek approval for the projects to proceed to the next stages of design and construction.

Decision:

It was RESOLVED that the recommendations contained in the report be approved.

 

Reason for Decision: As contained in report.

Other Options considered: As contained in report.

 

11.

URGENT PART II BUSINESS

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

Decision:

None.