Agenda and decisions

There were no apologies for absence.

There were no declarations of interest.

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Executive held on 13 May 2020 for signature by the Chair.

It was RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting of the Executive held on 13 May 2020 be approved as a correct record for signature by the Chair.

To consider the General Fund’s financial position and the impact of COVID-19 on the level of projected balances; and to consider any mitigating action required.

The Portfolio Holder for Resources presented a report regarding a review of the Council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy in the light of the impact of Covid-19 on its General Fund Revenue Budget.

The Chair wished to put on record the Executive’s thanks to all SBC staff for the work they had carried out throughout the Covid-19 pandemic thus far and to the Finance Team for the outstanding way they had worked with officer colleagues and Elected Members to develop the package of measures which would enable the Council to respond to the financial challenges posed by the pandemic during the course of this year.

It was RESOLVED:

1.          That the use of earmarked Regeneration capital receipts of £1.726Million, as outlined in Paragraph 4.9.8 of the report, be approved.

2.          That the changes to the Capital Programme totalling £125,000, as summarised in Paragraph 4.9.10 of the report, be approved.

3.          That the holding of vacant posts totalling £152,110, as set out in Paragraph 4.9.12 of the report, be approved.

4.          That the changes to the 2020/21 General Fund budget totalling £463,820, as set out in Paragraph 4.9.13 of the report, be approved.

5.          That the changes to the approved growth budgets totalling £49,940, as set out in Paragraph 4.9.15 of the report, be approved.

6.          That the holding of the Business Rates allocated reserve totalling £455,000, as set out in Paragraph 4.9.16 of the report, be approved.

7.          That the measures set out in Paragraph 4.10.3 of the report be approved.

8.          That the measures set out in Section 4.11 of the report be approved.

9.          That the development of a priority list of services, as set out in Paragraph 4.12.11 of the report, be approved.

Reason for Decision:  As contained in report.

Other options considered:  As contained in report.

To highlight the Council’s performance across key priorities and themes for Quarter Four 2019/20.

The Chief Executive introduced a report regarding the Council’s Corporate Performance for Quarter Four of 2019/20 (January to March 2020).

In response to a Member’s question, the Chief Executive undertook to supply Members with further details of the 9 performance indicators shown at red status in the report.

It was RESOLVED:

1.          That the delivery of priorities which form the Future Town, Future Council Programme and performance of the Council across the key themes for Quarter Four 2019/20, together with the latest achievements, be noted.

2.          That actions to commence implementation of the Corporate Landlord Review, and toensure the new approach to certification of health and safety compliance of non-domestic/non-commercial Council buildings in accordance with the compliance contract, be noted and endorsed (as set out in Paragraphs 3.55 to 3.58 of the report).

3.          That the impacts of the Government directive on housing rough sleepers during Covid-19 be noted, and that improvements with non-secure tenancies be noted and endorsed (as set out in Paragraphs 3.62 to 3.67 of the report).

4.          That further improvement plans for the Customer Service Centre be noted and endorsed (as set out in Paragraphs 3.92 to 3.103 of the report).

5.          That the ongoing implementation of improved practices to support sickness absence management be endorsed (as set out in Paragraphs 3.116 to 3.123 of the report).

6.          That issues with the letting of Council garages due to Covid-19 be recognised, and plans to improve the process of garages lettings be noted (as set out in Paragraphs 3.86 to 3.90 of the report).

7.          That issues with the current relet process for sheltered voids be noted, and plans to improve be endorsed (as set out in Paragraphs 3.83 to 3.85 of the report).

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.

The Chair accepted the following 3 items of urgent Part I business:

(1)    Coronavirus Update

The Strategic Director (TP) presented a Coronavirus update to Members which included a focus on the emerging recovery plans for the Town and the Council.

In response to various issues raised by Members, officers undertook to carry out the following action:

·        The Chief Executive to provide the Portfolio Holder for Children, Young People, Leisure & Culture the District Councils Network survey results revealing the parlous financial state of Local Authority Leisure Providers nationally, in advance of his imminent LGA Culture, Tourism & Sport Board meeting;

·        The Strategic Director (TP) to ascertain from the local bus companies their plans regarding services and passenger capacity now that lockdown restrictions were being eased, and to supply his findings to Members;

·        The Chief Executive to ensure that the Council works with the local Stevenage BEME Group to consider how the findings of the Public Health England (PHE) report on the impact of Covid-19 on the BEME community was reflected in Stevenage; and, in connection with this, the Chief Executive would check with the Hertfordshire Director of Public Health that the PHE report could be released to SBC Members;

·        The Strategic Director (RP) to review the street cleansing regime with regard to the removal of glass and other debris from the Borough’s cycleways; and

·        The Chief Executive would notify Members when the date of the first Stevenage Recovery Taskforce meeting was agreed.

(2)    Housing First Project

The Assistant Director (Housing & Investment) gave a presentation on the Housing First Project, in the light of the MCHLG’s request to all local authorities for the completion and return of a proforma by 11 June 2020 detailing their plans and proposals for supporting rough sleepers during and after the Covid-19 pandemic.

In reply to a Member’s query, the Assistant Director confirmed that, in the coming weeks, the hotel facilities currently being used to house rough sleepers would contain only those provided with temporary accommodation by Stevenage Borough Council.

Members supported the Assistant Director’s request for the extension of the block booking at the Stevenage Holiday Inn Express for a further 6 weeks for the continued provision of temporary accommodation for rough sleepers and/or those at risk of rough sleeping.

(3)    North of Stevenage Planning Application

The Chief Executive updated Members on recent developments in respect of the North of Stevenage planning application.

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.

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 paragraphs1 – 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 seek approval of a new contractual agreement for five years for the provision of building materials and a managed stores solution.

The Executive considered a Part II report seeking approval of a new contractual agreement for five years for the provision of building materials and a managed stores solution.

It was RESOLVED that the recommendation set out in the report be approved.

Reason for Decision:  As contained in report.

Other Options considered:  As contained in report.

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

None.