Agenda for Executive on Wednesday, 16 September 2020, 2.00pm

Agenda and decisions

Venue: Virtual (via Zoom)

Contact: Ian Gourlay (01438) 242703  Email: ian.gourlay@stevenage.gov.uk

Note: You can view this meeting via the live stream from the Council’s YouTube channel by following this link - https://www.youtube.com/user/SBCComms 

Items
No. Item

1.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE AND DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Decision:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Rob Broom and Robin Parker, CC (observer).

 

There were no declarations of interest.

2.

MINUTES - 12 AUGUST 2020 pdf icon PDF 105 KB

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Executive held on 12 August 2020 for signature by the Chair.

Decision:

It was RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting of the Executive held on 12 August 2020 be approved as a correct record for signature by the Chair.

3.

MINUTES OF THE OVERVIEW & SCRUTINY COMMITTEE AND SELECT COMMITTEES pdf icon PDF 63 KB

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

 

Overview & Scrutiny Committee – 19 August 2020

Decision:

In response to a question regarding publicity regarding the Co-operative Neighbourhood Teams, the Corporate Communications Manager advised that some videos had been produced, an item was to be included in the next edition of the Council’s Chronicle, and negotiations were ongoing with the Comet newspaper about a double page information spread.

 

It was RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee held on 19 August 2020 be noted.

4.

LOCAL DEVELOPMENT SCHEME (LDS) pdf icon PDF 160 KB

To consider the approval of a revised Local Development Scheme.

Additional documents:

Decision:

The Executive considered a report seeking approval to a revised Local Development Scheme (LDS).

 

The Executive supported the Leader’s additional recommendation that the Planning and Development Committee should be consulted prior to publication of the final LDS.

 

As a consequence, the recommendation in the report concerning the publication date of the LDS would be amended accordingly.

 

It was RESOLVED:

 

1.          That the Local Development Scheme 2020 (attached as Appendix A to the report) be approved as the programme for the new Stevenage Local Development Documents, subject to any necessary minor editorial modifications agreed by the Assistant Director (Planning & Regulation), having consulted the Portfolio Holder for Environment & Regeneration.

 

2.          That prior to the publication of the Local Development Scheme 2020, the Planning and Development Committee be consulted on its content at its next meeting, with any views and comments being fed back to the Assistant Director (Planning & Regulation), in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Environment & Regeneration.

 

3.          That the Local Development Scheme 2020 be brought into effect on a suitable date following the consultation referred to in Resolution 2. above and published on the Council’s planning web pages.

 

Reason for Decision:  As contained in report; and 2. To allow the Planning and Development Committee to comment on the proposed LDS before its publication.

Other options considered:  As contained in report.

5.

PARKING PROVISION AND SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT SUPPLEMENTARY PLANNING DOCUMENT: ADOPTION pdf icon PDF 194 KB

To consider the adoption of the Parking Provision and Sustainable Transport Supplementary Planning Document.

Additional documents:

Decision:

The Executive considered a report seeking the adoption of the Parking Provision and Sustainable Transport Supplementary Planning Document (SPD).

 

The following issues were raised during the debate:

 

·            The Assistant Director (Planning and Regulation) explained that the reason for a reduced car parking requirement in the four accessibility zones was on sustainability grounds, due to the proximity of these zones to facilities and amenities, such as the Stevenage Railway Station;

·            The Assistant Director (Planning and Regulation) undertook to respond to the Portfolio Holder for Resources regarding enforcement of disable parking bays in the Borough;

·            The Principal Planning Officer explained the formula used for the calculation of the number of disabled parking spaces required to be provided in new developments;

·            Officers were requested to give further consideration to strengthening the document regarding the requirements of developers to contribute towards sustainable transport methods; including some specific reference in the document to the Old Town/High Street area; and referring to “Living” rather than “Liveable” streets throughout the text;

·            The Leader made a specific request to officers to revise the wording of the “Park and Ride” section of the SPD, given the long held ambition of establishing a Park and Ride facility in the Borough aligned to the provision of an electric bus serving a circular route around the town.

 

The Executive supported the Leader’s additional recommendation that the Planning and Development Committee should be consulted prior to publication of the final SPD document.

 

It was RESOLVED:

 

1.          That the outcomes of the Draft Parking Provision and Sustainable Transport SPD consultation be noted.

 

2.          That the views and comments of the Planning and Development Committee on the SPD be sought at the next meeting of that Committee.

 

3.          That delegated powers be granted to the Assistant Director (Planning and Regulation), taking into account the views of the Planning and development Committee, and following consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Regeneration, to make minor amendments as necessary in the final preparation of the Parking Provision and Sustainable Transport SPD prior to its adoption.

 

4.          That, subject to Resolutions 2. and 3. above, the Parking Provision SPD (adopted 2012) be revoked.

 

5.          That, subject to Resolutions 2. and 3. above, the Parking Provision and Sustainable Transport SPD be approved for adoption as a material consideration for planning applications.

 

Reason for Decision:  As contained in report; and 2. To allow the Planning and Development Committee to comment on the proposed SPD prior to its publication.

Other Options considered:  As contained in report.

6.

STEVENAGE BOROUGH COUNCIL CLIMATE CHANGE STRATEGY ADOPTION AND ENGAGEMENT CONSULTATION UPDATE pdf icon PDF 199 KB

To consider the adoption of the Stevenage Borough Council Climate Change Strategy and to provide Members with an update on the climate change work, achievements and engagement so far.

Additional documents:

Decision:

The Executive considered a report providing an update on climate change work, achievements and engagement, and seeking adoption of a proposed Climate Change Strategy.

 

The following points were raised during the debate upon the Strategy:

 

·            It was confirmed that the Citizens’ Panel would not target groups covered by existing engagement processes, but would consist of a cross-section of residents not involved with those groups;

·            Officers were requested to arrange specific presentations of the Strategy to the Stevenage Youth Council and Stevenage Youth Parliament in order to gather the views of young people; and

·            Once published, comments on the Strategy should be sought on-line and on social media.

 

The Executive supported the following three additional recommendations (Nos. 4, 5 and 6) proposed by the Leader:

 

4.          That it be noted that the process to recruit to the Citizens’ Panel is now underway, and that feedback from this Panel will be provided in October 2020 to inform the final Strategy.

 

5.          That an Action Plan be developed, to be approved by the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Regeneration, and that the intention of asking the Environment and Economy Select Committee to review the delivery of the Strategy be noted.

 

6.          That a progress report on the delivery of the Strategy and associated Action Plan be submitted to the Executive in 12 months’ time.

 

The Portfolio Holder for Environment and Regeneration commented that it would be his intention to establish an Implementation Group to help drive monitor progress made against the Climate Change Action Plan, comprising himself and the Portfolio Holders for Housing, Health & Older People and Economy, Enterprise & Transport.  The Chair of the Environment and Economy Select Committee would be invited to all meetings of the Group, together with other Members as and when required. 

 

It was RESOLVED:

 

1.          That the updates to the Climate Change work and achievements thus far be noted.

 

2.          That the content of the draft Climate Change Strategy (set out in Appendix C to the report) and accompanying documents be approved for adoption.

 

3.          That delegated powers be granted to the Assistant Director (Planning and Regulation), following consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Regeneration, to make amendments as are necessary in the final preparation of the draft documents prior to adoption.

 

4.          That it be noted that the process to recruit to the Citizens’ Panel is now underway, and that feedback from this Panel will be provided in October 2020 to inform the final Strategy.

 

5.          That an Action Plan be developed, to be approved by the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Regeneration (with the option of a Climate Change and Sustainability Executive Committee, if preferred), and that the intention of asking the Environment and Economy Select Committee to review the delivery of the Strategy be noted.

 

6.          That a progress report on the delivery of the Strategy and associated Action Plan be submitted to the Executive in 12 months’ time.

 

Reason for Decision:  As contained in report; and 4., 5. & 6. To ensure feedback  ...  view the full decision text for item 6.

7.

COVID-19 UPDATE

To consider a verbal update / presentation on the Covid-19 pandemic.

Decision:

The Executive considered a verbal update/presentation from the Strategic Director (TP) on the Covid-19 pandemic.

 

The Leader requested officers to ensure that the Covid-19 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) were kept regularly up to date.

 

The Leader requested the Strategic Director (TP) to arrange for his presentation to be available in the Covid-19 area on the Council’s website, and that a link to this be circulated via social media.

 

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

8.

ANNUAL TREASURY MANAGEMENT REVIEW OF 2019/20 AND PRUDENTIAL CODE pdf icon PDF 869 KB

To consider a review of the operation of the 2019/20 Treasury Management and Investment Strategy.

Additional documents:

Decision:

The Executive considered a report in respect of the annual review of the 2019/20 Treasury Management Strategy.

 

It was RESOLVED that the 2019/20 Annual Treasury Management Review be recommended to Council for approval.

 

Reason for Decision:  As contained in report.

Other Options considered:  As contained in report.

9.

GENERAL FUND MEDIUM TERM FINANCIAL STRATEGY UPDATE (2020/21 - 2024/25) pdf icon PDF 1 MB

To consider an update on the General Fund Medium Term Financial Strategy 2020/21 – 2024/25.

Additional documents:

Decision:

The Executive considered a report providing an update to the General Fund Medium Term Financial Strategy 2020/21 – 2024/25.

 

The Executive supported two proposed additional recommendations (Nos. 21 and 22) as follows:

 

21.     That the additional pay inflation from the 2020/21 pay award of 2.75%, as outlined in Paragraph 4.4.5 of the report, totalling £90,460, be approved; and

 

22.     That the budgets totalling £865,860 as outlined in the June COVID MTFS recovery report be removed from the budgets. This includes £75,000 of 2020/21 CNM spend, £152,000 of vacant posts held, £50,000 of overtime budgets, £125,000 of capital related spend, and £463,860 of other underspends identified in 2020/21.

 

It was RESOLVED:

 

1.          That the change to the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) principles, as outlined in Paragraph 4.1.6 of the report, be approved.

 

2.          That, for modelling purposes, Council Tax increases be set at the threshold of 1.99%, subject to any change in Government rules to achieve a balanced budget (as referred to in Section 4.8.12 of the report).

 

3.          That the update inflation assumptions used in the Medium Term Financial Strategy (as referred to in section 4.4 of the report) be approved.

 

4.          That the approach to Financial Security, as set out in Section 4.7 of the report, be approved.

 

5.          That an amount of £200,000 for 2020/21 and 2021/22 be approved for inclusion in the budget setting process as a Transformation Fund to help deliver the Financial Security Target (as referred to in Paragraph 4.6.3(v) of the report).

 

6.          That a General Fund Financial Security Target of £2.45Million be approved for the period 2021/22 – 2023/24, including increases in fees and charges (as referred to in Paragraph 4.7.17 of the report).

 

7.          That an amount of £100,000 for 2020/21 be included in the budget to cover associated costs of the Devolution and Recovery White Paper (as referred to in Paragraph 4.6.3(ii) of the report).

 

8.          That the 2020/21 1st Quarter changes to the General Fund, as outlined Paragraph 4.6.1 of the report, be approved.

 

9.          That the financial impact of Covid-19 in 2020/21 and future years, including the estimation of income guarantee scheme, as set out in section 4.5 of the report, be noted.

 

10.      That the budgets held as part of the June 2020 Covid-19 MTFS report be not released and be removed from the budget, as set out in Paragraph 4.7.17 of the report and based on the level of projected General Fund balances.

 

11.      That the assumptions set out in Paragraph 4.7.17 of the report that underpins the level of Financial Security savings required in the MTFS and which supported the General Fund balances be noted.

 

12.      That the unavoidable growth pressures, as outlined in Paragraph 4.6.2 of the report, be noted and included in the budget setting process.

 

13.      That General Fund growth be only approved for the Council’s FTFC priorities and the growth allowance in the 2020/21 budget is £75,000, with growth above that level needing to be funded by further savings in  ...  view the full decision text for item 9.

10.

QUARTER 1 MONITORING REPORT 2020/21 (CAPITAL) - GENERAL FUND AND HOUSING REVENUE ACCOUNT pdf icon PDF 342 KB

To consider the Capital Monitoring Report (General Fund and Housing Revenue Account) for Quarter 1 of 2020/21.

Additional documents:

Decision:

The Executive considered a report in respect of the First Quarter Capital Programme General Fund and Housing Revenue Account monitoring 2020/21.

 

It was RESOLVED:

 

1.          That the 2020/21 General Fund Capital Programme net decrease in expenditure of £1.4Million, as summarised in Table One, Paragraph 4.1.1 of the report, be approved.

 

2.          That the General Fund net increase (arising from slippage) of capital expenditure of £1.6Million in 2021/22, also as summarised in Table One, Paragraph 4.1.1 of the report, be approved.

 

3.          That the net decrease of £750,000 in the capital expenditure for the Housing Revenue Account, as summarised in Table Five, Paragraph 4.3.1 of the report, be noted.

 

4.          That the net decrease (arising from slippage) of £10.9Million in the capital expenditure for the 2021/22 Housing Revenue Account, also as summarised in Table Five, Paragraph 4.3.1 of the report, be noted.

 

Reason for Decision:  As contained in report.

Other Options considered:  As contained in report.

11.

URGENT PART I BUSINESS

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

Decision:

The Chair had accepted an urgent item of business in respect of the Council’s request for a Stevenage Car Cruising Injunction.

 

The Chief Executive reported that the Court had granted an Interim Injunction preventing car cruising throughout the whole of the Borough.  The Injunction had been granted on an interim basis to allow unnamed persons to attend a final hearing on the matter in due course.  Legal advice would be drawn up, in association with Hertfordshire Constabulary, regarding enforcement of the Injunction, and the decision would be communicated to the public.

12.

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

13.

PART II MINUTES - EXECUTIVE - 12 AUGUST 2020

To approve as a correct record the Part II Minutes of the meeting of the Executive held on 12 August 2020 for signature by the Chair.

Decision:

It was RESOLVED that the Part II Minutes of the meeting of the executive held on 12 August 2020 be approved as a correct record for signature by the Chair.

14.

LOCALITY REVIEW LAND AND SITE DISPOSAL REPORT

To consider a pipeline of site disposals identified as part of the Locality Ward Asset and Land Review to support the funding of the Capital Strategy and reduce the revenue contribution to capital from the General Fund.

Decision:

The Executive considered a Part II report recommending a pipeline of site disposals identified as part of the Locality Ward asset and land reviews, in order to support the funding of the Capital Strategy and reduce the Revenue contribution to Capital from the General Fund.

 

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.

15.

URGENT PART II BUSINESS

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

Decision:

None.