Agenda and decisions

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor 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 14 July 2021 for signature by the Chair.

It was RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting of the Executive held on 14 July 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 –

Community Select Committee – 15 July 2021

Overview & Scrutiny Committee – 22 July 2021

In respect of the Minutes of the meeting of the Community Select Committee held on 15 July 2021, it was noted that henceforth formal minutes/notes should be taken of Portfolio Holder Advisory Group meetings; and that consideration be given to the introduction of an Action Tracker for Executive decisions (similar to the one operated by the Select Committee).

In relation to the Minutes of the meeting of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee held on 22 July 2021, and with regard to Agency Staffing, the Portfolio Holder for Resources undertook to provide Members with a Briefing Note explaining why some of the services areas where agency staff were employed (such as office cleaning) were not considered appropriate for the direct employment of staff.

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

Community Select Committee – 15 July 2021

Overview & Scrutiny Committee – 22 July 2021

To consider an update on the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Executive considered 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 presentation:

·            In view of the lower Covid vaccination rates in Bedwell Ward, Officers were asked to feed back to the Local Resilience Forum the request that consideration be given to the establishment of a pop-in Vaccination Centre in that Ward, possibly in the Bedwell Community Centre;

·            Officers undertook to request the HCC Public Health Team for data regarding the numbers in Hertfordshire of those double-vaccinated who had subsequently contracted Covid-19;

·            It was noted that evidence had shown that the small peak in Covid infections had been attributable to the European Football Championships;

·            It was confirmed that the HCC Communications Team was working on a media campaign to re-assure pregnant women experiencing vaccine hesitancy, and that a Covid model was being developed by the HCC School Cell for the return to school in September; and

·            Officers were asked to enquire with HCC Public Health colleagues if there was likely to be any correlation between the current high level of Covid infections in Cambridge and any potential rise in infections in Stevenage.

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

To consider a proposed Transformation Programme aimed at improving customer satisfaction, increasing workforce productivity, and delivering savings to sustain services.

The Executive considered a report in respect of the proposed development of a Transformation Programme aimed at improving customer satisfaction, increasing workforce productivity and organisational resilience, while achieving the savings required by the Medium Term Financial Strategy.  This programme was a significant element of the new “Making Your Money Count” FTFC Programme.

The Leader stated that the Transformation agenda had been considered at an informal Executive meeting, and she offered the opportunity for Opposition Groups to be similarly briefed by officers on the proposed approach outlined in the report if they wished to be.

The Leader was supportive of the move towards paperless Committee meetings, and advised that there would be some training for early adopters in late August, followed thereafter by a roll out to other Members.

In response to a Member’s question, the Chief Executive confirmed that a balance had to be struck between efforts to increase staff productivity and improve customers’ experience of the Council’s services.  He stated that there could not be a “one size fits all” approach to increased productivity/efficiency as the requirements would vary in each service area to reflect the activities undertaken.  However, he expected that the principles of the transformation process, as set out in the report, would apply across all Council services.

It was RESOLVED:

1.          That the Transformation Approach (set out in Sections 4.1 to 4.6 of the report) to improve customer experience, deliver increased productivity and ensure sustainability, be agreed.

2.          That it be noted that the Transformation Approach and underlying delivery programme is to be based on the Foundation Principles set out in sections 4.11 to 4.14 of the report, and that these Foundation Principles be approved.

3.          That a detailed business case and implementation plan be prepared for a first phase of transformation, and that it be noted that this will be brought forward for consideration and formal approval later in 2021/22.

Reason for Decision:  As contained in report.

Other Options considered:  As contained in report.

To consider the 4^th Quarter Revenue Monitoring Report for 2020/21 in respect of the General Fund and Housing Revenue Account.

REPORT TO FOLLOW

The Executive considered a report in respect of the 4^th Quarter Revenue Monitoring for 2020/21 with regard to the General Fund and Housing Revenue Account.

In response to a question, the Strategic Director (CF) undertook to advise Members of a likely timescale for the Council’s receipt of the Hertfordshire Business Rates Pooling Gain monies.

The Leader expressed disappointment that the external audit of the Council’s Statement of Accounts for 2019/20 had not yet been completed by the statutory deadline.  The Leader also highlighted the need for the Council to finalise its accounts for 2020/21 in order that the External Auditors could undertake their audit.  The Strategic Director commented that the audit of the 2019/20 accounts should be completed in the next few weeks.  In respect of the 2020/21 accounts, it was intended that these would be completed in late August/early September 2021.  However, she confirmed that the external auditor had confirmed that they would not be carrying out the audit until November 2021.  She added that this would be challenging resource-wise, as SBC Finance staff would be concentrating on 2022/23 Budget setting work at the same time.

It was RESOLVED:

General Fund

1.          That, subject to the 2020/21 audit of the Statement of Accounts, the 2020/21 actual General Fund net expenditure of £10.152Million be noted.

2.          That General Fund carry forward requests totalling £1.162Million (as set out in Paragraph 4.5.1 of the report) be approved.

Housing Revenue Account (HRA)

3.          That, subject to the 2020/21 audit of the Statement of Accounts, the 2020/21 actual in-year HRA surplus of £5.580Million be noted.

4.          That HRA carry forward requests totalling £378,000 (as set out in Paragraph 4.11.1 of the report) be approved.

Reason for Decision:  As contained in report.

Other Options considered:  As contained in report.

To consider the Capital Programme 2020/21 expenditure outturn.

The Executive considered a report in respect of the 2020/21 Capital expenditure outturn.

It was RESOLVED:

1.          That, subject  to the completion of the 2020/21 external audit of accounts, the 2020/21 General Fund capital expenditure outturn  of £17.652Million (as summarised in Paragraph 4.1.1 of the report) be noted.

2.          That, subject to the completion of the 2020/21external audit of accounts, the 2020/21 Housing Revenue Account (HRA) capital expenditure outturn of £26.71Million (as summarised in Paragraph 4.4.1 of the report) be noted.

3.          That the funding applied to the 2020/21 General Fund capital programme, as summarised in Paragraph 4.2.1 of the report, be approved.

4.          That the funding applied to the 2020/21 HRA capital programme, as summarised in Paragraph 4.5.1 of the report, be approved.

5.          That the 2021/22 General Fund capital programme increase of £2.114Million, as set out in Paragraph 4.3.1 of the report, be approved.

6.          That the 2021/22 HRA capital programme increase of £1.288Million, as set out in Paragraph 4.6.1 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.

Potential County Deal

The Leader referred to webinars she had attended recently with various Government Ministers at which they were inviting County Councils to consider the development of County Deals.  This funding would provide counties and their respective Boroughs/Districts with the tools they needed to pilot new ideas, create jobs, drive growth and improve public services.  The Government had given County Councils the option of either submitting an early Expression of Interest on Friday, 13 August 2021 or waiting until the Levelling Up White Paper was published later in 2021.

The Leader advised that the Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) Leader had contacted the 10 Hertfordshire Borough/District Council Leaders to seek their views concerning HCC’s desire to submit an early Expression of Interest for a County Deal.

The Executive agreed with the Leader’s suggestion that HCC’s Expression of Interest be supported, but with the proviso that SBC would not be supportive of any proposal that promoted significant Local Government reform for Hertfordshire.

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 the proposed disposal of part of Marshgate Car Park for the delivery of a Life Sciences Centre.

The Executive considered a Part II report in respect of the proposed disposal of part of Marshgate Car Park for the delivery of a Life Sciences Centre.

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

Reason for Decision:  As contained in report.

Other Options considered:  As contained in report.

To consider the options available for the future development of Fairlands Valley Farmhouse.

The Executive considered a Part II report with regard to the options available for the future development of Fairlands Valley Farmhouse.

It was RESOLVED that the recommendations 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.