Agenda and decisions

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillor Robin Parker CC (observer) and apologies for lateness from Councillor Jeannette Thomas.

At this juncture, the Chair welcomed new Executive Members Councillor Sandra Barr - Communities, Neighbourhoods and Co-operative Council and Councillor Simon Speller - Environment and Climate Change to the meeting.  She also thanked outgoing Executive Members, Councillors Rob Broom noting his significant efforts to bring the Co-operative Neighbourhood Programme to life and John Gardner for his work over many years on the Environment and Regeneration Portfolio.

There were no declarations of interest.

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meetings of the Executive held on 4 March 2022 and 16 March 2022 for signature by the Chair.

It was RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meetings of the Executive held on 4 March 2022 and 16 March 2022 be approved as correct records for signature by the Chair.

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

Overview & Scrutiny Committee – 10 March 2022

Community Select Committee – 16 March 2022

Overview & Scrutiny Committee – 22 March 2022

Environment & Economy Select Committee – 23 March 2022

Community Select Committee – 29 March 2022

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

Overview & Scrutiny Committee – 10 March 2022

Community Select Committee – 16 March 2022

Overview & Scrutiny Committee – 22 March 2022

Environment & Economy Select Committee – 23 March 2022

Community Select Committee – 29 March 2022

To consider and agree the Council’s key priorities and areas of focus for 2022/23, for inclusion in the Annual Report, and which form the basis of the corporate performance reporting for the year.

[REPORT TO FOLLOW]

The Executive considered a report seeking approval of the Council’s key priorities and areas of focus for 2022/23 for inclusion in the Annual Report, and which would form the basis of corporate performance reporting for the year.

Executive agreed that due to the on-going cost of living crisis, an Executive Member task force would be established to consider the implications for residents.  The Group’s findings would be reported back to Executive Members.

Members thanks were expressed towards those Council Departments, in particular the Communities and Neighbourhoods and the Stevenage Direct Services Teams, who had been instrumental in ensuring that Stevenage Day was hugely successful on 12 June 2022 following a 2 year break due to the Pandemic.

It was RESOLVED:

1.         That the proposed priorities for 2022/23, as set out in the report, be agreed.

2.         That these priorities be included in the Annual report for 2021/22, to be reported to the Executive in July 2022.

3.         That the priorities form the basis of the Future Town Future Council programme and inform the corporate performance suite for 2022/23, with progress against this being reported to the Executive on a quarterly basis.

4.         That a Cost of Living Task Force be established including The Leader of the Council and Executive Members Councillors, Barr, Briscoe, Henry and Thomas with a view to considering the implications of the crisis and reporting their findings back to the Executive

Reason for Decision:  As contained in report.

Other Options considered:  As contained in report.

To consider an update report on the Council’s Climate Change Strategy and initiatives.

The Executive considered a report providing an update on the Council’s Climate Change Strategy and initiatives.

Councillor Speller, Executive Member for Environment and Climate Change advised the meeting of his enthusiasm to collaborate with the Community, Officers, Members and also with young people to ensure that the work undertaken on engagement was effective.  He agreed that the next report to Executive on Climate Change should be delayed and brought to a later meeting to allow enough time for sufficient progress to be made.

Officers agreed to provide a written update to Members relating to the Additional Insulation Project and in particular clarification as to whether double or triple glazing should be installed in the social housing properties within the Scheme.

It was RESOLVED:

1.         That the report be noted.

2.         That further details on the community engagement and stakeholder relationships be received at the September 2022 Executive.

Reason for Decision:  As contained in report.

Other options considered:  As contained in report.

To consider the key announcements of relevance to local government in the Government’s legislative agenda for 2022/23, and the potential opportunities and implications for Stevenage.

The Executive considered a report regarding the key announcements of relevance to local government in the Government’s legislative agenda for 2022/23, and the potential opportunities and implications for Stevenage.

In response to a question, it was confirmed that there was no appetite at District or County Council level for a single Unitary Authority in Hertfordshire.

It was RESOLVED that the report be noted.

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.

Thanks were expressed to the Communities and Neighbourhhods Team for their work around the recent Jubilee events including the lighting of the Beacon in the Town Centre and the Picnic in the Park event in Fairlands Valley Park.

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

To approve as a correct record the Part II Minutes of the meeting of the Executive held on 16 March 2022 for signature by the Chair.

It was RESOLVED that the Part II Minutes of the meeting of the Executive held on 16 March 2022 be approved as a correct record for signature by the Chair.

To consider the proposed purchase of a strategic land opportunity for use as supported accommodation.

The Executive considered a Part II report in respect of the proposed purchase of a strategic land opportunity for use as supported accommodation.

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

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.