Agenda and decisions

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillor Richard Henry (Chair).

There were no declarations of interest.

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Executive held on 8 February 2023 for signature by the Chair.

It was RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting of the Executive held on 8 February 2023 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 –

Environment & Economy Select Committee – 17 January 2023

Overview & Scrutiny Committee – 24 January 2023

Overview & Scrutiny Committee – 14 February 2023

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

Environment & Economy Select Committee – 17 January 2023

Overview & Scrutiny Committee – 24 January 2023

Overview & Scrutiny Committee – 14 February 2023

To consider the Council’s performance across key priorities and themes for Quarter 3 2022/23 (Oct. – Dec. 2022), and an update on progress against the Cost of Living Action Plan and current strategic risks.

The Executive considered a report in respect of Corporate Performance for Quarter 3 of 2022/23.

It was RESOLVED:

1.          That the delivery of priorities which form the Future Town Future Council Programme (Appendix A to the report) and service performance across the key themes for Quarter Three 2022/23 (Appendix B to the report) be noted.

2.          That the strategic risk updates (Section 4.6 of the report) be noted.

3.          That the performance challenges in relation to housing voids (Section 4.4.5 of the report), customer services (Section 4.2.5 of the report) and human resources (Section 4.2.13 of the report) be noted, and the planned measures to improve performance be endorsed.

4.          That the Executive Action Tracker (Appendix C to the report) be noted.

Reason for Decision:  As contained in report.

Other Options considered:  As contained in report.

To consider the Third Quarter Revenue Monitoring report 2022/23 for the General Fund and Housing Revenue Account.

The Executive considered a report in respect of the Third Quarter Revenue Budget monitoring 2022/23 for the General Fund and Housing Revenue Account (HRA).

It was RESOLVED:

1.          That the 2022/23 Third Quarter projected net decrease in General Fund expenditure of £205,150 be approved.

2.          That it be noted that the cumulative changes made to the General Fund net budget remains within the £400,000 increase variation limit delegated to the Executive.

3.          That the changes to the 2023/24 General Fund budget of £12,000, as set out in Paragraph 4.1.5 of the report, be approved.

4.          That the 2022/23 Third Quarter projected net increase in Housing Revenue Account (HRA) expenditure of £157,730 be approved.

5.          That two virements from the HRA planned maintenance budgets to fund the works to void properties be approved, namely a virement of £250,000 from the decent homes budget and a second virement of £250,000 from the cyclical maintenance budget, as set out in Paragraph 4.4.4 of the report.

6.          That it be noted that the cumulative increases made to the HRA net budget remain within the £250,000 increase variation limit, delegated to the Executive, after the Council endorsed charges made in the January 2023 budget report.

Reason for Decision:  As contained in report.

Other Options considered:  As contained in report.

To consider the Third Quarter Capital Monitoring report 2022/23 for the General Fund and Housing Revenue Account.

The Executive considered a report in respect of the Third Quarter Capital Programme monitoring 2022/23 for the General Fund and Housing Revenue Account (HRA).

It was RESOLVED:

1.          That capital budget re-profiling of £9.006Million from 2022/23 to future years be approved.

2.          That an in year virement of £66,000 to reallocate unspent resources to the Deferred Works Reserve from underspends on vehicles within the SDS Capital Programme be approved.

3.          That an in year virement of £68,000 to reallocate unspent resources to the Deferred Works Reserve from underspends on the Finance & Estates Capital Programme be approved.

4.          That an in year virement of £10,000 to reallocate unspent resources to the Deferred Works Reserve from underspends on the Communities & Neighbourhoods Capital Programme be approved.

5.          That capital budget re-profiling of £12.781Million from 2023/24 to future years 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.

Zero Emission Bus Scheme

At the Leader’s request in advance of the meeting, the Chair invited the Executive Portfolio Holder for Economy, Enterprise & Transport to provide an update on the Zero Emission Bus Scheme.  He conveyed the very challenging news that Arriva had opted not to progress with the Zero Emission bus scheme in Stevenage. 

The Portfolio Holder advised that the Council had been recently notified, by Hertfordshire County Council (HCC), that Arriva planned to withdraw from the Government-funded Zero Emissions Bus programme.  This was very difficult news for the town, local commuters, and those of Members and officers of the Council who had been working very hard to tackle the climate crisis. 

The Portfolio Holder reminded Members that the Government had awarded funding to the HCC and Arriva partnership in March 2022, as one of 12 areas that could bring forward electric or hydrogen buses.  Nationally, this was intended to deliver 943 zero emission buses, from a national fund of £196M.  For Stevenage, this would have meant 27 new, electric, modern and state of the art buses.  At the time, this investment was greatly welcomed by the Council as, with a first-rate new bus interchange and new buses, there was an outstanding opportunity to help tackle climate change, and provide the high quality public transport that local people deserved. 

The Portfolio Holder commented that this followed news from Milton Keynes at the end of 2022, where Arriva had pulled out of the electric bus funding programme planned there too.

The Portfolio Holder stated that the Council was led to believe that lower than expected passenger numbers had made it difficult for Arriva to justify their business case of match funding the Government’s investment.  Without question it was a very challenging time for local buses.  While the overall number of journeys that people made was starting to recover to the 2020 level, it was reported that there had been a slower return of passenger numbers for some local buses, as well as the train network.

The Portfolio Holder was of the view that a good, well-functioning bus network was vital for the town’s economy.  Indeed, around half of all public transport trips were made on buses.  In Stevenage there had been some very difficult impacts, including too few drivers, disruption and delay to bus services.  The Council offered its support to local bus drivers who were doing a great job keeping the town on the move.  However, it was also clear that the country, and Stevenage, needed a properly funded bus strategy.  Without investment into new, climate friendly, and regular buses, a difficult future was envisaged.  It was vital the Government learnt lessons from this zero emissions programme, recognised the damage caused by a lack of drivers and funding, and came up with a long-term plan to protect and improve buses. 

The Portfolio Holder advised that officers were engaging with HCC, who had led this bid, to help consider if there were any solutions or routes forward.

The Executive was  ...  view the full decision text for item 7.

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 consider an opportunity to develop a programme to support youth skills investment in Stevenage in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) sector.

The Executive considered a Part II report in respect of youth skills investment in Stevenage, and seeking agreement for the Council to act as the accountable body for a programme to support disadvantaged and under-represented young people in the town to consider and potentially secure careers in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) sector.

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.

To consider proposals for improving the Council’s Affordable Older Person Housing stock.

The Executive considered a Part II report in respect of a new supply and management of the Council’s Affordable Older Persons Housing Stock.

It was RESOLVED that the recommendations contained in the report, together with an additional recommendation circulated at the meeting, be approved.

Reason for Decision:  As contained in report.

Other Options considered:  As contained in report.

To consider a proposal for the acquisition of land and the appointment of a contractor for the development of a site in Bandley Hill Ward.

The Executive considered a Part II report seeking approval for the acquisition of land and appointment of a contractor for the development of a site in Bandley Hill Ward.

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.

To consider a proposal for the disposal of surplus amenity land in Roebuck Ward, in order to generate a capital receipt for the Council.

The Executive considered a Part II report seeking approval for the disposal of surplus amenity land in Roebuck Ward, as identified in the Locality Review, to generate a capital receipt for the Council.

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.

To consider an overview of proposals for a new Life Sciences development on the site of the Forum shopping area in the town centre, and the commercial and legal position of the Council as landowner of the car park.

The Executive considered a Part II report providing an overview of proposals for a new Life Sciences development on the site of the Forum shopping area in the town centre, and the commercial and legal position of the Council as landowner of the car park.

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.

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

None.