Agenda for Council on Wednesday, 23 May 2018, 7.00pm

Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber. View directions

Contact: Fungai Nyamukapa 

Items
No. Item

1.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE AND DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors J Gardner, M Gardner, E Harrington and A Webb.

 

There were no declarations of interest.

 

 

 

2.

MINUTES - WEDNESDAY 28 FEBRUARY 2018 pdf icon PDF 90 KB

To approve as a correct record, the attached Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on Wednesday 28 February 2018 for signature by the Mayor.

 

Minutes attached

Minutes:

It was RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Council meeting of 24 February 2018 are approved as a correct record and signed by the Mayor.

 

At this juncture, the outgoing Mayor informed Members that serving as a Mayor of Stevenage had been a privilege. She had carried out over 257 engagements and had met hardworking and supportive residents. Councillor Pam Stuart indicated that she was pleased to have raised the profile of her two charities - Homestart and the Betty Game Opportunities Trust. 

 

The other highlights of the year were:

           Meeting the Irish Network and ‘Give Back to Stevenage’ groups

           Visit to the twin town of Ingelheim in Germany

           Attending the enthroning of the first Coptic Orthodox Archbishop of the new Diocese of London, His Eminence Archbishop Angaelos

           Attending the Holocaust Memorial Day in late January

           Attending the installation ceremony for the new Lord Lieutenant and the High Sheriff's Justice Service at St Albans Abbey

           Civic celebration of Stevenage at Marriotts School

 

The outgoing Mayor thanked her consort (Tony), her daughters (Amanda and Kyrstin), Tracey Frost (Mayor’s PA) and friends for their support.

 

The Leader of the Council thanked the outgoing Mayor for her two terms as Mayor and 28 years of service on the Council. Councillor Robin Parker CC expressed gratitude for Councillor Stuart’s long service to the community.

3.

ELECTION OF MAYOR

To elect the Mayor for the Municipal Year 2018/19.

Minutes:

The Mayor asked for nominations for the Office of Mayor for 2018/19.

 

Councillor S Taylor OBE CC nominated Councillor M Notley for the Office of Mayor.

 

The nomination was seconded by Councillor P Bibby CC.

 

There being no other nominations a vote was taken and it was RESOLVED that Councillor M Notley be elected as Mayor for the 2018/19 Municipal Year.

Councillor Notley then made the statutory declaration of office.

 

Councillors S Taylor OBE CC, J Fraser and R Parker CC welcomed the new Mayor.

 

The Mayor announced that Councillor Laurie Chester would be the Mayoress for 2018/19. She also announced that her charities for the year would be Carers in Hertfordshire, Tracks Autism and Stevenage District Scouts.

4.

ELECTION OF DEPUTY MAYOR

To elect the Deputy Mayor for the Municipal Year 2018/19.

Minutes:

It was moved and seconded that Councillor S Speller be appointed as Deputy Mayor for the 2018/19 Municipal Year.

 

There being no other nominations a vote was taken and it was RESOLVED that Councillor S Speller be appointed Deputy Mayor for the 2018/19 Municipal Year.

 

Councillor Speller then made the statutory declaration of acceptance of office.

The Deputy Mayor announced that Bridy Speller would be his Deputy Mayoress for the 2018/19 Municipal Year.

5.

APPOINTMENT OF YOUTH MAYOR

To appoint a Youth Mayor for 2018/19, as nominated by the Stevenage Youth Council.

Minutes:

The Mayor thanked the outgoing Youth Mayor, Santino de Freitas, for his work as a representative for the young people of Stevenage and as an ambassador for the town.

 

Santino de Freitas then made a short speech in which he said that he had enjoyed his time as Youth Mayor. The outgoing Youth Mayor informed Members that highlights of his term included a visit to the twin town of Ingelheim and initiatives to raise mental health awareness among young people. He thanked those that had helped him throughout the year and concluded by saying that he had been impressed by the levels of contribution by young people to issues that affected them.

 

Councillor Richard Henry thanked the outgoing Youth Mayor for his work. He informed Members that he was proud that Stevenage had an active Youth Council and had appointed Youth Mayors for the past six years. The Leader congratulated the Youth Council for organising the Youth Mayor elections. Members were informed that Stevenage was the only authority in Hertfordshire that had a Youth Mayor. 

 

Council was informed that following an election the Youth Council had nominated Ugonna Umunnakwe as the 2018/2019 Youth Mayor.

 

It was moved, seconded and RESOLVED that Ugonna Umunnakwe be elected as Youth Mayor for the 2018/2019 Municipal Year.

 

In his acceptance speech the Youth Mayor stated that he was grateful to be offered the opportunity to represent the young people of the town and he thanked those that had supported him during his campaign. He added that he would focus on education, crime prevention awareness and enabling young people to make informed decisions.

6.

BOROUGH COUNCIL ELECTIONS 2018 pdf icon PDF 105 KB

To advise Council of the results of the Borough Council Elections in Bandley Hill, Bedwell, Chells, Longmeadow, Manor, Martins Wood, Old Town, Pin Green, Roebuck, St. Nicholas, Shephall, Symonds Green and Woodfield Wards held on 3 May 2018 together with the percentage turnouts.

 

Report attached

 

Minutes:

Council considered a report that detailed the results of the Borough Council Elections that were held on 3 May 2018.

 

The Leader and Councillor R Parker CC thanked Scott Crudgington, Luke Fattorusso and the staff involved in the elections and welcomed new and re-elected Councillors to the Chamber.

 

It was moved, seconded and RESOLVED that the results of the Stevenage Borough Council Elections 2018 be noted.

7.

APPOINTMENT OF LEADER AND DEPUTY LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION

To note the appointment of the Leader and Deputy Leader of the Opposition for the Municipal Year 2018/19.

Minutes:

The Chief Executive advised the Council that the Leader of the Opposition would be Councillor J Fraser and that Councillor P Bibby CC would be his deputy.

8.

APPOINTMENT OF LEADERS AND DEPUTY LEADERS OF THE POLITICAL GROUPS ON THE COUNCIL

To note the appointment of the Leaders and Deputy Leaders of the Political Groups on the Council for the Municipal Year 2018/19.

Minutes:

The Chief Executive advised the Council that Councillors S Taylor OBE CC, J Fraser and R Parker CC had been appointed as Leaders of the Labour, Conservative and Liberal Democrat Groups respectively. It was noted that Councillors Mrs J Lloyd, P Bibby CC and A McGuinness would be Deputy Leaders of the Labour, Conservative and Liberal Democrat Groups respectively.

9.

CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES pdf icon PDF 120 KB

To consider various issues concerning the Council’s political management structure and the Constitution for 2018/2019.

 

Report attached

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Council had before it a report relating to the Member level decision making structure of the Council and the Council’s Constitution for the 2018/2019 Municipal Year which had been circulated on the Supplementary Agenda.

 

The Leader of the Council clarified that Reports of each Scrutiny Body would be submitted to the Council for noting only (paragraph 4.19) and reference to the Leader being having the opportunity to respond should be deleted.

 

It was moved, seconded and RESOLVED:

 

1.         That the Terms of Reference, as detailed in the appendices to this report; and the size and political composition to be agreed in accordance with the rules of proportionality, where appropriate, for 94 of the Committee places, be approved for the following bodies that form the non-Executive Member level decision making structure of the Council:

 

              Overview and Scrutiny Committee* (Appendix A) – 14 Members (9 Labour Group, 4 Conservative Group,  1 Liberal Democrat Group)

 

              Community Select Committee* (Appendix B) – 10 Members ( 7 Labour Group, 2 Conservative Group, 1 Liberal Democrat Group)

 

              Environment and Economy Select Committee* (Appendix C) – 11 Members (7 Labour Group, 3 Conservative Group, 1 Liberal Democrat Group)

 

              Planning & Development Committee* (Appendix D) – 13 Members (8 Labour Group, 4 Conservative Group, 1 Liberal Democrat Group)

 

              Licensing Committee (Appendix E) – 14 Members (8 Labour Group, 5 Conservative Group, 1 Liberal Democrat Group)

 

              General Purposes Committee* (Appendix F) – 14 Members (8 Labour Group,  5 Conservative Group, 1 Liberal Democrat Group)

 

              Appointments Committee* (Appendix G) -  8 Members (6 Labour Group, 1 Conservative Group, 1 Liberal Democrat Group)

 

              Standards Committee* (Appendix H) – 8 Members (6 Labour Group, 1 Conservative Group, 1 Liberal Democrat Group)

 

              Audit Committee* (Appendix I) – 8 Members (6 Labour Group, 1 Conservative Group, 1 Liberal Democrat Group) + 1 Co-opted non-elected member

 

              Statement of Accounts Committee* (Appendix J) – 8 Members (6 Labour Group, 1 Conservative Group, 1 Liberal Democrat Group)

 

*Indicates where those bodies covered by the rules of proportionality for the purposes of the Local Government (Committees and Political Groups), Regulations 1990 – total Committee places being 94

 

2.         That the composition of the Executive and the Portfolios, details of which to be circulated at the meeting, be noted.

 

3.         That the various Executive bodies appointed by the Leader, details of which to be circulated at the meeting be noted.  The relevant Terms of Reference for each body are shown at Appendix K.

 

4.         That Council approves the dates for Council meetings for the Municipal Year, as shown at paragraph 4.7 and notes the draft dates for other meetings as shown at Appendix L.

 

5.         That Council appoints 5 Members to the Housing Management Advisory Board (4 Majority Group, 1 Opposition Member).

 

6.         That it be noted that the Leader has given delegated authority to all Members regarding the spend of their £2,500 Local Community Budget and for the Youth Mayor’s £3,300 Youth Community Budget.

 

7.         That Council places  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

10.

APPOINTMENTS TO COMMITTEES OF THE COUNCIL pdf icon PDF 64 KB

A.     To appoint Members to the Standing Committees of Stevenage Borough Council for the Municipal Year 2018/19; and

 

B.     To appoint to the positions of Chair and Vice-Chair for each of those Committees.

 

DETAILS TO FOLLOW

 

Minutes:

Details of the individuals nominated to serve on each Committee had been circulated at the meeting.

 

It was moved, seconded and RESOLVED:

 

1. That the membership of Committees, together with the Chairs and Vice Chairs where detailed, are appointed for the 2018/19 Municipal Year as follows:

 

OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE

14 Members (9-4-1)

Councillors – L Martin-Haugh (Chair), P Bibby CC (Vice-Chair), S Barr, J Brown, M Downing, J Fraser, J Hanafin, M Gardner, L Kelly, J Mead, S Mead, A Mitchell CC, R Parker CC and S-J Potter

 

COMMUNITY SELECT COMMITTEE

10 Members (7-2-1):

Councillors – S Mead (Chair), A Mitchell CC (Vice-Chair), S Barr, J Brown, E Harrington, R Hearn, J Mead, S-J Potter, S Speller and T Wren

 

ENVIRONMENT AND ECONOMY SELECT COMMITTEE

11 Members (7-3-1):

Councillors – M Downing (Chair), M Hurst (Vice-Chair), L Briscoe, J Brown, D Cullen, J Fraser, L Kelly, A McGuinness, A Mitchell CC, S-J Potter and S Speller.

 

PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

13 Members (8-4-1)

Councillors – D Cullen (Chair), D Bainbridge, L Briscoe, L Chester, J Fraser, M Gardner, J Hanafin, E Harrington, L Kelly, G Lawrence, J Lloyd, M McKay and G Snell.

 

LICENSING COMMITTEE

14 Members (8-5-1)

Councillors – L Chester (Chair), D Bainbridge, S Barr, L Briscoe, M Downing, M Gardner, J Hanafin, R Hearn, M Hurst, E Harrington, G Lawrence, J Lloyd, M McKay and T Wren.

 

GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE

14 Members (8-5-1)

Councillors - L Chester (Chair), D Bainbridge, S Barr, L Briscoe, M Downing, M Gardner, J Hanafin, R Hearn, M Hurst, E Harrington, G Lawrence, J Lloyd, M McKay and T Wren.

 

APPOINTMENTS COMMITTEE

8 Members (6-1-1)

Councillors – S Taylor, OBE, CC (Chair), P Bibby CC, J Gardner, R Henry,           Mrs J Lloyd, M McKay, R Parker CC, and J Thomas.

 

STANDARDS COMMITTEE

8 Members (6-1-1)

Councillors – Mrs J Lloyd (Chairman), S Barr, P Bibby CC, J Lloyd, A McGuinness, M McKay, J Mead and S-J Potter. Independent Person who must be consulted on alleged breaches to the Code of Conduct - Dr. Robert Cawley – until July 2020.

 

AUDIT COMMITTEE

8 Elected Members (6 -1-1) + 1 Independent co-opted Member

Councillors – M McKay (Chair), H Burrell**, L Chester, D Cullen, J Gardner, G Lawrence, J Lloyd and G Snell. Vacancy - Independent, non-elected Member.

** - appointed after Annual Council

 

STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE

8 Members (6-1-1)

Councillors – Mrs J Lloyd (Chairman), P Bibby CC, R Henry, J Mead, S Mead, R Raynor, J Thomas and T Wren.

 

2. That 5 Members be appointed to the Housing Management Board as

agreed at Item 9, resolution 5, as follows:

5 Members (4 Majority Group, 1 Opposition Member)

Councillors – S Barr, P Bibby CC, L Kelly, L Martin-Haugh and S-J Potter.

11.

APPOINTMENTS TO OUTSIDE BODIES pdf icon PDF 54 KB

To appoint Council representatives onto various outside bodies for the Municipal Year 2018/19.

 

Schedule attached

Minutes:

Council considered the list of individuals nominated to serve on Outside Bodies which had been circulated at the meeting.

 

It was moved, seconded and RESOLVED that the following individuals are appointed to represent the Council on the various bodies detailed below for one year, unless otherwise stated.

 

COUNCIL FOR THE PROTECTION OF RURAL ENGLAND THE HERTFORDSHIRE SOCIETY - Portfolio Holder Environment and Regeneration

 

EAST OF ENGLAND LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION - The Leader of the Council

 

EAST OF ENGLAND REGIONAL PLANNING - Portfolio Holder Environment and Regeneration

 

HCC JOINT WASTE MANAGEMENT GROUP - Portfolio Holder Environment and Regeneration

 

HERTFORDSHIRE INFRASTRUCTURE PLANNING AND POLICY GROUP - Portfolio Holder Environment and Regeneration

 

HERTFORDSHIRE LOCAL AUTHORITIES LEADERS GROUP - The Leader of the Council

 

HERTFORDSHIRE SUPPORTING PEOPLE COMMISSIONING BODY MEMBERS OVERVIEW GROUP - Portfolio Holder Housing, Health and Older People

 

HERTFORDSHIRE SUSTAINABILITY FORUM STEERING GROUP - Portfolio Holder Environment and Regeneration

 

LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION - The Leader of the Council

 

RESPONSIBLE AUTHORITY GROUP (COMMUNITY SAFETY) - Portfolio Holder Safer Communities, Older People and Health

 

SOSTEVENAGE PARTNERSHIP - The Leader of the Council and Deputy Leader

 

STEVENAGE COMMUNITY SAFETY PARTNERSHIP - Portfolio Holder Communities (including Safer Communities) and Equalities

 

STEVENAGE LEISURE LIMITED (OBSERVER) - The Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder Children Young People and Leisure

 

AGE CONCERN STEVENAGE - Councillor J Lloyd

 

BEDWELL COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION - Councillor L Harrington

 

BRAGBURY CENTRE - Councillor J Lloyd

 

CHELLS MANOR COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION - Councillor A McGuiness

 

DOUGLAS DRIVE SENIOR CITIZENS ASSOCIATION - Councillor J Lloyd

 

HOME-START STEVENAGE - Councillor J Gardner

 

KADOMA LINK ASSOCIATION – Councillors J Gardner and G Snell

 

LIVING ROOM PROJECT  - Councillor J Hollywell

 

OLD STEVENAGE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION – Councillor J Brown

 

OVAL COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION - Councillor L Briscoe 

 

PIN GREEN COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION – Councillor J Thomas

 

SHEPHALL COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION - Councillor J Mead

 

ST NICHOLAS COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION – Councillor S Barr

 

STEVENAGE WOMEN'S RESOURCE CENTRE -Councillor            Mrs J Lloyd

 

STEVENAGE CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU – Councillor R Raynor

 

STEVENAGE COMMUNITY TRUST – Councillors R Henry and J Mead

 

STEVENAGE CREDIT UNION LIMITED - Councillor L Chester

 

STEVENAGE FURNITURE RECYCLING SCHEME - Councillor S-J Potter

 

STEVENAGE HAVEN - Councillor R Broom

 

STEVENAGE/AUTUN/INGELHEIM ASSOCIATION - Councillor R Henry and           S Speller

 

STEVENAGE WORLD FORUM FOR ETHNIC COMMUNITIES - Councillor               J Gardner

 

SYMONDS GREEN COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION - Councillor L Chester

 

TIMEBRIDGE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION – Councillor J Hollywell

 

TURN THE TIDE – Councillor L Kelly

 

EAST OF ENGLAND LGA IMPROVEMENT AND EFFICIENCY PANEL – Councillor R Henry

 

HCC HEALTH SCRUTINY COMMITTEE - Councillor M McKay

 

LOCAL GOVERNMENT INFORMATION UNIT - Councillor M Downing

 

LUTON AIRPORT CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE - Councillor J Gardner

 

STEVENAGE CONSOLIDATED CHARITIES (FOUR YEAR PERIOD) - Councillors R Raynor (to 2020), C Latif (to 2020), M McKay (to 2021) and J Mead (to 2021).