Agenda and decisions

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors D Cullen, M Gardner, G Lawrence, L. Martin-Haugh and G. Snell.

Councillor S-J Potter made a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in respect of Items 4 – Main Debate and 9 – Notice of Motions, as she worked for Virgin Trains and was a Member of TSSA (the railway union) and her husband worked for Govia Thameslink Railways.

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the Annual meeting of Council held on 23 May 2018 for signature by the Mayor.

Minutes attached.

It was RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Council meeting of 23 May 2018 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Mayor, subject to the correction of a typographical error in Item 2 – Minutes – second paragraph, third line, which should read “Mayor” instead of “Councillor Pam Stuart”.

To receive any communications that the Mayor may wish to put before Council.

The Mayor announced that sadly Rev Michael Banks, a former Director of Leisure Services and Chief Executive of the Council had passed away earlier this month.  The Mayor was sure that all Members that knew him would wish to join her in sending condolences to his family.

At the Mayor’s request, the Portfolio Holder for Communities, Community Safety and Equalities was delighted to inform the Council that the Stevenage Against Domestic Abuse (SADA) Forum were announced National Winners from Community Action at the Tenant  Participation Advisory Awards held on 12 July 2018.  The Mayor presented the Award to Team Members Sarah Pateman and Tania Stokes.

The Mayor informed the meeting that since the last meeting, the Mayoral Team had attended 48 engagements, and she referred to a number of highlights, including the Town Twinning visit to Autun, Stevenage Day, the Cycle Race and a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace.

The Mayor reminded Members that she would be holding her first Charities fund raising event, a Garden Party in the Stevenage Scout Hut Garden in The Poplars on Sunday, 2 September 2018.  She hoped as many Members as possible would be able to attend.

The Mayor wished to highlight the work of her three chosen Charities.  The Council received presentations from Michelle Stokes (Carers in Hertfordshire), Mervyn Terrett (TRACKS Autism) and Amber Hunter and Dean Vaughan (Stevenage Scouts).

To receive a presentation on the development of an Integrated Transport Strategy.

In accordance with her Disclosable Pecuniary Interest made at the commencement of the meeting, Councillor S-J Potter withdrew from the meeting for the duration of this item.

The Council received a presentation from the Portfolio Holder for Economy, Enterprise and Transport (Councillor Ralph Raynor), County Councillor Derrick Ashley and Rebecca Cox (Living Streets) on “Connected Stevenage – An Integrated Transport Strategy”.

In response to an issue raised by a Member, the Portfolio Holder for Economy, Enterprise and Transport undertook to provide a written response on the current position on the idea of extending the Old Town High Street into the New Town.

After a full debate, it was moved, seconded and RESOLVED that

Stevenage Borough Council work with residents, businesses and partners to develop and agree asustainable transport vision for Stevenage leading to the preparation of an Integrated Transport Strategy, connecting residents and businesses with a range of opportunities, and working cooperatively with communities across all neighbourhoods to create living streets that local people can enjoy.  Stevenage has a proud history, and the creation of the New Town incorporated sustainable infrastructure in the form of dedicated cycle tracks, a network of local bus routes, streets and squares for residents to enjoy.  We will work together with partners to make the most of the outstanding connectivity that has been so important to the success of the town.   This Vision will be supported by an action plan and funding strategy, to attract external funding to benefit the economy of the town and bring real benefits to Stevenage people.

None

None received.

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None received.

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None received.

In accordance with the Council’s Standing Orders, the Leader of the Opposition shall be given the opportunity to raise one matter relevant to the Borough that has arisen since the last meeting of the Council. The Leader of the Council shall then have the opportunity to advise the Council of matters relevant to the Borough that have arisen since the last meeting.

The Leader of the Opposition referred to what he considered to be the baffling process for the distribution of Section 106 monies.  At a time when funds for public amenity improvement schemes were limited, he failed to understand why the use of Section 106 monies were subject to such restrictions.

In response, the Leader of the Council agreed that the Section 106 process could be confusing, and felt that the Council should be more specific in its intent for the use of Section 106 monies.  The Planning Team would therefore be requested to provide a response to the issue in writing to all Members of the Council.

The Council then received updates on the following:

·         Town Twinning Visit

·         Stevenage Works

·         Shared Anti-Fraud Service

·         The Cycle Tour Series

·         Stevenage Day

·         Excellence in Public Health Award

·         HRA Borrowing Cap

·         Social Housing Green Paper

·         Town Centre Regeneration

·         Stevenage Local Plan

·         Green Flag Awards

To consider the following Motion submitted by Cllr S Taylor –

‘That this Council notes with increasing dismay the complete chaos and confusion caused to rail commuters by the failure to plan for, or implement properly, the new rail timetable.

Stevenage railway station is crucial to the town and local economy, with nearly 5m visits per year.   By Govia Thameslink Railway’s (GTR) own admission, nearly 20% of services have been cancelled since the new timetable came into effect.  No improvement has been achieved since the start of this episode, for example, for peak trains to London on Monday (9 July), 38% of trains were late or cancelled.  

The terrible impact this has had on people’s well-being, jobs, home life and child care/career arrangements cannot be overestimated. Nor can the impact on the frontline staff on our railways who have had to deal with the brunt of commuters confusion and stress when they bear no responsibility for the management failure that has caused them.

We now have yet another new timetable (15 July), across their GTR & Northern but with no reassurance that this will resolve the issues we have been enduring.’

We call on our MP, the Rail companies and the Secretary of State for Transport to meet immediately and take urgent steps to resolve this rail crisis.

In accordance with her Disclosable Pecuniary Interest made at the commencement of the meeting, Councillor S-J Potter withdrew from the meeting for the duration of this item.

An amended motion was tabled at the meeting.

After a full debate, it was moved, seconded and RESOLVED:

That this Council notes with increasing dismay the complete chaos and confusion caused to rail commuters by the failure to plan for, or implement properly, the new rail timetable.

Stevenage railway station is crucial to the town and local economy, with nearly 5m visits per year.   By Govia Thameslink Railways (GTR’s) own admission, nearly 20% of services have been cancelled since the new timetable came into effect.  No improvement has been achieved since the start of this episode, for example, for peak trains to London on Monday, 38% of trains were late or cancelled. 

The terrible impact this has had on people’s well-being, jobs, home life and child care/career arrangements cannot be overestimated. Nor can the impact on the frontline staff on our railways who have had to deal with the brunt of commuters confusion and stress when they bear no responsibility for the management failure that has caused them.

We now have yet another new timetable (15 July), across the GTR & Northern services but with no reassurance that this will resolve the issues we have been enduring.

We call on our MP, the Rail Operating companies, Network Rail and the Secretary of State for Transport to meet immediately and take urgent steps to resolve this rail crisis.

A.  Question from Cllr. A McGuinness

‘What are the Council’s plans to address the significant backlog in parking restriction and yellow line requests?’

B. Question from Cllr. R Parker C.C.

‘Why did SBC suffer unacceptable failures earlier this spring/summer with its grass cutting, resulting in many complaints from local residents, when other nearby local authorities did not, and what steps have been taken to make sure this failure is not repeated?’

C. Question from Cllr. G Snell

‘What assessment has the Council undertaken on the potential cost and benefits of introducing co-mingled dry household recycling and what plans are in place to increase recycling rates across Stevenage?’

D. Question from Cllr. T Wren

‘What assessment has been undertaken by the Council to ascertain the value of the introduction of Neighbourhood Wardens?’

Council received four questions.  Details of the draft responses given to the original questions are appended to this Summary of Decisions and responses given to the supplementary questions are set out below.

A         In response to a supplementary question regarding the employment of more Parking Enforcement Officers, the Portfolio Holder for Economy, Enterprise and Transport advised that consideration would be given in the near future to a new contract for parking enforcement and that Members would be advised once a new contract was let.

B         In response to a supplementary question as to action on the cases of junctions that had become dangerous due to difficulty with sight lines due to overgrown grass verges that had been reported but had not been addressed, the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Regeneration stated that he would arrange for the Assistant Director (Stevenage Direct Services) to provide a written reply on this matter.

C         In response to a supplementary question in respect of whether or not the Council had ever asked residents if they preferred co-mingled or separate waste bin collections, the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Regeneration commented that the Council complied with Waste Management Regulations which currently required local authorities to ensure that collections of waste paper, plastic, metal or glass were by way of separate collection arrangements.

D         In response to a supplementary question regarding whether or not there were any plans to extend the Neighbourhood Wardens scheme across the town, the Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhood and Co-operative Working advised that a fourth Warden would shortly be commencing employment with the Council and that it was a continued aspiration to extend the scheme to cover the whole town.

To receive updates from the Chairs of the Scrutiny Committees on the recent activities of those Committees.

The Chair of the Community Select Committee (Councillor S Mead) updated Council on the recent work of the Select Committee, and advised that the three recent meeting of the Committee had scrutinised the Resident Engagement review, the Stevenage Leisure Limited contract and the Voluntary and Community Sector review.

The Chair of the Environment and Economy Select Committee (Councillor M Downing) updated Council on the recent work of the Select Committee.  He commented that, whilst the work of the Committee in 2017/18 had been dominated by the scrutiny of the Indoor Market, the Work Programme for 2018/19 was more varied, and would continue with consideration of the Market Row toilets and public conveniences across the town.

To consider an officer report, attached as item 12 concerning the appointment of an Independent Person to serve on the Council’s Audit Committee.

Report attached

The Chair of the Audit Committee advised that satisfactory references had been received for the recommended appointee.

It was moved, seconded and RESOLVED that Mr Geoff Gibbs be appointed as the Council’s Independent Person for a term of four years.

The report attached as item 13 was considered by the Executive at its meeting on 4 April 2018 when the following recommendation to Council was agreed –

That Council be recommended to approve the 2018-2021 Community Safety Strategy as appended to this report.

Report & Appendix attached

It was moved, seconded and RESOLVED that the 2018/2021 Community Safety Strategy, as appended to the report, be approved.

To note the report from the three Scrutiny Committees on their activities for the 2017/2018 Municipal Year.

Report attached

It was moved, seconded and RESOLVED that the work undertaken by the Overview & Scrutiny Committee and the Select Committees during 2017/18 be noted.

To note the Minutes/draft Minutes of the Audit Committee meetings held on 28 March and 12 June 2018.

Minutes attached – Item 15

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.

It was moved, seconded and 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 involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as described in paragraphs 1 to 7 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act, as amended by SI 2006 No. 88.

2.      That having considered the reasons for the following item being in Part II, it be determined that maintaining the exemption from disclosure of the information contained therein outweighed the public interest in disclosure.

The Part II report attached as item 17 was considered by the Executive at its meeting on 13 March 2018.  The Executive agreed the recommendations contained therein and accordingly recommendations 2.2 and 2.3 of the Part II report are submitted for Council approval.

Report attached for Members – Item 17

The Part II report attached as item 18 was considered by the Executive at its meeting on 11 July 2018.  That meeting was informed the Council’s Financial Regulations require the expenditure element to be referred to Council for approval.  Accordingly Council is requested to approve recommendation 2.1. of the Part II report.

Report attached for Members – Item18

It was moved, seconded and RESOLVED that the recommendations in the report are approved.