Agenda

to approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meetings of the Council on 16 July and Special Council held on 24 July 2025.

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

None received.

None received.

In accordance with Standing Orders, a written answer to the following question will be circulated on a supplementary agenda:

How does the council plan to encourage young people to vote and educate themselves on the significance of voting, taking into account that the voting age is due to drop?

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.

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

In accordance with Standing Orders, the following motions have been received for consideration:

(1) Establishing a Lasting and Sustainable Commitment to Age Friendly Communities and Dementia-Friendly Action in Stevenage

To be moved by Councillor Myla Arceno

This Council recognises the rising prevalence of dementia in Stevenage and Hertfordshire, and the profound impact on people, families, and the wider community. We affirm the need for an inclusive borough where people with dementia are understood, respected, and supported to live well. Around 1,100 residents aged 65+ in Stevenage live with dementia—higher than many other Hertfordshire districts*.

Older adults in Stevenage face above-average emergency admissions for falls and frailty, straining health and care services. Women’s life expectancy is below the national average, and the gap between the most and least deprived men is 4.8 years. Nearly 40% of older adults with severe frailty, dementia, or end-of-life needs live in the town’s most deprived areas, highlighting the link between deprivation and poor health.

Stevenage Borough Council (SBC) is committed to the following services and initiatives:

• Community Support Service: For council tenants aged 55+, offering regular contact, emergency help, and support accessing care and social activities. Independent living schemes and “Extra Care” housing provide safe, supported environments.

• Housing for Older People Strategy (2020–2030): Joint work with HCC to ensure suitable housing options for ageing residents.

• Care Connect: A 24/7 personal alarm and response service run by SBC.

• Dementia-Friendly Status: Achieved in 2023, with ongoing review by the Alzheimer’s Society and partnership work through Healthy Stevenage and the Dementia Sub-Group. SBC co-produced a booklet of dementia-friendly activities.

• Age-Friendly Recognition: Stevenage is nationally recognised as an Age-Friendly Community, with health, leisure, and social opportunities delivered in partnership to reduce isolation and promote active ageing.

Council Resolves:

To build on this foundation and maintain Stevenage’s Age-Friendly and Dementia-Friendly status, the Council commits to:

1. Dementia Training: dementia awareness training to be added to mandatory training for all SBC staff and elected members to support inclusive service delivery.

2. Annual Awareness Event: Host a public Dementia-Friendly Stevenage and International Day for Older People event with partners and carers, aligned with Age-Friendly work to promote awareness and celebrate progress.

3. Ongoing Accreditation: Work with the Alzheimer’s Society and stakeholders to ensure council and partner premises pursue dementia-friendly accreditation. Maintain registration with the Centre for Better Aging.

4. Inclusive Design: Ensure all council-led developments incorporate dementia- and age-friendly design principles—clear signage, accessible layouts, appropriate lighting, and calm public spaces.

5. Transport and Business Engagement: Require all licensed taxi and private hire drivers to complete dementia awareness training. Encourage local businesses to gain Age and Dementia-Friendly accreditation.

6. Action Plan: Co-produce a Stevenage Age-Friendly and Dementia-Friendly Action Plan with businesses and community stakeholders, setting clear goals and measures of success.

7. Continue Key Services: Maintain the Housing Strategy, Community Support Service, health and wellbeing initiatives, and Care Connect 24/7.

With this motion, the Council reaffirms  ...  view the full agenda text for item 10.

in accordance with Standing Orders, written answers to the following questions will be circulated on a supplementary agenda.

(A)         Question from Councillor Peter Wilkins

Does the council have a strategy to limit or manage the number and siting of HMO’s (Houses in Multiple Occupation.)  For private development and for use by the public sector?

(B)         Question from Councillor Phil Bibby

Would the Cabinet Member please inform us as to what sporting and leisure activities, currently provided by the Leisure Centre, will not be accommodated within the planned new Leisure Centre, and how many residents will be affected?

(C)         Question from Councillor Robin Parker

Reference the charges for routine domestic garage forecourt maintenance which SBC introduced, please let me know:

The start date of the charges; the reason why the charges were introduced and which cabinet member(s) or committee made the decision to introduce them; whether tenants and owner occupiers pay the same; the way the charges are collected; the percentage collection rate for (a) tenants (b) owner occupiers; the action taken against (a) tenants and (b) owner occupiers, who fail or refuse to pay the charges; the process by which (a) tenants and (b) owner occupiers know for certain that the work that they have paid for has in fact been done; and what physical checking and monitoring there is to make sure that the work paid for has been done.

(D)         Question from Councillor Stephen Booth

Can you please inform Council when the current IT system used by councillors, involving Microsoft Outlook and Civica’s ModGov application, will be improved? Will councillors be consulted ahead of changes?

(E)         Question from Councillor Andy McGuinness

What is the cleaning regime for high foot fall destinations like neighbourhood and shopping areas across the Town?

To seek Council’s approval, in accordance with section 85(1) of the Local Government Act 1972, of Councillor Barr’s non-attendance at meetings of the Council for a further period of 6 months.

To approve the Annual Treasury Management Report for 2024/25

To note the Minutes of the meeting of the Audit Committee held on 3 September 2025.

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.

To consider the approval of the funding to deliver the Council’s new Stevenage Sports and Leisure Centre.