Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Sandra Barr, Leanne Brady and Nigel Williams.

There were no declarations of interest.

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 21 January 2026

It was RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Council Meeting held on 21 January 2025 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Mayor.

The Mayor then referred to a list of community events she had attended since the last meeting including:

·         104^th Birthday celebration for a Woodlands View Care Home resident;

·         The AGM of the Betty Gains Community Trust;

·         Holocaust Memorial Event;

·         Hitchin Priory Rotary Club and North Herts Music School Music Bursary;

·         Stevenage and North Herts Schools Writing Project Awards Ceremony;

·         National Apprenticeship Week Event; and

·         Mayor of Welwyn Hatfield Curry Night.

To approve the Council’s Final General Fund Budget 2026/27 and Capital Strategy for 2025/26 to 2029/30, and final proposals for the 2026/27 Council Tax and Council Tax Support Scheme.

Councillor Richard Henry, Leader of the Council, introduced the proposed 2026/2027 General Fund Budget and Capital Strategy 2025/26 – 2029/30, together with final proposals for the 2026/27 Council Tax.  In his introduction, Councillor Henry was pleased to announce that for 2026/27, the Council would be setting another balanced budget and was able to put additional money aside for the future thanks, in part, to the Government’s changes to how Local Authorities were funded through the Fair Funding Review.

The Leader then shared several highlights, achievements and initiatives which had been delivered including:

·         The launch of Claxton House, in partnership with Mace, formerly known as Swingate House which would deliver 261 new homes and a ground floor commercial unit;

·         Joint working with North Hertfordshire college to provide a construction training facility in the old indoor market building;

·         The Station Gateway major regeneration project which would provide a new front door to Stevenage through the provision of new amenities including high-quality housing and workspaces, improved transport, green infrastructure, and local amenities;

·         A new £45 million, state-of-the-art Sport and Leisure Hub featuring a 25-metre pool, studios, gym, watersplash facility and café;

·         the biggest change for the Council and other councils in Hertfordshire wasLocal Government Reorganisation (LGR), a major plan to replace Hertfordshire’s current two-tier system of 11 councils with single tier unitary authorities.

Councillor Jeannette Thomas, Deputy Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Resources and Performance then moved the motion, including the recommendations regarding the General Fund Budget 2026/27 and Capital Strategy 2025/26 – 2029/30 and the formal Council Tax Resolution, which had been circulated to Members.   She advised that she was proud to be presenting a balanced budget for next year with no cuts to services.

Councillor Thomas then highlighted the following points:

·         The latest Residents Survey showed a marked improvement in satisfaction with how the council was run, rising from 62% in 2021 to 68%—which was 12 percentage points above the most recent Local Government Association (LGA) benchmark;

·         The Council had strengthened its green credentials by planting 4,500 new trees, with the newly created woodland areas supporting the Climate Change initiative. Further improvements were planned across the town, including increased investment in hedgerow pruning to enhance the visual quality of neighbourhood environments;

·         A new, separate, weekly food waste collection service would shortly be launched across Stevenage.  Flats that currently had shared communal bins for refuse and recycling would receive a shared wheely bin for food waste and all flats would receive an individual kitchen caddy;

·         The Council launched its apprenticeship opportunities through the Stevenage Even Better Futures programme, designed for school leavers, those seeking a career change, and residents of all ages.  Over 200 residents had applied for a career development opportunity.

·        Residents would be supported through additional discretionary housing payments and support for those struggling to pay their council tax short term;

·         This year’s budget had given the opportunity to make improvements to the Gordon Craig Theatre – Lighting and carpeting;

·         An increase to the financial support  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

To consider the Treasury Management Strategy 2026/27, including its Annual Investment Strategy, Prudential Indicators and Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) policy following considerations from Audit and Cabinet committees.

The Council considered a report in respect of the Annual Treasury Management Strategy 2026/27, including its Annual Investment Strategy, Prudential Indicators and Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Policy following consideration by the Audit Committee and Cabinet.

It was moved, seconded and RESOLVED that the Treasury Management Strategy 2026/27 be approved.

To approve a Members’ Allowances Scheme for 2026/27.

The Council considered a report in respect of the Members’ Allowances Scheme for 2026/27.

It was moved, seconded and RESOLVED that the Members’ Allowances Scheme for 2026/27, as set out in Appendix A to the report, be agreed.

To approve the Council’s Pay Policy Statement for financial year 2026/27.

The Council considered a report in respect of the Pay Policy Statement for the financial year 2026/27.

It was moved, seconded and RESOLVED:

1.    That the Pay Policy Statement set out in accordance with the Localism Act 2011 and the Local Government Transparency Code 2015, as attached at Appendix 1 to the report, be approved.

2.    That the pay policy statement be placed on the Council’s website once approved.

To note the decision(s) taken by the Cabinet in accordance with the Special Urgency provisions of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012.

The Council considered a report advising of decision(s) taken by the Cabinet in accordance with the Special Urgency provisions of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012.

The Chief Executive advised Council that whilst the requirement to report on this was a procedural matter, on 16 February the Leaders of those respective Councils were notified by the Secretary of the State that he would be withdrawing his decision to postpone local government elections on 7 May.  On that basis, and as Returning Officer, the Chief Executive confirmed that the Council was fully preparing to administer the scheduled Council elections on 7 May.

A Member noted that the reference in the report to the “postponement” of elections was incorrect, as the proposal would have resulted in a cancellation rather than a postponement.

It was moved, seconded and RESOLVED that the report be noted.