Agenda and decisions

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Sarah-Jane McDonough and Tom Wren.

There were no declarations of interest.

The Mayor invited the Chief Executive to outline the proposed process for voting at the meeting.

The Chief Executive reminded Members that the method of voting at the previous Council meeting was somewhat laborious.  With that in mind, an alternative method of voting had been identified that still allowed transparency, but which took less time.

The Chief Executive advised that the method proposed was that, when a vote was taken, the starting point would be to assume that everyone was voting for the motion or amendment.  If a Member or Members chose to vote against or abstain they would be asked to raise their virtual hands.  The number of votes and abstentions would be totalled and the outcome announced.  With this approach there would be no calling out of Members’ names.

The Chief Executive stated that to adopt this new voting method, Members needed to agree to suspend the relevant temporary Standing Order that was agreed at the previous Council meeting.

It was moved, seconded and (following a roll call) RESOLVED that temporary Standing Order 22 be suspended to allow the above revised method of voting, as outlined by the Chief Executive.

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Council held on 20 May 2020.

It was RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Council held on 20 May 2020 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair, subject to the addition in Minute 3 – Election of Mayor – of a paragraph at the end stating “A number of Members congratulated Councillor Brown on his appointment and wished him well in his forthcoming year of office”.

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

The Mayor wished his predecessor, Councillor Simon Speller, an early happy birthday, as he would be turning 70 on 16 July 2020.  Members joined the Mayor in sending Councillor Speller birthday wishes.

The Mayor advised that 2020 was the 125^th anniversary of an elected Council in Stevenage, a milestone which he felt should be recognised.

The Mayor stated that many events had been cancelled and fundraising opportunities lost as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.  Nevertheless, he, the Mayoress and Deputy Mayor had been involved in a number of activities (many of them virtual) since commencing his term of office, including:

·        Checking one of the Stevenage Cycling Festival routes – he hoped that it would be possible to hold some form of festival in August, even if virtually;

·        Helping with the launch of the Stevenage Museum’s 100 Favourite Objects project;

·        Joining the Youth Mayor and Portfolio Holder for Children, Young People, Leisure & Culture for the appearance of the Stevenage Day banner in King George V Playing Fields, in order to publicise the virtual Stevenage Day;

·        Supporting Bike Week (6 - 14 June 2020) – 85 local people had cycled (virtually) from Stevenage to San Francisco;

·        Supporting the Black Lives Matter event on 7 June 2020;

·        One of many lining the streets at the funeral of Bill Pilgrim, a well-known local activist who had been a trustee of the Stevenage Irish Network, Vice-Chair of Age Concern, and involved in numerous other local activities.  The Mayor also paid tribute to Alan Millard, a former Chairman of North Hertfordshire District Council and long-time photographer for the Comet newspaper, who had also passed away recently;

·        Helping out with a fundraising event at Stevenage Haven;

·        Visiting the Indoor Market to give the stallholders a boost;

·        Marking the 72^nd anniversary of the National Health Service;

·        Attending a photo call for the reopening of outdoor gyms and play areas;

·        Visiting the SG1 Radio station to witness a Stevenage resident break the indoor World Record time for an Iron Man Challenge;

·        Dropping in digitally on a Sport Stevenage Briefing and the Stevenage Sporting Futures Awards presentation; and

·        Visiting the Feed Up, Warm Up project (a local food bank project).

The Mayor concluded by advising that his chosen charities for the year would be the Stevenage Community Trust, Haven First, and Sport Stevenage.

There is no Main Debate.

There was no Main Debate.

None.

There were no petitions and deputations.

In accordance with Standing Orders, written responses to the following questions will be tabled at the Council meeting:

Questions from the Youth Council

(A)      “Are there any environmental projects planned which Stevenage Youth Council could be involved with?”

(B)      “As a Youth Council we have been having discussions around the Black Lives Matter movement, and we are interested to know if SBC is planning on running any projects on this and if we could be involved from a young person’s perspective?”

The Council received two questions from the Youth Council.  The responses to the two questions had been published in the supplementary agenda for the meeting.

In relation to Question 1, concerning environmental projects with which the Youth Council could be involved, the Youth Mayor asked the following supplementary question:

“Is there a Member/officer whom the Youth Council to speak to in more detail about assisting with projects within the Biodiversity Action Plan?”

The Portfolio Holder for Environment & Regeneration replied that if the Youth Council had particular proposals then he would ensure that they were considered by officers and reported back.  He or one of the officer team would be more than prepared to attend the next meeting of the Youth Council to discuss the matter.

In relation to Question 2, concerning Black Lives Matter (BLM), the Youth Mayor asked the following supplementary question:

“Could the Youth Council be directed to anyone in the Council who could assist them in the organisation of a peaceful demonstration in support of the BLM movement?”

The Portfolio Holder for Communities, Community Safety & Equalities suggested that, in the first instance, the Youth Council contact the Council’s Neighbourhoods & Communities Team for advice and assistance.

In accordance with Standing Orders, written answers to these questions will be tabled at the Council meeting.

(A)       Question from Tina Walker

“Transport is responsible for about 27% of all emissions. We need to find innovative ways to reduce the reliance on motorised vehicles. With this in mind Cycling UK Stevenage have formed a group looking at the provision for cycling and active travel in the town and we would like to ask whether cycling permeability and accessibility is to be properly built into all developments including the Town Centre and Forster Country that links up to the existing network within Stevenage and linking up to route 12 towards Letchworth and beyond; whether in every new planning proposal will the existing network be protected, and in line with your declaration of a climate emergency, priority will be given to enhancing the network with Cycling UK Stevenage being consulted/involved at the planning stage?”

(B)       Question from Councillor Richard Briers

“Over time the priority that the cycleways had (and should remain) over crossing minor side roads has been eroded. We need to reclaim our routes for active travel. Will cyclist priorities be reinstated as a matter of urgency at existing junctions and incorporated in future planning decisions? This should not need planning to correct priority issues at existing junctions.

Examples: Costco development and most of the other junctions on Gunnels Wood Road.”

(C)      Question from Loyd Davies

“I understand that responsibility for the maintenance of the Stevenage cycle track surfaces rests with HCC but in many locations, it is the hedgerow and surface vegetation that narrows the cycle-track and causes a hazard. In some places the usable surface has been reduced by more than half. Cycling UK Stevenage riders are using the network daily; we could assist you with identifying places that need attention.

Examples:

1.      The short spur link from the A602 down the hill to join the Gresley Way cycleway south of Ridlins Stadium is dangerous because going downhill you are forced onto the wrong side of the track.

2.      The cycle-track junction with Brittain Way on the north-east corner of the roundabout opposite Ken Brown Motors; here a tall hedge blocks more than half the cycleway and blocks the cyclists view of the road traffic and vice versa.

3.      Broadhall Way cycle way near Broadwater Crescent junction - vegetation on the surface narrows cycleway on a sloping section which is hazardous as cyclists coming uphill move across towards the path of oncoming cyclists descending at speed.

Will the frequency of hedgerow maintenance and surface vegetation clearance along the cycleway and footpath network be increased to ensure that cyclists can safely use the cycle-tracks, particularly while Social Distancing?”

The Council received three questions from the members of the public, all relating to cycling/cycleways in the Borough.  The responses to the three questions had been published in the supplementary agenda for the meeting.

In relation to Question 1, the questioner (Tina Walker) was present in the meeting, and asked the following supplementary question:

“Would it be possible for cyclists to be involved in the planning process before a decision was made about whether or not a planning application impacting on cycling/cycleways was suitable?”

The Portfolio Holder for Environment & Regeneration considered this to be a very reasonable request.  He felt that it would be possible for cycling representatives to meet with SBC Planning Officers as soon as a relevant planning application was submitted as part of the consultation process, in order to discuss pertinent cycling/cycleway issues.

In relation to Question 2, the questioner (Richard Briers) had been unable to attend the meeting, but had submitted the following supplementary question, which was read out by the Chief Executive:

“In respect of the cycleways at the Costco entrances, would it be possible for the layout and signals to be improved for cycling and other active travel?”

The Portfolio Holder for Environment & Regeneration replied that when the Costco planning application was considered, the views of the Highway Authority were paramount in reaching the decision.  Priority was, in fact, given to cyclists when they pressed the button on the traffic light columns.  At present there were no plans in place to change this method, which had been developed to support staff entering and exiting the site at different times, and thereby to alleviate potential queueing conditions inside the site or on the highway.  If UK Cycling had any alternative suggestions then they should submit these to the Highway Authority (Hertfordshire County Council).

The Portfolio Holder for Environment & Regeneration asked officers to provide Mr Briers with a written response to his supplementary question.

There was no supplementary question relating to Question 3.

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 asked the following question:

“Given that the Leader was quick to distance herself from the press comments about the possibility of issuing a s114 and potential bankruptcy, is she now embarrassed that Sir Keir Starmer has prompted similar inflammatory comments in a recent front page article in the Comet?”

The Leader of the Council replied that the article on the front page of the Comet had declared the Council bankrupt, which was not the case.  A s114 notice was a technical notice, issued by the Section 151 Officer if that officer felt that the Council would not meet its legal financial obligations to balance its books at the end of the financial year.  No such notice had been issued for SBC and, when asked the question by the Press, the Leader advised them of that fact, but stated that this did not mean that it would not happen if the financial position did not improve.

The Leader advised that prompt action was taken by SBC in revising its Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS), in order to address the difficult financial position.  She was of the opinion that the Council had found itself in this position due to the broken promise of the Government, who had advised Councils to do whatever was necessary to support their communities through the Covid-19 pandemic, and the Government would provide the funds to support them.  She wondered if the Leader of the Opposition should perhaps disassociate himself from that broken promise.

The Leader continued that the estimated cost for the Council during the Covid-19 crisis up to the end of July 2020 was £5.8Million, with only £928,000 received so far from the Government.  SBC had avoided cuts to services and had developed a clear financial plan via the revised June 2020 MTFS.  If the further promised Government funding did not materialise action would be taken in accordance with that agreed within the revised MTFS.  On 2 July 2020, the Government promised a new support package, but no details had materialised thus far, although the Government had asked for a fourth financial update return from the Council.

The Leader was of the view that Sir Keir Starmer was absolutely correct to point out the national funding gap in Council budgets of over £7.5Billion.  She added that the current situation puts jobs and services at risk, and had left the public with an uncertain future as to how their local councils would be able to manage.

The Council then received updates from the relevant Executive Portfolio Holders on the following matters:

·            Planning Committee and determinations;

·            People’s Orchards and Green Flag Awards;

·            Reopening the Town Centre and Supporting Business;

·            Housing Programme;

·            Healthy Stevenage Partnership;

·            Housing First: Response to Rough Sleepers;

·            Housing online;

·            Community Safety during COVID-19;

·            Environmental Health during COVID-19;

·            Leisure and Culture at the heart of our recovery;

·            Stevenage Covid Snake;

·            Stevenage Helps; and

·            Business and Council Tax support.

In response to an issue raised by the Leader of the Opposition regarding  ...  view the full decision text for item 8.

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

The Chair of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee reported that the Committee had held its first virtual meeting under the Local Authorities and Police and Crime Panels (Coronavirus) (Flexibility of Local Authority and Police and Crime Panel Meetings) Regulations 2020 on 17 June 2020.  Members of the Committee were encouraged to watch the broadcast of the Executive meeting and submit written questions in advance based on the Executive reports and discussion.  These questions were then circulated to the Strategic Leadership Team for written responses which were, in turn, circulated to the Committee Members before the meeting.  At the meeting, the questions were verbally raised by the relevant Member and the responses were provided by officers – it was hoped that this would help those viewing the virtual meeting to better understand the discussion and the supplementary questions raised.

The Chair of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee advised that a slightly different format had been used for the meeting of the Committee held on 14 July 2020, in that the answers to submitted questions were not provided to Members in advance, but were answered by officers at the meeting.  It was intended to continue this format until face to face meetings resumed.

The Chair of the Community Select Committee reported that there was no specific update to provide to Council on the work of both select committees, other than to state that it had not been possible to meet since the start of the lockdown because of the added strain on resources that this would cause.  However, it was intended to re-commence the activities of these Committees in September 2020.

(i)         Black Lives Matter

To consider the following motion submitted by the Labour Group.

“That Council notes with serious concern the death of George Floyd at the hands of police in America on 25th May 2020 and the systemic racism towards black people that continues to exist around the world.

Council also notes the disproportionate impact of Covid-19 on Black, Asian and minority ethnic people in the UK and that decisive action needs to be taken to mitigate these risks on sections of our community.

Council welcomes the decision to light the Clock Tower purple on 2nd June 2020 in commemoration of George Floyd’s unnecessary death and all those who have died because of racism in public life.

Council also welcomes the progress that has been made in Stevenage over a number of years to build community cohesion and strengthen the voice of those who are marginalised, but recognises that there is more we can and must do.

That Council resolves:

•         To stand in solidarity with black people in Stevenage, Britain and around the world.

•         To lobby government for immediate action to address the disproportionate impact of Covide-19 on Black, Asian and minority ethnic people in the UK including here in Hertfordshire where we will continue to work with our Director of Public Health on this issue.

•         To lobby government and the county council on racial inequality in education, including recruiting more black teachers and reforming the curriculum to fully reflect British history including the history of slavery empire and colonialism.

•         To ensure the Council’s HR and management policies fully meet the requirements for equalities, diversity and inclusion in the recruitment and career progression of all staff.

•         To establish wider community dialogue with BAME Community organisations to make clear recommendations to the Council and other public bodies of further actions required to tackle discrimination and reduce inequalities across the town.

•         To work with our partners in Stevenage Together to ensure we are all listening and engaging with our black community as we plan the future of our town together.”

(ii)       Primett Road Car Park

To consider the following motion submitted by Liberal Democrat Group.

“That in the interests of helping businesses in the Old Town, Primett Road Car Park should be made free to use for the first 3 hours, for an initial period of 6 months or until the former Waitrose building returns to retail use, whichever is the sooner.”

(i)         Black Lives Matter

Councillor Michelle Gardner moved and Councillor Jackie Hollywell seconded a motion (as set out in the agenda) in respect of Black Lives Matter.

The following amendment was moved by Councillor Stephen Booth and seconded by Councillor Robin Parker CC:

“Second paragraph:

Insert in line 2 after "minority ethnic" in brackets: "(BAME)"

Third paragraph:

Delete words in line 3: "in public life"

First bulleted point:

In first line delete word "black" and replace with "BAME"

Second bulleted point:

In second line delete words: "Black, Asian and minority ethnic" and replace with "BAME"

Fourth bulleted point:

At end of sentence add words "and that racial awareness and bias training is available to all staff in management and customer facing roles."

Sixth bulleted point:

In first line add after "we are" word "particularly". In second line delete word "black" and replace with "BAME"”

Following debate, and upon being put to the vote, the amendment was lost.

The following further amendment was moved by Councillor Phil Bibby CC and seconded by Councillor Adam Mitchell CC:

·            Bullet point 2 - Delete “'To lobby government for immediate action...”, and replace with “To recognize the actions being taken by the Government and County Council…”

·            Bullet point 3 - Delete “To lobby government and county council...”, and replace with “To recognize the actions being taken by the Government, County Council and Herts for Learning…”

Following debate, and upon being put to the vote, the amendment was lost.

Following further debate on the substantive motion, and upon it being put to the vote, it was RESOLVED:

“That Council notes with serious concern the death of George Floyd at the hands of police in America on 25th May 2020 and the systemic racism towards black people that continues to exist around the world.

Council also notes the disproportionate impact of Covid-19 on Black, Asian and minority ethnic people in the UK and that decisive action needs to be taken to mitigate these risks on sections of our community.

Council welcomes the decision to light the Clock Tower purple on 2nd June 2020 in commemoration of George Floyd’s unnecessary death and all those who have died because of racism in public life.

Council also welcomes the progress that has been made in Stevenage over a number of years to build community cohesion and strengthen the voice of those who are marginalised, but recognises that there is more we can and must do.

That Council resolves:

•            To stand in solidarity with black people in Stevenage, Britain and around the world.

•            To lobby government for immediate action to address the disproportionate impact of Covide-19 on Black, Asian and minority ethnic people in the UK including here in Hertfordshire where we will continue to work with our Director of Public Health on this issue.

•            To lobby government and the county council on racial inequality in education, including recruiting more black teachers and reforming the curriculum to fully reflect British history including  ...  view the full decision text for item 10.

In accordance with Standing Orders, written answers to the following questions will be tabled at the Council meeting:

(A)       Question from Councillor Doug Bainbridge

“How much money has been spent on “consultants” by the Council over the last 5 years.  Year by year?

(B)       Question from Councillor Andy McGuinness

“Given the impact on the ability to open facilities due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, what discussions has SBC had with Stevenage Leisure Limited about the need for additional support measures and what contingency plans are being developed by the Council in this regard to ensure the future sustainability of these invaluable leisure facilities?”

(C)      Question from Councillor Robin Parker CC

“When will SBC commit to fully functioning IT, e-mail and telephone services and what has been the cost of the many repeated failures in these since the start of 2019?”

(D)      Question from Councillor Graham Snell

“SBC has been without a website which is fit for purpose for at least 3 years, so what is the date when residents can expect the new website to be launched and how will this be communicated to residents?”

(E)       Question from Councillor Tom Wren

“Please can an explanation be given as to why 16 mature trees were felled at the former Chells Play Centre site on Eliot Road, without any planning permission being in place for the development?”

(F)       Question from Councillor Adam Mitchell CC

“There has been significant delay to the implementation of the new Council website, at a time when it is most needed by the residents of Stevenage during the COVID-19 outbreak.  What is causing this delay?”             

(G)      Question from Councillor Stephen Booth

“What work has the Council's Environmental Health department been engaged on in connection with the Coronavirus outbreak, including work carried out in conjunction with Hertfordshire County Council's Public Health department, since the beginning of March 2020?

(H)      Question from Councillor Alex Farquharson

“Would you describe the number of highly paid Council officers and the amount of taxpayers’ money paid to them as acceptable?”

The Council received eight questions from the Members to Committee Chairs/Portfolio Holders.  The responses to the eight questions had been published in the supplementary agenda for the meeting.

(A)       Question from Councillor Doug Bainbridge

Supplementary question – “What evidence can you provide to me and what has been published to demonstrate both value for money and exactly what these consultants have achieved for the people of Stevenage?”

In reply, the Portfolio Holder for Resources asked Councillor Bainbridge to send her an e-mail with some further detail in order that she could provide a written reply to the supplementary question.

(B)       Question from Councillor Andy McGuinness

Supplementary question – “Can Councillor Henry elucidate a little more on the Sport England funding and can he give a date when Stevenage Arts & Leisure Centre might be reopening?”

The Portfolio Holder for Children, Young People, Leisure & Culture replied that there were many calls on Sport England funding.  SBC was trying to arrange a meeting with the Regional Director in order to discuss in detail both the way that the Council works with Stevenage Leisure Limited and also the Council’s ambitions for looking at sport, leisure and health and wellbeing in the future.  It was confirmed that Stevenage Arts & Leisure Centre was planning to reopen on 25 July 2020.

(C)      Question from Councillor Robin Parker CC

Supplementary question – “Could the Council’s telephone service’s opening message be shortened to avoid the need to listen to over a minute of introductory remarks?”

The Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhoods and Co-operative Working replied that he would discuss the matter with officers and report back.  He commented that the Council was committed to move away from telephony to online services, but accepted that the telephone service would for the foreseeable future continue to be a first point of contact for some residents.

(D)      Question from Councillor Graham Snell

Supplementary question – “Can you tell me the accumulated estimated cost of developing the Council’s new website, and would there be training on it for Members?”

The Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhoods and Co-operative Working replied that it was intended that assistance for members on the public on the new website would be provided by the Customer Service Centre.  As well as member training on the new website, he was keen that there was further consultation with Members on its style and content.  The Council aimed to deliver the website (with a soft launch) in September 2020.  He undertook to provide Councillor Snell with the estimated cost information requested.

(E)       Question from Councillor Tom Wren

Supplementary question (asked by Councillor Robin Parker CC on behalf of Councillor Wren) – “What steps are being taken to ensure that the removal of trees without planning permission does not happen again?”

The Portfolio Holder for Environment & Regeneration replied that approval was given for the removal of the trees on the Eliot Road site prior to the bird nesting season.  The site was allocated for housing, and the trees were assessed as not being of major  ...  view the full decision text for item 11.

To note the annual report from the three Scrutiny Committees on their activities during the 2019/20 Municipal Year.

The Council considered the Scrutiny Annual Report for 2019/20.

It was moved, seconded and RESOLVED that the work undertaken by the Overview & Scrutiny Committee and Select Committees during 2019/20, as set out in the report, be noted.

To consider an officer report concerning the appointment of an Independent Person to serve on the Council’s Standards Committee

The Council considered a report seeking approval to the appointment of an “Independent Person”, in accordance with Section 28 (7) of the Localism Act 2011.

It was moved, seconded and RESOLVED that Dr. Robert Cawley be re-appointed as the Council’s Independent Person for a further term of 4 years, with effect from 4 October 2020.

To consider an officer report concerning the appointment of the Monitoring Officer.

The Council considered a report seeking approval to the appointment of a Monitoring Officer, in accordance with Section 5 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989.

It was moved, seconded and RESOLVED that Simon Banks be appointed as the Council’s Monitoring Officer, with effect from 20 July 2020.

To consider an officer report seeking approval to revised Financial Regulations and Contract Standing Orders.

The Council considered a report seeking approval to proposed revisions to the Council’s Financial Regulations and Contract Standing Orders.

It was moved, seconded and RESOLVED:

1.          That the revised Financial Regulations, as attached at Appendix A to the report, be approved.

2.          That the revised Contract Standing Orders, as attached at Appendix B to the report, be approved.

To note the Minutes of the Audit Committee meeting held on 9 June 2020.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Audit Committee held on 9 June 2020 were received and noted.