Agenda and decisions

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors John Gardner, Liz Harrington, Lizzy Kelly and Alderman Ann Webb.

There were no declarations of interest.

The Mayor then asked for tributes to His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh and Baroness Shirley Williams, who was a Freeman of Stevenage, as well as the many thousands of victims of the Pandemic.

A number of tributes were given and Council stood for a minute’s silence.

To approve as a correct record the attached Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 24 February 2021 for signature by the Mayor.

It was RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Council meeting held on 24 February 2021 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Mayor.

At this juncture, the outgoing Mayor spoke about his year in office which had been severely affected by the Covid-19 Pandemic.  The Mayor thanked two local organisations for keeping him motivated during the year - Fairlands Valley Spartans and Cycling UK Stevenage.

The Mayor said goodbye to former Councillors Laurie Chester, Dave Cullen, John Lloyd and John Mead who did not stand for election this time as well as former Councillor Michelle Gardner, his deputy Mayor.  He also said goodbye to Maureen Nicholson, Mary Cherry and Jackie Cansick and thanked them for their hard work and commitment to SBC and its Members.

Finally the Mayor thanked Tracey, the Mayor’s PA, Alissa Crew, the outgoing Youth Mayor and Penny, the Mayoress and wished all the best to Councillor Barr, the incoming Mayor.

To elect the Mayor for the Municipal Year 2021/22.

The Mayor asked for nominations for the Office of Mayor for 2021/22.

Councillor Sharon Taylor OBE CC nominated Councillor Sandra Barr for the Office of Mayor.

The nomination was seconded by Councillor Claire Parris.

There being no other nominations, a vote was taken and it was RESOLVED that Councillor Sandra Barr be elected as Mayor for the 2021/22 Municipal Year. Councillor Sandra Barr then made the statutory declaration of office.

The Mayor announced that her daughter, Louisa Barr would be the Mayoress for 2021/22.

In her speech the Mayor announced that her three charities for the year would be Leydon House, Stevenage Day Centre for adults with learning disabilities, and Larwood Academy School, a special school for children with severe emotional, behavioural and mental health issues and involved in the first ever Stevenage Dance Festival.

To elect the Deputy Mayor for the Municipal Year 2021/22.

It was moved and seconded that Councillor Margaret Notley be appointed as Deputy Mayor for the 2021/22 Municipal Year.

There being no other nominations, a vote was taken and it was RESOLVED that Councillor Margaret Notley be appointed Deputy Mayor for the 2021/22 Municipal Year.

Councillor Margaret Notley then made the statutory declaration of office. The Deputy Mayor announced that Cathy Bibby would be her Deputy Consort for the 2021/22 Municipal Year.

To appoint a Youth Mayor for 2021/22, as nominated by the Stevenage Youth Council.

It was moved, seconded and RESOLVED that Eden Searle be elected as Youth Mayor for the 2021/22 Municipal Year.

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 6 May 2021 together with the percentage turnouts.

It was moved, seconded and RESOLVED that the results of the Stevenage Borough Council Elections 2021 be noted.

To note the appointment of the Leader and Deputy Leader of the Opposition for the Municipal Year 2021/22.

The Chief Executive advised that where the ‘Labour Group’ had been quoted in paperwork it should read ‘Labour and Co-operative Group’.

The Chief Executive then advised that the Leader of the Opposition would be Councillor Phil Bibby CC and that Councillor Graham Lawrence CC would be his deputy.

To note the appointment of the Leaders and Deputy Leaders of the Political Groups on the Council for the Municipal Year 2021/22.

The Chief Executive advised the Council that Councillors Sharon Taylor OBE CC, Phil Bibby CC and Robin Parker CC had been appointed as Leaders of the Labour and Co-operative, Conservative and Liberal Democrat Groups respectively.  It was noted that Councillors Mrs Joan Lloyd, Graham Lawrence CC and Andy McGuinness would be Deputy Leaders of the Labour and Co-operative, Conservative and Liberal Democrat Groups respectively.

To consider various issues concerning the Council’s political management structure and the Constitution for 2021/22.

REPORT TO FOLLOW.

Council considered various matters relating to the Member level decision making structure of the Council and the Council’s constitution for the forthcoming Municipal Year.

It was moved, seconded and RESOLVED:

1.             That the Terms of Reference, as detailed in the appendices to the report; and the size and political composition for the following bodies that form the non-Executive Member level decision making structure of the Council be approved subject to the rules of proportionality where appropriate for 100 Committee places where applicable (relevant Committees are identified thus*) -

·     Overview and Scrutiny Committee* (Appendix A) – 14 Members (8 Labour Group, 4 Conservative Group,  2 Liberal Democrat Group)

·     Community Select Committee* (Appendix B) – 10 Members (6 Labour Group, 3 Conservative Group, 1 Liberal Democrat Group)

·     Environment and Economy Select Committee* (Appendix C) – 11 Members (6 Labour Group, 3 Conservative Group, 2 Liberal Democrat Group)

·     Planning & Development Committee* (Appendix D) – 14 Members (8 Labour Group, 4 Conservative Group, 2 Liberal Democrat Group)

·     Licensing Committee (Appendix E) – 14 Members (8 Labour Group, 4 Conservative Group, 2 Liberal Democrat Group)

·     General Purposes Committee* (Appendix F) – 14 Members (8 Labour Group,  4 Conservative Group, 2 Liberal Democrat Group)

·     Appointments Committee* (Appendix G) -  8 Members (5 Labour Group, 2 Conservative Group, 1 Liberal Democrat Group)

·     Standards Committee* (Appendix H) – 8 Members (5 Labour Group, 2 Conservative Group, 1 Liberal Democrat Group)

·     Audit Committee* (Appendix I) – 10 Members (6 Labour Group, 2 Conservative Group, 2 Liberal Democrat Group) + 1 Co-opted non-elected member

·     Statement of Accounts Committee* (Appendix J) – 8 Members (5 Labour Group, 2 Conservative Group, 1 Liberal Democrat Group)

·     Joint Consultative Committee* (Appendix K) – 3 Members ( 2 Labour Group, 1 Conservative 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 100

2        That the membership of the Executive and the individual Portfolios, as set out at paragraph 4.2 of the report, be noted.

3        That the various Executive bodies appointed by the Leader, detailed in paragraph 4.3 of the report, be noted.  The relevant Terms of Reference for each body are shown at Appendix L.

4        That the dates for Council meetings for the Municipal Year, as shown at paragraph 4.6 of the report be approved and that the calendar of formal meetings shown at Appendix M be noted.

5        That the recommended amendments to Standing Orders concerning the Council Tax and Budget setting Council meeting, as referred to in paragraphs 4.10 – 4.11 of this report, be approved.

6        That the Constitution be amended to make reference to the Hertfordshire Growth Board Joint Committee and the Hertfordshire Growth Board Joint Scrutiny Committee as approved by Council on 16 December 2020.

7        That it be noted that the Regulations that allowed for remote meetings have now expired and that all formal meetings are to revert to being ‘in person’.

A.     To appoint Members to the Standing Committees of Stevenage Borough Council for the Municipal Year 2021/22; and

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

REPORT TO FOLLOW

Details of the individuals nominated to serve on each Committee had been circulated prior to the meeting.  The Membership was noted, subject to Councillor John Gardner being replaced by Councillor Sharon Taylor on the Statement of Accounts Committee.  Members voted on the appointment of Chairs and Vice-Chairs where these had been quoted.

It was moved, seconded and RESOLVED:

1.          That the membership of Committees, together with the Chairs and Vice-Chairs, where detailed, are appointed for 2021/22 Municipal Year as follows:

OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE
14 Members (8-4-2)
Councillors –   L Martin-Haugh (Chair), P Bibby, CC (Vice-Chair), M Arceno, A Brown, M Downing, A Farquharson, C Howells, W Kerby, A McGuinness, S Mead, R Parker CC, C Parris, L Rossati and S Speller.

COMMUNITY SELECT COMMITTEE

10 Members (6-3-1):

Councillors – S Mead (Chair), M Notley (Vice-Chair), M Arceno, S Booth, M Creasey, J Duncan, A Farquharson, L Harrington, C Parris and S Speller.

ENVIRONMENT & ECONOMY SELECT COMMITTEE
11 Members (6-3-2):

Councillors – M Downing (Chair), A Mitchell, CC (Vice-Chair), J Ashley-Wren, D Bainbridge, S Booth, A Brown, W Kerby, M McKay, S Mead,         C Parris and S Speller.

Planning & Development Committee

        14 Members (8-4-2)

Councillors – S Speller (Chair), M McKay (Vice-Chair), D Bainbridge,      M Arceno,     A Brown, T Callaghan, M Creasey, M Downing, J Hanafin, G Lawrence CC, Mrs J Lloyd, A Mitchell CC,       G Snell and T Wren.

LICENSING COMMITTEE

14 Members (8-4-2)

Councillors – M McKay (Chair), D Bainbridge, R Broom, A Brown, J Hanafin, L Harrington, L Kelly, G Lawrence CC,          A McGuinness, L Martin-Haugh, M Notley, C Parris, L Rossati and G Snell.

GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE

14 Members (8-4-2)

Councillors – M McKay (Chair), D Bainbridge, R Broom, A Brown, J Hanafin, L Harrington, L Kelly, G Lawrence CC,          A McGuinness, L Martin-Haugh, M Notley, C Parris, L Rossati and G Snell.

APPOINTMENTS COMMITTEE

8 Members (5-2-1)

Councillors – P Bibby, CC, T Callaghan, L Martin-Haugh, G Lawrence, CC, R Parker, CC, L Rossati, S Taylor, OBE, CC and J Thomas.

STANDARDS COMMITTEE

8 Members (5-2-1)

Councillors – P Bibby CC, R Broom, T Callaghan, R Henry, L Kelly, Mrs J Lloyd, M Notley and     T Wren.

        Independent Person who must be consulted on alleged breaches to the Code of Conduct – Dr. Robert Cawley

AUDIT COMMITTEE

10 Members (6-2-2) + 1 Independent co-opted Member (G Gibbs)

Councillors – T Callaghan (Chair), M Arceno, J Ashley-Wren, S Booth, J Gardner, G Lawrence CC,N Leech, M McKay, C Parris and L Rossati.

STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE

8 Members (5-2-1)

Councillors – Mrs J Lloyd (Chair), P Bibby CC, J Hollywell, S Mead, A Mitchell CC, G Snell, S Taylor OBE, CC and J Thomas

To appoint Council representatives onto various outside bodies for the Municipal Year 2021/22.

SCHEDULE TO FOLLOW

Council considered a list of individuals nominated to serve on Outside Bodies which had been circulated before 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, Substitute (TBC)

HERTFORDSHIRE LOCAL AUTHORITIES LEADERS GROUP - The Leader of the Council

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 Communities, Community Safety and Equalities

SOSTEVENAGE PARTNERSHIP - The Leader of the Council and Deputy Leader

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

AGE CONCERN STEVENAGE – Jeannette Thomas

BEDWELL COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION - Liz Harrington

CHELLS MANOR COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION - Andy McGuinness

CROSSROADS CARE - John Gardner

DOUGLAS DRIVE SENIOR CITIZENS ASSOCIATION – Maureen Mckay

HOME-START STEVENAGE - John Gardner

KADOMA LINK ASSOCIATION - Graham Snell and John Gardner

LIVING ROOM PROJECT - Jackie Hollywell

OLD STEVENAGE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION – Lou Rossati

OVAL COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION - Lloyd Briscoe

PIN GREEN COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION - Jeannette Thomas

SHEPHALL COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION – Simon Speller

ST NICHOLAS COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION - Sandra Barr

STEVENAGE CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU - Michael Downing

STEVENAGE COMMUNITY TRUST - Richard Henry and Maureen McKay

STEVENAGE CREDIT UNION LIMITED – Sharon Taylor

STEVENAGE FURNITURE RECYCLING SCHEME – Sarah Mead

STEVENAGE HAVEN - Rob Broom

STEVENAGE/AUTUN/INGELHEIM ASSOCIATION - Richard Henry and Simon Speller

STEVENAGE WORLD FORUM FOR ETHNIC COMMUNITIES - John Gardner

SYMONDS GREEN COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION – Jackie Hollywell

TIMEBRIDGE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION – Tom Wren

TURN THE TIDE - Lizzy Kelly

EAST OF ENGLAND LGA IMPROVEMENT AND EFFICIENCY PANEL - Richard Henry

HCC HEALTH SCRUTINY COMMITTEE - Maureen McKay

LOCAL GOVERNMENT INFORMATION UNIT – Lou Rossati

LUTON AIRPORT CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE - John Gardner