Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Akin Elekolusi, Mason Humberstone, Ellie Plater, Tom Plater and Anne Wells.

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meetings of the Special Council and Annual Council held on 22 May 2025.

It was RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Annual Council Meeting and the Special Council Meeting held on 22 May 2025 be approved as correct records and signed by the Mayor.

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

The Mayor congratulated and welcomed Councillor Dermot Kehoe who had been elected in the Bedwell Ward at the recent By-Election.  Councillor Richard Henry, Leader of the Council welcomed Dermot and congratulated him on his successful campaign.  Councillor Stephen Booth, Leader of the Opposition also welcomed Dermot on behalf of the Liberal Democrat Group.  Councillor Kehoe thanked all who had helped in his campaign and the residents of Bedwell for voting for him. Councillor Kehoe advised that he looked forward to working with everyone in his new role.

The Mayor then referred to a number of events she had attended since May which included:

·         Stevenage Day with its STEM and Life Sciences theme;

·         Events as part of the Stevenage Festival including inclusive concerts, a production of Shrek, a dance extravaganza and the Stevenage Singers Concert;

·         Town Twinning Programme visit to Ingelheim;

·         Hertfordshire School Games;

·         Plaque unveiling at the Town Centre Gardens celebrating the work of the Green Space Volunteers.

To receive a Presentation on Stevenage Works Skills Agenda.

Council received a presentation from Daryl Jedowski the Council’s Corporate Policy and Performance Manager and Kit Davies, Principal and CEO of North Herts College (NHC) on the Stevenage Works Skills Agenda.

The presentation gave an overview of the Skills Agenda and included details of the timeline, what was coming up in 2025/26 and detailed a number of case studies.

In relation to the Framework, Council was advised that the key target cohort were young people, people with barriers to employment alongside people in employment.  The key target sectors would include Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM), Creative and Cultural, Construction, Environment, Technology and Energy, Public Services and Retail and Hospitality. In addition, the Council had a well-established Stevenage Works programme, with the Council working with North Herts College and Job Centre Plus to provide Construction Skills and Health and Social Care training.  Over 550 local people had benefitted from the Construction Skills training programme.

2025/26 would see a new NHC skills facility in place of the current Indoor Market site, launch of Phase 2 of Pioneering Young STEM Futures, SITEC Phase 2 and an expansion of Stevenage Works into the Health and Social Care Sector.

A number of comments and questions, were raised by Members including:

·         STEAM – the involvement of the Arts was an important inclusion and many transferrable skills such as digital design would transfer across.  Further work on the inclusion of Arts would be a focus.  Although Arts courses were a focus for the Hitchin campus, the Stevenage Campus now included many areas such as the gaming suite;

·         The Leader of the Council reiterated the Council’s continued support to the Skills Agenda in its vision to raise the aspirations and attainments and providing opportunities for the young people in Stevenage;

·         In response to a question regarding the relationship with the Job Centre and the Department for Work and Pensions, Members were advised that ideas were shared on a regular basis and that regional plans were underway involving various sectors including employability and back to work schemes for the construction and health areas;

·         It was noted that although the funding landscape was complicated, the opportunity to draw in additional funding to support this work was a priority for the Council and the college;

·         Members welcomed the case studies reported and were pleased to see both the education and employment opportunities taken up by the young people referred to;

·         In response to a question regarding parental involvement, it was agreed that the influence of role models was key for young people.  Work was currently ongoing with the County Council and through community days and local school engagement to make sure there were opportunities for parents to get involved with the STEM Centre and Mission 44 work;

·         The Council’s ambition had grown throughout the process which had been shown by the expansion into a number of additional sectors.

The Mayor thanked Daryl and Kit for their presentation.

None received.

There were no petitions or deputations.

None received.

There were no questions from the Youth Council.

None received.

There were no questions from the public.

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, Councillor Stephen Booth, asked the following question:

In view of the Council’s declaration of a climate emergency, and the high temperatures experienced to date this summer, what plans does the Council have to mitigate the effects of extreme heat for tenants and residents through measures such as fitting ceiling fans to Council homes, and providing air-conditioned refuges?

The Portfolio Holder for the Environment advised that the Council had considered the impact, in particular in sheltered housing accommodation for elderly residents.  Practical advice was offered but he advised that a full response would be given to Councillor Booth with all the support offered in this regard.

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

·         Underpass Artworks;

·         Fairlands Valley Splash Play Park;

·         Beryl Bikes Scheme;

·         Pioneering Young STEM Futures;

·         New Properties Allocated;

·         10 Year Housing Strategy;

·         Improving Recycling Rates;

·         Local Area Retrofit Accelerator;

·         New Town Centre Letting;

·         CCIN;

·         Tenancy Involvement;

·         Operation Educ8

·         Mission 44.

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

activities of those Committees.

Councillor Jim Brown, Chair of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee, advised that the Committee had met twice since the Annual Meeting in May and had considered the Cabinet decisions relating to Green Spaces and trees, tenant satisfaction and corporate performance, flat block recycling, retrofit for sustainability and the Council’s Annual Report.  A lot of work had gone into the Work Programme for the year including a pre-scrutiny review of the Council Tax Support Scheme, one-off reviews into the work force strategy and profile, contract compliance and ethical investments.

In the absence of the Chair of the Community Select Committee, Councillor Leanne Brady advised that the Committee had held one meeting on 3 July where the work programme for the upcoming year had been considered.  Items for the year included the Housing Allocations Policy, Tenancy Audits and Enforcement, a Damp and Mould update, Equalities and Diversity, Older People, Community Centres, Crime and Disorder and monitoring the progress of the new Leisure Centre.  She thanked Councillor Sarah Mead, the outgoing Chair, for her work over recent years on this Committee.

Councillor Leanne Brady, Chair of the Environment & Economy Select Committee advised that the Committee had received presentations on Trees, Woodland and Green Spaces, social housing and decarbonisation of social housing, and the Skills and Stevenage Works agenda.  Upcoming work included waste, recycling and fly tipping, active transport as well as the annual report on the Climate Emergency.  Councillor Brady thanked Councillor Broom as the previous Chair of the Committee for his work on the Committee.

To consider the Annual Scrutiny Report 2024/25.

Councillor Jim Brown Chair of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee, moved that the Annual Scrutiny Report for 2024/25 be noted.

In moving the report, Councillor Brown spoke of the difference Members could make to the Council in a non-cabinet role.  He reminded Members of the robust challenge and difference Scrutiny Committees could make and that it was a function independent of the Council’s decision making process.  Scrutiny enabled Members to obtain a real understanding of issues as well as holding the Cabinet to account.  A number of site visits and evidence gathering sessions, including calling a number of Portfolio Holders to give evidence, had also been held to assist with the work of the Scrutiny Committees.  He advised that scrutiny, done well, contributed hugely to the well-being of communities

Councillor Brown gave thanks to the Members of the Committees alongside the outgoing Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Councillor Martin-Haugh for their robust work on pre-scrutiny and scrutiny and also gave thanks to the Scrutiny Officer for his support to all three committees.

Councillor Leanne Brady seconded the report.

The Leader, Councillor Richard Henry acknowledged the crucial work of the Scrutiny Committees supported by the Scrutiny Officer in holding the Cabinet to account across the ambitious work agenda of the Council.  He thanked the outgoing and current Chairs of the Scrutiny Committees for their work.

It was RESOLVED that the work undertaken by the Overview & Scrutiny Committee and Select Committees during 2024/25, as set out in the report, be noted.

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

(1)      Celebrating the Success of Stevenage Works in Delivering Social Value and Opportunity

To be moved by Councillor Loraine Rossati

This Council notes that:

·  The creation of Stevenage Works in 2019 as a strategic partnership between Stevenage Borough Council, North Hertfordshire College, and Hertfordshire Job Centre Plus is delivering social value through inward investment, regeneration, and development projects across Stevenage.

·  Stevenage Works has provided a single point of contact for employers and the community, streamlining access to jobs, apprenticeships, training, and work experience.

·  Over 550 local people have attended training courses; more than 180 have achieved Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) cards; over 40 apprenticeships and 30+ employment outcomes have been delivered in the past year alone.

·  Over £50,000 has been donated by Stevenage Works partners to support local community projects and good causes.

·  The innovative use of Section 106 obligations to ensure developers and contractors contribute meaningfully to local employment and skills development is benefitting local people.

This Council further notes the Secretary of State’s recently published priorities for Skills England (2025–26), dated 2 June, 2025, which emphasise the importance of understanding future skills needs, simplifying access to training, and co-creating solutions with local partners. Stevenage Works is already delivering on these national priorities by providing a single point of contact for employers and residents, aligning training with local labour market needs, and working in partnership with education providers and developers to deliver apprenticeships, work placements, and employment outcomes. As such, Stevenage Works stands as a model of how local authorities can lead in delivering the Government’s skills agenda and ensuring that inward investment translates into real opportunity for local people.

This Council believes that:

·       Stevenage Works is a model of best practice in how local authorities can work with partners to ensure that regeneration and investment deliver real, lasting benefits for residents.

·       This initiative has played a vital role in ensuring that Stevenage people are equipped with the skills and opportunities to thrive in a changing economy.

·       The planned expansion into the health and social care sector demonstrates the adaptability and forward-thinking nature of the programme.

This Council resolves to:

1. Celebrate the success of Stevenage Works and commend all partners involved for their commitment to social value and community benefit.
2. Promote Stevenage Works as a model of excellence in local government-led economic development and skills partnerships.
3. Support the continued development and expansion of Stevenage Works, including the upcoming pilot in the health and social care sector.
4. Ask the Leader of the Council to write to the Secretary of State for Education, the Rt Hon. Bridget Phillipson, to highlight Stevenage Works as an example of effective local delivery of social value and invite her to visit Stevenage to see how we are delivering the Government’s skills agenda.

(2)  Trialling highways changes to Lytton Way

To be moved by the Liberal Democrat Group

This Council welcomes the exciting opportunities that the Stevenage Station Gateway offers by  ...  view the full agenda text for item 11.

Celebrating the Success of Stevenage Works in Delivering Social Value and Opportunity

Councillor Loraine Rossati moved the following motion: Celebrating the Success of Stevenage Works in Delivering Social Value and Opportunity:

This Council notes that:

• The creation of Stevenage Works in 2019 as a strategic partnership between Stevenage Borough Council, North Hertfordshire College, and Hertfordshire Job Centre Plus is delivering social value through inward investment, regeneration, and development projects across Stevenage.
• Stevenage Works has provided a single point of contact for employers and the community, streamlining access to jobs, apprenticeships, training, and work experience.
• Over 550 local people have attended training courses; more than 180 have achieved Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) cards; over 40 apprenticeships and 30+ employment outcomes have been delivered in the past year alone.
• Over £50,000 has been donated by Stevenage Works partners to support local community projects and good causes.
• The innovative use of Section 106 obligations to ensure developers and contractors contribute meaningfully to local employment and skills development is benefitting local people.

This Council further notes the Secretary of State’s recently published priorities for Skills England (2025–26), dated 2 June, 2025, which emphasise the importance of understanding future skills needs, simplifying access to training, and co-creating solutions with local partners. Stevenage Works is already delivering on these national priorities by providing a single point of contact for employers and residents, aligning training with local labour market needs, and working in partnership with education providers and developers to deliver apprenticeships, work placements, and employment outcomes. As such, Stevenage Works stands as a model of how local authorities can lead in delivering the Government’s skills agenda and ensuring that inward investment translates into real opportunity for local people.

This Council believes that:

• Stevenage Works is a model of best practice in how local authorities can work with partners to ensure that regeneration and investment deliver real, lasting benefits for residents.
• This initiative has played a vital role in ensuring that Stevenage people are equipped with the skills and opportunities to thrive in a changing economy.
• The planned expansion into the health and social care sector demonstrates the adaptability and forward-thinking nature of the programme.

This Council resolves to:

1. Celebrate the success of Stevenage Works and commend all partners involved for their commitment to social value and community benefit.
2. Promote Stevenage Works as a model of excellence in local government-led economic development and skills partnerships.
3. Support the continued development and expansion of Stevenage Works, including the upcoming pilot in the health and social care sector.
4. Ask the Leader of the Council to write to the Secretary of State for Education, the Rt Hon. Bridget Phillipson, to highlight Stevenage Works as an example of effective local delivery of social value and invite her to visit Stevenage to see how we are delivering the Government’s skills agenda.

In moving the Motion, Councillor Rossati, Portfolio Holder Economy, Skills and Transport, advised that it did not only reflect the Council’s achievements so far it also recognised what the Council  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

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

(A)         Question from Councillor Phil Bibby

Is the Major Refurbishment programme running on schedule and within budget?

(B)       Question from Councillor Peter Wilkins

The town has had no Beryl bike from 24th April to 30th June, over two months. Can you advise what financial losses or expense SBC has incurred while the bikes were recalled and if there is any provision in the contract to claw back some of these losses from Beryl?

(C)      Question from Councillor Andy McGuinness

What consideration has been given to the viability of current Stevenage Town Centre regeneration plans due to impending local government reorganisation?

(D)         Question from Councillor Stephen Booth

Recognising that under the Environment Act 2021, local councils have a responsibility to help halt the decline seen nationally in biodiversity by a deadline of 2030; and that specifically bee numbers are in decline, what measures is the Council taking to halt this decline and work towards making our green spaces bee friendly, e.g. by eliminating the use of glysophates and other harmful chemicals, reviewing any current bee-friendly practices to see how they can be improved and pledging to make ‘no-mow May’ as widely as possible?

(E)         Question from Councillor Julie Ashley-Wren

We are already receiving complaints from residents that the new bus interchange is not being properly cleaned and maintained and users feel unsafe at night. What assurances can the Council give that these aspects will be improved in the coming months?

(F)          Question from Councillor Tom Wren

Considering that a number of destination retail stores have now left the town centre and relocated to Roaring Meg, what plans do the council have to improve public transport links between the town centre and other retail/leisure areas?

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

(A)      Question from Councillor Phil Bibby re: Major Refurbishment Contract

There was no supplementary question.

(B)      Question from Councillor Peter Wilkins re: Beryl Bike Scheme

Supplementary question – Are there any plans to roll out the installation of docking stations beyond the Station and the Town Centre to other areas?

The Portfolio Holder advised that Officers would be working with the Beryl Bikes Team to look into further docking stations around the Town particularly in areas of greatest risk of vandalism or misuse of the bikes.

(C)         Question from Councillor McGuinness regarding: Town Centre Regeneration and Local Government Reorganisation.

Supplementary question – could the Leader of the Council respond on areas of the Regeneration plan such as the Civic Hub that may be affected by the much bigger proposed Unitary Authority?

The Leader of the Council advised that work was ongoing in relation to the Civic Hub and gave assurances that there would there would still be the need for a number of services in the Town Centre such as the Library, the Museum and Exhibition Space, Café, Toilets etc.  He reminded Members that an All Member Briefing was shortly to be held where further information regarding the Local Government Reorganisation would be available for Members.

(D)      Question from Councillor Stephen Booth regarding: Biodiversity

Supplementary question – Is the Council consciously planting bee friendly plants?

The Portfolio Holder agreed with the need to do more to combat environmental damage and advised that there was opportunity for funding the planting of specific bee friendly plants in neighbourhoods through the Climate Change Community Fund (CCCF).

(E)      Question from Councillor Julie Ashley-Wren regarding: The Bus Interchange

There was no supplementary question.

(F)      Question from Councillor Tom Wren regarding: Transport links to the Roaring Meg

There was no supplementary question. 

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

The Minutes of the meeting of the Audit Committee held on 3 June 2025 were received.