Agenda and decisions

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Wendy Kerby and Lin Martin-Haugh.

There were no declarations of interest.

To approve as correct records the Minutes of the meetings of the Council held on 23 February 2023 and 8 March 2023.

It was RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meetings of the Council held on 23 February and 8 March 2023 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Mayor.

To elect the Mayor for the Municipal Year 2023/24.

The Mayor was saddened to hear of the recent passing of former Councillor John Gardner, who had served as an SBC Member for the Roebuck Ward between 1998 and May 2023, including being Deputy leader of the Council between 2006 and 2018. 

A number of other Members spoke in tribute to former Councillor Gardner, following which the Council stood to observe a minute’s silence.

The Mayor then gave a speech thanking the Council for a wonderful year in office.

The Mayor asked for nominations for the Office of Mayor for 2023/24.

Councillor Richard Henry nominated Councillor Myla Arceno for the Office of Mayor.

The nomination was seconded by Councillor Lloyd Briscoe.

There being no other nominations, a vote was taken and it was RESOLVED that Councillor Myla Arceno be elected as Mayor for the 2023/24 Municipal Year.

Councillor Myla Arceno then made the statutory declaration of office.

The Mayor announced that her son John Arceno would be the Mayor’s Consort for 2023/24.

The Mayor thanked the Council for her election, and gave an inaugural speech, including the announcement that her chosen charities for the year would be the Douglas Drive Day Care Centre, The Red Shed, Hertwise and

Stevenage World Forum.

To elect the Deputy Mayor for the Municipal Year 2023/24.

The Mayor asked for nominations for the Office of Deputy Mayor for 2023/24.

Councillor Lorraine Rossati nominated Councillor Jim Brown.  The nomination was seconded by Councillor Jeannette Thomas.

There being no other nominations, a vote was taken and it was RESOLVED that Councillor Jim Brown be appointed Deputy Mayor for the 2023/24 Municipal Year.

Councillor Jim Brown then made the statutory declaration of office.  The Deputy Mayor announced that Penny Schenkel would be his Deputy Mayoress for the 2023/24 Municipal Year.

To appoint a Youth Mayor for 2023/24, as nominated by the Stevenage Youth Council.

It was moved by Councillor Sandra Barr, seconded by Councillor Humberstone and RESOLVED that Ella Lacey be elected as Youth Mayor for the 2023/24 Municipal Year.

Ella Lacey then made the statutory declaration of office.  The Youth Mayor announced that Anisa Mathew would be her Deputy Youth Mayor for the 2023/24 Municipal Year.

To advise 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 4 May 2023, together with the percentage turnouts.

It was moved by Councillor Henry, seconded by Councillor Hollywell and RESOLVED that the results of the Stevenage Borough Council Elections 2023 be noted.

To note the appointment of the Leader and Deputy Leader of the Opposition for the Municipal Year 2023/24.

The Chief Executive advised that the Leader of the Opposition would be Councillor Phil Bibby CC and that Councillor Bret Facey 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 2023/24.

The Chief Executive advised the Council that Councillors Richard Henry, 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 Jeannette Thomas, Bret Facey and Stephen Booth 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 2023/24.

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 (9 Labour & Co-operative Group, 3 Conservative Group, 2 Liberal Democrat Group)

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

·         Environment and Economy Select Committee* (Appendix C) – 11 Members (7 Labour & Co-operative Group, 2 Conservative Group, 2 Liberal Democrat Group)

·         Planning & Development Committee* (Appendix D) – 14 Members (9 Labour & Co-operative Group, 3 Conservative Group, 2 Liberal Democrat Group)

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

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

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

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

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

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

·         Joint Consultative Committee* (Appendix K) – 3 Members (2 Labour & Co-operative 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 below, be noted:

Councillor Richard Henry – Leader, Regeneration, Communication and Strategic Partnerships

Councillor Jeannette Thomas – Deputy Leader, Housing and Housing Development

Councillor Sandra Barr –Co-operative Council and Neighbourhood Communities

Councillor Lloyd Briscoe – Economy and Transport

Councillor Jackie Hollywell – Community Safety and Equalities

Councillor Mrs Joan Lloyd – Resources and Transformation

Councillor Loraine Rossati – Culture, Leisure and Information Technology

Councillor Simon Speller – Environment and Performance

3.     That the various Executive bodies appointed by the Leader, detailed in Paragraph 4.3 of the report and the relevant Terms of Reference for each body set out in Appendix L to the report, be noted.

4.     That the dates for Council meetings for the Municipal Year 2023/24, as shown at Paragraph 4.6 of the report, be approved, and that the calendar of formal meetings shown at Appendix M to the report, be noted.

5.     That the amendment to Standing Order 10(a) Council Tax and Budget Setting  ...  view the full decision text for item 9.

A.          To appoint Members to the Standing Committees of Stevenage Borough Council for the Municipal Year 2023/24; 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, together with the Chairs and Vice-Chairs of those Committees, where stated, had been circulated prior to the meeting.

Councillor Mrs Joan Lloyd moved and Councillor Claire Parris seconded the appointment of Committees. Councillor Mrs Joan Lloyd moved and Councillor Jeannette Thomas seconded the appointment of Chairs and Vice-Chairs to the Committees.

It was RESOLVED:

1.          That the membership of Committees, together with the Chairs and Vice-Chairs, where detailed, are appointed for 2023/24 Municipal Year as follows:

OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE
14 Members (9-3-2)
Councillors –   L Martin-Haugh (Chair), P Bibby, CC (Vice-Chair), S Booth, R Broom, J Brown, F Chowdhury, M Downing, B. Facey, C McGrath, S Mead, M Notley, R Parker CC, C Veres and A Wells.

COMMUNITY SELECT COMMITTEE

10 Members (6-3-1):

Councillors – S Mead (Chair), A Farquharson (Vice-Chair), J Ashley-Wren, F Chowdhury, J Duncan, M Humberstone, W Kerby, C McGrath, E Plater and C Veres.

ENVIRONMENT & ECONOMY SELECT COMMITTEE
11 Members (7-2-2):

Councillors – R Broom (Chair), A Mitchell, CC (Vice-Chair), J Brown, B Facey, C McGrath, C McGuinness, S Mead, C Parris E Plater, G Snell and S Taylor OBE,CC.

PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

        14 Members (9-3-2)

Councillors – M Downing (Chair), C Parris (Vice-Chair), J Ashley-Wren, R Broom, F Chowdhury, N Chowdhury, C Howells, G Lawrence CC, M McKay, A Mitchell CC, E Plater, G Snell C Veres and A Wells.

Substitutes      -         P Bibby CC

A Farquharson

A McGuinness

T Wren

+ 5 Labour substitutes (tba)

LICENSING COMMITTEE

14 Members (8-4-2)

Councillors – C Parris (Chair), S Barr, N Chowdhury, M Downing, J Duncan, C Howells, G Lawrence CC, Mrs J Lloyd, L Martin-Haugh, M McKay, M Notley, G Snell, A Wells and T Wren.

Substitutes                 -     P Bibby CC

                                        S Booth

                                        W Kerby

                                        A McGuinness

                                        + 4 Labour substitutes (tba)

GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE

14 Members (8-4-2)

Councillors – C Parris (Chair), S Barr, N Chowdhury, M Downing, J Duncan, C Howells, G Lawrence CC, Mrs J Lloyd, L Martin-Haugh, M McKay, M Notley, G Snell, A Wells and T Wren.

Substitutes                 -     P Bibby CC

                                        S Booth

                                        W Kerby

                                        A McGuinness

                                        + 4 Labour substitutes (tba)

APPOINTMENTS COMMITTEE

8 Members (5-2-1)

Councillors – S Barr, P Bibby CC, B Facey, R Henry, J Hollywell, R Parker CC, S Speller and J Thomas.

STANDARDS COMMITTEE

8 Members (5-2-1)

Councillors – Mrs J Lloyd (Chairman), P Bibby CC, L Martin-Haugh, M Notley, L Rossati, S Speller, J Thomas 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 – M McKay (Chair), S Booth, L Briscoe, R Broom, N Chowdhury, A Farquharson, G Lawrence CC, S Taylor OBE, CC, C Veres and T Wren.

STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE

8 Members (5-2-1)

Councillors – Mrs J Lloyd (Chairman), P Bibby CC, J Hollywell, M Humberstone, S Mead, A Mitchell CC, L  ...  view the full decision text for item 10.

To appoint Council representatives onto various outside bodies for the Municipal Year 2023/24.

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 by Councillor Mrs J Lloyd, seconded by Councillor Thomas 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 for Environment and Performance

EAST OF ENGLAND LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION - The Leader of the Council

EAST OF ENGLAND REGIONAL PLANNING - Portfolio Holder for Environment and Performance

HERTS WASTE MANAGEMENT PARTNERSHIP - Portfolio Holder for Environment and Performance

HERTFORDSHIRE GROWTH BOARD – The Leader of the Council

HERTFORDSHIRE INFRASTRUCTURE PLANNING AND POLICY GROUP - Portfolio Holder for Environment and Performance

HERTFORDSHIRE LOCAL AUTHORITIES LEADERS GROUP - The Leader of the Council

HERTFORDSHIRE LOCAL ENTERPRISE PARTNERSHIP – The Leader of the Council

HERTFORDSHIRE CLIMATE CHANGE AND SUSTAINABILITY PARTNERSHIP - Portfolio Holder for Environment and Performance

LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION- The Leader of the Council

SOSAFE PARTNERSHIP - Portfolio Holder for Community Safety, and Equalities

STEVENAGE COMMUNITY SAFETY PARTNERSHIP - Portfolio Holder for Community Safety, and Equalities

SOSTEVENAGE PARTNERSHIP - The Leader of the Council and Deputy Leader

STEVENAGE  DEVELOPMENT BOARD - The Leader of the Council and Deputy Leader

AGE CONCERN STEVENAGE – Jeannette Thomas

BEDWELL COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION – Conor McGrath

CHELLS MANOR COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION - Andy McGuinness

CROSSROADS CARE – Anne Wells

DOUGLAS DRIVE SENIOR CITIZENS ASSOCIATION – Maureen Mckay

HOME-START STEVENAGE – Rob Broom

KADOMA LINK ASSOCIATION - Graham Snell and Margaret Notley

LIVING ROOM PROJECT - Jackie Hollywell

OLD STEVENAGE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION – Loraine 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 – Rob Broom

STEVENAGE COMMUNITY TRUST – Sandra Barr and Maureen McKay

STEVENAGE CREDIT UNION LIMITED – Joan Lloyd

SPRUSE – Lin Martin-Haugh

HAVEN FIRST – Mason Humberstone

STEVENAGE/AUTUN/INGELHEIM ASSOCIATION – Sandra Barr and Simon Speller

STEVENAGE WORLD FORUM FOR ETHNIC COMMUNITIES – Forhad Chowdhury and Mason Humberstone

SYMONDS GREEN COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION – Jackie Hollywell

TIMEBRIDGE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION – Tom Wren

TURN THE TIDE – Nazmin Chowdhury

EAST OF ENGLAND LGA IMPROVEMENT AND EFFICIENCY PANEL - Richard Henry

HCC HEALTH SCRUTINY COMMITTEE - Maureen McKay

LOCAL GOVERNMENT INFORMATION UNIT – Jim Brown

LUTON AIRPORT CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE – Loraine Rossati