Agenda

to approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meetings of the Special Council and Council on 22 July 2026.

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

None received.

None received.

In accordance with Standing Orders, a written answer to the following question will be circulated on a supplementary agenda:

What can the council do to increase opportunities for young people to access free or affordable local activities?

None received.

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.

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

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

(1) Homelessness and Rough Sleeping

To be moved by Councillor Loraine Rossati

Council welcomes:

1. The Government’s National Plan to End Homelessness, with its increased focus on prevention and ambition to halve long-term rough sleeping by the end of this Parliament and ultimately end homelessness and rough sleeping.
2. The Government’s new £442 million Rough Sleeping Programme, taking planned national investment in homelessness and rough sleeping to more than £4 billion over three years, and its commitment that everyone sleeping rough who needs help should be offered a route off the streets this winter.

Council notes:

1. That rough sleeping and homelessness are distinct but connected issues, requiring different but coordinated responses.
2. That demand for homelessness advice and prevention in Stevenage remains high, with more than 1,300 approaches in each of the last three years; with common reasons including family exclusion, domestic abuse, loss of private rented accommodation, relationship breakdown, rough sleeping and ‘sofa surfing’.
3. That Stevenage’s Homelessness Prevention Action Plan already prioritises early intervention, trauma-informed and person-centred support, and partnership working, including work to strengthen housing pathways for people leaving hospital or prison.
4. That some groups face particular risks or barriers, including women experiencing hidden homelessness, families with children, those who have served in the Armed Forces, care-experienced people, older people, and people leaving prison or with a history of offending; and that women sleeping rough are particularly likely to be missed because they often do not feel safe sleeping visibly.

Council believes:

1. With the Prime Minister, that “no one should be forced to sleep rough on our streets”, and that everyone should have access to a safe and secure home. Where someone is not ready or able to accept an offer of accommodation, support and engagement should continue without judgement.
2. That the Government’s shift towards prevention, early identification and assessment based on need provides an opportunity to reach people who may previously have been missed, and to better recognise and respond to the different experiences and barriers faced by women, care-experienced people, people who have served in the Armed Forces and others at greater risk of homelessness.
3. That preventing homelessness requires public services to work together, and that housing, health, social care, Probation and other services should identify people at risk early rather than waiting until they reach crisis.

Council resolves:

1. To review Stevenage’s Homelessness Prevention Action Plan in light of the Government’s National Plan, strengthening early identification and prevention, aligning our approach with the new national framework and making best use of the additional national investment.
2. To better identify and support women experiencing rough sleeping and hidden homelessness, including participating in the Women’s Rough Sleeping Census, using the Government’s new tools and guidance to develop safe, gender-informed support, and exploring local need for women-only temporary accommodation.
3. To build on existing work to strengthen early identification and homelessness prevention for people who have served in the Armed Forces, working with local Armed Forces organisations to support those  ...  view the full agenda text for item 10.

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

(A)         Question from Councillor Sarah Mead

Following a request from a resident, please could floodlights be installed on the basketball court at Shephalbury Park to extend use in the winter months?

(B)         Question from Councillor Phil Bibby

Given that the Government has announced a pause of Local Government Reform, in view of the wider legal challenges made based on, amongst other things, gerrymandering, how would the Leader of the Council respond to residents on SBC’s proposals for the expensive option of 4 Unitaries, and how are these proposals likely to be amended?

(C)         Question from Councillor Peter Wilkins

Can you tell me how many Solar panels and how many air source heat pumps were fitted to council tenanted homes in the financial year 2025/26 (where the smart export guarantee benefits the tenants directly rather than serving a communal area.) and what the target was for the year?

(D)         Question from Councillor Ricki Rands

The Comet reported on 23 September 2026 that council mowing at Shackledell Grassland removed a substantial area of habitat and threatened a rare cricket colony.

The site supports six species of bush cricket, three species of grasshopper, as well as butterflies, moths and wildflowers.

The site is managed by Stevenage Borough Council under a Biodiversity Action Plan and is the only known location in Hertfordshire for the scarce great green bush cricket. It has been alleged that approximately 80% of the grassland was mown, despite the Plan recommending that only one quarter be cut each year, resulting in the loss of one of the colony’s principal breeding areas.

A similar over-mowing incident occurred in 2018, which the Council described at the time as an “honest mistake”.

Will the Council provide a full account of how this incident occurred?

(E)         Question from Councillor John Blackwood

The Council committed to providing a new community centre as part of the development at Bragbury End. For clarity, the community room within Brodie Court does not constitute the promised new community centre.

Will the Council confirm whether it remains committed to delivering this facility?

(F)          Question from Councillor Matthew Hurst

The Grade II-listed farmhouse at Fairlands Valley Park is in a poor state of repair and the Council has recently submitted a planning application to demolish outbuildings on the site.

Will the Council confirm unequivocally whether it intends to retain and preserve the farmhouse, or whether demolition is being considered? 

(G)         Question from Councillor Jaysica Marvell

Recent incidents have raised concerns about online abuse, harassment and intimidation directed at people involved in public life in Stevenage, including councillors, council staff and young people participating in the Council’s Youth Advisory Board.

Can the Leader set out what procedures the Council currently has in place for responding to and escalating such incidents?

(H)         Question from Councillor Ellie Plater

With the increased public presence of the newly established Youth Advisory Board, and with details of its  ...  view the full agenda text for item 11.

To approve the Annual Treasury Management Report for 2025/26

To consider amendments to the Council’s Constitution to ensure that it reflects and is compliant with the new National Scheme of Delegation which the Government is introducing via the Town and Country Planning (Discharge of Local Planning Authority Functions) (England) Regulations 2026.

To note the Minutes of the meeting of the Audit Committee held on 16 September 2026.