Agenda and decisions

Apologies for Absence were received from Councillor Simon Speller.

Councillor Sandra Barr declared an interest in item 2 – Presentation from Young Enterprise as Chair of Governors at Larwood School.  

Councillor Tom Wren declared an interest in item 3 – Decent Homes Scrutiny Review as a Leaseholder.

To receive a presentation from Young Enterprise.

The Committee received a presentation Jo O’Reilly, Area Manager from Young Enterprise (YE), an organisation offering a wide range of programmes to help young people develop key employability competencies.

In response to a question regarding SEN pupils or those young people who had disengaged from learning, Jo O’reilly advised that YE delivered access for all programmes and gave examples of previous work.

The Committee was informed that YE was happy to work with partners across Stevenage including North Herts College and all Secondary Schools although other organisations would be welcomed and programmes could be developed as appropriate.

It was RESOLVED that Jo O’Reilly from Young Enterprise be thanked for her presentation.

To revisit the Scrutiny Review of Decent Homes completed in January 2014.

The Committee revisited the Scrutiny Review of Decent Homes which was completed in January 2014.

Members were pleased to note the 100% post inspection work now undertaken.

Officers informed the Committee of potential social value opportunities within future contract commitments including trade apprenticeships. This would be followed through with the contracts awarded for the regeneration works to the Town Centre and also the Major Refurbishment Contracts for the flat blocks around the Town.

Members discussed and endorsed the requirement to monitor customer satisfaction through surveys and feedback.

It was RESOLVED that the update be noted.

To consider any Part I business accepted by the Chair as urgent

None.

To consider the following motions:

1. That under Section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the ground that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as described in paragraphs 1 – 7 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act as amended by Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006.

2. That Members consider the reasons for the following reports being in Part II and determine whether or not maintaining the exemption from disclosure of the information contained therein outweighs the public interest in disclosure.

Not required.

To consider any Part II business accepted by the Chair as urgent

None.