Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies were received from Councillors Lynda Guy and Carolina Veres.

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the Community Select Committee held on Wednesday 4 February 2026.

It was RESOLVED that the minutes of the Community Select Committee meeting held on 4 February 2026 be agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

The Community Select Committee, sitting as the Council’s Crime and Disorder Committee is to receive a presentation form the Police on community safety matters that they have been engaged in over the past year. As well as the Police, the Chair of the SoSafe Partnership, SBC Chief Executive, Tom Pike; Executive Portfolio Holder for Stronger Communities, Cllr Tom Plater and the Council’s Head of Advice & Support, Sarah Pateman will be in attendance.

The Portfolio Holder for Stronger Communities addressed the Committee and emphasised the importance of residents safety across the Town. The SoSafe Partnership was highlighted alongside the close working relationship the Council had with the Police, which was key to tackling crime and anti-social behaviour (ASB).

Members were advised that the priorities for 2025–2028 included strengthening community engagement, encouraging reporting of ASB and working collaboratively with residents and partners. Supporting objectives included raising awareness of risks linked to drugs and crime, supporting victims of domestic abuse, addressing cuckooing, preventing involvement in ASB, and tackling issues such as county lines and online fraud.

Data on service demand through the Council was also presented, highlighting significant numbers of referrals across community safety, domestic abuse, homelessness, and ASB services.

Members were presented with a review of the ASB service, which identified key challenges around compliance, triage, and case management. Actions to improve the service included introducing a neighbourhood management policy, strengthening early intervention, improving data systems and enhancing partnership working. 

The Police provided an update on operational activity, highlighting strong partnership working with the Council. Over the past year, a number of targeted operations had been undertaken to address organised crime, retail crime, and ASB. Additional patrols in hotspot areas had contributed to the reductions in ASB and the recovery of weapons.

It was confirmed that these operations were delivered collaboratively with partners, with information sharing enabling both enforcement and preventative interventions. Members asked questions regarding e-scooter enforcement and partnership involvement, and it was clarified that while e-scooters were legal to purchase, their misuse on public roads remained an issue being addressed locally and nationally.

The Committee also received an update on suicide prevention work, including partnership efforts to identify high-risk locations, deliver staff training and work with transport providers to explore infrastructure improvements.

Discussions took place regarding public perceptions of safety. It was acknowledged that some residents felt unsafe due to changes in the town and increased anonymity. Officers recognised these concerns and advised that further work would be undertaken to improve communication about ongoing initiatives, and to promote positive activity in order to help reassure residents.

The Committee was informed of a range of community safety initiatives, including domestic abuse awareness campaigns, the development of a Safer Routes project to improve safety in the town centre, and the opening of a Community Hub providing support for homeless individuals. Officers advised members that they were welcome to organise with Officers to attend the Community Hub.

Additional projects included an educational film addressing county lines exploitation, which had been widely shared and positively received and discussions took place regarding the details of the film.

Members asked how progress from previous years was measured, noting that similar priorities appeared annually and requested clearer updates on outcomes. Officers noted that work was guided by crime data and evolving local needs, with ongoing multi-agency meetings forming the basis of project development. It was acknowledged that while some issues, such as domestic abuse, may not show reductions in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

To receive the Cabinet Member response to the Community Select Committee’s Equalities, Diversity and Inclusion Scrutiny Review report and recommendations.

The Committee considered the Cabinet Member’s response to the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Review. It was highlighted that additional time had been allowed to ensure a comprehensive response, and Members welcomed the opportunity to observe the Council’s equalities group in operation.

Clarification was sought regarding engagement with the LGBTQ+ community, and it was agreed that a further response would be provided following additional officer input. It was noted that some engagement had taken place through community events including Stevenage Day, although further detail was requested.

Concerns were also raised regarding the lack of clear timescales for certain actions, such as the bench audit. Members suggested that defined timelines should be provided to ensure progress could be monitored effectively. Officers agreed to take this feedback forward and seek further clarification.

It was RESOLVED that:

·         Officers would provide information regarding engagement with the LGBTQ+ community.

·         Members suggested that defined timelines should be provided for the proposed bench audit to ensure effective monitoring.

To receive an update on the delivery of the 2025-26 Work Programme and potential options for consideration for the Committee’s 2026-27 Work Programme.

The Committee received an update on the progress of the agreed work programme. It was noted that a number of items, including statutory reports on crime and disorder, had been delivered during the municipal year. A request was made for future reports to include clearer year on year progress against previously agreed actions.

Members welcomed the inclusion of the public health items but suggested that future contributions from partners could be more locally targeted, including the provision of ward-level data where possible.

The Committee was invited to propose additional items for inclusion in the future work programme. Members requested further information on damp and mould, particularly in relation to the impact of recent legislative changes, current processes, and the number of outstanding cases.

In addition, a review of community cohesion was proposed, as well as a particular emphasis on issues affecting young people.

It was noted that any outstanding items not addressed within the current municipal year would remain on the work programme. Members were advised that there would be a further opportunity to review and update the programme following the Annual Council meeting.

It was RESOLVED that:

·         Members suggested that for future public health programme items, contributions from partners could be locally targeted, and include ward-level data where possible.

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

There was no Urgent Part I Business.

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.

It was RESOLVED:

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 grounds that they involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as described in paragraphs 1 to 7 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act, as amended by SI 2006 No. 88.

2.    That having considered the reasons for the following item being in Part II, it be determined that maintaining the exemption from disclosure of the information contained therein outweighed the public interest in disclosure.

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

There was no Urgent Part II Business.