Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Andy McGuinness.

There were no declarations of interest.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the Environment and Economy Select Committee held on 12 December 2024.

Minutes to follow.

It was RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Environment and Economy Select Committee be agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

To agree the final report and recommendations of the Committee’s Skills Agenda review.

The Chair introduced the report, thanking Members and Officers, particularly the Council’s Scrutiny Officer, for their contributions to the review. The Chair highlighted the importance of the recommendations, reflecting the Committee’s commitment to improving skills and opportunities in Stevenage and Hertfordshire.

Recommendation 1 – Expansion of Stevenage Works

Members supported this recommendation, with particular interest in creating green apprenticeships.

The Chair emphasised the council’s active involvement in delivering on-the-ground initiatives such as apprenticeships. The ambition was to see even small-scale success, such as a handful of green apprenticeships annually.

There was broad agreement among members on the importance of continuing this work.

Recommendation 2 – Upskilling

The Chair acknowledged this as an area where further action was needed, expressing a desire for broader recommendations.

Members highlighted the significant potential to upskill individuals aged late 20s to early 40s, noting that many in this demographic still had decades left in the workforce.

Members stressed the importance of understanding barriers such as disabilities and non-academic backgrounds to better support this group.

Members proposed scoping further work in the future to explore the specific skills and training needs of this demographic.

Recommendation 3 – Promotion of the T-Level qualification for nursery

childcare into the local economy

Members commented about T-Levels being used as unpaid labour during the two-year training period, potentially leading to a lack of job opportunities post-qualification. The industry may exploit this for cost-saving purposes, creating a mismatch between the number of trainees and actual jobs available.

Members suggested focusing on apprenticeships instead, as they offered paid opportunities and may be more appealing to young people. An example of personal experience of unpaid training being a negative experience was shared.

The Chair agreed on the importance of promoting qualifications for childcare but highlighted that much of this fell under the remit of Hertfordshire County Council.

Recommendation 4 – Challenge to HCC & Local Children Centres

regarding providing clear accessible information on what funding is

available for families for childcare.

Discussions included the importance of clear, accessible information on childcare funding and support to help parents navigate work-life balance and employment opportunities.

The Chair highlighted that much of this fell under the remit of Hertfordshire County Council but promoted the need for clear signposting from the Council to assist parents.

Recommendation 5 – Promotion of work experience opportunities

Members commented on the importance of managing students' expectations about work placements, particularly in sectors like childcare and education, to avoid setting them up for failure. It was noted that work experience placements are most valuable when students receive an accurate overview of the job role.

Recommendation 6 – Promotion of success stories from Stevenage

The Chair suggested creating a Mayor’s Award for Learning to celebrate successes by college and school students where they attained excellent skills, outcomes and, as in turn, became the role models for successive years of students.

Members suggested celebrating a wide range of achievements, from academic progress to personal development, to avoid focusing only on high achievers. Proposed a focus  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

To receive the latest iteration of the 2024-25 E&E Select Committee Work Programme for comment and noting. The Chair will verbally highlight possible work programme items for 2025-26.

The Committee discussed the Work Programme.

During the discussion, the following topics were raised:

·       Waste and Recycling

It was proposed that the Committee would hold two meetings on waste and recycling to explore the service in-depth, including statutory changes, climate implications, and service efficiency.

It was proposed that Members undertake site visits to the Cavendish Road Depot and "ride-alongs" with collection crews to gain firsthand insight into operations.

The Assistant Director (Stevenage Direct Services) explained that at the first meeting, officers would provide a broad overview of the service. Members could then use this overview to identify specific areas for more in-depth scrutiny at the second meeting.

·       Climate Change Progress Update

It was proposed that the Committee would hold two meetings.

o   March 2024

o   November 2026.

·       Enforcement

Members suggested the Committee allocate a meeting to parking enforcement, especially in areas with planned double yellow lining, to ensure the measures are effectively implemented and enforced.

Members commented about inadequate enforcement against fly-tipping, with calls for stronger responses and follow-ups to reduce incidents and costs.

·       Garages

Some Members suggested a discussion on exploring the management of garages, a significant income source for the Council, including issues related to asbestos and service delivery. However, some Members questioned the necessity of this topic for scrutiny.

·       Street Scene

Members suggested they examine hedge trimming, street cleaning, and overall maintenance of the public realm, with concerns over visibility issues and general upkeep.

·       Cycling and Active Travel

Members discussed the need to revisit the 2019 cycling and pedestrian strategy in light of current needs and priorities. There were suggestions to incorporate colour-coded signage on cycleways and walkways to encourage active travel and make navigation easier and more engaging.

·       Transport Accessibility

Members suggested incorporating issues with car park availability, especially for disabled parking, and the negative impact on accessibility for individuals with mobility challenges.

Problems with the lift at Stevenage Station were discussed, which was reportedly out of order 30 times in 2024, impacting travellers reliant on it. Suggestions included escalating the matter to portfolio holders and following up on parliamentary discussions on the subject.

·       Town Centre Regeneration

Members commented about the design and implementation of the regeneration project, including the integration of flats and shops, the loss of popular car parks, and the perceived inefficiency in the planning approach.

Members suggested the need for an updated progress report on the regeneration project, avoiding repetitive information from earlier stages, and focussed on the current status and future plans.

·       Accessibility in the Public Realm

Members proposed to address neurodiversity by creating autism-friendly spaces, better signposting, and quiet zones to support a less overwhelming shopping experience.

Members raised issues with covered walkways being repurposed by businesses, making them less accessible, and the general lack of cohesive design for accessibility in public areas.

Linking proposed items, Members suggested the Committee examine how regeneration efforts can improve accessibility in both the town centre and Old Town, ensuring inclusivity for all users.

The Chair suggested a holistic review of transportation, including  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

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 grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as described in paragraphs1 – 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.

There was no Urgent Part II Business.