Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Leanne Brady, Andy McGuinness and Ellie Plater.

There were no declarations of interest.

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the Environment & Economy Select Committee held on 16 July 2024.

It was RESOLVED that the minutes of the Environment & Economy Select Committee held on 16 July 2024 be agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

At this juncture, the Chair announced a change in the agenda order and switched Item 3, "Stevenage Skills Agenda Scrutiny Review - Mapping Document" with Item 4, “Stevenage Skills Agenda – Interview with Stevenage Works Team”.

The Chair outlined the focus of the meeting, which was a review of the skills agenda in Stevenage. The committee aimed to explore the local community's engagement with the economy and workforce development.

To consider a mapping exercise document for the Stevenage Skills Agenda scrutiny review.

The Chair introduced the Stevenage Skills Agenda Scrutiny Review – Mapping Document and highlighted upcoming site visits to SITEC at North Herts College and the STEM Discovery Centre art Airbus.

It was RESOLVED that the Committee noted the Stevenage Skills Agenda Scrutiny Review – Mapping Document.

To Greta Gardiner from the Stevenage Borough Council, Stevenage Works Team on the established and ongoing Stevenage Works construction experience.

The Chair introduced the guest speakers.

Greta Gardner, the Council’s Investment Project Support Manager, would provide insights into the team's work with the local economy and community.

Charlotte Blizzard-Welch, CEO of Citizens Advice Stevenage, would offer a perspective on the challenges faced by individuals in the Stevenage workforce, particularly in relation to skills development and re-entering the job market.

The Chair highlighted the Committee’s intent to balance discussions between advanced technological sectors (e.g., life sciences and engineering) and the broader challenges faced by various segments of the local workforce.

In addition to the guest speakers, the Chair welcomed Daryl Jedowski, the Council’s Corporate Policy and Performance Manager, and Carol Richardson, newly appointed as the Council’s Economy and Skills Partnership Officer.

The Investment Project Support Manager provided the Committee with an overview of Stevenage Works, which focused on delivering social value and supporting local employment through partnerships. The initiative was born from a collaboration between Stevenage Borough Council, North Herts College, and Job Centre Plus in 2017/18. It was established to ensure social value from the town’s major refurbishment and regeneration contracts.

The Committee heard that the goal was to streamline job opportunities, apprenticeships, and work experience for local residents while encouraging developers and contractors to leave a positive legacy.

The Committee were advised that Stevenage Works operated as a partnership between the Council, North Herts College, and Job Centre Plus, and collaborated with contractors and developers in the area. Contractors working on large developments in the town were required to create a skills plan under Section 106, which was monitored by Stevenage Works. If they failed to meet their commitments, financial penalties were imposed, and funds were redirected to training initiatives. Regular negotiations took place with developers, ensuring they fulfilled their social value obligations, such as providing apprenticeships and engaging in community projects.

The Investment Project Support Manager informed the Committee that Contractors were expected to contribute to the community in various ways, including through:

·       The provision of job opportunities, apprenticeships, and work placements.

·       Local supply chain usage, ensuring money stayed within Stevenage.

·       Engaging with schools, offering work experience, and providing community support.

The Committee heard an example of contractors having volunteered for a local initiative, through the installation of a long-needed bench at Hampson Park.

The Investment Project Support Manager informed the Committee that Stevenage Works had helped more than 550 individuals attend training courses and more than 180 obtaining CSCS Cards for construction site work. Some contractors had often assisted with CV writing and mock interviewing, contributing to upskilling efforts within the local community.

The Committee heard about the Community Chest Fund that collated donations from contractors and developers, which were then allocated to local community projects. A panel, comprised of contributing developers, reviewed bids and awarded funds to initiatives such as the Bedwell Rangers, who received support with purchasing team attire. All funded projects were required to provide evidence of how the money had been spent.

The Investment Project Support Manager advised the Committee that, beyond construction,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

To consider the Action Tracker for the Environment & Economy Select Committee.

The Chair introduced the E&E Select Committee Action Tracker.

A Member raised a query that one of the recommendations from the Bus Scrutiny item was missing from the Action Tracker. The Scrutiny Officer responded that they would look into the issue and update Members in due course.

The Scrutiny Officer informed the Committee that the Action Tracker had been designed in a digital format that included links to relevant committee documents such as previous scrutiny reviews.

Members raised concerns related to the implementation of the Stevenage Cycle Hire Scheme particularly regarding safety concerns.

A Member highlighted a bay that had been marked out near Shephall Shops in close proximity to the canyon that could encourage anti-social behaviour.

Another Member raised additional safety concerns, particularly for visually impaired individuals. It had been asked, during a previous presentation, whether the painted bays would be detectable by someone using a white stick. The response assured that the painted lines would be raised to make them locatable, but upon inspection, it had been found this was not the case. The painted bays lacked any tactile markers, making it easy for someone to walk into a bike unintentionally, especially as some bays were placed near pedestrian crossings.

The Chair acknowledged the concerns and suggested contacting the appropriate Portfolio Holders and other relevant authorities to address the issues, encouraging further input from committee members. He agreed to follow up on these matters and coordinate with those responsible for disabilities and equalities.

It was RESOLVED that the E&E Select Committee Action Tracker be noted and that queries regarding missing recommendations and the Cycle Hire Scheme be followed up.

To consider any Part 1 business accepted by the Chair as urgent.

There was 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 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 none.