Agenda and decisions

There were no apologies for absence and no declarations of interest.

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 17 September 2025.

It was RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 17 September 2025 be approved as a correct record for signature by the Chair.

To note the following minutes of the Overview and Scrutiny and Select Committees:

Environment and Economy Select Committee – 1 September 2025

Community Select Committee – 16 September 2025

Cabinet received a summary of the issues covered at the most recent meetings of the Environment and Economy Select and Community Select including:

Environment and Economy Select Committee had considered recycling in flat blocks; the promotion of recycling champions and working with young residents; and consideration of the use of CCTV at Bring Bank sites to deter fly tipping;

The Community Select Committee had received a presentation on the Council’s response to cases of damp and mould in the light of the implementation of Awaab’s Law from 27 October 2025.

Members thanked the Members of the Scrutiny Committees for their work and welcomed the scrutiny undertaken on these matters and looked forward to working with them and receiving the outcomes.

It was RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Overview and Scrutiny and Select Committee meetings be noted.

To consider the proposed Fees and Charges for the financial year 2026/27, covering both the General Fund (GF) (some commencing in January 2026) and the Housing Revenue Account (HRA).

Cabinet received a report seeking approval for the proposed Fees and Charges for the financial year 2026/27, covering both the General Fund (GF) (some commencing in January 2026) and the Housing Revenue Account (HRA).

The Portfolio Holder for Resources and Performance advised that the Council’s 2026/27 Fees and Charges proposals formed a key part of the financial strategy to address ongoing budget pressures and supported the sustainability of vital services for the community.  The charges were informed by inflationary pressures, service cost recovery, and benchmarking, and were reviewed by the cross-party Council’s Financial Security Group (CFSG), with the majority of proposals receiving unanimous support.

It was RESOLVED:

1.    That Fees and Charges 2026/27 for the General Fund (GF), as shown at Appendix A to the report, be approved.

2.    That Fees and Charges 2026/27 for the Housing Revenue Account (HRA), as shown at Appendix B to the report, be approved.

3.    That 2026/27 Retail Outdoor Seating fees as shown at Appendix C to the report, be approved.

4.    That 2026/27 Fast track/Accelerated Planning fees (pilot) as shown at Appendix D to the report, be approved. 

5.    That the Strategic Director & S151 Officer be given delegated authority to approve any final changes required to the Fees and Charges, following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Resources and Performance.

To consider a proposal to increase the fees and charges relating to taxi and private hire licensing, whilst ensuring that the fees set by the Council remain fair, transparent and proportionate to the cost of administering the licensing service.

Cabinet received a report considering the Council’s proposal to increase the fees and charges relating to taxi and private hire licensing.  The aim of the increase was to ensure that the fee structure remained fair, transparent, and proportionate to the actual cost of administering the service.

The Portfolio Holder advised that in support of the Council’s environmental objectives, it was also proposed that a subsidised licence fee be introduced for electric and hybrid vehicles, encouraging the transition to cleaner fuel alternatives.

It was noted that public consultation with the sector and taxi drivers had been undertaken and following analysis of the feedback received, it was recommended that the revised fees and charges be implemented through a phased approach over a two-year period.

It was RESOLVED:

1.  That the proposed fee increase with a phased implementation, whereby 50% of the proposed increase is applied in 2026/27, with the full increase coming into effect in 2027/28 plus any inflation related increase part of normal 2027/28 fees and charges review be approved.

2.  That the advice of the Council’s Climate Action Team be supported and a reduced fee structure to incentivise the use of environmentally sustainable vehicles be approved.

3.  That it be noted that the discounted licensing structure will remain in place until the end of 2030 to align with the Council’s target to achieve zero emissions by 2030 and National policy commitments, including the planned phased out of new petrol and diesel vehicle sales by 2030.

To report the annual summary of actions taken, and progress made, on the eight strategic themes set out in Stevenage’s 2020 Climate Change Strategy.

Cabinet received a report setting out the annual summary of actions taken, and progress made, on the eight strategic themes set out in Stevenage’s 2020 Climate Change Strategy.  Key initiatives included:

• Retrofitting homes to improve energy efficiency.
• Decarbonising the Council’s vehicle fleet.
• Launching a Green Business Grant to support sustainable practices.
• Enhancing biodiversity through tree planting schemes.
• Engaging communities via the Climate Change Community Fund.

The report also highlighted action being taken by the Council at county level through the Hertfordshire Climate Change and Sustainability Partnership (HCCSP) and the work being undertaken at neighbourhood and individual level to drive behavioural change across the town.

The Portfolio Holder was pleased to report that in order to improve the accuracy and consistency of future emissions tracking, the Council was developing a new greenhouse gas baseline and a transparent reporting framework.  It was noted that while Stevenage continued to make progress towards the national net zero target, achieving this by 2030 would require ongoing legislative and financial support from central Government.

Cabinet paid tribute to those Officers and Members who had worked to ensure Stevenage was in the forefront of the Climate Change agenda.  Members were pleased to note that all new developments in the town were taking on the best environmental standards in Climate Change quality assurance guarantees.

Members were keen to ensure that all Councillors used their Climate Change Community Fund for opportunities in their wards to fund schemes to improve the environment in their areas.

It was RESOLVED that:

1.  That the progress made in delivering the 2020 Stevenage Climate Change Strategy over the past year across the eight strategic areas be noted. Of particular note is Stevenage’s lowest historical GHG emissions in 2023, delivering a 7.2% decrease from 2022 levels, and 22.6% lower than in the baseline year (2018) resulting in Stevenage’s per capita emissions in 2023 being lower than county, regional, and national averages.

2.  That work to secure ongoing external funding, partnerships, and income-generating opportunities be endorsed, particularly in terms of renewable energy generation, to support delivery of the 2030 net-zero target and build long-term resilience.

3.  That authority be delegated to the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Climate Change to review and update the Strategy over the coming year as required, to ensure it continues to align with the Council’s corporate priorities.

To consider a new Rent Setting and Service Charge Policy for 2025-2027.

Cabinet were presented with the updated Rent Setting and Service Charge Policy for 2025–2027, which set out the Council’s approach to rent and service charge setting across its housing stock.

The Portfolio Holder for Housing advised that the policy reflected recent legislative updates and changes to the Rent Standard, and introduced rent flexibility.

It was RESOLVED:

1.    That a new Rent Setting and Service Charge Policy 2025-2027 (Appendix A).

2.    That the relevant Strategic Director, after consultation with the relevant Portfolio Holder, be given delegated authority to make minor updates and changes to this policy arising from new legislation.

To consider any Part 1 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.

It was RESOLVED:

1. That under Section 100A 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 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 the reasons for the following reports being in Part II were accepted, and that the exemption from disclosure of the information contained therein outweighs the public interest in disclosure.

To approve as a correct record the Part II Minutes of the meeting held on 17 September 2025.

It was RESOLVED that the Part II Minutes of the Cabinet held on 17 September 2025 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.    

To consider an Estates commercial opportunity.

The Cabinet considered a Part II report in respect of a commercial opportunity.

It was RESOLVED that the recommendations set out in the report be approved.

To consider an update including progression of the New Sports and Leisure Facility.

Cabinet received a Part II report outlining the progress towards delivering the Council’s new Stevenage Sports and Leisure Centre.

It was RESOLVED that the recommendations set out in the report be approved.

To provide a programme wide update across the Government’s Towns Fund programme being delivered by Stevenage Borough Council and Stevenage Development Board partners.

The Executive considered a Part II report giving a programme wide update across the Government’s Towns Fund programme being delivered by Stevenage Borough Council and Stevenage Development Board partners.

It was RESOLVED that the recommendations set out in the report be approved.

To update Members on the Council’s subsidiary companies and those the Council has an interest in.

Cabinet received an update on the Council’s subsidiary companies and those the Council has an interest in. The report set out the current financial position for each company, identifying any financial and operational risks and any mitigation measures that were being or needed to be implemented.

It was RESOLVED that the recommendations set out in the report be approved.

To update Members on progress across the existing Land and Development programme, including updates on key sites and new opportunities.

Cabinet received a report seeking to update Members on progress across the existing Land and Development programme, including updates on key sites and new opportunities.

It was RESOLVED that the recommendations set out in the report be approved.

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

There was no urgent Part II Business.