Agenda and decisions

Apologies were received on behalf of Councillor Jeannette Thomas.

There were no declarations of interest.

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 12 March 2025 for signature by the Chair.

It was RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 12 March 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:

Overview and Scrutiny Committee – 21 January, 18 February and 18 March 2025;

Environment and Economy Select Committee – 27 February, 11 March and 20 March 2025;

Community Select Committee – 26 March and 8 April

Cabinet received an update on recent meetings of the Overview and Scrutiny and Select Committee meetings. This included:

·         Overview and Scrutiny Committee – Garage Asset Management, Community Infrastructure Levy – Draft Charging Schedule, Revised Supplementary Planning Documents, High Street Rental Auctions and Local Government Reorganisation and Devolution;

·         Environment and Economy Select Committee – the provision of services to flat blocks, recycling bring-banks, waste and recycling and ways to improve recycling rates;

·         Community Select Committee – Crime and Disorder, housing allocations, damp and mould and tenant enforcement, community centres and an update on resident engagement.

The Leader thanked the outgoing Chairs of the three Scrutiny Committees for their work and wished the three incoming Chairs well for the upcoming year.

Officers agreed to ensure that the attendance of Cabinet Portfolio Holders at any Scrutiny Committee be recorded in the minutes of relevant meetings.

Officers advised that a written response would be sent to all Cabinet Members relating to a question raised by Councillor Williams regarding the High Street Rental Auctions item.

It was RESOLVED that the following Minutes of meetings of the Overview and Scrutiny and Select Committees be noted –

Overview and Scrutiny Committee – 21 January, 18 February and 18 March 2025;

Environment and Economy Select Committee – 27 February, 11 March and 20 March 2025; and

Community Select Committee – 26 March and 8 April 2025.

To consider a report seeking approval of the Green Spaces Strategy 2025-2035 and Tree & Woodland Strategy 2025-2035 for Stevenage.

Cabinet received a report regarding the draft Green Spaces Strategy and Tree & Woodland Strategy which had been developed, following consultation with colleagues and residents, to support future delivery of further improvements over the next ten years in order to ensure that these assets continued to meet the needs of people and wildlife in the future.

Members noted that the strategies aligned with the corporate priorities and local policy documents. 

Members agreed that the many green spaces across the Town were a huge asset for the Town and that these strategies would support the Council’s aims and ambitions to continue to improve and enhance these green spaces to provide a great environment for people to live, work and play.

Members were also pleased to note that compared to the surrounding areas, all residents could access green spaces including 20 hectare woods with a short distance of their homes.  The new Country Park planned for the north of the town was also a much welcomed new asset to Stevenage.

Members thanked Officers for their hard work and due diligence in producing the Strategies.

It was RESOLVED that the Green Spaces Strategy and Tree & Woodland Strategy 2025 – 2035 be approved.

To consider a report updating Cabinet on changes in national planning policy and guidance announced by Government and the implications for plan making in Stevenage.

Cabinet received a report which provided an update to changes in National Planning Policy and Guidance announced by Government and the implications for plan making in Stevenage.

Officers advised that the report sought Members’ approval to adopt a revised Local Development Scheme (LDS) and Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) which consisted of minor updates affecting the Council’s approach to both plan making and how the Council consults on planning applications concerning land in the Council’s ownership.

It was noted that Members of the Planning and Development Committee had been consulted with no comments being made.

It was RESOLVED that:

1.   The revised Local Development Scheme be approved;

2.   The revised Statement of Community Involvement be approved;

3.   That the comments of the Planning & Development Committee on the content

of this Cabinet Report be noted.

To receive a report highlighting the Council’s performance against the Tenant Satisfaction Measures (TSMs) for 2024/25, when compared to the results from 2023/24.

Cabinet received a report highlighting the Council’s performance against the Tenant Satisfaction Measures (TSMs) for 2024/25, when compared to the results from 2023/24.

Members noted that overall, the performance across the Tenant Satisfaction Measures, demonstrated a broadly positive trajectory, with several key areas showing marked improvement and others maintaining consistently high standards. 

Members agreed the importance of remaining committed to building on these improvements in the coming year and to continue to deliver against the Regulator for Social Housing’s Performance Improvement Plan beginning the journey towards securing a C1 grade.

The Portfolio Holder for Housing welcomed the addition of Councillor Nigel Williams to the Cabinet as Portfolio Holder with responsibility for Tenant Involvement who would contribute to ensuring meaningful engagement with Council tenants going forward.

It was RESOLVED that:

1.    The results of both the TSM Management Data and the Tenant Perception Surveys for 2024/25 and the improvement actions being undertaken to further improve tenant satisfaction levels be noted;

2.    The publication of the TSM Management Measures on the Council’s website be approved.

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 section of the Minutes of the meeting of the Executive held on 12 March 2025.

It was RESOLVED that the Part II Minutes of the Cabinet held on 12 March 2025 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

To consider a report relating to Mission44, a charitable foundation established by Sir Lewis Hamilton and the subsequent Pioneering Young STEM Futures programme.

The Executive considered a Part II report in respect of the provision of Pioneering Young STEM Futures.

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

To consider a report seeking confirmation for the appointment of a contractor for The Oval development to begin delivering on the neighbourhood regeneration scheme following the conclusion of the tender process.

The Executive considered a Part II report in respect of the provision of Project Delivery and Principal Contractor Appointment: The Oval.

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.