Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Lynda Guy.

There were no declarations of interest.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meetings of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 17 December 2024.

Minutes to follow.

It was RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 17 December 2024 be agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

To consider the following Part I Decisions of the Cabinet taken on 15 January 2025:

2. MINUTES - CABINET - 11 DECEMBER 2024

Cabinet Agenda 5 – 12

3. GARAGES ASSET MANAGEMENT REPORT

Cabinet Agenda 13 – 36

4. COMMUNITY SAFETY STRATEGY 2025 - 28

Cabinet Agenda 37 – 102

5. LICENSING ACT 2003 - REVIEW OF STATEMENT OF LICENSING POLICY

Cabinet Agenda 103 – 232

6. GAMBLING ACT 2005 - REVIEW OF STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLES

Cabinet Agenda 233 – 382

7. CONSULTATION ON AN AMENDMENT TO TWO ARTICLE 4 DIRECTIONS TO REQUIRE CHANGES OF USE FROM CLASS E(G)(I) (OFFICES AND CLASS E(G)(III) (LIGHT INDUSTRIAL) TO CLASS C3 (RESIDENTIAL) TO OBTAIN PLANNING PERMISSION

Cabinet Agenda 383 – 422

8. COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE LEVY (CIL): DRAFT CHARGING

SCHEDULE – PUBLIC CONSULTATION

Cabinet Agenda 423 – 472

9. HOUSING REVENUE ACCOUNT (HRA) - FINAL BUDGET AND RENT

SETTING 2025/26

Cabinet Agenda 473 – 548

10. DRAFT GENERAL FUND AND COUNCIL TAX SETTING 2025/26

Cabinet Agenda 549 – 608

11. DRAFT CAPITAL STRATEGY 2024/25-2029/30

Cabinet Agenda 609 – 636

12. URGENT PART 1 BUSINESS

Notice of Decisions to follow

The Committee considered the following Part I Decisions of the Cabinet taken on 15 January 2025:

2. MINUTES - CABINET - 11 DECEMBER 2024

The Committee noted the Minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 11 December 2024.

3. GARAGES ASSET MANAGEMENT REPORT

The Committee considered the Council’s Garages Asset Management Report. The Assistant Director (Stevenage Direct Services) advised the Committee that the purpose of the report was to outline plans for managing garage stock, focussed on repairs, contracts, and budgets. The Committee heard that the Cabinet had held discussions that highlighted the need for ongoing member involvement in monitoring progress.

Cabinet had agreed all recommendations set out in the report.

Members commented regarding the reduction in scope and budgeted spend compared to the previous garage asset management strategy. The shift from whole place  renewal of garage sites to a more targeted approach was discussed. The Chief Financial Officer explained this change was largely due to financial constraints, with a focus on addressing key issues such as roof replacements and asbestos management while maintaining functionality. In addition, voids have significantly reduced since the approval of the first garage programme which had used projected increased income to fund borrowing by reducing void garage levels. 

Members commented that the current strategy may serve as a "sticking plaster" rather than addressing long-term maintenance needs. The Chief Financial Officer confirmed that the strategy included funding for targeted repairs and other garage components but acknowledged the programme will need a refresh in a few years  at a suitable time to assess future needs.

Members queried the management of asbestos works and suggested the use of a nominated subcontractor under the main contractor’s supervision to reduce Council management requirements. The Chief Financial Officer clarified that the current approach was based on advice from the Council’s property surveyor team.

Members raised questions about the projected cumulative income losses due to disrepair, as outlined in the report. The Chief Financial Officer explained that the figures represented estimates of potential losses if no investment was made, in this scenario income losses would increase annually as more garages would fall into disrepair.

4. COMMUNITY SAFETY STRATEGY 2025 – 28

The Head of Community Advice and Support informed Members that the report on the Community Safety Strategy 2025-28, which outlined the emerging priorities of the SoSafe Partnership for the next three years, had been considered by Cabinet without further amendments and was scheduled for review by full Council.

Cabinet had agreed all recommendations set out in the report.

5. LICENSING ACT 2003 - REVIEW OF STATEMENT OF LICENSING POLICY

The Interim Assistant Director (Planning & Regulation) informed the Committee that the review, required every five years, outlined the Council's regulatory role and approach as the Licensing Authority. A new recommendation, introduced at the General Purposes Committee (4th December 2024), was included in the Cabinet report.

The Committee heard that the introduction of the Council as a "responsible authority" for enforcement was well received by Cabinet members.

The Interim Assistant Director (Planning & Regulation)  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

To consider any urgent Part I Decisions authorised by the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee

There were no Urgent Part I Decisions Authorised by the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

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 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  that:

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 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.

To approve as a correct record the Part II Minutes of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 17 December 2024.

Minutes to follow.

It was RESOLVED that the Part II Minutes of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 17 December be agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

To consider the following Part II Decisions of the Cabinet taken on 15 January 2025.

14. MINUTES - CABINET 11 DECEMBER 2024

15. URGENT PART II BUSINESS

Notice of Decisions to follow

The Committee noted that the only Part II Business at the Cabinet meeting held on 15 January 2025 was the minutes of the previous Cabinet meeting.

To consider any urgent Part II Decisions authorised by the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee

There were no Urgent Part II Decisions Authorised by the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

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

There was no Urgent Part I Business.