In accordance with Standing Orders, the following motions have been received for consideration:
(1) Code of Conduct
To be moved by Councillor Phil Bibby
The Council notes that the Code of Conduct for Members states that we should treat other councillors and members of the public with respect, and that the Campaigning Rules state that we must not knowingly make a false statement about the personal character of a candidate.
The Council also notes that there have been instances where these rules have not been adhered to, so resolves to remind all councillors, activists and future candidates of the need to treat everyone with respect and, on all occasions, act with integrity.
(2) Labour Government
On
4th July, 2024, after 14 years of disastrous, draconian
and divisive Conservative government, the country chose
change. It chose hope. It chose Labour.
The people of Stevenage also chose Labour and, for the first time in 14 years, the Stevenage constituency will have an MP worthy of the title. Kevin Bonavia will reset the expectations of what a good local MP should be: one who works full time for Stevenage; one who works with the local authorities in his constituency, not against them; one who is accessible and accountable to local people.
We
congratulate Kevin Bonavia on his election. He is one of 411 Labour MPs in the House of
Commons who, with Sir Keir Starmer as Prime Minister, a talented
front bench team and a clear mandate, will bring the change and
stability that the people of this country want and
need.
We also congratulate the former Leader of the Council, Baroness Taylor of Stevenage, on her appointment as Parliamentary Under Secretary of State in the Department of Housing, Community & Local Government.
The new Government has hit the ground running. In the King’s Speech on 17th July, the Government set out its priorities. They are ambitious and diverse priorities. In particular, those that affect Stevenage Borough Council directly include:
· A Renters’ Rights Bill that will abolish Section 21 “no-fault evictions” and empower tenants to challenge rent increases “designed to force them out by the back door”.
· Respect orders – a revamped form of Asbos – will give police powers to place restrictions on adults to tackle anti-social behaviour.
· A Planning and Infrastructure Bill to speed up the planning process and planning committees will be modernised, with resources to do their jobs.
· A commitment to housing – including social and affordable housing.
· A devolution bill for England,
· An Employment Rights bill, recognising that Labour values workers’ rights.
· Nationalisation of our railways.
The Labour Manifesto, published prior to the general election, gave commitments that a Labour Government would work collaboratively with local government. The manifesto emphasises the importance of stable funding, decision-making flexibility, and partnership with local leaders and communities to drive growth and provide essential services. The King’s Speech has opened the door to that collaboration, and, in Stevenage, we warmly welcome it.
This Council resolves
that:
1. We look forward to a collaborative relationship with the newly elected Labour MP and Government to meet the Council ambitions for housing, growth and regeneration, and for the benefit of the people of Stevenage.
2. The Leader of the Council writes to Kevin Bonavia, MP for Stevenage, congratulating him on his election to Parliament and that SBC looks forward to a close working relationship.
3. The Leader of the Council writes to Baroness Taylor of Stevenage upon becoming Parliamentary Under Secretary of State in the Department of Housing, Community & Local Government and wishes her every success with her new role.
Decision:
Code of Conduct
Councillor Phil Bibby moved a motion concerning the Code of Conduct.
The motion was not seconded and therefore was not debated.
New Labour Government
Councillor Richard Henry moved and Councillor Sandra Barr seconded the following motion
“On 4th July,
2024, after 14 years of disastrous, draconian and divisive
Conservative government, the country chose change. It chose hope. It
chose Labour.
The people of Stevenage also
chose Labour and, for the first time in 14 years, the Stevenage
constituency will have an MP worthy of the title. Kevin Bonavia will
reset the expectations of what a good local MP should be: one who
works full time for Stevenage; one who works with the local
authorities in his constituency, not against them; one who is
accessible and accountable to local people.
We congratulate Kevin
Bonavia on his election. He is one of 411 Labour MPs in the House of
Commons who, with Sir Keir Starmer as Prime Minister, a talented
front bench team and a clear mandate, will bring the change and
stability that the people of this country want and need.
We also congratulate the former
Leader of the Council, Baroness Taylor of Stevenage, on her
appointment as Parliamentary Under Secretary of State in the
Department of Housing, Community & Local Government.
The new Government has hit the
ground running. In the King’s
Speech on 17th July, the Government set out its
priorities. They are ambitious and
diverse priorities. In particular,
those that affect Stevenage Borough Council directly
include:
· A Renters’ Rights Bill that will abolish Section 21 “no-fault evictions” and empower tenants to challenge rent increases “designed to force them out by the back door”.
· Respect orders – a revamped form of Asbos – will give police powers to place restrictions on adults to tackle anti-social behaviour.
· A Planning and Infrastructure Bill to speed up the planning process and planning committees will be modernised, with resources to do their jobs.
· A commitment to housing – including social and affordable housing.
· A devolution bill for England,
· An Employment Rights bill, recognising that Labour values workers’ rights.
· Nationalisation of our railways.
The Labour Manifesto, published prior to the general election, gave commitments that a Labour Government would work collaboratively with local government. The manifesto emphasises the importance of stable funding, decision-making flexibility, and partnership with local leaders and communities to drive growth and provide essential services. The King’s Speech has opened the door to that collaboration, and, in Stevenage, we warmly welcome it.
This Council resolves
that:
1. We look forward to a collaborative relationship with the newly elected Labour MP and Government to meet the Council ambitions for housing, growth and regeneration, and for the benefit of the people of Stevenage.
2. The Leader of the Council writes to Kevin Bonavia, MP for Stevenage, congratulating him on his election to Parliament and that SBC looks forward to a close working relationship.
3. The Leader of the Council writes to Baroness Taylor of Stevenage upon becoming Parliamentary Under Secretary of State in the Department of Housing, Community & Local Government and wishes her every success with her new role.
Following debate, and upon being put to the vote, the motion was carried.