Agenda item

To consider the following Part I Decisions of the Cabinet taken on 4 June 2025.

MINUTES OF THE OVERVIEW AND SCURITY AND SELECT COMMITTEES

Cabinet Agenda Page Nos. 11 - 54

GREEN SPACES STRATEGY AND TREE AND WOODLAND STRATEGY

Cabinet Agenda Page Nos. 55 - 184

PLANNING POLICY UPDATE INCLUDING REVISED LOCAL DEVELOPMENT SCHEME AND REVISED STATEMENT OF COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Cabinet Agenda Page Nos. 185 - 264

TENANT SATISFACTION MEASURES 2024 / 25

Cabinet Agenda Page Nos. 253 - 264

Notice of Decisions to follow

The Committee considered the following Part I Decisions of the Cabinet taken on 4 June 2025.

1.    MINUTES OF THE OVERVIEW AND SCURITY AND SELECT COMMITTEES

The Strategic Director advised that the Select Committee had provided feedback on the scrutiny work, and no questions were raised by Cabinet in response.

2.    GREEN SPACES STRATEGY AND TREE AND WOODLAND STRATEGY

The Assistant Director for Stevenage Direct Services reported that both the Green Spaces Strategy and the Tree and Woodland Strategy had been in development for some time and had involved consultation with stakeholders and Council officers and specific policy development work with the Environment & Economy Select Committee

The Overview and Scrutiny Members were informed that Cabinet members discussed the importance of green spaces in the town and agreed that the strategies were well-aligned with the Council’s long term ambitions to enhance and protect these areas over the next ten years. Members welcomed the inclusion of the Forster Country Park, recognising it as a significant asset for Stevenage. The recommendations were approved.

Committee members also highlighted the town-wide importance of green spaces, with reference to the value of Fairlands Valley Park for residents of all age groups. 

A question was raised about the funding available for implementing, and whether certain actions could be accelerated. In response, the Environmental Policy and Development Manager confirmed that an additional column had been added to the action plan to indicate where additional resources would be required. It was acknowledged that while full delivery of all actions over the ten-year period could not be guaranteed, the majority were considered achievable within current resources, particularly with the continuation of external funding streams.

3.    PLANNING POLICY UPDATE INCLUDING REVISED LOCAL DEVELOPMENT SCHEME AND REVISED STATEMENT OF COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

The Assistant Director for Planning and Regulatory Services advised that Cabinet had been presented with a report containing details of updates to the Local Development Scheme and revisions to the Statement of Community Involvement. 

A question was raised regarding how the report related to Section 106 agreements and the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL). Officers clarified that the Local Development Scheme was a program management document and did not include policy recommendations.

A further question was raised regarding how existing Council strategies, such as the cycling strategy, would be incorporated into strategic planning documents. Officers confirmed that relevant strategies would be reflected in the Local Plan through land-use planning.

A question was raised in reference to paragraph 3.21 of the report regarding the inclusion of Broxbourne in the joint strategic plan, given the lack of a shared boundary. Officers explained that the plan was at a conceptual stage, with the intention to explore collaboration between multiple authorities on strategic growth proposals. Officers commented that it was not unusual for local authorities to collaborate on evidence gathering across a wider area.

Members noted the strong North-South dynamics in the area and speculated on how these patterns might influence future planning. Officers emphasised the importance of reflecting real-world patterns in plan making, which supported the need for ongoing collaboration with neighbouring authorities.

At this juncture, the Assistant Director for Planning and Regulatory Services explained that the government was proposing changes to strategic planning through the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, which could result in secondary legislation. Officers confirmed that further reports would be brought to the committee as these proposals developed.

4.    TENANT SATISFACTION MEASURES 2024 / 25

The Assistant Director for Housing and Neighbourhoods informed the Committee that the report to Cabinet had outlined the Tenant Satisfaction Measures for 2024/25, which compared favourably to the results of 2023/24. Cabinet members were asked to note the contents and progress detailed in the report, along with the services improvements made by the Housing Department.

It was noted that Cabinet were asked to approve the publication of the Tenant Satisfaction Measures in accordance with the requirements set out by the Regulator of Social Housing.

In response to a member’s question regarding the scoring metrics included in the report, officers confirmed that C1 represented the highest available grade.

A further question was raised regarding the range of metrics included in the report. Officers clarified that all metrics were prescribed by the Regulator of Social Housing, ensuring consistency and comparability across the sector.