In accordance with Standing Orders, the following motions have been received for consideration:
(1) Expanding Apprenticeship Opportunities in Stevenage
To be moved by Councillor Tom Plater
This Council notes that:
1. Apprenticeships provide a vital pathway into skilled employment for people of all ages, including young people entering the labour market, adults seeking to retrain or progress in their careers, and residents looking to develop new skills.
2. The Government has placed skills, training and employment at the heart of its mission to grow the economy and break down barriers to opportunity.
3. Recent apprenticeship reforms include measures to increase flexibility for employers and learners, reduce unnecessary bureaucracy, expand opportunities for young people, introduce Foundation Apprenticeships, and reform the Apprenticeship Levy into a Growth and Skills Levy to better meet local labour market needs.
4. Stevenage has a proud history as a centre for innovation, advanced manufacturing, engineering, life sciences and technology, with major employers including Airbus, MBDA, Autolus and GSK, alongside a growing business community requiring a skilled local workforce.
5. This Council has already recognised the success of Stevenage Works in bringing together employers, education providers and public agencies to deliver employment, skills and social value outcomes for local residents.
6. Strong partnerships between local authorities, employers, colleges, training providers and Government are essential if local people are to benefit fully from apprenticeship reforms and wider economic growth.
7. Despite progress, barriers remain for residents seeking apprenticeships, including awareness of opportunities, travel costs, confidence, access to networks, caring responsibilities and competition for placements.
This Council believes that:
1. Every resident in Stevenage should have access to high-quality education, training, apprenticeships or employment opportunities at every stage of life.
2. Apprenticeships should be accessible to people from all backgrounds and at all ages, supporting social mobility, lifelong learning and inclusive economic growth.
3. Stevenage Borough Council has an important leadership role in convening partners and ensuring that regeneration and inward investment create opportunities for local people throughout their working lives.
4. The Government’s reforms provide a significant opportunity to increase apprenticeship participation, address local skills shortages and ensure businesses can access the workforce they need.
5. Existing partnerships, including Stevenage Works, provide a strong foundation on which to expand apprenticeship opportunities across the town.
This Council resolves to:
1. Work with key partners, including North Hertfordshire College, local schools, employers, training providers, the Hertfordshire skills system, Stevenage Works and business networks to maximise the opportunities arising from the Government’s apprenticeship reforms.
2. Strengthen and promote partnership working across Stevenage to increase apprenticeship availability and encourage greater employer participation.
3. Work with existing contractors, developers and partners to increase apprenticeship opportunities through procurement, Section 106 agreements, social value commitments and workforce planning, whilst ensuring that agreed apprenticeship, employment and skills commitments are effectively monitored and delivered.
4. Support the promotion of apprenticeships through careers events, outreach activity and engagement with residents, particularly those who are not currently in education, employment or training, or who may benefit from retraining and upskilling opportunities.
5. Work with local employers to identify barriers to apprenticeship recruitment and retention and advocate for solutions where appropriate.
6. Request that the Portfolio Holder for Economy and Skills reports back to Members within twelve months on progress made, including:
o apprenticeship opportunities supported or created;
o partnership activity undertaken;
o engagement with local employers and education providers; and
o recommendations for further action.
7. Ask the Leader of the Council to write to the Rt Hon Baroness Smith of Malvern, Minister of State for Skills, welcoming the Government’s apprenticeship reforms, highlighting the work being undertaken in Stevenage through Stevenage Works and related partnerships, and inviting Ministers to engage with Stevenage as an example of effective local delivery of the Government’s skills agenda.
(2) Protecting Fairlands Valley Park and South Field from Development beyond Local Government Reorganisation.
To be moved by Councillor Tom Wren
This Council notes that:
1. Fairlands Valley Park is one of Stevenage’s most valued public open spaces, providing essential recreational, environmental, health, and wellbeing benefits to residents of all ages.
2. The Park, including South Field and all associated green spaces, is widely used for leisure activities including walking, sport, community events, wildlife enjoyment, education, and informal recreation.
3. Public green spaces play a critical role in protecting biodiversity, improving air quality, supporting mental and physical health, mitigating flooding, and maintaining the character and identity of Stevenage
4. Future generations should be guaranteed permanent access to these open spaces for recreation and leisure purposes.
5. The maximum environmental protections are currently in place for Fairlands Valley Park and South Field under the existing town plan. There is concern that our current intentions are vulnerable to future challenges and potential changes to the town plan by successive administrations following local Government reorganisation, which may change the status of Fairlands Valley land.
This Council
therefore resolves to:
6. Publicly state our firm opposition against any current or future proposal for housing development, residential construction, or urban encroachment within Fairlands Valley Park, including the South Field.
7. Explore and implement the strongest available legal protections, including but not limited to:
o a restrictive covenant in partnership with Herts Wildlife Trust
o protected open space designation,
o Fields in Trust protection,
o or other legally binding mechanisms,
8. Ensure the land is permanently safeguarded for leisure, recreation, environmental, and community use only.
9. Request that Council officers prepare a report outlining the legal options available to secure long-term protection of the Park and South Field from development other than for the improvement of existing infrastructure, including the Farmhouse.
10.Commit to working with local residents, environmental groups, sports organisations, and community stakeholders to preserve and enhance the park for future generations.
11.Write to relevant regional and national planning authorities confirming the Council’s position that Fairlands Valley Park in its entirety and South Field must remain protected public leisure land and should not be allocated for housing development or industrial use in any future local planning framework.
Minutes:
Expanding Apprenticeship Opportunities in Stevenage
Councillor Tom Plater moved the following motion:
This Council notes that:
1. Apprenticeships provide a vital pathway into skilled employment for people of all ages, including young people entering the labour market, adults seeking to retrain or progress in their careers, and residents looking to develop new skills.
2. The Government has placed skills, training and employment at the heart of its mission to grow the economy and break down barriers to opportunity.
3.
Recent apprenticeship reforms include measures to increase
flexibility for employers and learners, reduce unnecessary
bureaucracy, expand opportunities for young people, introduce
Foundation Apprenticeships, and reform the Apprenticeship Levy into
a Growth and Skills Levy to better meet local labour market
needs.
4.
Stevenage has a proud history as a centre for innovation, advanced
manufacturing, engineering, life sciences and technology, with
major employers including Airbus, MBDA, Autolus and GSK, alongside a growing business
community requiring a skilled local workforce.
5.
This Council has already recognised the success of Stevenage Works
in bringing together employers, education providers and public
agencies to deliver employment, skills and social value outcomes
for local residents.
6.
Strong partnerships between local authorities, employers, colleges,
training providers and Government are essential if local people are
to benefit fully from apprenticeship reforms and wider economic
growth.
7. Despite progress, barriers remain for residents seeking apprenticeships, including awareness of opportunities, travel costs, confidence, access to networks, caring responsibilities and competition for placements.
This Council believes
that:
1.
Every resident in Stevenage should have access to high-quality
education, training, apprenticeships or employment opportunities at
every stage of life.
2.
Apprenticeships should be accessible to people from all backgrounds
and at all ages, supporting social mobility, lifelong learning and
inclusive economic growth.
3. Stevenage Borough Council has an important leadership role in convening partners and ensuring that regeneration and inward investment create opportunities for local people throughout their working lives.
4.
The Government’s reforms provide a significant opportunity to
increase apprenticeship participation, address local skills
shortages and ensure businesses can access the workforce they
need.
5. Existing partnerships, including Stevenage Works, provide a strong foundation on which to expand apprenticeship opportunities across the town.
This Council resolves
to:
1.
Work with key partners, including North Hertfordshire College,
local schools, employers, training providers, the Hertfordshire
skills system, Stevenage Works and business networks to maximise
the opportunities arising from the Government’s
apprenticeship reforms.
2.
Strengthen and promote partnership working across Stevenage to
increase apprenticeship availability and encourage greater employer
participation.
3.
Work with existing contractors, developers and partners to increase
apprenticeship opportunities through procurement, Section 106
agreements, social value commitments and workforce planning, whilst
ensuring that agreed apprenticeship, employment and skills
commitments are effectively monitored and delivered.
4. Support the promotion
of apprenticeships through careers events, outreach activity and
engagement with residents, particularly those who are not currently
in education, employment or training, or who may benefit from
retraining and upskilling opportunities.
5. Work with local employers to identify barriers to apprenticeship recruitment and retention and advocate for solutions where appropriate.
6. Request that the Portfolio Holder for Economy and Skills reports back to Members within twelve months on progress made, including:
· apprenticeship opportunities supported or created;
· partnership activity undertaken;
· engagement with local employers and education providers; and
· recommendations for further action.
7.Ask the Leader of the Council to write to the Rt Hon Baroness Smith of Malvern, Minister of State for Skills, welcoming the Government’s apprenticeship reforms, highlighting the work being undertaken in Stevenage through Stevenage Works and related partnerships, and inviting Ministers to engage with Stevenage as an example of effective local delivery of the Government’s skills agenda.
In moving the motion, Councillor Plater highlighted the importance of apprenticeships, skills development and employment opportunities in ensuring that residents of all ages could access education, training and rewarding careers. He spoke of the benefits of apprenticeships in improving social mobility, addressing skills shortages and supporting economic growth, and welcomed recent Government reforms aimed at increasing flexibility and access to training.
Councillor Plater made reference to Stevenage’s strengths in advanced manufacturing, space technology, defence and life sciences, and the need to ensure that local residents have the skills required to access employment opportunities arising from these sectors. He advised that the Council was already supporting this objective through initiatives such as Stevenage Works, partnerships with employers, schools, North Hertfordshire College, training providers and Jobcentre Plus, and by embedding skills and employment opportunities within the town’s regeneration programme.
Councillor Plater referred to the Council’s partnership with Mission 44 and its commitment to removing barriers to opportunity, particularly for young people seeking careers in STEM-related fields. He further acknowledged the value of the Council’s own apprenticeship programme and its focus on developing and retaining talent within the organisation.
Councillor Plater advised that the Council was strengthening partnerships with employers and training providers, exploring barriers to apprenticeship creation and increasing access to skills and training opportunities. He also confirmed that the Council would write to Government to highlight Stevenage’s successful approach to skills development and apprenticeships and to support the continued growth of opportunities for local residents.
The Motion was seconded by Councillor Dermot Kehoe.
Councillor Morrell-Philips, Leader of the Opposition moved and Councillor Matthew Hurst seconded the following amendment:
To delete the final resolution, which read:
"Ask the Leader of the Council to write to the Rt Hon Baroness Smith of Malvern, Minister of State for Skills, welcoming the Government's apprenticeship reforms, highlighting the work being undertaken in Stevenage through Stevenage Works and related partnerships, and inviting Ministers to engage with Stevenage as an example of effective local delivery of the Government's skills agenda."
and replace it with:
"Ask the Leader of the Council to write to the Rt Hon Baroness Smith of Malvern, Minister of State for Skills, highlighting the apprenticeship, skills and employment work being undertaken in Stevenage through Stevenage Works and related partnerships, and seeking additional Government support and funding to expand apprenticeship opportunities for Stevenage residents."
Councillor Morrell Phillips advised that the remainder of the motion would be unchanged and that the intention was simply to focus the requested letter on securing further support and funding for Stevenage residents.
A number of Members spoke on the amendment and following consideration by the mover of the original motion, Councillor Tom Plater and in agreement with the mover of the amendment Councillor Morrell Phillips, the Motion was altered to read:
This Council notes that:
1.
Apprenticeships provide a vital pathway into skilled employment for
people of all ages, including young people entering the labour
market, adults seeking to retrain or progress in their careers, and
residents looking to develop new skills.
2. The Government has placed skills, training and employment at the heart of its mission to grow the economy and break down barriers to opportunity.
3.
Recent apprenticeship reforms include measures to increase
flexibility for employers and learners, reduce unnecessary
bureaucracy, expand opportunities for young people, introduce
Foundation Apprenticeships, and reform the Apprenticeship Levy into
a Growth and Skills Levy to better meet local labour market
needs.
4.
Stevenage has a proud history as a centre for innovation, advanced
manufacturing, engineering, life sciences and technology, with
major employers including Airbus, MBDA, Autolus and GSK, alongside a growing business
community requiring a skilled local workforce.
5.
This Council has already recognised the success of Stevenage Works
in bringing together employers, education providers and public
agencies to deliver employment, skills and social value outcomes
for local residents.
6.
Strong partnerships between local authorities, employers, colleges,
training providers and Government are essential if local people are
to benefit fully from apprenticeship reforms and wider economic
growth.
7. Despite progress, barriers remain for residents seeking apprenticeships, including awareness of opportunities, travel costs, confidence, access to networks, caring responsibilities and competition for placements.
This Council believes
that:
1.
Every resident in Stevenage should have access to high-quality
education, training, apprenticeships or employment opportunities at
every stage of life.
2. Apprenticeships should be accessible to people from all backgrounds and at all ages, supporting social mobility, lifelong learning and inclusive economic growth.
3.
Stevenage Borough Council has an important leadership role in
convening partners and ensuring that regeneration and inward
investment create opportunities for local people throughout their
working lives.
4.
The Government’s reforms provide a significant opportunity to
increase apprenticeship participation, address local skills
shortages and ensure businesses can access the workforce they
need.
5. Existing partnerships, including Stevenage Works, provide a strong foundation on which to expand apprenticeship opportunities across the town.
This Council resolves
to:
1.
Work with key partners, including North Hertfordshire College,
local schools, employers, training providers, the Hertfordshire
skills system, Stevenage Works and business networks to maximise
the opportunities arising from the Government’s
apprenticeship reforms.
2.
Strengthen and promote partnership working across Stevenage to
increase apprenticeship availability and encourage greater employer
participation.
3.
Work with existing contractors, developers and partners to increase
apprenticeship opportunities through procurement, Section 106
agreements, social value commitments and workforce planning, whilst
ensuring that agreed apprenticeship, employment and skills
commitments are effectively monitored and delivered.
4. Support the promotion
of apprenticeships through careers events, outreach activity and
engagement with residents, particularly those who are not currently
in education, employment or training, or who may benefit from
retraining and upskilling opportunities.
5. Work with local employers to identify barriers to apprenticeship recruitment and retention and advocate for solutions where appropriate.
6. Request that the Portfolio Holder for Economy and Skills reports back to Members within twelve months on progress made, including:
· apprenticeship opportunities supported or created;
· partnership activity undertaken;
· engagement with local employers and education providers; and
· recommendations for further action.
Following further debate, Councillor Tom Plater thanked Members for their contributions.
Upon being put to the vote, the altered Motion was carried.
Protecting Fairlands Valley Park and South Field from Development beyond Local Government Reorganisation.
Councillor Tom Wren moved the following motion:
This Council notes that:
1.
Fairlands Valley Park is one of Stevenage’s most valued
public open spaces, providing essential recreational,
environmental, health, and wellbeing benefits to residents of all
ages.
2.
The Park, including South Field and all associated green spaces, is
widely used for leisure activities including walking, sport,
community events, wildlife enjoyment, education, and informal
recreation.
3.
Public green spaces play a critical role in protecting
biodiversity, improving air quality, supporting mental and physical
health, mitigating flooding, and maintaining the character and
identity of Stevenage
4.
Future generations should be guaranteed permanent access to these
open spaces for recreation and leisure purposes.
5. The maximum environmental protections are currently in place for Fairlands Valley Park and South Field under the existing town plan. There is concern that our current intentions are vulnerable to future challenges and potential changes to the town plan by successive administrations following local Government reorganisation, which may change the status of Fairlands Valley land.
This Council therefore resolves to:
1. Publicly state our firm opposition against any current or future proposal for housing development, residential construction, or urban encroachment within Fairlands Valley Park, including the South Field.
2. Explore and implement the strongest available legal protections, including but not limited to:
a. a restrictive covenant in partnership with Herts Wildlife Trust
b. protected open space designation,
c. Fields in Trust protection,
d. or other legally binding mechanisms,
3. Ensure the land is permanently safeguarded for leisure, recreation,
environmental, and community use only.
4. Request that Council officers prepare a report outlining the legal options available to secure long term protection of the Park and South Field from development other than for the improvement of existing infrastructure, including the Farmhouse.
5. Commit to working with local residents, environmental groups, sports
organisations, and community stakeholders to preserve and enhance the park for future generations.
6. Write to relevant regional and national planning authorities confirming the Council’s position that Fairlands Valley Park in its entirety and South Field must remain protected public leisure land and should not be allocated for housing development or industrial use in any future local planning framework.
In moving the motion, Councillor Wren advised that while existing Local Plan protections for Fairlands Valley Park were strong, they could be amended in the future. Councillor Wren emphasised the importance of taking action now to secure the strongest possible protections for Fairlands Valley while the Council had the ability to do so. It was argued that safeguarding the area now would help ensure its long-term protection for future generations.
In seconding the motion, Councillor Sarah Meadexpressed concern about the potential implications of Local Government Reorganisation and the possibility of decisions affecting Stevenage being taken by representatives from outside the town. She emphasised the importance of protecting Fairlands Valley, describing it as a valued landmark and community asset enjoyed by generations of residents and serving as a place that brought people together across the town.
While acknowledging that Fairlands Valley currently benefitted from protection through the Local Plan, Councillor Mead stressed that planning policies could be changed in the future and therefore should not be relied upon alone and contended that stronger, long-term protections should be pursued to preserve Fairlands Valley for future generations and protect it from potential development proposals.
Following further debate in support of the motion it was acknowledged that Fairlands Valley already benefitted from significant environmental and planning protections and that the area was designated as a Principal Open Space within the Stevenage Borough Local Plan and protected by policies relating to green infrastructure, the natural environment, principal open spaces and the Stevenage Green Link Network.
Upon being put to the vote, the Motion was carried.