Agenda item

Any Items referred from other committees will be circulated as soon as they are available.

5a      Item Referred from Cabinet: 21 July 2020 - Risk Management Update

 

RESOLVED: That the Annual Report on Risk Management be noted.

 

REASON FOR DECISION: To enable Council to consider recommendations made by Cabinet.

 

5b      Item Referred from Cabinet: 21 July 2020 - Covid-19 Financial Impacts

 

This referral was considered following consideration of the Part 2 report of the same name.

 

RESOLVED:

 

(1)       That Council notes the forecast impact of Covid-19 in comparison to available reserves and confirms that these reserves will be used to fund the impact. This means that an emergency budget is not required;

 

(2)       That Council approves that £350k is added to the Capital Programme for the resurfacing of the top deck of the Lairage Car Park, Hitchin;

 

(3)       That Council approves an addition to the Investment Strategy that would allow the Council to provide a loan to Hertfordshire Building Control of £65k, if it is required.

 

REASON FOR DECISION: To ensure that the financial impacts of Covid-19 are recognised and make the necessary changes to allow the Council to manage its budgets.

 

5c      Item Referred from Cabinet: 21 July 2020 - Covid-19 Leisure Contracts Recovery

 

This referral was considered following consideration of the Part 2 report of the same name

 

Prior to the item being considered Councillor Claire Strong declared a declarable interest in that she was a member of Archers, Hitchin which was operated by SLL. She advised that she would not take part in the debate or vote.

 

Prior to the item being considered Councillor Jim McNally declared a declarable interest in that he was a member of North Herts Leisure Centre which was operated by SLL. He advised that he would not take part in the debate or vote.

 

Councillor Simon Harwood called for a recorded vote.

 

RESOLVED: To provide financial support to Stevenage Leisure Limited (SLL) on an Open Book basis from 20 March 2020 up to at least 31 March 2021. The support provided would only cover losses relating to the Council’s contracts, and will not cover central overheads. SLL would be required to take all reasonable actions to minimise the value of any losses. The actual value of the support required will depend on SLLs income recovery but will be capped at a maximum of £1.8m.

 

REASON FOR DECISION: To seek approval for the SLL recovery plan and a phased approach toward recovery allowing flexibility through delegation, to ensure business continuity for the leisure contracts and for them to survive beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

The votes recorded were:

 

For:

Councillors: Ian Albert, Daniel Allen, Kate Aspinwall, Clare Billing, Ruth Brown, Val Bryant, Paul Clark, Sam Collins, Bill Davidson, Elizabeth Dennis-Harburg, Gary Grindal, Keith Hoskins, Mike Hughson, Steve Jarvis, Ian Mantle, Lisa Nash, Sue Ngwala, Helen Oliver, Sean Prendergast, Adem Ruggerio-Cakir, Carol Stanier, Martin Stears-Handscomb, Terry Tyler and Tom Tyson.

Total: 24

 

Against:

Councillors: George Davies, Morgan Derbyshire, Jean Green, Simon Harwood, Terry Hone, Tony Hunter, David Levett, Ian Moody, Michael Muir, Mike Rice, Richard Thake and Michael Weeks.

Total: 12

 

Abstain:

Councillor Sam North.

Total: 1

 

5d      Item Referred from Employment Committee: 25 August 2020 - Returning Officer/Electoral Registration Officer

 

Melanie Stimpson, Democratic Services Manager, left the meeting and was not present for the duration of item 5d.

 

RESOLVED: That Melanie Stimpson be appointed to the roles of Returning Officer and Electoral Registration Officer.

 

REASON FOR DECISION:To appoint to the roles of Returning Officer/Electoral

Registration Officer.

 

Melanie Stimpson re-joined the meeting.

 

5e      Item Referred from Cabinet: 15 September 2020 - Council Plan and Objectives 2021-2026

 

RESOLVED: That the following documents be adopted:

 

·                Appendix A – Council Plan 2021 -2026;

·                Appendix B – Proposed Actions;

·                Appendix C – Achievements (including the Addendum).

 

REASON FOR DECISION:The Council plan is a key element of the corporate business planning process, as a highlevel strategic document it sets out the Council’s priorities for the next year. As an overarching policy framework document, it guides and influences the use of Council resources; providing a focus for activities, plans and services the Council provide. The draft Council plan has reflected the amendment to the first overarching Council Objective.

 

5f      Item Referred from Cabinet: 15 September 2020 - Medium Term Financial Strategy

 

RESOLVED: That the Medium Term Financial Strategy 2021-26 as attached at Appendix A be adopted.

 

REASON FOR DECISION: Adoption of a MTFS and communication of its contents will assist in the process of forward planning the use of Council resources and in budget setting for 2021/2022 to 2025/2026, culminating in the setting of the Council Tax precept for 2020/21 in February 2021.

5a      Item Referred from Cabinet: 21 July 2020 - Risk Management Update

 

Audio recording – 32 minutes 47 seconds

 

The Executive Member for Finance and IT presented the referral from Cabinet regarding Risk Management Update.

 

Councillor Ian Albert proposed, Councillor Martin Stears-Handscomb seconded and it was:

 

RESOLVED: That the Annual Report on Risk Management be noted.

 

REASON FOR DECISION: To enable Council to consider recommendations made by Cabinet.

 

5b     Item Referred from Cabinet: 21 July 2020 - Covid-19 Financial Impacts

 

Audio recording – 3 hours 19 minutes 4 seconds

 

The Committee, Member and Scrutiny Manager undertook a roll call of Members and Officers to ensure that they could hear and be heard.

 

This referral was considered following consideration of the Part 2 report of the same name.

 

The Executive Member for Finance and IT presented the referral from Cabinet regarding Covid-19 Financial Impacts.

 

Councillor Ian Albert propose, Councillor Martin Stears-Handscomb seconded and it was:

 

RESOLVED:

 

(1)       That Council notes the forecast impact of Covid-19 in comparison to available reserves and confirms that these reserves will be used to fund the impact. This means that an emergency budget is not required;

 

(2)       That Council approves that £350k is added to the Capital Programme for the resurfacing of the top deck of the Lairage Car Park, Hitchin;

 

(3)       That Council approves an addition to the Investment Strategy that would allow the Council to provide a loan to Hertfordshire Building Control of £65k, if it is required.

 

REASON FOR DECISION: To ensure that the financial impacts of Covid-19 are recognised and make the necessary changes to allow the Council to manage its budgets.

 

5c      Item Referred from Cabinet: 21 July 2020 - Covid-19 Leisure Contracts Recovery

 

Audio recording – 3 hours 24 minutes 56 seconds

 

This referral was considered following consideration of the Part 2 report of the same name

 

Prior to the item being considered Councillor Claire Strong declared a declarable interest in that she was a member of Archers, Hitchin which was operated by SLL. She advised that she would not take part in the debate or vote.

 

Prior to the item being considered Councillor Jim McNally declared a declarable interest in that he was a member of North Herts Leisure Centre which was operated by SLL. He advised that he would not take part in the debate or vote.

 

The Executive Member for Environment and Leisure presented the referral from Cabinet regarding Covid-19 Leisure Contracts Recovery.

 

The following Member asked questions:

 

·                Councillor Richard Thake.

 

The Service Director – Legal and Community and the Leader of the Council responded to the questions asked.

 

Councillor Simon Harwood called for a recorded vote.

 

Councillor Steve Jarvis proposed, Councillor Martin Stears-Handscomb seconded and following a recorded vote it was:

 

RESOLVED: To provide financial support to Stevenage Leisure Limited (SLL) on an Open Book basis from 20 March 2020 up to at least 31 March 2021. The support provided would only cover losses relating to the Council’s contracts, and will not cover central overheads. SLL would be required to take all reasonable actions to minimise the value of any losses. The actual value of the support required will depend on SLLs income recovery but will be capped at a maximum of £1.8m.

 

REASON FOR DECISION: To seek approval for the SLL recovery plan and a phased approach toward recovery allowing flexibility through delegation, to ensure business continuity for the leisure contracts and for them to survive beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

The votes recorded were:

 

For:

Councillors: Ian Albert, Daniel Allen, Kate Aspinwall, Clare Billing, Ruth Brown, Val Bryant, Paul Clark, Sam Collins, Bill Davidson, Elizabeth Dennis-Harburg, Gary Grindal, Keith Hoskins, Mike Hughson, Steve Jarvis, Ian Mantle, Lisa Nash, Sue Ngwala, Helen Oliver, Sean Prendergast, Adem Ruggerio-Cakir, Carol Stanier, Martin Stears-Handscomb, Terry Tyler and Tom Tyson.

Total: 24

 

Against:

Councillors: George Davies, Morgan Derbyshire, Jean Green, Simon Harwood, Terry Hone, Tony Hunter, David Levett, Ian Moody, Michael Muir, Mike Rice, Richard Thake and Michael Weeks.

Total: 12

 

Abstain:

Councillor Sam North.

Total: 1

 

5d     Item Referred from Employment Committee: 25 August 2020 - Returning Officer/Electoral Registration Officer

 

Audio recording – 37 minutes 37 seconds

 

Prior to consideration of the item Melanie Stimpson, Democratic Services Manager, left the meeting and was not present for the duration of this item.

 

The Chair of the Employment Committee, Councillor Martin Stears-Handscomb, presented the referral from the Employment Committee regarding the Returning Officer/Electoral Registration Officer.

 

It was proposed by Councillor Martin Stears-Handscomb, seconded by Councillor Paul Clark and:

 

RESOLVED: That Melanie Stimpson be appointed to the roles of Returning Officer and Electoral Registration Officer.

 

REASON FOR DECISION:To appoint to the roles of Returning Officer/Electoral

Registration Officer.

 

Melanie Stimpson re-joined the meeting.

 

5e      Item Referred from Cabinet: 15 September 2020 - Council Plan and Objectives 2021-2026

 

Audio recording – 40 minutes 39 seconds

 

The Leader of the Council presented the referral from Cabinet regarding the Council Plan and Council Objectives 2021-2026.

 

He thanked the Policy and Community Engagement Manager and his team for the work they had put into this report.

 

Councillor Martin Stears-Handscomb proposed, Councillor Paul Clark seconded and it was

 

RESOLVED: That the following documents be adopted:

 

·                Appendix A – Council Plan 2021 -2026;

·                Appendix B – Proposed Actions;

·                Appendix C – Achievements (including the Addendum).

 

REASON FOR DECISION:The Council plan is a key element of the corporate business planning process, as a highlevel strategic document it sets out the Council’s priorities for the next year. As an overarching policy framework document, it guides and influences the use of Council resources; providing a focus for activities, plans and services the Council provide. The draft Council plan has reflected the amendment to the first overarching Council Objective.

 

5f      Item Referred from Cabinet: 15 September 2020 - Medium Term Financial Strategy

 

Audio recording – 43 minutes 56 seconds

 

The Executive Member for Finance and IT presented the referral from Cabinet regarding the Medium Term Financial Strategy.

 

Councillor Ian Albert proposed, Councillor Martin Stears-Handscomb seconded and it was:

 

RESOLVED: That the Medium Term Financial Strategy 2021-26 as attached at Appendix A be adopted.

 

REASON FOR DECISION: Adoption of a MTFS and communication of its contents will assist in the process of forward planning the use of Council resources and in budget setting for 2021/2022 to 2025/2026, culminating in the setting of the Council Tax precept for 2020/21 in February 2021.