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The Leader of the Opposition,
Councillor Stephen Booth, asked the following question:
 
“What plans does the
Leader of the Council have to meet with the new Labour Government
and does he expect next year’s financial settlement to allow
Stevenage Borough Council to avoid having to cancel essential
services and delay capital projects in order to balance the
budget?”
 
The Leader of the Council
replied that a number of contacts had been made with the new
Government including a visit that morning from a senior minister at
the Department of Communities and Local Government.  He would give an update later in the meeting on
the work that the new MP had been doing to raise the aspirations of
Stevenage.  He also informed the meeting
that a visit from a representative of the Department of Business
and Trade would take place the following week as well as regular
contact with Baroness Taylor, Parliamentary Under Secretary of
State for the Department of Housing Communities and Local
Government
 
In relation to the financial
settlement, the Leader advised that the Government had been clear
in their consideration that a longer term settlement would help
local authorities and it was hoped that this would be made clear in
the Chancellor’s Autumn Budget.
 
The Council then received
updates from the relevant Cabinet Portfolio Holders on the
following matters:
 

·        
Cycle Hire Scheme;

·        
Co-operative Neighbourhood Management;

·        
Building a Better Bedwell;

·        
Youth Mayor and Deputy Youth Mayor 2024/25;

·        
Equalities;

·        
Stevenage Day;

·        
Aqua Parc;

·        
Stevenage Theatre wins National Award;

·        
Museum Exhibitions;

·        
Brodie Court;

·        
Resident Engagement Strategy;

·        
Green Spaces Strategy;

·        
Visit to Stevenage – Department of Housing, Communities and
local Government.