Issue - meetings

Such other business which, in the opinion of the Chair, should be received as a matter of urgency by reason of special circumstances to be specified in the minutes.

A     Cabinet agreed that Harlow Council seeks to acquire the land at Parnall Road, as set out in the report, on an unconditional basis for a sum no higher than the maximum figure as detailed in the report.

B    Authoritybe delegated to the Director of Strategic Growth and Regeneration and Director of Finance in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Regeneration to submit the bid and confirm and finalise the purchase of the Parnall Road site should the Council’s tender bid be accepted by the Vendor.

The Leader said that he had been notified of an urgent item. The item was urgent as the bid mentioned in the report was required to be submitted before 3pm on Friday 28 January 2022.

Councillor Dan Swords (seconded by Councillor Michael Hardware) proposed that the item was considered in private session on the grounds that it was likely to involve the disclosure of exempt information as specified under Paragraph 3 of Part One of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

Members of the public and press left the meeting at 8.45pm, as did Councillor Mike Danvers.

With the consent of the Cabinet, the Leader adjourned the meeting from 8.45 pm to 9.00 pm

The Cabinet considered a report on the acquisition of land at Parnall Road. The report sought approval to submit a bid of up to the figure set out in the report in order to acquire the land.

The Chair of the Scrutiny Committee (Councillor Tony Edwards) confirmed that he agreed the call in period could be waived as required by The Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012. This was on the basis that the bid for the land had to be submitted by 3pm on Friday 28 January 2022. As required by the Constitution he also agreed that the requirement to give 28 days’ notice of the intention to take the decision be waived.

Proposed by Councillor Dan Swords (seconded Councillor Michael Hardware) it was:

RESOLVED that:

A     Cabinet agrees that Harlow Council seeks to acquire the land at Parnall Road, as set out in this report, on an unconditional basis for a sum no higher than the maximum figure as detailed in the report.

B    Authority is delegated to the Director of Strategic Growth and Regeneration and Director of Finance in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Regeneration to submit the bid and confirm and finalise the purchase of the Parnall Road site should the Council’s tender bid be accepted by the Vendor.