Agenda and minutes

The Committee received training given by Farida Hussian, Director – Legal and Governance.

The Chair will read out the following statement:

“This meeting is being webcast live to our website (https://harlow.public-i.tv/core/portal/home) and will be available for repeated viewing after the meeting has ended.

By continuing to attend this meeting, you are consenting to being filmed and to appearing in the webcast.

I would like to remind all those participating in the meeting to use their microphones when they speak, and to turn them off once they have finished talking.”

The Chair said the meeting was being webcast live and would be available for repeated viewing after the meeting has ended. By continuing to attend the meeting, you were consenting to being filmed and to appearing in the webcast.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Dr. Emma Ghaffari.

To receive Councillors’ declarations of interest (if any) in relation to any matters on the agenda.

Councillor Mark Ingall declared a non-pecuniary interest as he was on the waiting list for an allotment.

Councillor Russell Perrin declared a non-pecuniary interest as an allotment holder.

Councillor David Carter declared a non-pecuniary interest as an allotment site representative.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 1 July 2025.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 1 July 2025 are agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

The Chair said that Burnt Mills would need to be considered by the Audit and Standards Committee prior to any review being carried out by the Scrutiny Committee.

To receive any questions from members of the public in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 10.

None.

To receive any questions from Councillors in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 10.

None.

To consider responses (if any) of the Cabinet to reports and recommendations from the Committee.

None.

To agree the terms of reference and membership for the Allotments Task and Finish Group

The Committee considered the scope of a potential review into allotments. It agreed that members of the Task and Finish Group would review the terms of reference. This would include putting them into different headings and prioritising the.

The Task and Finish Group membership would be Councillors Mark Ingall, Kay Morrison and Matthew Saggers. Both the Labour and Conservative Groups would also nominate a further Councillor each.

RESOLVED that:

A     A Task and Finish Group be established with the following membership:

                              i)        Councillors Mark Ingall, Kay Morrison and Matthew Saggers.

                             ii)        One additional Councillor from both the Labour and Conservative groups.

B     The Task and Finish would revise the terms of reference, which would be agreed at the October Committee meeting.

RESOLVED that Councillor Matthew Saggers replace Councillor Sue Livings on the Task and Finish Group due to a conflict of interest.

To review the Committee’s work plan for the current year.

The Committee received a report summarising its work plan.

It noted that the Portfolio Holder for Garden Town and Planning would attend the October Committee meeting to discuss e-scooters.

It agreed that the meeting would carry out pre-scrutiny of the Constitution review.

RESOLVED that:

A    The Portfolio Holder for Garden Town and Planning would attend the October meeting to discuss e-scooters.

B    Pre-scrutiny of the Constitution review take place at the October meeting.

None.

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.

None.