Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Frances Mason.

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

Councillor Simon Carter declared a pecuniary interest in Item 14 as a remunerated Council appointed Director of HTS (Property and Environment) Ltd. He would leave the meeting whilst the item was considered.

Councillor Eugenie Harvey declared a pecuniary in item 9a as her husband was the Chair of the Michael Roberts Charitable Trust. Having taken advice from the Monitoring Officer she would remain in the meeting whilst the item was considered.

Councillor Joel Charles declared a pecuniary interest in Item 14 as a remunerated Council appointed Director of HTS Group Ltd and HTS (Housing and Regeneration) Ltd. He would leave the meeting whilst the item was considered.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 15 October 2020.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 15 October 2020 are agreed as a correct record and signed by the Leader.

Any matters arising from the minutes of the previous meeting.

Councillor Mark Ingall said that following the request that Essex be moved into the High Covid-19 tier, there had been further changes with a move into a national lockdown and a return to the tiered system on 2 December. The infection rate in Harlow was very high at over 200 cases per 100,000 and was rising. He said it was important that people continued to follow the Government’s Hands, Face, Space advice, even with the good news surrounding Covid-19 vaccines.

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

To receive any questions from Councillors in accordance with Rule 11 of the Council Procedure Rules.

To consider any petitions that have been referred to the Cabinet under the Council’s Petition Scheme.

To note the Forward Plan, which lists all upcoming Cabinet decisions and provides notice of key decisions and those expected to be taken in private session.

RESOLVED that the Forward Plan is noted.

To note recent Portfolio Holder decisions taken under delegated powers, as attached:

RESOLVED that the following decision is noted.

The Mid-Year Review of the Treasury Management Strategy, attached as Appendix A to the report, be noted and referred to Council for consideration.

Cabinet considered a report on the mid-year review of the Treasury Management Strategy Statement 2020/21.

Proposed by Councillor Mike Danvers (seconded by Councillor Mark Ingall) it was:

RESOLVED that:

A     The Mid-Year Review of the Treasury Management Strategy, attached as Appendix A to the report, be noted and referred to Council for consideration.

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

A     Noted the projected outturn position set out in sections three and four of Appendix A to this report for the second quarter (July – Sept) of 2020/21 as follow:

             i)        An adverse variation on controllable budgets of £1,455,000 representing 2.5 per cent of the gross General Fund Budget.

            ii)        A total projected overspend of £345,000 representing -0.6 per cent of the gross General Fund Budget.

           iii)        The Council performed on or above target for 41 out of 49 (84 per cent) of its monthly and quarterly performance indicators.

           iv)        The Council also successfully completed 19 (11 per cent) of its revised service milestones.

Cabinet received the quarter two joint finance and performance report for 2020/21, which set out the Council’s financial and operational performance between July and September 2020.

Proposed by Councillor Mark Ingall (seconded by Councillor Mike Danvers) it was:

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

A     Noted the projected outturn position set out in sections three and four of Appendix A to the report for the second quarter (July – Sept) of 2020/21 as follow:

                             i)        An adverse variation on controllable budgets of £1,455,000 representing 2.5 per cent of the gross General Fund Budget.

                            ii)        A total projected overspend of £345,000 representing -0.6 per cent of the gross General Fund Budget.

                           iii)        The Council performed on or above target for 41 out of 49 (84 per cent) of its monthly and quarterly performance indicators.

                           iv)        The Council also successfully completed 19 (11 per cent) of its revised service milestones.

RESOLVED that Cabinet noted:

A     The contents of the report and appendices A and B.

B    That the forecast HRA general working balance as at 31 March 2021 will be £13.308 million and the balance on the Major Repairs Reserve will be fully utilised to finance the 2020/21 capital programme.

C    The balance of £9.8 million of retained Right to Buy (RTB) receipts held as at 30 September 2020 in order to finance the new build capital programme and house purchase scheme.

Cabinet received a report which provided an update on the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) for the second quarter of 2020/21 and asked that Cabinet noted variances in the HRA budget, as well as the forecast budget of the HRA and the Major Repairs Reserve.

Proposed by Councillor Mike Danvers (seconded by Councillor Mark Wilkinson) it was:

RESOLVED that Cabinet noted:

A     The contents of the report and appendices A and B.

B    That the forecast HRA general working balance as at 31 March 2021 will be £13.308 million and the balance on the Major Repairs Reserve will be fully utilised to finance the 2020/21 capital programme.

C    The balance of £9.8 million of retained Right to Buy (RTB) receipts held as at 30 September 2020 in order to finance the new build capital programme and house purchase scheme.

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

A     Noted the progress in the delivery of the Council’s Housing and Non Housing Capital Programmes as at Quarter 2 as follows:

             i)        The Housing Capital Programme (HCP) current budget is £48.642 million following the amendments approved by Cabinet in September 2020. The projected outturn is currently £31.968 million.

            ii)        The Non-Housing Capital Programme (NHCP) current budget is £15.175 million following the amendments approved by Cabinet in September 2020. The projected outturn is currently £15,124 million.

B    Approved the inclusion in the 2020/21 HCP an additional  £1.8 million to finance newly required cladding at Joyners Field Towers (61-88) and (95–122) to meet updated fire safety advice and obtain the latest  fire safety certificates. This capital expenditure is to be financed from HRA making a direct revenue contribution.

C    Approved the removal from the HCP the £1.305 million Readings new build project because it is no longer affordable and reallocate the resources to other new build projects which are being developed and submitted for approval in the future.

D    Approved the inclusion in the 2020/21 NHCP an additional provision of £1.5 million to finance the equity shareholding and loan to HTS Ltd previously approved under delegated authority by the Chief Executive on the 24 April 2020 and reported to Cabinet on the 10 September 2020. The purpose of this expenditure being for HTS Ltd to purchase five properties for which the Council has nomination rights.

E     Approved the inclusion in the 2020/21 NHCP an additional provision of £1 million to finance the East Gate project. This project is funded by the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government Towns Fund accelerated Funding grant.

F     Approved the inclusion in the 2020/21 NHCP an additional provision of £122,000 to finance the upgrading of the existing IT equipment which is essential to cope with the Covid-19 pandemic.

G    Approved the inclusion in the 2020/21 NHCP an additional provision of £1.25 million to support the Future High Streets Fund bid as set out in the report.

H    Approved the proposed re-profiling of capital budgets as set out in the report.

Cabinet received a report which provided an update on the Council’s Housing and Non Housing Capital Programmes.

Proposed by Councillor Mike Danvers (seconded by Councillor Mark Wilkinson) it was:

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

A     Noted the progress in the delivery of the Council’s Housing and Non Housing Capital Programmes as at Quarter 2 as follows:

                             i)        The Housing Capital Programme (HCP) current budget is £48.642 million following the amendments approved by Cabinet in September 2020. The projected outturn is currently £31.968 million.

                            ii)        The Non-Housing Capital Programme (NHCP) current budget is £15.175 million following the amendments approved by Cabinet in September 2020. The projected outturn is currently £15,124 million.

B    Approved the inclusion in the 2020/21 HCP an additional  £1.8 million to finance newly required cladding at Joyners Field Towers (61-88) and (95–122) to meet updated fire safety advice and obtain the latest  fire safety certificates. This capital expenditure is to be financed from HRA making a direct revenue contribution.

C    Approved the removal from the HCP the £1.305 million Readings new build project because it is no longer affordable and reallocate the resources to other new build projects which are being developed and submitted for approval in the future.

D    Approved the inclusion in the 2020/21 NHCP an additional provision of £1.5 million to finance the equity shareholding and loan to HTS Ltd previously approved under delegated authority by the Chief Executive on the 24 April 2020 and reported to Cabinet on the 10 September 2020. The purpose of this expenditure being for HTS Ltd to purchase five properties for which the Council has nomination rights.

E     Approved the inclusion in the 2020/21 NHCP an additional provision of £1 million to finance the East Gate project. This project is funded by the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government Towns Fund accelerated Funding grant.

F     Approved the inclusion in the 2020/21 NHCP an additional provision of £122,000 to finance the upgrading of the existing IT equipment which is essential to cope with the Covid-19 pandemic.

G    Approved the inclusion in the 2020/21 NHCP an additional provision of £1.25 million to support the Future High Streets Fund bid as set out in the report.

H    Approved the proposed re-profiling of capital budgets as set out in the report.

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

A     Awarded the following Business Case to HTS (Property and Environment) Ltd subject to clarification and agreement on the terms and conditions, and a contract are entered into not exceeding the values set out below:

             i)        Bush Fair

Sumners

Norman Booth

Town Park

Total: £333,053.26

B    Noted that works at Staple Tye will be addressed through separate contract connected to agreed installation of a new Splash Park.

Councillors Simon Carter and Joel Charles left the meeting for the consideration of this item.

Cabinet considered a report to award a business case to HTS (Property and Environment) Ltd to carry out health and safety works on paddling pools in Harlow.

Proposed by Councillor Eugenie Harvey (seconded by Councillor Chris Vince) it was:

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

A     Awarded the following Business Case to HTS (Property and Environment) Ltd subject to clarification and agreement on the terms and conditions, and a contract are entered into not exceeding the values set out below:

                             i)        Bush Fair

Sumners

Norman Booth

Town Park

Total: £333,053.26

B    Noted that works at Staple Tye will be addressed through separate contract connected to agreed installation of a new Splash Park.

Cabinet approved (subject to formal contract) the appointment of Contractor A for Council new build works at Bushey Croft for the sum of £2,601,141 plus provision for contingency sums as contained in this report.

Cabinet received a report to appoint a contractor (subject to formal contract) to develop new Council homes at Bushey Croft.

Proposed by Councillor Tony Durcan (seconded by Councillor Mark Wilkinson) it was:

RESOLVED that:

A     Cabinet approved (subject to formal contract) the appointment of Contractor A for Council new build works at Bushey Croft for the sum of £2,601,141 plus provision for contingency sums as contained in this report.

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

A     Endorsed the principle of establishing a sustainable transport system to meet the modal shift and climate change aspirations to support the future growth of the town.

B    Approved, subject to C below, the commissioning of a first stage feasibility study to explore different innovative transport technologies that a ‘Harlow Metro’ might bring and to advise the Council on operational and business models.

C    Delegated authority to the Chief Executive, in consultation with Leader of the Council, and Portfolio Holder for the Environment to identify a budget and scope for the first stage feasibility study to be commissioned in conjunction with the Council’s external partners.

Cabinet received a report which sought the endorsement of the principle of establishing a sustainable transport system and to commission a first stage feasibility study.

Proposed by Councillor Danny Purton (seconded by Councillor Mark Ingall) it was:

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

A     Endorsed the principle of establishing a sustainable transport system to meet the modal shift and climate change aspirations to support the future growth of the town.

B    Approved, subject to C below, the commissioning of a first stage feasibility study to explore different innovative transport technologies that a ‘Harlow Metro’ might bring and to advise the Council on operational and business models.

C    Delegated authority to the Chief Executive, in consultation with Leader of the Council, and Portfolio Holder for the Environment to identify a budget and scope for the first stage feasibility study to be commissioned in conjunction with the Council’s external partners.

The most advantageous tender in consideration of price and quality combined as submitted by Contractor A be accepted in the sum of £269,996.47 for the delivery of this external refurbishment works programme subject to contract and Leaseholder consultation.

Cabinet received a report to award a contract to carry out external refurbishment works at 1-15 Altham Grove:

Proposed by Councillor Mark Wilkinson (seconded by Councillor Danny Purton) it was:

RESOLVED that:

A     The most advantageous tender in consideration of price and quality combined as submitted by Contractor A be accepted in the sum of £269,996.47 for the delivery of this external refurbishment works programme subject to contract and Leaseholder consultation.

The most advantageous tender in consideration of price and quality combined as submitted by Contractor C be accepted in the sum of £379,000.00 for the delivery of this external refurbishment works programme subject to contract and Leaseholder consultation.

Cabinet received a report to award a contract to carry out external refurbishment of the corner blocks at Fullers Mead Estate.

Proposed by Councillor Mark Wilkinson (seconded by Councillor Mike Danvers) it was:

RESOLVED that:

A     The most advantageous tender in consideration of price and quality combined as submitted by Contractor C be accepted in the sum of £379,000.00 for the delivery of this external refurbishment works programme subject to contract and Leaseholder consultation.

The most advantageous tender in consideration of price and quality combined as submitted by Contractor D be accepted in the sum of £1,468,271.00 for the delivery of updated Fire Compartmentation between floors, in service duct and ventilation system, internal and front entrance fire doors programme, subject to contract and Leaseholder consultation.

Cabinet received a report which recommended the award of a contract to carry out fire safety works at Willowfield Tower, Nicholls Tower and Moor Tower.

Proposed by Councillor Mark Wilkinson (seconded by Councillor Mike Danvers) it was:

RESOLVED that:

A     The most advantageous tender in consideration of price and quality combined as submitted by Contractor D be accepted in the sum of £1,468,271.00 for the delivery of updated Fire Compartmentation between floors, in service duct and ventilation system, internal and front entrance fire doors programme, subject to contract and Leaseholder consultation.

RESOLVED that:

A     The process for the approval of the allocated funding for Recovery measures be approved as set out in Appendix A to the report.

B    That the proposed allocation criteria, set out in Appendix B to the report, be approved.

C    Final allocation of the recovery budget is delegated to Work Stream lead officers in consultation with Workstream appointed Councillors and the relevant Portfolio Holder.

Cabinet received a referral from the Covid-19 Recovery Working Group to approve a process for allocated funding for recovery measures.

Proposed by Councillor Eugenie Harvey (seconded by Councillor Mike Danvers) it was:

RESOLVED that:

A     The process for the approval of the allocated funding for Recovery measures be approved as set out in Appendix A to the report.

B    That the proposed allocation criteria, set out in Appendix B to the report, be approved.

C    Final allocation of the recovery budget is delegated to Work Stream lead officers in consultation with Workstream appointed Councillors and the relevant Portfolio Holder.

Cabinet recommended to Full Council that the Local Council Tax Support Scheme remains unchanged for 2021/22.

Cabinet received a referral form the Cabinet Policy Development Working Group. This sought a recommendation to Full Council that the Local Council Tax Support Scheme remained unchanged for 2021/22.

Proposed by Councillor Eugenie Harvey (seconded by Councillor Mike Danvers) it was:

RESOLVED that:

A     Cabinet recommended to Full Council that the Local Council Tax Support Scheme remains unchanged for 2021/22.

The impact of the Covid-19 virus, and changes to interest rates be considered in the development of the Treasury Management Strategy.

Cabinet received a referral from the Cabinet Policy Development Working Group which recommended that the impact of Covid-19, and changes in interest rates were considered in the development of the Treasury Management Strategy.

Proposed by Councillor Eugenie Harvey (seconded by Councillor Mike Danvers) it was:

RESOLVED that:

A     The impact of the Covid-19 virus, and changes to interest rates be considered in the development of the Treasury Management Strategy.

To note the following draft minutes of Cabinet appointed bodies. Minutes remain draft until approved by the relevant body.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the following meetings are noted.

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.