Agenda, decisions and minutes

Cabinet
Thursday, 1st December, 2022 7.30 pm

Venue: Council Chamber, Civic Centre

Contact: Adam Rees 

Items
No. Item

74.

Apologies for absence

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Michael Hardware, Steve LeMay, James Leppard and Russell Perrin.

75.

Declarations of Interest

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

Minutes:

Councillor Vince declared a non-pecuniary interest in Item 18, Adoption of Wych Elm Development Brief, as someone who worked in the area affected by the Brief.

76.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 806 KB

To approve the minutes of the meetings held on 13 October and 17 November 2022.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 13 October and 17 November 2022 are agreed as a correct record and signed by the Deputy Leader.

77.

Matters Arising

Any matters arising from the minutes of the previous meeting.

Minutes:

None.

78.

Written Questions from the Public pdf icon PDF 193 KB

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

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The questions, together with the answers, are appended to the minutes.

79.

Written Questions from Councillors pdf icon PDF 174 KB

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

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The questions, together with the answers, are appended to the minutes.

80.

Petitions

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

Minutes:

None.

81.

Forward Plan pdf icon PDF 230 KB

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.

Minutes:

RESOLVED that the Forward Plan is noted.

82.

Recent Relevant Decisions Taken by The Leader, Deputy or Portfolio Holder(s)

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

Minutes:

RESOLVED that the following decisions be noted.

82a

Portfolio Holder for Housing - 20 October 2022 pdf icon PDF 102 KB

82b

Leader of the Council - 4 November 2022 pdf icon PDF 9 KB

82c

Leader of the Council - 16 November 2022 pdf icon PDF 8 KB

83.

Joint Finance and Performance Report, Quarter 2 2022/23 pdf icon PDF 297 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

RESOLVED that Cabinet noted:

 

A    The forecast outturn position set out within the report in respect of the General Fund for the second quarter (April- September) of 2022/23 of a projected overspend of £666,000 or 1.12 percent of the gross General Fund Budget.

 

B    The Quarter 2 operational performance and risk management that has been achieved in 2022/23 across all Council services.

Minutes:

Cabinet received the Quarter 2 Joint Finance and Performance Report for 2022/23.

 

Proposed by Councillor Dan Swords (seconded by Councillor Alastair Gunn) it was:

 

RESOLVED that Cabinet noted:

 

A    The forecast outturn position set out within the report in respect of the General Fund for the second quarter (April- September) of 2022/23 of a projected overspend of £666,000 or 1.12 percent of the gross General Fund Budget.

 

B    The Quarter 2 operational performance and risk management that has been achieved in 2022/23 across all Council services.

84.

Housing Revenue Account, Quarter 2 Finance Report 2022/23 pdf icon PDF 247 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

RESOLVED that Cabinet noted:

 

A    The Quarter 2 - HRA Budget and performance Monitoring report as set out in the report and the appendix to the report.

 

B    That the forecast HRA general working balance as at 31 March 2023 will be £9.438 million.

Minutes:

Cabinet received the Quarter 2 Housing Revenue Account report for 2022/23.

 

Proposed by Councillor Dan Swords (seconded by Councillor Alastair Gunn) it was:

 

RESOLVED that Cabinet noted:

 

A    The Quarter 2 - HRA Budget and performance Monitoring report as set out in the report and the appendix to the report.

 

B    That the forecast HRA general working balance as at 31 March 2023 will be £9.438 million.

85.

Capital Programmes, Quarter 2 Finance Report 2022/23 pdf icon PDF 322 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

 

A    Noted the progress and forecasts in the delivery of the Council’s Housing Capital Programme (HCP) as at Quarter 2 2022/23 as follows:

 

             i)        The current budget is £34.715 million, including £2.762 million carried forward from 2021/22. The projected outturn at Quarter 2 is £23.935 million as set out in Appendix 1 to the report.

 

B    Noted the progress in the delivery of the Council’s Non-Housing Capital Programme (NHCP) as at Quarter 2 2022/23 as follows:

 

             i)        The current budget is £22.846 million, including £4.066 million carried forward from 2021/22. The projected outturn at Quarter 2 is £19.325 million as set out in Appendix 2 to the report.

 

C    Approved the inclusion in the HCP budget of an additional £835,542 for the purchase of land at Parnall Road. Expenditure is to be fully financed from a Section 106 agreement.

Minutes:

Cabinet received the Quarter 2, Capital Programmes report for 2022/23.

 

Proposed by Councillor Dan Swords (seconded by Councillor Alastair Gunn) it was:

 

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

 

A    Noted the progress and forecasts in the delivery of the Council’s Housing Capital Programme (HCP) as at Quarter 2 2022/23 as follows:

 

                             i)        The current budget is £34.715 million, including £2.762 million carried forward from 2021/22. The projected outturn at Quarter 2 is £23.935 million as set out in Appendix 1 to the report.

 

B    Noted the progress in the delivery of the Council’s Non-Housing Capital Programme (NHCP) as at Quarter 2 2022/23 as follows:

 

                             i)        The current budget is £22.846 million, including £4.066 million carried forward from 2021/22. The projected outturn at Quarter 2 is £19.325 million as set out in Appendix 2 to the report.

 

C    Approved the inclusion in the HCP budget of an additional £835,542 for the purchase of land at Parnall Road. Expenditure is to be fully financed from a Section 106 agreement.

86.

Annual Treasury Management Report 2021/22 pdf icon PDF 196 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

RESOLVED that:

 

A    Cabinet noted the annual Treasury Management Report for 2021/22, as set out in Appendix A to the report, and that the Council operated within the Treasury Management Strategy Statement during 2021/22 recommended the report to Full Council for approval.

Minutes:

Cabinet received the Annual Treasury Management report for 2021/22.

 

Proposed by Councillor Dan Swords (seconded by Councillor Joel Charles) it was:

 

RESOLVED that:

 

A    Cabinet noted the annual Treasury Management Report for 2021/22, as set out in Appendix A to the report, and that the Council operated within the Treasury Management Strategy Statement during 2021/22 and recommended the report to Full Council for approval.

87.

Treasury Management Strategy Statement 2022/23: Mid-Year Review pdf icon PDF 187 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

RESOLVED that:

 

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

Minutes:

Cabinet received the Treasury Management Statement 2022/23: Mid-Year Review.

 

Proposed by Councillor Dan Swords (seconded by Councillor Joel Charles) it was:

 

RESOLVED that:

 

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

88.

Local Council Tax Support Scheme Proposals pdf icon PDF 164 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

 

A    Acknowledged the current position regarding the 2022/23 Local Council Tax Support Scheme and endorses continuing stability within the scheme for 2023/24.

 

B    Recommended to Council that the current Local Council Tax Support Scheme remains unchanged for the 2023/24 financial year.

Minutes:

Cabinet received a report on the annual review of the Local Council Tax Support Scheme.

 

Proposed by Councillor Dan Swords (seconded by Councillor Alastair Gunn) it was:

 

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

 

A    Acknowledged the current position regarding the 2022/23 Local Council Tax Support Scheme and endorses continuing stability within the scheme for 2023/24.

 

B    Recommended to Council that the current Local Council Tax Support Scheme remains unchanged for the 2023/24 financial year.

89.

Health and Wellbeing Strategy pdf icon PDF 213 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

 

A    Adopted the draft Harlow Health and Wellbeing Strategy, covering 2023 to 2028. This is subject to a consultation process in order to support and encourage further partnership activity to help deliver better health outcomes for the residents of Harlow.

 

B    Authorised that consultation be undertaken on this draft for a period of six weeks. Minor amendments will be submitted to the Director of Communities and Environment who will, in conjunction with the Portfolio Holder for Business and Community Resilience, develop the final version of the strategy following the conclusion of the consultation period.

Minutes:

Cabinet received a report to adopt the Harlow Health and Wellbeing Strategy subject to consultation.

 

Councillor Griggs declared a non-pecuniary interest as Co-Chair of Harlow and West Essex Pride.

 

Proposed by Councillor Joel Charles (seconded by Councillor Dan Swords) it was:

 

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

 

A    Adopt the draft Harlow Health and Wellbeing Strategy, covering 2023 to 2028 subject to a consultation process in order to support and encourage further partnership activity to help deliver better health outcomes for the residents of Harlow.

 

B    Authorise that consultation be undertaken on this draft for a period of six weeks with any minor amendments submitted to the Director of Communities and Environment who will, in conjunction with the Portfolio Holder for Business and Community Resilience, develop the final version of the strategy following the conclusion of the consultation period.

90.

Customer Strategy pdf icon PDF 117 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

RESOLVED that:

 

A    Cabinet adopted the Customer Service Strategy, and associated action plan (attached as appendices A and B to the report).

Minutes:

Cabinet received a report to adopt the Customer Service Strategy.

 

Proposed by Councillor Alastair Gunn (seconded by Councillor Dan Swords) it was:

 

RESOLVED that:

 

A    Cabinet adopted the Customer Service Strategy, and associated action plan (attached as appendices A and B to the report).

91.

Adoption of the Wych Elm Development Brief pdf icon PDF 213 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

 

A    Notes the responses received to the consultation and approves the consequential amendments made to the Wych Elm Development Brief.

 

B    Formally adopts the Development Brief as set out in Appendix A to the report.

Minutes:

Cabinet received a report to adopt the Wych Elm Development Brief.

 

Proposed by Councillor Dan Swords (seconded by Councillor Joel Charles) it was:

 

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

 

A    Notes the responses received to the consultation and approves the consequential amendments made to the Wych Elm Development Brief.

 

B    Formally adopts the Development Brief as set out in Appendix A to the report.

92.

Affordable Housing S106 Policy Adoption pdf icon PDF 215 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

 

A    Noted the responses received to the consultation and agrees the consequential amendments made to the Addendum to the Adopted Affordable and Specialist Housing Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) (as set out at Appendix B) to the report).

 

B    Adopted the SPD addendum as set out in Appendix A to the report and delegates authority to the Director of Strategic Growth and Regeneration in consultation with the relevant Portfolio Holder to make and agree any minor or inconsequential amendments to the Supplementary Planning Document arising from any matters discussed and agreed at Cabinet.

 

Minutes:

Cabinet received a report to adopt the Affordable Housing Section 106 Policy.

 

Proposed by Councillor Dan Swords (seconded by Councillor Joel Charles) it was:

 

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

 

A    Noted the responses received to the consultation and agrees the consequential amendments made to the Addendum to the Adopted Affordable and Specialist Housing Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) (as set out at Appendix B) to the report).

 

B    Adopted the SPD addendum as set out in Appendix A to the report and delegates authority to the Director of Strategic Growth and Regeneration in consultation with the relevant Portfolio Holder to make and agree any minor or inconsequential amendments to the Supplementary Planning Document arising from any matters discussed and agreed at Cabinet.

 

93.

Staple Tye SPD Adoption pdf icon PDF 230 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

 

A    Noted the responses received to the consultation and agrees the consequential amendments made to the Staple Tye Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) as set out at Appendix B to the report.

 

B    Formally adopted the SPD as set out in Appendix A to the report and delegates authority to the Director of Strategic Growth and Regeneration in consultation with the relevant Portfolio Holders to make and agree any minor or inconsequential amendments to the Staple Tye Supplementary Planning Document arising from any matters discussed and agreed at Cabinet.

Minutes:

Cabinet received a report to adopt the Staple Tye Supplementary Planning Document.

 

Proposed by Councillor Dan Swords (seconded by Councillor Alastair Gunn) it was:

 

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

 

A    Noted the responses received to the consultation and agrees the consequential amendments made to the Staple Tye Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) as set out at Appendix B to the report.

 

B    Formally adopted the SPD as set out in Appendix A to the report and delegates authority to the Director of Strategic Growth and Regeneration in consultation with the relevant Portfolio Holders to make and agree any minor or inconsequential amendments to the Staple Tye Supplementary Planning Document arising from any matters discussed and agreed at Cabinet.

94.

Environmental Enforcement Contract - Tender Process Outcome pdf icon PDF 219 KB

Decision:

RESOLVED that:

 

A    The most advantageous bid submitted by Contractor A, National Enforcement Solutions Limited, be accepted.

 

B    Authority be delegated to the Director of Communities and Environment in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Governance to enter into contract with the successful bidder on the terms of the tender.

Minutes:

Cabinet received a report to accept a bid for an environmental enforcement contract.

 

Proposed by Councillor Alastair Gunn (seconded by Councillor Nicky Purse) it was:

 

RESOLVED that:

 

A    The most advantageous bid submitted by Contractor A, National Enforcement Solutions Limited, be accepted.

 

B    Authority be delegated to the Director of Communities and Environment in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Governance to enter into contract with the successful bidder on the terms of the tender.

95.

Communications from Committees/Working Groups/Parties and Panels

None.

Minutes:

None.

96.

Minutes of Panels/Working Groups

None.

Minutes:

None.

97.

Matters of Urgent Business

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.

Minutes:

None.