Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor James Leppard.

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

None.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 7 September 2023.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 7 September 2023 are agreed as a correct record and signed by the Leader.

Any matters arising from the minutes of the previous meeting.

The Leader agreed to provide Councillor Edwards with a written update surrounding the Strawberry Star development outside of the meeting in response to Cllr Edwards’ question.

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 10 of the Council Procedure Rules.

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

The Leader said the Council had shown support for Israel, inline with Government guidance, by flying the Israeli flag and lighting up the Civic Centre in blue and white.

He highlighted progress on delivering the Council’s five priorities, including the backlog in housing repairs being more than halved since June, a reduction in voids, new landscape maintenance practices, new street name signs, the demolition of Occasio House and other such updates.

The issue with taxi drivers being licensed in Wolverhampton operating in Harlow was progressing and a meeting had been secured with the relevant Minister to raise the problems faced.

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

There have not been any decisions taken by Portfolio Holders under delegated powers since the last meeting of the Cabinet.

None.

RESOLVED that it was recommended to Full Council that:

A    Subject to all authorities within the Harlow and Gilston Garden (HGGT) partnership approving the updated wording of the revised HGGT Infrastructure Delivery Plan (IDP), the HGGT IDP is supported and agreed and will form the basis of identification of the infrastructure needed in the Garden Town area. The IDP sets out the necessary infrastructure requirements and their phasing, to support the sites allocated for development within the HGGT area.

B    Authority is delegated to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader and the Portfolio Holder for Economic Development, to make any necessary, non-consequential and minor amendments and to liaise with the HGGT Chair and Director.

Cabinet received a report on the Harlow and Gilston Garden Town Infrastructure Delivery Plan.

Councillor Vince questioned whether the health requirements could be identified now, given that the number of new units was already known. The Leader said he would provide Councillor Vince with a written answer.

Proposed by Councillor Michael Hardware (seconded by Councillor David Carter) it was:

RESOLVED that it was recommended to Full Council that:

A    Subject to all authorities within the Harlow and Gilston Garden (HGGT) partnership approving the updated wording of the revised HGGT Infrastructure Delivery Plan (IDP), the HGGT IDP is supported and agreed and will form the basis of identification of the infrastructure needed in the Garden Town area. The IDP sets out the necessary infrastructure requirements and their phasing, to support the sites allocated for development within the HGGT area.

B    Authority is delegated to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader and the Portfolio Holder for Economic Development, to make any necessary, non-consequential and minor amendments and to liaise with the HGGT Chair and Director.

RESOLVED that:

A    The findings of the HGGT Strategic Economic Framework, as set out in Appendix A, based on Harlow Council’s Economic Strategy be endorsed.

B    Subject to all authorities approving the HGGT Strategic Economic Framework, the Framework is supported and agreed and will form the basis of the approach to economic development in the Garden Town area.

C    Cabinet delegates to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader of the Council and the Portfolio Holder for Economic Development, to make any necessary, non-consequential and minor amendments and refer those amendments back to the HGGT Chair and Director.

Cabinet received a report on the Harlow and Gilston Garden Town Economic Framework.

The Leader agreed to provide Councillor Durcan with a written update om the Health Security Agency’s relocation to the old GSK site.

Proposed by Councillor Michael Hardware (seconded by Councillor Stacy Seales) it was:

RESOLVED that:

A    The findings of the HGGT Strategic Economic Framework, as set out in Appendix A, based on Harlow Council’s Economic Strategy be endorsed.

B    Subject to all authorities approving the HGGT Strategic Economic Framework, the Framework is supported and agreed and will form the basis of the approach to economic development in the Garden Town area.

C    Cabinet delegates to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader of the Council and the Portfolio Holder for Economic Development, to make any necessary, non-consequential and minor amendments and refer those amendments back to the HGGT Chair and Director.

RESOLVED that:

A    Cabinet approves for consultation, with any necessary amendments, the draft Updated Private Rented Sector Housing Enforcement Policy as set out in Appendix A.

B    Cabinet gives instruction for a 4-week period of consultation and to either:

             i)        Bring the draft Updated Private Sector Housing Enforcement Policy back to Cabinet on 30 November 2023 for approval provided no objections are received; or

            ii)        If any objections are received to the proposed policy following the consultation period, that the decision be referred to the next meeting of this Cabinet on 15 February 2024.

Cabinet received a report on a private sector housing enforcement policy consultation.

The Leader agreed to provide Councillor Durcan with written details on how the consultation would be carried out.

Proposed by Councillor Nicky Purse (seconded by Councillor Michael Hardware) it was:

RESOLVED that:

A    Cabinet approves for consultation, with any necessary amendments, the draft Updated Private Rented Sector Housing Enforcement Policy as set out in Appendix A.

B    Cabinet gives instruction for a 4-week period of consultation and to either:

                             i)        Bring the draft Updated Private Sector Housing Enforcement Policy back to Cabinet on 30 November 2023 for approval provided no objections are received; or

                            ii)        If any objections are received to the proposed policy following the consultation period, that the decision be referred to the next meeting of this Cabinet on 15 February 2024.

RESOLVED that:

A    The Council seeks to take proactive steps to tackle the ‘hot spots’ the Police identified for harassment, and consideration be given to putting these locations in the public domain.

B    Additional ‘softer’ measures to chart progress in tackling domestic violence (i.e., in addition to conviction rates) be developed.

C    Agreements between relevant local authorities in supporting those who have escaped domestic violence to return to their home authority are formalised, where this is considered appropriate.

Cabinet received a referral from the Scrutiny Committee on support for victims of domestic abuse and sexual harassment.

The Leader agreed to provide written details to Councillor Shears with details of staff trained under the J9 scheme.

Proposed by Councillor Stacy Seales (seconded by Councillor David Carter) it was:

RESOLVED that:

A    The Council seeks to take proactive steps to tackle the ‘hot spots’ the Police identified for harassment, and consideration be given to putting these locations in the public domain.

B    Additional ‘softer’ measures to chart progress in tackling domestic violence (i.e., in addition to conviction rates) be developed.

C    Agreements between relevant local authorities in supporting those who have escaped domestic violence to return to their home authority are formalised, where this is considered appropriate.

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.