Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor Emma Toal.

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

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 28 January 2016.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 28 January 2016 are agreed as a correct record and signed by the Leader.

Any matters arising from the minutes of the previous meeting.

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

The question submitted and response provided are appended to these minutes.

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.

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

None.

RESOLVED that:

A     Cabinet agree, in principle, that the Council should exercise its statutory powers to appropriate the Land at The Briars, Copshall Close and Aylets Field (BCA) for planning purposes.

B    Authority be delegated to the Chief Operating Officer, in consultation with the Portfolio Holders for Housing, and Regeneration and Enterprise, to take all necessary action to effect the appropriation (on a phased approach if considered appropriate).

The Cabinet received a report proposing that the Council appropriates land to facilitate the redevelopment of the Briars, Copshall Close and Aylets Field.

Proposed by Councillor Jon Clempner (seconded by Councillor Jean Clark) it was:

RESOLVED that:

A     Cabinet agrees, in principle, that the Council should exercise its statutory powers to appropriate the Land at The Briars, Copshall Close and Aylets Field (BCA) for planning purposes.

B    Authority is delegated to the Chief Operating Officer, in consultation with the Portfolio Holders for Housing, and Regeneration and Enterprise, to take all necessary action to effect the appropriation (on a phased approach if considered appropriate).

RESOLVED that:

A     Irrecoverable Council Tax amounting to £106,688.99, as detailed in Table 1 of Appendix A of the report submitted, be written off.

B    Irrecoverable Non Domestic Rates amounting to £50,307.94, as detailed in Table 2 of Appendix A of the report submitted, be written off.

C    Irrecoverable sundry debts amounting to £5,365.63, as detailed in Table 3 of Appendix A of the report submitted, be written off.

D    Irrecoverable housing benefit overpayments amounting to £19,014.78, as detailed in Table 4 of Appendix A of the report submitted, be written off.

The Cabinet received a report which detailed a number of debts which were deemed to be irrecoverable and therefore proposed for write-off.

Proposed by Councillor Mike Danvers (seconded by Councillor Jon Clempner) Cabinet:

RESOLVED that:

A     Irrecoverable Council Tax amounting to £106,688.99, as detailed in Table 1 of Appendix A of the report submitted, be written off.

B    Irrecoverable Non Domestic Rates amounting to £50,307.94, as detailed in Table 2 of Appendix A of the report submitted, be written off.

C    Irrecoverable sundry debts amounting to £5,365.63, as detailed in Table 3 of Appendix A of the report submitted, be written off.

D    Irrecoverable housing benefit overpayments amounting to £19,014.78, as detailed in Table 4 of Appendix A of the report submitted, be written off.

RESOLVED that:

A     The current funding for the Playhouse of £326,000 (plus recharges) per annum is maintained until 2018/19.

B    The Council seeks expressions of interest and invites potential operators with a view to reduce the ongoing funding required from the Council.

C    Cabinet notes The Overview Working Group’s opinion that funding of some scale will almost certainly be required beyond 2018/19, albeit in a potentially diminishing level.

D    Cabinet keeps under review the Capital Programme for the Playhouse with a view to aligning it with its discretionary funding.

The Cabinet received a report from the Overview Working Group which recommended an approach to ensuring the Playhouse’s continued operation.

Proposed by Councillor Jon Clempner (seconded by Councillor Jean Clark) it was:

RESOLVED that:

A     The current funding for the Playhouse of £326,000 (plus recharges) per annum is maintained until 2018/19.

B    The Council seeks expressions of interest and invites potential operators with a view to reduce the ongoing funding required from the Council.

C    Cabinet notes the Overview Working Group’s opinion that funding of some scale will almost certainly be required beyond 2018/19, albeit in a potentially diminishing level.

D    Cabinet keeps under review the Capital Programme for the Playhouse with a view to aligning it with its discretionary funding.

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.

RESOLVED that:

A     Cabinet, subject to formal contract, agrees to appoint Vinci Investments Limited as its development partner for the Harlow Enterprise Zone, London Road North Science Park.

B     The agreement of the detail of the Development Agreement and all arrangements for the delivery of the development are delegated to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Regeneration and Enterprise.

The Cabinet received a confidential report advising of the outcome of a public procurement exercise for a development partner for the Enterprise Zone, London Road North site and proposing that the Council appoint a preferred bidder.

Andrew Bramidge, Project Director - Enterprise Zone, gave a presentation on the Harlow Enterprise Zone, London Road North. The presentation explained the history of Enterprise Zones, the vision for the London Road North site (including layout plans and artists impressions), outlined the major responsibilities of the Council’s development partner and detailed next steps. Construction of the first building on site is expected to commence around November 2016.

Proposed by Councillor Tony Durcan (seconded by Councillor Jon Clempner) it was:

RESOLVED that:

A     Cabinet, subject to formal contract, agrees to appoint Vinci Investments Limited as its development partner for the Harlow Enterprise Zone, London Road North Science Park.

B    The agreement of the detail of the Development Agreement and all arrangements for the delivery of the development are delegated to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Regeneration and Enterprise.

To deal with any matters of an urgent nature.

None.