Agenda, decisions and minutes

None.

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

None.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 6 December 2018.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 6 December 2017 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 questions, together with the answers, are appended to the 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.

To note recent Portfolio Holder decisions taken under delegated powers, as attached: / There have not been any decisions taken by Portfolio Holders under delegated powers since the last meeting of the Cabinet.

In response to questions, the Leader of the Council said that he had taken an urgent decision, in consultation with Officers and relevant Portfolio holders, to take the management of the Museum back under direct Council control in order to reopen Harlow Museum.

RESOLVED that it was recommended to Full Council that:

A     The Corporate Plan 2019/20 – 2021/22, attached as Appendix A to the report, is adopted.

B    Authority be delegated to the Managing Director, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, to make minor and inconsequential amendments to the Corporate Plan.

Cabinet received a report proposing a Corporate Plan for 2019/20 to 2021/22.

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

RESOLVED that it was recommended to Full Council that:

A     The Corporate Plan 2019/20 – 2021/22, attached as Appendix A to the report, is adopted.

B    Authority be delegated to the Managing Director, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, to make minor and inconsequential amendments to the Corporate Plan.

RESOLVED that it was recommended to Full Council that:

A     The Medium Term Financial Strategy for 2019/20 to 2021/22 (attached as appendix B to the report) is adopted.

B    The planned Council Tax increase of two per cent for 2019/20 as set out in the Medium Term Financial Plan be approved.

C    The proposals in relation to reserves as set out in this report at paragraphs 23 to 29 and contained within Section 8 of the Medium Term Financial Strategy be approved.

Cabinet received a report proposing a Medium Term Financial Strategy for the Council from 2019/20 to 2021/22.

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

RESOLVED that it was recommended to Full Council that:

A     The Medium Term Financial Strategy for 2019/20 to 2021/22 (attached as appendix B to the report) is adopted.

B    The planned Council Tax increase of two per cent for 2019/20 as set out in the Medium Term Financial Plan be approved.

C    The proposals in relation to reserves as set out in this report at paragraphs 23 to 29 and contained within Section 8 of the Medium Term Financial Strategy be approved.

RESOLVED that it was recommended to Full Council that:

A     The following Capital and Treasury Reports be approved:

             i)        The Capital Strategy Report (attached as Appendix A to the report)

            ii)        The Capital Programme Strategy Statement 2019/20 (attached as Appendix B to the report)

           iii)        The Investment Strategy Report 2019/20 (attached as Appendix D to the report)

           iv)        The Minimum Revenue Provision Statement 2019/20 (attached as Appendix E to the report).

B    The proposed revised Treasury Management Strategy Statement 2019/20 (attached as Appendix C to the report) be approved for implementation with immediate effect.

Cabinet received a report which set out the Capital Strategy Report, the Capital Programme Strategy Statement 2019/20, the Investment Strategy Report 2019/20, the Minimum Revenue Provision Statement 2019/20 and the Treasury Management Strategy Statement 2019/20.

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

RESOLVED that it was recommended to Full Council that:

A     The following Capital and Treasury Reports be approved:

                             i)        The Capital Strategy Report (attached as Appendix A to the report)

                            ii)        The Capital Programme Strategy Statement 2019/20 (attached as Appendix B to the report)

                           iii)        The Investment Strategy Report 2019/20 (attached as Appendix D to the report)

                           iv)        The Minimum Revenue Provision Statement 2019/20 (attached as Appendix E to the report).

B    The proposed revised Treasury Management Strategy Statement 2019/20 (attached as Appendix C to the report) be approved for implementation with immediate effect.

RESOLVED that it was recommended to Full Council that:

A     The Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Business Plan, as set out in Appendix A to this report, be approved.

B    Authority be delegated to the Managing Director, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Housing, to make minor amendments to the Plan, if necessary, following consultation.

Cabinet received a report proposing a formal update of the Council’s Housing Revenue Account Business Plan.

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

RESOLVED that it was recommended to Full Council that:

A     The Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Business Plan, as set out in Appendix A to this report, be approved.

B    Authority be delegated to the Managing Director, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Housing, to make minor amendments to the Plan, if necessary, following consultation.

RESOLVED that it was recommended to Full Council that:

A     The rent reductions for individual dwellings as set out in paragraph 30 of this report are approved with effect from 1 April 2019. This equates to an average weekly rent of £89.84 a statutory reduction of one per cent.

B    Service charges for individual dwellings, as set out in paragraphs 22 to 29 of this report are approved with effect from 1 April 2019 for both tenants and leaseholders. This equates to an average weekly service charge to tenants of £2.49.

C    Heating charges as set out in paragraphs 31 to 38 of this report are approved with effect from 1 April 2019 for both tenants and leaseholders. Average weekly general needs charges are £9.24per week (leaseholders £16.09 per week, equivalent) and, for sheltered accommodation, £6.83 per week.

D    Rents for garages held within the category ‘Retain and Invest’ as defined in the ‘Garages and Hardstanding Improvement Strategy 2015’ will increase by five per cent, to £10.16 per week (for a standard garage) and proportionate increases for other garages, car ports and car spaces from 1 April 2019. Rents of garages in other categories will reduce by 20 per cent in order to provide an incentive, as set out in paragraphs 39 and 40 of this report.

E     Housing related support charges are as set out in paragraphs 17 to 21 and Table 1 are approved for service users with effect from 1 April 2019.

F     Other charges set out in paragraphs 41 to 43 of this report are approved with effect from 1 April 2019. Note the addition of two new charges from 1 April 2019 for the provision of information to facilitate Equity Release £30.80 and Re-mortgage work £20.50 (both inclusive of VAT at 20 per cent).

G    The growth items outlined in paragraph 46 in respect of 2019/20 are approved.

H    The Housing Revenue Account (HRA) budget (attached as set Appendix A to the report) is approved.

I       A minimum HRA working balance shall be £4 million as at 31 March 2020, with £2.5 million being the minimum level and with an additional £1.5 million added as an allowance towards any additional expenditure required as a result of the Grenfell Tower Public Inquiry, (as set out in Appendix B of this report) is approved.

Cabinet received a report which provided a forecast of the outturn budget for the Council’s Housing Revenue Account for the current financial year, as well as a proposed budget for 2019/20.

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

RESOLVED that it was recommended to Full Council that:

A     The rent reductions for individual dwellings as set out in paragraph 30 of this report are approved with effect from 1 April 2019. This equates to an average weekly rent of £89.84 a statutory reduction of one per cent.

B    Service charges for individual dwellings, as set out in paragraphs 22 to 29 of this report are approved with effect from 1 April 2019 for both tenants and leaseholders. This equates to an average weekly service charge to tenants of £2.49.

C    Heating charges as set out in paragraphs 31 to 38 of this report are approved with effect from 1 April 2019 for both tenants and leaseholders. Average weekly general needs charges are £9.24per week (leaseholders £16.09 per week, equivalent) and, for sheltered accommodation, £6.83 per week.

D    Rents for garages held within the category ‘Retain and Invest’ as defined in the ‘Garages and Hardstanding Improvement Strategy 2015’ will increase by five per cent, to £10.16 per week (for a standard garage) and proportionate increases for other garages, car ports and car spaces from 1 April 2019. Rents of garages in other categories will reduce by 20 per cent in order to provide an incentive, as set out in paragraphs 39 and 40 of this report.

E     Housing related support charges are as set out in paragraphs 17 to 21 and Table 1 are approved for service users with effect from 1 April 2019.

F     Other charges set out in paragraphs 41 to 43 of this report are approved with effect from 1 April 2019. Note the addition of two new charges from 1 April 2019 for the provision of information to facilitate Equity Release £30.80 and Re-mortgage work £20.50 (both inclusive of VAT at 20 per cent).

G    The growth items outlined in paragraph 46 in respect of 2019/20 are approved.

H    The Housing Revenue Account (HRA) budget (attached as set Appendix A to the report) is approved.

I       A minimum HRA working balance shall be £4 million as at 31 March 2020, with £2.5 million being the minimum level and with an additional £1.5 million added as an allowance towards any additional expenditure required as a result of the Grenfell Tower Public Inquiry, (as set out in Appendix B of this report) is approved.

RESOLVED that it was recommended to Full Council that:

A     The General Fund estimates for 2019/20, as set out in Appendix A to the report, are approved.

B    The proposed transfers between the General Fund and Earmarked Reserves, referred to in paragraphs 24 to 27 and Table 3 of this report and set out in Appendix C to the report, are approved.

C    The proposed Fees and Charges, as set out in Appendix E to the report, are approved.

D    The Pay Policy Statement, as set out in Appendix G to the report, is approved.

E     The Council’s Band D Council Tax for 2019/20 is set at £277.73 representing an increase in Council Tax of two per cent for the forthcoming year.

Cabinet received a report which set out the annual General Fund Budget for the Council. The report included a proposed increase to the Council Tax charge of two per cent.

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

RESOLVED that it was recommended to Full Council that:

A     The General Fund estimates for 2019/20, as set out in Appendix A to the report, are approved.

B    The proposed transfers between the General Fund and Earmarked Reserves, referred to in paragraphs 24 to 27 and Table 3 of this report and set out in Appendix C to the report, are approved.

C    The proposed Fees and Charges, as set out in Appendix E to the report, are approved.

D    The Pay Policy Statement, as set out in Appendix G to the report, is approved.

E     The Council’s Band D Council Tax for 2019/20 is set at £277.73 representing an increase in Council Tax of two per cent for the forthcoming year.

RESOLVED that it was recommended to Full Council that:

Housing Capital Programme

A     The Housing Capital Programme 2018/19 revised outturn of £19,513,000, as set out in Table 2 of the report is noted.

B    The Housing Capital programme 2019/20 of £24,044,000, as set out in Table 5 of the report is approved, including £2.7 million of external borrowing to support building council homes.

Non Housing Capital Programme

C    The revised Non Housing Capital Programme 2018/19 of £11,105,000, as set out in Table 6 of the report is noted.

D    The Non Housing Capital Programme for 2019/20 £11,156,000 including the Enterprise Zone (EZ) (£5,319,000) and Prentice Place (£2,347,000) as set out in Table 7 of the report is approved.

E     Internal borrowing is approved to support:

             i)        the Non Housing Capital Core Programme of £9,866,000 up to 31 March 2019, and a further £2,372,000 in 2019/20.

            ii)        in respect of Prentice Place in 2019/20 of £1,755,000.

           iii)        in respect of the EZ in 2018/19 of £5,790,000 and in 2019/20, £5,319,000. This will bring total borrowing over the 3 years from 2017/18 to £13,707,000.

The Cabinet received a report on the outturn for 2018/19 and proposed programmes for 2019/20.

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

RESOLVED that it was recommended to Full Council that:

Housing Capital Programme

A     The Housing Capital Programme 2018/19 revised outturn of £19,513,000, as set out in Table 2 of the report is noted.

B    The Housing Capital programme 2019/20 of £24,044,000, as set out in Table 5 of the report is approved, including £2.7 million of external borrowing to support building council homes.

Non Housing Capital Programme

C    The revised Non Housing Capital Programme 2018/19 of £11,105,000, as set out in Table 6 of the report is noted.

D    The Non Housing Capital Programme for 2019/20 £11,156,000 including the Enterprise Zone (EZ) (£5,319,000) and Prentice Place (£2,347,000) as set out in Table 7 of the report is approved.

E     Internal borrowing is approved to support:

                             i)        the Non Housing Capital Core Programme of £9,866,000 up to 31 March 2019, and a further £2,372,000 in 2019/20.

                            ii)        in respect of Prentice Place in 2019/20 of £1,755,000.

                           iii)        in respect of the EZ in 2018/19 of £5,790,000 and in 2019/20, £5,319,000. This will bring total borrowing over the 3 years from 2017/18 to £13,707,000.

RESOLVED that it was recommended to Full Council that:

A     The proposed Retail Relief Policy (attached as Appendix A to the report) be adopted.

Cabinet received a report which set out a proposed retail relief policy.

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

RESOLVED that it was recommended to Full Council that:

A     The proposed Retail Relief Policy (attached as Appendix A to the report) be adopted.

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

A     Approved plans to dispose of the Council’s freehold interest in the various land parcels (attached as Appendix A to the report).

B    Delegated to the Head of Finance and Deputy to the Managing Director, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, the authority to negotiate and finalise the terms of the disposal and (subject to being satisfied that it would be for the best consideration reasonably obtainable) thereafter procure the legal completion of the sale documentation and all ancillary documents.

Cabinet received a report which sought approval for plans to dispose of land parcels along Gilden Way owned by the Council to the Highways Authority.

Proposed by Councillor John Strachan (seconded by Councillor Danny Purton) it was:

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

A     Approved plans to dispose of the Council’s freehold interest in the various land parcels (attached as Appendix A to the report).

B    Delegated to the Head of Finance and Deputy to the Managing Director, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, the authority to negotiate and finalise the terms of the disposal and (subject to being satisfied that it would be for the best consideration reasonably obtainable) thereafter procure the legal completion of the sale documentation and all ancillary documents.

None.

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.

To deal with any matters of an urgent nature.

None.