Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Tony Durcan.

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

Councillor Simon Carter declared a pecuniary interest as a remunerated Council appointed Director of HTS (Property and Environment) Ltd. He said that he would leave the meeting in the event financial matters relating to HTS were discussed.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 28 March 2019.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 28 March 2019 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.

In accordance with paragraph 10.10 of the Council Procedure Rules, the question was not heard as the questioner was not present at the meeting.

The Leader of the Council said that notwithstanding this, he recognised the serious threat posed by climate change and would be submitting a motion to Full Council on 11 July which would commit the Council to:

    (i)        A program of new tree and hedgerow planting across the town, starting with 1,000 trees in next year;

  (ii)        Reducing its carbon footprint at a greater rate than it is already committed to doing so;

 (iii)        Encouraging our property and environment company HTS to plan for a switch over to electric vehicles; and

 (iv)        Reaffirming its commitment to the Garden Town development’s principles of sustainable transport.

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.

Petition from Anne Ratcliffe:

“We the undersigned are residents of Foldcroft and call on Harlow District Council to commence an estate wide consultation on the challenges facing residents around parking within the boundary of the Estate.

We ask the Council to review all options up to an including the introduction of an Estate wide parking permit scheme.”

Anne Ratcliffe presented her petition to Cabinet, which asked the Council begin an estate wide consultation to look at possible solutions to issues caused by parking around Foldcroft.

The petition was discussed and it was agreed that Foldcroft be added to the sites to be considered for parking alleviation measures.

RESOLVED that the petition was referred to Property, Facilities and Projects to be considered for parking alleviation measures as part of the Council programme.

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 decisions are noted.

RESOLVED that:

A     Approved the Public Space Protection Order (attached as Appendix 1 to the report) after considering the consultation responses.

B    Approved that the Public Space Protection Order comes into force once all necessary signage has been put in place.

C    Agreed that once implemented, the Public Space Protection Order is monitored for three years and a report on its impact is brought back with recommendations on any extensions, amendments or additions if required.

D    Agreed that cases not covered by the Public Space Protection Order that require enforcement based on behaviour will continue to be enforced through the Council’s Anti-Social Behaviour policy.

Cabinet received a report to approve the implementation of a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) in the Town Centre. The PSPO prohibited cycling, the consumption of alcohol and ball games (with the exception of table tennis in the Stone Cross area).

Proposed by Councillor Eugenie Harvey (seconded by Councillor Mark Ingall) it was:

RESOLVED that:

A     Approved the Public Space Protection Order (attached as Appendix 1 to the report) after considering the consultation responses.

B    Approved that the Public Space Protection Order comes into force once all necessary signage has been put in place.

C    Agreed that once implemented, the Public Space Protection Order is monitored for three years and a report on its impact is brought back with recommendations on any extensions, amendments or additions if required.

D    Agreed that cases not covered by the Public Space Protection Order that require enforcement based on behaviour will continue to be enforced through the Council’s Anti-Social Behaviour policy.

RESOLVED that:

A     Cabinet approved the appointment of Bridge Fibre Limited to provide a telecoms management service to Harlow Council on the Harlow Science Park.

B    The final terms and completion of the contract be delegated to the Head of Finance and Deputy to the Managing Director in consultation with the Portfolio Holders for Finance and for Economic Development.

The Cabinet considered a report to approve the appointment of a company to provide telecoms management services to the Council on Harlow Science Park.

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

RESOLVED that:

A     Cabinet approved the appointment of Bridge Fibre Limited to provide a telecoms management service to Harlow Council on the Harlow Science Park.

B    The final terms and completion of the contract be delegated to the Head of Finance and Deputy to the Managing Director in consultation with the Portfolio Holders for Finance and for Economic Development.

RESOLVED that:

A     Cabinet approved the funding of approximately £7.2 million to develop Plot H of the Harlow Science Park into a range of ‘mid-tech’ units combining office, research and manufacturing/assembly space, to be known as Modus. The agreement of the final figure is to be delegated to Head of Finance and Deputy to the Managing Director in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Resources and the Portfolio Holder for Economic Development following the appointment of a contractor and the agreement of a fixed price sum.

B    The development be retained by Harlow Council as an investment with the development likely to comprise a mix of long leasehold disposals providing a capital receipt and shorter leases providing an ongoing revenue stream.

C    The development be funded through borrowing repaid by the Enterprise Zone business rate uplift retention as agreed with the South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP).

Cabinet received a report which sought approval of approximately £7.2 million worth of funding to develop Plot H of the Harlow Science Park.

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

RESOLVED that:

A     Cabinet approved the funding of approximately £7.2 million to develop Plot H of the Harlow Science Park into a range of ‘mid-tech’ units combining office, research and manufacturing/assembly space, to be known as Modus. The agreement of the final figure is to be delegated to Head of Finance and Deputy to the Managing Director in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Resources and the Portfolio Holder for Economic Development following the appointment of a contractor and the agreement of a fixed price sum.

B    The development be retained by Harlow Council as an investment with the development likely to comprise a mix of long leasehold disposals providing a capital receipt and shorter leases providing an ongoing revenue stream.

C    The development be funded through borrowing repaid by the Enterprise Zone business rate uplift retention as agreed with the South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP).

To note the Leader of the Council’s Scheme of Delegation to Portfolio Holders

RESOLVED that the Leader’s Scheme of Delegation to Portfolio Holders for 2019/20, as set out in the document submitted, is noted

The Cabinet received a list of nominations to the Cabinet Overview Working Group, Panels and Partnership Bodies.

Proposed by Councillor Mark Ingall (seconded by Councillor Lanie Shears) it was:

RESOLVED that appointments to the Cabinet Overview Working Group, Panels and Partnership Bodies were approved as appended to the minutes.

The Cabinet considered the 2019/20 Work Plan for the Cabinet Overview Working Group.

Proposed by Councillor Mark Ingall (seconded by Councillor Lanie Shears) it was:

RESOLVED that the proposed 2019/20 work plan for the Cabinet Overview Working Group, attached as Appendix A to the report, be agreed.

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.

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.