Agenda, decisions and minutes

None.

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

Councillor Simon Carter declared a pecuniary interest, in Item 13 (HTS (Property and Environment) Limited Contract Awards 2021/22) as a remunerated Council appointed Director of HTS (Property and Environment) Ltd. He would leave the meeting for consideration of the item.

Councillor Joel Charles declared a pecuniary interest, in Item 13 (HTS (Property and Environment) Limited Contract Awards 2021/22) as a remunerated Council appointed Director of HTS (Housing and Regeneration) Ltd and HTS Group Ltd. He would leave the meeting for consideration of the item.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 21 January 2021.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 21 January 2021 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 Councillors in accordance with Rule 11 of the Council Procedure Rules.

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

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

None.

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.

Simon Hill, Head of Governance, explained that the Award of Framework Agreement for Legal Services in Support of Special Projects had been delayed due to the amount of interest when the tender was first advertised. It was now in a position to be considered at Cabinet on 25 March 2021.

Andrew Bramidge, Head of Environment and Planning, explained that the Implementation of an Article 4 Direction relating to Houses of Multiple Occupation, had been agreed in principle by Cabinet, following a recommendation by the Cabinet Overview Working Group.

RESOLVED that the Forward Plan is noted.

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

RESOLVED that the following decision is noted.

RESOLVED that Cabinet agrees that:

A     In principle that the Council will invest £5 million in the Harlow Town Centre Investment Fund.

B    The Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, enters into an agreement to subscribe to purchase shares in the Harlow Investment Fund Limited Partnership and such other entities as may be required.

C    The Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, will nominate a representative to the Board of the General Partner.

D    Agreement of all operational matters and approval of the draft Board documents are delegated to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Leader of the Council.

Cabinet received a report which sought approval of in principle for the Council to invest £5 million in the Harlow Town Centre Investment Fund.

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

RESOLVED that Cabinet agrees that:

A     In principle that the Council will invest £5 million in the Harlow Town Centre Investment Fund.

B    The Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, enters into an agreement to subscribe to purchase shares in the Harlow Investment Fund Limited Partnership and such other entities as may be required.

C    The Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, will nominate a representative to the Board of the General Partner.

D    Agreement of all operational matters and approval of the draft Board documents are delegated to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Leader of the Council.

RESOLVED that:

A     Cabinet approved that the Draft Affordable and Specialist Housing Supplementary Planning Document (attached as Appendix A to the report), is published for the purposes of consultation under Section 12(b) of The Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 (as amended).

B    Authority be delegated to the Head of Environment and Planning, to make and approve any minor or inconsequential amendments to the Draft Affordable and Specialist Housing Supplementary Planning Document arising from the statutory consultation.

Cabinet received a report which approval to publish the draft Affordable and Specialist Housing Supplementary Planning Document for consultation.

Proposed by Councillor Danny Purton (seconded by Councillor Mark Wilkinson) it was:

RESOLVED that:

A     Cabinet approved that the Draft Affordable and Specialist Housing Supplementary Planning Document (attached as Appendix A to the report), is published for the purposes of consultation under Section 12(b) of The Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 (as amended).

B    Authority be delegated to the Head of Environment and Planning, to make and approve any minor or inconsequential amendments to the Draft Affordable and Specialist Housing Supplementary Planning Document arising from the statutory consultation.

RESOLVED that the most advantageous tender in consideration of price and quality combined as submitted by Contractor A is accepted in the sum of £1,445,493.51 for the delivery of updated Fire Compartmentation between floors, in service duct and ventilation system, internal and front entrance fire doors programme, subject to contract and Leaseholder consultation.

Cabinet received a report which sought approval of a contract award for fire safety works at Hughs Tower, Edmunds Tower, and the Lawn.

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

RESOLVED that:

A     The most advantageous tender in consideration of price and quality combined as submitted by Contractor A is accepted in the sum of £1,445,493.51 for the delivery of updated Fire Compartmentation between floors, in service duct and ventilation system, internal and front entrance fire doors programme, subject to contract and Leaseholder consultation.

RESOLVED that the following Business Case is awarded to HTS (Property and Environment) Limited, subject to clarification and agreement on the terms and conditions, and that a contract is entered into for the activity, not exceeding the value below:

     i)        Internal Works - £2,015,000

    ii)        External Works - £1,000,000

Councillors Simon Carter and Joel Charles left the meeting whilst this item was considered.

Cabinet received a report which sought approval for the award of business cases to HTS (Property and Environment) Ltd for the 2021/22 financial year.

Proposed by Councillor Mark Wilkinson (seconded by Councillor Mark Ingall) it was:

RESOLVED that:

A     The following Business Case is awarded to HTS (Property and Environment) Limited, subject to clarification and agreement on the terms and conditions, and that a contract is entered into for the activity, not exceeding the value below:

                             i)        Internal Works - £2,015,000

                            ii)        External Works - £1,000,000

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.

It was noted that Essex County Council were holding a public Zoom consultation on proposals for Harlow Library on Friday 26 February at 4pm. It was agreed that details on how to attend the meeting would be circulated to all Councillors.