Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Matthew Saggers.

With the consent of the meeting, The Leader said that Item 16 would be considered after Item 7.

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

Councillor Tony Durcan declared pecuniary interests in items 17 and 18 as a Council appointed Director of HTS (Housing and Regeneration) Ltd.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 3 March 2022.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 3 March 2022 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 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.

RESOLVED that:

A    The most advantageous tender in consideration of price and quality combined as submitted by Contractor B, be accepted in the revised sum of £1,204,051.75 for the delivery of the external refurbishment of five blocks, subject to contract and Leaseholder Consultation.

Cabinet received a report to award a contract for external refurbishment works at Five Acres.

Proposed by Councillor Simon Carter (seconded by Councillor Dan Swords) it was:

RESOLVED that:

A    The most advantageous tender in consideration of price and quality combined as submitted by Contractor B, be accepted in the revised sum of £1,204,051.75 for the delivery of the external refurbishment of five blocks, subject to contract and Leaseholder Consultation.

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.

Appendix A to this report has been published on a supplementary agenda.

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

A    Noted the responses received to the consultation and agrees the non-consequential amendments proposed to the Harlow Town Centre Masterplan Framework Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) (as set out at Appendix B to the report).

B    Formally adopted the SPD as set out in Appendix A to the report and delegated authority to the Director of Strategic Growth and Regeneration in consultation with the relevant Portfolio Holders to make and agree any minor or inconsequential amendments to the Masterplan Framework Supplementary Planning Document arising from any matters discussed and agreed at Cabinet.

C    Notes the three-staged plan to deliver the major town centre regeneration vision as set out in Paragraph 12 of the report.

Cabinet received a report on the adoption of the Town Centre Masterplan.

Proposed by Councillor Michael Hardware (seconded by Councillor Dan Swords) it was:

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

A    Noted the responses received to the consultation and agrees the non-consequential amendments proposed to the Harlow Town Centre Masterplan Framework Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) (as set out at Appendix B to the report).

B    Formally adopted the SPD as set out in Appendix A to the report and delegated authority to the Director of Strategic Growth and Regeneration in consultation with the relevant Portfolio Holders to make and agree any minor or inconsequential amendments to the Masterplan Framework Supplementary Planning Document arising from any matters discussed and agreed at Cabinet.

C    Notes the three-staged plan to deliver the major town centre regeneration vision as set out in Paragraph 12 of the report.

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

A    Noted the Scrutiny Committee review of council house building and the Action Plan from that report, as set out in Appendix A to the report, as part of the delivery of the New House Building Programme.

B    Endorsed the aims of the New House Building Programme (NHBP) set out in paragraph 11 of the report.

C    Endorsed the themes of the New House Building Programme set out in paragraphs 12 to 31 of the report and in particular the principles of achieving appropriate tenure mixes, securing Section 106 funds to contribute to the housebuilding programme and of delivering new homes to carbon net zero standards.

D    Endorsed the Phase 1 schedule of projects of the New House Building Programme identified in paragraphs 45-47 and Appendix B of the report.

E     Noted that, before commencement, each individual scheme will be reported back to Cabinet showing viability and affordability in the context of the General Fund or Housing Revenue Account as appropriate (as set out in paragraphs 32-42 of the report).

Cabinet received a report on the new house building programme.

Proposed by Councillor Dan Swords (seconded by Councillor Simon Carter) it was:

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

A    Noted the Scrutiny Committee review of council house building and the Action Plan from that report, as set out in Appendix A to the report, as part of the delivery of the New House Building Programme.

B    Endorsed the aims of the New House Building Programme (NHBP) set out in paragraph 11 of the report.

C    Endorsed the themes of the New House Building Programme set out in paragraphs 12 to 31 of the report and in particular the principles of achieving appropriate tenure mixes, securing Section 106 funds to contribute to the housebuilding programme and of delivering new homes to carbon net zero standards.

D    Endorsed the Phase 1 schedule of projects of the New House Building Programme identified in paragraphs 45-47 and Appendix B of the report.

E     Noted that, before commencement, each individual scheme will be reported back to Cabinet showing viability and affordability in the context of the General Fund or Housing Revenue Account as appropriate (as set out in paragraphs 32-42 of the report).

The Leader, with the consent of the meeting, adjourned the meeting from 9.30pm to 9.40pm.

Appendix 7 to this report has been published as a supplementary agenda.

RESOLVED that:

A    Harlow District Council approves the making and sealing of a compulsory purchase order under the powers conferred by sections 226(1)(a) and 226(3)(a) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and section 13 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 to:

             i)        acquire all that land shaded pink and edged red on the plans attached at appendices 1 and 2;

            ii)        acquire all those rights (or interfere with existing rights) over the land shaded blue and edged on the plans attached at appendices 1 and 2,

the interests in which are described in the schedule of interests, attached at appendix 3.

B    The Director of Strategic Growth and Regeneration, in consultation with the Director of Governance and Corporate Services be authorised to take all steps, and to enter into all documentation, on behalf of Harlow District Council in connection with the making, confirmation, submission or implementation of the compulsory purchase order, including in respect of any public inquiry, appeal or legal challenge concerning the same.

C    The Director of Strategic Growth and Regeneration, in consultation with the Director of Governance and Corporate Services be authorised to make amendments to the compulsory purchase order or other connected document provided that the proposed amendments do not significantly alter the scope of the compulsory purchase order as presented to Cabinet by this report.

D    The Director of Strategic Growth and Regeneration, in consultation with the Director of Governance and Corporate Services be authorised to take all steps to:

             i)        negotiate agreements with any landowners, owners or occupiers of land included within the compulsory purchase order; and/or

            ii)        negotiate agreements with any party with an interest in any land included within or affected by the compulsory purchase order,

such agreements to include the acquisition of land or interests in land, payment of compensation or any other arrangements related to the delivery of the compulsory purchase order.

Cabinet received a report to approve the use of Compulsory Purchase Orders to advance the development of Harlow and Gilston Garden Town.

Proposed by Councillor Michael Hardware (seconded by Councillor Dan Swords) it was:

RESOLVED that:

A    Harlow District Council approves the making and sealing of a compulsory purchase order under the powers conferred by sections 226(1)(a) and 226(3)(a) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and section 13 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 to:

                             i)        acquire all that land shaded pink and edged red on the plans attached at appendices 1 and 2 to the report;

                            ii)        acquire all those rights (or interfere with existing rights) over the land shaded blue and edged on the plans attached at appendices 1 and 2 to the report;

the interests in which are described in the schedule of interests, attached at appendix 3 to the report.

B    The Director of Strategic Growth and Regeneration, in consultation with the Director of Governance and Corporate Services be authorised to take all steps, and to enter into all documentation, on behalf of Harlow District Council in connection with the making, confirmation, submission or implementation of the compulsory purchase order, including in respect of any public inquiry, appeal or legal challenge concerning the same.

C    The Director of Strategic Growth and Regeneration, in consultation with the Director of Governance and Corporate Services be authorised to make amendments to the compulsory purchase order or other connected document provided that the proposed amendments do not significantly alter the scope of the compulsory purchase order as presented to Cabinet by this report.

D    The Director of Strategic Growth and Regeneration, in consultation with the Director of Governance and Corporate Services be authorised to take all steps to:

                             i)        negotiate agreements with any landowners, owners or occupiers of land included within the compulsory purchase order; and/or

                            ii)        negotiate agreements with any party with an interest in any land included within or affected by the compulsory purchase order,

such agreements to include the acquisition of land or interests in land, payment of compensation or any other arrangements related to the delivery of the compulsory purchase order.

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

A    Approved the draft Community Engagement Strategy 2022/23 – 2024/25, subject to consultation, in order to support a renewed, strengthened and joined up approach to engagement across all council services and functions to ensure our work is as inclusive and effective as possible by reaching people from all social, financial and ethnic backgrounds in a variety of different ways.

B    Authorised that consultation be undertaken on this draft for a period of six weeks. Minor amendments will be submitted to the Director of Communities and Environment who will, in conjunction with the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Business and Community Resilience, develop the final version of the strategy following the conclusion of the consultation period.

Cabinet received a report on the adoption of the Community Engagement Strategy.

Proposed by Councillor Joel Charles (seconded by Councillor Alastair Gunn) it was:

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

A    Approved the draft Community Engagement Strategy 2022/23 – 2024/25, subject to consultation, in order to support a renewed, strengthened and joined up approach to engagement across all council services and functions to ensure our work is as inclusive and effective as possible by reaching people from all social, financial and ethnic backgrounds in a variety of different ways.

B    Authorised that consultation be undertaken on this draft for a period of six weeks. Minor amendments will be submitted to the Director of Communities and Environment who will, in conjunction with the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Business and Community Resilience, develop the final version of the strategy following the conclusion of the consultation period.

Councillors Tony Durcan and Eugenie Harvey left the meeting at this point.

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

A    Noted the responses received to the consultation and approves the consequential amendments made to the Green Infrastructure and Public Open Spaces Supplementary Planning Document (SPD).

B    Formally adopted the SPD as set out in the Appendix A to the report.

Cabinet received a report on the adoption of the Open Space Supplementary Planning Document.

Proposed by Councillor Michael Hardware (seconded by Councillor Dan Swords) it was:

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

A    Noted the responses received to the consultation and approves the consequential amendments made to the Green Infrastructure and Public Open Spaces Supplementary Planning Document (SPD).

B    Formally adopted the SPD as set out in the Appendix A to the report.

RESOLVED that:

A    The allocation of Grant Aid (Partnership Grants) be delegated to the Director of Communities and Environment, in consultation with the Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Business and Community Resilience, as set out in paragraph 7 of this report and will be published as a Portfolio Holder report at the appropriate time.

Cabinet received a report on the award of partnership grants.

Proposed by Councillor Joel Charles (seconded by Councillor James Leppard) it was:

RESOLVED that:

A    The allocation of Grant Aid (Partnership Grants) be delegated to the Director of Communities and Environment, in consultation with the Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Business and Community Resilience, as set out in paragraph 7 of this report and will be published as a Portfolio Holder report at the appropriate time.

RESOLVED that:

A    The most advantageous tender in consideration of price and quality combined as submitted by Contractor B be accepted in the revised sum of £1,281,792.92 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 considered a report to award a contract for fire safety works at Brenthall Tower and Stort Tower.

Proposed by Councillor Simon Carter (seconded by Councillor James Leppard) it was:

RESOLVED that:

A    The most advantageous tender in consideration of price and quality combined as submitted by Contractor B be accepted in the revised sum of £1,281,792.92 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:

A    A facilities management services contract is entered into with HTS (Property & Environment) Limited (HTS) for a period of three years, with an option, at the sole discretion of the Council, to extend that contract by a further two years.

B    Delegatedauthoritybe given totheDirector of Housing, inconsultationwith the PortfolioHolderfor Finance,tomake thenecessarylegal and financialarrangementsto award thecontract.

Cabinet received a report to award a contract for maintenance works at the Latton Bush Centre.

Proposed by Councillor James Leppard (seconded by Councillor Dan Swords) it was:

RESOLVED that:

A    A facilities management services contract is entered into with HTS (Property & Environment) Limited (HTS) for a period of three years, with an option, at the sole discretion of the Council, to extend that contract by a further two years.

B    Delegatedauthoritybe given totheDirector of Housing, inconsultationwith the PortfolioHolderfor Finance,tomake thenecessarylegal and financialarrangementsto award thecontract.

There are four Contract Awards included as individual reports with the following titles:

·         HTS (Property and Environment) Limited Contract Awards 2022-27

·         HTS (Property and Environment) Limited Contract Award 2022-23 – Replacement Communal Boilers and Heating Installations (138-162 Lower Meadow)

·         HTS (Property and Environment) Limited Contract Award 2022-23 – Replacement Communal Boilers and Heating Installations (60-89 Barley Croft)

·         HTS (Property and Environment) Limited Contract Award 2022-23 – Replacement Communal Boilers and Heating Installations (181-204 Barn Mead)

RESOLVED that:

A    The following Business Cases are awarded to HTS (Property and Environment) Limited for a 5-year term, 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 - £11,202,500

            ii)        Compliance Works - £5,8000,000

           iii)        Related Assets (Garages) - £1,751,000

B    The following Business Cases be 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)        Replacement Communal Boilers and Heating Installations (Lower Meadow) - £452,000

            ii)        Replacement Communal Boilers and Heating Installations (Barley Croft) - £420,000

           iii)        Replacement Communal Boilers and Heating Installations (Barn Mead) - £328,000

Cabinet received reports on HTS Contract Awards for 2022/23.

Proposed by Councillor Simon Carter (seconded by Councillor James Leppard) it was:

RESOLVED that:

A    The following Business Cases are awarded to HTS (Property and Environment) Limited for a 5-year term, 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 - £11,202,500

                            ii)        Compliance Works - £5,8000,000

                           iii)        Related Assets (Garages) - £1,751,000

B    The following Business Cases be 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)        Replacement Communal Boilers and Heating Installations (Lower Meadow) - £452,000

                            ii)        Replacement Communal Boilers and Heating Installations (Barley Croft) - £420,000

                           iii)        Replacement Communal Boilers and Heating Installations (Barn Mead) - £328,000

RESOLVED that:

A    From 1 April 2022, Harlow Council continues membership of the On-Street and Off-Street North Essex Parking Partnership (NEPP) and delegates authority to the Director of Communities and Environment, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Governance to:

             i)        Approve the new Parking Partnership Joint Committee Agreement on terms outlined in paragraph 6 of the report.

            ii)        Approve the new Off-street Parking Service Level Agreement.

Cabinet received a report to extend the Council’s involvement with the North Essex Parking Partnership (NEPP).

Proposed by Councillor Alastair Gunn (seconded by Councillor Michael Hardware) it was:

RESOLVED that:

A    From 1 April 2022, Harlow Council continues membership of the On-Street and Off-Street North Essex Parking Partnership (NEPP) and delegates authority to the Director of Communities and Environment, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Governance to:

                             i)        Approve the new Parking Partnership Joint Committee Agreement on terms outlined in paragraph 6 of the report.

                            ii)        Approve the new Off-street Parking Service Level Agreement.

RESOLVED that:

A    The Housing Strategy as set out in Appendix A to the report be approved and adopted by Cabinet.

Cabinet received a report to adopt a new Housing Strategy.

Proposed by Councillor Dan Swords (seconded by Councillor Simon Carter) it was:

RESOLVED that:

A    The Housing Strategy as set out in Appendix A to the report be approved and adopted by Cabinet.

RESOLVED that:

A    The Climate Change Strategy Position Statement, attached as Appendix A to the report, be approved.

B    Following development as indicated in the position statement a draft climate change strategy “Next Steps to Net Zero: Climate Change Strategy” be presented to Cabinet in Autumn 2022.

Cabinet received a report to agree the Climate Change Strategy Position Statement.

Proposed by Councillor Alastair Gunn (seconded by Councillor Michael Hardware) it was:

RESOLVED that:

A    The Climate Change Strategy Position Statement, attached as Appendix A to the report, be approved.

B    Following development as indicated in the position statement a draft climate change strategy “Next Steps to Net Zero: Climate Change Strategy” be presented to Cabinet in Autumn 2022.

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.