Agenda, decisions and minutes

The Chair will read out the following statement:

“This meeting is being webcast live to our website (https://harlow.public-i.tv/core/portal/home) and will be available for repeated viewing after the meeting has ended.

By continuing to attend this meeting, you are consenting to being filmed and to appearing in the webcast.

I would like to remind all those participating in the meeting to use their microphones when they speak, and to turn them off once they have finished talking.”

The Leader said that the meeting was being webcast live and would be available for repeated viewing after the meeting had ended. By continuing to attend the meeting, you were consenting to being filmed and to appearing in the webcast.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Michael Hardware.

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

None.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 12 October 2023.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 12 October 2023 are agreed as a correct record and signed by the Leader.

Any matters arising from the minutes of the previous meeting.

The Leader said he believed he had sent Councillor Edwards information about the Strawberry Star development, but would check.

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

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.

The Leader noted a number of examples of progress against the council’s five priorities and thanked council officers for their work to deliver this progress. He also updated Cabinet on changes at HTS.

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

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

RESOLVED that the following decisions are noted.

https://moderngov.harlow.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=920

https://moderngov.harlow.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=921

RESOLVED that Cabinet recommended to Full Council that:

A    The Corporate Plan 2024 - 2028, attached as Appendix A to the report, is adopted.

B    The Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, prepare a delivery programme for the duration of the plan to be agreed by Cabinet annually.

C    The review of the Corporate Plan achievements, in future, form part of a report monitored by Cabinet annually.

D    Delegation be given to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, to make minor and inconsequential changes to the Plan.

Cabinet received the new draft Corporate Plan.

The Leader said that the wording in the Corporate Plan on potholes would be changed, as well as whether the Plan should include more information about energy efficiency in owner-occupier homes.

The Leader would write to Councillor Kay Morrison with information on the school readiness programme.

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

RESOLVED that Cabinet recommended to Full Council that:

A    The Corporate Plan 2024 - 2028, attached as Appendix A to the report, is adopted.

B    The Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, prepare a delivery programme for the duration of the plan to be agreed by Cabinet annually.

C    The review of the Corporate Plan achievements, in future, form part of a report monitored by Cabinet annually.

D    Delegation be given to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, to make minor and inconsequential changes to the Plan.

RESOLVED that Cabinet recommended to Full Council that The Medium-Term Financial Plan 2024 - 2028, attached as Appendix A to the report, be approved.

Cabinet received a report on the Medium Term Financial Plan 2024-2028.

The Leader agreed that he would provide Councillor Vince with further details about the risks set out in the MTFP.

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

RESOLVED that Cabinet recommended to Full Council that The Medium-Term Financial Plan 2024 - 2028, attached as Appendix A to the report, be approved.

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

A    Noted the forecast outturn position set out within the report in respect of the General Fund as at the end of quarter 2 (April – September) of 2023/24 with a projected favourable variance of £145,000.

B    Noted the forecast outturn position set out within the report in respect of the Housing Revenue Account as at the end of quarter 2 (April – September) of 2023/24 with a projected adverse variance of £543,000.

C    Noted the forecast outturn position set out within the report in respect of the Non-Housing Capital Programme as at the end of quarter 2 (April – September) of 2023/24 with a projected adverse variance of £0.383 million.

D    Noted the forecast outturn position set out within the report in respect of the Housing Capital Programme as at the end of quarter 2 (April – September) of 2023/24 with a projected favourable variance of £8.994 million.

E     Approved the Period 6 reprofiling into 2024/25 within the Housing and Non-Housing Capital Programmes included within Appendices C and D to the report.

F     Recommends to Full Council the approval of the Budget allocations identified for 2023/24 within the Housing and Non-Housing Capital Programmes included within Appendices C and D to the report.

G    Approved the virements for the Non-Housing and Housing Capital Programme identified within the tables included in paragraphs 19 and 27 of the report.

Cabinet received the Quarter 2 Financial Performance report for 2023/24.

The Leader said he would provide Councillor Vince with more information about the variance for the Playhouse sound system.

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

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

A    Noted the forecast outturn position set out within the report in respect of the General Fund as at the end of quarter 2 (April – September) of 2023/24 with a projected favourable variance of £145,000.

B    Noted the forecast outturn position set out within the report in respect of the Housing Revenue Account as at the end of quarter 2 (April – September) of 2023/24 with a projected adverse variance of £543,000.

C    Noted the forecast outturn position set out within the report in respect of the Non-Housing Capital Programme as at the end of quarter 2 (April – September) of 2023/24 with a projected adverse variance of £0.383 million.

D    Noted the forecast outturn position set out within the report in respect of the Housing Capital Programme as at the end of quarter 2 (April – September) of 2023/24 with a projected favourable variance of £8.994 million.

E     Approved the Period 6 reprofiling into 2024/25 within the Housing and Non-Housing Capital Programmes included within Appendices C and D to the report.

F     Recommends to Full Council the approval of the Budget allocations identified for 2023/24 within the Housing and Non-Housing Capital Programmes included within Appendices C and D to the report.

G    Approved the virements for the Non-Housing and Housing Capital Programme identified within the tables included in paragraphs 19 and 27 of the report.

RESOLVED that Cabinet agreed:

A    That the council will work in partnership with other councils in North Essex under the banner of North Essex Councils (NEC).

B    To jointly resource a small team to collectively represent North Essex Councils, establish a detailed terms of reference for NEC and develop a clear programme of work.

C    That the Leader of the Council and the Chief Executive continue to represent the council on the North Essex Councils Partnership with the appropriate delegation to act in line with the principles outlined in the report.

D    That the Leader of the Council and the Chief Executive report progress of the workstreams to Cabinet at least once per financial year.

Cabinet received a report on partnership working with North Essex Councils.

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

RESOLVED that Cabinet agreed:

A    That the council will work in partnership with other councils in North Essex under the banner of North Essex Councils (NEC).

B    To jointly resource a small team to collectively represent North Essex Councils, establish a detailed terms of reference for NEC and develop a clear programme of work.

C    That the Leader of the Council and the Chief Executive continue to represent the council on the North Essex Councils Partnership with the appropriate delegation to act in line with the principles outlined in the report.

D    That the Leader of the Council and the Chief Executive report progress of the workstreams to Cabinet at least once per financial year.

RESOLVED that Cabinet noted the improvements and enhancements made to the Major Works business process.

Cabinet received a report on the major housing wors business process review.

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

RESOLVED that Cabinet noted the improvements and enhancements made to the Major Works business process.

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

A    Declared Osler House as surplus to requirements.

B    Approved plans to dispose of the Council’s freehold interest in Osler House via private treaty to Mind in West Essex.

C    Delegated authority to the Assistant Director – Regeneration, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance and Governance, 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.

Cabinet received a report on the freehold disposal of Osler House.

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

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

A    Declared Osler House as surplus to requirements.

B    Approved plans to dispose of the Council’s freehold interest in Osler House via private treaty to Mind in West Essex.

C    Delegated authority to the Assistant Director – Regeneration, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance and Governance, 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.

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

A    Approved the revised Housing Assistance Policy attached as Appendix A to the report.

B    Delegatedauthority tothe appropriate Assistant Director,in consultationwith the appropriate Portfolio Holder,to makesuch minor or inconsequential amendments tothe policyand toapprove procedures for givingit effectas maybe necessaryfrom timeto time.

Cabinet received a report on the Private Housing Assistance Policy.

Proposed by Councillor Nicky Purse (seconded by Councillor David Carter) it was:

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

A    Approved the revised Housing Assistance Policy attached as Appendix A to the report.

B    Delegatedauthority tothe appropriate Assistant Director,in consultationwith the appropriate Portfolio Holder,to makesuch minor or inconsequential amendments tothe policyand toapprove procedures for givingit effectas maybe necessaryfrom timeto time.

RESOLVED that Cabinet recommended to Full Council that:

A    A word limit of 200 for each question and 300 words for each answer (except where the complexity of the questions requires a longer response) be implemented.

B    The deadline for submitting questions be changed to 12pm three clear working days before the meeting.

C    Questions from Councillors be taken as read, unless it is specifically requested that they are read out.

D    A new back-end process for dealing with questions is introduced.

E     The Constitution is amended to reflect A-D above.

Cabinet received a report on revised questions procedures for meetings.

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

RESOLVED that Cabinet recommended to Full Council that:

A    A word limit of 200 for each question and 300 words for each answer (except where the complexity of the questions requires a longer response) be implemented.

B    The deadline for submitting questions be changed to 12pm three clear working days before the meeting.

C    Questions from Councillors be taken as read, unless it is specifically requested that they are read out.

D    A new back-end process for dealing with questions is introduced.

E     The Constitution is amended to reflect A-D above.

RESOLVED that:

A    The Hackney Carriage Tariff Schedule, as set out in Appendices B and D to the original report, be adopted.

B    The Interim Assistant Director Environment be authorised to take the necessary steps as stated in the report to implement the tariff changes with effect from 22 December 2023.

Cabinet received a referral from the Licensing Committee on Hackney Carriage Tariffs.

Proposed by Councillor Nicky Purse (seconded by Councillor Dan Swords) it was:

RESOLVED that:

A    The Hackney Carriage Tariff Schedule, as set out in Appendices B and D to the original report, be adopted.

B    The Interim Assistant Director Environment be authorised to take the necessary steps as stated in the report to implement the tariff changes with effect from 22 December 2023.

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.