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

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 30 November 2023.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 30 November 2023 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.

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 said the council had been progressing with its five priorities and looked forward to seeing further success in 2024.

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 be noted.

https://moderngov.harlow.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=931

https://moderngov.harlow.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=932

https://moderngov.harlow.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=933

RESOLVED that:

A    Cabinet approved The Private Rented Sector Housing Enforcement Policy as set out in Appendix A to the report. The results of the consultation on the proposed policy detailed in Appendix B to the report be noted.

B    The Private Sector Housing Enforcement Policy be adopted and implemented on 24 January 2024.

Cabinet received a report to adopt a new Private Sector Housing Enforcement Policy.

The Leader said he would resend Councillor Durcan information on the number of consultation responses.

Proposed by Councillor Nicky Purse (seconded by Councillor James Leppard) it was:

RESOLVED that:

A    Cabinet approved The Private Rented Sector Housing Enforcement Policy as set out in Appendix A to the report. The results of the consultation on the proposed policy detailed in Appendix B to the report be noted.

B    The Private Sector Housing Enforcement Policy be adopted and implemented on 24 January 2024.

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

A    Noted the responses received to the consultation and agrees the consequential amendments made to the Health Impact Assessment (HIA) Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) (as set out in Appendix B to the report).

B    Formally adopted the SPD (as set out in Appendix A to the report) and delegates authority to the Interim Head of Planning and Building Control. in consultation with the relevant Portfolio Holders, to make and agree any minor or inconsequential amendments to the HIA SPD arising from any matters discussed and agreed at Cabinet.

Cabinet received a report to adopt the Health Impact Assessment SPD.

Proposed by Councillor Michael Hardware (seconded by Councillor David Carter) it was:

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

A    Noted the responses received to the consultation and agrees the consequential amendments made to the Health Impact Assessment (HIA) Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) (as set out in Appendix B to the report).

B    Formally adopted the SPD (as set out in Appendix A to the report) and delegates authority to the Interim Head of Planning and Building Control. in consultation with the relevant Portfolio Holders, to make and agree any minor or inconsequential amendments to the HIA SPD arising from any matters discussed and agreed at Cabinet.

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

A    Acknowledged the current position regarding the 2023/24 Local Council Tax Support Scheme and endorses continuing stability within the scheme for 2024/25 and recommends to Full Council that the current Local Council Tax Support Scheme remains unchanged for the 2024/25 financial year.

B    Recommended to Full Council that a Council Tax premium of 100% is levied in respect of empty and substantially unfurnished properties 12 months after the property becomes vacant, with effect from 1 April 2024.

C    Recommended to Full Council that the application of a Council Tax premium of 100% is levied in respect of dwellings which are unoccupied but substantially furnished (second homes) with effect from 1st April 2025.

D    Recommended to Full Council that the proposed Empty Homes and Second Homes Policy 2024/25 be adopted, and that the Section 151 Officer is given delegated powers to implement the policy in regard to empty properties in line with the council’s requirements and any guidance given by the Secretary of State or regulation.

Cabinet received a report on the Local Council Tax Support Scheme.

Proposed by Councillor James Leppard (seconded by Councillor Michael Hardware) it was:

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

A    Acknowledged the current position regarding the 2023/24 Local Council Tax Support Scheme and endorses continuing stability within the scheme for 2024/25 and recommends to Full Council that the current Local Council Tax Support Scheme remains unchanged for the 2024/25 financial year.

B    Recommended to Full Council that a Council Tax premium of 100% is levied in respect of empty and substantially unfurnished properties 12 months after the property becomes vacant, with effect from 1 April 2024.

C    Recommended to Full Council that the application of a Council Tax premium of 100% is levied in respect of dwellings which are unoccupied but substantially furnished (second homes) with effect from 1st April 2025.

D    Recommended to Full Council that the proposed Empty Homes and Second Homes Policy 2024/25 be adopted, and that the Section 151 Officer is given delegated powers to implement the policy in regard to empty properties in line with the council’s requirements and any guidance given by the Secretary of State or regulation.

RESOLVED that the Mid-Year Review of the Treasury Management Strategy, as set out in Appendix A to the report, be noted and referred to Full Council for consideration.

Cabinet received a report on the mid-year review of the Treasury Management Strategy.

Councillor Leppard said he would at publishing debt/borrowing benchmarking information in relation to the TMSS.

Proposed by Councillor James Leppard (seconded by Councillor Michael Hardware) it was:

RESOLVED that the Mid-Year Review of the Treasury Management Strategy, as set out in Appendix A to the report, be noted and referred to Full Council for consideration.

RESOLVED that:

A    Irrecoverable Council Tax amounting to £26,966.49 be written off.

B    Irrecoverable Non-Domestic Rates amounting to £637,414.50 be written off.

C    Irrecoverable Sundry Debts amounting to £66,917.71 be written off.

D    Irrecoverable Housing Benefit overpayments amounting to £44,919.84 be written off.

Cabinet received a report on debt write offs.

Councillors agreed to place on record, their thanks to the Revenues and Benefits team for their work during the pandemic and their diligence which ensured funds were properly allocated.

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

RESOLVED that:

A    Irrecoverable Council Tax amounting to £26,966.49 be written off.

B    Irrecoverable Non-Domestic Rates amounting to £637,414.50 be written off.

C    Irrecoverable Sundry Debts amounting to £66,917.71 be written off.

D    Irrecoverable Housing Benefit overpayments amounting to £44,919.84 be written off.

To approve the changes to the Cabinet appointments.

RESOLVED that the Cabinet appointments be approved as appended to the minutes.

None.

To note the following draft minutes of Cabinet appointed bodies. Minutes remain draft until approved by the relevant body.

None.

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.