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.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Danielle Brown.

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 September 2024.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 12 September 2024 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 Leader set out how the council had continued to deliver its corporate priorities. This included improvements in void turnarounds, improvements in bin collection rates, and works taking place in the Town Centre.

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=998

https://moderngov.harlow.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=1000

https://moderngov.harlow.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=999

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

A    Noted the performance of key performance indicators for August.

B    Noted the Finance position as August (period 5) of 2024/25 financial year.

C    Approved the Period 5 reprofiling into 2025/26 within the Non-Housing Capital Programmes included within Appendix E to the report.

D    Recommended to Full Council the approval of the Budget allocations identified for 2024/25 within the Non-Housing Capital Programmes included within Appendix E to the report.

E     Noted the current strategic risks for the council’s operations.

Cabinet received the Performance, Finance and Risk report for August 2024.

Proposed by Councillor Hannah Ellis (seconded by Councillor James Leppard) it was:

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

A    Noted the performance of key performance indicators for August.

B    Noted the Finance position as August (period 5) of 2024/25 financial year.

C    Approved the Period 5 reprofiling into 2025/26 within the Non-Housing Capital Programmes included within Appendix E to the report.

D    Recommended to Full Council the approval of the Budget allocations identified for 2024/25 within the Non-Housing Capital Programmes included within Appendix E to the report.

E     Noted the current strategic risks for the council’s operations.

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

A    Noted the performance of complaints handling for the period 2023-24.

B    Noted the impact of lessons learnt from 2023/24 on the performance of complaint handling during Q1 and 2 of 2024/25.

C    Approved the changes to service delivery to bring complaints handling in line with ombudsman's Complaint Handling Code.

Cabinet received a report on 2023/24 complaints overview.

Proposed by Councillor Hannah Ellis (seconded by Councillor James Leppard) it was:

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

A     Noted the performance of complaints handling for the period 2023-24.

B     Noted the impact of lessons learnt from 2023/24 on the performance of complaint handling during Q1 and 2 of 2024/25.

C     Approved the changes to service delivery to bring complaints handling in line with ombudsman's Complaint Handling Code.

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

A    Endorsed the setting up of an internal ‘Operations Group’ drawn from officers across all Council services to support the CHB multi-agency work, to ensure that all Council owned and led actions are delivered.

B    Approved an indicative allocation of £100,000 that can be drawn down by the ‘Operations Group’ in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Public Protection and the Chief Executive, where there is a business case to fund specific activity in support of current and future CHB initiatives. This is specifically actioned when existing budgets cannot absorb the additional cost.

C    Delegated to the Portfolio Holder for Public Protection the oversight of the Council’s programme of work, in order to ensure the Council plays its part effectively in reducing crime and the fear of crime in The Stow.

Cabinet received a report on the Clear, Hold, Build initiative.

Councillor Matthew Saggers declared a non-pecuniary interest as his son was a Youth Councillor.

Proposed by Councillor Joel Charles (seconded by Councillor Dan Swords) it was:

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

A     Endorsed the setting up of an internal ‘Operations Group’ drawn from officers across all Council services to support the CHB multi-agency work, to ensure that all Council owned and led actions are delivered.

B     Approved an indicative allocation of £100,000 that can be drawn down by the ‘Operations Group’ in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Public Protection and the Chief Executive, where there is a business case to fund specific activity in support of current and future CHB initiatives. This is specifically actioned when existing budgets cannot absorb the additional cost.

C     Delegated to the Portfolio Holder for Public Protection the oversight of the Council’s programme of work, in order to ensure the Council plays its part effectively in reducing crime and the fear of crime in The Stow.

RESOLVED that Cabinet noted the contents of the report, including the operational activity that has been agreed with the Regulator for Social Housing to manage our ongoing compliance against the Consumer Standards.

Cabinet received an update report on the Housing Regulator.

Councillor Aiden O’Dell declared a non-pecuniary interest as a council leaseholder.

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

RESOLVED that Cabinet noted the contents of the report, including the operational activity that has been agreed with the Regulator for Social Housing to manage our ongoing compliance against the Consumer Standards.

RESOLVED that Irrecoverable Non-Domestic Rates amounting to £44,184.42 be written off.

Cabinet received a report on debt write offs.

Proposed by Councillor James Leppard (seconded by Councillor Hannah Ellis) it was:

RESOLVED that Irrecoverable Non-Domestic Rates amounting to £44,184.42 be written off.

RESOLVED that the 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.

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.