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 Councillors Joel Charles and Michael Hardware.

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

None.

To approve the minutes of the meetings held on 19 and 27 March 2025.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meetings held on 19 and 27 March 2025 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.

None. The Leader said that two questions has been submitted. However, as the questioner was not present, under Council Procedure Rule 10.10, the questions were not considered.

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 welcomed Giles Clarke and Julie Ellis to their first Cabinet meetings having taken up their roles as Executive Directors at the council this month.

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=1047

https://moderngov.harlow.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=1048

RESOLVED that:

A    Cabinet noted the progress being made and actions agreed with the Regulator of Social Housing to manage and improve our ongoing social housing compliance responsibilities and the wider elements of the Safety and Quality standard, along with the agreed reformatting of the draft improvement plan and amended brief for the independent review.

B    Cabinet kept under review the option of making a voluntary undertaking to the Regulator of Social Housing as work on finalising and implementing the improvement plan continues.

Cabinet received an update report on the progress made by the council in respect of actions agreed with the Regulator of Social Housing.

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

RESOLVED that:

A     Cabinet noted the progress being made and actions agreed with the Regulator of Social Housing to manage and improve our ongoing social housing compliance responsibilities and the wider elements of the Safety and Quality standard, along with the agreed reformatting of the draft improvement plan and amended brief for the independent review.

B     Cabinet kept under review the option of making a voluntary undertaking to the Regulator of Social Housing as work on finalising and implementing the improvement plan continues.

RESOLVED that:

A    Cabinet approved the allocation of grant aid to projects as set out in Appendix A to the report.

B    Cabinet approved the allocation of an additional £3,000 per year from the Discretionary Services Fund to support partnership grant funding.

Cabinet received a report on the Partnership Grants Programme 2025-2028.

Proposed by Councillor Danielle Brown (seconded by Councillor James Leppard) it was:

RESOLVED that:

A     Cabinet approved the allocation of grant aid to projects as set out in Appendix A to the report.

B     Cabinet approved the allocation of an additional £3,000 per year from the Discretionary Services Fund to support partnership grant funding.

RESOLVED that Cabinet approved the updated RTB Financial Charge Postponement Policy attached as Appendix A to the report.

Cabinet received a report on a policy update foe Right to Buy Financial Charge Postponement.

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

RESOLVED that Cabinet approved the updated RTB Financial Charge Postponement Policy attached as Appendix A to the report.

None.

None.

None.

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.