Agenda and decisions

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.”

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

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 24 April 2025.

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.

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

There have not been any decisions taken by Portfolio Holders under delegated powers since the last meeting of the Cabinet.

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

A     Approved the allocation of earmarked reserves to deliver projects against the priorities of the Safer Harlow Partnership (SHP).

B     Delegated authority to the co-chair of the SHP (Julie Ellis, Executive Director of the council) to allocate funding in line with the criteria contained within this report.

C     Would receive an annual report on the activities of the Safer Harlow Partnership in line with the outcome to revitalise the partnership.

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

A     Noted and endorsed the approach being taken to implement the Building Harlow’s Future plan.

B     Noted and endorsed the proposed structure for reporting progress of delivery of the missions to each monthly Cabinet meeting.

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

A    Noted the update on Local Government Reorganisation for Greater Essex and the Interim plan feedback: Essex, Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), as set out in Appendix A to the report.

B    Endorsed Harlow Council’s continued participation with the production of Business Case A and Business Case B.

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

A    Noted the progress being made and actions agreed with the Regulator of Social Housing to manage our ongoing social housing compliance responsibilities and the wider elements of the Safety and Quality standard, and to improve our performance in this area. 

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

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

A    Noted and endorsed the proposed review of the Performance, Finance and Risk reporting structure in light of the new Building Harlow’s Future plan.

B    Noted the performance of key performance indicators for April 2025 which demonstrate strong performance on majority of indicators.

C    Noted the financial position as of April (period 1) of 2025/26 financial year across the General Fund, Housing Revenue Account and Capital Programmes.

D    Approved the virements for the Non-Housing Capital Programme identified within the table included in paragraph 25 of the report.

E     Delegated Authority be given to the Leader of the Council in consultation with the Section 151 Officer to approve the carry forwards of 2024/25 budgets into the financial year 2025/26.

F     Noted the current strategic risks for the council’s operations in Appendix C to the report.

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

A     Noted the progress made on the development of plans to improve the layout and flow of the Museum buildings with new café/education facility.

B     Supported the submission of funding bids for the proposed improvements.

C     Agreed in principle to consider allocating appropriate levels of match funding, to the value of a maximum of £500,000 in order to finance funding applications as part of future budgets.

RESOLVED that Cabinet noted the options presented for the operation of the three council café facilities and delegated authority to determine the final operating model(s) to the Portfolio Holder for Finance, in consultation with the Leader of the Council upon the completion of further due diligence.

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.

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

A    Authorised the sale of the freehold of garages Nos.76 to 107 Church Leys.

B    delegate authority to the Assistant Director – Housing Operations, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Housing, to finalise the terms of the disposal.