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 David Carter.

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

None.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 10 July 2025.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 10 July 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.

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

None.

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

Petition submitted by Madeline Taylor:

“We, the local residents/visitors/workers in Staple Tye, Harlow, respectfully request that you:

      i)        Launch an immediate investigation into these vehicles as potential ‘nuisance vehicles’, ‘abandoned vehicles’ or trade-related obstruction.

     ii)        Visit each site where vehicles are kept and assess against legislation.

   iii)        Post enforcement notices where appropriate and follow due legal process to remove or penalise improper use of public space.

   iv)        Clarify why previous complaints have not resulted in any action, and what the policy is for vehicle-related nuisance of this kind.”

Cabinet received a petition on parking enforcement at Maunds Hatch.

RESOLVED that the council would work proactively with residents at Maunds Hatch to find a fair solution to the parking issues experienced.

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

None.

None.

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

A    Approved in principal, and recommends to Council, to endorse the proposed Business Case at Appendix A to the report as the preferred model for Greater Essex Local Government Reorganisation; and

B    Agreed to delegate authority to the Leader of the Council to agree any final amendments to the Business Case at Appendix A to the report and confirm Harlow Council’s endorsement of that Business Case before submission to Central Government by 26 September 2025.

Cabinet received a LGR update report.

Proposed by Councillor Michael Hardware (seconded by Councillor Dan Swords) it was:

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

A     Approved in principal, and recommends to Council, to endorse the proposed Business Case at Appendix A to the report as the preferred model for Greater Essex Local Government Reorganisation; and

B     Agreed to delegate authority to the Leader of the Council to agree any final amendments to the Business Case at Appendix A to the report and confirm Harlow Council’s endorsement of that Business Case before submission to Central Government by 26 September 2025.

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

A    Noted and endorsed the progress of projects that are delivering the Building Harlow’s Future plan.

B    Recommended to council to pause the implementation of the new Local Council Tax Scheme which was previously approved by Council on 12 December 2024.

C    Noted the performance of key performance indicators for each mission for July 2025 which demonstrate strong performance on majority of indicators.

D    Noted the financial position as of July (period 4) of 2025/26 financial year.

E     Endorsed the revised strategic risk register that aligns to Building Harlow’s Future and notes the positions of the risks.

Cabinet received a delivery update on Building Harlow’s Future.

Proposed by Councillor Dan Swords (seconded by Councillor Hannah Ellis) it was:

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

A     Noted and endorsed the progress of projects that are delivering the Building Harlow’s Future plan.

B     Recommended to council to pause the implementation of the new Local Council Tax Scheme which was previously approved by Council on 12 December 2024.

C     Noted the performance of key performance indicators for each mission for July 2025 which demonstrate strong performance on majority of indicators.

D     Noted the financial position as of July (period 4) of 2025/26 financial year.

E     Endorsed the revised strategic risk register that aligns to Building Harlow’s Future and notes the positions of the risks.

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

A    Noted the progress being made and actions agreed with the RoSH 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    Approved the Damp and Mould Environments Policy as set out in Appendix B to the report and delegated authority to the Portfolio Holder for Housing, in consultation with the Director of Housing (Property), Section 151 Officer and Monitoring Officer to make minor and inconsequential changes to the policy if required.

C    Noted the progress being made to align the mandatory requirements with specific compliance policy, and a further update report which sets out the approach to improving our performance in this area.

Cabinet received an update report on social housing regulatory and compliance.

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

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

A    Noted the progress being made and actions agreed with the RoSH 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    Approved the Damp and Mould Environments Policy as set out in Appendix B to the report and delegated authority to the Portfolio Holder for Housing, in consultation with the Director of Housing (Property), Section 151 Officer and Monitoring Officer to make minor and inconsequential changes to the policy if required.

C    Noted the progress being made to align the mandatory requirements with specific compliance policy, and a further update report which sets out the approach to improving our performance in this area.

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

A    Noted the significant improvement in the repairs service, resulting in the lowest number of outstanding repairs on record.

B    Noted the steps being taken to further improve the repairs service and ensure that the new policy is successfully delivered.

C    Approved the new Housing Repairs Policy as set out in Appendix A to the report with it coming into effect from 1 October 2025.

Cabinet received a report on a new Housing Repairs Policy.

Proposed by Councillor Dan Swords (seconded by Councillor Alastair Gunn) it was:

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

A     Noted the significant improvement in the repairs service, resulting in the lowest number of outstanding repairs on record.

B     Noted the steps being taken to further improve the repairs service and ensure that the new policy is successfully delivered.

C     Approved the new Housing Repairs Policy as set out in Appendix A to the report with it coming into effect from 1 October 2025.

RESOLVED that Cabinet recommended to Council that Council:

A    Endorse the vision and purpose for Harlow’s new constitution (Appendix A to the report).

B    Endorse Appendix B to the report (Introduction, Table of Contents and Glossary) and Appendix C to the report (Our Council, Citizens and the Constitution) as approved emerging drafts.

C    Adopt Appendix D to the report (How Decision Making Works), Appendix E to the report (The Executive) and Appendix F to the report (Officers) in place of the parts of the current constitution that deal with those matters, to come into force with immediate effect.

D    Delegate to the Monitoring Officer authority to resolve any operational disparity that may arise between Appendices D, E and F to the report and other parts of the current constitution, any such conflicts to be resolved in favour of the approach set out in Appendices D, E and F.

E     Note that further draft sections of the new constitution (which may necessitate refinements to the sections approved or adopted here) will be presented to subsequent Cabinet and Council meetings with the intention that the new constitution, as a whole, is adopted at December Council.

Cabinet received a report on the constitution review.

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

RESOLVED that Cabinet recommended to Council that Council:

A    Endorse the vision and purpose for Harlow’s new constitution (Appendix A to the report).

B    Endorse Appendix B to the report (Introduction, Table of Contents and Glossary) and Appendix C to the report (Our Council, Citizens and the Constitution) as approved emerging drafts.

C    Adopt Appendix D to the report (How Decision Making Works), Appendix E to the report (The Executive) and Appendix F to the report (Officers) in place of the parts of the current constitution that deal with those matters, to come into force with immediate effect.

D    Delegate to the Monitoring Officer authority to resolve any operational disparity that may arise between Appendices D, E and F to the report and other parts of the current constitution, any such conflicts to be resolved in favour of the approach set out in Appendices D, E and F.

E     Note that further draft sections of the new constitution (which may necessitate refinements to the sections approved or adopted here) will be presented to subsequent Cabinet and Council meetings with the intention that the new constitution, as a whole, is adopted at December Council.

RESOLVED that Cabinet endorsed the significant progress to deliver the ‘rebuild our town’ mission and further notes the steps being taken to cut delays, speed up decision making and deliver visible change in the town centre even more quickly.

Cabinet received a report on the Town Centre Strategy.

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

RESOLVED that Cabinet endorsed the significant progress to deliver the ‘rebuild our town’ mission and further notes the steps being taken to cut delays, speed up decision making and deliver visible change in the town centre even more quickly.

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

A    Approved the changes to the council's Complaints Policy to bring it in line with the Housing Ombudsman's Complaint Handling Code.

B    Noted the performance of complaints handling for the period 2024-25.

C    Noted progress against lessons learnt from 2023/24 on the performance of complaint handling during 2024/25.

D    Approved the changes to service delivery to address maladministration findings by the Housing Ombudsman.

Cabinet received a report on the complaints overview for 2024/25.

Proposed by Councillor Hannah Ellis (seconded by Councillor Dan Swords) it was:

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

A     Approved the changes to the council's Complaints Policy to bring it in line with the Housing Ombudsman's Complaint Handling Code.

B     Noted the performance of complaints handling for the period 2024-25.

C     Noted progress against lessons learnt from 2023/24 on the performance of complaint handling during 2024/25.

D     Approved the changes to service delivery to address maladministration findings by the Housing Ombudsman.

RESOLVED that Cabinet agreed to formally publish the Infrastructure Funding Statement, as set out in Appendix A to the report, in accordance with The Community Infrastructure Levy (Amendment) (England) (No.2) Regulations 2019.

Cabinet received the annual Section 106 monitoring report.

Proposed by Councillor Alastair Gunn (seconded by Councillor James Leppard) it was:

RESOLVED that Cabinet agreed to formally publish the Infrastructure Funding Statement, as set out in Appendix A to the report, in accordance with The Community Infrastructure Levy (Amendment) (England) (No.2) Regulations 2019.

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

A    Approved the adoption of the Tree Management Policy as set out in Appendix A to the report.

B    Delegated authority to the Director of Environment in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Environment, to make minor and inconsequential changes as required.

Cabinet received a report to adopt a tree management policy.

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

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

A     Approved the adoption of the Tree Management Policy as set out in Appendix A to the report.

B     Delegated authority to the Director of Environment in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Environment, to make minor and inconsequential changes as required.

RESOLVED that Cabinet approved:

A    The final version of the National Trust Hatfield Forest Mitigation Strategy (version 6, attached at Appendix C), which includes the Site Access Management and Monitoring Measures (SAMMS), as a basis for seeking a financial contribution for mitigation at Hatfield Forest.

B    The apportionment of the SAMMS between the four LPAs via a hybrid method, taking equal account of both the percentage visitor impact and the proportion of new housing relative to existing within the ZOI.

C    The apportioned SAMMS tariff of £146.59 per dwelling for Harlow and that this is requested from the East of Harlow Garden Community site.

D    The draft Governance Agreement (Appendix B) between the four local planning authorities and the National Trust as landowners is approved and delegated authority is given to the Director – Planning and Garden Town, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Garden Town and Planning, to make any minor modifications to the Agreement arising from final legal review by the partner authorities with an expectation that this is signed and sealed in Autumn 2025.

Cabinet received a report on the Hatfield Forest Mitigation Strategy.

Proposed by Councillor Alastair Gunn (seconded by Councillor Michael Hardware) it was:

RESOLVED that Cabinet approved:

A     The final version of the National Trust Hatfield Forest Mitigation Strategy (version 6, attached at Appendix C), which includes the Site Access Management and Monitoring Measures (SAMMS), as a basis for seeking a financial contribution for mitigation at Hatfield Forest.

B     The apportionment of the SAMMS between the four LPAs via a hybrid method, taking equal account of both the percentage visitor impact and the proportion of new housing relative to existing within the ZOI.

C     The apportioned SAMMS tariff of £146.59 per dwelling for Harlow and that this is requested from the East of Harlow Garden Community site.

D     The draft Governance Agreement (Appendix B) between the four local planning authorities and the National Trust as landowners is approved and delegated authority is given to the Director – Planning and Garden Town, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Garden Town and Planning, to make any minor modifications to the Agreement arising from final legal review by the partner authorities with an expectation that this is signed and sealed in Autumn 2025.

RESOLVED that Cabinet recommended to Council that:

A    Approved the Annual Treasury Management Report for 2024/25 (Appendix A to the report).

B    Noted there were three indicators within the Treasury Management Strategy Statement that the council did not comply with during 2024/25 owing to the decisions of Full Council. However, the indicators were subsequently reviewed in Treasury Management Strategy 2025/26 to ensure future compliance.

Cabinet received the annual treasury management report for 2024/25.

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

RESOLVED that Cabinet recommended to Council that:

A     Approved the Annual Treasury Management Report for 2024/25 (Appendix A to the report).

B     Noted there were three indicators within the Treasury Management Strategy Statement that the council did not comply with during 2024/25 owing to the decisions of Full Council. However, the indicators were subsequently reviewed in Treasury Management Strategy 2025/26 to ensure future compliance.

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.

RESOLVED that Cabinet awarded a contract in the final sum of £2,684,937.23, to Chas Berger Ltd.(Company number 00359611) and delegated authority to the Executive Director to finalise the contract using the JCT Intermediate Building Contract (2024) with Contractor’s Design, and the Council’s standard Schedule of Amendments.

Cabinet received a report to award a contract for works at Tylney Croft.

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

RESOLVED that Cabinet awarded a contract in the final sum of £2,684,937.23, to Chas Berger Ltd.(Company number 00359611) and delegated authority to the Executive Director to finalise the contract using the JCT Intermediate Building Contract (2024) with Contractor’s Design, and the Council’s standard Schedule of Amendments.