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 13 June 2024.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 13 June 2024 are agreed as a correct record and signed by the Leader.

Any matters arising from the minutes of the previous meeting.

None.

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

None.

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

None.

The Leader noted thst the Council was awarded second most improved Council at the LGC Awards 2024 and highly commended all staff for this achievement.

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

None.

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

None.

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

A      Endorses the outturn position for 2023/24 of £244,000 surplus, as set out within the report in respect for General Fund year ending 31 March 2024

B      Endorses the outturn position for 2023/24 of £1,023,000 deficit as set out within the report in respect for Housing Revenue Account year ending 31 March 2024.

C      Endorses the Non Housing Capital Programme (NHCP) outturn for 2023/24 is £26.071million and the Housing Capital Programme (HCP) outturn for 2023/24 is £64.633 million as set out in the report.

D      Endorses the Earmarked Reserves summary in Appendix E and Delegated authority is given to Deputy section 151 Officer, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance to agree the final reserve position upon completion of the Statement of Accounts 2023/24.

E      Approves £144,000 from the general fund surplus to be contributed to a transformation earmarked reserve for identified projects within the transformation programme.

F       Approves £100,000 from the general fund surplus to be contributed to a climate change earmarked reserve to support the delivery of the climate change action plan.

G      Approves the Period 12 reprofiling into 2024/25 within the Non-Housing and Housing Capital Programmes included within Appendices C and D.

H      Approves the carry forward of resources from 2023/24 to 2024/25 as set out in Appendix F.

Cabinet received a report on provisional outturn for 2023/24.

Proposed by Councillor Michael Hardware (seconded by Councillor Hannah Ellis) it was:

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

A      Endorses the outturn position for 2023/24 of £244,000 surplus, as set out within the report in respect for General Fund year ending 31 March 2024

B      Endorses the outturn position for 2023/24 of £1,023,000 deficit as set out within the report in respect for Housing Revenue Account year ending 31 March 2024.

C      Endorses the Non Housing Capital Programme (NHCP) outturn for 2023/24 is £26.071million and the Housing Capital Programme (HCP) outturn for 2023/24 is £64.633 million as set out in the report.

D      Endorses the Earmarked Reserves summary in Appendix E and Delegated authority is given to Deputy section 151 Officer, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance to agree the final reserve position upon completion of the Statement of Accounts 2023/24.

E      Approves £144,000 from the general fund surplus to be contributed to a transformation earmarked reserve for identified projects within the transformation programme.

F       Approves £100,000 from the general fund surplus to be contributed to a climate change earmarked reserve to support the delivery of the climate change action plan.

G      Approves the Period 12 reprofiling into 2024/25 within the Non-Housing and Housing Capital Programmes included within Appendices C and D.

H      Approves the carry forward of resources from 2023/24 to 2024/25 as set out in Appendix F.

Cabinet received a report on performance, finance and risk for May 2024.

Proposed by Councillor Hannah Ellis (seconded by Councillor Michael Hardware) it was:

RESOLVED that Cabinet notes:

A      The performance of key performance indicators for May and quarter one of performance for annual delivery plan.

B      The Finance position as at May (period 2) of 2024/25 financial year.

C      The current strategic risks for the council’s operations.

RESOLVED that:

A      Cabinet notes the Productivity Plan to be submitted to Department for Levelling Up, Homes and Communities, at Appendix A of this report, and approves it for publication on the council’s website.

Cabinet received a report on the Local Government Productivity Plan.

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

RESOLVED that:

A      Cabinet notes the Productivity Plan to be submitted to Department for Levelling Up, Homes and Communities, at Appendix A of this report, and approves it for publication on the council’s website.

RESOLVED that:

A      Cabinet approves the revised Housing Assistance Policy attached as Appendix A to the report.

B      Subject to recommendation A, delegates authority to the appropriate Assistant Director – Planning and Environment, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Public Protection to minor and inconsequential amendments to the policy and to approve for giving it effect as may be necessary from time to time.

Cabinet received a report on the Housing Assistance Policy.

Proposed by Councillor Joel Charles (seconded by Councillor Nicky Purse) it was:

RESOLVED that:

A      Cabinet approves the revised Housing Assistance Policy attached as Appendix A to the report.

B      Subject to recommendation A, delegates authority to the appropriate Assistant Director – Planning and Environment, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Public Protection to minor and inconsequential amendments to the policy and to approve for giving it effect as may be necessary from time to time.

RESOLVED that Harlow Council sell Flat 4 Mill House, 206 Old Road, Old Harlow.

Cabinet received a report on the disposal of 4 Mill House.

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

RESOLVED that Harlow Council sell Flat 4 Mill House, 206 Old Road, Old Harlow.

RESOLVED that irrecoverable Non Domestic Rates amounting to £158,473.81 be written off.

Cabinet received a report on debt write offs.

Proposed by Councillor Michael Hardware (seconded by Councillor Hannah Ellis) it was:

RESOLVED that irrecoverable Non Domestic Rates amounting to £158,473.81 be written off.

RESOLVED that:

A      The Hackney Carriage Tariff Schedule, as attached in Appendix A to the report, be adopted.

B      The Assistant Director Planning and Environment be authorised to take the necessary steps as stated in the original report to implement the tariff changes with effect from 5 August 2024.

Cabinet received a referral from the Licensing Committee on the review of Hackney Carriage Tariffs.

Proposed by Councillor Joel Charles (seconded by Councillor Nicky Purse) it was:

RESOLVED that:

A      The Hackney Carriage Tariff Schedule, as attached in Appendix A to the report, be adopted.

B      The Assistant Director Planning and Environment be authorised to take the necessary steps as stated in the original report to implement the tariff changes with effect from 5 August 2024.

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.