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 Hannah Ellis.

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

None.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 11 September 2025

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 11 September 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.

The Leader outlined the council’s progress in delivering the six Building Harlow’s Future missions. He said that the council was making historic progress.

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=1086

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

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

B    Noted the performance of key performance indicators for each mission for August 2025 which continues to demonstrate strong performance on majority of indicators.

C    Noted the financial position as of August (period 5) of 2025/26 financial year.

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

Cabinet received the Building Harlow’s Future – Delivery Update.

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

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

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

B     Noted the performance of key performance indicators for each mission for August 2025 which continues to demonstrate strong performance on majority of indicators.

C     Noted the financial position as of August (period 5) of 2025/26 financial year.

D     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     That approval be granted to directly award separate contracts through the Pretium framework to Chas Berger for the total amount of £3,315,381.47 for a contract period of 12 months.

Cabinet received the Social Housing Regulatory and Compliance update.

Proposed by Councillor Dan Swords (seconded by Councillor David Carter) 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     That approval be granted to directly award separate contracts through the Pretium framework to Chas Berger for the total amount of £3,315,381.47 for a contract period of 12 months.

RESOLVED that:

A    Cabinet approves the new Domestic Abuse Policy as set out in Appendix A to the report.

B    Delegated authority be given to the Cabinet Member for Culture and Community to make minor and inconsequential changes to the policy if required.

Cabinet received a report to approve a revised Domestic Abuse Policy.

Proposed by Councillor Danielle Brown (seconded by Councillor Joel Charles) it was:

RESOLVED that:

A    Cabinet approves the new Domestic Abuse Policy as set out in Appendix A to the report.

B    Delegated authority be given to the Cabinet Member for Culture and Community to make minor and inconsequential changes to the policy if required.

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

A    Endorsed the Risk Management Framework as set out in Appendix A to the report.

B    Noted that the Framework will be periodically reviewed to ensure it remains aligned with the council’s strategic direction and governance requirements.

C    Noted that strategic risk updates will continue to be reported to each meeting of Cabinet.

Cabinet received a report on the Risk Management Framework.

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

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

A     Endorsed the Risk Management Framework as set out in Appendix A to the report.

B     Noted that the Framework will be periodically reviewed to ensure it remains aligned with the council’s strategic direction and governance requirements.

C     Noted that strategic risk updates will continue to be reported to each meeting of Cabinet.

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.

RESOLVED that Cabinet approved the disposal of the freehold of the garage sites as set out in the report and delegated authority to the Portfolio Holder for Housing to approve contract terms for the disposal of these sites, in consultation with the Director of Housing Operations (People), Monitoring Officer and Section 151 Officer.

Cabinet received a report to approve the disposal of garage sites.

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

RESOLVED that Cabinet approved the disposal of the freehold of the garage sites as set out in the report and delegated authority to the Portfolio Holder for Housing to approve contract terms for the disposal of these sites, in consultation with the Director of Housing Operations (People), Monitoring Officer and Section 151 Officer.

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

A    Approved the sale of the following non-housing property assets:

             i)        Barrows Farm Cottage;

            ii)        Land off Red Lion Lane;

           iii)        Herons Wood Depot;

           iv)        Stewards Farm;

            v)        1 and 2 Cannons Cottage;

           vi)        The Hides Garage Site;

          vii)        The Garden Tiger Public House;

        viii)        Vacant plots at Harlow Innovation Park; and

           ix)        Land adjacent to the Old Harlow Medical Centre.

B    Delegated authority to the Portfolio Holder for Finance in consultation with the Executive Director (Communities and Regeneration), Section 151 Officer and Monitoring Officer, to negotiate and finalise the terms of those disposals, and (subject to being satisfied that it would be for the best consideration reasonably obtainable) thereafter procure the legal completion of the sale documentation.

C    Delegated authority to the Portfolio Holder for Finance in consultation with the Executive Director (Communities and Regeneration), Section 151 Officer and Monitoring Officer, to determine the most appropriate method of sale, to include sale via Private Treaty, where that approach is commercially appropriate due to the existence of ‘Special Purchasers’.

Cabinet received a report to approve Non-Housing Asset Disposals.

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

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

A     Approved the sale of the following non-housing property assets:

                                 i)         Barrows Farm Cottage;

                                ii)         Land off Red Lion Lane;

                              iii)         Herons Wood Depot;

                              iv)         Stewards Farm;

                               v)         1 and 2 Cannons Cottage;

                              vi)         The Hides Garage Site;

                             vii)         The Garden Tiger Public House;

                           viii)         Vacant plots at Harlow Innovation Park; and

                              ix)         Land adjacent to the Old Harlow Medical Centre.

B     Delegated authority to the Portfolio Holder for Finance in consultation with the Executive Director (Communities and Regeneration), Section 151 Officer and Monitoring Officer, to negotiate and finalise the terms of those disposals, and (subject to being satisfied that it would be for the best consideration reasonably obtainable) thereafter procure the legal completion of the sale documentation.

C     Delegated authority to the Portfolio Holder for Finance in consultation with the Executive Director (Communities and Regeneration), Section 151 Officer and Monitoring Officer, to determine the most appropriate method of sale, to include sale via Private Treaty, where that approach is commercially appropriate due to the existence of ‘Special Purchasers’.