Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors David Carter, Nick Churchill, Bob Davis, Eddie Johnson, Steve LeMay, John Strachan and Nancy Watson.

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

None.

To agree the minutes of the meeting held on 15 December 2022.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 15 December 2022 are agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

The Chair noted that was LGBTQ+ History Month and gave a reflection on this.

The Council also paid tribute to two former Councillors, Doug Pennick and Paul Bellairs, who had recently passed away.

None.

The questions, together with the answers, are appended to the minutes.

The questions, together with the answers, are appended to the minutes.

Proposed by Councillor Kay Morrison and seconded by Councillor Lanie Shears:

“To be elected is a privilege and a responsibility. Unfortunately, increasing levels of abuse and intimidation have had a negative impact on politicians and democracy at local and national levels. Disagreement and constructive challenge are healthy: the sort of abuse that's intended to silence the democratic voice and to deter people from entering politics at any level is not.

I call upon Harlow Council to:

1.    Address the impacts of abuse on councillors' mental health;

2.    Work with LGA to raise awareness of available options and good practice;

3.    Remind councillors of the Code of Conduct to ensure that their behaviour to each other and to staff members is respectful and courteous;

4.    Ensure that councillors and officers are aware of available support and that they are encouraged to request support when needed, without stigma.”

Proposed by Councillor Kay Morrison (seconded by Councillor Lanie Shears):

“To be elected is a privilege and a responsibility. Unfortunately, increasing levels of abuse and intimidation have had a negative impact on politicians and democracy at local and national levels. Disagreement and constructive challenge are healthy: the sort of abuse that's intended to silence the democratic voice and to deter people from entering politics at any level is not.

I call upon Harlow Council to:

1.    Address the impacts of abuse on councillors' mental health;

2.    Work with LGA to raise awareness of available options and good practice;

3.    Remind councillors of the Code of Conduct to ensure that their behaviour to each other and to staff members is respectful and courteous;

4.    Ensure that councillors and officers are aware of available support and that they are encouraged to request support when needed, without stigma.”

RESOLVED that the motion was agreed.

The Chair asked Full Council to take items 9a-f of the agenda together and this was agreed. As required by the Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2014 all votes on these agenda items were recorded. Details of these are appended to the minutes.

Cabinet recommended to Full Council that:

A     The General Fund element of Medium Term Financial Strategy for 2023/24 to 2025/26 (attached as appendix B to the report) is adopted.

B     The Housing Revenue Account (HRA) element of the Medium Term Financial Strategy for 2023/24 to 2025/26 (as attached as Appendix C to the report) is adopted.

C     The planned Council Tax freeze for 2023/24 for the Harlow Council element of the 2023/24 Council Tax demand is approved.

D     That the anticipated New Homes Bonus for 2023/24 of £572,205 be used to increase the funds available within the Budget Stabilisation Reserve to a projected balance of £1.35million when combined with other proposals set out in this and the General Fund Budget report.

E     That movements in reserves set out in the report are approved.

Cabinet recommended to Full Council that:

A     The General Fund element of Medium Term Financial Strategy for 2023/24 to 2025/26 (attached as appendix B to the report) is adopted.

B     The Housing Revenue Account (HRA) element of the Medium Term Financial Strategy for 2023/24 to 2025/26 (as attached as Appendix C to the report) is adopted.

C     The planned Council Tax freeze for 2023/24 for the Harlow Council element of the 2023/24 Council Tax demand is approved.

D     That the anticipated New Homes Bonus for 2023/24 of £572,205 be used to increase the funds available within the Budget Stabilisation Reserve to a projected balance of £1.35million when combined with other proposals set out in this and the General Fund Budget report.

E     That movements in reserves set out in the report are approved.

Proposed by Councillor Russell Perrin (seconded by Councillor James Leppard) it was:

RESOLVED that the above recommendations be approved.

Cabinet recommended to Full Council that:

A       The General Fund estimates for 2023/24, as set out in Appendix A to the report, are approved.

B       The proposed transfers between the General Fund and Earmarked Reserves, referred to within the report and set out in Appendix C to the report, are approved.

C       The proposed Fees and Charges, as set out in Appendix E to the report, are approved.

D       The Pay Policy Statement, as set out in Appendix F to the report, is approved.

E       The Council's Band D Council Tax for 2023/24 is set at £288.90 representing a 0% increase as set out in the 2023/24 MTFS.

Cabinet recommended to Full Council that:

A     The General Fund estimates for 2023/24, as set out in Appendix A to the report, are approved.

B     The proposed transfers between the General Fund and Earmarked Reserves, referred to within the report and set out in Appendix C to the report, are approved.

C     The proposed Fees and Charges, as set out in Appendix E to the report, are approved.

D     The Pay Policy Statement, as set out in Appendix F to the report, is approved.

E     The Council's Band D Council Tax for 2023/24 is set at £288.90 representing a 0% increase as set out in the 2023/24 MTFS.

Councillor Chris Vince (seconded by Councillor Tony Edwards) moved an amendment as set out in supplementary agenda 2.

A recorded vote was taken on the amendment and the amendment was lost.

Councillor Russell Perrin (seconded by Councillor Chris Vince) proposed an amendment to the substantive motion to agree to consider the financial implications of the proposed Labour Group amendments relating to support for free breakfast clubs and four neighbourhood committees.

A recorded vote was taken on the amendment and the amendment was carried. The amendment became the substantive motion.

Councillor Russell Perrin (seconded by Councillor James Leppard) moved that a vote was taken on the substantive motion. As required by law a recorded vote was taken and it was:

RESOLVED that the above recommendations be approved with the amendment that the Council consider the financial implications of the proposed Labour Group amendments.

Cabinet recommended to Full Council that:

A          TheHousing RevenueAccount (HRA)Business Plan,as setout inAppendix A   to this report,is approved.

B    Authority is delegated to the Director of Housing, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Housing, to make minor amendments and finalisation of the Plan and Appendices, following consultation.

Cabinet recommended to Full Council that:

A     The Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Business Plan, as set out in Appendix A to this report, is approved.

B     Authority is delegated to the Director of Housing, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Housing, to make minor amendments and finalisation of the Plan and Appendices, following consultation.

Proposed by Councillor Russell Perrin (seconded by Councillor James Leppard) it was:

RESOLVED that the above recommendations be approved.  

Cabinet recommended to Full Council that:

A       Approve the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) estimates as set out in Appendix 1 to the report.

B       Approve a working balance of £3.529 million for the HRA (set out in paragraph 23 of the report).

C       Approve that tenant rents are increased by 7 percent with effect from 3 April 2023. This equates to an average weekly rent of £104.18 an increase of £6.82 (set out in paragraph 3 of the report).

D       Approve that the rents and personal charges for temporary accommodation are increased with effect from 3 April 2022 as set out in paragraph 4 of the report.

E       Approve that garage rents within the ‘retain and invest’ category are increased by 5 percent with effect from 1 April 2023.  This equates to an average weekly rent of £12.35, an increase of £0.56.  Also approve the proportionate increases for other garages, car ports and car spaces (set out in paragraph 5 of the report).

F       Approve that tenant service charges are increased to recover full cost with effect from 3 April 2023 (see paragraphs 6 to 8 of the report and Appendix 2 attached to the report).

G       Approve that other housing related support charges for sheltered accommodation are increased to recover full cost with effect from 3 April 2023 (see paragraphs 9 to 13 of the report and Appendix 2 attached to the report).

H       Approve that the leasehold service charges are increased with effect from 1 April 2023 to ensure that all leaseholder costs are recovered (see paragraphs 16 to 19 of the report and Appendix 2 attached to the report).

I         Approve that all other tenant charges are increased with effect from 3 April 2023 in order to recover cost (see Appendix 2 attached to the report).

Cabinet recommended to Full Council that:

A     Approve the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) estimates as set out in Appendix 1 to the report.

B     Approve a working balance of £3.529 million for the HRA (set out in paragraph 23 of the report).

C     Approve that tenant rents are increased by 7 percent with effect from 3 April 2023. This equates to an average weekly rent of £104.18 an increase of £6.82 (set out in paragraph 3 of the report).

D     Approve that the rents and personal charges for temporary accommodation are increased with effect from 3 April 2022 as set out in paragraph 4 of the report.

E     Approve that garage rents within the ‘retain and invest’ category are increased by 5 percent with effect from 1 April 2023. This equates to an average weekly rent of £12.35, an increase of £0.56. Also approve the proportionate increases for other garages, car ports and car spaces (set out in paragraph 5 of the report).

F     Approve that tenant service charges are increased to recover full cost with effect from 3 April 2023 (see paragraphs 6 to 8 of the report and Appendix 2 attached to the report).

G     Approve that other housing related support charges for sheltered accommodation are increased to recover full cost with effect from 3 April 2023 (see paragraphs 9 to 13 of the report and Appendix 2 attached to the report).

H     Approve that the leasehold service charges are increased with effect from 1 April 2023 to ensure that all leaseholder costs are recovered (see paragraphs 16 to 19 of the report and Appendix 2 attached to the report).

I       Approve that all other tenant charges are increased with effect from 3 April 2023 in order to recover cost (see Appendix 2 attached to the report).

Proposed by Councillor Russell Perrin (seconded by Councillor James Leppard) it was:

RESOLVED that the above recommendations be approved.

Cabinet recommended to Full Council that:

A       The following Capital and Treasury Reports be approved:

              i)        The Capital Strategy Report (Appendix A to the report).

             ii)        The Treasury Management Strategy Statement 2023/24 (Appendix B to the report)

           iii)        The Investment Strategy Report 2023/24 (Appendix C to the report).

           iv)        The MRP Statement 2023/24 (Appendix D to the report)

Cabinet recommended to Full Council that:

A     The following Capital and Treasury Reports be approved:

i)              The Capital Strategy Report (Appendix A to the report).

ii)             The Treasury Management Strategy Statement 2023/24 (Appendix B to the report).

iii)           The Investment Strategy Report 2023/24 (Appendix C to the report).

iv)           The MRP Statement 2023/24 (Appendix D to the report).

Proposed by Councillor Russell Perrin (seconded by Councillor James Leppard) it was:

RESOLVED that the above recommendations be approved.

Cabinet recommended to Full Council that it:

A     Approve the 2023/24 Housing Capital Programme (HCP) totalling £38.891 million as set out in Appendix 1.

B     Approve of the inclusion in the Housing Capital Programme of an additional £18 million over 3 years for a Housing “Catch up Stock Need” as set out in Table 2.

C     Approve the updated New Build programme as set out in Table 3.

D     Approve the 2023/24 Non-Housing Capital Programme totalling £13.471 million (attached as Appendix 2 to the report), noting the additional £2.789 million investment in response to Business Cases received as detailed in Table 11.

Cabinet recommended to Full Council that it:

A     Approve the 2023/24 Housing Capital Programme (HCP) totalling £38.891 million as set out in Appendix 1.

B     Approve of the inclusion in the Housing Capital Programme of an additional £18 million over 3 years for a Housing “Catch up Stock Need” as set out in Table 2.

C     Approve the updated New Build programme as set out in Table 3.

D     Approve the 2023/24 Non-Housing Capital Programme totalling £13.471 million (attached as Appendix 2 to the report), noting the additional £2.789 million investment in response to Business Cases received as detailed in Table 11.

Proposed by Councillor Russell Perrin (seconded by Councillor James Leppard) it was:

RESOLVED that the above recommendations be approved.

With the consent of the meeting, it was agreed to suspend Council Procedure Rule 9.1 and that the meeting would continue until the remaining business had been considered.

It is recommended that the Council Tax Resolution for 2023/24, as set out in Appendix A to the report, is approved.

As required by the Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2014 the vote on this item was recorded. Details of this is appended to the minutes.

Proposed by Councillor Russell Perrin (seconded by Councillor James Leppard) it was:

RESOLVED that the Council Tax Resolution for 2023/24, as set out in Appendix A to the report, is approved.

Proposed by Councillor Russell Perrin (seconded by Councillor James Leppard) it was:

RESOLVED that the changes to Committees, Sub Committees and Panels of the Council appointments highlighted in bold be approved as appended to the minutes.

Proposed by Councillor Russell Perrin (seconded by Councillor James Leppard) it was:

RESOLVED that the changes to Member Champion appointments highlighted in bold be approved as appended to the minutes.

Proposed by Councillor Russell Perrin (seconded by Councillor James Leppard) it was:

RESOLVED that the changes to Council Representatives on Outside Bodies appointments highlighted in bold be approved as amended to the minutes.

To note the following Cabinet and Committee minutes:

RESOLVED that the minutes of the following meetings are noted.

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.