Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Simon Carter and Steve LeMay.

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

None.

To agree the minutes of the meeting held on 21 September 2023.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 21 September 2023 be agreed and signed as a correct record by the Chair.

The Chair thanked those who attended his civic service. He had hosted another Gems of Harlow event for the blue light services.

He gave notice of the following upcoming events: Bonfire Night on 5 November; the Remembrance flag ceremony on 10 November; and the wreath laying at Netteswell Cross on 11 November.

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

Full Council received an update from Harlow Youth Council, on the work they had carried out over the last six months. A copy of the update is attached to the minutes.

The Chair, on behalf of all Councillors, thanked the Youth Council for their attendance and the work they had done. He looked forward to further updates.

The question, together with the answer, is appended to the minutes.

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

Proposed by Councillor James Griggs (seconded by Councillor Dan Swords):

“This Council recognises that many disabled residents, their families, and carers believe that they do not have a voice and their opinion is often not heard. They are more used to having solutions to issues imposed upon them rather than as a result of consultation. Their lived experience and ideas for a better, more understanding and accessible Harlow should be at the heart of every relevant discussion and decision made by this Council.

To redress this historic failing, this Council confirms the creation of a new Disability Action Panel, which shall:

·         Have the purpose of giving disabled residents a voice and enable them to directly influence the way the Council responds to issues of concern to them;

·         Be chaired by the Leader of the Council;

·         Include cross-party councillors (no more than two from each party);

·         Include, by invitation, representatives from charities and groups who work with disabled people and disabled residents. It shall also invite the MP for Harlow to attend meetings;

·         Be able to make, through the Chair, direct recommendations to Cabinet for implementation and approval of expenditure related to recommendations;

·         Be supported by appropriate officer support to ensure the Panel meets on at least a quarterly basis;

·         Have its terms of reference discussed and confirmed at the first meeting of the Panel and ratified by Full Council in the scheduled December meeting of Full Council;

·         Be established and first meet within the month of November;

·         Be non-partisan in its recommendations and activities. Any actions taken as a result of such recommendations shall always be reported and presented in a non-partisan manner.”

Proposed by Councillor James Griggs (seconded by Councillor Dan Swords):

“This Council recognises that many disabled residents, their families, and carers believe that they do not have a voice and their opinion is often not heard. They are more used to having solutions to issues imposed upon them rather than as a result of consultation. Their lived experience and ideas for a better, more understanding and accessible Harlow should be at the heart of every relevant discussion and decision made by this Council.

To redress this historic failing, this Council confirms the creation of a new Disability Action Panel, which shall:

·         Have the purpose of giving disabled residents a voice and enable them to directly influence the way the Council responds to issues of concern to them;

·         Be chaired by the Leader of the Council;

·         Include cross-party councillors (no more than two from each party);

·         Include, by invitation, representatives from charities and groups who work with disabled people and disabled residents. It shall also invite the MP for Harlow to attend meetings;

·         Be able to make, through the Chair, direct recommendations to Cabinet for implementation and approval of expenditure related to recommendations;

·         Be supported by appropriate officer support to ensure the Panel meets on at least a quarterly basis;

·         Have its terms of reference discussed and confirmed at the first meeting of the Panel and ratified by Full Council in the scheduled December meeting of Full Council;

·         Be established and first meet within the month of November;

·         Be non-partisan in its recommendations and activities. Any actions taken as a result of such recommendations shall always be reported and presented in a non-partisan manner.”

RESOLVED that the above motion be agreed.

Cabinet recommended to Full Council that:

     i)        Subject to all authorities within the Harlow and Gilston Garden (HGGT) partnership approving the updated wording of the revised HGGT Infrastructure Delivery Plan (IDP), the HGGT IDP is supported and agreed and will form the basis of identification of the infrastructure needed in the Garden Town area. The IDP sets out the necessary infrastructure requirements and their phasing, to support the sites allocated for development within the HGGT area.

    ii)        Authority is delegated to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader and the Portfolio Holder for Economic Development, to make any necessary, non-consequential and minor amendments and to liaise with the HGGT Chair and Director.

Full Council received a referral from Cabinet on the HGGT Infrastructure Delivery Plan.

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

RESOLVED that:

                   i)          Subject to all authorities within the Harlow and Gilston Garden (HGGT) partnership approving the updated wording of the revised HGGT Infrastructure Delivery Plan (IDP), the HGGT IDP is supported and agreed and will form the basis of identification of the infrastructure needed in the Garden Town area. The IDP sets out the necessary infrastructure requirements and their phasing, to support the sites allocated for development within the HGGT area.

                  ii)          Authority is delegated to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader and the Portfolio Holder for Economic Development, to make any necessary, non-consequential and minor amendments and to liaise with the HGGT Chair and Director.

Licensing Committee recommended to Full Council that the final draft of the Licensing Act Statement of Policy (attached as Appendix 1 to the report) be adopted.

Full Council received a referral from the Licensing Committee on amendments to the Licensing Act Policy.

Proposed by Councillor Nick Churchill (seconded by Councillor Clive Souter) it was:

RESOLVED that the final draft of the Licensing Act Statement of Policy (attached as Appendix 1 to the report) be adopted.

The Licensing Committee recommended to Full Council that the updated Temporary Pavement Licence Procedure 2023 – 2024, as set out in Appendix A to the report, be adopted.

Full Council received a referral from the Licensing Committee on amendments to the pavement/highways policy

Proposed by Councillor Nick Churchill (seconded by Councillor Clive Souter) it was:

RESOLVED that that the updated Temporary Pavement Licence Procedure 2023 – 2024, as set out in Appendix A to the report, be adopted.

Full Council received a report on the interim review of polling districts and places.

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

RESOLVED that the changes to the Polling Districts and Places (set out in Appendix C to the report) be approved with effect from 1 December 2023.

To note the following Cabinet and Committee minutes:

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.