Agenda 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 Chair 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 Councillors Linda Clark, Tony Durcan, Michael Houlihan, Maggie Hulcoop, James Leppard and Aiden O’Dell.

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

None.

To agree the minutes of the meeting held on 7 November 2024.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 7 November 2024 are agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

The Chair advised that he held a reception for his photo competition that evening. He advised that over 500 photos were submitted and that there were 30 finalists, with one winner and three highly commended photos.

The Chair wished everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

None.

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

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

None.

Full Council received a referral from Cabinet on the Annual Treasury Management Report for 2023/24.

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

RESOLVED that Full Council approved the Annual Treasury Management report for 2023/24, as set out in Appendix A, to the report.

Full Council received a referral from Cabinet on the review of Local Council Tax Support Scheme.

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

RESOLVED that:

A      The new banded Council Tax Reduction Scheme be approved.

B      Delegated authority be given to the Assistant Director – Finance in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance to implement the scheme by April 2026.

Full Council received a report on the re-appointment of the independent members of the Audit and Standards Committee.

RESOLVED that Laura Kirman is re-appointed as the independent member of the Audit and Standards Committee.

Full Council received a report on proposed minor amendments to the Constitution.

RESOLVED that the proposed minor amendments as detailed in the report be made to the Constitution and the Monitoring Officer arrange for the minor amendments be made without delay.

To note the following Cabinet and Committee minutes:

RESOLVED that the minutes of the following meetings be 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.

The Chair will move that the following item be taken in private session on

the grounds that it is likely to involve the disclosure of exempt information

as specified under Paragraph 3 of Part One of Schedule 12A of the Local

Government Act 1972, if and so long as in all the circumstances of the

case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the

public interest in disclosing the information.

Paragraph 3 – Information relating to the financial or business affairs of

any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

RESOLVED that that the following item be taken in private session on

the grounds that it is likely to involve the disclosure of exempt information

as specified under Paragraph 3 of Part One of Schedule 12A of the Local

Government Act 1972, if and so long as in all the circumstances of the

case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the

public interest in disclosing the information.

Paragraph 3 – Information relating to the financial or business affairs of

any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

Full Council received a referral from Cabinet on the Town Centre Strategy.

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

RESOLVED that:

       i)          Delegated authority be given to the Leader of the Council and

Assistant Director of Finance (s151 officer) to finalise the capital

financing for the redevelopment site as detailed in the report.

      ii)          Delegated authority be given to the Leader of the Council and

Assistant Director Regeneration and Commercial Development to

procure and appoint a main contractor for the redevelopment site as

detailed within the budget profile set-out within this report and in

accordance with Council’s procurement framework.

    iii)          A budget is allocated for the negotiated purchase price and

associated costs per the agreed Capital Programme and the terms of

this report and approve that associated Capital Strategy and Treasury

documents are amended to reflect the capital acquisition as detailed

in the report.

    iv)          Delegated authority be given to the Leader of the Council and

Assistant Director of Finance (s151 officer) to finalise any required

capital financing for the acquisition of as detailed in the report.

     v)          Delegated authority be given to the Leader of the Council, Assistant

Director of Finance (s151 Officer) and Assistant Director of

Regeneration & Commercial Development to negotiate and complete

the acquisition as detailed in the report.

    vi)          Delegated authority be given to the Leader of the Council and

Assistant Director of Regeneration and Commercial Development to

enable the occupation of the building as detailed in the report