Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Bob Davis, Jodi Dunne, Alastair Gunn, Eugenie Harvey and Colleen Morrison.

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 July 2021.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 15 July 2021 are agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

The Chair advised that he had attended a number of events since the last Full Council meeting. This included the Queens award for voluntary services at Down Hall, Brentwood’s Civic Service, Rochford’s Garden Party, Bishops Stortford’s musical picnic, the Mayor of Broxbourne’s afternoon tea, Community Embraces around the world food event, the High Sheriff’s garden party and the inauguration of the new Bishop of Chelmsford.

The Chair had also attended many events in Harlow including the Great British Spring Clean finale, the opening of a new pizza shop in the town centre and a new sculpture at St Mary’s Little Parndon. The Chair also attended the Gibberd Garden Beer Festival and thanked Councillor Danvers for showing him around the gardens.

The Chair advised that his annual golf day took place on 3 September with 60 players taking part. Public Health England were the winning team with three Councillors coming in in second place.

The Chair reminded everyone that his Civic Service would take place on 7 November 2021. The Chair also advised that tickets for the Red Church brewery tour were also still available. 

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 Russell Perrin (seconded by Councillor Michael Hardware):

“This Council recognises the huge concerns many residents have about the proposed developments around Harlow, including Sumners West, Katherines West, Latton Priory and to the east of Harlow. There are worries that these developments will overwhelm the existing town transport infrastructure, services and amenities.

In particular, these concerns surround transport links in west and south Harlow, the lack of capacity on Southern Way, Water Lane, Broadley Road and the B181 Epping Road, and the potential impact on local medical and education services.

The proposed strategic housing site to the  east of Harlow, and those developments already taking place on Gilden Way and the new M11 junction, will add additional impact upon the residents of Old Harlow who understandablycontinue to raise objections about the proposals for further new housing.

In support of the above, this Council resolves that it:

     i)        Remains against growth to the southern and western boundaries of the town, preferring any growth to be to the north (Gilston Villages) and east of Harlow.

    ii)        Will make any representations necessary to communicate that it does not support any development of Sumners West or any other developments to the south or west of Harlow.

   iii)        Will not sell or lease any land or rights of way which it possesses that may assist in the development of Sumners West or any other developments to the south or west of Harlow.

   iv)        Puts in place a plan to do everything possible to mitigate the impacts of the strategic housing site to the east of Harlow. To better recognise the potential impact on existing residents, particularly in Churchgate Street and the neighbouring parts of Old Harlow that will also be affected, by:

·         Conducting an additional strategic assessment of the proposed housing site to gain further clarity about its feasibility and publish a specific mitigation action plan to limit the severity of the impact of such potential housing growth;

·         Developing a separate agreement between this Council and Old Harlow residents to safeguard the community from future over-development, recognising the importance of preserving the Conservation Area; and

·         Committing to additional consultation in line with the new community engagement strategy that will be developed by this Council, so that Old Harlow residents’ concerns can be used to inform future plans to mitigate the prospect of an east strategic housing site.

    v)        The Chief Executive in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Strategic Growth submits a formal objection to Epping Forest District Council Local Development Plan to the extent that it impacts upon points i – iv and sub clauses raised in this motion.”

Proposed by Councillor Russell Perrin (seconded by Councillor Michael Hardware):

“This Council recognises the huge concerns many residents have about the proposed developments around Harlow, including Sumners West, Katherines West, Latton Priory and to the east of Harlow. There are worries that these developments will overwhelm the existing town transport infrastructure, services and amenities.

In particular, these concerns surround transport links in west and south Harlow, the lack of capacity on Southern Way, Water Lane, Broadley Road and the B181 Epping Road, and the potential impact on local medical and education services.

The proposed strategic housing site to the east of Harlow, and those developments already taking place on Gilden Way and the new M11 junction, will add additional impact upon the residents of Old Harlow who understandably continue to raise objections about the proposals for further new housing.

In support of the above, this Council resolves that it:

i)              Remains against growth to the southern and western boundaries of the town, preferring any growth to be to the north (Gilston Villages) and east of Harlow.

ii)             Will make any representations necessary to communicate that it does not support any development of Sumners West or any other developments to the south or west of Harlow.

iii)            Will not sell or lease any land or rights of way which it possesses that may assist in the development of Sumners West or any other developments to the south or west of Harlow.

iv)           Puts in place a plan to do everything possible to mitigate the impacts of the strategic housing site to the east of Harlow. To better recognise the potential impact on existing residents, particularly in Churchgate Street and the neighbouring parts of Old Harlow that will also be affected, by:

·         Conducting an additional strategic assessment of the proposed housing site to gain further clarity about its feasibility and publish a specific mitigation action plan to limit the severity of the impact of such potential housing growth;

·         Developing a separate agreement between this Council and Old Harlow residents to safeguard the community from future over-development, recognising the importance of preserving the Conservation Area; and

·         Committing to additional consultation in line with the new community engagement strategy that will be developed by this Council, so that Old Harlow residents’ concerns can be used to inform future plans to mitigate the prospect of an east strategic housing site.

v)            The Chief Executive in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Strategic Growth submits a formal objection to Epping Forest District Council Local Development Plan to the extent that it impacts upon points i – iv and sub clauses raised in this motion.”

Councillor Chris Vince (seconded by Councillor Tony Durcan) proposed an amendment to point iii) to add the word “continue” after “will” in the first line.   

The amendment was lost.

RESOLVED that the motion was carried. 

Licensing Committee recommended to Full Council that:

     i)        A new mandate is introduced to require all vehicle proprietors to provide a basic disclosure certificate from the DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) and that a new check is undertaken annually.

    ii)        A new mandate is introduced to require all Private Hire Vehicle Operator licence holders, to hold a basic disclosure certificate from the DBS and that a new check is undertaken annually.

   iii)        A new mandate is introduced to require operator staff who take bookings, dispatch vehicles or any other staff who have access to booking information or have contact with members of the public to hold a Basic disclosure certificate from the DBS and that a new check is undertaken annually.

   iv)        Subject to i, ii and iii, the requirements be introduced as set out in the Proposals section of this report.

Full Council considered a referral from the Licensing Committee on the new requirements for Private Hire Vehicle Proprietors/Operators and Staff.

Proposed by Councillor Nick Churchill (seconded by Councillor Andrew Johnson) it was:

RESOLVED that Full Council agree that:

i)              A new mandate is introduced to require all vehicle proprietors to provide a basic disclosure certificate from the DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) and that a new check is undertaken annually.

ii)             A new mandate is introduced to require all Private Hire Vehicle Operator licence holders, to hold a basic disclosure certificate from the DBS and that a new check is undertaken annually.

iii)            A new mandate is introduced to require operator staff who take bookings, dispatch vehicles or any other staff who have access to booking information or have contact with members of the public to hold a Basic disclosure certificate from the DBS and that a new check is undertaken annually.

iv)           Subject to i, ii and iii, the requirements be introduced as set out in the proposals section of this report.

Full Council considered a report from Simon Freeman, Head of Finance and Property and Deputy to the Chief Executive, on the appointment of an Independent Member of the Audit and Standards Committee.

Proposed by Councillor Eddie Johnson (seconded by Councillor Jean Clark) it was:

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

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.