Agenda and minutes

A minutes’ silence was held following the death of Sir David Amess MP.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Nick Churchill, Andrew Johnson, Shona Johnson and John Strachan.

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

None.

To agree the minutes of the meeting held on 16 September 2021.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 16 September 2021 are agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair subject to the inclusion of John Steer to the list of those in attendance.

The Chair outlined the events he had attended since the previous Full Council meeting. He had attended 15 events in total, including visiting Water Lane Primary School to unveil a new play area, opening Black History Month, the Broxbourne Civic Service, laying a wreath with Councillor Charles at Leigh on Sea to pay respect to Sir David Amess, and attending the Great British Spring Clean Awards.

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 Tony Edwards (seconded by Councillor Mike Danvers):

This Council notes that:

     i)        By 2047 a large proportion of the housing stock will be between 70 and 100 years old;

    ii)        At the time of their build, standards with regards to energy efficiency and insulation and were markedly different from those required today; and

   iii)        In July 2019 the Town made a Climate Emergency commitment.

This Council calls for the insertion of a substantial statement in the Draft Plan to reflect an ambition for all currently existing houses within the Town to be insulated and if necessary retrofitted to modern energy efficient standards by 2047.

This Council will:

     i)        Quantify the numbers of houses that will need to be brought up modern energy efficient standards;

    ii)        Embark on a plan of action for its own Housing stock; and

   iii)        Take a strong strategic lead in working with others with regards to non-council owned stock.

Proposed by Councillor Tony Edwards (seconded by Councillor Mike Danvers):

This Council notes that:

     i)        By 2047 a large proportion of the housing stock will be between 70 and 100 years old;

    ii)        At the time of their build, standards with regards to energy efficiency and insulation and were markedly different from those required today; and

   iii)        In July 2019 the Town made a Climate Emergency commitment.

This Council calls for the insertion of a substantial statement in the Draft Plan to reflect an ambition for all currently existing houses within the Town to be insulated and if necessary retrofitted to modern energy efficient standards by 2047.

This Council will:

     i)        Quantify the numbers of houses that will need to be brought up modern energy efficient standards;

    ii)        Embark on a plan of action for its own Housing stock; and

   iii)        Take a strong strategic lead in working with others with regards to non-council owned stock.

RESOLVED that the motion was lost.

Proposed by Councillor Chris Vince (seconded by Councillor Tony Edwards):

“Harlow Council recognises the significant financial impact on 11,000 plus Harlow residents of the decision of the Government to remove the Uplift provision for those on Universal Credit. Particularly when this comes at a time of rising inflation and soaring energy, fuel and food bills which hit hardest the poorest in society.

This Council will therefore:

     i)        Work with organisations such as the Citizen’s Advice Bureau, Mind West Essex and others to monitor and further understand the impact the removal of the uplift will have on children, young people and those most vulnerable in our town;

    ii)        Keep under constant review how we as a Council can best direct support;

   iii)        Actively participate in the Kickstart Scheme and promote the scheme to  local employers; and

   iv)        Ask the Chief Finance Officer to write a letter on behalf of the Council to the Chancellor and Prime Minister requesting the government re-introduce the Universal Credit Uplift payment as a matter of urgency.”

Proposed by Councillor Chris Vince (seconded by Councillor Tony Edwards):

“Harlow Council recognises the significant financial impact on 11,000 plus Harlow residents of the decision of the Government to remove the Uplift provision for those on Universal Credit. Particularly when this comes at a time of rising inflation and soaring energy, fuel and food bills which hit hardest the poorest in society.

This Council will therefore:

     i)        Work with organisations such as the Citizen’s Advice Bureau, Mind West Essex and others to monitor and further understand the impact the removal of the uplift will have on children, young people and those most vulnerable in our town;

    ii)        Keep under constant review how we as a Council can best direct support;

   iii)        Actively participate in the Kickstart Scheme and promote the scheme to  local employers; and

   iv)        Ask the Chief Finance Officer to write a letter on behalf of the Council to the Chancellor and Prime Minister requesting the government re-introduce the Universal Credit Uplift payment as a matter of urgency.”

Councillor Dan Swords (seconded by Councillor Gareth Williams) proposed that the motion was amended as follows:

“Harlow Council recognises the significant financial impact on 11,000 plus Harlow residents of the decision of the Government to remove the Uplift provision for those on Universal Credit. Particularly when this comes at a time of rising inflation and soaring energy, fuel and food bills which hit hardest the poorest in society.

This Council will therefore:

     i)        Work with organisations such as the Citizen’s Advice Bureau, Mind West Essex and others to monitor and further understand the impact the removal of the uplift will have on children, young people and those most vulnerable in our town;

    ii)        Keep under constant review how we as a Council can best direct support;

   iii)        Recognise the enormous package of financial support the Prime Minister, Chancellor and HM Government put in place throughout the coronavirus pandemic and introduced in the 2021 Budget including: cutting the Universal Credit Taper Rate by 8%; increasing the Work Allowances by £500 resulting in Harlow families keeping an extra £1,000 a year; a new £500 million Household Support Fund to help families with bills, food and clothing; the twelve year fuel duty freeze saving the average Harlow motorist £15 every time they fill up and £30 for small van drivers; increasing the National Living Wage next year by 6.6% resulting in a £1,000 pay rise for thousands of low paid Harlow residents; £200 million per year to run Free School Meal and Holiday Activity camp provision throughout school holidays to help thousands of young families in Harlow; ending the Public Sector Pay Freeze; providing over £250 million of support to Harlow businesses through grants and loans throughout the pandemic; the furlough scheme which protected over 19,000 jobs in Harlow; the Self-Employment Support Scheme which equated to £60 million of support for Harlow’s self-employed workers; the £407 billion the Government spent to support the nation through the pandemic; the wide ranging package of measures  ...  view the full minutes text for item 49b

The Chair will call for nominations for the election of the Leader of the Council in accordance with Article 6.2 of the Constitution (if there is more than one nomination, there will be a vote in the usual way).

Councillor Joel Charles proposed and Councillor Dan Swords seconded the nomination of Councillor Russell Perrin as Leader of the Council.

RESOLVED that Councillor Russell Perrin is elected as Leader of the Council.

Full Council received a referral from Cabinet on the Annual Treasury Management Report 2020/21.

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

RESOLVED that the Annual Treasury Management Report for 2020/21 (attached as Appendix A to the report), including that the Council operated within the Treasury Management Strategy Statement during 2020/21, be approved.

Full Council received a report to approve the terms of reference for the Electoral Working Group. It was noted that the Conservative appointments to the Working Group would be agreed in consultation with the Leader.

Proposed by Councillor Joel Charles (seconded by Councillor Simon Carter) it was:

RESOLVED that:

A     The terms of reference for the Electoral Working Group be approved as set out in Appendix A to the report.

B    Councillors Tony Edwards and Chris Vince be appointed to the Working Group, with the Conservative nominations to be agreed in consultation with the Leader.

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.