Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Nick Churchill, Matthew Saggers 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 23 February 2023.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 23 February 2023 are agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

The Chair thanked the Councillors who attended his quiz night on 30 March. Tickets for Celebrate Harlow were now on sale with the event taking place on 27 April. He asked as many Councillors as possible to buy tickets for what promised to be an excellent evening.

The Chair informed the Council of the sad passing of the Mayoress of Castle Point Council, Dawn Tucker.

Lastly, the Chair said that two long serving Councillors, Jean Clark and Bob Davis, would both be stepping down in May. He thanked both of them for their work as Councillors.

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

Ella Braby gave an update on the work of Harlow Youth Council (HYC) over the last year. A copy of the update is appended to the minutes.

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 Chris Vince and seconded by Councillor James Leppard:

“This council support's the Local Government Authority's campaign calling on the government to implement a multi-year approach to the local government finance settlement.

Currently the settlement is worked out on an annual basis, with the final details of this year's settlement only coming in December, giving little time for the council's finance team and finance portfolio holder to form a budget.

This is the fifth one-year settlement in a row for councils which continues to hamper financial planning and their financial sustainability.

With a multi-year settlement Councils like Harlow would be better able to plan for a sustainable future.

This council will, on a cross party basis;

a)    Actively work with the LGA to support this campaign and promote the advantages of a multi-year settlement

b)    Write to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government asking for a review of local government finances and for the adoption of a multi-year approach.”

Proposed by Councillor Chris Vince (seconded by Councillor James Leppard):

“This council support's the Local Government Association's campaign calling on the government to implement a multi-year approach to the local government finance settlement.

Currently the settlement is worked out on an annual basis, with the final details of this year's settlement only coming in December, giving little time for the council's finance team and finance portfolio holder to form a budget.

This is the fifth one-year settlement in a row for councils which continues to hamper financial planning and their financial sustainability.

With a multi-year settlement Councils like Harlow would be better able to plan for a sustainable future.

This council will, on a cross party basis;

a)    Actively work with the LGA to support this campaign and promote the advantages of a multi-year settlement.

b)    Write to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government asking for a review of local government finances and for the adoption of a multi-year approach.”

RESOLVED that the above motion be carried.

Cabinet recommend to Full Council that the changes to the Constitution and Portfolio Holder Delegations (attached as Appendix A to the report) be approved.

Full Council received a referral from Cabinet to approve changes to delegations and contract standing orders.

Proposed by Russell Perrin (seconded by Councillor Stacy Seales) it was:

RESOLVED that the changes to the Constitution and Portfolio Holder Delegations (attached as Appendix A to the report) be approved.

RESOLVED that the Annual Report from Councillors Appointed to Outside Bodies be noted.

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.