Agenda and draft minutes

Council
Thursday, 6th April, 2023 7.30 pm

Venue: Council Chamber, Civic Centre

Contact: Hannah Marriott 

Items
No. Item

94.

Apologies for Absence

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Nick Churchill, Matthew Saggers and Nancy Watson.

95.

Declarations of Interest

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

Minutes:

None.

96.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 937 KB

To agree the minutes of the meeting held on 23 February 2023.

Minutes:

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

97.

Communications from the Chair

Minutes:

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.

98.

Petitions from the Public

Minutes:

None.

99.

Questions from the Public pdf icon PDF 224 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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

100.

Harlow Youth Council Update pdf icon PDF 201 KB

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.

101.

Questions from the Youth Council pdf icon PDF 188 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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

102.

Questions from Councillors pdf icon PDF 227 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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

103.

Motions from Councillors

103a

Multi-Year Approach to Local Government Finance Settlement

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.”

Minutes:

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.

104.

References from Cabinet and Committees

104a

Referral from Cabinet - Changes to Delegations and Contract Standing Orders pdf icon PDF 118 KB

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

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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.

105.

Reports from Officers

105a

Annual Report from Councillors Appointed to Outside Bodies pdf icon PDF 201 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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

106.

Minutes of Cabinet and Committee Meetings

To note the following Cabinet and Committee minutes:

106a

Minutes of meeting Tuesday, 14 February 2023 of Scrutiny Committee pdf icon PDF 186 KB

106b

Minutes of meeting Thursday, 16 February 2023 of Cabinet pdf icon PDF 207 KB

106c

Minutes of meeting Wednesday, 22 February 2023 of Development Management Committee pdf icon PDF 198 KB

106d

Minutes of meeting Wednesday, 1 March 2023 of Audit & Standards Committee pdf icon PDF 82 KB

106e

Minutes of meeting Tuesday, 7 March 2023 of Licensing Committee pdf icon PDF 181 KB

106f

Minutes of meeting Tuesday, 14 March 2023 of Scrutiny Committee pdf icon PDF 182 KB

107.

Matters of Urgent Business

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.

Minutes:

None.