Agenda and draft 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 Michael Houlihan, Mark Ingall and Stefan Mullard-Toal.

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

None.

To agree the minutes of the meeting held on 27 March 2025.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 27 March 2025 are agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

The Chair welcomed Councillor Paul Jago following his election in the Mark Hall by-election on 2 May 2025.

He said it had been an honour to serve the year as Chair and highlighted the many events he has been fortunate enough to attend.

The Chair presented cheques of £6,000 to both of his chosen charities, Harlow Steel Band and Harlow Dementia Support Network.

He thanked everyone who had supported him throughout the year as Chair.

The Chair presented the following people and organisations Civic Awards in recognition of their commitment and contribution to the local community.

Frank Alecks – Citizen of the Year

Dave Hobbs - Citizen of the Year

Harlow Junior Parkrun – Sports and Culture Award

Harlow Parkrun – Sports and Culture Award

Olivia Bolwerk – Young Citizen of the Year

Charlie Doe – Young Citizen of the Year

Daniel Rumelhart – Young Citizen of the Year

Ella Braby, Harlow Youth Council, gave an update on the Youth Council’s work. A copy of this update is appended to the minutes.

The Chair will call for nominations for the appointment of Chair of the Council for 2025/26 (if there is more than one nomination, there will be a vote in the usual way).

The Chair will declare the successful nominee to be elected.

The Managing Director will call on the elected Chair of the Council to sign a declaration of acceptance of office.

The newly elected Chair of the Council will give an acceptance speech.

Councillor Joel Charles (seconded by Councillor Hannah Ellis) proposed the nomination of Councillor Andrew Johnson as Chair of the Council.

Councillor James Griggs (seconded by Councillor Lanie Shears) proposed the nomination of Councillor Kay Morrison as Chair of the Council.

Upon being put to the vote it was:

RESOLVED that Councillor Andrew Johnson be elected as Chair of

the Council for 2025/26 and be invested with the chain and badge of

office.

Councillor Johnson signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

The Chair will call for nominations for the appointment of Vice Chair of the Council for 2025/26 (if there is more than one nomination, there will be a vote in the usual way).

The Chair will declare the successful nominee to be appointed.

The Managing Director will call on the appointed Vice Chair of the Council to sign a declaration of acceptance of office.

The newly appointed Vice Chair of the Council will give an acceptance speech.

Councillor James Leppard (seconded by Councillor David Carter) proposed the nomination of Councillor Sue Livings as Vice Chair of the Council.

Councillor James Griggs (seconded by Councillor Lanie Shears) proposed the nomination of Councillor Kay Morrison as Vice Chair of the Council.

Upon being put to the vote it was:

RESOLVED that Councillor Sue Livings be appointed as Vice Chair of the Council for 2025/26 and be invested with the chain and badge of office.

Councillor Livings signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

The Chair will call for nominations for the election of 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).

The Chair will declare the successful nominee to be elected.

Councillor David Carter (seconded by Councillor Hannah Ellis) proposed the nomination of Councillor Dan Swords as Leader of the Council.

RESOLVED that Councillor Dan Swords be elected as Leader of the Council.

The Chair will call for the Leader to announce their Deputy Leader and appointments to the Cabinet.

RESOLVED that Full Council noted that the following Councillors were appointed to the Cabinet:

Councillor David Carter – Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Housing

Councillor Danielle Brown – Portfolio Holder for Culture and Community

Councillor Joel Charles – Portfolio Holder for Public Protection

Councillor Hannah Ellis – Portfolio Holder for Corporate Services and Transformation

Councillor Alastair Gunn - Portfolio Holder for Garden Town and Planning

Councillor Michael Hardware – Portfolio Holder for Local Government Reorganisation and Devolution

Councillor James Leppard - Portfolio Holder for Finance

Councillor Nicky Purse - Portfolio Holder for Environment

Full Council received a report on Building Harlow’s Future.

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

RESOLVED that Full Council:

A     Approved the Building Harlow’s Future plan, as set out in Appendix A to the report, as the council’s main corporate policy framework for 2025/26.

B     Delegated to the Managing Director, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, to further review and amend the plan as required.

Full Council received a report on changes and appointments to committees.

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

RESOLVED that Full Council:

A     Agreed the new committee structure and terms of reference set out in the report.

B     Delegated authority to the Monitoring Officer to make any necessary or consequential changes to the constitution to reflect A above.

C     Noted the political balance calculations for 2025/26 and agreed that committee seats are allocated to political groups as set out in Tables 1 and 2 of the report.

D     Appointed Councillors as members of council committees as set out in Appendix A to the report.

E      Appointed Chairs and Vice Chairs of committees as set out in Appendix A to the report.

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

RESOLVED that the calendar of meetings 2025/26 be approved.

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.