Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Nick Churchill, Tony Edwards, Michael Hardware, Steve LeMay, James Leppard, Daniella Pritchard and Mark Wilkinson.

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

None.

To agree the minutes of the meeting held on 25 May 2023

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 25 May 2023 are agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

As a ward councillor for Church Langley, the Chair extended the Council’s thoughts and prayers to all parties involved in an accident which had taken place within his ward the evening before the meeting. He thanked the members of the public and emergency services who attended the incident.

The Chair advised that he had held two Gems of Harlow events in the recent weeks, one for the Harlow Rugby Club and the other for Parndon Mill.  

The Chair advised of future events which he would be hosting including a barn dance at Pets Corner on 18 August 2023 and a golf day on 13 September 2023.

The Chair confirmed that his two chosen charities for the year would be PACT for Autism and Plants Pots and Wellies.

Petition submitted by Hilda Cook:

“To re-instate Arriva Bus route 9 in full capacity or at least part service (i.e. mornings, late afternoons and Saturdays) for work and school children commuting, pensioners and local patrons of our town.”

The Council received a petition signed by 779 people relating to the recent removal of Arriva Bus Route 9 in the town. The Council received a statement from the Lead Petitioner in support of her petition which sought: “To re-instate Arriva Bus route 9 in full capacity or at least part service (i.e. mornings, late afternoons and Saturdays) for work and school children commuting, pensioners and local patrons of our town.”

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

RESOLVED that the Council agreed to explore the following options as set out in the report:

a)    Referring the issue to the Harlow Bus Users Group for consideration;

b)    Lobbying both the County Council and Arriva to re-instate the route in

full, or in part, as set out in the petition;

c)    Lobbying the County Council and Arriva to provide an alternative route

which serves Potter Street/Harlow Common Ward;

d)    Lobbying the County Council to seek an alternative provider for the

route.

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 James Leppard (seconded by Councillor Dan Swords):

“Harlow is undergoing once in a generation change, but the Council cannot be complacent. It must do everything it can to ensure that the change Harlow is experiencing reaches its full potential. By moving to all-out elections, the Council will be able to:

·         Focus better on its long-term, strategic goals, allowing Harlow to become the best place to live, work and raise a family;

·         Save upwards of £90,000 each year; and

·         Better avoid voter fatigue.

This Council, therefore, resolves to:

     i)        Undertake a public consultation with the public, at the earliest opportunity, on the question of moving to all-out elections;

    ii)        Following the consultation and mindful of the responses, request that the relevant Portfolio Holder report back to Full Council so it can vote on moving to all-out elections, or continuing with the current electoral cycle of elections by thirds; and

   iii)        If the Council resolves to change its electoral cycles, to take all necessary steps to change the cycle as from the All-Out elections in May 2024.

If this motion is approved, the public consultation shall run from 24 July 2023 until 18 September 2023 using the form displayed in Appendix A.”

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

“Harlow is undergoing once in a generation change, but the Council cannot be complacent. It must do everything it can to ensure that the change Harlow is experiencing reaches its full potential. By moving to all-out elections, the Council will be able to:

·         Focus better on its long-term, strategic goals, allowing Harlow to become the best place to live, work and raise a family;

·         Save upwards of £90,000 each year; and

·         Better avoid voter fatigue.

This Council, therefore, resolves to:

Undertake a public consultation with the public, at the earliest opportunity, on the question of moving to all-out elections;

              i)        Following the consultation and mindful of the responses, request that the relevant Portfolio Holder report back to Full Council so it can vote on moving to all-out elections, or continuing with the current electoral cycle of elections by

             ii)        thirds; and

           iii)        If the Council resolves to change its electoral cycles, to take all necessary steps to change the cycle as from the All-Out elections in May 2024.

If this motion is approved, the public consultation shall run from 24 July 2023 until 18 September 2023 using the form displayed in Appendix A.”

RESOLVED that the motion was agreed.

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

“If a defibrillator is used within 3-5 minutes of cardiac arrest, survival rates jump from 6 per cent to 74 per cent.

This council welcomes news that a defibrillator will be placed in every secondary school in the town but recognise that this could still mean that in many areas of Harlow you are still a long way from a defibrillator.

The East of England ambulance service has a map of registered defibrillators in Harlow. However that map currently shows there are some areas of the town where quick access to an AED is significantly more limited than others.

The cost of defibrillator is now only around £1,000. A small price to save someone's life.

This motion proposes the council supports the Labour Group initiative to locate and register all available AEDs in Harlow and subsequently works with the ambulance service to plug the gaps in coverage identified by purchasing up to 10 AEDs (defibrillators) to be positioned strategically across our town as soon as possible.”

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

“If a defibrillator is used within 3-5 minutes of cardiac arrest, survival rates jump from 6 per cent to 74 per cent.

This council welcomes news that a defibrillator will be placed in every secondary school in the town but recognise that this could still mean that in many areas of Harlow you are still a long way from a defibrillator.

The East of England ambulance service has a map of registered defibrillators in Harlow. However that map currently shows there are some areas of the town where quick access to an AED is significantly more limited than others.

The cost of defibrillator is now only around £1,000. A small price to save someone's life.

This motion proposes the council supports the Labour Group initiative to locate and register all available AEDs in Harlow and subsequently works with the ambulance service to plug the gaps in coverage identified by purchasing up to 10 AEDs (defibrillators) to be positioned strategically across our town as soon as possible.”

Councillor Simon Carter (seconded by Councillor Dan Swords) moved an amendment to the motion:

That after “This motion proposes” the following wording be removed:

“The council supports the Labour Group initiative to locate and register all available AEDs in Harlow and subsequently works with the ambulance service to plug the gaps in coverage identified by purchasing up to 10 AEDs (defibrillators) to be positioned strategically across our town as soon as possible.”

And replaced with:

“That this Council:

·         Locates all available Automated External Defibrillators in Harlow and strongly encourages the holders to register them with the British Heart Foundation;

·         Works with the ambulance service to plug the gaps in coverage and works with local organisations to provide more devices;

·         Endorses an increase in expenditure of up to £10,000 to support, where appropriate, charities and other such organisations to purchase a defibrillator and refers the matter to Cabinet in accordance with Standing Order 13;

·         Calls on the relevant portfolio holder to report back to full council within six months to update the council on progress.”

This amendment was accepted by the mover and seconder of the original motion and became the substantive motion.

RESOLVED that the following motion was agreed.

“If a defibrillator is used within 3-5 minutes of cardiac arrest, survival rates jump from 6 per cent to 74 per cent.

This council welcomes news that a defibrillator will be placed in every secondary school in the town but recognise that this could still mean that in many areas of Harlow you are still a long way from a defibrillator.

The East of England ambulance service has a map of registered defibrillators in Harlow. However, that map currently shows there are some areas of the town where quick access to an AED is significantly more limited than others.

The cost of defibrillator is now only around £1,000. A small price to save someone's life.

This motion proposes that this Council:

·         Locates all available Automated  ...  view the full minutes text for item 22b

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 16.3, the Chair will call on the Leader of the Council to introduce the debate on the work undertaken by the Council on 2022/23 municipal year together with any highlights, pressures and potential issues for the coming year.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 16.3, the Chair called on the

Leader of the Council to introduce the debate on the work undertaken by the

Council during the 2022/23 municipal year together with any highlights, pressures

and potential issues for the coming year. The Leader of the Opposition was

given the opportunity to respond to the debate.

With the consent of the meeting, at 9:30pm it was agreed to suspend Council Procedure Rule 9.1 and that the meeting continue until the remaining business had been considered.

The Audit and Standards Committee recommended to Full Council that:

     i)        The Annual Report of the Audit Committee for 2022/23 be approved.

    ii)        The changes to the Committee’s Terms of Reference be approved.

Proposed by Councillor Dan Swords (seconded by Councillor Matthew Saggers) it was:

RESOLVED that:

a)    The Annual Report of the Audit Committee for 2022/23 was approved.

b)    The changes to the Committee’s Terms of Reference was approved.

The Scrutiny Committee recommended to Full Council that the report be noted.

Proposed by Councillor Alastair Gunn (seconded by Councillor James Griggs) it was:

RESOLVED that the report was noted.

None.

To approve the change to the Scrutiny Committee’s membership highlighted in bold.

RESOLVED that the changes to Committees, Sub Committees and Panels of the Council appointments highlighted in bold be approved as appended to the minutes.

To approve the changes to Council Representatives on Outside Bodies appointments highlighted in bold.

RESOLVED that the changes to Council Representatives on Outside Bodies appointments highlighted in bold be approved as amended to the minutes.

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.