Agenda and 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 Luke Howard, Stacy Seales, and Nancy Watson.

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

Councillor Michael Hardware declared a pecuniary interest in Item 10e as the Deputy Cabinet member for the Arts, Heritage and Culture at Essex County Council. He would leave the meeting whilst the item was considered.

To agree the minutes of the meetings held on 12 December 2024 and 30 January 2025.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 12 December 2024 and 30 January 2025 are agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

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

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

None.

The Chair asked Full Council to take items 10a-c and 11a of the agenda together and this was agreed. As required by the Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2014 all votes on these agenda items were recorded. Details of these are appended to the minutes.

Cabinet recommended to Full Council that it:

 i)     Notes and comments on the balanced 2025-26 General Fund budget and balanced 2025-28 MTFP which will fully fund all corporate missions and pressures whilst ensuring greater efficiency and value for money for Harlow taxpayers and improved service provision and do so whilst freezing Harlow council tax and fees and charges across the lifetime of the MTFP.

ii)     Approves the Medium Term Financial Plan 2025 - 2028, and the General Fund Budget for 2025/26 as set out in Appendix A to the report.

iii)     Approves that the council's band D council tax for 2025/26 is set at £288.90 representing a 0% increase as set out Appendix A to the report.

iv)     Approves the General Fund estimates for 2025/26, as set out in Appendix A to the report.

v)     Approves the proposed transfers between the General Fund and service specific earmarked reserves, referred to within the report and as set out in Appendix A to the report.

vi)     Approves proposed Fees and Charges, as set out in Appendix B to the report.

vii)     Approves proposed Pay Policy Statement, as set out in Appendix C to the report.

viii)     Delegates to the Section 151 Officer, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, to make minor amendments as required.

Full Council received a referral from Cabinet on the Medium Term Financial Plan and General Fund Budget 2025/26.

Councillor Stefan Mullard-Toal (seconded by Councillor James Griggs) moved an amendment as set out in supplementary agenda 1.

A recorded vote was taken on the amendment and the amendment was lost.

During debate, the duration of the meeting reached two hours. Under Council Procedure Rule 9.1, Full Council agreed that the meeting would continue until all remaining business was considered.

Councillor Dan Swords (seconded by Councillor James Leppard) proposed that a vote was taken on the substantive motion. As required by law a recorded vote was taken and it was:

RESOLVED that Full Council:

A     Noted the balanced 2025-26 General Fund budget and balanced 2025-28 MTFP which will fully fund all corporate missions and pressures whilst ensuring greater efficiency and value for money for Harlow taxpayers and improved service provision and do so whilst freezing Harlow council tax and fees and charges across the lifetime of the MTFP.

B     Approved the Medium Term Financial Plan 2025 - 2028, and the General Fund Budget for 2025/26 as set out in Appendix A to the report.

C     Approved that the council's band D council tax for 2025/26 is set at £288.90 representing a 0% increase as set out Appendix A to the report.

D     Approved the General Fund estimates for 2025/26, as set out in Appendix A to the report.

E      Approved the proposed transfers between the General Fund and service specific earmarked reserves, referred to within the report and as set out in Appendix A to the report.

F      Approved proposed Fees and Charges, as set out in Appendix B to the report.

G     Approved proposed Pay Policy Statement, as set out in Appendix C to the report.

Cabinet recommended to Full Council that it:

 i)     Notes and comments on the balanced HRA budget proposals for 2025/26 which include a sustainable 30-year HRA Business Plan, increased investment to meet fully the requirements of the regulatory landscape and improve service provision, and significant investment to deliver the council’s corporate mission to Transform Harlow’s Housing.

ii)     Approves the HRA estimates as set out in Appendix A to the report.

iii)     Approves that tenant rents are increased by 2.7 percent with effect from 1 April 2025. This equates to an average weekly rent of £115.23 an increase of £3.03 as set out in paragraph 13 to 16 of the report.

iv)     Approves that the rents and personal charges for temporary accommodation are increased with effect from 1 April 2025 as set out in paragraph 17 to 19 of the report.

v)     Approves that garage rents within the ‘Retain and Invest’ category and related charges are increased by 5 percent with effect from 1 April 2025 as set out in paragraph 20 to 23 of the report. This equates to an average weekly rent of £13.62, an increase of £0.65.

vi)     Approves that tenant service charges are increased to recover full cost with effect from 1 April 2025 as set out in paragraphs 24 to 28 of the report and Appendix C to the report.

vii)     Approves that the leasehold service charges are increased with effect from 1 April 2025 to ensure that all leaseholder costs are recovered as set out in paragraphs 29 to 33 of the report and Appendix C of the report.

viii)     Approves that all other tenant charges are increased with effect from 1 April 2025 in order to recover cost as set out in Appendix C of the report.

ix)     Approves the Housing Revenue Account Business Plan 2024-54, as set out in Appendix B to the report.

x)     Delegates to the Section 151 Officer, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, to make minor amendments as required.

Full Council received a referral from Cabinet on the Housing Revenue Account Budget 2025/26 and Business Plan.

Proposed by Councillor Dan Swords (seconded by Councillor James Leppard) it was:

RESOLVED that Full Council noted:

A     Noted the balanced HRA budget proposals for 2025/26 which include a sustainable 30-year HRA Business Plan, increased investment to meet fully the requirements of the regulatory landscape and improve service provision, and significant investment to deliver the council’s corporate mission to Transform Harlow’s Housing.

B     Approved the HRA estimates as set out in Appendix A to the report.

C     Approved that tenant rents are increased by 2.7 percent with effect from 1 April 2025. This equates to an average weekly rent of £115.23 an increase of £3.03 as set out in paragraph 13 to 16 of the report.

D     Approved that the rents and personal charges for temporary accommodation are increased with effect from 1 April 2025 as set out in paragraph 17 to 19 of the report.

E     Approved that garage rents within the ‘Retain and Invest’ category and related charges are increased by 5 percent with effect from 1 April 2025 as set out in paragraph 20 to 23 of the report. This equates to an average weekly rent of £13.62, an increase of £0.65.

F      Approved that tenant service charges are increased to recover full cost with effect from 1 April 2025 as set out in paragraphs 24 to 28 of the report and Appendix C to the report.

G     Approved that the leasehold service charges are increased with effect from 1 April 2025 to ensure that all leaseholder costs are recovered as set out in paragraphs 29 to 33 of the report and Appendix C of the report.

H     Approved that all other tenant charges are increased with effect from 1 April 2025 in order to recover cost as set out in Appendix C of the report.

I        Approved the Housing Revenue Account Business Plan 2024-54, as set out in Appendix B to the report.

Cabinet recommended to Full Council that it:

 i)     Notes and comments on both capital programmes which fully fund all six corporate missions and represent the largest capital programmes the council has ever undertaken.

ii)     Approves the 2025/26 Housing Capital Programme (HCP) totalling £39.672 million as set out in Appendix A to the report.

iii)     Approves the 2025/26 Non-Housing Capital Programme totalling £75.236 million as set out in Appendix A to the report.

iv)     Approves the following Capital and Treasury Reports:

·      The Capital Strategy Report 2025/26 as set out in Appendix B to the report;

·      The Treasury Management Strategy Statement 2025/26 as set out in Appendix C to the report;

·      The Investment Strategy Report 2025/26 as set out in Appendix D to the report;

·      The Minimum Revenue Provision Statement 2025/26 as set out in Appendix E to the report; and

·      The Flexible Use of Capital Receipts Strategy as set out in Appendix F to the report.

v)     Delegates to the Section 151 Officer, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, to make minor amendments as required.

Full Council received a referral from Cabinet on the Capital Budget and Treasury Report 2025/26.

Proposed by Councillor Dan Swords (seconded by Councillor James Leppard) it was:

RESOLVED that Full Council:

A     Noted both capital programmes which fully fund all six corporate missions and represent the largest capital programmes the council has ever undertaken.

B     Approved the 2025/26 Housing Capital Programme (HCP) totalling £39.672 million as set out in Appendix A to the report.

C     Approved he 2025/26 Non-Housing Capital Programme totalling £75.236 million as set out in Appendix A to the report.

D     Approved the following Capital and Treasury Reports:

                             i)        The Capital Strategy Report 2025/26 as set out in Appendix B to the report;

                            ii)       The Treasury Management Strategy Statement 2025/26 as set out in Appendix C to the report;

                          iii)       The Investment Strategy Report 2025/26 as set out in Appendix D to the report;

                          iv)        The Minimum Revenue Provision Statement 2025/26 as set out in Appendix E to the report; and

                           v)       The Flexible Use of Capital Receipts Strategy as set out in Appendix F to the report.

Cabinet recommended to Full Council that it noted the Mid-Year Review of the Treasury Management Strategy, as set out in Appendix A to the report.

Full Council received a referral from Cabinet on the Treasury Management Strategy 2024/25 Mid-Year Review.

Proposed by Councillor Dan Swords (seconded by Councillor James Leppard) it was:

RESOLVED that the Mid-Year Review of the Treasury Management Strategy, as set out in Appendix A to the report, be noted.

Councillor Michael Hardware left the meeting.

Cabinet recommended to Full Council that:

 i)     Full Council approves (subject to satisfactory negotiations with PfP) the disposal of Harlow Council’s freehold interest in the subject land required to deliver the Stort River Crossing Schemes, those schemes being:

·      The Central Stort Crossing proposal which comprises, in broad terms, alterations to the existing Fifth Avenue road/rail bridge, and creation of new bridges to support the widened highway to the west of the existing structure to create the Central Stort Crossings, including embankment works, pedestrian and cycle facilities, a pedestrian and cycle bridge over Eastwick Road, lighting and landscaping works and other associated works (East Herts Council planning reference: 3/19/1046/FUL & Harlow Council planning reference: HW/CRB/19/00220); and

·      The Eastern Stort Crossing which comprises, in broad terms, erection of a new road, pedestrian and cycle bridge; replacement of an existing rail bridge at River Way; alterations to the existing local highway network; lighting and landscaping works; listed building works to Fiddlers Brook Bridge; and other associated works (East Herts Council planning reference: 3/19/1051/FUL and Harlow Council planning reference: HW/CRB/19/00221).

Such land disposal to be via private treaty to PfP and to include all necessary land currently within the ownership of Harlow Council; and any land acquired by Harlow Council as part of the land assembly for the Stort River Crossing Schemes.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Recommendation above involves the resolutions made by Full Council on 29 October 2020 detailed in Council Minute 36. remaining extant, except for the Resolution recorded in Minute 36. a) ii) that “Full Council, in principle, where Harlow District Council is landowner, or through the process of acquisition (including under CPO) would become landowner, the Council agreed to retain ownership but grant licence for infrastructure works on that land…”. However, that resolution recorded in Minute 36. a) ii) shall remain extant if Officers are unable to negotiate satisfactory terms with PfP for the freehold transfer of the subject land.

ii)     It delegates to the Managing Director in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance the authority to negotiate and finalise the terms of the freehold land disposals and (subject to being satisfied that it would be for the best consideration reasonably obtainable and on terms that comply with the Council’s statutory and common law duties) thereafter procure the legal completion of the sale documentation.

Full Council received a referral from Cabinet on the use of Compulsory Purchase Powers to advance the development of Harlow and Gilston Garden Town.

Proposed by Councillor Dan Swords (seconded by Councillor Alastair Gunn) it was:

RESOLVED that Full Council:

A     Approved (subject to satisfactory negotiations with PfP) the disposal of Harlow Council’s freehold interest in the subject land required to deliver the Stort River Crossing Schemes, those schemes being:

                             i)        The Central Stort Crossing proposal which comprises, in broad terms, alterations to the existing Fifth Avenue road/rail bridge, and creation of new bridges to support the widened highway to the west of the existing structure to create the Central Stort Crossings, including embankment works, pedestrian and cycle facilities, a pedestrian and cycle bridge over Eastwick Road, lighting and landscaping works and other associated works (East Herts Council planning reference: 3/19/1046/FUL & Harlow Council planning reference: HW/CRB/19/00220); and

                            ii)       The Eastern Stort Crossing which comprises, in broad terms, erection of a new road, pedestrian and cycle bridge; replacement of an existing rail bridge at River Way; alterations to the existing local highway network; lighting and landscaping works; listed building works to Fiddlers Brook Bridge; and other associated works (East Herts Council planning reference: 3/19/1051/FUL and Harlow Council planning reference: HW/CRB/19/00221).

Such land disposal to be via private treaty to PfP and to include all necessary land currently within the ownership of Harlow Council; and any land acquired by Harlow Council as part of the land assembly for the Stort River Crossing Schemes.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Recommendation above involves the resolutions made by Full Council on 29 October 2020 detailed in Council Minute 36. remaining extant, except for the Resolution recorded in Minute 36. a) ii) that “Full Council, in principle, where Harlow District Council is landowner, or through the process of acquisition (including under CPO) would become landowner, the Council agreed to retain ownership but grant licence for infrastructure works on that land…”. However, that resolution recorded in Minute 36. a) ii) shall remain extant if Officers are unable to negotiate satisfactory terms with PfP for the freehold transfer of the subject land.

B     Delegated to the Managing Director in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance the authority to negotiate and finalise the terms of the freehold land disposals and (subject to being satisfied that it would be for the best consideration reasonably obtainable and on terms that comply with the Council’s statutory and common law duties) thereafter procure the legal completion of the sale documentation.

Councillor Michael Hardware returned to the meeting.

Full Council received a report on the Council Tax Resolution 2025/26.

As set out in Minute 98, a recorded vote was taken on this item and details of the vote are appended to the minutes.

Proposed by Councillor Dan Swords (seconded by Councillor James Leppard) it was:

RESOLVED that the Council Tax Resolution for 2025/26 as set out in Appendix A to the report be approved.

To note the following Cabinet and Committee minutes:

RESOLVED that the minutes of the following meetings be 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.

The Chair will move that the following item be taken in private session on the grounds that it is likely to involve the disclosure of exempt information as specified under Paragraph 3 of Part One of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, if and so long as in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

Paragraph 3 - Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

RESOLVED that the following item be taken in private session on the grounds that it is likely to involve the disclosure of exempt information as specified under Paragraph 3 of Part One of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, if and so long as in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

Paragraph 3 - Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

Cabinet recommended to Full Council that:

 i)     Delegated authority be given to the Leader of the Council, Managing Director and Section 151 Officer to finalise the purchase of the development sites as detailed in the report.

ii)     Delegated authority be given to the Leader of the Council and Managing Director to take all necessary steps to commence the redevelopment of the sites, including demolition, as detailed within the budget profile set-out within this report and in accordance with council’s procurement framework.

iii)     A maximum budget is allocated for the negotiated purchase price and associated costs per the agreed terms of this report and approve that associated Capital Strategy and Treasury documents are amended to reflect the capital acquisition as detailed in the report.

iv)     Delegated authority be given to the Leader of the Council and Section 151 officer to finalise any required capital financing for the acquisitions as detailed in the report.

v)     Delegated authority be given to the Leader of the Council, Section 151 officer and Managing Director to negotiate and complete the acquisition as detailed in the report.

Full Council received a referral from Cabinet on the Town Centre Strategy.

Proposed by Councillor Dan Swords (seconded by Councillor James Leppard) it was:

RESOLVED that Full Council:

A    Delegated authority be given to the Leader of the Council, Managing Director and Section 151 Officer to finalise the purchase of the development sites as detailed in the report.

B    Delegated authority be given to the Leader of the Council and Managing Director to take all necessary steps to commence the redevelopment of the sites, including demolition, as detailed within the budget profile set-out within this report and in accordance with council’s procurement framework.

C    A maximum budget is allocated for the negotiated purchase price and associated costs per the agreed terms of this report and approve that associated Capital Strategy and Treasury documents are amended to reflect the capital acquisition as detailed in the report.

D    Delegated authority be given to the Leader of the Council and Section 151 officer to finalise any required capital financing for the acquisitions as detailed in the report.

E     Delegated authority be given to the Leader of the Council, Section 151 officer and Managing Director to negotiate and complete the acquisition as detailed in the report.