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 Hannah Ellis, Michael Hardware, Maggie Hulcoop, Mark Ingall, Paul Jago, James Leppard, Stefan Mullard-Toal, Russell Perrin and Daniella Pritchard.

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

None.

To agree the minutes of the meetings held on 15 May (Annual and Special Councils) and 5 June 2025.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meetings held on 15 May (both Annual and Special Council) and 5 June 2025 are agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

The Chair welcomed Farida Hussain to her first Full Council meeting following her appointment as Director – Legal and Governance and Monitoring Officer.

He also commemorated former council officer David Devine following his passing.

The Chair said that the calendar of civic events had now been published and this started with a golf day in September.

He confirmed that his two charities for this year were Mike’s Den and Butterfly Effect.

None.

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

None.

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 2024/25 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 2023/24 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.

The Licensing Committee recommended to Full Council that:

               i)         The proposed Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy (attached as Appendix B to the report) be adopted, having noted any amendments through the consultation process.

              ii)         It permits new driver applicants to be licensed. Any new applicant that is ready to be licensed prior to the introduction of the safeguarding and disability training programmes, may be allowed to attend an alternative training course(s), approved by the Assistant Director Public Protection, in agreement with the Chair of the Licensing Committee. Upon completion, applicants shall provide the licensing team with a certificate of attendance.

Full Council received a referral to a adopt a new Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy.

Proposed by Councillor Clive Souter (seconded by Councillor Mike Garnett) it was:

RESOLVED that:

A    The proposed Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy (attached as Appendix B to the report) be adopted, having noted any amendments through the consultation process.

B    Full Council permits new driver applicants to be licensed. Any new applicant that is ready to be licensed prior to the introduction of the safeguarding and disability training programmes, may be allowed to attend an alternative training course(s), approved by the Assistant Director Public Protection, in agreement with the Chair of the Licensing Committee. Upon completion, applicants shall provide the licensing team with a certificate of attendance.

The Licensing Committee recommended to Full Council that the Institute of Licensing (IoL) taxi and private hire suitability guidance (October 2024), (attached as Appendix A to the report) be adopted and replace the current Harlow Council Taxi and Private Hire Convictions Policy (April 2018) with immediate effect.

Full Council received a referral from the Licensing Committee to adopt a new Conviction Policy.

Proposed by Councillor Clive Souter (seconded by Councillor Mike Garnett) it was:

RESOLVED that the Institute of Licensing (IoL) taxi and private hire suitability guidance (October 2024), (attached as Appendix A to the report) be adopted and replace the current Harlow Council Taxi and Private Hire Convictions Policy (April 2018) with immediate effect.

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.