Agenda and minutes

None.

Councillor Simon Carter declared a pecuniary interest as a remunerated Council appointed Director of HTS (Property and Environment) Ltd.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 23 September 2020 are agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Councillor Simon Carter reported his view that the one way system in Broadwalk in the Town Centre was not working due to a lack of signage. Jane Greer, Head of Community Wellbeing, confirmed that new signage had been ordered and was due soon. Brian Keane, Chief Executive, also confirmed that a number of Covid Ambassadors would be employed to assist around the Town Centre. Brian Keane also confirmed that he had recently had discussion with the Water Gardens and Harvey Centre and encouraged them to do more.

Councillor Simon Carter also stated that he had written to Councillor Eugenie Harvey on planning for Christmas. Brian Keane confirmed that the Water Gardens and Harvey Centre both had plans for Christmas e.g. lights and electric screens. Jane Greer confirmed that Broadwalk would have its normal light display.

Councillor Mark Ingall confirmed that the joint letter had been sent to Essex County Council and a response had been received. Councillor Tony Edwards expressed concerns about domiciliary care in Harlow as workers did not have access to regular testing and were visiting multiple properties in one day. It was agreed that a follow up letter would be sent to the County Council to request that attention was also given to domiciliary care workers.

The Working Group received an update on the Covid-19 infection rates in Harlow. Andrew Bramidge, Head of Environment and Planning, provided the Working Group with updated infection figures from the week.

Councillor Joel Charles suggested that the Council work in collaboration with cross border Local Authorities e.g. East Herts and Uttlesford. Brian Keane confirmed that he had regular conversations with the East of England Chief Executives. Andrew Bramidge also confirmed that there was regular communication between Harlow Council’s and East Herts’ Environmental Health Officers. 

The Working Group agreed that shopping traffic and social distancing in the local hatches needed monitoring. Andrew Bramidge confirmed the Covid Ambassadors could assist with this.

The Working Group discussed the consistently lower rates in Harlow. However, it was noted that Harlow, Epping and Uttlesford all had roughly the same daily figures for the number of people presenting themselves for tests. The group agreed that this was encouraging.

The Working Group received a report on the process for the approval of the allocated funding for recovery measures.

RESOLVED that the Working Group recommend to Cabinet that:

A     The process for the approval of the allocated funding for recovery measures, as set out in Appendix A to the report, be approved.

B     The proposed allocation criteria, set out in Appendix B to the report, be approved.

C     The final allocation of the recovery budget be delegated to Work Stream lead officers in consultation with the Work Stream appointed Councillors and relevant Portfolio Holders.

The Working Group received a copy of the letter sent to Councillor John Spence from both Group Leaders and the letter from Councillor John Spence received in response. The Working Group noted that the response was very full and received quickly.

As agreed earlier in the meeting, a follow up letter would be sent by both Group Leaders to request that the same attention was also given to domiciliary care workers.

The Working Group also noted that HDC Environmental Health Officers were receiving weekly updates from the County Council and requested that these updates were also provided to the Working Group.

None.