Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Kay Morrison and Russell Perrin.

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

None.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 8 April 2025.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 8 April 2025 are agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

None.

To receive any questions from members of the public in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 10.

None.

To receive any questions from Councillors in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 10.

None.

To consider responses (if any) of the Cabinet to reports and recommendations from the Committee.

None.

None.

The original Cabinet can be viewed via the link below, or the Modern.Gov app as part of the agenda for the Cabinet meeting on 12 June 2025

https://moderngov.harlow.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=121&MId=2804

The Committee received a presentation on café catering options. A copy of the presentation is appended to the minutes.

The Committee noted that the Innovation Park site would be an in-house operation, with the operating models for the remaining sites to be decided as part of the phased approach.

The Committee would consider a further review of the options, 12 months after the launch of the Innovation Park café.

RESOLVED that the presentation was noted.

Councillor James Leppard, Giles Clarke, and Rory Davies left the meeting.

The Committee received a report on a new Scrutiny protocol.

RESOLVED that the Committee noted and adopted the Scrutiny Protocol (attached as Appendix A to the report).

To review the Committee’s work plan for the current year.

The Committee considered its work plan for the upcoming year.

Councillors Mark Ingall and Matthew Saggers declared non-pecuniary interests as members of Young Concern Trust and Harlow Scouts respectively. As both groups had, or could, apply for grants from Harlow Council, they said wouldn’t sit on the Grants Policy Task and Finish Group.

The Committee agreed to establish three task and finish groups, which were:

a)    Grants Policy (to start in July, and report in September)

b)    Burnt Mills (to start in September, and report in December)

c)    Allotments (to start in December, and report in March)

The membership of the Grants Policy group would be Councillors Tony Edwards, Dr. Emma Ghaffari, Sue Livings and Lanie Shears. The draft terms of reference are attached to the minutes.

The memberships and terms of reference of the other two groups would be determined at a later date.

The Committee agreed to carry out pre-decision scrutiny of the Adoption of Statement of Community Involvement. It was also agreed that the date of the next Committee meeting would be 2 September.

RESOLVED that:

A    The Committee established three task and finish groups as set out above.

B    The Adoption of the Statement of Community Involvement be considered at the September Committee meeting.

C    The date of the next meeting be changed to 2 September.

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.