Decisions

Use the below search options at the bottom of the page to find information regarding recent decisions that have been taken by the council’s decision making bodies, including decisions made by Portfolio Holders.

Decisions published

15/02/2024 - Fire Safety Works 154-189 & 190-207 Sycamore Field ref: 947    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Made at meeting: 15/02/2024 - Cabinet

Decision published: 19/02/2024

Effective from: 27/02/2024

Decision:

RESOLVED that Cabinet approved:

 

A    The disposal of the buildings known as 154-189 & 190-207 Sycamore Field and the associated vehicle parking known as carports 154-163, 164-171 and 201-207 Sycamore Field and hardstandings 172-189 Sycamore Field due to fire safety remediation requirements that cannot be achieved.

 

B    The commencement of decanting residents from these properties in line with the council’s allocations policy.

 

C    The payment of home loss and disturbance payments as appropriate.

 

D    Commencement of negotiation with leaseholders for the repurchase of properties with approval to complete purchases delegated to the Director of Housing in consultation with the Assistant Director for Housing and Property.

 

E     The use of Compulsory Purchase Powers under Section 226 Town and Country Planning Act 1990 should this become necessary.

 

F     Service of a demolition notice under Section 138B and Schedule 5A of the Housing Act 1985 which will confirm the council’s intention to demolish the buildings and suspend the obligation on the council to complete right to buy applications on the two buildings in question.

 

G    The negotiation and settlement of any statutory compensation claims made by residents as a result of the service of the Initial Demolition Notice delegated as set out in recommendation D above.

Wards affected: Sumners & Kingsmoor;

Lead officer: Andrew Bramidge


15/02/2024 - Medium Term Financial Plan 2024/25 - 2026/27 and General Fund Budget 2024/25 ref: 944    For Determination

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Made at meeting: 15/02/2024 - Cabinet

Decision published: 19/02/2024

Effective from: 15/02/2024

Decision:

RESOLVED that Cabinet recommended to Full Council that:

 

A    The Medium-Term Financial Plan 2024 - 2028, and the General Fund Budget for 2024/25 attached as Appendix A to the report, is approved.

 

B    The Council's Band D Council Tax for 2024/25 is set at £288.90 representing a 0% increase as set out in the 2024/25 Medium Term Financial Plan.

 

C    The General Fund estimates for 2024/25, as set out in Appendix B to the report, are approved.

 

D    The proposed transfers between the General Fund and Earmarked Reserves, referred to within the report and set out in Appendix A to the report, are approved.

 

E     The proposed Fees and Charges, as set out in Appendix C to the report, are approved.

 

F     The Pay Policy Statement, as set out in Appendix E to the report, is approved.

Lead officer: Andrew Bramidge


15/02/2024 - Allocations Policy ref: 949    For Determination

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Made at meeting: 15/02/2024 - Cabinet

Decision published: 19/02/2024

Effective from: 27/02/2024

Decision:

RESOLVED that:

 

A     Cabinet approved the following changes:

 

               i)         The Policy removes Band 4 and moves to a three band system as set out in paragraphs 7-9 of the report.

 

              ii)         The lower age limit be increased to 18 years as set out in paragraphs 10-11 of the report.

 

             iii)         The local connection requirement be increased to 7 years, the removal of the employment criteria, and the introduction of a born and bred criteria as set out in paragraphs 12-20 of the report.

 

             iv)         Stepped financial limits be introduced as set out in paragraphs 21-26 of the report.

 

              v)         The criteria for armed forces be amended as set out in paragraphs 27-32 of the report.

 

             vi)         The supported housing quotas be reviewed as set out in paragraphs 33-34 of the report.

 

           vii)         Time limits for bidding be amended as set out in paragraphs 35-39 of the report.

 

          viii)         The revised definition of accommodation for live in carers be amended as set out in paragraphs 40 and 41 of the report.

 

             ix)         The process for managing refusals be amended as set out in paragraphs 42-45 of the report.

 

              x)         Living in flats with children above ground floor be removed as an assessed housing need as set out in paragraphs 46-48 of the report.

 

             xi)         The definitions surrounding deliberately worsening circumstances be strengthened as set out in paragraphs 49-52 of the report.

 

           xii)         The Tied Tenant category be removed as set out in paragraph 53 of the report.

 

          xiii)         Homeless applicants be added to the banding scheme as set out in paragraph 54 of the report.

 

          xiv)         Applicants who wish to give up two social housing properties in Harlow for one be placed in Band 2 as set out in paragraphs 55-56 of the report.

 

B     The revised Allocation Policy be implemented with effect from 1 April 2024 for all new applicants joining the housing needs register, with a phased implementation between 1 April 2024 and 1 October 2024 for existing housing register applicants, aligned to the implementation of the new Allocation IT module.

 

C     Delegation be given to the Portfolio Holder for Housing to approve a revised Allocation Policy as a Portfolio Holder decision by 1 April 2024 in line with the decisions taken by the Cabinet.

Lead officer: Andrew Bramidge


15/02/2024 - Local List/Non designated Heritage Assets ref: 948    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Made at meeting: 15/02/2024 - Cabinet

Decision published: 19/02/2024

Effective from: 27/02/2024

Decision:

RESOLVED that Cabinet adopted the updated local list attached as Appendix 4 to the report.

Wards affected: (All Wards);

Lead officer: Andrew Bramidge


15/02/2024 - Capital and Treasury Budget Report 2024-25 to 2027-28 ref: 946    For Determination

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Made at meeting: 15/02/2024 - Cabinet

Decision published: 19/02/2024

Effective from: 15/02/2024

Decision:

RESOLVED that Cabinet recommended to Full Council to:

 

A    Approve the 2024/25 Housing Capital Programme (HCP) totalling £60.409 million as set out in Appendix A to the report.

 

B    Approve the 2024/25 Non-Housing Capital Programme totalling £32.782 million as set out in Appendix A to the report.

 

C    Approve the following Capital and Treasury Reports:

 

             i)        The Capital Strategy Report (Appendix B to the report);

 

            ii)        The Treasury Management Strategy Statement 2023/24 (Appendix C to the report);

 

           iii)        The Investment Strategy Report 2023/24 (Appendix D to the report); and

 

           iv)        The MRP Statement 2023/24 (Appendix E to the report).

Lead officer: Simon Freeman, Andrew Bramidge


15/02/2024 - Housing Revenue Account Budget 2024/25 and Housing Revenue Account Business Plan 2023-2053 ref: 945    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Made at meeting: 15/02/2024 - Cabinet

Decision published: 19/02/2024

Effective from: 15/02/2024

Decision:

RESOLVED that Cabinet recommended to Full Council to:

 

A    Approve the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) estimates as set out in Appendix A to the report.

 

B    Approve that tenant rents are increased by 7.7 percent with effect from 1 April 2024. This equates to an average weekly rent of £112.20 an increase of £8.02 as set out in paragraph 2 of the report.

 

C    Approve that the rents and personal charges for temporary accommodation are increased with effect from 1 April 2024 as set out in paragraph 3 of the report.

 

D    Approve that garage rents within the ‘retain and invest’ category are increased by 5 percent with effect from 1 April 2024. This equates to an average weekly rent of £12.97, an increase of £0.62.  Also approve the proportionate increases for other garages, car ports and car spaces as set out in paragraph 4 of the report.

 

E     Approve that tenant service charges are increased to recover full cost with effect from 1 April 2024 (see paragraphs 5 to 7 of the report and Appendix C attached to the report).

 

F     Approve that the leasehold service charges are increased with effect from 1 April 2024 to ensure that all leaseholder costs are recovered (see paragraphs 8 to 11 of the report and Appendix C attached to the report).

 

G    Approve that all other tenant charges are increased with effect from 1 April 2024 in order to recover cost (see Appendix C attached to the report).

 

H    Approve the Housing Revenue Account Business Plan, as set out in Appendix B to the report.

Lead officer: Simon Freeman, Andrew Bramidge