Agenda item

To receive reports from the Leader and members of the Cabinet on matters falling within their area of responsibility:

(a)          Report of the Leader;

(b)          Report of the Assets and Economic Portfolio Holder;

(c)          Report of the Environment Portfolio Holder;

(d)          Report of the Finance Portfolio Holder (attached);

(e)          Report of the Governance and Development Management (attached);

(f)            Report of the Housing Portfolio Holder (attached);

(g)          Report of the Leisure and Community Services Portfolio Holder (attached);

(h)          Report of the Planning Policy Portfolio Holder;  

(i)            Report of the Safer, Greener and Transport Portfolio Holder; and

(j)            Report of the Technology and Support Services Portfolio Holder (attached).

The Council received written reports from the Environment Portfolio Holder, the Finance Portfolio Holder, the Governance and Development Management Portfolio Holder, the Housing Portfolio Holder, the Leisure and Community Services Portfolio Holder, the Planning Policy Portfolio Holder, Safer, Greener and Transport Portfolio Holder and the Technology and Support Services Portfolio Holder.

The Chairman invited the Leader and Assets and Economic Development Portfolio Holder to provide an oral report and other members of the Cabinet to give an oral update of their written reports.

(a)        Leader of the Council

The Leader advised that he had met with the Leader of Braintree Council, Councillor Butland to discuss items of mutual interest between the Essex Authorities and working together in respect of the duty to co-operate under the Local Plan.

Councillor Whitbread reported that he had met with the local MP Eleanor Laing, to discuss residents concerns in the District and he had also attended the South East Local Enterprise Partnership(SELEP) Board meeting, covering Essex, Kent and parts of Sussex where he continued to press for resources for Essex. 

He recently chaired the meeting of One Epping Forest, where he received a presentation on how services for early year’s children were commissioned by the County Council which well attended. The Leader advised that the Local Strategic Partnership continued to deliver good outcomes, but future funding for the Partnership was an issue.

The Leader informed Members that the Department of Education had confirmed the successful application of a Free School in Ongar and he wanted to congratulate everyone involved on this success for the District.

(b)        Assets and Economic Development

The Portfolio Holder for Assets and Economic Development updated Members on the various development sites as follows;

·                     The Langston Road, Loughton development had been agreed in draft with a detailed report going to the November 2014 Cabinet Committee. Specialist advisors would be on hand to answer any questions that Members may have on the report;

·                     The Oakwood Hill, Loughton site had now received planning permission and following site surveys, planning conditions and confirmation of services to be relocated, the target date for completion was late Summer 2015;

·                     Following a positive discussions with Essex County Council, to deliver a proposed mixed use development on the St John’s, Epping site, a report was coming to the Cabinet Committee on 6 October, which would be in private session;

·                     The Town Mead Depot, Waltham Abbey site was under discussions with the Environmental Agency with a view to pursuing a planning application for residential development; and

·                     The disposal of Leader Lodge, North Weald was currently in the hands of the solicitors with the view to achieve the highest price whilst keeping the building. 

(c) Housing Portfolio Holder

Councillor Stallan advised that he wanted to amend his report to advise that a planning application for a development at Burton Road, Loughton would be submitted.

(d)        Leisure and Community Services

Councillor Kane advised that she intended to make a statement on the Waltham Abbey Royal Gunpowder Mills under item 16 of the Council agenda.

(e)        Technology and Support Services Portfolio Holder

Councillor Lion advised that on 8 September the Cabinet Committee had agreed  a Capital sum of £84,000 to contribute towards the Essex County Council investment to extend super fast broadband coverage across the District. He asked any Members interested in joining a Portfolio Advisory Group on this matter to approach him after the meeting.