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 Development Portfolio Holder; (attached)

(c)        Report of the Environment Portfolio Holder;(attached)

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

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

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

The Council received written reports from members of the Cabinet.

The Chairman invited the Leader to provide an oral report and other members of the Cabinet to give an oral update.

(a)        The Leader of the Council

The Leader advised that the Council had recently hosted an initial meeting of the Local Plan “Duty to Co-operate” Board, comprising of our Strategic Housing Market Area (SHMA) partner authorities of Harlow, Uttlesford and East Herts. The meetings were important going forward, particularly as it was anticipated that the Council neighbours may potentially need to accommodate some of the future growth.

The Leader reported that he had attended the Essex Leaders meeting and received a number of updates on the joint work that was being undertaken across the Essex Districts, where a topical discussion was had about the potential devolution of powers and responsibility for local authorities following the Scottish Independence Referendum.

Finally, the Leader advised that he had been invited to the Youth Conference, which was attended by all the Districts secondary schools and Epping Forest College. He had sat on the question time panel where young people had been discussing a range of social issues, including bullying, alcohol and drug use.

(b)        Planning Policy Portfolio Holder

Councillor Bassett advised that an members update session for the Local Plan regarding the Population Projections, Strategic Marketing Assessment for housing and the Economic Study was being held on Monday 10 November 2014 at 5.30 – 7 pm before the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

(c)        Safer, Greener and Transport Portfolio Holder

Councillor Waller brought the Council’s attention to the Big Community Switch scheme, which was referred to in his written report.