Agenda item

To receive reports and any announcements 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 Housing Portfolio Holder (attached);

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

(g)        Report of the Planning and Governance Portfolio Holder (attached);

(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 all the Portfolio Holders. The Chairman invited the Leader of Council, to provide an oral report and the opportunity for other members of the Cabinet to give updates.

(a)          The Leader of Council

The Leader advised that he had attended a number of meetings around the District including the South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP) and the local Citizen Advice offices in Epping.

On Monday he had updated the Overview & Scrutiny Committee on the achievement of the authority’s corporate priorities and plans for the next five years, which included the Cabinet’s ambitious savings target of £2.5m over the next three years. This was in order to protect front line services, keep Council Tax low and cease the reliance on government grants by the end of 2023. These aims were to be achieved through the People Strategy, Accommodation Strategy and the ICT Strategy. He advised that there was still a commitment to re-develop the condor building, as set out in the Local Plan and use smarter and flexible working. The new common operating model had been implemented, which focused on the customer and had driven efficiencies which brought together the business functions across the Council.

Furthermore, the Local Plan was back on track following the Judicial Review and this had been submitted with the examination in public expected in March/April 2019. The shopping park had been trading well and the Council was now in the position to take forward the St John’s Road Site, Epping, to potentially develop a new leisure centre. In addition the community policing funded by the Council had made an impact on the fear of crime and was working well with Park Guard.

Finally the Financial Issues Paper had been published and the budget process had begun. The Cabinet looked forward to bringing forward a low Council Tax budget and securing the Councils aims for the future.

(b)          Finance Portfolio Holder

Councillor G. Mohindra advised that the Local Government Settlement would be published on 6 December 2018.

(c)          Safer, Greener and Transport Portfolio Holder

Councillor S. Kane updated members on the effects of Halloween across the District. There had been 17 officers available which included regular officers, Specials, PCSO’s and Park Guard which had resulted in fewer incidents that were dealt with swiftly.