Agenda and minutes

This meeting is to be webcast. Members are reminded of the need to activate their microphones before speaking. The Democratic Services Manager will read the following announcement:

“The Chairman would like to remind everyone present that this meeting will be broadcast live to the internet (or filmed) and will be capable of repeated viewing (or another use by such third parties).

If you are seated in the lower public seating area it is likely that the recording cameras will capture your image and this will result in the possibility that your image will become part of the broadcast.

This may infringe your human and data protection rights and if you wish to avoid this you should move to the upper public gallery.”

The Democratic Services Manager reminded everyone present that the meeting would be broadcast live to the Internet, and that the Council had adopted a protocol for the webcasting of its meetings.

To approve as a correct record and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 20 December 2018 (attached).

Click here for the appendices to the Council Minutes on 20 December 2018 which include the following;

Members Allowance Scheme;

Anti-Fraud and Corruption Strategy;

Statement of Licensing Policy;

EFDC Honorary Alderwomen/Alderman Scheme; and

Part 3 Scheme of Delegation – Delegation approved by or on behalf of the Council.

            RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting on 20 December 2018 be taken as read and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

To declare interests in any item on the agenda.

(a)          Pursuant to the Council’s Staff Code of Conduct, D Macnab (Acting Chief Executive) declared a personal interest in agenda item 15 (Report of the Senior Management Selection Panel – Appointment of Chief Executive). D Macnab had determined that his interest was personal and that he would leave the meeting for the consideration and voting on this matter.

(b)          Pursuant to the Council’s Staff Code of Conduct, G Blakemore (Strategic Director) declared a personal interest in agenda item 15 (Report of the Senior Management Selection Panel – Appointment of Chief Executive). G Blakemore had determined that her interest was pecuniary and would leave the meeting for the consideration and voting on this matter.

(c)          Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct, Councillor Y Knight declared a pecuniary interest in agenda item 5 (Public Questions) in relation to Transport for London. Councillor Y Knight advised that she would leave the meeting for the consideration of that item.

(d)          Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct, Councillor A Lion declared a personal interest in agenda item 5 (Public Questions) in relation to being the Ward Councillor for Grange Hill and having spoken to the residents. Councillor A Lion advised that he would remain in the meeting for the consideration of the item.

(e)          Pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct, Councillor S Murray declared a personal interest in agenda item 14 (Council Budget) in relation to being a member of Loughton Leisure Centre. Councillor S Murray advised that he would remain in the meeting for the consideration and voting on this item. 

(a)        Apologies for Absence

(b)        Chairman’s Announcements

(a)          Chairman’s Announcement

The Chairman informed the Council that he had recently attended a number of events including the opening of ‘Snapping the Stiletto’ exhibition at Epping Forest District Museum; the start of building works for the National Police Service airbase at North Weald Airfield; serval Holocaust Memorial Day services within the District; and ‘Epping at the Movies’ which was a not-for-profit organisation based in Epping. Finally he had visited a resident, Lillian Koss of Buckhurst Hill, who had celebrated her 100^th Birthday.

The Chairman also advised that he had organised a charity concert at New City College for all talented young people in the District, to perform and raise money for Epping Forest Young Carers. The concert would be on 28 March 2019 and tickets were £10.

(b)          Flowers

The Chairman announced that he intended to send the flowers to the centenarian, Lillian Koss.

To answer questions asked after notice in accordance with the provisions contained within Part 4 of the Council Rules of the Constitution on any matter in relation to which the Council has powers or duties or which affects the District:

(a)        to the Leader of the Council;

(b)        to any Portfolio Holder; or

(c)        to the Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Questions, if any, will follow if not received in time to be incorporated into the agenda.

(1)          Transport for London – Works to Central Line

Question by Ms. L. Bostick

“What steps have the Council taken to represent local residents in challenging the programme of works being undertaken by Transport for London in Grange Hill and how has the authority ensured that the needs and rights of residents, particularly vulnerable residents, are protected to a standard that sets proper precedent for future works by Transport for London within the Epping Forest District”

Question by Ms. D. Rye

(a)          “What is the Council doing to rectify discrepancies with the permit dated 12 December 2018 for Transport for London to use common land in Lechmere Avenue and what steps were taken to ensure that residents were fully informed of the work to be undertaken and arrangements to minimise associated disruption”;

(b)          “How does the Council feel about the intention of Transport for London to excavate 60,000 tonnes of earth from the site in Chigwell and to replace this with imported EM16, when 60,000 tonnes of indigenous earth could be used instead”;

Question by Ms. S. Gray

(a)        “What provision was put in place by the Council to ensure that trees were not cut down indiscriminately as a result of the work being undertaken by Transport for London; and

(b)        Have Transport for London applied for a permit for overnight working and what measures have the Council taken to assure residents that there will be minimum disruption arising from the work”.

Question by Mr. T. Scott

“What risk assessments have been carried out by Transport for London and the Council with regard to the possibility of subsidence to properties backing on to the railway embankment once the excavation work and soil removal begins, concerning the risk of subsidence affecting main residential dwellings and not any boundary outbuildings covered by the Party Wall Act 1996”.

Response by Councillor N. Avey (Contracts and Technical Services Portfolio Holder)

“I would like to thank the members of the public who have submitted questions and are present to address the Council this evening, in connection with ongoing emergency work to the Central Line in the Chigwell area. I may not be able to fully answer each the questions raised tonight, as I need to rely on Transport for London for some of the responses, but I will endeavour to address residents’ concerns in this regard.

The Central Line offers a key mode of transport for our residents, businesses and visitors. Due to the usage and age of the Central Line, it is necessary to carry out routine as well as emergency repair works to the line in the Chigwell area. In order to facilitate these works and minimise disruption to local residents, the Council has assisted Transport for London in undertaking necessary repair works by, for example, allowing the use of its car park as construction compound for contractors engaged by Transport for London.

The current works are on the overland section of the Central Line to the rear of Hycliffe Gardens between Grange  ...  view the full minutes text for item 83.

To answer questions asked after notice in accordance with the provisions contained within the Council’s rules in Part 4 of the Constitution on any matter in relation to which the Council has powers or duties or which affects the District:

(a)                  to the Chairman of the Council;

(b)                  to the Leader of the Council;

(c)                  to any Member of the Cabinet; or

(d)                  the Chairman of any Committee or Sub-Committee.

The Council’s rules provide that answers to questions under notice may take the form of:

(a)             direct oral answer;

(b)             where the desired information is in a publication of the Council or other published work, a reference to that publication; or

(c)             where the reply cannot conveniently be given orally, a written answer circulated later to the questioner.

Answers to questions falling within (a) and (b) above will be made available to the member asking the question one hour before the meeting. Answers to questions falling within (c) above will be circulated to all councillors.

Questions, if any, will follow if not received in time to be incorporated into the agenda.

The Council noted that there were no member questions submitted for consideration at the meeting.

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 Business Support Services Portfolio Holder (attached);

(c)        Report of the Contract and Technical Services Portfolio Holder (attached);

(d)        Report of the Commercial and Regulatory Services Portfolio Holder (attached);

(e)        Report of the Community and Partnership Services Portfolio Holder (attached);

(f)        Report of the Customer Services Portfolio Holder (attached);

(g)        Report of the Housing and Property Services Portfolio Holder (attached);

(i)         Report of the Planning Services Portfolio Holder (attached); and

(j)         Report of the Strategic Projects Portfolio Holder (attached).

The Council received written reports from 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 on matters concerning their relevant portfolios.

(a)          The Leader of Council

The Leader advised that he had attended a number of external meetings representing the interests of the District which included participation on the Harlow and Gilston Garden Town Board and a Public Health England briefing from the Chief Officer of West Essex Clinical Commissioning Group.

Furthermore, he updated members on the interest expressed by town and parish councils to fund the reinstatement of night time street lighting. There had been a number considering this option, depending on the flexibility of the days and only lighting specific areas; while others had wished to consult their community before pursuing. The County Council Portfolio Holder for Highways, Councillor K Bentley had advised that he would accommodate any reasonable requests.     

(b)          Contracts and Technical Services Portfolio Holder

Councillor N Avey advised that following the latest meeting of the Leisure Management Partnership Board, largely all the major building works and refurbishments across the leisure centres in the District had been completed and generally usage had increased.

The Board had received a feasibility study for leisure facilities at the St John’s Road site in Epping, which determined that a similar leisure centre facility such as the Waltham Abbey centre would viable, if the right financial package could be agreed. A further report on this would be considered by Cabinet on the 11 April 2019.

(c)          Commercial and Regulatory Services Portfolio Holder

Councillor A Grigg advised that correspondence had recently been received from the Department of Housing, Communities and Local Government (DHCLG) concerning the preparedness of local authorities for the forthcoming exit of the United Kingdom from the European Union.

All councils had been asked to consider a number of questions concerning their individual areas and any contingency arrangements that may be needed to address specific issues arising from the exit of the United Kingdom from the European Union. These issues had been considered Leadership Team on 13 February 2019 and, in general terms, it was considered that Council was in a good position with regard to Brexit arrangements with no serious concerns locally that needed to be drawn to members’ attention.

The detailed responses to the questions raised by DHCLG would be published in theMembers Bulletin.

(d)          Planning Services Portfolio Holder

Councillor J Philip advised that the Local Plan hearing had started as planned with a significant amount of people attending the various sessions. The webcasting technology had allowed the hearing to be filmed live to the internet, transmitted live to the Council Chamber and recorded.

The Epping Forest Special Area of Conservation and proposed mitigation strategy had still not been cleared by Natural England, therefore not allowing the Council issue planning consent, although these issues did not affect the Local Plan process.

(e)          Community and Partnerships Services Portfolio Holder

Councillor S  ...  view the full minutes text for item 85.

The Council’s rules provide for questions by any member of the Council to the Leader or any Portfolio Holder, without notice on:

(i)            reports under the previous item; or

(ii)           any other matter of a non operational character in relation to the powers and  duties of the Council or which affects all or part of the District or some or all of  its inhabitants.

The Council’s rules provide that answers to questions without notice may take the form of:

(a)            a direct oral answer from the Leader or, at the request of the Leader, from another member of the Cabinet;

(b)            where the desired information is in a publication of the Council or other published work, a reference to that publication;

(c)            where the reply cannot conveniently be given orally, a written answer circulated later to the questioner; or

(d)            where the question relates to an operational matter, the Leader or a member of the Cabinet will request that a response be given direct to the questioner by the relevant Service Director.

In accordance with the Council’s rules, a time limit of thirty minutes is set for questions. Any question not dealt with within the time available will receive a written reply. The Chairman may extend this period by up to a further ten minutes at their discretion.

(a)          Council Owned Car Parks - Charges in Ongar

Councillor P Keska asked the Contracts and Technical Services Portfolio Holder whether he would consider reversing the decision to charge on Sundays at Council owned car parks in Ongar.

Councillor N Avey advised that the car parking charges had been determined by Cabinet in 2018; to bring in line all council owned car parks across the district. The charges proposed for Sundays provided an hour free parking and thereafter a charge of £1 for the whole day. He advised that in light of the concerns raised regarding this matter, he would consider the charges and discuss this matter with officers and advise Councillor P Keska accordingly.

(b)          Hydrotherapy Sessions at Waltham Abbey Leisure Centre

Councillor R Brookes asked the Contracts and Technical Services Portfolio Holder whether consideration could be given to providing two sessions for disabled swimming to take place on different days at Waltham Abbey Leisure Centre, when the new timetable was considered in March 2019.

Councillor N Avey advised that both he and Places Leisure were aware of this request and he would investigate the outcome and advise Councillor R Brookes in due course.

(c)          Leisure Centre - St John’s Road Site, Epping

Councillor H Whitbread asked the Contracts and Technical Services Portfolio Holder whether all Epping Ward Councillors had met with the leisure consultants, to discuss the potential leisure centre provisions at the St John’s Road site.

Councillor N Avey advised that all Epping Ward District Councillors had met with the leisure consultants to discuss the potential leisure provisions at the St John’s Road, site.

(d)           Council Website

Councillor C C Pond asked the Customer Services Portfolio Holder when the issues experienced with the Council’s new website would be resolved.

Councillor H Kane advised that feedback was being requested from all users in order to identify any issues encountered and these were being looked into as a matter of course.

(e)          Epping Town Permit Scheme

Councillor J H Whitehouse asked the Contracts and Technical Services Portfolio Holder when the Epping Town Permit scheme would be reviewed.

Councillor N Avey advised that the scheme would be reviewed and any specific issues could be passed onto him to investigate.

(f)           Epping Forest Retail Park Bins

Councillor L Mead thanked the Commercial and Regulatory Services Portfolio Holder for resolving the issues with overflowing bins at the retail park.

(g)          Civic Offices

Councillor L Burrows asked the Leader of Council whether the public and civic functions of the Council would remain in Epping, if the Council decided to move its operational base to North Weald.

Councillor C Whitbread advised that all civic functions and customer facing services would remain in Epping. The Cabinet were looking to secure the most cost effective and best value approach for the residents of the District and only back offices services would be moving to North Weald.

(h)          Street Lighting

Councillor S Murray asked the Leader of Council whether he agreed that;

(i)    It was fair to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 86.

To consider any motions, notice of which has been given under the Council’s rules.

Motions, if any, will follow if not received in time to be incorporated into the agenda.

The Chairman reported that there were no motions to be considered at this meeting.

(Business Support Services Portfolio Holder) To consider the attached report.

Mover: Councillor C Whitbread on behalf of the Business Support Services Portfolio Holder

Councillor C Whitbread submitted a report regarding the Council’s Pay Policy Statement for 2019/20, which was required by Section 38(1) of the Localism Act 2011 and had to be published each financial year. It specifically included the Council’s approach to its highest and lowest paid employees.

Report as first moved ADOPTED

            RESOLVED:

That, the Council’s Pay Policy Statement for 2019/20 attached as Appendix 1 to these minutes be adopted.

(Customer Services Portfolio Holder) To consider the attached report.

Mover: Councillor H Kane, Customer Services Portfolio Holder

Councillor H Kane submitted a report regarding the Calendar of Council meetings for 2019/20. She advised that following the outcome of the ongoing review of the Overview and Scrutiny Select Committee Framework, amendments to the proposed meeting arrangements for the select committees dates could change, although members would be notified.

Report as first moved ADOPTED:

            RESOLVED:

That the draft Calendar of Meetings for 2019/20, attached at Appendix 2 to these minutes be adopted.

(Customer Services Portfolio Holder) To consider the attached report.

Mover: Councillor H Kane, Customer Services Portfolio Holder

Councillor H Kane submitted a report regarding the Local Council Tax Support Scheme for 2019/20, which remained unchanged from the previous year.

Report as first moved ADOPTED

            RESOLVED:

            That the revised Local Council Tax Support Scheme 2019/20 be approved.

(Customer Services Portfolio Holder) To consider the attached report.

Mover: Councillor H Kane, Customer Services Portfolio Holder

Councillor H Kane presented a report on the Council Tax Empty Dwellings Premium Policy. She advised that the Rating (Property in Common Occupation) and Council Tax (Empty Dwellings) Act 2018 had enabled the Council to increase the maximum additional rates for long term empty dwellings.

Report as first moved  ADOPTED

RESOLVED:

(1)           That with effect from 1 April 2019 properties that have been long-term empty dwellings for over two years, under Section 11B of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, be charged a Council Tax premium of 100%;

(2)            That with effect from 1 April 2020 properties that have been long-term empty dwellings for over five years, under Section 11B of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, be charged a Council Tax premium of 200%;

(3)           That with effect from 1 April 2021 properties that have been long-term empty dwellings for over ten years, under Section 11B of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, be charged a Council Tax premium of 300%; and

(4)           That the existing arrangements on billing and collection costs with major preceptors continue to take place.

(Business Support Services) To consider the attached report.

Mover: Councillor C Whitbread, on behalf of the Business Support Services Portfolio Holder

Councillor C Whitbread presented a report on the Council’s Treasury Management Strategy, Annual Investment Strategy and the Prudential Indicators.

Report as first moved ADOPTED

            RESOLVED:

That the following documents attached to these minutes as Appendices 3 and 4 be adopted;

(a)  Treasury Management Strategy Statement 2019/20;

(b)  Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Strategy;

(c)  Treasury Management Prudential Indicators for 2019/20 to 2021/22;

(d)  The rate of interest to be applied to any inter-fund balances; and

(e)  Treasury Management Policy Statement.

(a)            (Business Support Services Portfolio Holder) To consider the attached report.

(b)            To hold a recorded vote on the recommendations contained within the report, in accordance with the Council Procedure Rule 17.6 ‘Voting at Budget Decision Council 18 February 2016 5 Meetings’ which directs Members to comply with the Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2014, immediately after any vote is taken at a budget decision meeting there must be recorded in the minutes of the proceedings of that meeting the names of the persons who cast a vote for the decision or against the decision or who abstained from voting.

“Budget decision” means a meeting at which:

(a) a calculation is made (whether originally or by way of substitute) in accordance with any of the Sections 31A, 31B, 34 to 36A, 42A, 42B, 45 to 49, 52ZF, 52ZJ of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, as amended; or

(b) a precept is issued under Chapter 4 of Part 1 of that Act,

and includes a meeting where making the calculation or issuing the precept as the case may be was included as an item of business on the agenda for that meeting. References to a vote are references to a vote not only on the substantive budget motions agreeing the budget, setting council taxes or issuing precepts, but also on any amendments proposed at the meeting.

Mover: Councillor C Whitbread, on behalf of the Business Support Services Portfolio Holder

Councillor C Whitbread presented a report on the Council Budget and Council Tax Declarations for 2019/20 and thanked all officers involved in the process.

There voted for the recommendations (44) namely: N Avey, R Baldwin, R Bassett, P Bolton, R Brookes, L Burrows, K Chana, D Dorrell, R Gadsby, A Grigg, I Hadley, S Heap, S Heather, B Jennings, J Jennings, H Kane, S Kane, H Kauffman, P Keska, J Knapman, Y Knight, J Lea, A Lion, M McEwen, L Mead, R Morgan, S Murray, S Neville, M Owen, A Patel, J Philip, C C Pond, C P Pond, B Rolfe, M Sartin, S Stavrou, D Stocker, D Sunger, B Vaz, C Whitbread, H Whitbread, J H Whitehouse, J M Whitehouse and D Wixley.

There voted against the recommendations (0).

Abstentions (0).

Report as first moved ADOPTED

            RESOLVED:

            Budget

(1)  That the list of CSB growth and savings for the 2019/20 budget (set out in Annex 1) be approved;

(2)    That the list of District Development Fund and Invest to Save items for the 2019/20 budget (set out in Annexes 2 and 3) be approved;

(3)    That the revenue estimates for 2019/20 and the draft Capital Programme for 2019/20 be approved as set out in Annexes 4, 5 (a-i) and 6 including all contributions to and from reserves as set out in the attached Annexes;

(4)    That the Medium Term Financial Strategy be approved as set out in Annexes 9 a and 9 b;

(5)    That the 2019/20 HRA budget be approved on the basis that a contribution to the self-financing reserve of £500,000 was made, and that the application of rent  decreases resulting in an average decrease of 1% from £95.57 to £94.61, be approved;

(6)    That the Council's policy of retaining revenue balances at no lower than £4.0M or 25% of the net budget requirement whichever was the higher for the four year period to 2021/22 be amended to no lower than £4.0M or 25% of the net budget requirement whichever was the higher during the four year period up to and including 2022/23;

(7)    That the report of the Chief Financial Officer on the robustness of the estimates for the purposes of the Council’s 2019/20 budgets and the adequacy of the reserves (set out in Annex 10) be noted;

(8)    That the Capital Strategy (sent out in Annex 11) for the period 2018/19 to 2022/23 be adopted.

Declaration of Council Tax

(9)    That it be noted that under delegated authority the Assistant Director of Resources, in consultation with the Business Support Services Portfolio Holder, calculated the Council Tax Base 2019/20:

(a)       for the whole Council area as 54,159.4 (Item T in the formula in Section 31B of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, as amended); and

(b)          for dwellings in those parts of its area to which a Parish precept relates           

as set out below and in Annex 7.

Tax Base

Abbess,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 93.

(Councillor C. Whitbread (Chairman of the Panel)) To consider a report and recommendations (to follow) arising from the meeting of the Panel held on 12 February 2019).

Mover: The Leader of Council

The Leader submitted a report regarding the appointment of the Chief Executive, Returning Officer and Electoral Registration Officer.

Report as first moved ADOPTED

            RESOLVED:

Appointment of Chief Executive

(1)           That the Council noted that no objections were identified through the consultation under the Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) Regulations 2001 with members of the Executive regarding the proposed appointment of Georgina Blakemore to the position of Chief Executive;

(2)           That Georgina Blakemore be offered the position of Chief Executive at the salary indicated in the report subject to final agreement of the contract;

(3)            That the Leader of the Council, in consultation with the Acting Chief Executive and the Service Director (Business Support Services), be authorised to agree a starting date and agree any other detailed terms in the contract as may arise, subject to legal advice from the Council’s Monitoring Officer and Service Manager (Legal Services);

(4)           That the Council note that the Contract of Employment for the Chief Executive would make specific provision for clear and measurable performance management and supervision based on:

(a)           the Council’s key objectives;

(b)           specific personal targets to be set for the Chief Executive by the Leader of the Council; and

(c)           regular review meetings with the Leader of the Council of a kind and at a frequency which meets the best interests of the Council, together with an annual appraisal;

(5)           That the Leader of the Council be authorised to agree the termination date for the Acting Chief Executive, anticipated to be the 23 May 2019;

(6)           That the Council’s appreciation of Derek Macnab’s work as Acting Chief Executive be recorded;

Appointment of Returning Officer and Electoral Registration Officer

(7)           That, on the agreement of (1)-(5) above:

(a)           in accordance with the Representation of the People Act 1983 and all related legislation, Georgina Blakemore be appointed as Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) for the Council with effect from 24 May 2019; and

(b)           That in terms of Section 41 of the Local Government Act 1972 and all related legislation and with effect from 24 May 2019, Georgina Blakemore be appointed as Returning Officer for the Council, with authority to act in that capacity for elections to the District Council and all or any parish and town councils within the Epping Forest District;

(8)           That the Council’s Returning Officer/Electoral Registration Officer be also appointed or authorised to act in respect of all related electoral, poll or referendum duties, including those in relation to County Council elections, elections to the European Parliament (if required), and for national and regional or local polls and referendums;

(9)           That, in relation to the duties of Returning Officer or any other electoral, referendum or polling duties arising from such appointment, the Returning Officer shall be entitled to be remunerated in accordance with scale of fees approved by the Council for local elections, or the relevant scale of fees prescribed by a Fees Order in respect of national, regional or European Parliament elections, polls or  ...  view the full minutes text for item 94.

Recommending:

That the Council consider the appointment of a member representative to the Board of Governors of New City College and the local advisory body for the Epping Forest Campus College.

As the Council will be aware, Epping Forest College has become part of the New City College Group. New City College is primarily a London-based skills and education provider organisation, that operates several further education colleges across eastern London.

New City College has recently agreed a request of the Council that a member representative be appointed to Board of Governors of the College. It should be noted that the College is keen to secure the appointment of a member representative with financial experience and that appointment to the Board of Governors would be subject to successful interview, in accordance with the normal practice of the College. The Council is also advised that officers are working closely with New City College to seek the establishment of a local advisory body for the Epping Forest Campus College and that it would be appropriate for the same member representative to also be appointed to the proposed local advisory body.

The Council is requested to consider the appointment (subject to interview) of a member representative to the Board of Governors of New City College and the local advisory body for the Epping Forest Campus College.Such appointment is a matter for the Council, as it is to an organisation carrying out a non-executive function.

The Leader of Council advised that the New City College had agreed to the appointment of a Member representative to both the Board of Governors of the College and a local advisory body for the Epping Forest Campus College, subject to a successful interview in accordance with the practice of the College.

RESOLVED:

That Councillor R Bassett be appointed to represent the Council on the Board of Governors of New City College and the local advisory body for the Epping Forest Campus College, for the remainder of the 2018/19 municipal year.

(a)            To receive the report of the Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and to answer any questions without notice asked in accordance with Council Rules.

The Council noted a written report of Councillor M Sartin, the Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny. Councillor M Sartin advised that Epping Forest Youth Council would be attending the next meeting and all members were welcome to attend.

(a)                 To receive the attached report from Councillor H Kane, as the Council’s representative on the Waltham Abbey Royal Gunpowder Mill Ltd;

(b)                 To receive the attached report from Councillor N Bedford regarding the Green Arc, following a request for further information from Councillor J. H. Whitehouse;

(c)                  To receive from Council representatives any other reports on the business of joint arrangements and external organisations and to answers to any questions on those bodies which may be put without notice; and

(d)                 To request written reports from representatives on joint arrangements and external organisations for future meetings.

The Council received a written report regarding Waltham Abbey Royal Gunpowder Mill from Councillor H Kane and the Green Arc from Councillor N Bedford.

Councillor H Kane advised that she had passed on members details to Waltham Abbey Royal Gunpowder Mills who had expressed an interest in this organisation. Councillor R Brookes enquired which parts of the site were to be redeveloped. Councillor H Kane advised that she was unable to provide that information at this time. Councillor H Kauffman advised that he had been in contact with Waltham Abbey Royal Gunpowder Mill to generally discuss the future of the site and the potential prospects for tourism, a science park and/or youth employment opportunities. 

Councillor J H Whitehouse enquired whether the minutes of the One Epping Forest Board could be included in the Council Bulletin and how the Green Arc would progress in the future. Councillor C Whitbread advised that he would contact officers regarding the One Epping Forest minutes and that he would ask Councillor N Bedford to supply further information on the future of the Green Arc.

Councillor M Sartin advised that a report in regard to the Lea Valley Regional Park Authority would be brought to the next Council meeting.