Agenda, decisions and minutes

This meeting is to be webcast and the Chairman will read the following announcement:

“I wouldlike toremind everyonepresent thatthis meetingwill bebroadcast live to the internet (or filmed) and will be capable of repeated viewing (or other such use by third parties).

Therefore, by participating in this meeting, you are consenting to being filmed and to thepossible useof thoseimages andsound recordingsfor webcastingand/or training purposes.

Pleasealso beaware thatif technicaldifficulties interruptthe meetingthat cannotbe overcome, I may need to adjourn the meeting.

Membersare remindedto activatetheir microphonesbefore speaking.”

The Chairman made a short address to remind all present that the meeting would be broadcast on the Internet.

To be announced at the meeting.

To report non-attendance before the meeting, please contact the EFDC Democratic Services to ensure your absence is properly logged.

No apologies for absence were received.

Members of the Joint Committee to declare any Disclosable Pecuniary Interests or Personal Interest in any item on this agenda.

No declarations of interest were made.

To confirm the minutes of the last meeting of the HGGT Joint Committee held on 11 June 2024.

Resolved:

(1)  That the minutes of the HGGT Joint Committee held on 11 June 2024 be taken as read and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

To consider any matters arising and outstanding actions from previous meetings.

There were no matters arising or outstanding actions from the last meeting of the HGGT Joint Committee held on the 11 June 2024.

Any member of the public or elected member may address the Joint Committee on any agenda item (except those dealt with in private session as exempt or confidential business) due to be considered at the meeting, in accordance with the provisions contained within Parts 21 and 22 of the Inter-Authority Agreement.

One request to address the Joint Committee had been received:

-       Cllr Edwards was given 3 minutes to address the Joint Committee.

Cllr Edwards started by talking about Agenda Item 11 ‘Re-imagining How We Can Travel Differently’; in particular the sustainable transport network and the yet to be agreed town centre south link.

Cllr Edwards expressed concern regarding the changes being made to the transport network plans first being envisioned by HGGT, to a now very different transport solution that in his opinion will cause huge issues for Harlow Town.

Cllr Edwards also talked about the long-term revenue funding for the transport infrastructure.

Cllr Edwards pointed to the report where it mentions ongoing revenue of between 21 to 48 million pounds being spent on transport, and he queried where this revenue will be raised.

-       Cllr Swords thanked Cllr Edwards for being the first ever public speaker to address the Joint Committee.

To review and propose any recommendations to the HGGT Annual Review for 2023/24.

(1)  That as set out in Appendix A of the report, the HGGT draft  Annual Review for 2023/24 be agreed.

(2)  That authority be delegated to the Director of HGGT, in consultation with the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Joint Committee, to make minor changes and publish the final version of the HGGT 2023/24 HGGT Annual Review on the HGGT website.

Naisha Polaine, HGGT Director, introduced a report on the HGGT Annual Review

presenting the Harlow and Gilston Garden Town Annual Review for 2023-24.

This was the sixth Annual Review, and it recorded a number of significant steps

taken in the delivery of the adopted HGGT Vision during the last year. It also sets

out the ambitions for the year to come.

The HGGT initiative published an Annual Review each year which sets out the

achievements and progress of the 5-Council partnership towards its vision to

promote healthy, sustainable communities and co-ordinate and facilitate the

delivery of 16,000 new homes by 2033, and 7,000 new homes in the years after

that along with associated transport, community and environmental infrastructure.

It was important that the progress of the 5-Council partnership led HGGT initiative 

was reported through the Annual Review in an accessible public facing record.

The Annual Review would also be used to support future funding bids, inform

project communications, and increase the visibility and prominence of the

initiative across the wider community.

The HGGT Annual Review 2023-24 highlighted the progress that the 5-Council

Partners were making in the planning and delivery of the Harlow and Gilston

Garden Town initiative. Delivery highlights include the start of the Garden

Town’s North to Centre Sustainable Transport Corridor; the Latton Priory Design

Code and the Masterplan Guidance for East of Harlow. At the heart of any

sustainable and lasting town-led regeneration was a thriving town centre and

Harlow had now begun significant town centre regeneration. Lastly, the Discover

Harlow Engagement Hub had opened this year providing a place that local

people and visitors could find out more about the work detailed above and talk to

the HGGT and Harlow Regeneration Teams.

      The Joint Committee commented on and agreed the recommendations in the report.

Resolved:

(1)  That as set out in Appendix A of the report, the HGGT draft Annual Review for 2023/24 be agreed.

(2)  That authority be delegated to the Director of HGGT, in consultation with the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Joint Committee, to make minor changes and publish the final version of the HGGT 2023/24 HGGT Annual Review on the HGGT website.

To review and propose any recommendations on the HGGT Quality Review Panel Annual Report 2023/24.

(1)  That the HGGT QRP Annual Report 2023/24, as set out in Appendix A of the report-, and particularly the emerging issues and next steps to address these in Section 6, be agreed.

(2)  That authority be delegated to the Director of HGGT, in consultation with the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Joint Committee, to make any minor changes and publish the final version of the HGGT QRP Annual Report 2023/24 HGGT.

      Kevin Steptoe, Garden Town Lead for East Herts Council and Lead for Place-shaping and Engagement Workstream in the HGGT Team, introduced Lucy Block and Peter Maxwellfrom Frame Projects.

      Block and Maxwell shared a presentation on the role of the Quality Review Panel (QRP) in helping deliver growth and regeneration across the Harlow and Gilston Garden Town. Example schemes and emerging issues were noted, as well as next steps and recommendations made to Local Authorities and Developers. The presentation provided an update to the Joint Committee regarding the work of the QRP over the last year and to highlight issues that were considered to require further attention in either policy development or through the delivery of development proposals.

The Joint Committee asked questions and commented on the presentations:

·         The Joint Committee commented that it was positive that the area of expertise had been expanded and was pleased about the encouragement to design code but would like the panel to expand on this some more.

·         The Joint Committee commented that in some instances it seemed requests from Authorities and from local people had been ignored, and that Authorities should have been consulted.

·         Maxwell explained that the parameter scope needed to be clear about what could be built where and be specific to each location.

·         The Review Panel would challenge and use best practice for long term planning with the help of the Authorities Planning Departments.

·         The Joint Committee requested that the Terms of Reference be shared.

·         Block explained that the Terms of Reference covered the remit of the Panel, as well as issues that the Panel needed to be aware of, and feedback and consultation. The Panel did not want to undermine the Joint Committee or any of the authorities.

·         The Joint Committee asked if the Panel was finding that applicants were paying enough attention to the ICB and Health Authorities desires. The Joint Committee asked if the Panel had found any challenges with regards to the Authorities capabilities.

·         Maxwell replied that sometimes applications had come in for a certain number of homes, rather than the purpose of these homes and what was trying to be achieved. Better applications included areas for green space, sustainable transport etc. There was room for improvement.

·         Block added, regarding capacity in Authorities, an up-dating and up-skilling session had been set up for Wednesday 24^th July 2024 with all the authorities. This would hopefully lead to confidence in bringing schemes forward.

The Joint Committee agreed the recommendations of the report.

Resolved:

(1)  That the HGGT QRP Annual Report 2023/24, as set out in Appendix A of the report-, and particularly the emerging issues and next steps to address these in Section 6, be agreed.

(2)  That authority be delegated to the Director of HGGT, in consultation with the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Joint Committee, to make any minor changes and publish the final version of the HGGT QRP Annual Report 2023/24 HGGT.

To review and propose any recommendations to the HGGT Stewardship Charter.

(1)  That the result of the consultation exercise and consequential amendments to the draft Stewardship Charter as set out in paras 3.1 to 3.11 of this report be agreed.

(2)   That the final Stewardship Charter, as set out at Appendix G be agreed.

(3)  That authority be delegated to the HGGT Director to make further minor amendments to the final Stewardship Charter as may be required and to update the Charter Foreword in the final version of the Charter in consultation with the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Joint Committee.

Kevin Steptoe, Garden Town Lead for the East Hertfordshire District Council and

Lead for Place-shaping and Engagement Workstreams, presented a report to the

Joint Committee on how the 5-Council partners should consider the approach to

be taken to ensure effective stewardship of the new communities created for the

Garden Town. In this respect stewardship comprised the inclusive, proactive, and

responsive planning, placemaking and care of new places. It was decided that

Stewardship Guidance should be produced, providing direction to landowners,

developers, community representatives and other stakeholders. This Guidance

took the form of the Stewardship Charter, of six high level principles that set the

expectations to achieve stewardship outcomes.   

The draft Charter was subject to public consultation in the latter half of 2023.

Feedback received during that consultation had been fully considered along with

other inputs impacting on the Charter as set out in this report. Following the

consultation a range of amendments had been made to the draft Charter

bringing it into a final draft. The Charter could now be agreed by the Joint

Committee.

The Joint Committee commented on the presentation:

·         Praise and endorsement were given for the work put into this report and the Chartership in general.

·         It was recognised what an important piece of work the Chartership was for future developments and the standard of houses delivered to residents.

·         It was mentioned that the Planning Authorities now needed to be robust when accepting development proposals, and whether those proposals were fulfilled.

The Joint Committee agreed the recommendations of the report.

     Resolved:

(1)  That the result of the consultation exercise and consequential amendments to the draft Stewardship Charter as set out in paras 3.1 to 3.11 of this report be agreed.

(2)   That the final Stewardship Charter, as set out at Appendix G be agreed.

(3)  That authority be delegated to the HGGT Director to make further minor amendments to the final Stewardship Charter as may be required and to update the Charter Foreword in the final version of the Charter in consultation with the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Joint Committee.

To review and propose any recommendations to the ‘Re-Imagining How We Can Travel Differently’ Framework to achieve HGGT modal transition objectives as agreed in the HGGT Transport Strategy.

(1)  That the Framework ‘Re-Imagining How we Can Travel Differently’ (The Framework), as set out in Appendix A of the report, be agreed.

(2)  That consideration of the Framework in the evidence base for the execution of highways and transport planning decisions and developer contributions by the HGGT Council partners be agreed.

(3)  That the working together of the HGGT Council partners to continue to develop an overarching programme plan of key activities required to deliver modal shift, informed by the Framework, be agreed.

(4)  That a progress update be reported to the Joint Committee in Spring 2025.

Naisha Polaine, HGGT Director, introduced Rob Goodall from ARUP Group

Limited. Goodall presented to the Joint Committee on how to develop and

approve the HGGT Transport Strategy and oversee the implementation of the

Transport Strategy. This includes the delegated function to develop and maintain

an overarching programme plan of key activities required to deliver the HGGT

modal shift targets.

The Framework would enable the 5-Council partners to programme and plan

those initiatives working with the modal shift assumptions in planning permissions

for the HGGT sites. It would also assist in seeking funding, where required, from

other public and private sources. The HGGT’s 5-Council partners were also

required, as part of the Housing Investment Grant (HIG) funding provided by

Homes England, to evidence that progression towards achieving the modal

transition target was being made.

The Joint Committee asked questions and commented on the presentation:

·         The Committee noted that modal shift in transport was difficult, but modal shift including existing residents would be even more difficult to achieve.

·         A request for an undertaking of a review of the new government and its new legislation and agenda was made, and it was proposed that Polaine and the HGGT lead officers would be delegated authority to undertake minor amendments following the review.

·         Polaine suggested that a first version of the Framework be published and updated once further details regarding the new Governments legislation and agenda are available.

·         It was suggested that adoption of the report may be on a rolling basis following the review of Government changes.

·         A comment was made that due to the scale of the proposed Garden Town in 10 years’ time, active travel was an enormous challenge and required pioneering solutions.

The Joint Committee agreed the recommendations of the report.

Resolved:

(1)  That the Framework ‘Re-Imagining How we Can Travel Differently’ (The Framework), as set out in Appendix A of the report, be agreed.

(2)  That consideration of the Framework in the evidence base for the execution of highways and transport planning decisions and developer contributions by the HGGT Council partners be agreed.

(3)  That the working together of the HGGT Council partners to continue to develop an overarching programme plan of key activities required to deliver modal shift, informed by the Framework, be agreed.

(4)  That a progress update be reported to the Joint Committee in Spring 2025.

To note the progress updates with the HGGT Work Programme for 2024/25.

(1)  That the Programme Management Report, as set out in Appendix A of the report, providing progress updates against the agreed HGGT 2024/25 annual work programme be agreed.

The Chairman proposed to move this Agenda item into private session and

debate the entire HGGT Programme Management Report as one item together

with Agenda item 16. This was seconded by Cllr Boulton and agreed by the Joint

Committee.

Section 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972 requires that the permission of the Chairman be obtained, after prior notice to the Proper Officer, before urgent business not specified in the agenda may be transacted.

It was noted that there was no other business for consideration by the Joint Committee.

The next meeting of the Harlow and Gilston Garden Town Joint Committee will be held on 22 October 2024.

The Joint Committee noted that their next meeting would be on Tuesday 22 October 2024 at 6.30pm.

Exclusion

To consider whether, under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public and press should be excluded from the meeting for the items of business set out below on grounds that they will involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in the following paragraph(s) of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act (as amended) or are confidential under Section 100(A)(2):

The Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006, which came into effect on 1 March 2006, requires the Council to consider whether maintaining the exemption listed above outweighs the potential public interest in disclosing the information. Any member who considers that this test should be applied to any currently exempted matter on this agenda should contact the proper officer at least 24 hours prior to the meeting.

Background Papers

Background papers are defined as being documents relating to the subject matter of the report which in the Proper Officer's opinion:

(a)        disclose any facts or matters on which the report or an important part of the report is based;  and

(b)        have been relied on to a material extent in preparing the report and does not include published works or those which disclose exempt or confidential information and in respect of executive reports, the advice of any political advisor.

The Council will make available for public inspection one copy of each of the documents on the list of background papers for four years after the date of the meeting. Inspection of background papers can be arranged by contacting either the Responsible Officer or the Democratic Services Officer for the particular item.

            Resolved:

That, in accordance with Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public and press be excluded from the meeting for the item of business set out below as it would involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in the paragraphs of Part 1 of Schedule 12(A) of the Act indicated and the exemption is considered to outweigh the potential public interest in disclosing the information:

Agenda                                                                       Exempt Information

Item No           Subject                                               Paragraph Number

To review and propose any recommendations on the progress updates with the HGGT Work Programme for 2024/25.

(1)  That the HGGT Master Programme for Delivery featured in the HGGT Level 0 Integrated Programme Dashboard, as set out in - Appendix A of the exempt Programme Management Report be agreed.

(2)  That the 9 programme risks and proposed mitigation actions in the Level 0 Strategic Risk Register featured in the HGGT Level 0 Integrated Programme Dashboard, as set out in Appendix A of the exempt Programme Management Report, be noted and agreed.

Agenda Item 12 and 16 amalgamated.

      Naisha Polaine, HGGT Director, presented the HGGT programme Management Report: The purpose of the Joint Committee was to provide unified leadership to deliver the ambitious spatial growth proposals set out in the Local Plans of HDC, EHDC and EFDC supported by ECC and HCC to align and maximise opportunities for new and existing residents and communities.

The HGGT Joint Committee held the responsibility to deliver the agreed HGGT

Vision to promote healthy, sustainable communities and co-ordinate and facilitate

the delivery of 16,000 new homes in the HGGT by 2033, and 7,000 new homes

in the years after that, along with associated transport, community, and

environmental infrastructure.

This report provided the Joint Committee with oversight of progress against its

agreed programme of work for 2024/25 which aimed to progress delivery of its

HGGT Vision.

The Joint Committee asked questions and debated the report:

·         The debate centred around engagement with the Government for support and revenue.

·         A discussion followed as to what exactly should be asked of the Government, and the way in which the ask should be made.

The Joint Committee agreed to the recommendation in the report.

      Resolved:

(1)  That the Programme Management Report, as set out in Appendix A of the report, providing progress updates against the agreed HGGT 2024/25 annual work programme be agreed.

(2)  That the HGGT Master Programme for Delivery featured in the HGGT Level 0 Integrated Programme Dashboard, as set out in - Appendix A of the exempt Programme Management Report be agreed.

(3)  That the 9 programme risks and proposed mitigation actions in the Level 0 Strategic Risk Register featured in the HGGT Level 0 Integrated Programme Dashboard, as set out in Appendix A of the exempt Programme Management Report, be noted and agreed.