Agenda item

To receive reports from the Leader, Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and members of the Cabinet on matters falling within their area of responsibility:

(a)                     Report of the Leader and Legal Portfolio Holder;

(b)                     Report of the Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee;

(c)                     Report of Environment Portfolio Holder;

(d)           Report of Finance and Economic Development Portfolio Holder;

(e)                     Report of Housing Portfolio Holder;

(f)                       Report of Leisure and Wellbeing Portfolio Holder;

(g)           Report of Planning and Technology Portfolio Holder;

(h)           Report of the Safer, Greener and Highways Portfolio Holder;

(i)            Report of Support Services Portfolio Holder.

The Council received written reports from the Leader and Legal Portfolio Holder, the Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, the Environment Portfolio Holder, the Finance and Economic Development Portfolio Holder, the Housing Portfolio Holder, the Leisure and Wellbeing Portfolio Holder, the Planning and Technology Portfolio Holder, the Safer and Greener Portfolio Holder, and the Support Services Portfolio Holder.

The Chairman invited the Leader, the Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and Portfolio Holders to give  oral updates of their written reports.

(a)        Leader and Legal Portfolio Holder

The Leader advised that she had attended a Board meeting of the Local Enterprise Partnership covering East Sussex, Essex, Kent, Medway, Southend and Thurrock which had agreed to adopt South East Local Enterprise Partnership as its working title.  She advised that this would be underpinned by a mission statement to create the most enterprising economy in England.  The Leader advised that she had volunteered to join a sub-group on broadband.  She also advised that the LEP had recognised that it had not made as much progress as some other LEPs but was now considering substantive matters rather than working procedures. She stated that the Board had accepted that it would be best to have a private sector chairman.

The Leader also reported that she had attended a meeting of the North London Strategic Alliance.  At that meeting the Redbridge London Borough Council representative had expressed concern about an increase in hardship in its borough evidenced by increased benefit claims and food bank client numbers.  The Council noted that this meeting had been advised of a greater interest in apprenticeships by businesses and one large organisation initially offering four apprenticeships had increased that number to 100 places.

The Leader advised that she had attended a meeting together with the Acting Chief Executive of Essex Leaders and Chief Executives.  Reference had been made to the County Council consultation on an Essex-wide vision for Essex Works to which the District Council would be responding.  The meeting had also been advised of a proposed annual contract in excess of £80 million for older people in residential homes including those previously accommodated by Southern Cross.  The Leader advised that a preferred supplier ranked list would be produced with quality being a key factor.  The Council noted that the meeting had also referred to the responses being prepared by all councils regarding the proposed reform of business rates.  The meeting had been advised that a £1 million fund had been agreed to implement a prototype to tackle families with complex needs.

The Leader advised that she had attended a meeting with the Federation of Small Businesses which had expressed a desire to work with the Council in order to promote local retailers.  The Leader reported that there had been an increase in Federation membership of 21% from businesses within the Epping Forest District compared with a minus trend nationally.

(b)       Finance and Economic Development Portfolio Holder

Councillor Mohindra reported that the Department for Communities and Local Government had launched a consultation paper on proposals for the Reform of Business Rates.  The consultation period would run until 24 October 2011 and it was intended that the proposals would be considered by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 18 October 2011.  The Council noted that the consultation paper would be supported by technical papers which would not be published until August.

(c)        Leisure and Wellbeing Portfolio Holder

Councillor Gadsby referred to a young peoples event which had been held at Waltham Abbey.  She advised that approximately 300 young people had participated taking part in numerous activities including skateboarding, BMX cycling and football freestyle skills.  She advised that staff from the Council’s Community Services had been present to give advice to the young people on their lifestyles.  Councillor Gadsby reported that the event had been a great success and was likely to become an annual event.

The Portfolio Holder also referred to an Olympic Games media briefing which had been held at North Weald on 22 July.  The briefing had explained the likely impact of the games on local people and businesses.

(d)       Safer and Greener Portfolio Holder

Councillor Smith referred to her written report regarding the proposals for changing the structure of policing in Essex and advised that arrangements had been made for the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, at its meeting on 6 September 2011, to receive a presentation from the Police on the consultation document “Blueprint for Essex Policing”.  She encouraged all members and the public to attend this meeting.

(e)       Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Councillor Bassett repeated the invitation extended by Councillor Smith to attend the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 6 September 2011.  He advised that Chief Superintendent Simon Williams would be making the presentation and that he would be accompanied by County Councillor Anthony Jackson, Chairman of the Essex Police Authority.