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 the Environment Portfolio Holder;

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

(e)        Report of the Housing Portfolio Holder;

(f)          Report of the Leisure and Wellbeing Portfolio Holder;

(g)     Report of the Planning and Technology Portfolio Holder;

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

(i)      Report of the Support Services Portfolio Holder.

The Council received written reports from 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, and the Safer, Greener and Highways Portfolio Holder.  The Council also received a supplementary written report from the Safer, Greener and Highways Portfolio Holder.  The Council noted that the Support Services Portfolio Holder did not have any matters to report to the Council under this item.

The Chairman invited the Leader and Legal Portfolio Holder to provide an oral report, and the Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and other members of the Cabinet to give an oral update of their written reports.

(a)        Leader and Legal Portfolio Holder

Councillor Wagland reported on her attendance at a meeting of the full board and formal re-launch of the South East Local Enterprise Partnership at which the Chairman, John Spence, had emphasised its mission statement to become the most enterprising economy in England.  The Leader advised that the Partnership which covered Essex, Kent and East Sussex contributed £55bn to the National Economy (17%).  Members noted that John Spence had again stated the need for the Partnership to add value, and only to undertake matters which could be achieved more effectively and efficiency than at the local level.  The Leader advised that she would place documents reflecting the vision of the Partnership in the Council Bulletin.  Councillor Wagland reported on progress being made by the Partnership in relation to two enterprise zones, one at Sandwich and one at Harlow.  Members noted that the Partnership had received the largest allocation of Growing Places funding outside London amounting to £32m as well as £27m funding for Broadband development.  A scheme in Essex would receive £6.2m regional growth fund for research and development within the medical and science, aerospace, defence and industrial markets.

The Leader reported that together with John Houston, LSP Manager, she had recently met Doctor Kamal Bishai, Head of the Local GP Commissioning Body who would be Chairing the Health Group LSP and would join the Board.  Members noted that at a Board meeting earlier in the day, Doctor Bishai had reported on the role of the GP Consortia.

The Leader reported that together with J Chandler, Assistant Director, she had met Essex County Council officers in relation to the Essex Health and Wellbeing Board.  She advised that Essex County Council was responsible for setting up a shadow board and District Council interests on that board would be represented by Tendring District Council representative.  In due course the full board would have four District Council representatives from Tendring, Rochford, Harlow and Braintree.  A stakeholder forum was to take place at which the views of the Epping Forest District would be put forward.  A contribution would also be made to a Strategic Needs Assessment.  The Leader advised that it appeared the GP Consortium would present plans to the Board in accordance with the Strategic Needs Assessment and that funds were likely to stay with the Consortium.  Councillor Wagland advised that she would report further to the Council when she had more information.

Councillor Wagland advised that there had been an incursion by gypsies and travellers onto a District Council owned site opposite the Marriott Hotel in Waltham Abbey.  She advised that contrary to rumour the Council’s Legal Officers had issued proceedings as soon as they became aware of the situation and had secured the first available Court date of 8 December at which a Possession Order had been granted.  An approach had been made to the Police requesting them to use Section 61 powers but they had not been prepared to do so.  Accordingly it had been necessary to proceed with the trespass proceedings and following advice that Court bailiffs would not be available until the New Year, steps had been taken to engage a private bailiff service at a cost of £2,500.  Those bailiffs had been successful in moving the gypsies and travellers from the land but they had now moved onto the Cornmill Car Park in Waltham Abbey and it would be necessary to take similar steps in order to seek their removal from that site although it appeared that the Police would be more inclined to use their Section 61 powers.

The Leader advised that the Council had joined the Public Law Partnership as a way of contributing and sharing expertise and costs.  She advised that through this Partnership, District Council Officers had undertaken investigations about member complaints for Harlow and Basildon Councils and as a result this Council had received approximately £4,000 income.  The Leader advised that the Partnership had been shortlisted for the Local Government Chronicle Legal Team Award in recognition of its approach to shared services.

Councillor Wagland advised that the Localism Bill had now been enacted and that a training session was planned for members in the New Year.  She advised that this training session would be webcast and available for those members unable to attend the event.

(b)            Leisure and Wellbeing Portfolio Holder

Councillor Gadsby, Leisure and Wellbeing Portfolio Holder, reported that the internal and external decorations, fixtures and fittings for the new Limes Centre at Limes Farm would be completed during the current week and that the statutory undertakers were due to complete their work before Christmas.  She advised that although the Centre would not be open for Christmas, the project would be completed within budget and would be handed over to the Council during January 2012.  She drew attention to the attractive facilities which would be available including a large hall with an integral kitchen suitable for functions such as wedding receptions, a medium size hall, a 12 seat meeting room, and a health clinic facility.  Councillor Gadsby reported that a resident Community Development Worker would be on site two days a week and that all of the services would be provided within existing staffing resources.

Councillor Gadsby referred to the break-in at the Epping Forest Museum.  She advised that two items had still not been recovered but the case was still under investigation.  As a result of the break-in some improved security measures had been introduced.

The Portfolio Holder advised that the concerns of the Environment Agency regarding the integrity of the Town Mead site had now been overcome and work was expected to commence on the All Weather Pitch in the New Year.

(c)        Planning and Technology Portfolio Holder

Councillor Philip, Planning and Technology Portfolio Holder, reported that WiFi was now available in the Council Chamber.  He advised that access would be controlled through Democratic Services who would provide members with a password when requested.

(d)       Finance and Economic Development Portfolio Holder

Councillor Mohindra, Finance and Economic Development Portfolio Holder, referred to his written report regarding changes to Housing Benefit for single people under 35 and stated that a copy of the letter to be sent to relevant claimants would be published in the Council Bulletin and details would also appear in the latest edition of The Forester.

Councillor Mohindra drew attention to the success of the Estates and Valuation Section in securing new tenants for shops in The Broadway, Loughton.

In relation to the redevelopment of the St John’s Road area in Epping, the Portfolio Holder advised that a meeting was to be held on 12 January 2012 with Epping Town Council to discuss progress with the preparation of a development brief.  He confirmed that an invitation to that meeting would be extended to Epping members.  The Portfolio Holder advised that officers had been working with County Council officers and as a result a road safety audit had been undertaken.  At a meeting of the Project Team terms of reference had been agreed and a timescale had been discussed.  A further meeting of the Project Team was due to take place on 15 December 2011 at which it was hoped a realistic timescale would be agreed.  Councillor Mohindra advised that he had emphasised to officers the need for a meaningful consultation exercise with adequate time for responses.