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 to provide an oral report and any other member of the cabinet, to give an update on their written report, if required.

(a)          The Leader of Council

The Leader advised that since the last council meeting he had been engaged in a number events relating to key strategic challenges facing the district. The West Essex Clinical Commissioning Group, where he, along with a number of the cabinet members had been briefed around the main issues concerning the health of the district, resourcing pressures and the ageing population. It had also been reassuring that the contingency plans for the winter period had been started. Furthermore, the council was engaged in the ongoing discussion to identify the best option for the redevelopment of Princess Alexander Hospital and had made provisions in the Local Plan for a site east of Harlow, which would be one of the key considerations for the Harlow and Gilston Garden Town Board. He had also attended the Essex Leaders and Chief Executive meetings, where issues about education provision in West Essex were discussed.

He had also taken part in the recent members visit to the new Waltham Abbey Leisure Centre, which had progressed at a pace and would open on 17 November 2018. 

Finally, it had not been possible to reach mutually agreeably position for the St John’s Site, Epping, between the District Council, Epping Town Council and Frontier Estates, which had been intended for a mixed use development comprising of retail, community facilities and housing. Therefore the District and Town Council were jointly exploring an alternative scheme, to include the feasibility of a leisure centre and swimming pool with retail and housing elements on the site. Some informal discussion had been made with the council’s leisure contractors and no decision had been made to close Epping Sports Centre. He advised that it potentially made financial sense and could meet the future needs of residents. 

(b)          Planning and Governance Portfolio Holder

Councillor J. Philip advised that the Council had submitted the council’s Local Plan on Friday 21 September 2018, following the dismissal of the legal challenge at the Court of Appeal, ensuring that the Council would deliver the original target of 11,400 homes. The next step would be the examination in public, which would enable any person or organisation that originally submitted a response to the Regulation 19 consultation, to address the Planning Inspector. The Council was currently unaware of when the Local Plan would be considered and who the Planning Inspector may be. He advised that any modifications put forward by the Planning Inspector would be brought back to the Council.

(c)           Safer, Greener and Transport Portfolio Holder

Councillor S. Kane advised that Safeguarding training was available on Monday 1 October 2018 at 6 pm. This was mandatory for new members and existing members could also attend to update their knowledge.