Agenda and decisions

To receive any apologies for absence and declarations of interest.

To consider the minutes of the meeting held on 19 March 2024.

To receive questions or statements from non-executive members on matters included on the agenda.

To consider any reports from Scrutiny Committee.

To receive for information any delegated decisions taken by Cabinet Committees or Members since the previous Cabinet meeting:

·        Executive Decision on 27 March 2024 - Response to ECC consultation: Replacement Essex Minerals Local Plan (Regulation 18)

To consider the designation of the Debden Neighbourhood Plan Area.

RESOLVED to:

I.                 To designate the Parish of Debden as a Neighbourhood Development Plan Area.

II.              The Plan Area as submitted by Debden Parish Council should be supported and adopted as the Debden Neighbourhood Development Plan Area.

To consider the Corporate Core indicators – Target Setting 2024/25 report.

RESOLVED to approve the Corporate Core Indicator targets for 2024/25 as set out in the body of the report and Appendix A.

To consider the Climate and Biodiversity Action Plan.

RESOLVED

I.                 To note the achievements and progress made delivering the UDC Climate Change Action Plan in 2023/24 as set out in the report.

II.               To note highlights, arising issues, follow-on actions, and the updated Climate Change Action Plan proposed by the Climate Change, Lead Officer, to be delivered April 2024 to March 25 at Appendix 1.

III.              To approve the updated Climate Change Action Plan.

To consider the report regarding the Blueprint Uttlesford Audit.

To consider the Car Park Update report.

RESOLVED to:

I.                 Note the 6 months’ notice period submitted by House Group Development Management Limited to end the management agreement for the Rose and Crown Car Park and that the Car Park will no longer be managed by the Council.

II.               Approve the following amended tariffs for Sundays and Bank Holidays in Fairycroft Car Park only:

i.                 50p for 1 hour

ii.                £1 for 2 hours

iii.               £1.50 for 3 hours

To consider amendemnts to the Council Private Sector Housing Enforcement Policy.

I.                 Enable officers to discharge its duty and exercise powers under:

i.                 The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020

ii.                The Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015 & The Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Regulations 2022

iii.               The Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015 as amended by The Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2019

iv.              The Housing and Planning Act 2016 (Banning Order Offences) Regulations 2018

II.               Approve the revised Private Sector Housing Enforcement Policy as set out in Appendix A.

To consider the Empty Homes Policy.

RESOLVED to approve the Empty Homes Policy document.

To consider the Strategic Grants – Asylum Seeker and Refugee report.

RESOLVED:

I.                 To launch a strategic grants process for both Ukrainian and Asylum- Seeking cohorts across 3 domains of need.

II.              To extend the individual grants fund to asylum seeking communities from the Asylum Dispersal Grant to support with ad hoc funding requests and support to move into and furnish accommodation for a maximum of £1,500 per family.

To consider the report regarding Housing Support under the Homes for Ukraine Scheme.

RESOLVED:

I.                 To launch a rent assist offer (deposit, 6 week’s rent in advance and a council guarantee to fund the rent for the duration of the tenancy should the tenant default) to support Ukrainian guests to move into private rental properties.

II.               To use some of the Homes for Ukraine funds to act as a dedicated fund to bridge the gap between local housing allowance and market value rent.

Item withdrawn.

To exclude the public and press due to consideration of a report containing exempt information within the meaning of section 100I and paragraph 3 part 1 Schedule 12A Local Government Act 1972.

To consider the report regarding the Procurement of Housing Repairs, Maintenance and Capital Improvements Provision from 2025.

RESOLVED to:

I.                 Cabinet approve the mixed economy operating model (Option 11).

II.               Cabinet give delegated authority to the Interim Strategic Director, Housing, Health and Communities, the Chief Executive, the Strategic Director of Finance, Commercialisation and Corporate Services, and the interim Director of Property in consultation with the Cabinet Members of Housing and Finance, to develop the detailed service specifications/contracts in advance of the

procurement process, to be brought back to Cabinet on 13 June 2024.

III.             Cabinet give delegated authority to the interim Director of Property to manage the procurement process, in consultation with the Chief Executive, Interim Strategic Director of Housing, Health and Communities, Strategic Director of Finance, Commercialisation and Corporate Services, the Council’s Procurement Service and external advisors as required.

IV.            Cabinet note the ‘step-in’ arrangements put in place by UDC (as delegated by Cabinet on 9th January) and the recommendation by officers that it is not appropriate to pursue a legal remedy against UNSL at this stage for service failure.

V.              Cabinet note the ‘next steps’ for the procurement process.

VI.            Cabinet delegate to the Interim Strategic Director, Housing, Health and Communities, the Chief Executive and the interim Director of Property in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing the formal consultation process and ongoing engagement arrangements with tenants and leaseholders.

Item for information.