Live broadcast to start at 7pm and available for repeat viewing. 

Apologies were received from Cllrs Mrs Pearson, Russell and Nolan.

No declarations of interest were made at this stage.

The Mayor and group leaders paid tribute the former councillor and Past Mayor of Brentwood, Ken Wright who recently passed away. Ken was a councillor for Herongate & Ingrave Ward between 1995-2006 and Mayor of Brentwood from 2005-2006.  Our deepest condolences, have been sent to Ken’s family on their sudden loss.

Members observed a minute’s silence.

The Mayor informed the Council:-

“It’s hard to believe I am not far from 6 months into my Mayoral year and have been so happy to attend a varied mix of engagements during this time.  So far, I have attended 42 engagements.   

I was fortunate to hold a great Charity Quiz Night in September raising over £1000 for my chosen charities and thank those of you who attended and supported the event.  I am looking forward to hosting my Charity Curry Night in November and look forward to welcoming some of you then. 

It was great to attend the Family Fun Days over the summer months and glad that these could return for 2021.  It was so great to see so many families attending and enjoying all the entertainment.  A big well done to the events team for bringing this back.

I also hosted my Civic Service at Brentwood Cathedral early August which was such a great service surrounded by fellow Chain Gang Mayors and Chairman, family, friends, and Members.  It was so lovely to be joined by the impressive choir on the evening.  I look forward to having my Christmas Carol service back at Brentwood Cathedral in December. 

In early September, I was delighted to present Civic Awards to the long-awaited recipients from 2019 and 2020 as well as bestowing the Honorary title of Freeman of the Borough to Dennis Rensch.  It was a very special evening to be part of and celebrate the great and the good in the community.  We are pleased to be opening up Civic Awards nominations for 2021 in the coming weeks should you wish to make any nominations.   

I am looking forward to the Remembrance Day Parade which is taking place on Sunday 14th November leaving from the Town Hall.  This will be a great honour for me as Mayor to take part in such a prestigious Civic event alongside the Royal British Legion.  I hope to see many of you there in the parade.

I look forward to attending more events in and around the Borough in the coming months”.

The minutes of the Ordinary Council meeting held on 28th July 2021 were APPROVED as true record, subject to the inclusion of the written questions and responses submitted by Cllr S Cloke and Cllr Dr Barrett to state the following:

One written question has been received from Cllr Dr Barrett, as follows:

“Has the council had any engagement with highways England about the proposed community woodland at Hole Farm Warley - what are the plans for Brentwood Borough Council involvement and input”?

Cllr Hossack responded as Leader of the Council.

The council is already undertaking work to reduce its carbon footprint and influence that of others in the borough, including businesses and residents.  As such, the Council is presently recruiting a Climate & Sustainability Officer who will work towards producing a ‘Green’ strategy.  This strategy will include recommendations to reduce our carbon footprint, offset our carbon production and increase sustainability within the borough.  Therefore, rather than make declarations at this stage, the Council is focused on delivering projects in the short term and seeking to develop a longer term strategy.  This strategy will set out clear targets and the methods this authority will follow in order to deliver against local, national and worldwide climate objectives.

In addition, Brentwood as a member of Scope are already working with all other Essex councils, including County and share initiatives and expertise to reduce its carbon footprint and thus contribute to reducing global warming to less than 1.5°C %.

 Following changes to our procurement rules, we already ensure products and services consider the environmental impact of their provision as part of the overall scoring when considering tenders.  The Council will continue to develop other strategies, policies and action plans that encourage carbon reduction and carbon offset schemes.  As well as sitting on already mentioned we already sit on SCOPE, we are part of the Essex Councils Environmental Group and work with the Forestry Commission and Thames Chase to reduce our impact on the environment and reduce the amount of carbon in the borough through woodland planting.

The Council will continue to work towards zero carbon output as part of the forthcoming strategy later this year.

Two written question has been received from Cllr S Cloke as follows:

Question 1

“Residents of Brentwood that use communal waste facilities. e.g. those living in blocks of flats, do not all have access to locally positioned glass recycling bins. The expectation of Brentwood Council is that these residents, who are more likely not to have access to cars to transport bulk waste, must take their glass to a Recycling Centre or a supermarket or simply send it to landfill in black sacks. This results in wasted opportunities for recycling of glass as well as contamination of other recycling bins when residents dispose of their glass in bags or bins that are not designed for this type of recycling. When will the council provide glass recycling facilities equally to all residents by supplying communal glass recycling bins to all of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 157.

There were none.

Cllr Pound presented a petition on behalf of the residents of Oliver Road.  The Petition relating to their concerns about traffic calming along their road.

The Mayor suggested that Cllr Wagland, presents this issue to the Local Highways Panel for consideration, this the Chair.

In accordance with the Council’s Constitution a brief written report by each committee Chair covering their area of responsibility was provided for Members’ information at each Ordinary Council meeting.

Any Member might ask a Chair a written or oral question on

(a)       Any matter included in the Chair’s written report; or

(b)       Any matter in relation to which the Council has powers or duties or which affects the Council’s area and which falls within the area of responsibility of the Chair’s committee.

Two written questions were submitted from Cllr Mynott.

What actions, if any, did the Council take, either

1.         After 19.12.17 and in the eighteen months before 26.6.19, in response to its consultants, Lichfields, advising it to consider an Article 4 Direction ‘to stop the conversion of offices to residential uses through permitted development’?

2.         (Other than behind the scenes discussion) since June 2019, once my (slightly amended) motion of 26.6.19 had been passed unanimously, and the Council had therefore ‘resolve[d] to consult on the introduction of an Article 4 restriction on office conversion in an area to be confirmed?

Cllr Hossack responded as Leader of the Council.

Cllr Mynott knows that the priority of this Council has been to adopt a new Local Development Plan, for which there has been significant action taken and progress made over the past few years.

The Economic Futures evidence from Lichfields informs LDP policy. This evidence should be read in context. The work looks at provision of employment land and the LDP needs to consider a wide range of evidence in addition to that. The planning inspectors have been very clear on this point through the LDP examination – that one piece of evidence does not necessarily override another; they need to be understood in context and combination. The one issue that does seem to have overriding importance is the delivery of new homes.

The corporate strategy objective to grow our economy is being achieved in multiple ways, it is not just about retaining offices. We need a healthy mix of uses with efficient use of land – exactly what the LDP will be in place to achieve. The Economic Futures evidence advises that existing employment land and buildings be modernised through the better use of space, effectively increasing the number of jobs per square metre compared with historic land uses. This will be achieved through LDP policy, but change has also been accelerated through the pandemic and the way people work. We also need to respond to market needs, and right now there is massive demand for new homes. In comparison there is significantly less demand for commercial space, such as offices and retail.

Housing delivery in recent years has been significantly underpinned by residential conversion through permitted development rights. Evidence of this delivery has helped the LDP examination progress. Without it, it is likely that we would have to identify further land to deliver new homes, including Green Belt.

I say this because it highlights the fact that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 160.

Four Notices of Motion have been submitted in accordance with Rule 3 in Part 4.1 of the Constitution - Council Procedure Rules and are listed in order of the date received.

Three of which were deferred from the Ordinary Council meeting on 28th July 2021.

Motion 1 Received 02/06/2021 @ 15:47

Proposer Cllr Dr T Barrett                                    Seconder Cllr G Barrett

The Council resolves that all future Brentwood Borough Council backed, or part backed developments, including those through the Brentwood Development Partnership, SAIL and other subsidiary companies will at a minimum meet the guidance on design and amenity standards set out in both Brentwood & Essex design guides. 

Cllr Dr Barrett present a revised Motion after discussion with Cllr Wagland, who informed him of some changes to National Planning Policy Framework.

“The Council welcomes the arrival of the Government’s new section 12 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF); which allows Local Authorities to prepare local design codes democratically through effective local community consultation based on local defining characteristics; and provides that development proposals that are not well-designed should be refused.  The Council is pleased to adopt apply this revision to the NPPF including in relation to its own backed or part-backed developments and will take up the new opportunities given to Local Authorities”.

Cllr Barrett was asked as the original seconder to speak on the Motion.  However, he asked that Cllr Wagland my wish to be the seconder, as she assisted with revised motion.

This was accepted by Cllr Wagland.

Officers drew members attention to the word adopt, which could be an issue as in Planning terms the Council is not able to formally adopt national policy, which was reworded by the Mover to instead state apply.

In line with constitution, Cllr Wagland proposed the amendment to the original motion which was accept by Cllr Dr Barrett.

A vote was taken by a show of hands and it was CARRIED.

“The Council welcomes the arrival of the Government’s new section 12 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF); which allows Local Authorities to prepare local design codes democratically through effective local community consultation based on local defining characteristics; and provides that development proposals that are not well-designed should be refused.  The Council is pleased to apply this revision to the NPPF including in relation to its own backed or part-backed developments and will take up the new opportunities given to Local Authorities”.

Motion 2 Received 02/06/2021 @ 15:47

Proposer Cllr Dr T Barrett                                    Seconder Cllr G Barrett

The Council resolves that all future Brentwood Borough Council backed or part backed developments, including those through the Brentwood Development Partnership, SAIL and other subsidiary companies will be compliant with the 35% affordable housing requirement or provide the market rate sum to purchase the equivalent property/properties in the Borough for use as affordable housing in lieu of this requirement.

Cllr Barrett suggested an amendment to the motion to state, which was accepted by Cllr Dr Barrett, as the Mover.

The Council resolves that all  ...  view the full minutes text for item 161.

An item of business may only be considered where the Chair is of the opinion that, by reason of special circumstances, which shall be specified in the Minutes, the item should be considered as a matter of urgency.

There were no items of urgent business.

The meeting concluded at 21:08