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Decisions

Use the below search options at the bottom of the page to find information regarding recent decisions that have been taken by the Council’s decision making bodies.

Alternatively you can visit the officer decisions page for information on officer delegated decisions that have been taken by Council officers.

Earlier - Later

Decisions published

05/07/2021 - Strategic Housing Delivery Plan ref: 1054    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Environment, Enforcement & Housing Committee

Made at meeting: 05/07/2021 - Environment, Enforcement & Housing Committee

Decision published: 16/07/2021

Effective from: 05/07/2021

Decision:

A vote was taken on Standing Orders and it was UNANIMOUSLY AGREED to extend the meeting for half an hour.

 

The report summarised progress since the last report to Committee on 16 March 2021 on the development of a pipeline of new affordable homes through the development and regeneration of various Housing Revenue Account (HRA) owned sites.

 

As a reminder, this Strategic Housing Delivery Programme (SHDP) is currently made up of two elements, 1) the regeneration of Brookfield Close and Courage Court, Hutton resulting in a planned 62 zero carbon homes and 2) the development of a range of smaller HRA sites to deliver new homes.

 

All of these new homes will contribute to and be managed within the Council’s HRA. The Council’s Corporate Strategy ‘Brentwood 2025’ commits to Introducing “innovative Carbon reduction and absorption schemes”, “identify opportunities for low emission and green developments” and using ‘brownfield sites efficiently, such as council owned garage sites, to provide affordable homes…”.

 

The Chair wanted to thank and acknowledge the work from Lauren, Amy, Kate and Sophie during the project so far. 

 

A motion was MOVED by Cllr Mrs Pearson and SECONDED by Cllr Russell

to agree the recommendations in the report.

 

Following a discussion a vote was taken and it was RESOLVED that: Members are asked to:

 

R1. Subject to planning permission being granted, proceed with the next technical stages of design for Brookfield Close and Courage Court regeneration, with a final costed assessment to be reported to this Committee before any final approval to proceed.

 

R2. Approve the ‘Regeneration Offer’ to residents affected by the Council’s housing regeneration activity attached as Appendix B to the report.

 

R3. Commence the process of the decanting of residents at Brookfield Close and Courage Court under the terms specified in the ‘Regeneration Offer’ including the buyback of privately owned property.

 

R4. Approve the ‘New Affordable Homes Strategy 2021-2028’ attached as Appendix A to the report.

 

Reasons for Recommendation

The report updated Members on progress on what is a key strategic priority, the delivery of new affordable homes and requests approval for critical next steps towards regeneration.


05/07/2021 - Tenancy Strategy ref: 1053    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Environment, Enforcement & Housing Committee

Made at meeting: 05/07/2021 - Environment, Enforcement & Housing Committee

Decision published: 16/07/2021

Effective from: 05/07/2021

Decision:

In 2017 the Council approved a tenancy strategy and this had been reviewed to bring the document up to date, whilst also providing the opportunity to engage with registered providers of social housing operating in the Borough.

 

The updated Tenancy Strategy covering the period 2021 to 2026 is included as Appendix A of the report.

 

A motion was MOVED by Cllr Mrs Pearson and SECONDED by Cllr Russell to agree the recommendations in the report.

 

Following a discussion a vote was taken and it was RESOLVED that: Members are asked to:

 

R1. To approve the updated Tenancy Strategy in Appendix A of the report.

 

Reasons for Recommendation

To ensure that the Housing Department has an updated Tenancy Strategy covering the types of agreement used by the Council and the preferred approach that the Council would like registered providers to adopt in the Borough.

Wards affected: (All Wards);


05/07/2021 - Policy to enable the discharge of the homelessness duty into the private sector ref: 1052    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Environment, Enforcement & Housing Committee

Made at meeting: 05/07/2021 - Environment, Enforcement & Housing Committee

Decision published: 16/07/2021

Effective from: 05/07/2021

Decision:

As part of the review of the Council’s Allocation Policy, the approach to discharging the duties to homeless households into the private sector had also been reviewed. Currently there was no written policy covering this area of activity and to clarify the Council’s approach to this issue a separate policy was recommended.

 

The report sought Member approval for a policy when we assist homeless households into the private rented sector. If adopted, the new policy would formalise our current approach, the approach to implementing the policy, the suitability of offers in the private rented sector and sets out the right to review by the households affected. If approved the policy would be implemented at the same time as the updated Allocations Policy.

 

A motion was MOVED by Cllr Mrs Pearson and SECONDED by Cllr Russell to agree the recommendations in the report.

 

Following a discussion a vote was taken and it was RESOLVED UNANIMOUSY that: Members are asked to:

 

R1. To approve the Policy to enable the discharge of the homelessness duty into the private sector.

 

Reasons for Recommendation

To ensure that the Housing Department had a policy covering the discharge of the homelessness duty into the private rented sector.

Wards affected: (All Wards);


05/07/2021 - Review of Fixed Term Tenancies Policy ref: 1051    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Environment, Enforcement & Housing Committee

Made at meeting: 05/07/2021 - Environment, Enforcement & Housing Committee

Decision published: 16/07/2021

Effective from: 05/07/2021

Decision:

Under the Council’s Tenancy Strategy, new tenants were provided with a 12-month introductory tenancy followed by a 5 year fixed term tenancy. Towards the end of the 5 year fixed tenancy a review was conducted to establish whether or not a new fixed term tenancy should be offered or the tenancy concluded and the resident moved to a different property or not offered a new tenancy by the Council.

 

The proposed policy included as Appendix A to the report covered the review process, the potential outcomes and the appeal process for residents.

 

A motion was MOVED by Cllr Mrs Pearson and SECONDED by Cllr Russell to agree the recommendations in the report.

 

Following a discussion a vote was taken and it was RESOLVED that: Members are asked to:

 

R1. To approve the policy.

 

Reasons for Recommendation

To ensure that the Housing Department had documentation to support the implementation of the review of fixed term tenancies and provide an appeals process for tenants.

Wards affected: (All Wards);


05/07/2021 - Decommissioning of the Community Alarm Service ref: 1050    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Environment, Enforcement & Housing Committee

Made at meeting: 05/07/2021 - Environment, Enforcement & Housing Committee

Decision published: 16/07/2021

Effective from: 05/07/2021

Decision:

Due to the need to invest in the community alarm service, an options appraisal had been completed. Following the conclusion of the review, the proposal was to close the Council’s community alarm service and to arrange for the service to be transferred to another provider. This decision would provide a sustainable service for residents and reduce the need for capital investment in a non-statutory service.

 

A motion was MOVED by Cllr Mrs Pearson and SECONDED by Cllr Russell to agree the recommendations in the report.

 

Following a discussion a vote was taken and it was RESOLVED that: Members are asked to:

 

R1. To approve the closure of the Council’s Community Alarm service.

 

R2. To give delegated authority to the Corporate Director (Housing and Community Safety) to oversee the selection of the organisation that will take on the Community Alarm Service.

 

Reasons for Recommendation

To ensure that service users of the Council’s community alarm service have access to a good quality, sustainable service and for the Council to avoid making a significant capital investment in a non-statutory service.

Wards affected: (All Wards);


05/07/2021 - Electrical Safety Policy ref: 1049    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Environment, Enforcement & Housing Committee

Made at meeting: 05/07/2021 - Environment, Enforcement & Housing Committee

Decision published: 16/07/2021

Effective from: 05/07/2021

Decision:

In March 2019, Brentwood Borough Council were subject to a Health and Safety Executive (HSE) review into all compliance areas. As part of this review, the Council were found to be effectively managing the risk across all areas of compliance but had areas requiring improvement in relation to electrical safety.

 

The Housing Department began working alongside the HSE to improve the Council’s compliance position, taking advice and guidance from them on what was required to improve the management of these areas of responsibility.

 

One main area of focus was the request to implement an electrical policy which would be available to the whole housing department. Included as Appendix A to the report is the proposed policy.

 

A motion was MOVED by Cllr Mrs Pearson and SECONDED by Cllr Russell to agree the recommendations in the report.

 

Following a discussion a vote was taken and it was RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY that: Members are asked to:

 

R1. To approve the Electrical Safety Policy included as Appendix A.

 

Reasons for Recommendation

To ensure that the Housing Department has documentation to support the delivery of electrical safety in buildings and residents homes, and to comply with the social housing regulator’s expectations.

Wards affected: (All Wards);


05/07/2021 - Noise complaint service process ref: 1048    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Environment, Enforcement & Housing Committee

Made at meeting: 05/07/2021 - Environment, Enforcement & Housing Committee

Decision published: 16/07/2021

Effective from: 05/07/2021

Decision:

Under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, the Council has a duty to take reasonable steps to investigate complaints of noise so as to decide whether the noise is a statutory nuisance and to inspect its area to detect any statutory nuisance. In practice this means investigating complaints from residents who are disturbed by noise.

 

Last year Brentwood Council received 376 requests to investigate noise. It is important that noise complaints are investigated consistently and in a transparent way. To ensure consistency and provide transparency this report recommends the Council adopt a noise complaint investigation procedure.

 

The procedure outlines the process officers will follow in responding to and attempting to resolve noise complaints.

 

A motion was MOVED by Cllr Mrs Pearson and SECONDED by Cllr Russell to agree the recommendations in the report.

 

Following a discussion a vote was taken and it was RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY that: Members are asked to:

 

R1. Agree the adoption by Brentwood Council of the noise investigation procedure appendix A to the report.

 

Reasons for Recommendation

The reason for the recommendation to adopt the noise investigation procedure is to improve consistency between investigating officers and to improve transparency concerning the Councils investigation of noise complaints.

Wards affected: (All Wards);


30/06/2021 - Digital Strategy - Action Plan - 2021/22 ref: 1044    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Policy, Resources & Economic Development Committee

Made at meeting: 30/06/2021 - Policy, Resources & Economic Development Committee

Decision published: 16/07/2021

Effective from: 30/06/2021

Decision:

The report sought to provide Members with an action plan for delivery against the Council’s Digital Strategy in 2021/22.

 

Cllr Hossack thanked all members of the team on behalf of the Members for the work undertaken on the new website.

 

After a full discussion, Cllr Hossack MOVED and Cllr Parker SECONDED the recommendations in the report. A vote was taken and it was RESOLVED.

 

Members are asked to:

Approve the Digital Strategy Action Plan 2021/22 as attached at Appendix A of the report.

 

Reasons for Recommendation

An action plan is required to ensure that we remain on track to deliver the objectives set out in the Digital Strategy 2020-25.

Wards affected: (All Wards);


28/06/2021 - Asset of Community Value - La Plata Grove ref: 1046    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Community & Health Committee

Made at meeting: 28/06/2021 - Community & Health Committee

Decision published: 14/07/2021

Effective from: 28/06/2021

Decision:

The Localism Act 2011 introduced the Community Right to Bid, a new right for local people to nominate buildings or pieces of land they believe contribute to the social interests or wellbeing of their local communities to be listed on a register of Assets of Community Value (ACVs), managed by the Local Authority.

 

A valid nomination had been received to list La Plata Wood, as an Asset of Community Value and the report asked the Committee to make a decision on this nomination.

 

Mrs Anderson summarised the report.

 

A motion was MOVED by Cllr Poppy and SECONDED by Cllr Aspinell to agreed agree the recommendation in the report.

 

Following discussion a vote was taken by a show of hands and it was RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY to:

 

 

List the land known as La Plata Wood, as indicated on the site map in Appendix B of the report, as an Asset of Community Value.

 

 

Reasons for Recommendation

 

1.    The nomination had passed the Council’s due diligence tests including the submission of evidence that the group is eligible to nominated. The nomination passes the first statutory test as it clearly furthers the social interests and wellbeing of the local community.

 

2.    There is a realistic chance that the asset will continue to provide the activities for which it has been nominated. The nomination therefore passes the second statutory tests.

 

3.    The Council could decide not to list La Plata Wood as an Asset of Community Value, but this would mean that it was not fulfilling its statutory duty under the Localism Act 2011.

 

 

Wards affected: (All Wards);


28/06/2021 - Mental Health Small Grants Scheme ref: 1045    Recommendations Approved

Decision Maker: Community & Health Committee

Made at meeting: 28/06/2021 - Community & Health Committee

Decision published: 14/07/2021

Effective from: 28/06/2021

Decision:

 

The Mental Small Grants Scheme was created in partnership with the Health and Wellbeing Board to give Brentwood’s communities the opportunity to provide mental health initiatives in the Borough. Grants of up to £4,000 were available to not-for-profit individuals, organisations and groups for wellbeing projects delivered between 1 August 2021 and 31 March 2022. Projects must be delivered in the Borough and involve people with live experience in design planning and delivery.

 

Mrs Anderson was present at the meeting and summarised the report.

 

A motion was MOVED by Cllr Poppy and SECONDED by Cllr Tierney to approve the recommendations in the report.

 

Following discussion a vote was taken by a show of hands and it RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY to:

 

Agree to fund those projects highlighted in green as outlined in Appendix B out of the Mental Health Small Grants Scheme and Contain Management Fund allocations.   

 

 

Reasons for Recommendation

 

Each application has been subject to a robust, independent and transparent scoring process to ensure fairness in the allocation of funding.  Once reviewed, the applications were scored by a panel of officers including a representative from the Health and Wellbeing Board, considering the following key priorities:

·         Evidence that the bid meets the criteria, and the Health and Wellbeing Board expected outcomes

·         Evidence that the applicant has involved those with lived experience in the planning and delivery of the project.

·         Evidence that the bid has an effective monitoring system in place.

·         Evidence that the applicant has sought additional external funding or in-kind value (such as the use of volunteers) for the project

·         Evidence that the project is sustainable once the Mental Health Support Grant contribution has ceased.

 

 

 

Wards affected: (All Wards);