Spring 2020 www.harlow.gov.uk
A magazine about housing and your town
Inside:
Planting trees for Harlow
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Mental Health & Wellbeing
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Family Learning
Working together for Harlow
Protecting services, creating opportunity and improving quality of life in our town Councillor Mark Ingall, Leader of Harlow Council We have just agreed our budget for 2020 to 2021. For the seventh year in a row there will not be any cuts to Harlow Council services and there will be no job losses, which is some achievement for any council. There will be a small Council Tax increase from us. But, for an extra 9p a week for the average council taxpayer, we’ll continue to clean the streets, cut the grass, empty the bins and recycle your rubbish. Our Community Safety team will continue to keep you safe and our Environmental Health team will keep you healthy. The Playhouse will keep you entertained all year round. Your open spaces, parks and playgrounds will continue to be maintained.
Pets’ Corner will continue to thrive as will your town park. The carnival and fireworks night will be back and the street lights will continue to shine after midnight, every night.
We aimed to plant 1,000 trees in a year - we planted over 5,000 trees in two months! I asked residents to join in and do their bit and over 300 helped us.
There’s investment in your town’s future too, with a £12 million council housebuilding programme and £7.2 million for the Science Park Development.
We said we would eliminate the use of single-use plastics across our public sites by January 2020 – we also achieved this two months early in October 2019!
Our budget creates jobs, invests in services and delivers on your big priorities for Harlow.
There’s still more that we will do, but our pledges to tackle climate change in our town have started well.
We’re also delivering on our plans to improve the quality of life in our town by combating climate change head on.
Please continue to do what you can too.
Two pledges made last summer have already been met.
In this edition News in brief Housing annual report Your Councillors Which council does what?
2-3 7-14 20 21
5 First climate pledge met
Over 5,000 new trees planted
15 New services coming soon
Recycle more from 1 April
Cover: community tree planting day in East Park.
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16 Sit down
workouts
Exercises are changing lives
18 Local Plan explained
Planning Harlow’s future
harlow times · spring 2020 www.harlow.gov.uk
1
News in brief
Image courtesy of Slimming World, Harlow
Take the plastic pledge
We have joined forces with other councils to do our bit for the planet and we are encouraging residents to join us and ‘Love Essex Not Plastic’.
Local campaign is recognised at national awards
The Essex-wide 2020 campaign aims to tackle the amount of waste across the county by highlighting the issue of single-use plastic and urging households to switch to reusable options and recycle more.
The success of last year’s Harlow Spring Clean has been recognised at a national awards ceremony.
Last year 1,900 residents took part in the spring clean and helped clear litter from the streets and parks.
Throughout the year there will be easy swap ideas, such as ditching single-use plastic cups and switching to reusable ones instead.
The campaign was shortlisted for the Great British Spring Clean award at the Keep Britain Tidy annual network awards held in February.
This year’s spring clean takes place from 20 March to 13 April 2020. More than 50 groups have registered to take part.
If you want to help make a difference, take the Essex Plastic Pledge on the Love Essex website.
On the night the campaign didn’t win first place, but the town can be very proud of being a finalist in a national awards.
Don’t forget! British Summer Time begins at 1am on Sunday, 29 March. Make sure you put your clocks forward 1 hour.
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harlow times · spring 2020 www.harlow.gov.uk
Harlow Times is published quarterly by Harlow Council to keep you informed. This magazine is distributed by Royal Mail. In some areas where postcodes overlap the boundaries of Harlow and other councils, a small number of residents outside Harlow will also receive this magazine. We hope our residents will appreciate that this system of delivery is one of the most efficient and that our extra readers on the borders of the town will enjoy their complimentary copies and news about their nearest important town. Copyright for most images owned by Brian Thomas Photography (www.btphotography.co.uk) unless stated. Printed by Anchor Press Ltd., Harlow. © Harlow Council 2020. You may re-use this information (excluding logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence v2.0. To view this licence visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/2/ or email psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk Where we have identified any third-party copyright information, you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned. Any enquiries regarding this publication should be sent to Communications, Harlow Council, Civic Centre, The Water Gardens, Harlow, Essex CM20 1WG or email communications@harlow.gov.uk
News in brief
Harlow’s inspiring young people The outstanding educational progress of local young people was celebrated at the Harlow Educational Progress Awards held in December.
Ready to vote this May?
Over 80 young people from schools across Harlow were rewarded at the annual event which was held at the Harlow Playhouse. The awards recognise young people who have made significant progress in their education and a real contribution to their schools and community.
To vote in the Harlow Council and the Essex Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner elections on Thursday 7 May 2020, you need to be registered to vote. The last day to register is Tuesday 21 April 2020.
Awards for progress between different key stages were handed out, with Troy Thompson winning the overall award.
Residential parking improvements The first schemes to provide new much-needed modern size parking spaces have been completed. In September the council announced seven schemes to improve residential parking with the first two in Hookfield and Longfield now completed. Together, the schemes provide 23 extra parking spaces and a number of refurbished garages.
If you are not registered you can easily register online at GOV.UK. If you are registered you will receive your poll card between 2 and 7 April 2020. To register for a postal vote you must do so before 5pm on Wednesday 22 April 2020. If you wish to appoint a proxy to vote on your behalf, you must do so before 5pm on Wednesday 29 April 2020. If you require any of the above forms, please email registration@harlow.gov.uk or telephone 01279 446042. For more information please visit our register to vote page.
In total the seven improvement schemes will provide 80 extra unallocated bays in some areas where parking is a real problem for residents. harlow times ¡ spring 2020 www.harlow.gov.uk
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Budget 2020/21
What you get from Harlow Council Some of the things we do Harlow Playhouse Theatre
Day care at Leah Manning Centre Free-to-use paddling pools and splash park
Free street carnival and fireworks night
Free entry to Pets’ Corner and Harlow Museum & Gardens
Job opportunities and careers at the council
Free collection of old household electrical goods
Free separate nappy and incontinence waste collections
Community protection – targeting antisocial behaviour, town centre nuisance and enviro-crimes
Free one-hour parking in neighbourhood shopping centres and two hours’ free parking in the Town Park
Harlow Town Park – one of the biggest urban parks in the country
Street lighting kept on all night after midnight
Keep Safe – a free scheme to help people feel safer around town
Free multi-use games areas and playgrounds
Harlow Council’s budget for 2020/21 From 1 April 2020 there will be a 1.99% increase in Harlow Council’s share of your Council Tax bill.
As well as the increase, there will be:
For a band C home this is an extra 9p a week or £4.92 a year. This will generate us around £140,000 a year. 4
harlow times · spring 2020 www.harlow.gov.uk
No cuts to any services provided by Harlow Council. No redundancies as part of the budget plans. Harlow Museum funding, so it continues to be run and developed by us. A new, cheaper, all-yearround garden waste collection service.
We also bring in around £500,000 from commercial activities from HTS (Property & Environment) Ltd. This helps to protect and enhance services. Although Harlow Council collects your Council Tax we only keep £15 of every £100 collected. The rest is split between Essex Police, The Fire Service and Essex County Council. All three are also increasing their share of the Council Tax bill this year.
Plant a tree for Harlow
in Harlow
Tree target smashed! Over 5,100 trees have been planted in our town in just two months! This is all thanks to the efforts of residents, volunteers, groups, council staff and councillors. Back in July we pledged to plant 1,000 trees over the next year as part of a number of commitments to tackle climate change.
A total of 5,118 trees have been planted since the end of November with 4,203 trees planted as part of our Plant a Tree for Harlow scheme. A further 900 trees were planted by volunteers at Parndon Wood and Hospital and Risdens Woods and 15 trees in the Town Park. We plan to run more tree planting events later in the year.
harlow times ¡ spring 2020 www.harlow.gov.uk
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Housing Budget
£12m allocated for council housebuilding programme
Harlow’s housing budget for 2020 to 2021 has been approved which includes funding for the start of a £12 million housebuilding programme. The money will fund the building of 86 new council homes over the next few years, subject to planning permission. The budget also sees: • £5.5 million for further safety and compliance works including fire safety measures in council homes.
Rents to increase for council tenants
New housing charges from April 2020
For council tenants there will be a 2.7% increase for rents this year with the average rent from April 2020 being £92.28 a week.
• The average weekly service charge for tenants will be £2.79.
While rents will increase, it does mean that we can continue to protect services and invest in improving council homes. Our priority is to make sure that council homes are safe and pleasant places in which to live.
• £10 million on other improvements to existing council homes like new kitchens, new bathrooms, central heating systems and energy efficiency works.
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harlow times · spring 2020 www.harlow.gov.uk
• The average communal heating charges for tenants in supported housing will go up by 1p a week to £6.84 a week. • The rent for a standard garage will rise by 51p a week to £10.67.
Supporting rough sleepers The council has also successfully received more government funding to continue supporting rough sleepers. The number of people sleeping rough in Harlow has reduced thanks to the support and intervention in place.
• Communal heating charges for tenants will, on average, go down by 1p to £9.23 a week with leaseholders paying £18.19 a week.
The funding will be used to continue employing specialist support workers and providing services at Bromley Cottages. These cottages were renovated last year into supported accommodation for rough sleepers.
Housing Annual Report to Tenants and Leaseholders 2018/19
Tenant and Leaseholder Annual Report 2018/19
Welcome to your tenth Housing Annual Report from Harlow Council Last year’s annual report to tenants and leaseholders outlined the ongoing challenges being faced by the Housing service at Harlow. These challenges continue following the phase one report of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry being published. I have already put more resources into fire prevention and management and we are looking out for further outcomes from the public inquiry. Fire safety in council homes is something we take very seriously. We continue to review fire risk assessments annually and residents will be updated on what any national changes coming about as a result of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry mean for housing in Harlow. The council continues to perform well, however. We have received additional funding for homelessness and tackling rough sleeping. The Housing Revenue Account Business Plan continues to outline the short-, medium- and longterm priorities for the service together with the resources available, maximising capacity to the level of resources. I am grateful for the partnership working provided by HTS (Property and Environment) Ltd who support the business plan delivery. 1
Tenant and leaseholder surveys help to identify your perception of the services you use. The results of the surveys help us continue improving on service delivery.
•
The surveys also identify suggestions for enhancing customer access and contact, which are followed through actions plans and priorities.
Having fewer resources to meet our priorities will remain a challenge so we will continue to plan ahead. The priorities for housing and what is important locally are:
In 2018/19, the council also:
•
Making more housing available in Harlow, with a wider choice of housing types which are genuinely affordable.
•
Tackling the growing need for supported housing.
•
Helping to improve choices for those in housing need.
•
Improving residents’ health and wellbeing by improving housing conditions.
•
Improving housing standards with energyefficient, modern home facilities, tackling local priorities and statutory requirements.
•
•
•
Performed strongly in collecting rent and service charges and improved yearon-year turnaround times for empty properties. Helped residents manage their finances by raising awareness of the support available, working with other agencies to understand and manage the impact of Universal Credit. Celebrated six years of partnership with Essex County Council (ECC) in providing extra care housing at Sumners Farm Close for the frail, elderly and vulnerable. A new care provider, Agincare, has recently been procured by ECC; we are looking forward to working with them to provide high-quality services to the tenants at Sumners Farm Close.
Achieved a national accreditation award for our Careline scheme which offers security to our most vulnerable residents.
Councillor Mark Wilkinson Portfolio Holder for Housing
Tenant and Leaseholder Annual Report 2018/19
Involvement How did we do in 2018/19? The council continues to work with tenant and leaseholder representatives on crucial projects and gathers their feedback when making important decisions. Projects include monitoring the progress of the internal part of the Modern Homes Programme. After meeting the Decent Homes Standard in 2015, we aim to enhance and modernise homes for the future. We will monitor how money is spent on housing, help to improve working practices in line with Government changes and inspect empty homes before they are re-let. Work on the Rough Sleeper Initiative will continue, as will scrutiny of the leaseholder management fee and a review of statement of actuals, expenditures, invoices and estimate enclosers. The Housing service continues to strive to improve tenant and leaseholder satisfaction. Harlow Council’s biennial landlord survey showed that overall tenant satisfaction for 2018/19 was 88% (BMG independent survey). The annual leaseholder survey questionnaire showed overall satisfaction for 2018/19 was 71.43%. Local offers The Local Offers initiative was introduced as part of the Regulator of Social Housing Standards. This helps housing providers tailor their services to meet local priorities and needs.
Local offers for involvement • To continue to use the tenant and leaseholder engagement strategy to allow tenants and leaseholders to examine Harlow Council’s performance.
This will improve communication and increase involvement in decision making. • To continue to provide easy-tounderstand information for tenants and leaseholders, promoting awareness of the Housing service and providing opportunities to participate and provide feedback on future services. • To continue to increase the number of involved residents, especially people from hard-to-reach groups. • To continue to improve performance and satisfaction levels for involvement by establishing a successful tenant and leaseholder engagement model. • To continue to include residents on the Housing Standards Board, a body linked to the council’s decisionmaking structure. • To continue to run annual training programmes for interested tenants and leaseholders to gain a good understanding of current and future challenges faced by the council.
Our plans for the future • Further strengthen tenant and leaseholder engagement and awareness through the tenant and leaseholder engagement strategy, using social media to build stronger and more effective means of communication. • Continue to publish performance information which shows how well we do in getting more people involved and promoting awareness of the Housing service. • To continue to implement initiatives to help promote how the council engages with all tenants and leaseholders. • To conduct a biennial landlord survey to collect feedback from tenants of how satisfied they are with the Housing service.
Level of complaints for 2018/19 In its role as a housing provider with over 9,000 properties, each year the council undertakes over 600,000 housing transactions.
Complaints 2018/19: Housing Stage 1
197
Stage 2
27
Stage 3
15
Total 239
HTS Housing Stage 1
256
Stage 2
28
Stage 3
11
Total 295
2
Tenant and Leaseholder Annual Report 2018/19
Tenancy How did we do in 2018/19? Between April 2018 and March 2019 the council housed a total of 434 households: Band
Number
Band 1
156
Band 2
232
Band 3
30
Band 4
1
199 applicants were home seekers, 157 were transfers and 78 were homeless. 296 of these were placed in general needs properties, 55 in supported housing and 83 in housing association properties. Tenancy Enforcement Housing obtained 146 possession orders for nonpayment of rent. 17 tenants were evicted for nonpayment of rent. 4 tenants evicted for antisocial behaviour. 2 injunctions were obtained against tenants for antisocial behaviour. 3
Local offers for involvement • Provide tenants with options through the choice-based lettings scheme. • Make the best use of housing available through our allocations policy. Operate a clear housing application process including decisions and appeals. • Offer financial incentives and other support to tenants wishing to move to a smaller home. • Visit all new tenants within 21 days of the start of their tenancy. • Assess the type of support needed by new tenants and provide relevant advice and information. • Work within the regulatory framework when setting our rents. • Write to all tenants and leaseholders before increases in rents and/or service charges. • Produce a tenant handbook and regularly review to provide the information tenants want. • Assess all new tenants of supported housing within 24 hours of application. • Offer and issue the most secure form of tenancy compatible with housing and the sustainability of the community.
• Make sure the council has all the information about rent, service charges and any benefits residents may be entitled to when signing their tenancy agreement. • Provide debt advice and make sure that any action the council takes is fair and reasonable. Only where there is persistent nonpayment will the council proceed with enforcement action through the courts, in line with the ‘can’t pay won’t pay’ policy.
Our plans for the future • We will continue to let our homes in a fair, open and efficient manner. • Maintain good performance in income recovery. • Continue to help tenants manage their financial circumstances in line with the Welfare Reform Act including the implementation of Universal Credit. • We will seek to collect “customer insight” information to assist in improving future services. • We will continue to implement the Rough Sleeper Initiative for the second year, through a raft of interventions and partnership working.
• Meet all statutory requirements relating to the use of tenancy agreements. Ensuring antisocial behaviour and conditions of tenancy are managed and investigated in an efficient, effective and impartial manner. • To treat everyone equally - the rights of secure and introductory tenants are made as similar as possible. • Publish the rents of properties so that any prospective tenants can budget responsibly. • Provide support to help vulnerable tenants.
99.13%
The total percentage of due rent collected for 2018/19.
Tenant and Leaseholder Annual Report 2018/19
Leaseholders Local offers for involvement • Maintain a focus on controlling costs to leaseholders, while achieving and maintaining high standards of service. • Continue to ensure that the major works process meets the needs of leaseholders. • Improve the standard of information supplied to leaseholders about major works and monitoring communal repairs. • Continue and improve two-way communication with leaseholders through the standards panels, leaseholder forums, Harlow Times and other channels of communication. • Continue to deal with leaseholder enquiries and act on their concerns. • Carry out scrutiny on areas within the council and its subsidiary organisations that affect leaseholders.
Our plans for the future • To continue to improve value for money by annually reviewing the management fee, making savings where possible. • To encourage more leaseholders to pay by direct debit and increase the 77.50% that currently pay by this method. • To scrutinise the service provided by HTS and continue to review customer satisfaction on repairs and communal cleaning. • To review all leaseholder information to ensure any changes to current legislation is included. • To examine the feasibility of working with HTS to provide a repair and gas service to leaseholders at the Leasehold Standards Panel meeting.
99.28%
The total amount of annual service charge collected for 2018/19.
How did we do in 2018/19? 77.50% of leaseholders paid by direct debit. 4 complaints were received. 33 compliments were received. 71.43% overall satisfaction with the
council’s Home Ownership team.
74.51% leaseholder satisfaction (being
kept informed of issues that affect them).
160 leaseholders took advantage of the council’s prompt payment discount.
1,570 major works notices were served. 165 leaseholders have applied for a loan
from Harlow Council since the introduction of improved payment options. 4
Tenant and Leaseholder Annual Report 2018/19
Property How did we do in 2018/19? 96.80% satisfied with repairs. 100% satisfied with gas services. 81.82% satisfied with communal repairs.
Complaints - from April 2018 to March 2019: 50 MP and Councillor enquiries: 18 Repairs 2018/19 Bricklaying
451
Garage repairs
721
5
97
Carpentry
3,319
Door entry
96
Drainage
1,886
Electrical
4,109
Fencing
498
Glazing
300
Gas breakdown
7,946
Plumbing
7,656 541
Roofing
1,590
Garage roofing
128
Damp
208
Double glazing
149
UPVc windows
1,371
Environment/ refuse
2,363
Total
• Continue to improve the energy efficiency and sustainability of council homes.
• Continue to offer appointments for repairs.
100% satisfied with grounds maintenance.
Plastering
• Continue to invest in the Modern Homes Programme, ensuring homes are maintained at a decent level.
• Continue to provide a good service of repair and maintenance. Work with contractors and residents to improve customer satisfaction.
81.82% satisfied with street cleaning.
Minor adaptations
Local offers for involvement
33,429
Our plans for the future
• Meet all statutory and regulatory requirements, for example gas, electricity and water.
• Develop and deliver a sustainable programme of council house building.
• Continue to focus on environmental services, including mobile cleaning, street scene, caretaking and ground maintence.
• Continue to invest in the council’s Modern Homes Programme which improves the quality of homes and ensures all the council stock complies with the government’s Decent Homes Standard.
• Continue to invest in environment estate improvement works, parking, green spaces, street signage. • Continue to ensure all of the council’s high/low rise flat blocks remain safe and that changes to regulation requirements for fire safety are acted upon.
Council home improvements Number of properties: 1,604 Tenants who refused work: 99 Additional WC 19 Electric safety inspections 665 Heating distribution 213 Windows 227
16 days
Bathrooms 283 Gas boilers 402 Kitchens 211
Doors 53 The amount of time taken to turn around void properties.
• The External Works Programme will continue to deliver a comprehensive range of improvement works to properties across Harlow. • Continue to tackle fuel poverty with an ongoing commitment to the energy efficiency programme. This includes improving the thermal insulation of properties, installation of heat meters and refurbishment of all council-owned communal and district heating systems. • Refurbish and redevelop garage sites to improve parking and ease congestion within estates. Redevelopment of redundant sites to create additional off-street parking. • The lift refurbishment programme continues on all communal lifts within sheltered housing and flat/ tower blocks across the town. • Continued investment and programme of improving the quality of council-owned temporary accommodation stock.
Tenant and Leaseholder Annual Report 2018/19
Finance and value for money How did we do in 2018/19? - Local offers for finance • Continue to improve services and ensure value for money by learning from other housing providers and developing ways of comparing performance.
HRA year-end figures Expenditure 2018/19
• Carry out a quarterly progress review on the council’s performance. • Continue to provide an annual report to tenants and leaseholders. • Continue to provide information for tenants and leaseholders in Harlow Times.
Our plans for the future • Continue to monitor the quarterly performance and financial housing reports at the Housing Standards Board with tenant and leaseholder representatives. • To continue monitoring the Housing Revenue Account Business Plan to ensure it is sustainable and fit for purpose.
General management
£000’s 11,419
Special management 7,227 Repairs inc. insurance appropriations 10,304 Rents rates taxes and other charges 50 Provision for bad and doubtful debts 205 Supporting people transitional arrangements 5 Major repairs reserve (net depreciation) 10,362 Interest charges 6,695 9 Debt management expenses Revenue contribution to capital expenditure 3,950 50,226
Income
£000’s
Dwelling rents 42,908 Garage rents 965 Other rents 63 Charges for services and facilities 5,779 Interest receivable 139 49,854 Balance in hand at 1 April 2018 Surplus / (deficit) for year Balance in hand at 31 March 2019
14,103 -372 13,731 6
Tenant and Leaseholder Annual Report 2018/19
Give us your feedback... Your feedback is always welcome. Please complete the form below and return it to Zulfi Kiani-Mackintosh, Community Engagement Co-ordinator, Harlow Council, Civic Centre, The Water Gardens, Harlow, Essex CM20 1WG. Alternatively, you can call Zulfi on 01279 446330 or fill in an online feedback form at: www.harlow.gov.uk/housing-and-garages/tenant-and-leaseholder-engagement/annual-reporttenants-and-leaseholders. This document is also available in large print.
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What would you like to see next year? More information about how Housing Services is performing
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Recycling services
New services coming soon! So that you can recycle even more at home, from 1 April 2020 we are making changes to our garden waste collection services and introducing two new free services
Garden waste fee to go down The annual subscription cost for the premium service is reducing from £96 to £42 for the year.
There will be a one-off £30 set up fee for new customers. This will cover the cost of the bin or a year’s supply of bags. Homes that are unable to store a bin will be provided with compostable bags instead. You can sign-up or renew your subscription from 25 March 2020.
Free battery collections We are introducing a new free fortnightly collection for batteries*. Household batteries should be placed in a plastic bag or small cardboard box which is clearly labelled. AAA 6V
D
C
AA
9V
This should be placed out for collection alongside your bin or purple bags on your nonrecycling collection day only.
We also accept batteries from mobile phones and laptops. If the battery can’t be separated from the item you can book a free collection, using our bulky waste collection service. You can book collections online, or call Contact Harlow 01279 446655. Car batteries, industrial batteries and broken or leaking batteries are not accepted.
Residents who prefer to make bookings as and when needed will be able to buy a roll of 20 bags for £19 from the Civic Centre. Free bookings can then be made for collections.
Only bags bought from us can be used for this service. For more information visit our garden waste page.
Bank Holiday bin collections Easter bank holiday Normal date Fri
10/04/2020 Sat
We are providing a free bookable collection service for textiles. Items should be placed in a plastic bag, clearly labelled and put out by 7am on your chosen collection date. These items will be sorted and sent for recycling.
The service accepts most types of household textiles: paired shoes, belts, towels, cloths, pillow cases and sheets, handbags, coats, jackets, scarves and gloves, hats and curtains.
To book a collection visit: visit our bulky waste page. *Battery collections are available for houses only.
11/04/2020
Mon 13/04/2020 Tue 14/04/2020 Tue 14/04/2020 Wed 15/04/2020 Wed 15/04/2020 Thur 16/04/2020 Thur 16/04/2020 Fri
Fri
17/04/2020
17/04/2020 Sat 18/04/2020
May Day (VE Day) Normal date
Free textile collections
Revised date
Fri
Revised date
08/05/2020 Sat 09/05/2020
Late May bank holiday Normal date
Revised date
Mon 25/05/2020 Mon 26/05/2020 Tue 26/05/2020 Tue 27/05/2020 Wed 27/05/2020 Wed 28/05/2020 Thur 28/05/2020 Thur 29/05/2020 Fri
29/05/2020 Sat 30/05/2020
You can also check your bin collection dates online
harlow times · spring 2020 www.harlow.gov.uk
15
Your health and wellbeing
Improving lives through seated workouts New seated workouts, which support and motivate residents with physical exercise, are up and running at the Leah Manning Centre. With people aged 65 and older having the highest risk of falling, regular gentle exercises are proven to help improve mobility and prevent falls. Seated exercise sessions are run twice a week at the centre, led by council support workers Grainne and Louisa, who are also qualified instructors. Together they plan and deliver safe sessions, adapting each one for their clients’ needs.
“The exercises have made me feel that little bit stronger. My motivation is that I have difficulty getting up and down but that seems to be easing now” Kathleen
By taking part in a physical activity at least two days a week, older people can reduce their risk of falling by up to 30%. If you would like to receive information on strength and balance sessions in Harlow, email strengthandbalance@harlow.gov.uk The Leah Manning Centre is run by Harlow Council and provides a day service for older adults with a range of support needs. The centre aims to maximise independence and maintain skills for everyday living. For more information please visit our Leah Manning page.
Each session involves a range of exercises which are designed to build strength and keep the muscles, bones and joints strong; helping to improve balance and reduce the risk of falls. Falls and fractures are a common and serious health issue faced by older people in England as they can cause injury and distress, and a loss of confidence and independence.
16 harlow times · spring 2020 www.harlow.gov.uk
“I’ve noticed some improvements and it keeps the body in good trim”
Daphne
“It’s nice to be doing some exercises that I can do sitting down. I think you can get a bit stiff and not use your upper body”
Anne
Housing news
Keep children fire safe It is important to always be aware of the fire risks to your family members, especially your children. By following these simple guidelines you can help to keep them safe: • Keep matches, lighters and candles out of children’s sight and reach. • Never leave children alone in the home. • Keep your escape route clear of toys and other obstructions. • Don’t let children play with electrical items. Use plug guards in sockets and unplug appliances that children could trip over.
• Use child locks on cupboards that store anything that could be used to start a fire. • If you don’t have central heating, or prefer not to use it all the time, always use a childproof fire guard. Don’t let children play or leave toys near a heater or fire. • Discuss fire safety with your children and make a family escape plan so everyone knows what to do in the event of a fire. If you would like any further advice contact your Housing Officer by calling Contact Harlow on 01279 446655.
Forthcoming Events Spring 2020 Leaseholder Forum
Wednesday 25 March 2020 (For Harlow Council leaseholders only)
Registration at 6.30pm, forum starts at 7pm in the Council Chamber at the Civic Centre. Presentations: Housing Finance 2020 to 2021 annual update and major works. To attend you should either complete the form online email homeownership@ harlow.gov.uk or call 01279 446424 to confirm your attendance. Please note you will no longer receive a formal invite to future forums. Join the Market Place at the end of the forum where you can talk on a one-toone basis with the Home Ownership Team, Housing Officers, HTS (Property & Environment) Limited and Contact Harlow.
• Take care when cooking never leave children alone in the kitchen. Turn pan handles inwards to avoid them being knocked off.
Leasehold repairs and maintenance As a leaseholder you are responsible for all repairs inside your flat.
The exact responsibilities for repairs and maintenance may vary according to your lease.
We are responsible for maintaining the structure of your building and any communal areas with you contributing your share of these costs.
More information can be found in your leaseholder handbook. You can also call our Home Ownership Team on 01279 446424. harlow times · spring 2020 www.harlow.gov.uk
17
Planning Harlow’s future
Harlow’s local plan explained Harlow’s Local Plan is set to be adopted this summer. This follows its examination over the last year by a government appointed planning inspector. He’s agreed that the plan can move to the next stage, which involves public consultation on his modifications to the plan. It’s expected that his final report will be issued in early summer. You can read the latest on our website’s local plan section.
Why do we have to have a local plan? Developing the plan has been a government requirement since 2012, as a strategy to ensure that councils make provision for building the new houses the country needs, linked to the provision of land for jobs and the necessary infrastructure, as well as safeguarding the wider natural environment. The plan has been a hugely complex piece of work which we’ve committed significant resources to over the last 4 years.
What is “duty to cooperate”? Duty to cooperate is a government requirement. It’s designed to make neighbouring councils work together, so that local plans complement each other and the infrastructure needed to deliver the housing is provided. Harlow Council has cooperated with Epping Forest, East Herts, Essex and Hertfordshire councils as part of Harlow and Gilston Garden Town project.
What happens if councils do not meet government targets for housing or fails in its “duty to cooperate”? Planning would be taken out of the hands of the local council. Instead a local plan would be imposed upon that district by government. What are the benefits of the plan for Harlow? More housing to help those on Harlow’s housing needs register. Economic development bringing future growth and new jobs to the town. A better public transport system, and a thriving town centre.
18 harlow times · spring 2020 www.harlow.gov.uk
What has guided the development of the plan? We currently have over 4,000 families on Harlow’s housing needs register. We’ve set a housebuilding target in the plan which is above the minimum required by government. We’ve established a policy that requires 30% of new housing to be deemed as ‘affordable housing’ over the plan period, so as many homes as possible are made available to those on the register. We’ve pledged to preserve the garden town nature of Harlow by protecting the play areas, green wedges and the green fingers of Gibberd’s original design. So that new developments do not significantly increase congestion we are promoting sustainable public transport corridors to encourage people to leave their cars at home when travelling around town.
Where will new housing go? Most of the housing will be built east of Harlow. Because there is little land within Harlow, some housing will be built on sites like unused garages and redundant commercial buildings. Why are you building to the north, south and west of Harlow? Harlow Council is not building in these areas. These developments are in Epping and East Herts and will be part of the Harlow and Gilston Garden Town project. We’ve worked with Epping and East Herts to make sure that these developments extend the green wedges through them so that residents can still access the countryside.
Harlow and Gilston Garden Town
harlowandgilstongardentown.co.uk
@HGGTofficial
Harlow and Gilston was designated as a Garden Town by the Ministry for Homes, Communities and Local Government in January 2017. This is an exciting transformational growth and regeneration project, comprising new and existing communities in and around Harlow.
Harlow Enterprise Zone New Communities & Neighbourhoods New Public Travel Routes
Garden Town Objectives: • Building well designed homes in neighbourhoods created for communities
• Supporting town centre enhancements to create vibrant culture and thriving commerce
• Enabling businesses to grow and create jobs
• Delivering infrastructure and stewardship to support communities and neighbourhoods
• Enhancing green spaces and the natural environment • Revitalising existing and creating new walking/cycling infrastructure
• Supporting the arrival of Public Health England’s new world class science facility in Harlow and new jobs across the local area
• Developing a new integrated, quick, safe and affordable public transport system that connects the Garden Town
• Supporting the development of a new state-of-the-art hospital for the Garden Town harlow times · spring 2020 www.harlow.gov.uk
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Your Harlow Councillors Councillor Simon Carter Conservative
Harlow Council, Civic Centre, CM20 1WG Tel: 07900 256403 Email: mark.ingall@harlow.gov.uk
71 Mark Hall Moors, CM20 2NF Tel: 429443 Email: simon.carter@harlow.gov.uk
Councillor Eugenie Harvey Labour Harlow Council, Civic Centre, CM20 1WG Tel: 07966 014122 c/o
DEPUTY LEADER Email: eugenie.harvey@harlow.gov.uk
Councillor Jodi Dunne Labour
Councillor Andrew Johnson Conservative
Councillor Chris Vince Labour
Councillor Lanie Shears Labour
Councillor Mark Wilkinson Labour
188 Rivermill, CM20 1PA Tel: 07903 189211 Email: chris.vince@harlow.gov.uk
Councillor Tony Durcan Labour 329 Rundells, CM18 7HN Tel: 414357 Portfolio Holder Email: anthony.durcan@harlow.gov.uk
c/o Harlow Council,
Civic Centre, CM20 1WG Tel: 07906 870935
Portfolio Holder Email: lanie.shears@harlow.gov.uk
Mark Hall
330 Carters Mead, CM17 9HA Tel: 452252 Email: maggie.hulcoop@harlow.gov.uk
Councillor Danny Purton Labour c/o Harlow Council,
Civic Centre, CM20 1WG Tel: 07923 422747 Portfolio Holder Email: danny.purton@harlow.gov.uk
Councillor Jean Clark Labour
Councillor Bob Davis Labour
4 Rushmead Villas, CM20 2QE Tel: 423474 Email: jean.clark@harlow.gov.uk
5 Commonfields, CM20 3QE Tel: 300582 Email: bob.davis@harlow.gov.uk
Councillor Shannon Jezzard Labour
Councillor Michael Garnett Conservative
Councillor Stefan Mullard Labour
Harlow Council, Civic Centre, CM20 1WG Tel: 07850 861905 Email: shannon.jezzard@harlow.gov.uk
Brook House, Wyldwood Close, CM17 0JD Tel: 437401 Email: michael.garnett@harlow.gov.uk
312 Northbrooks, CM19 4DW Tel: 07951 401128 Email: stefan.mullard@harlow.gov.uk
56 Sakins Croft, CM18 7BP Tel: 07718 696429 Portfolio Holder Email: mark.wilkinson@harlow.gov.uk
Councillor Mike Danvers Labour 65 Tunnmeade, CM20 3HN Tel: 425934 / 07398 160081
Portfolio Holder Email: mike.danvers@harlow.gov.uk
Councillor Nancy Watson Labour
Old Harlow
c/o
Netteswell
Councillor David Carter Conservative
Councillor Emma Toal Labour
Councillor Maggie Hulcoop Labour
Councillor Joel Charles Conservative 86 Jocelyns, CM17 0BU Tel: 07752 096765 Email: joel.charles@harlow.gov.uk
Councillor Sue Livings Conservative
Harlow Council, Civic Centre, CM20 1WG Tel: 07908 518862 Email: nancy.watson@harlow.gov.uk
15 Seeleys, CM17 0AD Tel: 422339 Email: sue.livings@harlow.gov.uk
Councillor Russell Perrin Conservative
Councillor Phil Waite Labour
c/o
1 Spruce Hill, CM18 7SR Tel: 07740 407323 Email: phil.waite@harlow.gov.uk
c/o
Councillor Nick Churchill Conservative 215 Brockles Mead, CM19 4QA Tel: 621094 Email: nick.churchill@harlow.gov.uk
Toddbrook
Harlow Council, Civic Centre, CM20 1WG Tel: 312195 Email: russell.perrin@harlow.gov.uk
Sumners & Kingsmoor
78 Mallards Rise, CM17 9PL Tel: 865673 Email: shona.johnson@harlow.gov.uk
23 Greygoose Park, CM19 4JL Tel: 420340 Email: david.carter@harlow.gov.uk
Harlow Council, Civic Centre, CM20 1WG Tel: 07885 881255 Email: emma.toal@harlow.gov.uk
Councillor Tony Edwards Labour Harlow Council, Civic Centre, CM20 1WG Tel: 07544 374168 Email: tony.edwards@harlow.gov.uk c/o
Councillor Frances Mason Labour
Councillor Clive Souter Conservative CHAIR
Councillor Shona Johnson Conservative
78 Mallards Rise, CM17 9PL Tel: 865673 Email: andrew.johnson@harlow.gov.uk
227 Longbanks, CM18 7PB Tel: 07850 667900 Email: clive.souter@harlow.gov.uk
Harlow Council, Civic Centre, CM20 1WG Tel: 07517 992133 Email: frances.mason@harlow.gov.uk
c/o
Cabinet Members Councillor Mark Ingall - Leader of the Council Councillor Eugenie Harvey - Deputy Leader & Portfolio Holder for Community & Wellbeing Councillor Mike Danvers - Portfolio Holder for Resources Councillor Tony Durcan - Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth Councillor Danny Purton - Portfolio Holder for Environment Councillor Lanie Shears - Portfolio Holder for Governance, Equality and Diversity Councillor John Strachan - Portfolio Holder for Regeneration Councillor Mark Wilkinson - Portfolio Holder for Housing
Ward Surgeries:
Please contact your Ward Councillors for details of up-coming Ward Surgeries. For more information on who your Councillors are visit: www.harlow.gov.uk
20 harlow times ¡ spring 2020 www.harlow.gov.uk
Staple Tye
Harlow Common
Fullers End, Kingsdon Lane, CM17 9AB Tel: 445897 Email: tony.hall@harlow.gov.uk
Civic Centre, CM20 1WG Tel: 312195 Email: eddie.johnson@harlow.gov.uk
Harlow Council, Civic Centre, CM20 1WG Tel: 07464 719579 Email: jodi.dunne@harlow.gov.uk
c/o
VICE CHAIR
Councillor Tony Hall Conservative
c/o Harlow Council,
c/o
Little Parndon & Hare Street
Bush Fair
LEADER
Church Langley
c/o
Councillor Eddie Johnson Conservative
Great Parndon
Councillor Mark Ingall Labour
Councillor Michael Hardware Conservative 64 Great Brays, CM18 6DW Tel: 07775 925274 Email: michael.hardware@harlow.gov.uk
Councillor John Strachan Labour 100 Seymours, CM19 5NH Tel: 323656 / 07941 829965
Portfolio Holder Email: john.strachan@harlow.gov.uk
Essex County Councillors County councillors can help with services like libraries, transport, roads and highways, social care for adults and children, education and schools. Harlow North Councillor Michael Garnett Conservative Email: cllr.mike.garnett@essex.gov.uk
Harlow West Councillor Michael Hardware Conservative Email: cllr.michael.hardware@essex.gov.uk Harlow West Councillor Clive Souter Conservative Email: cllr.clive.souter@essex.gov.uk
Harlow South East Councillor Eddie Johnson Conservative Email: cllr.eddie.johnson@essex.gov.uk
Looking after Harlow
Which council does what? • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Abandoned vehicles Antisocial behaviour Bus station CCTV Council car parks * Council Tax and business rates collection Elections and electoral register Environmental health - noise/air pollution, food safety inspections, health and safety at work Events – town centre, fireworks and carnival Graffiti, flytipping, broken glass and litter Grass cutting and landscape maintenance Housing benefits Housing register Housing repairs ** Homelessness Licensing – taxi/private hire, alcohol and entertainment, animal establishments, street trading, gambling, houses in multiple occupation Parks, open spaces and allotments Picking up dead animals on the highway Planning and building control Playhouse, playgrounds and paddling pools Residential parking Sports pitches and multi-use games areas Stray dogs Street cleaning and emptying bins Supported housing Waste and recycling collections
www.harlow.gov.uk Phone 01279 446655
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Adoption and fostering Adult and children social care Births, ceremonies and deaths Blue badges Cycle tracks Disability support services Essex Outdoors Essex Record office Gritting of main roads Household Recycling Centre (the tip) Libraries Pavement repairs Potholes Road safety Schools and adult learning School transport Street lights Trading standards Traffic information Traffic lights, traffic signs and bollards Transport – buses and bus passes Underpasses Youth service
www.essex.gov.uk www.essexhighways.org Phone: 0345 743 0430 * Parking enforcement is carried out by the North Essex Parking Partnership. Please call 01206 282316 ** Council housing repairs are carried out by HTS (Property & Environment) Limited. Please call 01279 446666
harlow times · spring 2020 www.harlow.gov.uk
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What’s on in Harlow
Discover Harlow this spring Here’s a selection of events and activities taking place in Harlow this spring. For more information visit www.harlow.gov.uk/events Various Easter family events: Sat 4 April, 11.30am-2.30pm Thur 9 April, 10am-12noon Thur 9 April, 10.30am-12.30pm Sat 11 April, 11.30am-2.30pm Tue 14 April, 10am-12.30pm
Jazz Evening Friday 19 June 6.30pm-10pm
Get ready to line the streets!
Beer Festival by CAMRA Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 June 2020 12noon-8pm
Sunday 28 June 2020
Harlow Museum and Walled Gardens
Gibberd Gallery
Harlow Museum and Walled Gardens www.harlow.gov.uk
Tuesdays and Thursdays 9.30am-3.30pm Saturdays 11am-3.30pm Exhibition: ‘Made In Harlow’ Women who influenced change in the town FREE Until 18 April Essex Book Festival events Saturday 21 March
Facing Forward FREE Until 5 April Portraits painted by Lorna Brown, Martyn Burdon, Corrina Dunlea, Jon Farningham, Caroline Lumb and John Sellings, with sculpture by Christy Symington each artist with a very different approach to portraiture.
Harlow Town Park Events www.harlow.gov.uk
Harlow parkrun FREE Every Saturday 9am Before your first run, register: www.parkrun.org.uk/harlow Harlow junior parkrun FREE Every Sunday from 9am Before your first run, register: www.parkrun.org.uk/harlow Social Strollers FREE Friday 13 March and Saturday 14 March 10am-11.30am Meet at the Greyhound car park. Town Park volunteers FREE Every Thursday 10am-2pm Meet at entrance to the Walled Garden. For more information about volunteering in the park contact Mike Levett on 01279 446834 mike.levett@harlow.gov.uk
Route to be announced
Parndon Wood Nature Reserve 01279 430005 info@ecco.org.uk www.ecco.org.uk
Town Centre events
Harlow Makers Market Saturday 28 March, 11 July, 26 September and 5 December 2020 11am-4pm Market Square.
Twinkle & Snug Saturday 21 March and 11 April Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea Sunday 22 March
The Gibberd Garden Marsh Lane
Spring Trail 8, 9, 10, 12, 15 and 16 April
www.thegibberdgarden.co.uk Easter Trail Sunday 12 April, 2pm-6pm
Bug Hunting Afternoon Friday 17 April
Art and the New Town 23 April, 28 May, 11 June Cultural tour.
Sunset Sessions Saturday 9 May
harlow playhouse C R E AT E
ENJOY
FOR ALL
The Wizard of Oz Friday 3 April 2020 to Tuesday 7 April 2020 Join Dorothy as she goes on a magical adventure to the land of Oz. Along the way she makes new friends with the Scarecrow who longs for a brain, the Tin Man who really wants a heart, and the very cowardly Lion who is desperate to be brave and have some courage. We are giving away a family ticket (four tickets) for the performance on Monday 6 April 2020 at 6pm. Email your name, address and telephone number* to kirstie.brough@harlow.gov.uk (one entry per household). The entry deadline is Friday 27 March 2020. After this date the winner will be randomly selected. *For more information on how we collect, use, process and protect personal information please contact Harlow Playhouse.
Box Office 01279 431945
www.harlowplayhouse.co.uk
Event information correct at time of going to press. Please check times, dates and prices by calling the relevant contact number or visiting their website.
Competition TIME!
01279 446404 gallery@harlowarttrust.org.uk www.gibberdgallery.co.uk The Gibberd Gallery is based at Harlow Civic Centre and is open to the public Monday to Friday 9am-4.45pm and Saturdays 11am-4pm. Closed on Bank Holidays. 20 x 20 Harlow Open FREE Until 4 April The Harlow Open is an established exhibition that showcases and encourages the talent of Harlow and beyond. Participants were invited to submit entries in any medium that measured 20cm x 20cm (x 20cm for sculptural work). There were a record number of entries, all of which you can enjoy in the Gibberd Gallery until Saturday 4 April.
The Gallery at Parndon Mill Off Elizabeth Way Harlow CM20 2HP 01279 426042 info@parndonmill.co.uk www.parndonmill.co.uk
