URL: https://brentwood.moderngov.co.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=1303

Decision Maker: Council

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose: To receive a report which sets out the Councils submission of an expression of interest, following a call for evidence, to the new towns taskforce.

Content: The New Towns Taskforce is an independent expert advisory panel established in September 2024 to support the government to deliver the next generation of new towns. The Government website states –   ‘the primary objective of the new towns programme is to create new and expanded places and thereby boost economic growth and the supply of new homes – spreading opportunity and supporting strong communities’.   A call for evidence was issued by the new towns taskforce in November 2024. This report provides details of the Expression of Interest that was submitted jointly by Brentwood, Basildon, Thurrock and Essex County Council.   Cllr Aspinell MOVED and Cllr Davies SECONDED the recommendations in the report.   Cllr Russell MOVED an AMENDMENT which was SECONDED by Cllr Barber to withdraw from the Expression of Interest.   Following a debate on the amendment, a recorded vote was requested by Cllr Hirst in agreement with Cllrs Barber; Russell; Poppy; Chinnery and Patel.    FOR: Cllrs: Baldock, Barber, Chinnery, Gelderbloem, Gibson, Gordon, Hirst, Marsh, McCheyne, Murphy, Parker, Patel, Poppy, Pound, Russell and Sunger (16)   AGAINST: Cllrs: Laplain, N Cuthbert, Aspinell, G Barrett, Dr Barrett, M Cuthbert, Davies, Fulcher, Gorton, Haigh,  Jerrard, Kendall, Lewis, Mayo, Mynott, Rigby, Sankey and Worsfold (18)   The AMENDMENT was LOST.    Following a debate on the substantive recommendations, a recorded vote was requested by Cllr Barber in agreements with Cllrs Hirst, Poppy, Chinnery, Gelderbloem and Sunger.    FOR:  Cllrs: Laplain, N Cuthbert, Aspinell, G Barrett, Dr Barrett, M Cuthbert, Davies, Fulcher, Gorton, Haigh,  Jerrard, Kendall, Lewis, Mayo, Mynott, Rigby, Sankey and Worsfold (18)   AGAINST: Cllrs: Baldock, Barber, Chinnery, Gelderbloem, Gibson, Gordon, Hirst, Marsh, McCheyne, Murphy, Parker, Patel, Poppy, Pound, Russell and Sunger (16)   The recommendations were RESOLVED:   R1. That the Council notes the joint Expression of Interest which was submitted as part of the new towns taskforce call for evidence.   R2. That the Council confirms the position expressed in the joint submission to the New Towns Taskforce that it is on the condition if a new town is taken forward it must contribute towards local housing need targets, as set out in the NPPF.

Date of Decision: July 23, 2025