The Council will receive the Returning Officer’s Report on the by-election held on 6 February 2025 in The Bentleys & Frating Ward.

(REPORT IS TO FOLLOW)

The Returning Officer (Ian Davidson) reported that the result of the by-election held in The Bentleys & Frating Ward of the District on 6 February 2025 had been as follows:-

The Returning Officer informed Council that therefore Aimee Louise Keteca had been duly elected a Councillor for The Bentleys & Frating Ward of the District of Tendring and that she had made a Statutory Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

Members congratulated Councillor Keteca with a round of applause.

Council noted the foregoing.

The Council is asked to note any apologies for absence received from Members.

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Doyle and Ferguson.

The Council is asked to approve, as a correct record, the minutes of the ordinary meeting of the Council held on 21 January 2025.

It was moved by Councillor M E Stephenson and:-

RESOLVED that the minutes of the ordinary meeting of the Council held on 21 January 2025 be approved as a correct record and be signed by the Chairman.

Councillors are invited to declare any Disclosable Pecuniary Interests, Other Registerable Interests of Non-Registerable Interests, and the nature of it, in relation to any item on the agenda.

The Monitoring Officer reminded Members that she and the Section 151 Officer had circulated, by email on 5 February 2025, their annual joint guidance and advice on a number of matters relating to interests and voting on the annual budget and setting of Council Tax and, especially, the requirements of section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992. The Monitoring Officer read out the contents of that email as follows:-

“Tendring District Council adopted the LGA Model Members’ Code of Conduct which does not include the provisions confirming Members do not have a declarable interest which relates to the function of setting the Council Tax under the Local Government Act 1992.  Therefore, to enable you to debate and vote on the budget item to set the Council Tax, this email provides all District Councillors with a dispensation under Section 33(2)(a) to (e) of the Localism Act 2011, which I will refer to at the meeting on Tuesday, and its contents will be recorded within the minutes.  Consequently, you will not be required to declare an interest based on the fact you live in the District and therefore have to pay Council Tax.

However, Members are importantly reminded of section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, which provides that any Member, who is in arrears by at least 2 months with their Council Tax payments cannot vote on matters concerning either the level of or administration of Council Tax.  It is important to note that this also covers Council Tax liabilities outside of the district and property which may not be your main residence.  If present at the meeting, a Member to whom this provision applies must disclose the fact and may speak on the item, but cannot vote.  Non-compliance with this section is a criminal offence.  Therefore, should this provision apply to any Member, this should be declared at the Declarations of Interest agenda item.

In 2014, the Government passed The Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2014 making it mandatory for councils to amend their Standing Orders so as to include provisions requiring recorded votes at budget meetings.  I can confirm that the Constitution reflects this requirement and the Council’s Procedure Rules state at 19.5:

“A recorded vote is mandatory on any decision relating to the budget or Council Tax.  This includes not only on the substantive budget motions agreeing the budget and setting Council taxes, but also on any amendments proposed at the meeting.”

For other types of Interests, which need to be considered, Disclosable Pecuniary Interests (DPIs), Other Registerable Interests (ORIs) or Non-Registerable Interests are defined in the Code of Conduct and for DPIs & ORIs, these have been (or should have been) registered in advance, and with the exception of the Council Tax emption for residing in the District, you should still consider if any other interests do apply.  A blanket exemption/dispensation has not been applied for all.”

Councillors P B Honeywood and S A Honeywood each declared a Non Registerable Interest  ...  view the full minutes text for item 105.

The Council is asked to note any announcements made by the Chairman of the Council.

There were no announcements made by the Chairman of the Council on this occasion.

The Council is asked to note any announcements made by the Chief Executive.

Change in membership of the Reform UK Group

The Chief Executive formally reported that, following the meeting of the Council held on 21 January 2025 and pursuant to Regulation 9(b) of the Local Government (Committees and Political Groups) Regulations 1990, Councillor Michael Bush had served formal notice on the Council that he wished to be treated as a member of the Reform UK political group. That notice had been duly counter signed by the Leader of the Reform UK Group (Councillor Jeff Bray).

Councillor Keteca – Membership of the Reform UK Group

The Chief Executive further formally reported that, following the by-election in The Bentleys & Frating Ward on 6 February 2025 and pursuant to Regulation 9(b) of the Local Government (Committees and Political Groups) Regulations 1990, Councillor Aimee Keteca had served formal notice on the Council that she wished to be treated as a member of the Reform UK political group. That notice had been duly counter signed by the Leader of the Reform UK Group (Councillor Jeff Bray).

He reminded Members that, under Section 15(1)(e) of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 and Regulation 17(c) of the Local Government (Committees and Political Groups) Regulations 1990, a review of the allocation of seats to political groups would be carried out. The results of that review would be reported to Council on 25 March 2025.

Devolution and LGR

The Chief Executive reported that the Government had included Greater Essex in its priority programme for Devolution and local government reorganisation. The interim plan had to be submitted by the Upper Tier Authorities to Government by 21 March 2025 with detailed proposals required by 26 September 2025.

The Essex County Council elections due to have been held in May 2025 had been held postponed until May 2026 when it was anticipated that the election for the Mayor of Greater Essex would be held.

The Chief Executive informed Council that more details would be provided at a forthcoming All Members’ Briefing and that information on Devolution and LGR would be disseminated to town and parish councils and TDALC.

Council noted the foregoing.

The Council is asked to note any statements made by the Leader of the Council. 

Councillors may then ask questions of the Leader on his statements.

There were no statements made by the Leader of the Council on this occasion.

The Council is asked to note any statements made by Members of the Cabinet (Portfolio Holders).

Councillors may then ask questions of the Portfolio Holders on their statements.

Councillor Kotz, Portfolio Holder for Assets and Community Safety

“Members in this Chamber will be aware that the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex announced recently that due to budgetary pressures and an announced shortfall of £5.3million that he was proposing to cut the Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) posts across the County.

The Police have been effective at reducing crime across Essex and the PCSOs have been integral to that ongoing reduction.

At the Cabinet meeting on 31 January, it was suggested that the Council write to the Commissioner of our concern of the loss of our PCSOs and how important they are in keeping our community safe.

Later that same day the Government announced £100million of extra funding for policing nationally and Essex’s share of this funding is £2.3miilion. Subsequently, the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex has said that this extra funding along with other measures will help bridge the shortfall.

A new budget has been put in place which is designed to retain PCSOs in Essex. I invite Members to note the 5.66% council tax precept increase, which equates to £13.95 million per year, put forward by the PFCC and that this along with the extra funding from Government means that PCSOs across Essex and importantly in Tendring will be retained alongside maintaining other provision.

The use of the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee funding still needs to be approved by the Home Office and there is some confidence that the requirements attached to this funding will be met.

Pay constitutes 81% of the Police budget and there are some cuts proposed to staffing of non-critical roles and also to allowances. However, there will be no backfilling by front line Officers to cover any vacancies which occur.

Members will no doubt support the proposal to retain the PCSOs in Tendring who play a crucial role engaging with residents and the public, undertaking reassurance patrols and vulnerability visits. Their support at community events helps the smooth running of activities in the District for the benefit of our population and visitors. They are invaluable in supporting the Council’s Community Ambassadors and Anti-Social Behaviour Officers.”

Councillor Kotz then responded to questions and points put to him by Councillors Platt, Harris and Turner.

Councillor Placey, Portfolio Holder for Partnerships

Councillor Placey reminded Members that the 9^th Tendring Youth Awards were now open to nominations. Those awards spotlighted amazing accomplishments by young individuals in the age range of 5 – 21 years who lived, studied or worked in the District. Award categories covered included ‘Young Lifesaver’; ‘Community Improvement’; ‘Environment Initiative’; and the ‘Unsung Hero’ for adults who supported young people. The categories recognised achievements in academics, inspirational caring, community work, and environmental efforts etc. Nominations could be for an individual or for a group and anybody could submit a nomination. Details were on the Council’s website.

Councillor Placey also sought volunteers to join the committee for the Tendring Youth Awards at its AGM which would be held at the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 109.

To present to Council the Executive’s General Fund budget proposals for 2025/26.

Earlier on in the meeting, as detailed under Minute 105 above, Councillors P B Honeywood and S A Honeywood had each declared a Non Registerable Interest in relation to this item insofar as they had a family member who was a customer of Careline. Having previously consulted the Council’s Monitoring Officer, those Councillors remained in the meeting and took part in the Committee’s discussions on this agenda item.

Further to Minute 116 of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 31 January 2025, the Council considered the Executive’s General Fund budget and Council Tax proposals for 2025/26.

Members noted that, as highlighted in the report to Cabinet on 31 January 2025, the following adjustments had been outstanding at that time, which had now been reviewed / finalised for inclusion within the final budget proposals as necessary:

1.   recharges between the GF and HRA;

2.   income from Business Rates;

3.   changes emerging from the Final Local Government Finance Settlement and / or other grants / funding, which would include the final position in respect of the proposed reimbursement of the increased national insurance costs that was set out within Appendix B; and

4.   any impact from proposed fees and charges.

Council was made aware that, in respect of item 3. above, the Final Local Government Finance Settlement was still awaited. A recommendation had therefore been included within the report to enable the budget to be updated accordingly once confirmation was received.

Members were informed that the updated forecast for 2025/26, including the changes above, was set out in Appendix A. The forecast deficit for 2025/26 of £0.056m, that had been reported to Cabinet on 31 January, had been revised to an overall net surplus of £0.839m. This change had been largely due to the final figures associated with income from business rates. This had therefore negated the need to draw money down from the Forecast Risk Fund, and instead a contribution of a corresponding amount to the same fund was proposed.

It was reported that Appendices B and C set out the Net Savings and Cost Pressures respectively. Those remained unchanged from the same appendices considered by Cabinet on 31 January 2025.

Council noted that, as recommended by Cabinet on 31 January 2025, the Executive’s budget proposals set out a Band D Council Tax of £199.52 in 2025/26, an increase of 2.99% (£5.79), with a Council Tax requirement of£10.674m.

Members were advised that, taking into account the changes to the budget required since Cabinet had met on 31 January 2025, the total net General Fund revenue budget for 2025/26 was £17.660m, along with a General Fund capital programme totalling £0.827m.

It was felt that the proposed contribution to the forecast risk fund in 2025/26 as highlighted above provided additional financial flexibility when looking ahead to 2026/27 and beyond.

Within that context it was acknowledged that the Council needed to maximise the time that the Forecast Risk Fund provided, to identify and deliver the necessary savings to continue to support long  ...  view the full minutes text for item 110.

To present to Council the Executive’s Housing Revenue Account (HRA) budget proposals for 2025/26 (including fees and charges, capital programme and movement in HRA Balances).

Earlier on in the meeting, as detailed under Minute 105 above, Councillor Bray had declared an Interest in relation to this item insofar as he was a housing tenant of Tendring District Council. He thereupon withdrew from the meeting whilst Council considered this item and reached its decision thereon.

Further to Minute 119 of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 31 January 2025, the Council considered the Executive’s Housing Revenue Account (HRA) budget proposals for 2025/26 (including fees and charges, capital programme and movement in HRA balances).

Members noted that there had only been a very limited number of changes since Cabinet had met on 31 January 2025, which had been reflected in Appendices A to E as necessary. The outcome of the changes required was a reduced deficit of £1.043m in 2025/26 compared with the figure of £1.131m reported to Cabinet on 31 January. It was proposed to fund this estimated deficit by calling on money from HRA balances as an alternative to potentially reducing expenditure.

Council was made aware that, as has been the case in previous years, the use of reserves struck a necessary balance of ‘protecting’ the investment in tenants’ homes whilst recognising the need to use reserves to respond to the on-going financial challenges that the Council continued to face. It was however recognised that this was not a sustainable long-term solution, but it enabled the Council to meet its key priorities in the immediate term, which could be revisited as part of the HRA Business Plan in future years.

Members were aware that the above challenge was recognised within Cabinet’s current initial highlight priorities for 2025/26.

It was reported that, for 2025/26, the Executive’s budget proposals set out an increase in dwelling rents of 2.7% along with a total HRA expenditure budget of £18.592m (net of indirect income / expenditure)and a capital programme totalling £5.106m.

The 2.7% increase in dwelling rents resulted in an average weekly rent of £103.49 in 2025/26 (£100.89 in 2024/25).

Council was informed that Appendix C set out the proposed fees and charges for 2025/26, which broadly reflected inflationary uplifts of 2.7% where relevant or other inflationary changes to better reflect the cost of providing the associated service.

The proposed budget reflected the continued repayment of debt, with the total level of existing debt falling from £32.535m to £31.120m at the end of 2025/26.

The HRA general balance was forecast to total £2.683m at the end of 2025/26, which retained a strong financial position against which the associated HRA 30 Year Business Plan could continue to be delivered / developed.

Members recognised that the HRA balances, together with the proposed rent increase for 2025/26 were important elements of delivering a financially sustainable HRA in the longer term and that the HRA Business Plan and proposed budget played a significant role in the delivery of affordable and decent housing in the District and the Council’s responsibilities as a landlord had direct implications for the Council's ability to deliver  ...  view the full minutes text for item 111.

The Council will consider any urgent matters submitted in accordance with Council Procedure Rules 2(viii), 11.3(b) and/or 13(p).

No urgent matters had been submitted in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 2(viii) for this meeting.