Agenda and minutes

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

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Callender, Cossens, Gray, Miles and Watling MP.

The Council will receive the Returning Officer’s Report on the by-election held on 15 February 2018 in the St Pauls Ward.

The Returning Officer reported that, at the by-election in the St Pauls Ward of the District, held on 15 February 2018, Susan Anne Honeywood had been duly elected as a Councillor, for the St Pauls Ward of the District of Tendring.

The Returning Officer also formally reported to Council that Councillor Honeywood had since made a Statutory Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

Councillor Honeywood had also given notice that she wished to be treated as a member of the Conservative Group for the purposes of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989. That notice had been counter-signed by the Deputy Leader of the Conservative Group, Councillor G V Guglielmi.

The Chairman of the Council welcomed Councillor Honeywood on her re-election to the Council.

Members congratulated Councillor Honeywood with a round of applause.

The Council noted the foregoing.

The Council is asked to approve, as a correct record, the minutes of the Council Meeting held on Tuesday 6 February 2018.

RESOLVED, that the minutes of the ordinary meeting of the Council, held on Tuesday 6 February 2018, be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Councillors are invited to declare any disclosable pecuniary interests, or other interest, and the nature of it, in relation to any item on the agenda.

Agenda Item 16 – Motions to Council – Staging Road Motor Rally and Racing Events in Towns and Villages in the District of Tendring

Councillor White declared a personal non-pecuniary interest in this item insofar as the Rotary Club of Clacton-on-Sea (of which he was a member) had been asked by the Chelmsford Motor Club who were the organisers of the proposed motor rally event in the District to run the car park at West Road, Clacton-on-Sea for the weekend of April 21^st and 22^nd 2018.

Later on in the meeting Councillor Porter declared an interest in this item insofar as he was also a member of the Chelmsford Motor Club.

Agenda Item 18 – Motions to Council – Highways Repairs Arrangements

Councillors I J Henderson, P B Honeywood, G V Guglielmi and Platt each declared an interest in this item insofar as they were also Members of Essex County Council who were the highways authority.

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

Indian Banquet – “A Taste of Bollywood” – held at The Kingscliff Hotel, Holland-on-Sea

The Chairman thanked those Members who had attended the above event and for their donations to the charity, TeenTalk.

Pride of Tendring Awards

The Chairman thanked all those who had participated in the Awards evening and, in particular, he thanked those members who served on the advisory panel that had put the awards evening together.

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

Formation of the Tendring Independents Group

The Chief Executive formally reported that, on 26 March 2018, Councillors Lis Bennison, Mike Bush, Mark Stephenson and Ted Whitmore, pursuant to Regulation 8 of the Local Government (Committees and Political Groups) Regulations 1990, had served formal notice on the Council that they wished to be treated as a political group. The name of the political group was Tendring Independents Group. The Leader of the Tendring Independents Group was Councillor Stephenson and Councillor Bush was the deputy Group Leader.

Councillor John Brown

The Chief Executive also formally reported that, pursuant to Regulation 10(b) of the Local Government (Committees and Political Groups) Regulations 1990, Councillor John Brown had served formal notice on the Council that he no longer wished to be treated as a member of the UKIP political group.

Clinical Commissioning Group Governing Body Meeting

The Chief Executive informed Council that, accompanied by the Health and Education Portfolio Holder (Councillor McWilliams), he had that day attended a meeting of the Governing Body of the local Care Commissioning Group (CCG). One of the papers discussed at that meeting was a proposal to align together three CCGs. In conjunction with representatives from Colchester Borough Council, he and Councillor McWilliams had expressed deep concerns about that proposal. Those concerns had included –

(1)  the determinants of health were not all about health;

(2)  a diminution of the Council’s positive relationship with the CCG and its understanding of the locality leading to a dilution of the Council’s interaction at CCG level and a loss of influence;

(3)  health issues in north Essex need a particular focus and understanding;

(4)  the powers and appointment process for the proposed joint committees;

(5)  further alignment was not clearly defined and no financial implications had been identified; and

(6)  the ‘footprint’ of north Essex is complex and this would only complicate it further.

As a result the Chief Executive informed Council that the report had been deferred.

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 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.

The Portfolio Holder for Corporate Enforcement (Councillor Nicholls) responded to recent media reports and made a statement in regards to car parking fees and confirmed that a public reassurance had been given that off-street car parking charges in Tendring were not set to rise.

The Council will receive the annual State of the Tendring District Statement from the Leader of the Council.

The Council received the Annual State of the Tendring District Statement from the Leader of the Council (Councillor Stock OBE) as follows:-

“I realise that the annual State of Tendring statement is not necessarily the highlight of the municipal year so this I am going to do it a little differently. Instead of hearing my take on how things are I am going to give you an entirely independent view.

As all Members will be aware we recently had an Local Government Association Peer Review.

The Peer Review Team visited Tendring during the 6th to 9th March. The team consisted of a senior Councillor, Chief Executive and senior managers from other Councils. A number of sessions and discussions were held with our Councillors, officers and external partners.  They spoke to in excess of 90 people and had more than 30 meetings. Even though the team was only with us for a short period of time, I was impressed by how quickly and how well they got to know us. It did not take them very long at all to understand who we are, what we are and what we are aiming to achieve.

At the end of the visit the Team gave an overview of their feedback, key messages and recommendations. A copy of the full feedback report has been circulated to every Member this evening.

So allow me to quote directly from that report.

“Tendring District Council (TDC) is having a significant and positive impact right across its district. The Leader, Deputy Leader and Chief Executive are passionate and well informed about the area, its local context and challenges. Managers and staff are also committed to TDC. They are well engaged and recognise that the Council has been on a cultural journey which is now leading to improvements.

TDC as a council has made huge strides since 2010. It has become more outwardly focused and is now an effective community leader. It is a member of the key decision making bodies in its area. It is acting as a catalyst for more effective and joined up public services and it is holding other service providers to account. One of the key messages to emerge from this peer challenge is that TDC is even better than the story it is telling about itself. It is understating its achievements to residents and other stakeholders. Being clearer from the outset about desired outcomes will help it to tell the story of its achievements and successes in the district. 

Political leadership within TDC is strong. The Leader has made a conscious effort to involve all Members. Cabinet and individual portfolio holders take a proactive approach to leading on the major strands of the policy agenda. Member and officer relationships are good. Members are engaged and well briefed on issues. They value the informal “all member briefings” that take place each month as well as the other opportunities to be involved. Members have taken a political decision to support a boundary review which has  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

The Council will consider any petition(s) received in accordance with the Scheme approved by the Council.

There are none on this occasion.

There were none on this occasion.

Subject to the required notice being given, members of the public can ask questions of the Leader of the Council, Portfolio Holders or Chairmen of Committees.

The Chairman shall determine the number of questions to be tabled at a particular meeting in order to limit the time for questions and answers to half an hour.

Three questions have been received on notice from members of the public.

Subject to the required notice being given, members of the public could ask questions of the Leader of the Council, Portfolio Holders or Chairmen of Committees.

The following questions had been received, on notice, from members of the public:

Question One

From Mary Nolan of Stones Green to Councillor Stock OBE, Leader of the Council:

“I am a retired pensioner and I live on the Stones Green 'red route' of the proposed Tendring Motor Rally.  It is not clear that the MSA insurance policy sent to me for perusal covers damage to me or my property, as promised by the event organisers.  It would appear to be a standard business insurance for professional indemnity against their negligence, not for speeding competition driver error.  In fact, the drivers are required by organiser to sign disclaimers for any accident or damage and they have no requirement at all to be insured on the competition routes where they will be speeding. This, despite European directive that the 'VNUK' law should be applied and that they should now in fact have cover for all circumstances.  Claiming from the MSA in the event of a competitor accident does not therefore appear to be possible when the drivers are all but uninsurable when speeding along the red routes.

Given that the Council has a duty of care to its residents, how does the Council plan to protect property from damage and from future substantially increased insurance premiums for the significantly higher risk of living on a racing track, other than to ensure that the event does not go ahead?”

Question Two

From Caroline Lindsay of Little Oakley to Councillor Stock OBE, Leader of the Council:

“I strongly believe that there is a very grave national security concern surrounding the staging of the Tendring rally event on the 22nd April or similar events that follow in the future.  Neither the drivers nor the marshals are required to be criminal or mental health checked and anyone can enrol as a marshal with an hour's online training and no formal identification. The policing will largely be taken on by these lay people.  A car could easily be maliciously driven at high speed into the crowds by an aberrant driver on the day.

Given that the Council has a duty of care to its residents, how does the Council plan to fully protect them from malicious attack other than to ensure that the event does not go ahead?”

Question Three

From Neil O’Hare of Little Oakley to Councillor Stock OBE, Leader of the Council:

“I am concerned about the safety controls for this event in relation to the marshalling of the event. I presume there is a Risk Assessment that the organisers have provided for the rally, in order for this to be "Suitable and Sufficient" the Risk Assessment would, I expect, include the minimum number of marshals required to safely police the event, their locations, duties and level of qualification required. As the event is stretched over a considerable  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

The Council will consider a motion, notice of which has been given by Councillor Bush, pursuant to Council Procedure Rule 12.

Councillor White had earlier in the meeting declared a personal non-pecuniary interest in this item insofar as the Rotary Club of Clacton-on-Sea (of which he was a member) had been asked by the Chelmsford Motor Club who were the organisers of the proposed motor rally event in the District to run the car park at West Road, Clacton-on-Sea for the weekend of April 21^st and 22^nd 2018.

During the consideration of this item Councillor Porter declared an interest in this item insofar as he was also a member of the Chelmsford Motor Club who were the organisers of the proposed motor rally event in the District.

Council had before it the following motion, notice of which had been given, pursuant to Council Procedure Rule 12, by Councillor Bush:-

“Motor rally sports events are recognised as perilous activities which continue to claim lives of both experienced and accomplished drivers and spectators, even with stringent safety and security measures in place. This is clearly evidenced with fatalities in UK organised events as recent as December 2017, the motor sports association (MSA) quoted “this is a stark reminder of the inherent danger in the sport we love”.

This Council demonstrates intolerance for speeding and advocates considerate safe driving in our towns and villages. To support staged road motor rally and unregulated high speed racing events in the Tendring District would conflict with the overarching ethos of this Council and expose the Tendring residents and spectators to unprecedented risks.

Many of the rural roads within the District are renowned accident blackspots experiencing far too many fatalities and serious collisions, these events could create a legacy of carnage in their wake and the probability of encouraging future adrenalin fuelled aspiring racers to test their racing skills with potential fatal consequences.

This motion to Council requests that the Leader of the Council informs as soon possible the respective motor racing associations and governing bodies and organisers and Essex County Council Highways Authority, that Tendring District Council DOES NOT support or endorse staged motor rally events on the roads throughout the Tendring District.”

Councillor Bush formally moved the motion and Councillor Bucke formally seconded the motion.

The Chairman informed Council that, pursuant to Council Procedure Rule 12.4, he would allow the motion to be dealt with at this meeting.

Councillor Bush then explained his motion.

Councillors Bucke, Griffiths, Calver, Davis, Stock, G V Guglielmi and Platt each addressed the Council on Councillor Bush’s motion.

Councillor Bucke asked that, in accordance with the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 19.4, a record of the vote on Councillor Bush’s motion be taken.

Accordingly, the result of that vote was as follows:

Subject to the required notice being given, Members of the Council can ask questions of the Chairman of the Council, the Leader of the Council, Portfolio Holders or Chairmen of Committees or Sub-Committees.

The time allocated for receiving and disposing of questions shall be a maximum of 45 minutes. Any question not disposed of at the end of this time shall be the subject of a written response, copied to all Members unless withdrawn by the questioner.

Four questions have been received, on notice, from Members.

Subject to the required notice being given, Members of the Council could ask questions of the Chairman of the Council, the Leader of the Council, Portfolio Holders or Chairmen of Committees or Sub-Committees.

Four questions had been submitted as set out below:

Question One

From Councillor Everett to Councillor McWilliams, Portfolio Holder for Health and Education:

“Is the Portfolio Holder aware that in the past month two ambulance technicians one located at Harwich one located in Weeley have died whilst in service. A local ambulance technician - associate practitioner Ian Carter is currently gauging support for a 999 memorial garden for Essex to remember all police fire and ambulance personnel that die in service. Currently Essex does not have such a memorial garden for 999 personnel although other counties do.

Does the Portfolio Holder think that this Council could support such a scheme”?

Councillor McWilliams replied as follows:

“Thank you Chairman and I would like to thank Councillor Everett for his question. I confirm that I am aware of these tragic deaths and I can see no reason why the Council would not want to support such a memorial garden. As Councillor Everett will know we do already have memorial gardens along the seafront in Clacton. One for Servicemen which has effectively been doubled in size in recent years to include smaller Service based memorials, what we call the ‘Sunken Rose Garden’. There is slightly further along near the Hospital another garden with a memorial to PC Dibell who was shot and killed a few years ago. So the answer is Yes.”

Question Two

From Councillor Fowler to Councillor Stock OBE, Leader of the Council:

“The Leader of the Council will be aware of the dreadful state of the road surface of the A120 between Harwich and Horsley Cross and the lobbying carried out by Harwich Town Council to end the delays in its resurfacing.

Will he please agree to write to Highways England on behalf of Tendring District Council in order to place TDC’s voice alongside that of Harwich Town Council in seeking immediate action?”

Councillor Stock replied as follows:

“Chairman I would like to thank Councillor Fowler for her question.

The situation has changed a great deal since her question was received by the Council, of which I received notification on 14^th March.

I wrote immediately to the minister of state for Highways and copied the letter to our member of Parliament, Bernard Jenkin.

Bernard’s reply is dated the very next day and he pledged to support me and to push the matter in Westminster.

On Friday, Bernard had a briefing on the condition of the road from Highways England.  He met on the A120 with the Highways Agency Regional Director - Eastern Region, Martin Fellows.  They drove the road together and discussed exactly what is happening to this stretch of road, particularly to the Wix by-pass section.

This issue has been raising concerns from many quarters, including Harwich Town Council, for too long.  Mr Fellows was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

The Council will receive a report on any Cabinet decisions taken as a matter of urgency in accordance with Access to Information Procedure Rule 17.4, Budget and Policy Framework Procedure Rule 6(b) and/or Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rule 18(i).

There is no such report on this occasion.

There was no such report on this occasion.

The Council will receive the minutes of the following Committees:

(a)       Community Leadership and Partnerships of Monday 8 January 2018;

(b)       Service Development and Delivery of Monday 15 January 2018;

(c)       Standards of Monday 22 January 2018;

(d)       Audit of Thursday 25 January 2018;

(e)       Corporate Management of Monday 29 January 2018;

(f)        Community Leadership and Partnerships of Monday 19 February 2018;

(g)       Council Tax of Wednesday 21 February 2018;

(h)       Corporate Management of Monday 26 February 2018; and

(i)         Corporate Management Committee of Monday 12 March 2018;

NOTES:  (1) Subject to (2) below, the above minutes are presented to Council for information only.  Members can ask questions on their contents to the relevant Chairman but questions as to the accuracy of the minutes must be asked at the meeting of the Committee when the relevant minutes are approved as a correct record; and

(2)  There is a recommendation to Council in Minute 20 of the Standards Committee Minutes of 22 January 2018 which Council will need to consider.

It was RESOLVED that the minutes of the following Committees, as circulated, be received and noted:

(a)       Community Leadership and Partnerships of Monday 8 January 2018;

(b)       Service Development and Delivery of Monday 15 January 2018;

(c)       Standards of Monday 22 January 2018;

(d)       Audit of Thursday 25 January 2018;

(e)       Corporate Management of Monday 29 January 2018;

(f)        Community Leadership and Partnerships of Monday 19 February 2018;

(g)       Council Tax of Wednesday 21 February 2018;

(h)       Corporate Management of Monday 26 February 2018; and

(i)         Corporate Management Committee of Monday 12 March 2018.

It was then moved by Councillor Heaney and RESOLVED that the recommendation to Council, as contained in Minute 20 of the Standards Committee Minutes of 22 January 2018, be approved.

The Council will consider a motion, notice of which has been given by Councillor Everett, pursuant to Council Procedure Rule 12.

Council had before it the following motion, notice of which had been given, pursuant to Council Procedure Rule 12, by Councillor Everett:-

“This Council wishes to put on record its disquiet at the actions of predatory parking companies in the Tendring District and organisations that are no more than apologists for them.

This Council instructs officers to:

1.    Protest formally to the British Parking Association (BPA) about its wholly inadequate response to complaints made by this Council, and by an elected member, regarding the actions of Smart Parking and Debt Recovery Plus relating to the Ravensdale Car Park in Great Clacton.

2.    Resign from the British Parking Association by not renewing our membership for 2018.

3.    Investigate the possibility of withdrawing from the Safer Parking Scheme operated by the BPA.

4.    Champion the concept of Local Authorities licensing private parking companies and their activities – or at least the establishment of a single, genuinely independent regulator for the private parking sector that has no connection, financial or otherwise, with the wider parking industry – as part of the suite of regulatory measures proposed as part of a Private Members’ Bill currently progressing through Parliament.

5. Research other councils in Essex and beyond, experiences over predatory parking companies activity in their locales and create a database of these experiences to help inform the committee stages of the Parking (Code of Practice) Bill currently progressing through Parliament.”

Councillor Everett formally moved the motion and Councillor Bray formally seconded the motion.

The Chairman informed Council that, pursuant to Council Procedure Rule 12.4, he would allow the motion to be dealt with at this meeting.

Councillor Everett then explained his motion.

Councillors Nicholls, Amos, Pemberton, G V Guglielmi and Stephenson each addressed the Council on Councillor Everett’s motion.

Councillor Everett’s motion, on being put to the vote, was declared CARRIED.

The Council will consider a motion, notice of which has been given by Councillor Pemberton, pursuant to Council Procedure Rule 12.

Councillors I J Henderson, Honeywood, G V Guglielmi and Platt had all earlier declared an interest in this item insofar as they were also Members of Essex County Council who were the highways authority.

Council had before it the following motion, notice of which had been given, pursuant to Council Procedure Rule 12, by Councillor Pemberton:-

“This Council requests that Essex County Council considers extending the arrangements currently in place with the Highways Rangers to cover minor highways repairs such as smaller pot holes, broken slabs/kerbs, cleaning out roadside drainage channels and removal/repairs to barriers and signage, to enable a quicker response to local issues. Such decisions should be made at district council level rather than the Local Highways Panel, which at present is only an advisory board for the County Council Portfolio Holder.

We could have our own committee to oversee the work.” 

Councillor Pemberton formally moved the motion and Councillor Porter formally seconded the motion.

The Chairman informed Council that, pursuant to Council Procedure Rule 12.4, he would allow the motion to be dealt with at this meeting.

Councillor Pemberton then explained his motion.

Councillor Stock then moved and Councillor G V Guglielmi seconded that Councillor Pemberton’s motion be amended to read as follows:-

“This Council requests that the Leader of the Council continues his discussions with Essex County Council with a view to extending the arrangements currently in place with the Highways Rangers to cover minor highways repairs such as smaller pot holes, broken slabs/kerbs, cleaning out roadside drainage channels and removal/repairs to barriers and signage, to enable a quicker response to local issues. Such decisions should be made at district council level rather than the Local Highways Panel, which at present is only an advisory board for the County Council Portfolio Holder, whilst ensuring that any powers devolved come with full funding.”

Councillor Pemberton indicated that he was content to alter his motion to incorporate Councillor Stock’s amendment. Consent to that alteration was duly given in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 16.6.

Councillor Stock then moved and Councillor G V Guglielmi seconded that Councillor Pemberton’s’ motion be further amended to read as follows:-

“This Council requests that the Leader of the Council continues his discussions with Essex County Council with a view to devolving highways powers to Tendring District Council whilst ensuring that any powers devolved come with full funding.”

Councillors I J Henderson, Stephenson, Bray, Calver and Broderick each addressed the Council on this item.

Councillor Stock’s amendment, on being put to the vote, was declared CARRIED.

On being put to the vote as the substantive motion the motion was declared CARRIED.

The Council will consider a motion, notice of which has been given by Councillor Calver, pursuant to Council Procedure Rule 12.

Council had before it the following motion, notice of which had been given, pursuant to Council Procedure Rule 12, by Councillor Calver:-

“That Council resolves that –

Article 2 of the Council’s Constitution, ‘Members of the Council’, be amended to include as an additional paragraph –

“2.06 Attendance

It is a requirement that a Member does not exceed 6 months without attending a meeting of the Council or attending a meeting of a committee or sub-committee of the council either as an appointed member of  a committee/sub-committee or as a substitute member of  a committee/sub-committee.””

Councillor Calver formally moved the motion and Councillor I J Henderson formally seconded the motion.

The Chairman informed Council that, pursuant to Council Procedure Rule 12.4, he would allow the motion to be dealt with at this meeting.

Councillor Calver then explained his motion.

Councillor Stock then moved and Councillor G V Guglielmi seconded that Councillor Pemberton’s motion be amended to read as follows:-

“That Council resolves that –

Article 2 of the Council’s Constitution, ‘Members of the Council’, be amended to include as an additional paragraph –

“2.06 Attendance

It is a requirement that if a Member exceeds four months without attending a meeting of the Council or attending a meeting of a committee or sub-committee of the council either as an appointed member of  a committee/sub-committee or as a substitute member of  a committee/sub-committee that shall be reported to the next Council meeting.””

Councillor Calver indicated that he was content to alter his motion to incorporate Councillor Stock’s amendment. Consent to that alteration was duly given in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 16.6.

Councillors Everett, Talbot, Porter, Bray, Stock, Bucke, I J Henderson, Stephenson and Davis each addressed the Council on this item.

Councillor Calver’s motion, on being put to the vote, was declared CARRIED.

Council’s approval is sought in respect of the Annual Treasury Strategy for 2018/2019.

Cabinet considered the Strategy at its meeting held on 16 February 2018 and its recommendation to Council is contained in Minute 151 which is included within the Council Book. The Report of the Finance and Corporate Resources Portfolio Holder which Cabinet considered is also included.

The Council had before it the recommendations submitted to it by the Cabinet in respect of the proposed approval of the Annual Treasury Strategy for 2018/2019 [Minute 151 of the Cabinet meeting held on 16 February 2018 referred].

It was moved by Councillor G V Guglielmi and RESOLVED that the Annual Treasury Strategy for 2018/2019 (including Prudential and Treasury Indicators), be approved and implemented.

The Council is asked to consider any reports submitted to it by an Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

There are none on this occasion.

There were none on this occasion.

To consider the recommendations made by the Electoral Review Working Group in relation to the ongoing implementation of a new committee structure.

Council recalled that, at its meeting held on 23 January 2018 (Minute 116 referred), it had considered a report of the Head of Governance and Legal Services which had provided the recommendations made by the Electoral Review Working Group and it had been agreed -

“That,  with effect from the Annual Meeting of the Council on 24 April 2018, -

(a)    the proposed terms of reference for the two new overview and scrutiny committees, as set out in the Appendix to item A.6 of the Report of the Head of Governance and Legal Services, be approved; and

(b)    the other recommendations made by the Electoral Review Working Group, as detailed in the Executive Summary of the report referred to above, be adopted.”

It was reported that members of the Electoral Review Working Group had attended a meeting held on 6 March 2018 when they had conducted a “tidying up” exercise of the remaining issues with a view to finalising their review of the Council’s committee structure.

The key issues considered at that meeting had been:-

1. Names of Committees/Sub-Committees (other than the already agreed names for the two new O & S Committees);
2. The size of membership for Committees/Sub-Committee in 2018/19 (other than the new Resources and Services O & S Committee);
3. The Terms of Reference for the existing Human Resources Committee and the Council Tax Committee to be combined without any changes for the proposed Human Resources & Council Tax Committee;
4. The Terms of Reference for the other non-O & S Committees;
5. The proposed reduction in the number of Premises/Personal Licences Sub-Committees from three to one;
6. The proposal that the membership of the P/P Licences Sub-Committee will be chosen on a rota basis for each meeting from the trained membership of the Licensing and Registration Committee;
7. Noting the proposed meeting dates of the new overview and scrutiny committees;
8. A half-year review of the new Committee Structure to be undertaken and reported in accordance with the Constitution to Full Council; and
9. A review of the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules to ensure consistency.

The outcomes of the Working Group’s deliberations were contained within item A.1 of the Report of the Head of Governance and Legal Services.

Council was informed that, upon completion of the business set out in the report, the Electoral Review Working Group would focus solely on the outcome of the ongoing Community Governance Reviews.

Members were made aware that the proposed half-year review of the committee structure and associated constitutional matters would be undertaken by the Finance and Corporate Resources Portfolio Holder’s Constitution Review Working Party.

Having considered the Working Group’s recommendations, it was moved by Councillor P B Honeywood, seconded by Councillor G V Guglielmi and:

RESOLVED that - 

(a) with effect from the Annual Meeting of the Council on 24 April 2018:-

(1)     the names of the non-overview and scrutiny committees and sub-committees in the new committee structure be as follows:-

Audit Committee

Human Resources and Council Tax Committee

Licensing and Registration Committee

Local Plan Committee

Planning Committee

Standards  ...  view the full minutes text for item 21.

The Council will consider any urgent matters submitted in accordance with Council Procedure Rules 3(xvi), 11.3(b) and/or 13(q).

There were none on this occasion.

The Council is asked to consider the following resolution:

“That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of Agenda Item 25 on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in the relevant paragraph(s) of Part 1 of Schedule 12A, as amended, of the Act.”

            It was moved by Councillor Stock, seconded by Councillor G V Guglielmi and:

RESOLVED that under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of Agenda Item 25 on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in the relevant paragraph(s) of Part 1 of Schedule 12A, as amended, of the Act.

The Council will receive the exempt minute of the meeting of the Audit Committee held on Thursday 25 January 2018.

NOTE:            The above minute is presented to Council for information only.  Members can ask questions on its content to the relevant Chairman but questions as to the accuracy of the minutes must be asked at the meeting of the Committee when the relevant minute is approved as a correct record.

It was moved by Councillor Stock, seconded by Councillor G V Guglielmi and -

RESOLVED that the exempt minute of the meeting of the Audit Committee held on 25 January 2018, as circulated, be received and noted.