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 Calver, Casey, Clifton, Land and Newton.

Members are asked to approve, as a correct record, the minutes of the ordinary meeting of the Council held on Tuesday 14 September 2021.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the ordinary meeting of the Council held on 14 September 2021 be approved as a correct record and be signed by the Chairman.

Councillors are invited to declare any Disclosable Pecuniary Interests or Personal Interests, and the nature of it, in relation to any item on the agenda.

In respect of Agenda Item 15 – Joint Reference from the Cabinet and the Planning Policy & Local Plan Committee – A.3 – Tendring Colchester Borders Garden Community Joint Committee, Councillors G V Guglielmi and Turner each declared for the public record that they were this Council’s representatives on the Tendring Colchester Border Garden Community (TCBGC) Member Group.

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

The Chairman of the Council (Councillor Bray) made the following announcements:-

Remembrance Day Services

The Chairman was pleased to state that the Remembrance Day Services across the District had been incredibly well attended. He had personally attended the service at the Clacton-on-Sea War Memorial which had been attended by thousands of people. He thanked all those who had organised or attended such services.

Chairman’s ‘Santathon’

The Chairman reminded everyone that this event would take place that coming Saturday (4^th December). There remained available one or two “Santa Suits” for anyone who wished to participate and help raise money for a good cause (i.e. CVST).

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

There were no announcements by the Chief Executive on this occasion.

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.

The Leader of the Council (Councillor Stock OBE) made the following statement in relation to Section 2 of the Local Plan:-

“At the end of last week we received the final report from the Government appointed Planning Inspector on the soundness and legal compliance of Section 2 of the new Tendring Local Plan.

This follows on from the adoption of Section 1 in January of this year, the examination hearings for Section 2 that subsequently took place in February and March and the most recent consultation, on proposed modifications to the Local Plan that took place in July and August.  

The Inspector’s report has now confirmed that, with the proposed modifications (most of which were put forward by this Council to address objections and ensure the plan was kept up to date), Section 2 of the Local Plan meets the Government’s requirements for soundness and legal compliance and, I am delighted to say, can now legally proceed to formal adoption.

This report marks a huge milestone for this Council – not only for all the Members and Officers that have been involved in producing the Local Plan over many difficult years, but also our residents and businesses who have been patiently waiting for this plan to materialise so that our communities have clarity and certainty over what development may or may not happen in their areas. The receipt of this report alone allows the Council to give almost full weight to the policies in the new plan in making planning decisions and dealing with appeals – including our new policies on climate change.   

The report also confirms that the Council has identified more than sufficient land to meet our housing and employment land needs and that we are robust in identifying a five year supply of housing land which will help protect our District from unwanted speculative planning applications for major development outside of our town and village settlement boundaries.

Adoption of the Local Plan will be a decision for Full Council in the new year following consideration by the Planning Policy and Local Plan Committee – however given the consistent and unanimous support Councillors from all political groups have given to the progress of the plan in recent years, I am really positive and optimistic that we can this final stage of the process will be completed smoothly.

On adoption of the Section 2 Local Plan, this Council will for the first time since 2007 have a fully up-to-date and Government compliant planning framework in place.

And at that point I want to pay tribute to our Officers, both past and present, as there have been a lot over the years we have been dealing with this Local Plan. Obviously, to Gary Guiver who leads the Team and his staff and to all previous Heads of Planning and Planning Portfolio Holders and Planning Policy & Local Plan Committee Chairmen and Members of that Committee from all sides. I think right back to Iris Johnson who was the Planning Portfolio Holder  ...  view the full minutes text for item 84.

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.

Action on Climate Change Update

The Environment and Public Space Portfolio Holder (Councillor Talbot) made the following statement:-

“I am sure Members read in the press the lively debates at the start of this month as United National delegates discussed climate action at COP26 in Glasgow, so I will not go over those international discussions this evening. I will focus on our District.

First to remind Members that our own Climate Change Action Plan is designed to deal with the action within the Council’s own domain

.

 I am pleased to report further moves to get the message out into the Community seeking to influence our residents and our Businesses.

Lee Heley, our Climate Change officer, called a first meeting on 17th November, of a new Climate Change Programme Board he has set up, with Officers who have Climate Change responsibilities and two elected Members, Councillor Alan Coley who led TDC’s original Climate Change Member Working Group and me.  This first meeting reported, amongst other things, on the items listed below:-

ü  Energy Audits of all Council owned buildings are being conducted. The Council is exploring future options for EV charging points across Council owned properties in addition to carparks. 

ü  A definite proposition to place 4 Electric Vehicle charging points, in the Starling Car Park in Dovercourt.

ü  The development and delivery of training for staff and suppliers on Climate Change, carbon foot printing, carbon reduction and the important role of procurement in supporting change.

ü  All future committee, portfolio holder and officer decisions to consider and evaluate the impact on the net zero emissions target, to help inform decision making. 

ü  A new Report Template has been drafted and when in use will direct attention to the above requirement.

ü  Clearly, some suggestions will be expensive if put into operation such as on our progress and for example a Solar Farm that would generate 5 MW, could cost us £3 million and by 2030 would offset 710 tonnes of Carbon Dioxide emissions.

ü  We will continue to engage with parish and town councils, businesses, our residents, Essex County Council, and other partners across Tendring to raise awareness and develop shared objectives.

ü  I am still chasing the NEPP over the installation of EV charging points in their parking places on roads that approach our various sea fronts but so far have just received polite answers.

A more startling matter was introduced to me as below:-

The Royal Town Planning Institute and the Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA) held a Climate Change conference that I attended on 19th October for what they have called a ‘Climate Guide’ Webinar.  I was a bit startled by a comment from Hugh Ellis, Director of Policy TCPA, who said, in the context of Climate Change planning for the future, that we should plan to “Relocate Parts of our population, and some Communities are going to have to be removed simply because their vulnerabilities are too high”.  This extract from  ...  view the full minutes text for item 85.

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

No Petitions had been submitted in accordance with the Scheme approved by the Council 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 21 minutes.

No questions had been received, on notice, from members of the public on this occasion.

The Council will receive a report on any Cabinet or Portfolio Holder Decisions taken as a matter of urgency in accordance with Access to Information Procedure Rule 16.2, Budget and Policy Framework Procedure Rule 6(b) and/or Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rule 18(i).

There was no such report of the Leader of the Council for Members to consider on this occasion.

The Council will receive the minutes of the following Committees:

(a)    Resources and Services Overview & Scrutiny of Monday 20 September 2021;

(b)    Community Leadership Overview & Scrutiny of Monday 27 September 2021;

(c)    Audit of Thursday 30 September 2021;

(d)    Planning Policy & Local Plan of Tuesday 19 October 2021;

(e)    Human Resources & Council Tax of Wednesday 20 October 2021;

(f)     Standards of Wednesday 27 October 2021;

(g)    Community Leadership Overview & Scrutiny of Monday 8 November 2021; and

(h)    Planning Policy & Local Plan of Thursday 11 November 2021.

NOTES:  (1) 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)   If any recommendations to Council have been made by those Committees, these are included within separate reports for Council to decide upon (i.e. by noting the minutes those recommendations are not approved at this stage of the proceedings).

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

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

(a)        Resources and Services Overview & Scrutiny of Monday 20 September 2021;

(b)        Community Leadership Overview & Scrutiny of Monday 27 September 2021;

(c)        Audit of Thursday 30 September 2021;

(d)        Planning Policy & Local Plan of Tuesday 19 October 2021;

(e)        Human Resources & Council Tax of Wednesday 20 October 2021;

(f)        Standards of Wednesday 27 October 2021;

(g)        Community Leadership Overview & Scrutiny of Monday 8 November 2021; and

(h)        Planning Policy & Local Plan of Thursday 11 November 2021.

Pursuant to the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 12, the Council will consider a Motion, notice of which has been given by Councillor Alan Coley.

Pursuant to the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 12, Council considered the following Motion, notice of which had been given by Councillor Coley:-

“In order to preserve Tendring’s uniqueness, heritage, amenity areas and the established areas of industrial and commercial activity:-

This Council requests its Cabinet to explore the option of applying for an Article 4 Direction in respect of appropriate Conservation Areas, Industrial Estates and Commercial and Retail Centres in the District of Tendring.”

Councillor Coley formally moved the motion and Councillor G V Guglielmi formally seconded the motion.

Councillors Coley and Guglielmi then each explained the purpose of the motion.

The Leader of the Council (Councillor Stock OBE) then spoke to the Motion and explained that he felt that the Motion should appropriately be referred to the Planning Policy & Local Plan Committee for consideration and report as that Committee was best placed to advise Council and Cabinet on the best way forward.

The Chairman of the Council (Councillor Bray) concurred with that view and therefore decided that the motion would be referred to the Planning Policy & Local Plan Committee as the appropriate body on the grounds that it was best placed to advise Council and Cabinet on the best way forward.

To enable Council to consider whether to support a motion submitted at the meeting of the Council held on 13 July 2021 by Councillor Ivan Henderson in relation to the grounds maintenance service. The wording of that motion is as follows:-

“That this Council accepts that its ground maintenance service is failing the tourist economy of the Tendring District as the lack of regular grass cutting and weed clearance is resulting in a negative visual impact for those seeking to enjoy Tendring’s Sunshine Coast.

It is further proposed that the necessary resources are immediately made available to ensure that Tendring’s coastal resorts present a positive visual impact throughout the 2021 summer season and that a review of the grounds maintenance policy then takes place to ensure that this issue does not reoccur in future years.”

Members recalled that, at the meeting of the Council held on 13 July 2021 (Minute 50 referred), the following motion had been moved by Councillor I J Henderson and seconded by Councillor Allen and, in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 12.4, had stood referred to the Cabinet for further consideration:

“That this Council accepts that its ground maintenance service is failing the tourist economy of the Tendring District as the lack of regular grass cutting and weed clearance is resulting in a negative visual impact for those seeking to enjoy Tendring’s Sunshine Coast.

It is further proposed that the necessary resources are immediately made available to ensure that Tendring’s coastal resorts present a positive visual impact throughout the 2021 summer season and that a review of the grounds maintenance policy then takes place to ensure that this issue does not reoccur in future years.”

Councillor Henderson’s motion consequently had been submitted to the formal meeting of the Cabinet held on 17 September 2021 (Minute 36 referred). Having duly considered Councillor Henderson’s motion and in order for the Cabinet’s opinion and recommendation to be reported back to Council, Cabinet had resolved:-

“That Cabinet –

(a)    recommends that the Council should not support the motion in its original format; and

(b)    will not suggest to Council at this time that an amended motion be proposed but will consider this further at a future meeting.”

Subsequently, at its meeting held on 12 November 2021 (Minute 76 referred), Cabinet had had before it a suggested amended motion for its consideration however, following the Leader’s recommendation, and to enable this matter to be brought to a conclusion at this meeting of the Full Council, without fettering the discussion of the original motion, Cabinet had decided:-

“That Cabinet does not put forward an amended motion to Full Council.”

In summary therefore, on the original motion Cabinet had decided that:-

(1)    it recommends that the Council should not support the motion in its original format; and

(2)    an amended motion is not being put forward.

Council thereupon debated Councillor Henderson’s motion having regard to the provisions, as applicable, of Council Procedure Rules 16, 19, 23, 24, 25, 28 and 29.

Councillors I J Henderson, Steady, Talbot, Allen, P B Honeywood, G V Guglielmi, Stock OBE, J Henderson, Miles and M E Stephenson each, in turn, addressed the Council on the subject matter of the Motion.

Councillor M E Stephenson then moved and Councillor Bush seconded that Councillor Henderson’s motion be amended to read as follows:-

“It is proposed that the necessary resources are immediately made available to ensure that Tendring’s coastal resorts present a positive visual impact throughout the 2021 summer season and that a review of the grounds maintenance policy then takes place to ensure that this issue does not reoccur in future years.”

After a consultation with the Chief Executive, the Monitoring Officer, the Leader of the Council (Councillor Stock OBE), the Environment & Public Space Portfolio Holder (Councillor Talbot), his Seconder (Councillor Bush) and the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 91.

The Council is asked to consider the recommendations submitted to it by the Cabinet in respect of the Local Council Tax Support Scheme 2022/2023, Council Tax Exemptions for 2022/2023 and the Annual Minimum Revenue Provision Policy Statement 2022/2023.

The Council considered the recommendations submitted to it by the Cabinet in respect of the Local Council Tax Support Scheme 2022/2023 (including the associated exceptional hardship policy), Council Tax Exemptions, Discounts and Premiums for 2022/2023 and the Annual Minimum Revenue Provision Policy Statement 2022/2023 (Minute 83 – Cabinet meeting of 12 November 2021).

A copy of the published Housing Portfolio Holder and the Corporate Finance and Governance Portfolio Holder’s joint report (and its appendices) to the Cabinet meeting held on 12 November 2021 were attached as appendices to item A.2 of the References from the Cabinet.

It was moved by Councillor P B Honeywood and:-

RESOLVED That Council approves that –

(a)    the LCTS scheme for 2022/23 remains the same as the current year, as set out as Appendix A to item A.13 of the joint report of the Housing Portfolio Holder and Corporate Finance & Governance Portfolio Holder as submitted to the meeting of the Cabinet held on 12 November 2021 with the maximum LCTS award being 80% for working age claimants [Appendix 2 to item A.2 of the References from Cabinet];

(b)    the Assistant Director (Finance and IT), in consultation with the Housing Portfolio Holder be authorised to undertake the necessary steps to implement the LCTS scheme from 1 April 2022;

(c)    the Council Tax Exceptional Hardship Policy, as set out in Appendix B to the aforementioned joint report as submitted to the meeting of the Cabinet held on 12 November 2021 be approved [Appendix 3];

(d)    the locally determined council tax discounts, as set out in Appendix C to the aforesaid joint report as submitted to the meeting of the Cabinet held on 12 November 2021 be approved [Appendix 4];

(e)    the council tax discount policy for young people leaving care, as set out in Appendix D to the above mentioned joint report as submitted to the meeting of the Cabinet held on 12 November 2021 be approved [Appendix 5];

(f)     the discretionary council tax premiums, as set out in Appendix E to the aforementioned joint report as submitted to the meeting of the Cabinet held on 12 November 2021 be approved [Appendix 6];

(g)    the Assistant Director (Finance and IT), in consultation with the Housing Portfolio Holder, be authorised to undertake the necessary steps to implement the council tax exemptions, discounts and premiums from 1 April 2022; and

(h)    the Annual Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Policy Statement for 2022/23, as set out in Appendix F to the aforesaid joint report as submitted to the meeting of the Cabinet held on 12 November 2021 be approved [Appendix 7].

To enable Council to consider the Cabinet’s and the Planning Policy & Local Plan Committee’s recommendations that a Joint Tendring Colchester Borders Garden Community Committee is appointed for the discharge of executive and non-executive functions related to the TCBGC and that the Terms of Reference of the Joint Committee are included within Part 3 of the Council’s Constitution.

Earlier on in the meeting, Councillors G V Guglielmi and Turner had each declared for the public record that they were this Council’s representatives on the Tendring Colchester Border Garden Community (TCBGC) Member Group.

Council considered the Cabinet’s and the Planning Policy & Local Plan Committee’s recommendations that a Joint Tendring Colchester Borders Garden Community (TCBGC) Committee be appointed for the discharge of executive and non-executive functions related to the TCBGC and that the Terms of Reference of the Joint Committee were included within Part 3 of the Council’s Constitution.

Planning Policy & Local Plan Committee – 11 November 2021 (Minute 23)

At its meeting held on 11 November 2021 the Planning Policy & Local Plan Committee had considered a report of the Deputy Chief Executive & Monitoring Officer (A.1) which had sought its approval to formally recommend to Full Council that a joint Development Plan Document be prepared together with Colchester Borough Council; and further that a Joint Committee be established with Colchester Borough Council and Essex County Council in relation to the Tendring Colchester Borders Garden Community.

Having considered all of the information and advice contained in the Officer report and its appendices that Committee had:-

“RESOLVED that the Planning Policy & Local Plan Committee recommends to Full Council that –

(a)    a joint Development Plan Document is prepared together with Colchester Borough Council in accordance with Section 28 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004;

(b)    a Joint Committee is established with Colchester Borough Council and Essex County Council in relation to the Tendring Colchester Borders Garden Communityfor the discharge of executive and non-executive functions related to TCBGC, pursuant to Sections 101(5), 102(1)(b) and 102(2) of the Local Government Act 1972 on the terms of reference attached at Appendix A to item A.1 of the Report of the Deputy Chief Executive & Monitoring Officer; and

(c)    the third elected Member of the Joint Committee to be appointed by the Full Council should be a Member from a political group that is not represented on the Cabinet.”

Cabinet – 12 November 2021 (Minute 77)

At its meeting held on 12 November 2021 Cabinet had considered a report of the Corporate Finance & Governance Portfolio Holder (A.7) which had sought its approval for referral to Full Council the draft terms of reference of a Joint Committee to be established for the Tendring Colchester Borders Garden Community together with Tendring District Council, Colchester Borough Council and Essex County Council.

Having considered all of the information and advice contained in the Portfolio Holder’s report and its appendices, Cabinet had:-

“RESOLVED that Cabinet –

(a)   endorses the proposal that a joint Development Plan Document be prepared together with Colchester Borough Council, and further that a Joint Committee is established with Colchester Borough Council and Essex County Council in relation to  the Tendring Colchester Borders Garden Community;

(b)   agrees that all three Councils should be represented on the appointed Joint Committee with full voting rights;

(c)   agrees that executive functions in relation to the preparation of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 93.

To enable Council to consider the Community Leadership Overview and Scrutiny Committee’s recommendation in relation to a motion submitted at the meeting of the Council held on 13 July 2021 by Councillor Mark Stephenson in relation to a proposed Covid-19 Memorial and Annual Day of Remembrance.

Members recalled that, at its meeting held on 13 July 2021, Council had had before it a motion submitted by Councillor M E Stephenson pursuant to the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 12 in which he proposed that the Council create a Memorial and Annual Day of Remembrance for Covid-19. That Motion had been worded as follows:-

“That Tendring District Council acknowledges the heartache, pain and suffering that Covid-19 has inflicted upon our residents and their families and that this Council supports the provision of a memorial to allow us all to recognise and commemorate the loss of so many loved ones.

The memorial to be situated in a form acceptable to those who have lost loved ones, be that a garden, plaque or public artwork, taking into consideration their wishes, at a suitable location, where families could gather together throughout the year at a day and time significant to them.

That this Council also considers an Annual Day of Remembrance to be established, where all members of the community could gather together for a service of Remembrance.

In addition, the commemoration would also remember all those key workers and volunteers, who continue to provide, throughout this pandemic, help and support and comfort to the bereaved in their time of need.”

At that meeting of the Council and in the absence of Councillor Stephenson, Councillor Bush had formally moved the motion. Councillor Baker had then formally seconded the motion.

After hearing arguments for and against, the Chairman of the Council (Councillor Bray) had then considered whether the motion should be dealt with at the meeting or stand referred. He had decided that the motion would be referred to the Community Leadership Overview & Scrutiny Committee on the grounds that it was the appropriate body to examine the motion in detail and to report back to Council at a later date.

The motion had thereupon stood referred to the Community Leadership Overview & Scrutiny Committee for its consideration in accordance with the provisions of Council Procedure Rules 12.5 and 12.6.

The motion had been duly submitted to the meeting of the Community Leadership Overview & Scrutiny Committee held on 8 November 2021 (Minute 24 referred). In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 12.6 (Referred Motions – Right of Mover to Attend Meeting), Councillor Stephenson had attended that meeting to answer any questions and/or points of clarification, if requested.

Having considered the motion and in order to enable this matter to be brought to a conclusion at this meeting of the Full Council, the Community Leadership Overview & Scrutiny Committee had decided to recommend to Full Council that the motion be approved subject to some additional wording. The motion, as so amended, would now read:-

“That Tendring District Council acknowledges the heartache, pain and suffering that Covid-19 has inflicted upon our residents and their families and that this Council supports the provision of a memorial to allow us all to recognise and commemorate the loss of so many loved ones.

The memorial to be situated in a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 94.

To inform Council of any changes in the membership of Committees that have occurred since the last ordinary meeting of the Council.

The Chief Executive formally reported that, in accordance with the wishes of the Leader of the Conservative Group and the authority delegated to him, the following appointment had been duly made since the last ordinary meeting of the Council, namely:-

Planning Policy & Local Plan Committee

Councillor Nash had been appointed to serve in place of Councillor S A Honeywood.

Council noted the foregoing.

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.

The time allocated for receiving and disposing of questions shall be a maximum of 30 minutes. Any question not disposed of at the end of this time shall be the subject of a written response, copied to all Members the following working day unless withdrawn by the questioner.

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.

One question had been submitted by a Member on this occasion as set out below:-

Question

Councillor I J Henderson asked the Partnerships Portfolio Holder (Councillor McWilliams):-

“The Government introduced some new anti-social behaviour (ASB) tools and powers on 20th October 2014. Alongside these new powers are a number of early and informal interventions which can be utilised by this Council if appropriate. List of powers available:

Community Trigger

Civil Injunction 

Criminal Behaviour Order

Dispersal Powers

Community Protection Notice

Public Spaces Protection Orders

Closure Notice

Closure Orders

Community Remedy 

Can the Portfolio Holder please provide a breakdown on how many times each of these powers have been used within this District and where?”

The Partnerships Portfolio Holder replied as follows:-

“In response to Cllr Henderson’s question I feel I should give a little background information and some context in relation to the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 (‘the 2014 Act’).

These powers are deliberately local in nature, as those who work within, and for, local communities will be best placed to understand what is driving the behaviour in question, the impact that it is having, and to determine the most appropriate response.

There are two parts to taking action under the ASB Act 2014, the first focuses specifically on putting victims at the heart of the response to anti-social behaviour. The second focuses on the use of powers provided by the 2014 Act. These are designed to be flexible to ensure that local agencies have the tools they need to respond to different forms of anti-social behaviour. There is a legal test that must be met before the powers can be used

Whilst we have specific officers in the Safer Communities team, the legislation can be used by any Council Officer if deemed to be appropriate, however some of the powers are not available to Councils, and they are specifically for Police.  There is a very strict criteria to enable any Officers to use the powers.

The powers available to the Council are:

The ASB Case Review (also known as the Community Trigger)

Since 2016 TDC has undertaken 11 Case Reviews (only have last 5 years).

Civil Injunction

Since 2014 TDC has issued 1 Civil Injunction (Housing).

Community Protection Notice

TDC (Community Safety) has issued 2 CPNs.

Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO)

TDC has 1 PSPO in place in Clacton Town Centre.

Closure Power

TDC has never issued a Closure Order.”

Councillor Henderson then asked a question of clarification to which Councillor McWilliams responded.

The Council will formally receive for its information the Decision Notice.

The Council formally received and noted the Decision Notice on the outcome of the Hearing taken by the Standards Committee on 27 October 2021 in relation to an allegation that Councillor Peter Cawthron had failed to comply with the Members’ Code of Conduct.

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

There were no urgent matters for Council to debate on this occasion.

Council is asked to consider passing 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 22 on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 2, 3 and 4 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A, as amended, of the Act.”

It was moved by Councillor Stock OBE, 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 22 on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 2, 3 and 4 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A, as amended, of the Act.

The Council will receive the exempt minutes of the meeting of the Human Resources & Council Tax Committee held on Wednesday 7 July and Wednesday 20 October 2021.

NOTES:  (1) The above exempt minutes are presented to Council for information only.  Members can ask questions on its contents to the Committee’s Chairman but questions as to the accuracy of the minutes must be asked at the meeting of the Committee when the exempt minute is approved as a correct record; and

(2) If any recommendations to Council has been made by that Committee, these will be included within separate reports for Council to decide upon (i.e. by noting the minute any such recommendations are not approved at this stage of the proceedings).

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

RESOLVED that the exempt minutes of the meetings of the Human Resources & Council Tax Committee held on Wednesday 7 July and Wednesday 20 October 2021, as circulated, be received and noted.