The Chairman of the Council (Councillor Dan Casey) led the Council in a silent tribute to the memory of former Councillors Delyth Miles and Ian Dimmock who had both recently deceased.

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

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Bush, A Cossens, M Cossens, I Henderson, J Henderson, McWilliams, Thompson and Turner.

The Council is asked to approve, as correct records, the minutes of:-

(a)   the ordinary meeting of the Council held on 19 March 2024; and

(b)   the annual meeting of the Council held on 30 April 2024.

It was moved by Councillor M E Stephenson and:-

RESOLVED that the minutes of:-

(a)    the ordinary meeting of the Council held on 19 March 2024; and

(b)    the annual meeting of the Council held on 30 April 2024

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.

In respect of Item 16 on the Agenda (Reference from the Planning Policy and Local Plan Committee – A.5 – TDC Response to National Grid Statutory Consultation on Norwich to Tilbury Electricity Powerline Connection Project), Councillor Fairley declared a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest and a Non-Registerable Interest as follows:-

“The land area to be impacted by proposed cable routes, pylons and substations with the District of Tendring as vast, but my immediate family do own land and farm land along these routes, same for wider family members and friends.

I have been granted a dispensation under Section 33(2)(c) of the Localism Act 2011, allowing me to participate and to vote. The reason for the decision is on grounds that it is in the interests of persons living in the authority’s area for this dispensation to be granted. I am the sole Ward Councillor for Ardleigh and Little Bromley and have an opportunity to voice its residents and businesses to concerns and act in the best interests of the District and the Council will not be the decision maker regarding these proposals.”

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

The Chairman informed Members that, since the annual meeting of Full Council on 30 April 2024, he had attended the following civic events:-

4^th May – 5^th May – International Market of the Twin Cities

8^th May – VE Day Service

19^th May – Tour de Tendring

9^th June – Blessing of the Waters

12^th June – King’s Award for Voluntary Service

14^th June – Falklands War Memorial Service

14^th June – Royal Anglian Regimental Representative Event

18^th June – Grassroots Charity AGM

26^th June – Summer Fate

27^th June – Annual meeting & Summer reception

3^rd July – Oakstones Club Strawberry Tea Afternoon

8^th July – Jack Petchey Foundation Achievement Awards

9^th July – RNLI 200^th Anniversary

13^th July – Tendring Show

26^th July and other dates – Save a Life, Ditch a Knife

4^th August – Veterans’ and Services’ Day.

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

The Chief Executive made me following announcement:-

“Thank you, Chairman. The recently passed District Councillor, Councillor Ian Dimmock of Alresford and Elmstead, who served for 8 years on the Council during 1999 – 2007. He was appointed as the Chairman of the Development Control Committee between 2001 and 2003 and then the Regulatory Committee between 2003 and 2007.

Councillor Delyth Miles of Walton served on the Council for 12 years between 2011 and 2023. Delyth held several Vice Chairman and Chairman roles of Committees including Community Leadership and Partnerships, Corporate Management, Education Skills and Council. Until recently, Councillor Miles was also a Member of the Frinton and Walton Town Council before resigning from there a few weeks before her passing. I know many of us knew her very well, I would just like to say she served very closely with me on the Naze Management Board from the inception of the Naze building. She worked tirelessly with her local community as to what was going to be best for getting out of the Naze centre. She was then in support of the Naze centre once it was in place. I will always remember Delyth and many many of you around this room will remember Delyth and her time with this Council.”

Councillor M E Stephenson had some words to say about Councillor Delyth Miles:-

“Thank you, Chairman. I just wanted to say a couple of words around Councillor Delyth Miles. Some of it has already been taken by the Chief Executive and they were fine words, but for me, Delyth was a passionate Ward Councillor who worked tirelessly with her Ward and her community. She was a bit of a mentor for me and like some of you, I was very fond of her. The one thing I will always remember and that we can all probably agree on, that Delyth loved to chat. She will be missed, and my thoughts go to her family and friends.”

Councillor Scott had some words to say about Councillor Ian Dimmock:-

“When I got elected in 2002, Ian Dimmock was the Councillor for Alresford, Thorrington and Frating as it was back then, and I became eventually his Ward partner and we worked together for 13 months onwards as Ward Councillors and then boundaries changed again. I knew Ian Dimmock as a Alresfordian, as well as Councillor Ann Wiggins. He was a hardworking Ward Councillor; he served his residents well in the 3 communities. He was involved in many things in Alresford, the village hall and other interested groups there. He always put things first, he always went to assist people and he’ll be sadly, sadly missed. His memorial service was a couple of weeks ago and the church was packed out with fellow Alresfordians and political people from the conservative party, obviously not my party but we did work together really well and Sir Bernard Jenkins there and had some really good comments and memorial moment of Council.”

The Chief Executive also announced:-  ...  view the full minutes text for item 21.

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 stated that Councillor Scott was the new Cabinet Member, who was responsible for Arts, Culture and Heritage and that Councillor Scott was also the Rural Champion.

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.

Portfolio Holder for Partnerships

The Portfolio Holder for Partnerships (Councillor Placey) updated the Council that Councillor Barry and her were lucky enough to attend the Jack Petchey Awards in July with the Chairman of the Council and that she was inspired.

She went on to state that there were 18 organisations that were presented with awards and that young people receive awards who make wholehearted, unselfish and dedicated contributions to their club, school or community. Some of the Tendring organisations that received awards were:-

-        Brightlingsea Cricket Club;

-        Shorefields School;

-        Mistley Kids Club;

-        Tendring Technology College;

-        Frinton and Walton Youth Football Club;

-        The Scouts Seven Clacton; and,

-        Harwich and Dovercourt High School.

To report a petition received in accordance with the Scheme approved by the Council, together with the decision made by the Cabinet in relation to that petition.

In accordance with the Council’s approved scheme for dealing with petitions, the Chief Executive formally reported the receipt of a petition submitted by Danny Sloggett, as lead petitioner on behalf of the Jaywick Sands Happy Club. That petition had contained 86 names and addresses that were legible and those persons were on the electoral register. The petition had requested that public conveniences be provided in the Jaywick Sands beach area. The explanatory text for the petition had stated:-

“We have been approached by holiday makers and locals concerning the lack of toilets by the beach to the point of locals finding people defecating in their gardens.

It’s only going to get worse now the summer is here and the holiday makers are flooding in. We have a beautiful beach to enjoy but nowhere for people to go to the toilet.”

Council was reminded that Public Conveniences were an executive function (Assets Portfolio) and therefore the Cabinet had been the appropriate body to consider this matter. Accordingly, this matter had been investigated and a report prepared and presented to the first practicable meeting of the Cabinet which had been the meeting held on 26 July 2024.

It was reported that, at that meeting, and in accordance with the Council’s approved scheme, Mr Sloggett, as the lead petitioner, had been invited to address the Cabinet and to outline the action that the petitioners wanted the Council to take. However, Mr. Sloggett had not attended the meeting of the Cabinet. The Cabinet had then discussed and deliberated on the petition and the report and made its decision. The Cabinet’s decision had been to endorse the comments of the Portfolio Holder for Assets as this Council’s formal response to the Petition. Those comments were as follows:-

“Whilst I note and welcome the substantial visitor usage of the excellent beaches at Jaywick Sands we must recognise that the Council is in a restrained financial position. Although I support the idea of increasing facilities and services it is hard to recommend among the current economic climate.

Reconsidering public convenience provision throughout the towns and coast of Tendring District can only fairly be achieved within the context of an overall review of the strategy. Such a strategy review can take account of the developing financial issues that we face and should follow consideration and resolution of those issues. I have asked officers to complete a review of the strategy in the current year accordingly.

I would like to thank the petitioners for their views and consideration. I acknowledge the visitor numbers in the area but believe that we cannot, at present, commit the organisation to the construction of new facilities. I believe that a review of this and other strategies should be carried out at a future juncture once the approach to the Council’s financial position can be brought into clear focus.

I refer Members to my comments at page 894 of the agenda and further say that Tendring District Council currently has 27 public conveniences across  ...  view the full minutes text for item 24.

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.

On this occasion no such questions on notice have been submitted by 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.

On this occasion no such questions on notice had been submitted by members of the public.

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 15, Budget and Policy Framework Procedure Rule 6(b) and/or Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rule 18(i).

Council considered a report of the Leader of the Council which notified it of recent Executive Decision(s) taken in the circumstances set out in the Council’s Constitution in:-

(a)   Rule 15 of the Access to Information Procedure Rules (Special Urgency); and/or

(b)   Rule 18(i) of the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules (Call-in and Urgency); and/or

(c)   Rule 6(b) of the Budget and Policy Framework Procedure Rules.

It was duly reported that during July 2024, the Housing and Planning Portfolio Holder, in view of the urgency of the issue concerned, and in accordance with Rule 18(i) of the Overview & Scrutiny Procedure Rules, had sought and subsequently obtained the Chairman of the Community Leadership Overview and Scrutiny Committee’s consent, that his decision relating to the submission of this Council’s formal response to the third statutory public and stakeholder consultation being carried out by National Grid on its proposed Norwich to Tilbury electricity power line connection project, be exempted from the call-in procedure.

The Portfolio Holder for Housing and Planning’s decision had been as follows:-

“To approve Tendring District Council’s formal response to the third statutory public and stakeholder consultation being carried out by National Grid on its proposed Norwich to Tilbury electricity power line connection project.”

It had been felt that any delay likely to be caused by the call-in process would have seriously prejudiced the Council’s and the public’s interest for the following reason:-

“The deadline for the submission of consultation responses is Friday 26th July 2024. Failure to meet that deadline could lead to this Council’s core objections and proposed mitigations to this project not being properly taken into account.

The Planning Policy and Local Plan Committee debated and agreed the proposed response at its meeting held on 23rd July 2024 and so this matter has therefore been considered by Members from all political groups represented on the Council.

In addition, this formal response will be reported to the meeting of the full Council to be held on 6th August 2024 when Members will have the opportunity to discuss the response and decide whether this Council should submit any further representations to National Grid.”

Ian Davidson informed Members that at the Essex Leaders and Chief Executives’ meeting, the issue was raised. As a result a submission was also to be submitted on behalf of all 15 Councils in Essex; Essex County Council, the two unitaries and the 12 District Councils and a copy of that letter would be sent to Members.

It was moved by Councillor M E Stephenson and:-

RESOLVED that the contents of the report be noted.

The Council will receive the minutes of the following Committees:

(a)    Audit of Thursday 25 January 2024;

(b)    Resources and Services Overview & Scrutiny of Tuesday 5 March 2024;

(c)    Standards of Wednesday 20 March 2024;

(d)    Planning Policy & Local Plan of Tuesday 2 April 2024;

(e)    Community Leadership Overview & Scrutiny of Tuesday 23 April 2024;

(f)     Standards of Wednesday 24 April 2024;

(g)    Audit of Thursday 25 April 2024;

(h)    Standards of Thursday 16 May 2024;

(i)     Planning Policy & Local Plan of Tuesday 28 May 2024;

(j)     Community Leadership Overview & Scrutiny of Wednesday 17 July 2024;

(k)    Resources and Services Overview & Scrutiny of Monday 22 July 2024; and

(l)     Planning Policy & Local Plan of Tuesday 23 July 2024.

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 M E Stephenson and:-

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

(a)   Audit of Thursday 25 January 2024;

(b)   Resources and Services Overview & Scrutiny of Tuesday 5 March 2024;

(c)   Standards of Wednesday 20 March 2024;

(d)   Planning Policy & Local Plan of Tuesday 2 April 2024;

(e)   Community Leadership Overview & Scrutiny of Tuesday 23 April 2024;

(f)    Standards of Wednesday 24 April 2024;

(g)   Audit of Thursday 25 April 2024;

(h)   Standards of Thursday 16 May 2024;

(i)    Planning Policy & Local Plan of Tuesday 28 May 2024;

(j)    Community Leadership Overview & Scrutiny of Wednesday 17 July 2024;

(k)   Resources and Services Overview & Scrutiny of Monday 22 July 2024; and

(l)    Planning Policy & Local Plan of Tuesday 23 July 2024.

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

Earlier on in the meeting, as recorded under Minute 19 above, Councillor Fairley had declared a DPI and a Non-Registerable Interest in this matter but also she had been granted a dispensation.

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

“This Council notes that the National Grid Electricity Transmission’s (NGET) third and final statutory consultation has now closed and that the consultation response from this Council was submitted prior to the extended closing date of 26 July 2024.

This Council is fully aware that National Grid’s proposals could also create and cause the need for the Five Estuaries, North Falls and Tarchon Energy Ltd projects to land on the District’s coast, with their own proposed cable routes running across our District to their own sub-stations and for Tarchon Energy Ltd, a future interconnector will be required.  The cumulative impacts of these projects threaten a potentially devastating effect for our District. 

This Council therefore remains dissatisfied that alternative options have not been given due and proper consideration in the planning process to date to remove or otherwise mitigate these effects, including impact on our highways, our local economy, the environment, our landscapes and heritage, farm businesses and the health and wellbeing of our communities, to highlight but a few. 

This Council recognises that the country has had a change of Government and a new Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero appointed, in Ed Milliband MP.

Therefore, this Council continues to express its deep concerns for these electricity network proposals, and calls upon  the Leader of the Council to write to the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, Ed Milliband MP to:-

1. Congratulate him on his appointment.
2. Request him to consider, as a long-term strategic solution, an integrated off shore grid, as elsewhere in Europe, asking for the overall cost comparison to be assessed and reported.
3. Request that he re-examines the Norwich to Tilbury proposals, given that North Falls and Five Estuaries have expressed themselves more than happy to connect off shore and National Grid’s Electricity System Operator (ESO) has identified affordable, deliverable alternatives to manage the case.

https://www.nationalgrideso.com/document/304496/download

ESO CF W3 Report - Final (ofgem.gov.uk)

4. Request also, that the Tarchon interconnector should not be allowed to proceed at all, given the work by ESO and Arup, demonstrating that it is against the National Interest and raises costs for UK bill payers by some £5billion.

Multi-Criteria Assessment framework report for Cap and Floor W3 and Offshore Hybrid assets Pilot Projects (ofgem.gov.uk)

Market Modelling Analysis for Cap and Floor W3 and Offshore Hybrid Assets Pilot Projects (ofgem.gov.uk)

Tarchon consultation draft 2 (bernardjenkin.com)

5. Point out that HVDC undergrounding, which is also being done in Germany, has been assessed by National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET), as being better and cheaper than pylons, within its Eastern Green Link Consultation (see para 5.0.2 in below link) and request the same should be investigated for Norwich to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 28.

Pursuant to the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 12, Council will consider a motion, notice of which has been given by Councillor P B Honeywood.

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

(a)    “This Council expresses its concern with the failure to maintain control of the Council’s expenditure during the delivery of the “Spendells Project”, which has had a detrimental effect, not only on the Council’s finances but also on its reputation, locally and nationally.

(b)    This Council notes the swift and exceptional actions taken by the Statutory Officers, as reported to Cabinet in May 2024, and subsequently considered by the Resources and Services Committee on Monday 22^nd July 2024.

(c)    This Council expresses its disappointment to the Leader of the Council’s response that, when asked whether he would like to apologise for the error happening as the Chief Executive had done, he declined.

(d)    This Council believes that this issue brings into question the effectiveness of, and culture towards, governance, risk management and communication this Cabinet has adopted. To restore confidence in the Cabinet, this Council looks forward to receiving the findings of the Portfolio Holders’ review of the performance and project management of all existing projects within their respective portfolios, as recommended by the Resources and Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Monday 22^nd July 2024.”

Councillor P B Honeywood formally moved the motion and Councillor Griffiths formally seconded the motion.

In accordance with the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 12.6 Councillor Honeywood then explained the purpose of the Motion and Council proceeded to debate it.

Councillor Griffithsspoke during the debate on this matter.

Councillor M E Stephenson moved and Councillor Baker seconded that Councillor P B Honeywood’s motion be amended to read (in its entirety) as follows:-

“(a) This Council expresses its concern with the failure to maintain control of the Council’s expenditure during the delivery of the “Spendells Project”, which has had a detrimental effect, not only on the Council’s finances but also on its reputation, locally and nationally.

(b) This Council notes the swift and exceptional actions taken by the Statutory Officers, as reported to Cabinet in May 2024, and subsequently considered by the Resources and Services Committee on Monday 22^nd July 2024.

(c) This Council notes the statements given by the Leader of the Council to the Resources and Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 22 July 2024 about the monitoring of budgets, performance and risk through Cabinet (and by Portfolio Holders) and that the appropriate time to make a further statement on the previously unauthorised expenditure on the Spendells Project will be when Cabinet has all the information that will come out of the investigation by the Chief Executive that is currently ongoing.”

Councillors M E Stephenson, Bray, P B Honeywood, Calver, Harris and Baker each addressed the Council during the debate on Councillor M E Stephenson’s amendment.

Pursuant to the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 19.5, Councillor P B Honeywood, supported by other Members rising in their places, requisitioned a record of the voting on Councillor M  ...  view the full minutes text for item 29.

To enable full Council to consider the recommendation of the Cabinet that Tendring District Council becomes the Accountable Body for the Levelling Up Partnership.

Council considered a reference report from Cabinet that set out the recommendation of the Cabinet that Tendring District Council became the Accountable Body for the Levelling Up Partnership.

It was reported that, on 26 July 2024 (Minute 32 referred), the Cabinet had considered a detailed report of the Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth, Regeneration and Tourism that, inter alia, had updated Cabinet on progress with one of the Council’s most significant new work-streams, the Levelling Up Partnership, and which had recommended that Cabinet approved the principle of the Council entering into the Partnership with Government. The current partnership approach was to deliver projects through the Council being the Accountable Body, working with partners to achieve place-based regeneration in Clacton and Jaywick.

At that meeting Cabinet had resolved, amongst other things, that Cabinet:-

“(g) recommends to Full Council to approve that Tendring District Council act as the Accountable Body for the Partnership (or alternative relationship determined by Government in revised policy), which forms part of the Council’s Corporate Plan 2024-28, ‘Our Vision’ and therefore, within the Policy Framework;”

Having duly considered the recommendation submitted to it by the Cabinet:-

It was moved by Councillor M E Stephensonand:-

RESOLVED that Tendring District Council act as the Accountable Body for the Levelling Up Partnership (or alternative relationship determined by Government in revised policy), which forms part of the Council’s Corporate Plan 2024-28, ‘Our Vision’ and therefore, within the Policy Framework.

The Council will consider the proposed work programmes for the two overview and scrutiny committees (i.e. the Community Leadership Overview and Scrutiny Committee and the Resources and Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee) for the 2024/2025 Municipal Year and will note the work carried out by those committees during 2023/2024.

Council considered the respective proposed work programmes for the Community Leadership and the Resources & Services Overview and Scrutiny Committees for the remainder of the 2024/25 Municipal Year.  Council also received the proposed ‘Annual Report 2023/24’ for overview and scrutiny work undertaken through those Committees.

Members were aware that, under the Council’s Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules (O&SPR), the Constitution stated, in relation to the Work Programme (O&SPR 7), that:

“Each Overview and Scrutiny Committee will submit a work programme for the year ahead and a review of the previous year’s activities to the Council for approval.  In addition, it will be responsible for coordinating and prioritising its work programme on an ongoing basis.”

In submitting their proposed work programmes for 2024/25, the Overview and Scrutiny Committees had taken into account:-

·     the General Role and Principles of undertaking its functions, as set out in Part 2, Article 6;

·     the planned work on the preparation of elements of the Budget and Policy Framework;

·     provision for budget scrutiny and scrutiny of the Treasury Management Strategy, as appropriate;

·     the need for statutory timetables to be met;

·     the expressed wishes of members of the committee;

·     requests from the Cabinet to carry out reviews and/or suggestions from the liaison meetings held under the Cabinet & Overview and Scrutiny Protocol; and

·     requests from Members and/or Group Leaders in accordance with O&SPR 8.

In addition, under Article 6.02 of the Constitution the separate Overview & Scrutiny Committees (OSCs) performed the role of overview and scrutiny in relation to:-

Community Leadership Overview and Scrutiny Committee

“To perform the role of Overview and Scrutiny and its functions in relation to:-

·     Community Leadership developing the external focus of overview and scrutiny on “district-wide” issues’ (and where appropriate sub regional, regional and national issues), in particular through collaborative work with local partner authorities, providers, stakeholders and members of the public.

·     Approval of discrete researched and evidenced reviews on the effectiveness of partnership operating in the area with particular focus on:

o  Community Safety

o  Health and Well-being

o  Economy, Skills and Educational Attainment

·     Community engagement, development and empowerment

·     Economic Development, Regeneration and Freeport East

·     Leisure and Tourism (except matters relating to budgets)

·     Planning & Building Control and Strategic Planning (including the Local Plan)

·     Emergency Planning

·     To scrutinise/review the outcomes and implications for the Council of its financial support to community organisations and also from its receipt and use of funds received from local partner organisations

The Community Leadership Overview & Scrutiny Committee will also act as the Council’s designated “crime and disorder committee” for the purposes of Section 19 of the Police and Justice Act 2006 and will have the power –

(a)   to review or scrutinise decisions made, or other action taken, in connection with the discharge by the responsible authorities[*] of their crime and disorder function;

(b)   to make reports or recommendations to the local authority with respect to the discharge of those functions.

*   “The responsible authorities” means the bodies and persons who are responsible authorities within the meaning  ...  view the full minutes text for item 31.

To enable full Council to discuss Tendring District Council’s formal response to the statutory consultation being carried out by National Grid on its proposed Norwich to Tilbury electricity power line connection project.

Earlier on in the meeting, as recorded under Minute 19 above, Councillor Fairley had declared a DPI and a Non-Registerable Interest in this matter but also she had been granted a dispensation.

Council considered a reference report (A.5) from the Planning Policy & Local Plan Committee which enabled Council to:-

(1)    discuss Tendring District Council’s formal response to the statutory consultation carried out by National Grid on its proposed Norwich to Tilbury electricity power line connection project; and

(2)    decide whether to submit any further comments to National Grid.

It was reported that, on 23 July 2024 (Minute 52 referred), the Planning Policy & Local Plan Committee had considered a report of the Director (Planning), which had invited discussion and sought that Committee’s agreement to Tendring District Council’s formal response to the statutory consultation being carried out by National Grid on its proposed Norwich to Tilbury electricity power line connection project. At that meeting it had been:-

“RESOLVED that the Planning Policy and Local Plan Committee:-

a) notes the content of this report;

b) supports the contents of the draft response to the Norwich to Tilbury Statutory Consultation, as attached at Appendix 1 to the Director (Planning)’s report (A.1), subject to references to the location of the proposed EACN being amended to Ardleigh instead of Lawford and the inclusion of a sentence that guides National Grid to the extensive mitigation measures that have been put forward by Ardleigh Parish Council in its consultation response;

c) agrees that, with the approval of the Portfolio Holder for Housing and Planning, the response with the above agreed changes be submitted to National Grid before the close of the Statutory Consultation on 26th July 2024; and

d) agrees that the approved response, as submitted to National Grid, be reported to Full Council to allow further discussion, if necessary and for the outcome of that discussion to be fed back to National Grid.”

Subsequent to that meeting, the Housing and Planning Portfolio Holder (Councillor Baker), acting under his delegated powers, had made an Executive Decision to formally approve the Council’s consultation response and that it be submitted to National Grid by the consultation response deadline of 26 July 2024. The Chairman of the Community Leadership Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Councillor Steady) had agreed to exempt Councillor Baker’s decision from the call-in process.

A copy of the Council’s formal consultation response, as approved by the Housing and Planning Portfolio Holder and submitted to National Grid was attached as Appendix A to the reference report (A.5).

A copy of the published Director of Planning’s report to the Planning Policy and Local Plan Committee meeting held on 23 July 2024, minus its appendix was attached as Appendix B to the reference report (A.5).

It was moved by Councillor Guglielmi, seconded by Councillor Fairley and:-

RESOLVED that any further comments be submitted to the National Grid.

To inform Council of a change in the membership of a Committee that has occurred since the Annual Meeting of the Council on 30 April 2024.

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 annual meeting of the Council, namely:-

Community Leadership Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Councillor Mark Platt had been appointed to serve in place of Councillor Lynda McWilliams.

Council noted the foregoing.

To inform Council that the Tendring Residents’ Alliance Group has changed its name to the Reform UK Group and that Councillor Jim Codling has left the Conservative Group and joined the Reform UK Group.

The Chief Executive (Ian Davidson) formally reported that, pursuant to Regulation 10(b) of the Local Government (Committees and Political Groups) Regulations 1990, Councillor James Codling on 10 June 2024, had served formal notice on the Council that he no longer wished to be treated as a member of the Conservative political group.

Mr. Davidson further informed Members that Councillor Codling had also served formal notice on the Council that he wished to be treated as a member of the Tendring Residents’ Alliance political group. That notice had been duly counter-signed by the Leader of the Tendring Residents’ Alliance Group (Councillor Jeff Bray). Councillors Codling and Bray, via that notice, had informed Officers that they wished to exercise their right 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 to have a review of the allocation of seats to political groups carried out. The results of that review were reported to Council elsewhere on the Agenda for this meeting.

Mr. Davidson additionally reported that, on 18 June 2024, Councillors Bray, Codling, Everett and Harris, pursuant to Regulation 8(5)(a) of the Local Government (Committees and Political Groups) Regulations 1990, had served formal notice on the Council that they wished to change the name of their political group. That is, the name of the Tendring Residents’ Alliance political group was to change to be the Reform UK political group. For the avoidance of any doubt, the Leader of the Reform UK Group was Councillor Bray and Councillor Harris was the deputy Group Leader.

Council noted the foregoing.

To inform Council of the outcome of the Hearing conducted by the Standards Committee in regards to alleged breaches of the Members’ Code of Conduct by Councillor N W Turner.

Council formally received a report of the Monitoring Officer (A.8), which inform Council of the outcome of the Hearing conducted by the Standards Committee in regards to alleged breaches of the Members’ Code of Conduct by Councillor N W Turner.

It was moved by Councillor M E Stephenson, and:-

RESOLVED that the contents of this report (A.8) and its appendix be formally noted.

To inform Council of the outcome of a review of the allocation of seats to political groups carried out in accordance with Section 15(1) (e) of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 and Regulation 17(b) and (d) of the Local Government (Committees and Political Groups) Regulations 1990.

Following a meeting of Group Leaders held to discuss and decide the matter, Council is requested to approve the allocation to the political groups formed on Tendring District Council of seats on those bodies that are subject to the Rules of Political Proportionality (Section 15 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989).

In accordance with the wishes expressed by Group Leaders, Council will also appoint Members to serve on those bodies that are subject to the Rules of Political Proportionality (Section 15 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989).

Council was aware that, following Councillor Codling’s decision on 10 June 2024 to leave the Conservative political group, and to join the Tendring Residents’ Alliance political group*, a review of the allocation of seats to political groups on relevant Committees and Sub-Committees had needed to be carried out, in accordance with 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.

* The Tendring Residents’ Alliance political group had subsequently changed its name to the Reform UK political group with effect from 19 June 2024.

Council, with the assistance of the contents of the Chief Executive’s report (A.9), formally conducted the review referred to above.

It was moved by Councillor M E Stephenson, seconded by Councillor Bakerand:-

RESOLVED that –

(a)    Council confirms that the political balance rules shall not be applied to the Tendring/Colchester Borders Garden Community Joint Committee and the Town & Parish Councils Standards Sub-Committee;

(b)    Council approves the review of the allocation of places on relevant Committees, as set out in Table 2 above in so far as it sets out the total number of seats on all those Committees to be allocated to political groups represented on the Council, (principle (c) of the “Principles”);

(c)   Council approves, subject to the subsequent consideration of (d) below, the number of seats on each relevant Committee to be allocated to political groups such that, for each group, their proportion of seats on individual Committees is proportionate to their overall membership on the Council (principles (c) and (d) of the “Principles”):

Table 8

(d)    That the following changes to the allocations set out in Table 8 above be approved (the relevant allocations are shown ‘*’ in Table 8):

(1) the Labour Group to have two seat on the Licensing and Registration Committee (instead of one) and no seat on the Resources and Services Overview & Scrutiny Committee (instead of one);

(2)  the Tendring Independents Group to have two seats on the Licensing & Registration Committee (instead of three) and three seats on the Resources and Services Overview & Scrutiny Committee (instead of two);

(3)  the Conservative Group to have two seats on the Licensing & Registration Committee (instead of three) and one seat on the Miscellaneous Licensing Sub-Committee (instead of two); and

(4)  the Reform UK Group to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 36.

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.

One question on notice has been submitted by a Member of the Council on this occasion.

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

Question

Councillor Chris Amos had asked Councillor Ivan Henderson, the Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth, Regeneration and Tourism:-

“After a recent tidy up of Dovercourt Town Centre, when do you anticipate other town centres in Tendring will receive funding and help to do the same?”

In the absence of Councillor Henderson, the Leader of the Council (Councillor Mark Stephenson) replied as follows:-

“Thank you, Councillor Amos, for your question, and for your comments on Dovercourt. I would like to commend the recent improvements in Dovercourt Town Centre, where newly wrapped shop fronts and hanging baskets have revitalised the area, and the derelict Starlings site has been transformed into the Orwell Street Carpark and events space.

We also have plans to refurbish the eyesore sites at the end of Victoria Street, revamp the Milton Road carpark, and with ECC to integrate adult community learning into the Library, and revitalise the street from Dovercourt Station to the Victoria Statue.

The Council is committed to improving our town centres across the district. We have introduced a district wide Public Space Protection Order for dog fouling, and with the summer season underway, we have more bins across the district too.

We have improved the cleanliness of Clacton with pavement washing and Frinton has had 156 hours of additional time from the Council to support the Anglia in Bloom Bid. Talking of blooms, the gardens in Clacton and Holland have been refreshed. And anyone who comes to Clacton Seafront is always stunned by our gardens, which are looking particularly beautiful at the moment.

We want to go further. We will announce the successful UK Share Prosperity Fund bids to put on events and promotions across our town centres shortly. Right now businesses and community groups can apply for a grant of £1000 from the Council to help fund events in towns and villages which could help bring people into shopping districts. And further funding for any shop across the district to apply for £5,000 to improve their shopfront to brighten up our high streets went live last Friday. Looking to the future now, the new waste contract from 2026 will further improve the cleanliness of town centres as the service will be measured by the cleanliness of the streets, not how often they are swept.

We have further Government funding we are targeting to our town centres. There is a substantial grant of £250,000 from the Government’s Long Term Plan for Towns. Part of this funding will enable us to tidy up Clacton starting in the early Autumn, in collaboration with our partners in the Town Board and Tourism Group.

This funding will complement the planned comprehensive development of the Clacton Library and the Carnarvon Terrace carpark,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 37.

To enable Full Council to approve the seating plan for its meetings to be held during the 2024/2025 Municipal Year.

The seating plan has been amended to reflect the election of the new Chairman of the Council, the appointment of the new Vice-Chairman of the Council, the appointment of Councillor Scott to serve as a member of the Council’s Executive and the move of Councillor Codling from the Conservative Group to the Reform UK Group.

Council’s approval was sought for the seating plan for its meetings to be held during the remainder of 2024/2025 Municipal Year.

It was reported that the seating plan had been amended to reflect the election of the new Chairman of the Council, the appointment of the new Vice-Chairman of the Council, the appointment of Councillor Scott to serve as a member of the Council’s Executive and the move of Councillor Codling from the Conservative Group to the Reform UK Group.

It was clarified that a correction on the seating plan should read ‘Reform UK’ in place of ‘Tendring Residents’ Alliance.’

It was RESOLVED that the seating plan for full Council meetings to be held in the Princes Theatre during the remainder of the 2024/2025 Municipal Year be approved.

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

No urgent matters had been submitted in accordance with Council Procedure Rules 3(xv), 11.3(b) and/or 13(p) for this meeting.