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

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Amos, Bush, Davis, Doyle, Goldman, Thompson and White.

The Council is asked to approve, as a correct record, the minutes of the ordinary meeting of the Council held on 25 November 2025.

It was moved by Councillor M E Stephenson, seconded by Councillor I J Henderson and:-

RESOLVED that the minutes of the ordinary meeting of the Council held on 25 November 2025 be approved as a correct record and be signed by the Chairman.

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

Councillor Fairley declared a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in relation to item 15, Reference from the Planning Policy and Local Plan Committee – A.3 – Tendring District Local Plan Review: Preferred Options Draft, in that her family owned and farmed land which was being considered within the Preferred Options Draft.  She informed Council that she would leave the room whilst this item was discussed and voted on.

In relation to the aforementioned report A.3, Councillor Scott declared an Other Registerable Interest in respect of new non-strategic policy PPL12b (St. Osyth Priory) insofar as he was a Council appointee and a Trustee of the St. Osyth Priory Education Trust. However, he stated that, having consulted the Monitoring Officer, this would not affect his ability to impartially consider the contents of report A.3.

The Monitoring Officer, Lisa Hastings, confirmed that she had been consulted by both Councillors and that she had given them advice. Mrs. Hastings also explained the different legal positions in respect of Councillors Fairley’s and Scott’s declared interests.

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

The Chairman informed Council of recent civic events that he had attended on behalf of the Council.

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

There were no announcements made 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.

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

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

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

There were no statements made by members of the Cabinet on this occasion.

To report any ‘live’ petitions that have been submitted in accordance with the Scheme approved by the Council.

On this occasion it was reported that no ‘live’ petitions had been submitted in accordance with the Scheme approved by the Council.

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.

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.

It was reported that, on this occasion, no such questions on notice had been submitted.

To notify Members 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.

Council considered a report of the Leader of the Council that, in accordance with the requirements of Rule 16.2 of the Access to Information Procedure Rules and/or Rule 18(i) of the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules and/or Rule 6(b) of the Budget and Policy Framework Procedure Rules, notified Members of recent Executive Decision(s) taken in the circumstances set out in Rule 15 of the Access to Information Procedure Rules and/or Rule 18(i) of the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules.

(1)     Clacton Leisure Centre Swimming Pool Heating System: Budget Increase

It was reported that, on 19 December 2025, the Assistant Director (Sport, Culture and Health), on behalf of the Leader of the Council, and 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 Resources and Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee’s consent, that the Leader’s urgent decision, on behalf of the Cabinet, relating to a budget increase for the Clacton Leisure Centre Swimming Pool Heating System, could be taken under the special urgency procedure and therefore be exempted from the call-in procedure.

That urgent decision by the Leader, on behalf of the Cabinet and using the special urgency powers, provided within Schedule 3 (Responsibility for Executive Functions) and Access to Information Procedure Rule 15 (Special Urgency), in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Public Realm, and the Section 151 Officer and the Monitoring Officer had been:

“To authorise a virement of £60,000, to increase the Clacton Leisure Centre Swimming Pool Heating System Replacement Capital project budget, funded from within existing Clacton Leisure Centre revenue budgets, that results in an overall increase in the project budget from £1,368,729 to £1,428,729.”

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

“The external funding awarded through the Government Salix decarbonisation scheme provided £1,204,481 towards this project cost. The funding agreement for this contribution includes rigid timescales for drawing down the money.  In order to keep on track with the project milestones, the Council is required to be in contract with the approved supplier by December 31^st 20025.   Any delay in signing the agreement may result in the Council losing the external funding secured.  With Christmas approaching, if a 5 day call-in period was required, there would not be sufficient working days for the decision to be enacted and subsequently enter into contract.  The exemption to call in is therefore requested, to ensure the decision can be ratified and the project remains on target.”

(2)     Tendring District Council’s formal response to the statutory LGR consultations - Greater Essex and Suffolk

Council was informed that, on 2 January 2026, the Corporate Director (Law & Governance), on behalf of the Leader of the Council, and in view of the urgency of the issue concerned, and in accordance with  ...  view the full minutes text for item 92.

The Council will receive the minutes of the following Committees:

(a)     Community Leadership Overview & Scrutiny of Monday 17 November 2025; and

(b)     Planning Policy & Local Plan of Monday 8 December 2025.

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)     Community Leadership Overview and Scrutiny of Monday 17 November 2025; and

(b)     Planning Policy and Local Plan of Monday 8 December 2025.

Council will consider motions, notice of which will have been given pursuant to Council Procedure Rule 12.

On this occasion it was reported that no motions on notice had been submitted in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 12.

To enable Council to consider the formal adoption of the Housing Strategy for the period 2026 to 2030.

Council was informed that, at its meeting held on 19 December 2025 (Minute 90 referred), the Cabinet had considered a report of the Housing and Planning Portfolio Holder (A.4) which had informed it of the outcome following the consultation on the draft Housing Strategy 2026-30 and which had sought Cabinet’s approval of the final Housing Strategy 2026-30 for recommendation to Full Council.

Cabinet had recalled that, at its earlier meeting held on 26 September 2025, it had approved a draft Housing Strategy 2026-30 for consultation. That consultation had been launched on 6 October 2025 with a questionnaire available on the Council’s website.

It had been reported to Cabinet that 24 responses to the consultation had been received via the online survey form with 92% agreeing with the proposed length of the strategy and 92% agreeing with the four strategic priorities. Several comments had been received that had been summarised within the Portfolio Holder’s report.

Cabinet had been advised that Essex County Council (ECC) had submitted a detailed response that in essence had stated: “ECC welcomes the development of this Housing Strategy and the clear articulation of Tendring’s priorities. The document is well-structured and provides a strong narrative about the local context, including the challenges of deprivation, an ageing population, and housing affordability. We particularly value the emphasis on partnership working and the recognition of the role of Essex County Council in delivering shared objectives.”

Overall, the responses to the consultation had not required the draft strategy to be substantially altered. Reflecting the feedback received, some minor additions had been made. The proposed final version of the strategy had set out notable achievements along with ambitions across four strategic priorities:-

1.         Maintain and improve our existing housing stock.

This focussed on the Council’s role as a landlord and the management of its homes ensuring compliance with its statutory obligations along with the Consumer Standards and Tenant Satisfaction Measures

2.         Preventing and reducing homelessness.

With homelessness having increased and most councils facing significant cost pressures this priority set out what the Council was doing to reduce expenditure and increase its prevention work.

3.         Delivering, with partners, high quality homes.

This priority focused on the delivery of affordable housing in the District.

4.         Supporting people in their homes and communities.

This priority was aimed at those living in the privately rented sector and those owning their own homes and set out what the Council was doing to ensure housing standards were maintained across all tenures.

In order to:-

(1) ensure that the new Housing Strategy was appropriately adopted, following consultation with the public, other relevant authorities and both internal and external stakeholders, in accordance with the Council’s Constitution; and

(2)   acknowledge appropriately that the Resources and Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee had yet to review the proposed final version of the Housing Strategy, although a Task and Finish Working Group had discussed the draft strategy at a meeting on 3 November 2025 and had been largely supportive of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 95.

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

On this occasion it was reported that no reports had been submitted to the Council by an Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

To enable Council to consider approving the Tendring District Local Plan: Preferred Options Draft for the purposes of a public consultation.

Earlier on in the meeting, as detailed under Minute 85 above, Councillor Fairley had declared a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest. She thereupon left the room whilst this item was discussed and voted on.

In addition, Councillor Scott had declared an Other Registerable Interest in respect of new non-strategic policy PPL12b (St. Osyth Priory) insofar as he was a Council appointee and a Trustee of the St. Osyth Priory Education Trust.

Council was aware that the Planning Policy and Local Plan Committee (“the Committee”), at its meeting held on 22 January 2026, had considered a comprehensive report of the Corporate Director (Planning and Community) (A.1) which had presented the Tendring District Local Plan – Preferred Options Draft to the Committee and which had sought the Committee’s agreement for this document, along with the associated evidence base  (including  the  Sustainability Appraisal,  Habitat  Regulations Assessment and  other  relevant technical studies)  to  be  recommended  for  approval by Full  Council. Such approval would allow that document to proceed to formal public consultation in line with Regulation 18 of the statutory plan-making process.

Having considered that report the Committee had formally resolved:-

“that the Planning Policy and Local Plan Committee:

a)       notes the content of this report explaining how the Tendring District Local Plan – Preferred Options Draft has been developed having regard to the direction given and decisions taken by the Committee at previous meetings, feedback from the public consultation on Issues and Options carried out in Spring 2025 and the emerging evidence base – as well as the requirements of national planning policy;  

b)       having considered the Tendring District Local Plan – Preferred Options Draft (at Appendix 1) agrees to recommend to Full Council, following consultation with the Leader of the Council, that it be approved for six-weeks public consultation, alongside the related Sustainability Appraisal (at Appendix 2), Habitats Regulation Assessment (at Appendix 3) and other supporting evidence (including those listed as background documents) in accordance with Regulation 18 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 (as amended) and Regulation 13 of the Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programme Regulations;

c)       recommends to Full Council that delegated authority be given to the Corporate Director – Planning and Community, in consultation with the Chairman of the Planning Policy and Local Plan Committee to make corrections, if necessary, to address any minor formatting, mapping, typographical, grammatical or factual errors within the aforementioned Draft Plan (in Appendix 1), in the event that any are discovered before consultation commences; and

d)       notes that if or when the Local Plan – Preferred Options Draft is agreed by Full Council to be published for consultation, its policies and proposals can be taken into account in the determination of planning applications, alongside those of the current adopted Local Plan – with weight afforded to the emerging policies in accordance with the guidance set out in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).” 

The Chairman of the Planning Policy & Local Plan Committee (Councillor Guglielmi) made the following statement:-

“Mr.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 97.

To inform Members of changes in the membership of committees made since the last meeting of the Council.

The Chief Executive formally reported that, in accordance with the expressed wishes, as relevant, of the Leader of the Conservative Group, the Leader of the Tendring Independents Group, and the Leader of the Reform UK Group, and the authority delegated to him, the following appointments / committee membership changes had been duly made since the last meeting of the Council, namely:-

Planning Committee

Councillor Jim Codling had been appointed to serve in place of Councillor Richard Everett.

Councillor Geeta Sudra had been appointed to serve in place of Councillor Adrian Smith.

Planning Policy & Local Plan Committee

Councillor Zoe Fairley had been removed from that Committee.

Audit Committee

Councillor Mark Platt had been removed from that Committee.

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.

It was reported that no questions on notice had been submitted by Members on this occasion.

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.