In accordance with the provisions of Section 3(2) of the Local Government Act 1972, the Chair was occupied by the retiring Chairman, Councillor Dan Casey, until his successor became entitled to act as Chairman.

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

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Ferguson, Keteca and Placey.

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

The Chairman informed Members that details of his recent engagements had been circulated to them.

Pursuant to the provisions of Sections 3 and 4 of the Local Government Act 1972, the Council will elect its Chairman for the 2025/2026 Municipal Year.

It was moved by Councillor I J Hendersonand seconded by Councillor M E Stephenson that Councillor Davidson be elected Chairman of the Council.

On being put to the vote it wasunanimously:-

RESOLVED that, pursuant to Section 3(1) of the Local Government Act 1972, Councillor Davidson be elected Chairman of the Council for the 2025/2026 municipal year.

Members gave a round of applause to Councillor Davidson on his election.

Councillor Davidson was thereupon invested with the badge and Chain of Office and made a Statutory Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

The Chairman then made a short speech as follows:-

Councillor Davidson gave heartfelt thanks for the honour and privilege that had been bestowed upon him and pledged to do his utmost. He paid tribute to the work undertaken by his predecessor Councillor Casey and his wife. He thanked Ian Davidson, Lisa Hastings, Keith Simmons and Maddie Adger for all their advice and guidance during the past year. He thanked his mover and seconder and looked forward to working with all Members during the year ahead. Members gave Councillor Davidson a further round of applause.

Councillor Davidson then invested Councillor Casey with the Past Chairman’s Badge.

Councillor Casey congratulated the Chairman and wished him and the new Vice-Chairman well during their term of office. Councillor Casey also stated that it had been an incredible honour to be Chairman of the Council. He made mention of some of the highlights of his year in office which included a Town Twinning visit to Biberach in Germany, the 80^th Anniversary of the D-Day Landings, the Clacton Air Show and the Veterans Tea Party. Councillor Casey thanked Councillor Davidson and Council Officers especially the Leadership Support Team for their support during his year in office.

Members gave another round of applause.

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 5 of the Local Government Act 1972, the Council will appoint its Vice-Chairman for the 2025/2026 Municipal Year.

It was moved by Councillor M E Stephensonand seconded by Councillor Scott that Councillor Oxleybe appointed Vice-Chairman of the Council.

On being put to the vote it was:-

RESOLVED that, pursuant to Section 5(1) of the Local Government Act 1972, Councillor Oxleybe appointed Vice-Chairman of the Council for the 2025/2026 municipal year.

Members gave a round of applause to Councillor Oxley on her appointment.

Councillor Oxley was thereupon invested with the Vice-Chairman’s Badge of Office and made a Statutory Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

Councillor Oxley paid tribute to Councillors Casey and Davidson and expressed her thanks to those Members who had voted for her. She felt very honoured and privileged, and she pledged that she would do her very best for everyone during her year in office.

Members then gave a further round of applause.

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

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

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

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

To inform Members of a change in membership of the Tendring Independents political group.

The Chief Executive formally reported that, pursuant to Regulation 9(b) of the Local Government (Committees and Political Groups) Regulations 1990, Councillor Dan Casey had served formal notice on the Council that he wished to be treated as a member of the Tendring Independents political group. That notice had been duly counter signed by the Leader of the Tendring Independents Group (Councillor Mark Stephenson).

Council noted the foregoing.

Council will formally note the size of membership of the Council’s Committees and Sub-Committees as follows:-

Committee/Sub-Committee                                                     No. of Members

Audit                                                                                       (7)

Community Leadership Overview & Scrutiny                   (9)

Human Resources & Council Tax                                      (7)

Licensing and Registration                                                 (10)

Planning                                                                                 (9)

Planning Policy & Local Plan                                              (9)

Resources and Services Overview & Scrutiny                 (9) 

Standards                                                                              (7)

Miscellaneous Licensing Sub-Committee                        (5) 

Town & Parish Councils Standards Sub-Committee        (3)

NOTE:  Except for the Town and Parish Councils Standards Sub-Committee, the membership of the above Committees and Sub-Committees are subject to the Rules of Political Proportionality (Section 15 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989).

Council noted the size of membership of the Council’s Committees and Sub-Committees as follows:-

Committee/Sub-Committee                                                     No. of Members

Audit                                                                                        (7)

Community Leadership Overview & Scrutiny                        (9)

Human Resources & Council Tax                                          (7)

Licensing and Registration                                                     (10)

Planning                                                                                  (9)

Planning Policy & Local Plan                                                 (9)

Resources and Services Overview & Scrutiny                       (9) 

Standards                                                                                (7)

Miscellaneous Licensing Sub-Committee                             (5) 

Town & Parish Councils Standards Sub-Committee             (3)

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 considered a comprehensive report prepared by Officers, which detailed the legislative requirements, principles and necessary procedural steps, regarding the allocation to the political groups formed on Tendring District Council of seats on those bodies that were subject to the Rules of Political Proportionality (i.e. Section 15 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989).

Council also considered a Schedule of Members that it was proposed by political Group Leaders should serve on each of the Council’s bodies, which were subject to the Rules of Political Proportionality (Section 15 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989).

Members were aware that there were unallocated seats on the Planning Committee and the Miscellaneous Licensing Sub-Committee, which Full Council would need to consider.

Having duly considered the information contained in the report and the appendix thereto:-

It was moved by Councillor M E Stephenson, seconded by Councillor I J Henderson 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 thetotal 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 10

(d)     That the following changes to the allocations set out in Table 8 above be approved (the relevant allocations are shown ‘*’ in Table 10):

(1)     the Labour Group to have two seats on the Human Resources & Council Tax Committee (instead of one), two seats 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 Conservative Group to have one seat on the Planning Committee (instead of two), three seats on the Planning Policy & Local Plan Committee (instead of two) and three seats on the Resources and Services  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

Council will note that the appointment of Members to serve on the Town and Parish Councils Standards Sub-Committee will take place at the next meeting of the Standards Committee.

NOTE: The Town and Parish Councils Standards Sub-Committee’s membership must be chosen from the membership of the Standards Committee.

Council noted that the appointment of Members to serve on the Town and Parish Councils Standards Sub-Committee would take place at the next meeting of the Standards Committee. This was due to the fact that the Town and Parish Councils Standards Sub-Committee’s membership was required to be chosen from the membership of the Standards Committee.

Except for the Town and Parish Councils Standards Sub-Committee, Council will formally elect the Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen of the bodies listed under Agenda Item 7 above.

NOTE:  Article 6.02(ii) of the Council’s Constitution states, inter alia, that the elected Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Resources and Services Overview & Scrutiny Committee must be Members appointed to that Committee who, normally, are also members of a Political Group that is unrepresented on the Council’s Cabinet.

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

RESOLVED that the Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen of the following Committees and Sub-Committee be and are elected respectively for the 2025/2026 municipal year as follows:

It was then moved by Councillor Fairley and seconded by Councillor Guglielmithat Councillor P B Honeywood be elected Chairman of the Resources and Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee for the 2025/2026 Municipal Year.

On being put to the vote it was:-

RESOLVED that Councillor P B Honeywood be elected Chairman of the Resources and Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee for the 2025/2026 municipal year.

It was then moved by Councillor A I Cossens and seconded by Councillor M E Stephensonthat Councillor M A Cossens be elected Vice-Chairman of the Resources and Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee for the 2025/2026 Municipal Year.

On being put to the vote it was:-

RESOLVED that Councillor M A Cossens be elected Vice-Chairman of the Resources and Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee for the 2025/2026 municipal year.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 1.1 (xi), to formally reaffirm the Council’s current Constitution.

Members were reminded that, in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 1.1 (xi), it was normal practice at the annual meeting of the Council to formally reaffirm the Council’s current Constitution.

It was reported that the Council’s Constitution had been amended to reflect the changes approved by Council at its meeting held on 25 March 2025 and the full text of the amended Constitution would be found on the Council’s website in due course.

At the next meeting of the Council on 20 May 2025, Members would also be provided with an updated booklet containing those sections of the Constitution most relevant to the work of Councillors.

It was moved by Councillor M E Stephenson, seconded by Councillor P B Honeywoodand:

RESOLVED that the Council’s Constitution be re-affirmed.

Council will consider the proposed programme of meetings for the 2025/26 Municipal Year.

Annual Council considered a proposed timetable of meetings of the Council and its Committees for the 2025/2026 municipal year.

The timetable of meetings also included dates for All Member Briefings and Councillor Development sessions, together with known dates of Portfolio Holder Working Party meetings to assist Members in keeping their diaries up to date.

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

RESOLVED that -

(a)     the timetable of meetings of the Council and its Committees, as set out in the Appendix to item A.4 of the Reference from Cabinet, be approved;

(b)     the proposed dates for Cabinet meetings, All Member Briefings and Councillor Development sessions et cetera be noted; and

(c)     Annual Council notes that special meetings of the Cabinet and/or Full Council and potentially other bodies will likely be required to ensure that Tendring District Council can make its formal decision on the submission of the final Local Government Reorganisation proposals for Greater Essex by the Government’s deadline of 26 September 2025.

To approve the recommendations from the Interview Selection Panel (Standards Committee meeting 24 October 2024 minute no. 25) to appoint Mrs Sue Gallone, Mr David Irvine, Mrs Sheila Murphy and Mrs Jane Watts as the Council’s Independent Persons for the purpose of the Standards Framework for a term of four years.

All of the recommended appointments are to be for the period expiring at the Annual Council meeting in May 2029.

Council considered a report of the Corporate Director (Law and Governance) & Monitoring Officer (A.5) which enabled Council to approve the recommendations from the Interview Selection Panel (Standards Committee meeting on 24 October 2024 minute no. 25 referred) to appoint Mrs Sue Gallone, Mr David Irvine, Mrs Sheila Murphy and Mrs Jane Watts as the Council’s Independent Persons for the purpose of the Standards Framework for a term of four years.

All the recommended appointments were to be for the period expiring at the Annual Council meeting in May 2029.

It was moved by Councillor Wiggins, seconded by Councillor Alexander and:-

RESOLVED that -

a)       Tendring District Council continues to appoint four Independent Persons for the purposes of the Council’s Standards Framework, for a four-year term until Annual Council in 2029, with an allowance of £600 per annum plus expenses;

b)       following the outcome of the Standards Committee’s interview panel, Mrs Sue Gallone, Mr David Irvine, Mrs Sheila Murphy and Mrs Jane Watts be appointed as the Council’s Independent Persons with immediate effect;

c)       Council notes that further decisions on the term of the Independent Persons may be required, in the light of the emerging Local Government Reorganisation programme; and

d)       Council expresses its gratitude to Mrs Clarissa Gosling for her dedication to the role of the Independent Person for Tendring District Council for 11 years from 2014 and then also when she became a member of the Independent Renumeration Panel.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 1.1 (xiii) the Council will appoint up to four Members, with each Member being a Member Authority Representative to serve on/at the General Assembly of the Local Government Association.

NOTE:   Two of the Members appointed must be the Leader of the Council and the Deputy Leader of the Council. Up to two further names can be put forward to Council by the Leader of the Council and/or by other Group Leaders.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 1.1 (xiii) the Council was requested to appoint up to four Members, with each Member being a Member Authority Representative to serve on/at the General Assembly of the Local Government Association. Council was aware that two of the Members appointed must be the Leader of the Council and the Deputy Leader of the Council.

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

RESOLVED that, in addition to the Leader of the Council and the Deputy Leader of the Council, Councillors Guglielmiand Fairley be appointed to represent Tendring District Council as Member Authority Representatives at the General Assembly of the Local Government Association.

The Chairman of the Council invited Members and Officers to join him in the Chairman’s Parlour for post-meeting refreshments.