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

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Baker, Davis, Everett, Ferguson and Fowler.

The Council is asked to approve, as a correct record, the minutes of the extraordinary meeting of the Council held on 14 August 2025.

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

RESOLVED that the minutes of the extraordinary meeting of the Council held on 14 August 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 of Non-Registerable Interests, and the nature of it, in relation to any item on the agenda.

There were no declarations of interest made by members of the Council on this occasion.

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

The Chairman of the Council addressed Council as follows:-

“Since our last meeting on the 14^th August, I’ve had the privilege of representing the Council at a variety of events that truly reflect the life of our District. As ward and parish councillors we all see a great deal within our communities, but representing Tendring as Chairman really shows just how much our District has to offer. We hear the negatives all too easily, but the positives certainly outweigh them.

Every civic engagement though different, is equally important, and each one reflects the pride, respect, and strong community spirit we are fortunate to enjoy across Tendring.

I cannot pass by without mentioning this year’s Clacton Air Show. The displays were as impressive as ever, but just as important was the boost it brings to Clacton and the wider District. Our hotels, cafes, restaurants and small businesses all benefit, and it showcases not only our beautiful seafront but the very best of Tendring hospitality. The Air Show thrives thanks to the organisers, volunteers, local businesses and the thousands of visitors that attend.

Remembrance Sunday was another significant occasion. Despite the last-minute changes caused by a fire near the Town Hall, the Parade was reorganised superbly. The turnout at the War Memorial was incredibly moving. Hundreds gathered to honour those who had served and sacrificed. The Royal British Legion, as always, carried out their duties with great dedication and pride.”

Members were informed that, since the last meeting of the Council held on 14 August 2025, the Chairman of the Council had attended the following civic events:-

“Friday 15^th August - VJ Day Service at Clacton War Memorial;

Wednesday 20^th August – Opening of Sentinel House Air Rescue UK, Harwich;

Friday 22^nd August – Clacton Air Show;

Sunday 24^th August – Charity Football Match in aid of Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) at Harwich & Parkeston FC.

Wednesday 3^rd September – Merchant Navy Day Flag Raising at Town Hall, Clacton;

Saturday 6^th September – Fresh Air Festival, Brightlingsea;

Tuesday 9th September – British Legion Tea Dance, Princes Theatre, Town Hall, Clacton;

Wednesday 17^th September – Community Voluntary Services Tendring (CVST) AGM;

Wednesday 24^th September – Kennedy Way Community Garden, Clacton Harvest Day;

Friday 26^th September – Chairman of Essex County Council’s Reception at Halstead;

Wednesday 1^st October – Community Safety Event, Princes Theatre, Town Hall, Clacton;

Thursday 2^nd October – Blue Plaque unveiling for Clacton Suffragettes, Kate and Louise Lilly at CVST offices, Rosemary Road, Clacton;

Sunday 5^th October – Invited by High Sheriff to join Crown Court ceremonial procession into Chelmsford Cathedral;

Thursday 9^th October afternoon – SANDS baby loss awareness week Ribbon Memorial at Clacton Memorial Gardens;

Thursday 9^th October evening – Promotion of NHS Careers at Clacton Coastal Academy;

Sunday 19^th October – Mayor of Wivenhoe’s Civic Service at St Mary’s Church & Reception;

Tuesday 21^st October – Unveiling of The Masonic Bell  ...  view the full minutes text for item 67.

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 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.

30 car parks in Tendring earn prestigious national safety award

The Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Public Realm (Councillor Barry) informed Council that a total of 30 car parks had this year earned the prestigious Park Mark award – a national seal of approval for safety and quality. The Park Mark, part of the Safer Parking Scheme run by the British Parking Association (BPA), was awarded to car parks that met rigorous standards for security, lighting, maintenance and management.

This latest round of awards had seen 13 more sites added to the list, including Hastings Beach, Hastings Grass, Promenade Way, and the seafront parking bays, in Clacton, as well as Orwell Place in Dovercourt, York Road, Brighton Road and Holland Haven in Holland-on-sea, Brook Street in Manningtree, and Station Yard, Mill Lane, Coronation Car Park, and The Naze, in Walton-on-the-Naze.

Earlier this year, 17 car parks across the District – including locations in Ardleigh, Brightlingsea, Clacton, Harwich, Jaywick, Manningtree and Walton – had also achieved the accreditation.

Councillor Barry stated - “Residents have told us that car parking matters to them – and that’s why we’re proud to continue the Householder Parking Permit, which offers free parking after 11am at most council-run car parks.

We’re committed to maintaining high standards and making sure our car parks remain safe and welcoming for everyone.

That’s why we are continuing to invest in improvements, such as plans to install low-level, solar-powered lighting to complement existing ambient lighting at Victoria Place car park in Brightlingsea.

Receiving Park Mark accreditation for 30 of our car parks - more than any other district in Essex - is a fantastic achievement, and I want to thank our dedicated Parking Services team for their hard work and commitment.

These awards give residents and visitors alike confidence that our car parks are well-managed, clean, and secure.”

Arts Council England Funding Award

The Portfolio Holder for Arts, Culture and Heritage (Councillor Scott) was pleased to inform Council that the District had been awarded the sum of £750,000 through the Arts Council England Creative People and Places Programme. This funding would support Creative Tendring a community led cultural initiative hosted by the Arts Trust in partnership with this Council, CVST and the Harwich Festival. Over the next three years this programme would deliver cultural projects aimed at tackling isolation, supporting wellbeing and building self-confidence through creativity and celebrating what made Tendring special. The development phase for such creative projects would commence from April 2026.

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.

The Council will receive a report on any Cabinet or Portfolio Holder Decisions taken as a matter of urgency 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.

On this occasion Members were informed that there were no urgent Cabinet or Portfolio Holder decisions that needed to be reported to Council.

The Council will receive the minutes of the following Committees:

(a)     Planning Policy & Local Plan of Monday 8 September 2025;

(b)     Community Leadership Overview & Scrutiny of Tuesday 23 September 2025;

(c)     Audit of Thursday 25 September 2025;

(d)     Human Resources & Council Tax of Tuesday 21 October 2025; and

(e)     Resources and Services Overview & Scrutiny of Tuesday 4 November 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, seconded by Councillor I J Henderson and:-

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

(a)     Planning Policy & Local Plan of Monday 8 September 2025;

(b)     Community Leadership Overview & Scrutiny of Tuesday 23 September 2025;

(c)     Audit of Thursday 25 September 2025;

(d)     Human Resources & Council Tax of Tuesday 21 October 2025; and

(e)     Resources and Services Overview & Scrutiny of Tuesday 4 November 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.

Council will consider any recommendations submitted to it by the Cabinet in relation to the following:-

·      Local Council Tax Support Scheme 2026/27;

·      Exceptional Hardship Policy;

·      Discretionary Council Tax Exemptions, Discounts and Premiums for 2026/27; and

·      Annual MRP Policy Statement for 2026/27.

Council was informed that, at its meeting held on 14 November 2025 (Minute 77 referred), the Cabinet had considered a report of the Corporate Finance & Governance Portfolio Holder (A.5) which had sought its agreement for recommending to Full Council the following:

•    Local Council Tax Support Scheme 2026/27 (LCTS);

•    Exceptional Hardship Policy;

•    Discretionary Council Tax Exemptions, Discounts and Premiums for 2026/27; and

•    Annual MRP Policy Statement for 2026/27.

Having conducted the annual review of the above matters, the Portfolio Holder had proposed to Cabinet:-

(i)      in terms of the LCTS, to continue with the principle of providing financial stability wherever possible to Tendring claimants;

(ii)     to keep the 2026/27 LCTS scheme the same as for 2025/26, which provided for a maximum discount of 80% for working age claimants;

(iii)     to not make any changes to the associated hardship policy;

(iv)    to not make any changes for 2026/27 in relation to existing discretionary council tax discounts, exemptions and premiums (including discounts for young people leaving care);

(v)     to not make any changes in respect of existing council tax premiums on long-term empty properties;

(vi)    to continue with a 100% council tax premium on properties occupied periodically (‘second homes’);

(vii)    to note that central Government has previously introduced a number of exceptions where the council tax premium on long term empty properties and/or second homes is not chargeable and that these remain in place; and

(viii)   to not make any changes to the Annual Minimum Revenue Provision Policy Statement for 2026/27.

Cabinet had been informed that, if it was agreed that no changes were necessary to the proposed LCTS scheme, there would be no need for a public consultation. However, if any amendments were proposed and approved at this Full Council meeting, then public consultation would be required before the final scheme could be agreed and adopted.  Consequently, if consultation was required, this Council would have to notify the precepting authorities that the final council tax base would be delayed and would not be available until later on in the budget cycle.

Given the recommendation to continue with the existing LCTS scheme, Cabinet had not proposed to formally refer it for scrutiny to the Resources and Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee, on the grounds that it would be considered by Full Council at this meeting.

In order to proceed towards the implementation of an LCTS Scheme in 2026/27 along with the required council tax discounts, exemptions and premiums and an MRP Policy Statement Cabinet had:-

“RESOLVED that Cabinet agrees that -

(a)   the LCTS scheme for 2026/27 remains the same as the current year (2025/26);

(b)   the Council Tax Exceptional Hardship Policy be as set out in Appendix B to the report; and

(c)   the discretionary Council Tax exemptions, discounts and premiums for 2026/27 be as set out in the appendices to the Portfolio Holder’s report.

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL that –

(i)    the LCTS, as set out as Appendix A to the report, be approved  ...  view the full minutes text for item 76.

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 formally report that, pursuant to Regulation 10(b) of the Local Government (Committees and Political Groups) Regulations 1990, Councillor Richard Everett on 13 August 2025, served formal notice on the Council that he no longer wished to be treated as a member of the Reform UK political group.

The Chief Executive formally reported that, pursuant to Regulation 10(b) of the Local Government (Committees and Political Groups) Regulations 1990, Councillor Richard Everett on 13 August 2025, had served formal notice on the Council that he no longer wished to be treated as a member of the Reform UK political group.

Council noted the foregoing.

To inform Members of a change in the membership of the Standards Committee made since the last meeting of the Council.

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

Standards Committee

Councillor Sue Honeywood had been appointed to serve in place of Councillor Dan Land.

Council noted the foregoing.

To enable Members to consider a proposed change of date for the 2026 Annual Meeting of the Council to avoid a conflict with this Council’s administration of the election of the Mayor for Greater Essex and the elections of County Councillors to serve on Essex County Council.

Council was aware that, earlier this year it had decided, inter alia, that the 2026 Annual Meeting of the Council would be held on Tuesday 28 April 2026 (Minute 14 – 29.4.25 referred). Members were also aware that Greater Essex had been accepted into the Government’s Devolution Priority Programme and that work had been progressing on this matter alongside the related Local Government Re-organisation affecting all Councils in Essex.

Council was reminded that, having been accepted into the Government’s Devolution Priority Programme, Parliament had subsequently consented that the elections of Councillors to serve on Essex County Council that had been due to take place in May 2025 would be postponed for one year.

Members were informed that the current position was that the postponed election of Essex County Councillors would be held on Thursday 7 May 2026 and that it was almost certain that the election of the Mayor for Greater Essex would be held on that same date. This had a knock-on effect on the Annual Council date of 28 April 2026.

Council recognised that, in the period leading up to the elections on 7 May 2026, many Officers across the Council (including the Democratic Services Team and the Leadership Support Team who had key roles to play in arranging and facilitating the Annual Meeting of the Council) would be involved in various election duties supporting colleagues in the Elections Team. Members themselves were likely to be involved in canvassing duties on behalf of their preferred candidates.

The Chief Executive had therefore concluded that it would be in the Council’s best interests that the 2026 Annual Meeting of the Council be postponed thereby avoiding an unneeded distraction around the time of the elections on 7 May 2026. The Chief Executive had therefore recommended that the Annual Meeting now be held on Tuesday 19 May 2026, which had been previously earmarked for the first ordinary meeting of the Council in the 2026/27 Municipal Year. Furthermore, to ensure that the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 3 (which, inter alia, stated that the first ordinary Council meeting be held within 15 working days of the annual meeting) were met, The Chief Executive had further proposed that an ordinary meeting of the Council be held on Tuesday 2 June 2026.

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

RESOLVED that –

(a)     the 2026 Annual Meeting of the Council be postponed from 28 April 2026 to 19 May 2026; and

(b)     the first ordinary meeting of the Council in the 2026/27 Municipal Year be held on 2 June 2026.

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.