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

Apologies for absence were submitted from Councillor I J Henderson (the Deputy Leader of the Council & Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth, Regeneration & Tourism).

To confirm and sign the minutes of the last meeting of the Cabinet held on Friday 23 May 2025. 

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

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet, held on Friday 23 May 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.

There were no declarations of interest made by Members at this time.

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

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

The Cabinet is asked to note any announcements made by Members of the Cabinet.

Memorandum of Understanding – Tacking Heritage Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour

The Assets and Community Safety Portfolio Holder informed Cabinet that, on 30 May 2025, he had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the prevention, investigation, enforcement and prosecution of crime and anti-social behaviour with local Police colleagues and Historic England. The MoU stated: “I am authorised on behalf of Tendring District Council and the Community Safety Partnership to become a member of the alliance to reduce heritage crime (ARCH) and signatory to the Memorandum of Understanding on the prevention, investigation, enforcement and prosecution of heritage and cultural property crime and anti-social behaviour.”

The Portfolio Holder was delighted to work with Historic England to undertake the heritage crime officer training for our enforcement teams to make a positive impact on heritage crime locally. He also looked forward to working with and being engaged with all partners to tackle heritage and cultural property crime and anti-social behaviour.

Community Sport and Activity Manager – Appointment

The Leisure and Public Realm Portfolio Holder was pleased to announce that, in with the Council’s adopted Sport and Activity Strategy, the Council had now appointed a Community Sport and Activity Manager, Charlie Colwell.

There are no matters referred to the Cabinet by the Council on this occasion.

There were no matters referred to the Cabinet by the Council on this occasion.

There are no matters referred to the Cabinet by a Committee on this occasion.

There were no matters referred to the Cabinet by a Committee on this occasion.

To seek Cabinet’s, in principle, approval of the Freeport East Retained Business Rates Agreement, acting as the Billing Authority, in line with the Council’s ‘Freeport East Policy for Managing Retained Business Rates’, and to set out the next steps to finalise the Agreement.

To ask Cabinet, acting as Founding Member, to approve the Freeport East Ltd Annual Business Plan for 2025/26, as required by the Members’ Agreement.

RESOLVED that Cabinet –

(a)        in its role as Billing Authority, notes the progress made to date to complete the Freeport East Retained Business Rates Agreement, and agrees the approach as proposed in Appendix A to the Leader of the Council’s report (A.1);

(b)        authorises the Deputy Chief Executive and the Section 151 Officer to approve and sign the final Freeport East Retained Business Rates Agreement in line with the Council’s Freeport East Policy for Managing Retained Business Rates and Freeport East Policy for Granting Non-Discretionary Domestic Rates Relief; and

(c)        in its role as a Founding Member, and in accordance with the Members’ Agreement, approves the 2025/26 Freeport East Ltd. Annual Business Plan.

Cabinet considered a report of the Leader of the Council (A.1) which: -

(1)     sought Cabinet’s, in principle, approval of the Freeport East Retained Business Rates Agreement, acting as the Billing Authority, in line with the Council’s ‘Freeport East Policy for Managing Retained Business Rates’, and to set out the next steps to finalise the Agreement; and

(2)     requested Cabinet, acting as a Founding Member, to approve the Freeport East Ltd. Annual Business Plan for 2025/26, as required by the Members’ Agreement.

Freeport East Retained Business Rates Agreement

Cabinet was aware that Freeport East was a Government backed hub for investment, trade and innovation. It was central to the Government’s agenda for driving clean growth, promoting regeneration and job creation. Freeport East included the Port of Felixstowe, Harwich International Port, and the Gateway 14 business park in Stowmarket, Suffolk. It comprised 275 hectares of space and facilities across three sites eligible for tax relief (“Tax Sites”) at Felixstowe dock, Bathside Bay in Harwich, and Gateway 14 in Stowmarket.

Members recalled that Freeport East Ltd had been incorporated as a Company Limited by Guarantee in December 2022. It had been established by a range of local public and private partners, including Tendring District Council, to act as the main counterpart to Government for delivery of the freeport policy for Freeport East.

Cabinet was reminded that Freeport East, in consultation with partners, had developed a ‘Local Growth & Investment Strategy’ (formerly the Retained Business Rates Strategy) that set out how Freeport East would pool, allocate, spend and monitor the retained business rate income that was collected on the freeport tax sites over the next 25 years. This included the company’s operational costs.

That Strategy had been approved by the Board in March 2024 and fully reflected decisions made by Tendring District Council in relation to Business Rates usage. To achieve the site developments envisaged in the Full Business Case, 70 per cent of the total retained Business Rates from the Harwich tax site were planned to be allocated to support the further development of the Harwich tax site to achieve the outcomes of the Green Energy Hub. As a result, the Freeport East’s ‘Local Growth & Investment Strategy’ aimed to align with the Council’s ‘Freeport East Policy for Managing Retained Business Rates’, approved by Cabinet in January 2023.

Members were advised that, separately, the Billing Authorities, which included Tendring District Council, had decided a ‘Retained Business Rates Agreement’ was required to be put in place to ensure there was clarity around forecasting, collection and management of Business Rates funds in a manner that was consistent with the Local Growth & Investment Strategy.

It was reported that the Freeport East Accountable Body, East Suffolk Council, had instructed legal firm Browne Jacobson to prepare the Retained Business Rates Agreement for Freeport East (Appendix A to the Leader’s report) on their behalf. On 14 March 2025 Browne Jacobson had circulated a draft document for partners building on the Local Growth & Investment Strategy. 

It was noted that this document  ...  view the full minutes text for item 22.

To seek Cabinet approval:-

1.    to appropriate Council-owned land at High Street car park, Carnarvon Road, Clacton-on-Sea for the purposes of the Carnarvon Terrace Development;

2.    of authority to grant a unilateral undertaking to the Planning Authority, to secure:-

(a) obligations relating to the Recreational Disturbance Avoidance and Mitigation Strategy (RAMS); and

(b) Commitment to use the appropriated land solely for the delivery of affordable housing as part of the Carnarvon Terrace Development.

RESOLVED that Cabinet –

(a)         agrees to the appropriation of the site including the High Street Car Park and the former Carnarvon House site, Carnarvon Road, Clacton-on-Sea, CO15 6QF, for the purposes of the Carnarvon Terrace Development incorporating planning purposes, housing and commercial uses, as indicated in the plan at Appendix A ti the Portfolio Holder’s report (A.2);

(b)         approves that the Council, in its capacity as landowner and developer, grants an Unilateral Undertaking (UU) to the Planning Authority to discharge both the Affordable Housing and RAMS payment conditions in lieu of a Section 106 agreement for obligations in relation to planning permission 24/01890/FUL (“the Carnarvon Terrace Development”);

(c)         authorises the Deputy Chief Executive & Director of Place and Wellbeing, in consultation with the Corporate Director (Finance and IT) & Section 151 Officer and Legal Services, to undertake the necessary legal steps to complete the appropriation process including, but not limited to, notification of those who may be affected, publication of the relevant appropriation decision notices, and executing memorandums as required by the relevant legislation;

(d)         authorises the Deputy Chief Executive & Director of Place and Wellbeing, in consultation with the Corporate Director (Finance and IT) & Section 151 Officer and Legal Services to approve the final terms of the necessary legal instrument required for the purposes of the unilateral undertaking to be given to the planning authority by the Council in its capacity as the owner and developer of land; and

(e)         notes that further decisions will be required following the outcome of the procurement exercises and on-going use of the land for different purposes to ensure the Council is fulfilling its various legal duties.

Cabinet considered a report of the Economic Growth, Regeneration & Tourism Portfolio Holder (A.2) which sought its approval to: -

1.     appropriate Council-owned land at High Street Car Park, Carnarvon Road, Clacton-on-Sea for the purposes of the Carnarvon Terrace Development; and

2.     delegate authority to grant a unilateral undertaking to the Planning Authority, to secure -

(a)   obligations relating to the Recreational Disturbance Avoidance and Mitigation Strategy (RAMS); and

(b)   a commitment to use the appropriated land solely for the delivery of affordable housing as part of the Carnarvon Terrace Development.

Members were aware that the Council’s bid to Round Two of the Government’s Levelling Up Fund (LUF) for Clacton Town Centre, the ‘Clacton Civic Quarter’, had been successful and had been awarded £19.960m. The programme included two schemes aimed at improving wellbeing and access to jobs & skills, namely: -

·      Carnarvon Terrace, delivered by this Council which would provide 28 residential flats, with 40 percent designated as affordable housing; and

·      Clacton Hub, delivered by Essex County Council.

Cabinet was reminded that the Carnarvon Terrace Development site had historically been used as a car park and healthcare facility. The proposed development would introduce mixed-use commercial spaces and repurpose the site for housing. Timely appropriation of the site was critical to avoid delays and mitigate legal risks, particularly those related to third-party rights such as rights of light and access. Appropriation at this stage was necessary to accompany the planning consent and ensure legal certainty for the procurement process.

The Leader of the Council made the following statement:-

“We are making good progress delivering with the Levelling Up Fund projects in Clacton. We have planning permission for the impressive new homes and modern multistorey carpark in Carnarvon Road. We have outstanding designs for a new public space at the centre of the development, and new space for business and community groups too.

This report takes the project forward to the next stage. It seeks Cabinet approval to appropriate Council-owned land at High Street Car Park, Carnarvon Road, Clacton-on-Sea for the Carnarvon Terrace Development. The recommendations include granting a Unilateral Undertaking to the Planning Authority to secure obligations related to Affordable Housing, and the Recreational Disturbance Avoidance and Mitigation Strategy (RAMS).  These actions are necessary to meet funding deadlines, avoid legal risks, and ensure the timely delivery of the development.”

Having duly considered the Portfolio Holder’s report (A.2) and having recognised that:-

Appropriation was required to ensure timely delivery of the development in accordance with funding deadlines set by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG)and to mitigate the risk of delays arising from potential third-party claims and ensure that the procurement process could proceed without legal challenges; and further that: -

Unilateral Undertaking – the Council’s Planning Committee had approved the Carnarvon Terrace development on 4th March 2025, requiring the Council to enter into a Section 106 Legal Agreement for Affordable Housing, RAMS payments, and Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG). However, the Council could not enforce this agreement against itself.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 23.

To present to Cabinet the Annual Housing Complaints Performance and Service Improvement Report for scrutiny and challenge, which includes a self-assessment carried out against the Housing Ombudsman’s Complaint Handling Code for 2024/25 prior to publication and submission.

RESOLVED that Cabinet –

(a)    in accordance with the Housing Ombudsman’s Complaint Handling Code and in compliance with Cabinet’s scrutiny and oversight requirements, formally receives and notes the Council’s Annual Complaints Performance and Service Improvement Report, which includes the Annual Self-Assessment against the Code, as set out in Appendices A and B to the Portfolio Holder’s report (A.3);

(b)    formally approves its response, as submitted by the Leader of the Council at this meeting and recorded above, to the Annual Complaints Performance and Service Improvement report, for publication; and

(c)     authorises Officers to publish both the Service Improvement Report and the Cabinet’s response thereto on the Council’s website within the section relating to complaints and to submit the self-assessment to the Housing Ombudsman by no later than 30 September 2025.

Cabinet considered a report of the Housing and Planning Portfolio Holder (A.3) which presented to it the Annual Housing Complaints Performance and Service Improvement Report for scrutiny and challenge, which included a self-assessment carried out against the Housing Ombudsman’s Complaint Handling Code for 2024/25 prior to its publication and submission.

Members were reminded that, in July 2020, the Housing Ombudsman had published a new Complaint Handling Code (“the Code”) that provided a framework for high-quality complaint handling and greater consistency across landlord’s complaint procedures.  Its aim was to enable landlords to resolve complaints raised by their residents quickly and to use the learning from complaints to drive service improvements. That Code had been subsequently revised in 2022 to make it explicit about what was mandatory and where it was appropriate for landlords to use their discretion to achieve best practice in complaint handling.

Cabinet recalled that, prior to the implementation of those revisions, complaints against the Council, as a landlord, had been dealt with under the Council’s Corporate Complaints Policy.  However, the revision of the Code and self-assessment at the time had resulted in a stand-alone policy being developed for handling complaints received regarding the Council in its capacity as a landlord to ensure that it met all of the requirements of the Code.

Following the implementation of the Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023, the Housing Ombudsman’s Complaint Handling Code had become statutory on 1 April 2024. This had been accompanied by a further revision of the Code and the Council’s Housing Complaints Policy had been reviewed and amended in April 2024 to take account of those changes.

It was reported that the Complaint Handling Code 2024 required landlords to produce an annual complaints performance and service improvement report for scrutiny and challenge and that this information should be presented to the landlord’s governing body. As part of this, landlords were required to look beyond the circumstances of individual complaints and consider whether any service improvements could be made as a result of learning from complaints and those were outlined in Appendix A to the Portfolio Holder’s report (A.3).

The annual complaints performance and service improvement report also included a self-assessment against the Code and that was set out in Appendix B to that report (A.3).

Cabinet was aware that the Complaint Handling Code required one member of the governing body to have lead responsibility for housing complaints.  The role was responsible for ensuring the governing body received regular information on complaints that provided insight and learning on the landlord’s complaint handing performance.  To that end, in May 2024, Cabinet had endorsed the Portfolio Holder for Housing and Planning performing the role of the Member Responsible for Complaints for the purposes of the Housing Ombudsman Complaint Handling Code.

Members recalled that the Member Responsible for Complaints (MRC) was responsible for ensuring that the self-assessment was scrutinised and challenged and for ensuring that complaint handling drove service improvement for residents and learning and business improvement for the organisation. This accorded with  ...  view the full minutes text for item 24.

To advise Cabinet of the Council’s outturn performance against the Regulator of Social Housing’s Tenant Satisfaction Measures for 2024/25.

RESOLVED that Cabinet –

(a)    notes the Council’s Outturn Performance Report against the Tenant Satisfaction Measures, for publication on the Council’s website and submission to the Regulator of Social Housing by 30 June 2025; and

(b)    requests the Corporate Director (Operations and Delivery) to ensure that the Council’s Tenants Panel examines the data presented in this report and to develop an action plan for continuous improvement.

Cabinet considered a report of the Housing and Planning Portfolio Holder (A.4) which advised it of the Council’s outturn performance against the Regulator of Social Housing’s Tenant Satisfaction Measures for 2024/25.

Members were cognisant that Tenant Satisfaction Measures (TSMs) were metrics that all social housing landlords in England were required to collect and report on to the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH).

Cabinet was aware that the Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023 had enacted a set of measures intended to improve standards for people living in social housing. It had set out a new regulatory framework for the consumer regulation of social housing to strengthen the accountability of landlords for providing safe homes, quality services and treating residents with respect. The introduction of TSMs had formed part of this framework.

Since 1 April 2023, all social housing providers had been required by the RSH to collect data to inform TSMs and those were aimed at helping improve standards for people living in social housing by:

• providing visibility by allowing tenants to see how well their landlord is doing and enabling tenants to hold their landlords to account;

• letting tenants see how well their landlord is performing in comparison with other landlords; and

• giving the RSH insight into which landlords might need to improve things for their tenants.

There were 22 TSMs and those were grouped into the following five themes:

• Keeping properties in good repair;

• Maintaining building safety;

• Respectful and helpful engagement;

• Complaints handling; and

• Neighbourhood management.

It was reported that ten of the TSMs were measured by landlords through their performance indicators and 12 were measured by an annual tenant perception survey. The RSH also set out its requirements (including mandatory questions and methodology) for data collection and reporting. Landlords with 1,000 or more homes were required to send their data to the RSH by 30 June 2025 and the data for all landlords would be published by RSH in Autumn 2025.

Cabinet was informed that this Council’s Outturn Performance Report against the TSMs had indicated a general improvement in performance and tenant satisfaction with the proportion of respondents who reported that they were satisfied with the overall service from their landlord increasing from 80.1% in 2023/24 to 81.3% in 2024/25.

Satisfaction with repairs, both overall satisfaction with repairs and satisfaction with the time taken to complete a repair, had however decreased. The reasons for this decrease would be explore in more detail with the members of the Tenants Panel. Conversely, the proportion of non-emergency and emergency repairs completed within the Council’s target timescale had increased.

It was notable that the number of complaints, both at Stage 1 and 2, that had been responded to within the Housing Ombudsman’s Compliant Handling Code timescales had improved significantly when compared to the 2023/24 figures.

The Housing and Planning Portfolio Holder made the following statement:-

“Leader, I am pleased to introduce this report to Cabinet reporting on the Council’s performance of the Regulator for Social Housing’s (RSH) Tenant Satisfaction Measures (TSMs) for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 25.

Following a successful funding bid by the Council to contribute towards the delivery of four new Football Foundation Playzones in the District, this report requests Cabinet permission to accept the grant, agree the Council’s financial contribution and continue the project through to completion.

RESOLVED that Cabinet –

(a)     formally agrees to accept Football Foundation funding of £839,355 towards the development of four new Playzones at Clacton Leisure Centre, Dovercourt (Cliff Park), Jaywick Sands (Crossways) and Walton-on-the-Naze (Bathhouse Meadow), with a total project cost of £1,119,257; and furthermore, authorises the Assistant Director (Sport, Culture and Health), in consultation with the Corporate Director (Law and Governance) to enter into a funding agreement on behalf of the Council;

(b)     agrees to contribute £204,643.88 from Section 106 monies and £75,168.12 from the Corporate Investment Fund, making a total of £279,812as match funding towards this project;

(c)     authorises the Assistant Director (Sport, Culture and Health), in consultation with Legal Services, to enter into a Joining Agreement with the Football Foundation, to become part of the Football Foundation's Framework Alliance Contract for the duration of the project;

(d)     authorises the Assistant Director (Sport, Culture and Health), in consultation with Legal Services, to enter into a Pre-Construction Services Agreement with McArdle Sport, Edge Public Solutions and Sportslab UK, to undertake the detailed design proposals and to submit planning applications for the new Playzones, under the pre-procured Football Foundation Framework;

(e)     agrees for £40,000 of the Council’s agreed match funding contribution set out in resolution (b) above to be committed towards the Playzones design phase and costs of submitting the planning applications;

(f)       authorises the Assistant Director (Sport, Culture and Health), in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Public Realm, to submit planning applications where applicable, for the four facilities listed in the executive summary of the Portfolio Holder’s report (A.5);

(g)     agrees that, following consultation with local organisations, decision making for the future management options for the Playzone facilities be delegated to the Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Public Realm, in consultation with the Assistant Director (Sport, Culture and Health), the Corporate Director (Law & Governance) and the Corporate Director (Finance & IT);

(h)     agrees that the approval of the final business plans and associated actions, including the decision to enter into a JCT agreement with McArdle Sport for the construction phase of the Playzone Project, be delegated to the Leader of the Council & Portfolio Holder for Finance and Governance and the Leisure and Public Realm Portfolio Holder, in consultation with the Corporate Director (Finance & IT), the Assistant Director (Sport, Culture and Health) and Legal Services; and

(i)       agrees the inclusion of four new Playzone facilities within the Capital Programme in 2025/26, with a total budget of £1,119,257.

Cabinet considered a report of the Leisure and Public Realm Portfolio Holder (A.5) which, following a successful funding bid by the Council to contribute towards the delivery of four new Football Foundation (FF) Playzones in the District, requested Cabinet’s permission to accept the grant, agree the Council’s financial contribution and subject to the outcome of final business plans, continue the project through to completion.

It was reported that the four Playzone locations listed below were proposed as the development sites, following deliberation by a consortium of partners and subsequently through community consultation: -

1. Clacton Leisure Centre;
2. Bathhouse Meadow, Walton-on-the-Naze;
3. Cliff Park, Harwich; and
4. Crossways, Jaywick Sands.

It was considered that Playzones supported the provision of a balanced activity programme and would include a well thought out mix of formal and informal sessions, which met the needs of local people and impacted on rates of participation in physical activity.  The Council would need to work with a variety of local organisations in advance of project completion, to develop the Playzones programme.  This process would be led by the Council’s Community Sport and Activity Manager, who would be taking forward delivery of the new strategy.

The total breakdown for the cost of delivering the project was as set out below, together with the grant funding offered and match funding required by the Council: -

Cabinet was informed that the proposed facilities had been costed through the FF framework process and included design fees, project management, construction, project contingencies and risk mitigation costs.  The FF had confirmed that all Playzone projects around the country to date had completed within the budget allocated.  It was noted however that any additional cost would be at this Council’s risk, so strong project management would be required throughout the process.  The Council would need to formally accept the FF funding offered and enter into a funding agreement.  Furthermore, the 25% match funding would need to be agreed and it was proposed to finance that from a mix of section 106 funding with the balance funded from the Corporate Investment Fund.  Consideration would also need to be given to the ongoing maintenance costs for the pitches and the risk of any income derived from the facility, not being sufficient to fund that amount.  To progress the project through its detailed designs and planning permission, £40,000 of the Council’s match funding contribution would need to be formally committed.

To progress the project, the Council was required to enter into a ‘Joining Agreement’ with the FF, which was a formal document that allowed an organisation to become part of the FF's Framework Alliance Contract for the duration of a project. The framework promoted collaboration among all parties involved, ensuring best value and quality for grant-funded  ...  view the full minutes text for item 26.

To update the Cabinet on the activities of Career Track, the Council’s apprenticeship training provider. Furthermore, this report satisfies the requirements of the Governors' framework, which aims to implement and provide a quality experience for apprentices and employers and meet the expectations of funders and regulators, whereby the Board will undertake to provide clarity between the Board and the Cabinet with a yearly update.

RESOLVED that Cabinet –

(a)    notes the annual review undertaken by the Career Track team, including the proposed actions to deliver the forecast subsidy reflected in the long-term financial plans; and

(b)    requests financial updates on Career Track to be included as part of the quarterly financial reports, as deemed necessary.

Cabinet considered a report of the Partnerships Portfolio Holder (A.6) which updated the Cabinet on the activities of Career Track, the Council’s apprenticeship training provider. Furthermore, this report satisfied the requirements of the Governors' framework, which aimed to implement and provide a quality experience for apprentices and employers and meet the expectations of funders and regulators, whereby the Board would undertake to provide the Cabinet with a yearly update.

Members were aware that Career Track had been offering apprenticeship opportunities since its inception in 1983, both within the Council and to external employers, particularly other public sector bodies. This programme was a key component of the Council’s strategy to develop a skilled workforce and create job opportunities for Tendring residents, which was crucial given the socio-demographic challenges of the area.

Tendring District, with a population of around 146,500, faced significant educational and employment challenges. It had the lowest job opportunities per working-age resident in Essex, and 34.3% of residents aged 16 and over had no formal qualifications, compared to the national average of 22.5%. Additionally, only 21.78% of pupils achieved five or more GCSEs at grades 4-9 in 2023, below the national average of 30.01%. Those statistics highlighted the need for targeted interventions to improve educational and employment outcomes.

It was reported that, as part of its commitment to providing work and learning opportunities, Career Track had consistently received strong support from the Council. Over the past decade, 500 individuals had participated in the Career Track apprenticeship programme. It was regarded as a key mechanism for young people across the District to pursue careers within Tendring. Career Track directly impacted the "Raising Aspirations and Creating Opportunities" theme in the Council’s current Corporate Plan, which emphasised supporting residents in reaching their potential by collaborating with businesses and enhancing access to skills, learning, and training.

Cabinet was informed that the Government-set maximum funding band levels for the delivery of apprenticeships, which formed the basis of fees and charges, had not been increased since 2017. Career Track operated on a non-profit basis and received funding from the Department for Education (DfE) to deliver apprenticeships. However, this funding did not cover the full costs incurred by the service. The shortfall was primarily due to increased costs since 2017, with no adjustments made to the allowable fees set by the Government when the current apprenticeship system was established eight years ago.

Members were made aware that to assist with mitigating the revenue shortfall, Career Track provided apprenticeships for other local authorities, creating an additional revenue stream to further support the provision of the service. Career Track had a total of 54 apprentices currently enrolled on the programme. Of those, 29 were employed within Tendring District Council, whilst the remaining apprentices were placed in local authorities across Essex, including Braintree and Colchester, and Suffolk, Kent, and two London Boroughs.

Cabinet was advised that current data indicated a 32% increase in the number of apprentices participating in the Career Track programme since it had been last reported  ...  view the full minutes text for item 27.

There are no Management Team items on this occasion.

There were no matters referred to the Cabinet by the Management Team on this occasion.

Cabinet is asked to consider passing the following resolution:

“That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of Agenda Item 16 on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 3 and 5 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A, as amended, of the Act.”

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

RESOLVED that under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of Agenda Item 16 on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 3 and 5 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A, as amended, of the Act.

To confirm and sign the exempt minute of the last meeting of the Cabinet held on Friday 23 May 2025.

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

RESOLVED that the exempt minute of the meeting of the Cabinet, held on Friday 23 May 2025, be approved as a correct record and be signed by the Chairman.