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

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors M Barry (the Portfolio Holder for Leisure & Public Realm), G R Placey (the Portfolio Holder for Partnerships) and J B Chapman BEM (Leader of the Independent Group).

To confirm and sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on Friday 14 November 2025.

It was moved by Councillor Stephenson, seconded by Councillor Hendersonand:-

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet, held on Friday 14 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.

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.

The Leader of the Council recorded his thanks to the Council’s staff who had worked diligently and professionally throughout the year. Though many offices would close for Christmas the Council would still be running essential services and so some staff would still be working. He gave his heartfelt thanks to staff especially those who would be working at Christmas.

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

Christmas Pantomime

The Arts, Culture & Heritage Portfolio Holder was pleased to report that this year’s Christmas Pantomime was doing extremely well. He had recently attended a performance, and it had been “absolutely fabulous" and enjoyed immensely by the children present. He praised the Council staff working on the pantomime over this Christmas period. He encouraged residents to go out and buy tickets for the remaining performances.

The Leader of the Council echoed those sentiments.

Breached sea wall at Dovercourt

The Environment & ICT Portfolio Holder thanked the Council’s Engineering Services Team for their prompt action in securing a seawall breach in Dovercourt that had resulted in a 21-metre void that had resulted in the closure of the promenade. Staff had been working tirelessly beginning with a 3 a.m. start last week. The work was near to completion and involved the use of an innovative expanding geopolymer resin. The promenade would be re-opened as soon as it was safe to do so.

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

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

To enable Cabinet to consider a recommendation submitted to it by the Resources and Services Overview & Scrutiny Committee in relation to the Financial Outturn 2024/25, together with the response of the Portfolio Holder for Corporate Finance & Governance thereto.

RESOLVED that the recommendation made by the Resources and Services Overview & Scrutiny Committee be welcomed and noted and that the response of the Corporate Finance and Governance Portfolio Holder thereto be endorsed.

Cabinet recalled that, on 27 June 2025, the Portfolio Holder for Corporate Finance and Governance had considered the detailed Financial Outturn position for 2024/25 and had formally decided:

(a)   that the financial outturn position for 2024/25, as set out in the Officer report and its appendices, be noted;

(b)   that the financing of General Fund capital expenditure for 2024/25, as detailed in Appendix D, be approved;

(c)   that the movement in uncommitted and earmarked General Fund reserves for 2024/25, as set out in Appendix E, be approved;

(d)   that the General Fund revenue carry forward items totalling £15.093m, as set out in column 4 of Appendix K, be approved;

(e)   that the General Fund capital carry forwards totalling £59.477m, as set out in Appendix D, be approved;

(f)    that, in respect of the HRA, the movement on HRA balances for 2024/25, including any commitments set out within Appendices H and/or I, along with recharges to the HRA from the General Fund of £3.025m for the year and the financing of the HRA capital expenditure, as set out in Appendix I, be approved; and

(g)   that the overall General Fund outturn variance of £5.417m for 2024/25 that is being carried forward via the Revenue Commitments Reserve be noted; and

(h)   that Cabinet be recommended to approve the proposed allocations from the variance amount, as set out within Table 3.

Subsequently, on 25 July 2025, Cabinet had considered an overview of the financial outturn for 2024/25 and the proposed allocation of the General Fund variance for the year and other in-year budget adjustments. It had been resolved by Cabinet that:

(a)   the high-level Financial Outturn Position, as set out in this report (A.5), and the favourable General Fund Revenue variance of £5.417m for the year, which is currently held within the Revenue Commitments Reserve be noted;

(b)    the use of the General Fund Outturn for the Year of £5.417m, as set out in Appendix A (Section 1), be approved;

(c)   in respect of the additional £1.000m set aside to support the delivery of savings / efficiency plans and wider corporate priorities, the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Corporate Finance and Governance, be authorised to utilise this funding during the year;

(d)   in respect of the additional £1.000m set aside for Coast Protection Works, this be added to the remaining budget of £0.970m associated with earlier decisions, and that the Corporate Director (Operations and Delivery), in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for the Environment & ICT, be authorised to utilise this funding during the year;

(e)   the budget adjustments for 2025/26, as set out in Appendix A (Sections 2 and 3), be approved;

(f)    the Council’s Section 151 Officer, in consultation with the Corporate Finance and Governance Portfolio Holder, be authorised to adjust the outturn position for 2024/25 along with any corresponding adjustment to earmarked reserves as a direct result of any recommendations made by the Council’s External Auditor during the course of their audit activities relating to the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 87.

To enable the Cabinet to consider the recommendation made to it by the Planning Policy and Local Plan Committee in relation to the adoption of the Draft Hartley Gardens Supplementary Planning Document.

RESOLVED that the Hartley Gardens Supplementary Planning Document December 2025 (Appendix 1) be adopted as Planning Guidance to be used by the Council in the determination of relevant Planning Applications.

Cabinet was informed that the Planning Policy and Local Plan Committee (“the Committee”), at its meeting held on 8 December 2025 (Minute 20 referred), had considered a detailed report of the Corporate Director (Planning and Community) (A.2) which had updated the Committee on the results of the public consultation on the contents of the Hartley Gardens Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) and which had also sought the Committee’s endorsement to recommend to Cabinet that the draft SPD be now formally adopted.

The Committee’s decision at its meeting held on 8 December 2025 had been as follows:-

(a)     RESOLVED that the Planning Policy and Local Plan Committee notes the outcome of the public consultation on the draft Hartley Gardens SPD, as set out through this report (A.2) and detailed in Appendix 2 thereto; and

(b)     RECOMMENDED TO CABINET that the Hartley Gardens Supplementary Planning Document December 2025 (attached at Appendix 1 to report A.2) be adopted as Planning Guidance to be used by the Council in the determination of Planning Applications, subject to:-

the SPD being modified at paragraph 6.24 to explicitly list ‘Fire & Rescue Facilities’ as strategic infrastructure, in advance of its formal adoption by Cabinet. This modification will ensure the SPD remains consistent with adopted policy while addressing essential infrastructure needs identified by Essex County Fire & Rescue Service.

The SPD, as recommended by the Planning Policy and Local Plan Committee, was set out in Appendix 1 to the reference report (A.2).

The Corporate Director (Planning and Community)’s report which had been considered by the Planning Policy and Local Plan Committee at its meeting held on 8 December 2025 was attached as Appendix 2 to the reference report (A.2).

The Housing and Planning Portfolio Holder read out the following statement:-

“Leader, I have great pleasure in introducing this report outlining the recommendation from the Planning Policy & Local Plan Committee that the Hartley Gardens Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) be adopted by Cabinet, in order that it becomes Planning Guidance that this Council will use in determining relevant planning applications.

Cabinet will be aware, that within the Local Plan Part 2, there is a specific planning policy (SAMU2) in regard to the largest area for development, Hartley Gardens,  bar the Garden Community, for up to 1,700 homes, together with the relevant infrastructure, that requires a document which provides a clear framework for how development should come forward and setting out this council’s expectations around the quality of design, movement and access, green infrastructure, and delivery of supporting infrastructure.

Cabinet will recall that I presented a draft SPD at our meeting in September, for agreement that it go out for consultation with residents and stakeholders.

That consultation took place between 6^th October and 17^th November, including online engagement, hard copies available at local libraries, and two public drop-in events, attended by nearly 100 residents. In total, 24 written responses were received from members of the public, land promoters, developers, and statutory stakeholders.

A variety of issues were raised, including traffic and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 88.

To enable Cabinet to consider the updated financial forecast and budget proposals for 2026/27 for consultation with the Resources and Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

RESOLVED that Cabinet –

a)   approves the updated Financial Forecast and proposed budget position for 2026/27, as set out in the Portfolio Holder’s report (A.3) and its appendices;

b)   formally requests the Resources and Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee’s comments on this latest financial forecast and proposed position for 2026/27, as required by the Council’s Budget and Policy Framework Procedure Rules; and

c)   formally accepts, on behalf of the Council, funding of £210,298 from Sport England’s Place Partnerships Programme, and requests Officers to bring forward a separate report as part of the associated actions necessary to proceed with those projects. 

Cabinet considered a report of the Corporate Finance & Governance Portfolio Holder (A.3) which enabled it to consider the latest financial forecast and budget proposals for 2026/27 for consultation with the Resources and Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

It was reported that the financial position of Tendring District Council remained sound and the proposed budget assessed how the Council could successfully address future key cost pressures. The Council awaited the full financial implications of the Government’s Fairer Funding Settlement and the changing approach to business rates retention system, which would have an impact on the Council’s final position. Therefore, the forecast to date reflected the identification of key cost pressures which needed to be addressed in this report; however, when the final budget position was confirmed further opportunities for funding priorities and cost pressures would be determined. The budget proposals outlined in this report presented a two-year approach and sat with the revised key priorities to 2028 and the associated business plans and together formed an holistic approach to the two-year window leading up to 1 April 2028 (the potential vesting day for the new Unitary authority should Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) proceed on the Government’s current timetable for Greater Essex).

Cabinet was aware that the cost of the new waste contract had presented a significant financial challenge and when taken into account with the potential impact of LGR, which had emerged / evolved since the last forecast had been considered in February 2025, it presented an important financial ‘cross roads’ that set the financial context over the next two years, which could be the Council’s last two budget ‘cycles’ ahead of a successor Unitary Council being established and in place from 1 April 2028.

With the above in mind, it had been acknowledged that there was an underlying and critical need to revisit / revise the Council’s financial plans over the next two years and that Portfolio Holders and Officers would be undertaking a number of activities to enable the necessary detailed information and a funded two year financial plan (2026/27 and 2027/28) to be presented to Cabinet.

It was believed that such an approach would enable the Council to bring together a number of potential risks and opportunities that could be considered collectively and would place the Council in a strong position to support the continued protection of front line services, timely investment in other priorities, alongside meeting any emerging statutory obligations relating to the incoming new Unitary Council from as early as April 2028.

Members were informed that the above had included the identification of savings and responding to cost pressure and investment priorities. Although a significant amount of work had been completed to date, activities remained on-going that would culminate in final budget proposals being presented to Full Council in February 2026.

Based on the above approach, the forecast had therefore been updated to cover a shorter period of two years, along with a review of savings, efficiencies and cost pressures as set out in the respective  ...  view the full minutes text for item 89.

To inform Cabinet of the outcome following the consultation on the draft Housing Strategy 2026-30 and to seek Cabinet’s approval of the final Housing Strategy 2026-30 for submission to Full Council.

RESOLVED that Cabinet –

(a)     notes the responses to the consultation on the draft Housing Strategy 2026-30;

(b)     agrees the final Housing Strategy 2026/30 and recommends it for adoption by Full Council at its meeting to be held on 27 January 2026; and

(c)     authorises the Portfolio Holder for Housing & Planning to make amendments to the final version of the strategy prior to its approval by Full Council in response to any recommendations made by the Resources and Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee at its meeting on 14 January 2026.

Cabinet considered a report of the Housing & Planning Portfolio Holder (A.4) which informed it of the outcome following the consultation on the draft Housing Strategy 2026-30 and which sought Cabinet’s approval of the final Housing Strategy 2026-30.

Cabinet recalled that, at its 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 was reported 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 were summarised within the Portfolio Holder’s report.

Members were advised that Essex County Council (ECC) had submitted a detailed response (as attached as Appendix B to the Portfolio Holder’s report) that in essence 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 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.

The Housing and Planning Portfolio Holder read out the following statement:-

“Leader, I bring this report to Cabinet, asking it to approve that the Housing Strategy 2026-2030, shown at Appendix A, be presented to Council for adoption at the next full Council meeting on Tuesday 27^th January 2026.

Cabinet will recall that at our meeting in September, I had asked for that a draft Housing Strategy be approved for consultation, which was agreed. The consultation took place from 6^th October to 14^th November, with a questionnaire available to be completed on the Council’s website.

24 responses were received via the online form, of which 92% agreed with the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 90.

To set out and seek approval of an updated Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Business Plan, which includes proposed changes to the budget in 2025/26 along with HRA budget proposals for 2026/27.

RESOLVED that Cabinet –

(a)     approves the updated Housing Revenue Account (HRA) 30-year Business Plan, which includes the proposed revised position for 2025/26, along with HRA budget proposals for 2026/27; and

(b)     requests the Resources and Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee’s comments on this latest HRA financial forecast, as required by the Council’s Budget and Policy Framework Procedure Rules.

Cabinet considered a joint report of the Housing & Planning Portfolio Holder and the Corporate Governance & Finance Portfolio Holder (A.5) which set out and sought Cabinet’s approval of an updated Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Business Plan, which included proposed changes to the budget in 2025/26 along with HRA budget proposals for 2026/27.

It was reported that, in continuing the approach from previous years, an HRA Business Plan was maintained on an on-going basis, with the most up to date position in December each year being ‘translated’ into the detailed budget for the following year for consultation with the Resources and Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Cabinet was advised that several changes had been made to the Business Plan that largely reflected increased costs / inflationary uplifts. Some of those costs were also being experienced in 2025/26, with corresponding adjustments set out accordingly.

Members were made aware that, in accordance with its earlier commitments, the Government had issued rent setting guidance that was expected to remain in place for up to 10 years, which set out annual increases of up to CPI+1% each year over the 10-year period. In-line with this guidance, it was proposed to increase rents by CPI+1% in 2026/27. Based on the relevant reference CPI rate of 3.8%, the proposed increase in 2026/27 would be 4.8%.

As was the case in previous years, it was acknowledged that, although Councils could set lower increases, this would be a very difficult approach to adopt in terms of the future sustainability of the HRA Business Plan, given the ‘telescopic’ impact this would have, along with the imbalance it would create, as expenditure could increase ahead of corresponding increases in rental income.

Cabinet was informed that, based on the above, the average weekly rent proposed for 2026/27 was £108.46 (£103.49 in 2025/26). After considering the various adjustments set out in Appendix A, annual deficits of £1.278m and £0.650m were forecast for 2025/26 and 2026/27 respectively, which could be met by using money from reserves.

Members were aware that, as had been the case in previous years, this formed part of a managed approach with the corresponding use of reserves seeking to maintain the necessary balance of ‘protecting’ the investment in tenants’ homes whilst recognising the need to use reserves to respond to the on-going financial challenges that the HRA continued to face. It was however recognised that this was not a sustainable long-term solution, but it enabled the Council to continue to meet its key priorities in the immediate term whilst acknowledging that future years of the forecast were expected to deliver offsetting annual surpluses from as early as 2028/29. Those future forecast surpluses were primarily achievable via the planned reduction in debt and interest costs, as outstanding loans were repaid alongside the longer-term certainty provided by the Government’s commitment to a ten-year rent setting policy of CPI + 1%.

It was highlighted that HRA debt continued to reduce year on year as principal was repaid with a total debt position at  ...  view the full minutes text for item 91.

There are no Management Team items on this occasion.

There were no Management Team items for Cabinet to consider on this occasion.

As this was the last meeting of the Cabinet in 2025, the Leader of the Council wished everyone present a very merry Christmas and a happy new year, 2026.