Agenda, decisions and minutes

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

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillor Joy Broderick (Independent Living Portfolio Holder).

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the last meeting of the Cabinet held on Friday 26 June 2020.

It was RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on Friday 26 June 2020 be approved as a correct record.

Councillors are invited to declare any Disclosable Pecuniary Interests or Personal Interest, and the nature of it, in relation to any item on the agenda.

Councillors Stock and G V Guglielmi, as members of the Cabinet and therefore decision makers, each declared a Personal Interest in Agenda Item 9 – report A.2 – North Essex Garden Communities Ltd. insofar as they were, respectively, a Director and an alternate Director of NEGC Ltd.

On a point of information for the public record, Councillor Scott, present in his capacity as Leader of the Liberal Democrats Group, declared an interest in Agenda Item 10 – report A.8 – Update on Alresford Parish Council’s Regulation 15 and 16 Neighbourhood Plan Consultation insofar as he was both a member of Alresford Parish Council and one of the District Council Ward Members for Alresford.

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

Ministerial Visit to Jaywick Sands

The Leader of the Council (Councillor Stock OBE) reported with great pride in this Council (TDC) that the previous day a Minister had visited the District.  The Rt. Hon. Chris Pincher MP had been given a tour of the Brooklands and Grasslands area of Jaywick Sands and had been taken around the ten new high-quality flood resilient homes being built by TDC. Housing was a key issue in Jaywick Sands, with a long-standing quality of life challenge due to some substandard housing in the area. However, these new homes looked superb, were safe, improved the quality of life for local residents and offered a bright future for Jaywick Sands.

He thanked Giles Watling MP for Clacton for arranging this visit which had been a real credit to all involved.

Campaigns by the District’s Members of Parliament

Councillor Stock referred to Councillor Watling’s efforts in Parliament to raise support for the Theatre industry which was a vital part of the cultural fabric of the nation. He stated that he had a personal interest in the Theatre as his company was involved in this industry albeit in a limited and oblique fashion.

In addition, Councillor Stock drew attention to Bernard Jenkin MP for Harwich and North Essex and the concerns that he was helping to raise in Parliament about the potential for Chinese state involvement in the construction and operation of the proposed new Bradwell B nuclear power station.

Local Government Re-organisation

Councillor Stock informed Cabinet that he would be arranging a meeting of Group Leaders in August 2020 to discuss the Government’s emerging plans for a local government re-organisation which could see the abolition of both county and district/borough councils and their replacement with large unitary authorities.

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

There were no announcements made by Cabinet Members on this occasion.

There are none on this occasion.

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

There are none on this occasion.

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

To notify Members of a recent urgent Executive Decision taken by the Leader of the Council on behalf of the Cabinet.

RESOLVED that –

(a)   the contents of the report be noted; and

(b)   the urgent decision taken by the Leader of the Council on behalf of the Cabinet,  as detailed in this report, be formally endorsed.

The Cabinet gave consideration to a report of the Leader of the Council (A.1) which notified Members of a recent urgent Executive Decision taken by the Leader of the Council on behalf of the Cabinet.

The Cabinet recalled that, as part of the Council’s response to the COVID-19 public health emergency the Council’s Monitoring Officer had produced a formal “Note on Decision Making Business Continuity Arrangements” which had set out the ways in which the normal operational business of the Council could continue in relation to decisions which would normally be referred to Cabinet, Council or Committees.

In relation to Cabinet decisions the Monitoring Officer’s formal Note, as issued on 20 March 2020, had contained the following information and advice:

“The Constitution requires certain matters to be decided by Cabinet collectively.  The Leader of the Council may exercise any of the powers delegated to the Cabinet:

a. Following a resolution of the Cabinet (subject to the Constitution), or

b. In cases of urgency, in consultation with the Monitoring Officer and/or Section 151 Officer.

In cases of urgency the decision of the Leader of the Council will be recorded and published in accordance with the Constitution.  The Leader of the Council will also be required to make a public statement at the next formal meeting of the Cabinet which will explain why they had taken the decision as a matter of urgency.

Therefore, following consultation with the Leader of the Council, it was recommended that to enable formal decisions to be made on behalf of Cabinet the following procedure should be adopted:

 Reports that would have been considered by Cabinet are emailed to the Group Leaders;

 a period of five working days would be provided for Group Leaders to email any comments/questions etc. to the relevant Portfolio Holder, Leader and officer(s) identified;

 responses to comments/questions would be supplied to the Group Leaders;

 this information will be taken into account by the Leader prior to making his formal decision;

 a formal decision will be published recording the matters taken into account;

 at the first formal meeting of Cabinet a report of the decisions taken by the Leader under urgency powers will be produced; and

 if it was necessary for a key decision to made under urgency provisions this must be reported to Full Council (in accordance with the Access to Information Procedure Rules 15 & 16.2).

Whilst it was anticipated that decisions taken during urgency provisions would be limited or uncontroversial in nature, with Group Leaders’ comments being sought prior to decisions being made, it must be highlighted that the ability of Members to undertake the statutory overview and scrutiny function is not removed.”

The Monitoring Officer had considered that, in responding to COVID-19, the Council was in exceptional times which therefore satisfied the grounds of urgency.

It was reported that in making the decision in question the Leader of the Council had exercised his delegated power as set out in the Council’s Constitution in Part 3, Schedule 3 (Responsibility for Executive Functions)  ...  view the full minutes text for item 34.

To enable the Cabinet to consider and agree the preferred option relating to the future of the Company and to also note the decision of the Company Board in relation to the three Local Delivery Vehicles.

RESOLVED that Cabinet –

(a)    notes the decision of the North Essex Garden Communities Ltd Board on 6^th July 2020 to take all the necessary steps to wind up the three Local Delivery Vehicles, namely Colchester Braintree Borders Ltd, Tendring Colchester Borders Ltd and West of Braintree Ltd;

(b)    notes Colchester Borough Council’s disappointing decision not to approve their partnership contribution to the NEGC project and requests that the Leader of Tendring District Council formally write to Colchester Borough Council to express this Council’s concerns with regard to future working arrangements and seeking clarity around remedying their equal share of project responsibilities;

(c)    approves, as a Shareholder, that North Essex Garden Communities Ltd. ceases trading with effect from 31 August 2020; and

(d)   approves the necessary winding up procedures are undertaken, subject to the Leader of the Council, in consultation with the Section 151 Officer and the Monitoring Officer, being satisfied around the final accounting processes.

Councillors Stock and G V Guglielmi, as members of the Cabinet and therefore decision makers, each had earlier in the meeting declared a Personal Interest in Agenda Item 9 – report A.2 – North Essex Garden Communities Ltd. insofar as they were, respectively, a Director and an alternate Director of NEGC Ltd.

The Cabinet gave consideration to a report of the Leader of the Council (A.2) which enabled it to consider and agree the preferred option relating to the future of the Company and to note the decision of the Company Board in relation to the three Local Delivery Vehicles.

The Leader’s report set out for Cabinet the options for the future of the North Essex Garden Communities Ltd. and the three Local Delivery Vehicles (LDVs) following receipt of the Local Plan Inspector’s letter on 15 May 2020 and focused on the following points:

·           NEGC Ltd – its structure and purpose and company liabilities and resources;

·           Winding up the Company – the legal process;

·           Employment implications – pension strain and redundancy/TUPE implications; and the

·           Financial implications.

Cabinet was made aware that, on 6 July 2020, the North Essex Garden Communities Ltd Board, consisting of representatives from each of the North Essex Authorities (“the Councils”), had met to consider the current position and to agree the preferred options for the future of the Company and the three LDVs. At that meeting it was agreed that:

·           the Company would recommended to the shareholders to cease operations of NEGC Ltd on 31 August 2020 and thereafter begin activities to close the company down;

·           the Company would recommend to the shareholders to consider the closure of the three LDV companies in line with the NEGC Ltd closure; and

·           the Company would recommend to the shareholders to make the NEGC Managing Director post redundant as of 31 August 2020.

It was reported that the Councils had worked closely together to consider the options available to each of them as Shareholders, and, as a result of that action, the following options had been identified:

Option 1 – Braintree District Council would ‘exit’ and restructure to reflect an alternative purpose;

Option 2 – the Company continues to work on proposals for delivery models for the NEAs to decide upon, though this would require substantial ongoing financial contributions;

Option 3 – the NEAs remain within the Company, but restructure to make it fit for purpose, though this would require ongoing substantial financial contributions; and

Option 4 – Close the Company and three current LDVs.

Cabinet was informed that, following an evaluation of the current position, the options available and the issues identified within the Leader’s report, Option 4 was recommended as the preferred way forward for this Council. The reasons behind that recommendation were that:-

(1)    for the Company to carry on with a view to becoming part of the delivery vehicle would require a company restructure and substantive variations to both the Shareholder Agreements and the Articles;

(2)    the Company had not expressed any interest in progressing  ...  view the full minutes text for item 35.

To seek Cabinet’s authorisation for an eight week statutory public consultation on the emerging Alresford Neighbourhood Plan and to also approve a Scheme of Delegation for Neighbourhood Plans.

RESOLVED that Cabinet –

a)      notes the contents of the submitted documentation at Appendix 1 to 3 to item A.8 of the Report of the Leader of the Council and agrees that they satisfy the requirements of Regulation 15 of the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012 (as amended);

b)      authorises the Assistant Director (Strategic Planning and Place) to undertake an eight week public consultation on the Plan and other related documents in accordance with Regulation 16 of the aforementioned Regulations;

c)      authorises the Assistant Director (Strategic Planning and Place) to agree any minor amendments to the Plan and supporting documents (if required) before the public consultation begins; and

d)      approves the Scheme of Delegation for Neighbourhood Plans as set in Appendix 4 to the aforementioned Leader of the Council’s report.

Earlier in the meeting, on a point of information for the public record, Councillor Scott, present in his capacity as Leader of the Liberal Democrats Group, had declared an interest in Agenda Item 10 – report A.8 – Update on Alresford Parish Council’s Regulation 15 and 16 Neighbourhood Plan Consultation insofar as he was both a member of Alresford Parish Council and one of the District Council Ward Members for Alresford.

The Cabinet gave consideration to a report of the Leader of the Council (A.8) which sought its authorisation for an eight week statutory public consultation on the emerging Alresford Neighbourhood Plan. The report also sought Cabinet’s approval for a Scheme of Delegation for Neighbourhood Plans.

Cabinet was informed that Alresford Parish Council had submitted the final version of its Neighbourhood Plan to this Council (TDC) so that TDC could undertake a public consultation on it. The Plan itself, a Consultation Document, the Basic Condition Statement and a number of other supporting documents had been submitted to TDC. It was only the Plan, the Consultation Statement, the Basic Condition Statement and the Habitats Regulations Assessment/Strategic Environmental Assessment which would be the subject of the public consultation.

Members were made aware that from this point forward the Neighbourhood Plan process would be hosted by TDC, through a statutory process in its final stages of preparation. That statutory process was set out in The Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012 (as amended).

It was reported that Officers were satisfied that the submitted plan complied with all the relevant statutory requirements (as outlined in Regulation 15) and therefore were requesting that Members now allow the Plan (and associated documentation) to go out to an eight week public consultation.

The Cabinet was advised that the decisions involved in the process of making a Neighbourhood Development Plan were largely technical or administrative in nature, however certain decisions, for example, the decision to hold a referendum or ultimately the decision to make the Neighbourhood Plan and bring it into force could be key decisions and as such should include Members’ formal involvement.

In view of the statutory timescales it was proposed that Cabinet approve a scheme of delegation for functions/decision-making under the Neighbourhood Development Plan process to apply to neighbourhood plan proposals.  It was important that Neighbourhood Development Plans were processed in a timely and efficient manner, in line with statutory timescales and this proposal sought to streamline the current approach by delegating certain administrative and technical tasks to Officers, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning where appropriate, whilst reserving the formal decision to make the plan to Cabinet.

The Leader of the Council (Councillor Stock OBE) congratulated Alresford Parish Council for being the first parish council within the District to reach this stage.

Having considered the contents of the Alresford Neighbourhood Development Plan and the proposals contained in the Leader’s report:-

It was moved by Councillor Stock OBE, seconded by Councillor G V Guglielmi and:-

RESOLVED  ...  view the full minutes text for item 36.

To seek Cabinet’s approval for the Economic Growth Strategy. Cabinet’s agreement is also sought to allocate £100,000 from uncommitted resources within the Council’s Regeneration Budgets in order to support the development and delivery of projects that will deliver key interventions against the objectives of the Strategy.

RESOLVED that Cabinet –

1.      approves the draft Tendring Economic Strategy 2020 – 2024, as set out in the Appendix to item A.3 of the Report of the Business & Economic Growth Portfolio Holder;

2.      notes that actions to deliver the Economic Strategy will be developed as part of annual Departmental Service Plans;

3.      approves the allocation of £100,000 from the Council’s Business Investment and Growth Budget to support the delivery of the Strategy; and

4.      notes that, as part of the Council’s back to business strategy, following the pandemic, the strategic interventions may need to be reframed or reprioritised in order to deliver the economic stimulus required to deliver economic growth and support businesses.

The Cabinet gave consideration to a report of the Business & Economic Growth Portfolio Holder (A.3) which sought its approval for the Tendring Economic Strategy 2020-2024, as set out in the Appendix to the Portfolio Holder’s report. Cabinet’s agreement was also sought to allocate £100,000 from uncommitted resources within the Council’s Regeneration Budgets in order to support the development and delivery of projects that would deliver key interventions against the objectives of the Strategy.

It was reported that in 2013 the Council had undertaken significant work in order to develop a ten year Economic Strategy for the District. That work had reflected the commitment of the Council and its partners to create the conditions needed to stimulate economic growth in the period to 2023. This Strategy had now been refreshed in order to:

·         Respond to uncertain economic conditions, both locally and nationally;

·         Better understand the current evidence explaining the under-performance of Tendring’s economy;

·         Ensure that the case for future investment in Tendring was informed by the best available evidence and articulated through a clear Strategy; and

·         Inform the technical and employment requirements of the Council’s emerging Local Plan.

Cabinet was informed that evidence from the Office of National Statistics demonstrated that there had been some important changes in Tendring’s economy since 2013, which underpinned the need for a change in the Council’s approach.

The refreshed Strategy therefore sought to promote:

·           A greater focus on Clacton-on-Sea and Jaywick Sands, noting a decline in the economic performance of those locations. This focussed specifically on local participation within communities and securing long term prosperity;

·           Bold action in Clacton Town Centre, recognising that its future was unlikely to be led by retail alone;

·           A balance in the evolution of Harwich as a port with the development of the visitor economy in the town and the surrounding area;

·           A need to focus on two sectors: Care and Assisted Living; and Clean Energy, whilst recognising the need to be alive to opportunities in the rural economy, culture/creativity and tourism; and

·           A focus upon the higher growth companies within the District, enlisting their experience and know-how to support the development of policy and focussed interventions to support new and existing companies in Tendring.

However, whilst the Strategy set out the longer term direction, more immediate refocusing or reprioritisation could be required to support those sectors which would be hardest hit by the Covid pandemic. Members were therefore advised that the Strategy would need to factor in this agility of approach particularly in the short term. 

Cabinet was made aware that the Vision and Objectives of the Strategy would need to be delivered via the implementation of projects that were developed departmentally and through new and existing partnerships with the public, private and voluntary sectors (locally, regionally and nationally). Delivery of the Strategy would take time as many of the objectives identified would require a significant step-change in Tendring’s economic trajectory.

It was suggested that in order to achieve the desired outcomes, the Council would need to work closely  ...  view the full minutes text for item 37.

To advise Cabinet of the progress and proposed submission of a bid for the Future High Streets Fund.

To seek Cabinet’s support for substantial capital investment in Town Centre Proposals.

To seek Cabinet’s support for the commitment of Council owned property to the proposed schemes.

To seek Cabinet’s direction on the continued development of proposals within the scope of the bid and beyond it.

RESOLVED that Cabinet –

a)      notes the progress of the bid for the Future High Streets Fund and the proposed submission of that bid on, or before, 31 July 2020;

b)      approves, ‘in principle’, the addition of an allocation in the Capital Programme in order to facilitate substantial capital investment in Town Centre Proposals, subject to the normal approval and business case processes in respect of the detail of the schemes being developed;

c)      approves, ‘in principle’, the acquisition of strategic property and the appropriation of currently owned property pursuant to the proposed schemes, subject to its specific approval of the terms and details in each case;

d)      instructs Officers, in partnership with officers of Essex County Council, to continue the development of proposals within the scope of the bid (as set out in the Portfolio Holder’s report) in anticipation of award of a significant grant. Such proposals to be subject to detailed business cases and a formal decision by Cabinet; and

e)      instructs Officers, in partnership with officers of Essex County Council, to develop further complimentary outline proposals, in line with the bid proposals, for ‘Back to Business’ initiatives, the further rejuvenation of Clacton Town Centre and the enhancement of its links to the Seafront and all parts of the District. Such proposals to be subject to further funding reports and a formal decision by Cabinet.

The Cabinet gave consideration to a detailed report of the Business & Economic Growth (A.4) which:-

·           advised it of the progress of, and proposed submission of a bid for the Future High Streets Fund;

·           sought its support for substantial capital investment in Town Centre Proposals;

·           sought its support for the commitment of Council owned property to the proposed schemes; and

·           sought its direction on the continued development of proposals within the scope of the bid and beyond the bid.

Cabinet recalled that at its meeting held on 13 September 2019 it had, inter alia, approved a vision for Clacton Town Centre and the consultations and funding for the preparation of a bid for the Future High Streets fund, including:

“the Director for Planning and Regeneration, in consultation with the relevant Portfolio Holders, be authorised to submit a detailed business case for Clacton Town Centre to the Government’s ‘Future High Streets Fund’ by the deadline of 30th April 2020.”

Subsequently, the Government had extended the deadline for submissions to 31 July 2020 and, in addition, the Council’s Management Team had been restructured andthe Deputy Chief Executive & Corporate Director (Place and Economy) was now the relevant delegated officer.

It was reported that both the District and County Council’s officers had carried out consultations and investigations and had prepared a bid proposal for submission.

Members were made aware that the Portfolio Holder for Business & Economic Growth and the Deputy Leader of the Council & Portfolio Holder for Corporate Finance and Governance had both been consulted and had concurred with the proposed submission of the bid.

Cabinet was informed that the Council was promoting recovery from the COVID 19 crisis and a Back to Business approach to the economy which interlocked closely with the renewal of the Town Centre. Details of the bid were set out in the current position section of the Portfolio Holder’s report.

It was reported that the guidance provided in relation to the bid submission indicated a requirement for co-funding of the proposals to be demonstrated.

It was considered that the proposals created included the redevelopment and reuse or disposal of property owned by both the District Council and the County Council and the potential acquisition of further property.

Cabinet was advised that the proposals also required capital investment by the Authorities which would be offset by partner investment, grant and future potential disposals.

Members’ attention was drawn to the fact that Officers from Essex County Council were seeking approval from their Recovery Advisory Board to the principle of use of County Council property and a capital investment. It was proposed that TDC’s Cabinet made a similar ‘in principle’ commitment in support of the bid.

Cabinet was reminded that the amount of Government grant would be determined during the bid process and detailed design and negotiations had not yet been fully concluded. It was therefore proposed at this stage for commitments to be ‘in principle’ only and for specific investment decisions to be quantified in business case form for a future  ...  view the full minutes text for item 38.

To seek Cabinet’s approval, in principle, for the granting of an easement over land situated in Colchester Road, Weeley.

RESOLVED that, subject to its decision to be taken later on in the meeting in respect of the related report B.1 on the Agenda, Cabinet authorises, ‘in principle’ the granting of an easement over the land in question in Colchester Road, Weeley.

The Cabinet gave consideration to a report of the Corporate Finance and Governance Portfolio Holder (A.5) which sought its approval, ‘in principle’ for the granting of an easement over land situated in Colchester Road, Weeley, as  shown on the Plan in Appendix A to the Portfolio Holder’s report.

It was reported that the Council had been approached by the owner of a proposed development on Colchester Road, Weeley.  Following the granting of their planning consent, they had discovered that the only access from the development to the highway was over a small piece of land owned by the Council. The Developer had originally been advised that this land was part of the public highway due to an error with Essex Highways’ data.  Following an approach by this Council’s Officers to both the Developer and Essex Highways, it had been established that there was a piece of land in the Council’s ownership between this development and the public highway.

The owner had therefore sought an easement from this Council in order to provide access to the development for both themselves and the future property owners, by way of the construction of a section of road to link their development to the Highway. This access was imperative to the land owner as without it the development would no longer be feasible as there was no viable alternative route available.

Having considered the nature of the request and the advice of Officers on this matter:-

It was moved by Councillor G V Guglielmi, seconded by Councillor Stock OBE and:-

RESOLVED that, subject to its decision to be taken later on in the meeting in respect of the related report B.1 on the Agenda, Cabinet authorises, ‘in principle’ the granting of an easement over the land in question in Colchester Road, Weeley.

To seek approval of the allocation of the overall 2019/20 General Fund revenue variance.

(THE REPORT WILL BE PUBLISHED AND DISTRIBUTED IN DUE COURSE)

RESOLVED that Cabinet –

(a)   agrees that the total of £0.658m requested by Services can be retained by them via the associated carry forward requests, as set out in Appendix A to item A.6 of the Report of the Corporate Finance and Governance Portfolio Holder; and

(b)   approves the allocation of the General Fund Variance for the year of £0.862m as set out in Table 1 of the Portfolio Holder’s report and repeated below:-

The Cabinet gave consideration to a report of the Corporate Finance and Governance Portfolio Holder (A.6) which sought its approval of the allocation of the overall 2019/20 General Fund revenue variance.

It was reported that the Portfolio Holder for Corporate Finance and Governance had formally agreed the overall outturn position for 2019/20 on 17 July 2020, with a high level summary of the General Fund revenue position as follows:

The Portfolio Holder as part of that decision had also agreed the variance for the year of £0.862m as part of the overall consideration of the outturn position for the year.

The Cabinet was informed that the report now before it therefore presented for its consideration the £0.658m requested to be carried forward by services and the allocation of the remaining variance for the year of £0.862m.

Members were made aware that the£0.658m that had been requested by services to be carried forward at the end of the year had been subject to further review as the various items did not meet the associated qualifying criteria. They were in effect a ‘bid’ by services to retain a proportion of the overall favourable outturn variance of £1.520m before any further allocations were considered. The various items were set out in Appendix Aand it was proposed by the Portfolio Holder to agree all of the items.

If all of the items were agreed to be ‘carried forward’ then the general overall variance for the year of £0.862m remained to be allocated and proposals to allocate that funding in 2020/21 were set out within Table 1 of the Portfolio Holder’s report.

Having duly considered the requests by Services to retain funding at the end of 2019/20 via ‘carry forward’ requests into 2020/21 and the proposed allocations of the general overall variance monies in 2020/21:-

It was moved by Councillor G V Guglielmi, seconded by Councillor Stock OBE and:-

RESOLVED that Cabinet –

(a)   agrees that the total of £0.658m requested by Services can be retained by them via the associated carry forward requests, as set out in Appendix A to item A.6 of the Report of the Corporate Finance and Governance Portfolio Holder; and

(b)   approves the allocation of the General Fund Variance for the year of £0.862m as set out in Table 1 of the Portfolio Holder’s report and repeated below:-

To report on the Council’s treasury management activities and Prudential Indicators for 2019/20.

RESOLVED that –

(a)    the Treasury Management performance position for 2019/20 be noted; and

(b)    the Prudential and Treasury Indicators for 2019/20 be approved.

The Cabinet gave consideration to a report of the Corporate Finance and Governance Portfolio Holder (A.7) which reported on the Council’s treasury management activities and Prudential Indicators for 2019/20. The Treasury performance figures for the year were set out in Appendix A to the Portfolio Holder’s report with the Prudential Indicators attached as Appendix B to that report.

Cabinet was informed that borrowing and investments had been undertaken in accordance with the 2019/20 Annual Treasury Strategy that had been approved by Council at its meeting held on 26 March 2019.

The Council’s borrowing position was summarised as follows:-

Cabinet was made aware that no external borrowing had been undertaken in 2019/20 for either the General Fund (GF) or the Housing Revenue Account (HRA).

The Council’s Investment Position was summarised as follows:-

It was reported that the amount of interest earned from investments had increased during the year as rates had risen slightly although the bank base rate had remained at 0.75% until 11 March 2020 when, due to the Covid-19 pandemic it had been cut to 0.25%, with a further cut to 0.10% on 19 March 2020. However, compared to historic interest figures, the 2019/20 return still remained relatively low because of the continuing underlying low interest rate environment. The impact of the latest base rate reduction to 0.1% would be felt in 2020/21. Estimated income had increased during the year from the original estimate of £0.336 million to £0.556 million, with the outturn figure being £0.583 million as set out in the table above.

Members were reminded that the Council continued to hold one property within its Commercial Investment Portfolio, which had a balance sheet value at 1 April 2019 of £2.300 million. This ‘book value’ had been reduced by the Council’s appointed valuers to £2.155 million at the end of 2019/20. However, this was an ‘accounting’ valuation and not a direct value that could be achieved on the market if that property was sold. In-line with the budget, rental income of £0.211 million had been earned on the property in 2019/20.

Cabinet’s attention was drawn to the fact that during 2019/20 there had been one occasion when the treasury management limits had been exceeded. The maximum amount that could be invested with a single Local Authority was £6million. However, due to human error that limit had been exceed by £1million when a deal had been agreed with a local authority on 27 March 2020. Efforts had been made to find a replacement counter party, but this could not be readily achieved, so the Council had had £7million with this one borrower from 27 March 2020 until an investment of £2million held with them had matured  ...  view the full minutes text for item 41.

The Cabinet is asked to consider 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 17 on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A, as amended, of the Act.”

It was moved by Councillor Stock OBE, seconded by Councillor P B Honeywood and:-

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 17 on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A, as amended, of the Act.

To agree terms for an easement over the Council’s land fronting Colchester Road, Weeley.

RESOLVED that Cabinet -

(a)    approves the terms proposed in order to grant an easement for a right of way to St Osyth Beach Estates Limited and their Successors in Title; and

(b)    authorises the Acting Corporate Director (Operations and Delivery), in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Corporate Finance and Governance, to grant such an easement including on such other terms and conditions as he sees fit.

RESOLVED that Cabinet -

(a)    approves the terms proposed in order to grant an easement for a right of way to St Osyth Beach Estates Limited and their Successors in Title; and

(b)    authorises the Acting Corporate Director (Operations and Delivery), in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Corporate Finance and Governance, to grant such an easement including on such other terms and conditions as he sees fit.