The Committee is asked to note any apologies for absence and substitutions received from Members.

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Barrett (the Vice-Chairman), with no substitution.

To confirm and sign as a correct record, the minutes of the last meeting of the Committee, held on Tuesday 17 June 2025.

It was unanimously RESOLVED that the minutes of the last meeting of the Committee held on Tuesday, 17 June 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 Councillors in relation to any item on the agenda for this meeting.

Subject to providing two working days’ notice, a Member of the Committee may ask the Chairman of the Committee a question on any matter in relation to which the Council has powers or duties which affect the Tendring District and which falls within the terms of reference of the Committee.

No Questions on Notice pursuant to Council Procedure Rule 38 had been submitted by Members for this meeting.

The report provides the Committee with an update on its approved Work Programme for 2024/25 (including progress with enquiries set out in its Work Programme), feedback to the Committee on the decisions in respect of previous recommendations from the Committee in respects of enquiries undertaken and a list of forthcoming decisions for which notice has been given since publication of the agenda for the Committee’s last meeting. 

This report will also enable the Committee to approve its proposed Work Programme for 2025/26 for submission to Full Council.

The Committee had been furnished with a report that provided them with an update on its approved Work Programme for 2024/25 (including progress with enquiries set out in its Work Programme), feedback to the Committee on the decisions in respect of previous recommendations from the Committee in respects of enquiries undertaken and a list of forthcoming decisions for which notice had been given since publication of the agenda for the Committee’s last meeting. 

The report of the Assistant Director (Corporate Policy & Support) had enabled the Committee to approve its proposed Work Programme for 2025/26 for submission to Full Council and also the opportunity to comment on the contents of the Annual Report for 2024/25.

The Democratic Services Manager reminded Members that the Constitution had provided for the two overview and scrutiny committees to submit a work programme to Full Council for approval.  Rule 7 of the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules had set out the position as follows:

“Each Overview and Scrutiny Committee will submit a work programme for the year ahead and a review of the previous year’s activities to the full Council for approval.  In addition, it will be responsible for co-ordinating and prioritising its work programme on an ongoing basis.

In preparing, co-ordinating and prioritising its programme, each Overview and Scrutiny Committee will take into account:-

• The General Role and Principles of undertaking its functions, as set out in Part 2 Article 6;
• The planned work on the preparation of elements of the Budget and Policy Framework, as set out in the Council’s Business Plan;
• The need for statutory timetables to be met;
• The wishes of all members of the Committee;
• Requests from the Cabinet to carry out reviews; and
• Requests from Group Leaders in accordance with Rule 8.”

The Committee noted that in considering the Work Programme of enquiries, the Committee must have regarded the Corporate Plan 2024-28 and the themes of that Corporate Plan were:

• Pride in our area and services to residents
• Raising aspirations and creating opportunities
• Championing our local environment
• Working with partners to improve quality of life
• Promoting our heritage offer, attracting visitors and encouraging them to stay longer
• Financial Sustainability and openness

As part of the preparation of the 2025/26 Work Programme, a consultation had been conducted to invite Councillors, partner agencies and members of the public to suggest topics for the Scrutiny Committees’ consideration. Following the consultation, one submission had been received from an anonymous member of the public who requested an enquiry into “American Sweet Shops”. This presumably referred to the American Candy Shop retail chain. The individual wanted a review based on alleged sales of nicotine products to underage children, money laundering and tax avoidance. However, the nearest such shops were in Colchester and Ipswich, and in any case, investigations would fall more appropriately within the purview of Trading Standards and HM Revenue & Excise.

The Committee had held an informal meeting on 22 July 2025 and had considered the items contained within the draft copy of Appendix B.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.