Committee Members’ Questions

(Summary)

Responses (Chief Executive, unless otherwise stated)

(Summary)

Will there be a clause in the new Waste Management Contract that will protect TDC in the event that it disappears under LGR?

There are a myriad of contracts that will need to be gone through. Harmonisation of contracts with other local authorities would take place over time. If TDC was to cease to be then the burden of such contracts would fall on the successor Authority. These are all matters that need to be closely considered alongside other matters such as TDC’s close working relationships with the District’s Parish and Town Councils.

As LGR progresses will there be a grading system introduced for projects that are underway or are still in the planning stage?

Excellent question. This is just the sort of thing that Officers will need to examine and then facilitate the Cabinet in making its decisions. For some projects, TDC is already contractually obliged having accepted the relevant external funding. The Council’s Monitoring Officer and the Section 151 Officer will both play a key role in that process.

[Director (Governance)] – These are daunting times for local government as it is facing its largest re-organisation since the passing of the Local Government Act 1972. This is also happening alongside large-scale changes to the national planning, housing and procurement statutory frameworks. Already, cautionary messages are being issued to Councils about looking at, in the New Year, transformation projects whether planned or already underway.

Should this overview and scrutiny committee be concentrating on the process in terms of LGR and its effect on TDC’s projects?

It would be valid for this Committee to look at the process for choosing which projects are continued or are ceased. A report will be submitted to Full Council in January 2025 that will place all the available information before Members in order to allow them to debate this matter.

[Director (Governance)] – Officers will, of course, keep Members up-to-date as matters progress. It is expected that tools will be provided in due course for Members by bodies such as the Centre for Governance and Scrutiny. Eventually an Order will be made in Parliament that will set out all those functions (including contractual matters) that will be put over to the new Authority.

Has TDC been involved in any Best Value related collaborations with neighbouring Authorities on these large projects/contracts e.g. Waste Management?

Yes, most certainly e.g. with Colchester CC and Essex CC on the TCB Garden Community. Another example would be regarding collection methods and mechanisms for purchasing collection vehicles for the new waste collection contract.

[Leader of the Council] – Other examples would include the Health & Well-being Alliance, procurement, Emergency Planning, new HR systems and the NEC audit.

Committee Members’ Question

(Summary)

Responses (Leader of the Council, unless otherwise stated)

(Summary)

Have all the cameras been granted planning permission?

No. A number of planning applications had been submitted and any that were still outstanding would be submitted shortly. These planning applications would be required to be considered by the Planning Committee.

Regarding the CCTV project, what has happened and what is the progress?

Outlined the timeline to the Committee and undertook to circulate the timeline to Members after the meeting.

How did the CCTV project get so far behind schedule?

There were problems with specifications and the tender process.

Is everything going to be completed for the CCTV project by March 2025?

The aim was to have everything completed by 10 April 2025.

Since the Safer Street Funding briefing note has been circulated, what has happened since then?

Will provide a written answer circulated to all members of the Committee.

Is the Council adhering to the terms of the funding agreement?

Yes, but will confirm that in writing.

What is the financial risk to the Council?

Not aware of any risk. Money is passported and there has been an extension of time granted.

Regarding the site at Weeley, what is the end date for the project?

What has happened since 2023 when the heads of terms were signed?

How long were the heads of terms agreed for?

What happens if there is no completion of the development?

Are the housing prices right for the development?

Is the deal still good for the Council?

What is the procedure for property acquisitions or disposals in relation to tender?

What was the process that was undertaken?

This is a sensitive issue best answered by the Corporate Director. There are things going on in the background but they are of a sensitive nature.

[Corporate Director (Operations & Delivery)] – It’s undeniable that this matter has not proceeded as quickly as TDC would have liked. Officers have been pushing hard but, as yet, have not reached an agreement with the Developer. Is aware of the ongoing cost liabilities to the Council of this site. Will start to look at alternative options for the disposal of this site in an effort to speed up a resolution. Frustrating for all concerned. Any alternative to the current negotiating process will require a further report to Cabinet and a new decision. The negotiations have been lengthy, detailed and problematic (e.g. ransom strips).

[Chief Executive] – To an extent, TDC is in the hands of Developers and their willingness to release sites into the housing market. Obviously, this would be done on a ‘drip feed’ process in order to avoid a sudden ‘glut’ and a depression of house prices.

[Councillor M Cossens] – The site at Weeley will be a key focus of the work of the Asset Management Arrangements Task & Finish Working Group.

Further to the responses just provided, this needs close examination to learn lessons for the future. Is going out to a re-tender one of the alternative options?

[Corporate Director (Operations & Delivery)] – Yes, that is one of the options.

[Chief Executive] – There is a requirement for seven dwellings to come into TDC’s housing stock. This has been a complicating factor and has meant that it has not been a straight-forward land sale.

What projects do you have underway?

What was the review process taken?

Review of projects had focused on three key aspects i.e. capacity, governance and finance. He was broadly comfortable that Portfolio Holders were on top of their respective projects. He intended to pull together a comprehensive list of all of TDC’s current projects which he would submit to a future meeting of the Committee. List being refined all the time. Had been a very useful exercise for both Officers and Cabinet Members to bring this list of all the projects into one place.

Further to the responses just provided, will this factor into the Administration’s priorities going forward and will this Committee have a say in producing that list?

Yes, they will. The draft initial priorities list for consultation purposes will be submitted to Cabinet on Friday. No though yet has been given to producing milestones for these priorities.

What is the progress with Clacton Town Board?

Previous Conservative Government earmarked £20million over a ten-year period. The matter was paused whilst the General Election was held and whilst the new Labour Government considered and confirmed its regeneration priorities. Therefore, the CTB has been effectively in limbo as a result but it has remained determined to take advantage of any opportunities that comes its way and it has been able to proceed with smaller initiatives like empty shop wrapping in Clacton Town Centre and the development of a website.

How many times has the local MP been to the meetings of the Clacton Town Board?

Will provide a written answer circulated to all members of the Committee.

If LGR goes ahead, will that make the CTB more important as a way of ensuring input into decision making at the local level?

Yes, it will. The CTB is very determined to take ownership of Clacton’s future.

What are the milestones for the savings plans?

[Director (Finance & IT)] - A report will be submitted to Cabinet on Friday that details when savings will come into the Budget in 2025/26 and 2026/27.

Are you behind or ahead with the savings plan?

[Director (Finance & IT)] - Not behind and ahead in some ways but it will require concrete work, actions and decisions made going forward. Worry is about the unexpected/unforeseen (e.g. Covid-19) occurrences that could knock TDC off-course. Overall, TDC is currently in a good position.

[Chief Executive] – TDC is not in danger of having to issue a Section 114 Notice unlike many other Councils. The External Auditor is content with TDC’s approach of a rolling ten-year financial forecast. This ‘smooths out’ the process and avoids annual wholesale ‘panic’ cuts of services.

What is the current position with the old Savoy nightclub in Clacton Town?

[Chief Executive] – This is a commercially sensitive matter at this time but forms part of TDC’s overall partnership project with the Arts Council. Willing to give more detail in writing to Members.