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

Launch of the Lynch Plant & Haulage Construction Training Centre

The Economic Growth, Regeneration & Tourism Portfolio Holder (Councillor Henderson) announced that, accompanied by the Partnerships Portfolio Holder (Councillor Placey), he had attended that event at the Colchester Institute on 11 June 2026. He felt that this facility met the employment needs of the District, and possibly the whole of the County. Councillor Henderson read out an outline of the Centre as follows:-

·      the training centre was designed to equip individuals with the practical skills and industry knowledge required to access careers within the infrastructure construction sector; and

·      the partnership would deliver specialist programmes including plant operation, traffic marshalling and rollers.

The emphasis was therefore on heavy plant machinery. Adam Ward, the Assistant Principal at the Colchester Institute had stated that this was an important early milestone in their journey as a clean energy technology excellence college supporting adults to access high profile in-demand careers and was a clear, strategic priority as it provided a pipeline of skills and labour for the clean energy sector.

The Portfolio Holder had subsequently had conversations with the Deputy Chief Executive of the Institute that they presently had funding provided by Essex County Council for 96 places at the centre and hoped to be awarded more. The Institute were also investigating the opportunities for military ‘leavers’ funded by Sizewell ‘C’ and had four employers already interested in taking on apprenticeships.

Councillor Henderson felt that the good news for this District was that the Institute intended to work with the Council and the Department for Work & Pensions in targeting the District’s NEETs to join the scheme. He reported that Sizewell ‘C’ would require over 800 plant operators with a similar demand at the Lower Thames Crossing. Other projects seeking such skills included National Grid, Anglian Water and likely the Tendring / Colchester Borders Garden Community.

The Partnerships Portfolio Holder (Councillor Placey) endorsed Councillor Henderson’s comments. Councillor Placey had been particularly impressed that they were not just teaching individuals how to use the machinery but also good work ethics such as punctuality.

Tendring Jobs and Skills Fair

The Economic Growth, Regeneration & Tourism Portfolio Holder (Councillor Henderson) informed Cabinet that this year’s Fair would be held on 1^st October 2026 in the Princes Theatre, at the Town Hall. He encouraged all to spread the word. Last year’s fair had attracted 900 – 1,000 job seekers.

Another Jobs and Skills Fair would be held on 7^th July 2026 at the Sunspot in Jaywick Sands.

Science, Technology, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) Event – 12 June 2026

The Partnerships Portfolio Holder (Councillor Placey), accompanied by the Environment & ICT Portfolio Holder (Councillor Smith), had attended this latest annual event, held on this occasion at the University of Essex for Year 6 pupils. Out of 14 schools attending, 11 had been from the District of Tendring. In total 624 pupils had attended with 504 pupils being from Tendring Schools.

There had been six workshops covering wind energy, health care science, conservation, drama, autonomous vehicles and games & AI. The pupils had been fully engaged and had shown great energy.

As well as external organisations, the workshops had been delivered by students studying at the University. 14 businesses had attended in the hope of “sowing the seeds” for future career aspirations.

Tendring Colchester Borders Garden Community Development Plan Document (DPD) – Award for Best Plan category at RTPI East of England Awards for Planning Excellence 2026

The Housing & Planning Portfolio Holder (Councillor Baker) made the following statement:-

“Chairman, I am delighted to announce that the Tendring Colchester Borders Garden Community Development Plan Document (DPD) has recently won the Best Plan category at the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) East of England Awards for Planning Excellence 2026, and will hopefully be shortlisted for the national awards, which will be announced in December.

The award is a hugely significant endorsement of the long-term vision, partnership working and technical excellence behind the DPD, which was prepared jointly by help guide the delivery of a sustainable new Garden Community on the border of Tendring and Colchester.

The Best Plan category celebrates planning documents that demonstrate excellence in shaping high-quality places and providing a robust framework for sustainable development. Securing this award is a proud moment for everyone involved in the project and reflects the strength of the councils’ shared commitment to creating a new community that is well-connected, infrastructure-led and landscape-led, while supporting homes, jobs, services and lasting environmental enhancement.

This is a fantastic achievement and a real tribute to the ambition, care and collaboration that has gone into producing a plan that will help shape sustainable growth and high-quality placemaking for years to come and I hope you will agree, Chairman, that we, as Cabinet, should recognise the hard work that has gone into the preparation of not only this document but the ongoing work that is being undertaken by a relatively small team into making the Garden Community happen.”

Beach Patrol Service

The Portfolio Holder for Leisure & Public Realm (Councillor Barry) commended the efforts of the Council’s beach patrol service who had stepped up their work in the current spell of heatwave weather. He indicated that the Team during the previous heatwave at the end of May 2026 during the Whitsun holiday period had moved 186 swimmers who were getting out of their depth; reunited 9 missing persons with family and friends; moved on 155 people from potential danger around or under the piers at Clacton and Walton; performed 29 first aid care; moved 251 people from rocks / groynes and had contacted the emergency services on 12 occasions.

Councillor Barry reported that due to the extraordinary weather this week the beach patrol had been activated earlier than usually the case which had paid dividends. Yesterday, there had been six rescues; which demonstrated the Council’s commitment to keeping its residents and visitors safe. He reiterated the message that visitors to the District’s beaches needed to respect the water and listen to the advice given to them. He congratulated the Beach Patrol Service, and it showed how valuable a service this was that the Council provided.