The Council had before it a report of the Management and Members’ Support Manager, which informed Members that the Independent Remuneration Panel (IRP) had recently undertaken a review of Members’ Allowances for a scheme commencing 1 May 2017 and that the Panel’s recommendations had been published in the local press in accordance with legislation.

Council was advised that it must now have regard to the recommendations of the IRP in determining a Scheme of Allowances for 2017/18. The Council could depart from the IRP’s recommendations provided it could demonstrate good reasons for doing so, having taken all relevant matters into account.

Council recalled that it had last agreed a Scheme of Allowances on 26 April 2016 which had had effect from 1 May 2016. It was reported that the latest review proposed an across the board 1% inflationary increase and a modest increase for Cabinet Members.

The Leader of the Council thanked the members of the IRP for their work and due diligence in conducting their review of Members’ Allowances.

It was moved by Councillor Stock and seconded by Councillor G V Guglielmi that -

(a)  the allowances recommended by the IRP, as set out in its report to the Council (Appendix A to item A.2 of the Report of the Management and Members’ Support Manager) be approved.

Councillor Stephenson then moved, and Councillor I J Henderson seconded, the following amendment –

“In the light of the residents facing rising council tax bills and unprecedented cutbacks in public services we, the councillors of Tendring, feel it would be inappropriate to accept the IRP’s recommendations for 2017/18 and propose that we maintain the remuneration from 2016/17.”

Following the receipt of advice from the Chief Executive and the Monitoring Officer, Councillors Stephenson and Henderson agreed to withdraw their amendment.

Councillor Porter then moved and Councillor Cawthron seconded that all Members’ Allowances should be abolished. The Monitoring Officer advised Council that this amendment could not be allowed to proceed, as the proposal negated the motion, which was not permitted in accordance with the Council Procedure Rules. The proposal being put forward by Councillor Porter could not be considered until such time as Council had decided whether to approve the allowances recommended by the IRP.

Councillors Davis, Stephenson, Porter, Bray, Heaney, I J Henderson, Steady, Parsons, Scott, G V Guglielmi and Calver addressed Council during the debate on Councillor Stock’s motion.

Councillor Parsons asked that, in accordance with the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 19.4, a record of the vote on Councillor Stock’s motion be taken.

Accordingly, the result of that vote was as follows:

Councillor Stock’s motion was thereupon declared CARRIED.

It was then moved by Councillor Stock, seconded by Councillor Turner and -

RESOLVED that -

(b)       the IRP undertakes a further review for 2018/19 and makes recommendations to Annual Council in April 2018;

(c)       the Scheme of Members’ Allowances in Part 7 of the Constitution be amended to reflect the agreed allowances and expenses; and

(d)       Members who do not wish to take the increase in their Allowances or any Allowances at all are free to do so.

It was moved by Councillor Turner, seconded by Councillor V E Guglielmi and:

RESOLVED that, pursuant to Section 3(1) of the Local Government Act 1972, Councillor Platt be elected Chairman of the Council for the 2017/2018 municipal year.

Councillor Platt was thereupon invested with the badge and Chain of Office and made a Statutory Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

Councillor Platt thanked his proposer and thanked Members for the honour of being Chairman of the Council. He paid tribute to Councillor Chapman, and her husband, for their fantastic year in Office and stated that they should be proud of their efforts. He stated that being Councillor Chapman’s Vice-Chairman had been a pleasure.

Councillor Platt informed Council that the theme for his year in office would be “This Is Tendring” which would be a celebration of the District and all of its diversity and attractions and also of the work of the Council.

Councillor Platt also informed Members that his nominated Charities for the year would be the RNLI (the local District Stations), Prostate Cancer, St Helena Hospice (Clacton) and Guide Dogs for the Blind. He also indicated that he would announce further charities that he wished to support at a later date.

Councillor Platt then gave Councillor Chapman her Past Chairman’s Badge together with a memento of her year in Office.

Councillor Chapman then addressed the Council and stated that it had been an honour and a privilege to be Chairman. She had had a fantastic year with many highlights and had met some wonderful people. She thanked Councillor Platt, her consort, friends, family, Members and Officers (especially Nigel Brown, Elizabeth Ridout, Sophie Hickson  and Emma Haward) for all their support.

Councillor Chapman was delighted to announce that over £13,400 had been raised for her two nominated charities; the Tendring Specialist Stroke Service and The Swimming Trust.

 Finally, Councillor Chapman wished Councillor Platt best wishes for a successful year in Office.

To agree the freehold disposal of a small area of land in Gainsborough Drive, Lawford.

That Cabinet -

a)       recommends and refers the Asset Management Plan and proposed Constitution amendments to full Council for adoption;

b)       subject to Council’s decision on the foregoing, adopts the Property Strategy;

c)       notes the draft Property Programme and procedure rules proposed for separate adoption by the Portfolio Holder and by Officers subject to the adoption of the Asset Management Plan and Constitution changes, as detailed above; and

d)       requests that Officers bring forward delivery plans for the aspirational projects in the Property Programme as resources permit.

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL that the Asset Management Plan and the proposed amendments to the Council’s Constitution be approved.

That Cabinet agrees that when the STP Plan is at a more detailed level, the STP Lead be contacted to seek assurance that timely consultation with the wider public will take place and that an All Member Briefing be held as part of this process.

That Cabinet agrees that Ye Olde Cherry Tree, Clacton Road, Little Oakley, CO12 5JH meets the definition of an Asset of Community Value, as set out in Section 88 of the Localism Act 2011, and that the building be added to the Council’s list of Assets of Community Value.

That Cabinet approves, in principle, the disposal of the playing fields at Riverview, Lawford to Lawford Parish Council subject to the decision as to the terms of the disposal to be taken later in the meeting following the exclusion of the press and public.        

That the responses of the Resources and Corporate Services Portfolio Holder, as set out in the Appendix to item A.2 of the Reference from the Corporate Management Committee be approved, subject to the response to (a) being amended to read as follows:

“Noted, and Cabinet agrees that Section 106 monies should be spent as soon as practicable but Cabinet recognises that it may not always be possible, or in the best interests of the Council/community to spend them immediately.”

That the recommendations of the Commercialisation, Seafronts and Parking Portfolio Holder be approved.

To seek authority to proceed with the formal naming of the road currently under construction on land off Holland Road, Little Clacton, Essex.

That the new road under construction at the development site – Land off Holland Road, Little Clacton, Essex, is named “Seaforth Lane”.

To seek authority to proceed with the formal naming of the road currently under construction on land off Holland Road, Lt Clacton, Essex.

That the new road under construction at the development site – Former Land at Little Clacton Lawn Tennis Club, Holland Road, Little Clacton, Essex, is named “Whitegates Court”.