To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Council, held on 28 February 2024.

Minutes of Council held on the 28 February 2024 were approved as a correct record. 

Councillor Speight referred to his speech on the budget and had realised he had overstepped the mark by using the phrase “pen pushers”. This was a potentially derogatory remark that could be perceived by some in the process of drawing up the budget as aimed at them and that was unfair.

To receive additional items that the Mayor is of the opinion should be considered as a matter of urgency, in accordance with Section 100B (4) (b) of the Local Government Act 1972.

There were no urgent items of business.

To receive any declaration of interests from Members.

There were no declarations of interest.

The Mayor expressed her condolences to the sad passing of Basildon Mayor, Councillor Luke Mackenzie with a minute silence being held for members to show their respect.

The Leader made the following announcements:

Thanked all members for their hard work over the last 12 months and thanked those members retiring, Councillors Collins, Pearce, Snell, Thandi and Madam Mayor for their hard work and services to the community. The Leader also wished those members seeking re-election good luck.

Thanked Alix MacFarlane, Director of communications who would be leaving the council next week for the fantastic job she had done improving the communications of the council.

Welcomed new members of the Senior Leadership Team.

Stated the council had identified the extra savings required to balance the budget, this supported the administration’s decision to not implement a 10% council tax rise.

Work would commence in the Town Hall in April and over the summer months to improve the safety for members and officers and to also improve access for those with disabilities.

Had attended the opening of the new Stanford Mosque and Thurrock Muslim Centre with Madam Mayor last week. Not only was this an important community centre but a place of worship for Muslims in the east of the borough.

In regard to the PAS review the administration had been committed to incorporating all elements of the recent review with some of the actions already being implemented, some requiring a new action plan which was being worked on and some incurring additional costs which required to be calculated and confirmed.  

Referred to the complaints report that had been presented to the Standards and Audit Committee about the conduct of a councillor on potential racism.

In accordance with Chapter 2, Part 2 (Rule 14) of the Council’s Constitution.

The Mayor informed the chamber that one question had been received from members of public.

In accordance with Chapter 2, Part 2(Rule 14) of the Council’s Constitution.

A petition was presented by Councillor Polley relating to inconsiderate parking at various locations within the ward, including but not exclusive to Stifford Road, Danbury Crescent and Garron Lane. Councillor B Maney provided a response.

A petition was presented by Councillor Polley relating to relating to a community request, for the councils help in identifying possible sites for a registered charity to set up an academy. Councillor B Maney provided a response.

A petition was presented by Councillor Redsell relating to reduce the speed limit on Woodview from 40 to 30, Blackshots roundabout to King Edward Drive. Councillor B Maney provided a response.

Members received a report on the status of those petitions handed in at Council meetings and Council office.

The Council are asked to agree any changes to the appointments made to committees and outside bodies, statutory and other panels, as requested by Group Leaders.

There were no changes made to appointments.

The Leader presented the report that referred to the progress and decisions required to action improvement activity around the Overview and Scrutiny function. The report asked Members to support the introduction of a new Overview and Scrutiny Committee Structure with a view to further developing culture, skills, work programming and constitutional procedures of the function in future months.

Councillor J Kent stated the Labour would be supporting the recommendations this evening, this had been a lengthy process with lots of debate and opportunities for all members to have their input. Councillor J Kent stated he had seen a lot of scrutiny functions over the years but not seen a scrutiny function that really worked. Consideration had to be given on what support would be provided to scrutiny committees members in regard to types of questions to be asked and for external mentoring and coached to be in place.

Councillor Speight stated he would not be supporting the restructuring of the scrutiny function recommendation but would support as much as he possibly could during the process through the next municipal year.

The Leader summed up by stating it was important there was the full engagement and participation by members and that the right support and training would be provided so that better scrutiny of executive policies and decisions could take place.

The majority of Members voted in favour of the recommendation 1.1 with three members abstaining (Councillors Allan, Byrne and Speight).

Members voted unanimously in favour of the recommendations 1.2 and 1.3.

The majority of Members voted in favour of the recommendation 1.4 with one member against (Councillor Speight) and two members abstaining (Councillors Allan and Byrne).

The majority of Members voted in favour of the recommendation 1.5 with one member abstaining (Councillor Byrne).

Members voted unanimously in favour of the recommendations 1.6 and 1.7.

RESOLVED

1.    Agreed the restructuring of the Overview and Scrutiny Function to consist of three committees: People, Place and Corporate, as detailed in this report and appendices.  

2.    That the new Overview and Scrutiny committee structure starts for the municipal year 2024/25. 

3.    Subject to the addition of two substitutes per political group to be added to each committee, agree the terms of reference of these committees at appendix 1 and delegate authority to the Monitoring Officer to include them in the Constitution.  

4.    Cease the Local Development Plan Task Force and the Hidden and Extreme Harms Prevention Committee from the 2024/25 municipal year in accordance with Centre for Governance and Scrutiny’s (CfGS) findings and recommendations.  

5.    Formally adopt the Overview and Scrutiny Protocol attached at appendix 2 and incorporate it into the constitution as part of the forthcoming revised Overview and Scrutiny Chapter.  

6.    That the Lower Thames Crossing Task Force continues as a body until such time the Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee considers creating a Lower Thames Crossing Task and Finish Group. 

7.    That the Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee be able to create two task and finish groups in addition to a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 158.

The Leader presented the report that covered the actions taken so far and the next steps. The Government had decided to pause the negotiations until after the general election which had been disappointing. The Leader hoped that following the general elections, negotiations could continue to enable a greater prosperity and opportunities for our communities.

Councillor J Kent stated the pause was regrettable and a huge disappointment as the economics of scale across Essex was required to help improve economic regeneration. Stated that following the general elections, efforts would need to be increased to ensure a deal that worked in Thurrock and worked for the whole of Essex.

Councillor Halden reiterated from previous meetings that fundamentally a devolution deal was not needed, there was a need for local government reform. Members did not want reform as the reasons behind this were based on electoral consequences.

Councillor Speight agreed this was a missed opportunity with a need for joint working across a wide range of subjects and sharing of knowledge where all could benefit. He welcomed the whole concept of devolution and looked forward to this hopefully starting over the next year, but the Council had to be very prudent and cautious.

The Leader summed up by giving reassurance that although devolution was not happening, the South Essex councils were working very closely together to try and bring ways of working together across partnership. Agreed the deal had got to be for the benefit of Thurrock especially Freeport as this was in the council’s area. With the Leader on the Board, it also had the full support of both Members of Parliament who undertook a lot of work in Westminster to ensure any benefits from Freeports came to Thurrock.

Members voted unanimously in favour of the recommendation.

RESOLVED

Full council noted the progress and current pause of the proposed Greater Essex Devolution deal. 

Councillor Snell presented the report that provided Members with further clarification to enable consideration of the revised recommendations set out in

this report.

Councillor J Kent stated the Labour groups would be in support of the recommendations.

Councillor Speight stated this was a guessing game and although the council had the option to change their mind next year he questioned what signal this would send out. Reiterated from previous meetings that the second home policy had been brought in for second homes in rural and holiday areas.

The majority of Members voted in favour of the recommendation 1.1 with three members against (Councillors Allan, Byrne and Speight).

Members voted unanimously in favour of the recommendations 1.2 and 1.3.

RESOLVED

1.  That Council approved the introduction of a 100% council tax premium (in addition to normal council tax) on properties classed as 2nd Homes from 1 April 2025. 

2.  That Council noted that in approving 1.1, that Council retains the option to amend or revoke the decision before it comes into force on 1 April 2025. 

3.  That Council approved in line with 1.2, the decision will be returned to Council for review, within budget setting reports for 2025/26. 

The Leader presented the report that had set out the outcomes of the Boundary Working Group following its consideration of the Local Government Boundary Commission England request for submissions from political groups on ward boundaries. The Leader made one amendment to recommendation 1.2 to include the Vice Chair as part of the consultation.

Councillor Morris-Cook stated it had been her pleasure working on this working group and made two amendments to recommendation 1.1 in that the name of newly created ward was to be confirmed and with reference to the two members, one member be appointed from west Thurrock wards and the second member from one of the wards in the east of the borough.

Members voted unanimously in favour of the two amended recommendations.

RESOLVED

1.   The Members’ Boundary Review Working Group recommended that Full Council make a submission for the creation of a new Purfleet-on-Thames ward (name to be confirmed) with two members. With one member coming from the west Thurrock wards and one member from the east of the borough.

2.   To delegate to the Executive Corporate Director for Corporate Services in his role as Monitoring Officer (and his nominee) authority to draft and submit the agreed consultation response following consultation with the Chair and Vice Chair of the Working Group. 

This report is to follow under urgency procedure in compliance with Section 39 Localism Act 2011.

Councillor Snell presented the report that stated the Localism Act 2011 required the Council to publish an Annual Pay Policy Statement, which must be approved in advance of the financial year to which it would apply.

Councillor J Kent stated this report had been debated at the General Services Committee and would support the recommendation.

Members voted unanimously in favour of the recommendation.

RESOLVED

Approved the Council’s Annual Pay Policy Statement 2024/25 attached as appendix 2. 

Gavin Jones, Lead Commissioner, provided members with a brief summary of the letter that commissioners had written to the Secretary of State on the 22 January 2024, this was the first letter that had been written under the new commissioner regime. It had been promising in the terms of the way the council had accepted where it was and its ownership of the recovery plan. This had been clearly evidenced across the whole council, and evidenced by the council accepting the enhanced improvement and recovery plan that was required. The context of the financial position for the council remained very precarious and there was no line of sight within the current intervention period as to how the council would achieve financial sustainability. Progress had been made in a number of areas, such as the ability as a council to take some difficult decisions, which were quite painful around the budget and around services. This had been evidenced by the Council proving it was prepared to make very difficult decisions on behalf of their residents.

Gavin Jones stated the best value inspection report had highlighted the issue between member and officer relationships and how that was not positive, there had been some considerable improvement in that where there was respect improving on both sides from members to officers but equally officers to members. The report also highlighted where that was not being consistent but was confident and hopeful that situation would improve and see a continued improvement as those relationships which were so fundamental for the good running of the council.

Another key theme was improving the council’s capacity and capability that had played out during the recruitment programme, it was noted commissioners had been impressed the council had attracted some very high calibre staff. This was a credit to the council in terms of how well this had been managed but would need to continue to provide supportive culture for those officers who felt they wanted to stay with the council and be part of that for the long term.

Seen some considerable improvements around governance since the last report and recognised, particularly within the governance recovery board, very good engagement from members. It had also been clear for the commissioners the improved decision-making which had been helped by better forward planning of agendas and to continue the focus that was required for good quality discussion as well as on performance reporting. Recognised the extremely good work in terms of performance management and insurance framework and encouraged the council to build on that and particularly the use of data.

In regard to finances, members were aware of the situation. Noted the forthcoming elections would be taking place with a possible a change of administration or a change in the make-up of groups but encouraged all to remain focused on the financial challenge that the council faced.

Gavin Jones summed up in that looking forward and building on those things the council had done, maintain the robust focus on finances, develop  ...  view the full minutes text for item 163.

The Leader presented the report that requested the Council to confirm the calculations relating to the allocation of seats on committees following the resignation of two councillors (Councillor Jack Duffin and Councillor Alex Anderson) from the Conservative Group and becoming non-aligned independent Members.

Councillor J Kent was pleased to note the report.

Members voted unanimously in favour of the two recommendations.

RESOLVED

1.   That the political balance and allocation of seats, as set out in Appendix 1, was noted. 

2.   That Group Leaders make any changes to seat allocations in accordance with the new proportionality. 

In accordance with Chapter 2, Part 2 (Rule 14) of the Council’s Constitution.

The mayor informed the chamber of the number of questions received to the leader and cabinet members.

Councillor Speight spoke on the East Thurrock Community Association premises and reported that a significant amount of progress had been made and made tribute and thanked all officers who had worked with the committee members of that association. Councillor Speight hoped that soon he would be able to report the premises had become a genuine part of the local community which was owned by the local community for the local community.

The minutes of committees as set out in the agenda were received.

Councillor Speight raised a Point of Order Council Procedure Rules, Paragraph 3.4 (j) and (r). He asked that the chamber be informed of any updates between meetings if a motion had been withdrawn at a previous meeting which had been indicated it would be resubmitted at the next meeting was not then resubmitted. The Mayor thanked Councillor Speight for his comment and stated the matter would be referred to the Constitutional Working Group.

Councillor Redsell recorded her disappointment that her Motion raised at October 2023 council meeting to establish a task and finish group to look at options for tackling school parking across the borough would not be brought to committee until July.

A full recording of this meeting can be viewed from the following link:

Council - Wednesday 20 March 2024, 7:00pm - Thurrock Council committee meeting webcasts (public-i.tv)