Following Prayers, a minute silence was held as a mark of respect for the fifth anniversary of the 39 Vietnamese people who had tragedy died in Thurrock.

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Council, held on 26 September 2024.

The minutes of Council held on the 26 September 2024 were approved as a correct record.

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 Leader and Members paid tribute to the sad passing of former Councillor and Mayor, Margaret Sarah Jones followed by a minute silence.

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

The Mayor informed the chamber of the questions received to cabinet members:

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

A petition was presented by Joy Redsell in that many residents of Thurrock were against the building of housing on the green belt of Blackshots playing field which was given to the people of Thurrock by King George the 5th as for recreation and sport. The Portfolio Holder for Good Growth, Councillor L Watson, 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.

The following changes were agreed:

·       Add Councillor D Arnold as substitute on People Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

·       Add Councillor Johnson as substitute on Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Councillor Hartstean requested an alteration to the wording of her motion to which members agreed. The motion was seconded by Councillor Hurrell. The altered Motion read as follows:

That this Council congratulates the whole of Children's Services for achieving an OUTSTANDING rating in their recent Ofsted Inspection and thank all Services across the council who contribute to safeguarding the children of Thurrock and expresses our gratitude for their continued commitment to the children and families in our care.

Councillor Hartstean stated how proud she was to be presenting a motion this evening on the recent Ofsted Outstanding Rating awarded to Children’s Services. Commended the leadership of the Executive Director of Children’s Services and Assistant Director for Children’s Social Care and Early Help and Assistant Director for Education. This was a testament to the dedication, commitment, and hard work of every member of the children’s services team. The hard work had built a service that was responsive, resilient, and entirely focused on delivering the best outcomes for Thurrock’s children and families. With only five other authorities receiving the outstanding recognition this was remarkable. 

The following members spoke on this item – Councillors Speight, Johnson,

J Kent, Alike, Sisterson, Jefferies, J Maney, L Watson, Manwa and Hurrell. The following comments were made:

-       Members congratulated everyone involved in Children’s Services and across the council who contributed.

-       The work undertaken made a profound difference.

-       Young Voices were recognised for the work that they undertake.

-       Thanks were given to past councillors who had respective responsibilities and had made their contribution to the success of the Children’s Services.

-       As previous portfolio holder had recognised the importance of that role.

-       Acknowledged that all the work being undertaken from top to bottom had been utterly amazing.

-       This had been a tremendous and significant achievement.

-       Fantastic to have this remarkable event to reflect on.

-       Feedback from Ofsted had set the context on how well they had done.

-       Demonstrated that even with a council with its problems, on the road to recovery, with all 49 members and officers pulling in the right, the same direction, all have the same aims, all have the same ambitions, all want to achieve the same things, there was nothing that the council could not do.

-       A big appreciation was made for all the work undertaken by social workers.

-       Special mention made to the Children and Young People who had come together to form their own group, Young Voices.

-       Acknowledged there were no actions required which was also an amazing achievement.

-       Thanks were given to past portfolio holder Councillor Johnson.

-       It had become clear that staff were passionate, they deeply cared and was more than a job for some

-       Acknowledged out of the five other authorities being recognised as outstanding, Thurrock was the only one in intervention.

-       Felt everyone on the Corporate Parenting committee was really engaged and wanted to work together.

-       As chair of Corporate Parenting  ...  view the full minutes text for item 53.

Councillor C Kent as current Chair of the Standards Committee presented the report, this provided a summary of the work completed by the Standards and Audit Committee during the municipal year 2023/24. Councillor Massey chair of the Audit and Standards Committee for 2023/24 thanked members, co-opted members, and officer’s past and present for the work undertaken by the committee and agreed the new structure to separate Audit and Standards Committees would benefit the council moving forward.

Members welcomed the report.

RESOLVED

Members noted and approved the annual report of the Standards and Audit Committee for 2023/24.

Councillor Muldowney presented the report that provided a brief overview of the Act 2023 and the amendments to the Council’s Contract Procedure Rules.

The following member spoke on this item – Councillor Speight. The following comments were made:

-       Important that the new set of procedures were transparent and lawful in terms of letting people know what was going on.

-       Raised concern on changes made on lists that identified how and where money had been spent.

-       There needed to be clear and accurate records available.

RESOLVED

1.      That Council noted the changes in the procurement regulations.

2.      That Council agreed and approved the amended Contract Procedure Rules in Appendix 2, which were to take effect on the implementation date of the Procurement Act 2023.

Councillor Worrall presented the report that as part of the intervention Improvement and Recovery Plan there was a requirement for Thurrock Council to improve governance and control, and to implement processes that maximised transparency and accountability. Thurrock Council sought to introduce a new Local Code of Corporate Governance, which had been developed in accordance with the latest guidance.

The following members spoke on this item – Councillors Jefferies and Speight. The following comments were made:

-       The report was welcomed and would restore the confidence that residents had in the council.

-       Detailed the way forward.

-       Should became and remain a living document.

RESOLVED

Council approved and adopted the draft Local Code of Governance.

Councillor Worrall presented the report that following the Council’s agreement to undertake a review of its constitution as part of the Improvement and Recovery Programme to meet the Secretary of State’s statutory directions of March 2023 a revised version of the Overview and Scrutiny Rules (currently Chapter 4). These rules had been considered by Members and were recommended by the General Services Committee to Full Council for approval. Councillor Worrall made reference to an amendment to point 2.11 that groups would be permitted up to two named substitutes on each overview and scrutiny committee.

RESOLVED

1.       For the reasons set out in this report, Full Council recommended to agree for inclusion in the Council’s Constitution:

1.1      The Overview and Scrutiny Rules attached at Appendix 1.

2.       Delegate authority to the Monitoring Officer to include agreed revisions into the Constitution including the power to make any necessary clerical or minor changes to give effect to these rules.

3.       Amendment to point 2.11 that groups would be permitted up to two named substitutes on each overview and scrutiny committee.

The Leader briefly introduced the report by stating a properly functioning and an effective overview and scrutiny process which ran alongside an executive was an absolutely essential component of a well-run local authority. The Leader thanked all those members involved in the scrutiny process and in particular those chairing scrutiny committees or acting as vice chair for the amount of time and effort they had contributed. The Leader asked the three scrutiny chairs to briefly introduce their work programmes.

Councillor Speight – People Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Councillor Speight highlighted some of the work undertaken by this committee – waiting times for children to see specialists and to receive medical care; improvements to the phlebotomy services in the borough; questioned the structure and effectiveness of the integrated care board; interest in financial performance; success of ongoing practical and fiscal performance of adult social services; acknowledged the great work of children’s services; task and finish group on combatting children obesity. Summed by thanking all committee and co-opted members.

Councillor G Byrne – Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Councillor G Byrne highlighted some of the work undertaken by this committee – enforcement; community safety; parking at schools, Lower Thames Crossing and dust issue in Tilbury. Will look at committed spends, projects updates, waste strategy policy, update on Grays and Tilbury boards, updates on Gravesend and Tilbury ferry. Other items to be discussed were Homelessness strategy, East Tilbury conservation area, economic development strategy and the annual portfolio holder report.

Councillor B Maney – Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Councillor B Maney highlighted some of the key items of business discussed by this committee – the emerging communications and engagement strategy; working group to scrutinise the members enquiry process; digital and customer experience programme; finance monitoring; corporate plan; performance data. The biggest undertaking will be to lead on the budget scrutiny in conjunction with members from the Place and People committees. Also this year the council adopted a new scrutiny model which was still evolving to ensure a sharper and more efficient process for the future.

The Leader summed up by thanking all those involved in the scrutiny process.

RESOLVED

1.       Council noted the work programmes for the People, Place and Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committees for 2024/25.

2.       Council endorsed the work programmes.

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

The Mayor informed the chamber of the questions received to cabinet members:

Councillor Speight stated no progress had been made following his last update on East Thurrock Community Association and stated how disappointed he was that the association had not received any correspondence from the council.

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

Members received an update on outstanding motions.

In accordance with Chapter 2, Part 2 (Rule 15) of the Council’s Constitution.

Motion 2

Motion 2 had been withdrawn to allow the Overview and Scrutiny Task and Finish Group to report back. The motion would be resubmitted to the next full council meeting.

Motion 3

The Motion, as printed in the agenda was proposed by Councillor J Kent and seconded by Councillor Muldowney. The Motion read as follows:

Council welcomes the launch of the Thurrock Cares campaign and urges all members to commit to ensure it reaches all residents who would benefit from the help the campaign offers.

Councillor J Kent presented his motion by announcing the launch of the Thurrock Care initiative and would be committed to doing everything possible to support residents through a range of measures designed to ease daily cost of living pressures. For the campaign to work required all 49 members to support and promote into the community.

Councillors Speight and Muldowney spoke on this motion. The following comments were made:

-       Great document that contained useful information on the pledges being made by the council.

-       Paper Booklet will be distributed into the community.

-       Members would be happy to distribute copies of the paper booklet.

-       Thanks were given to those involved in putting the campaign together.

-       The programme offered hope and support to residents in the borough.

-       Series of community road shows would start in November offering information to find out more and get advice.

-       Campaign also offered warm spaces across Thurrock where residents could find comfort and companionship.

-       Essential Living Fund also provided direct financial aid for those in immediate need.

-       The campaign was more than a programme; it was a statement that the council remained committed to supporting residents.

Councillor J Kent summed up by thanking Members for their support.

The Mayor called a vote on the motion, to which members voted unanimously in favour. The Mayor announced the motion carried.

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

Council - Wednesday 30 October 2024, 7:00pm - Thurrock Council committee meeting webcasts