To approve as a correct record the minutes of Cabinet held on 12 September 2018.

The minutes of the Meeting of Cabinet held on 12 September 2018 were approved as a correct record.

To receive additional items that the Chair 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 items of urgent business.

There were no interests declared.

The Leader began his statement by discussing how Highways England had today launched the Statutory Consultation for the Lower Thames Crossing, ahead of applying for a Development Consent Order from the Secretary of State. He described how the council had seen a lack of engagement from Highways England and the disgust that he felt over the lack of information supplied, particularly the fact that the council still didn’t have hard copies of the Statutory Consultation documents. Councillor Gledhill reiterated the fact that the council were unanimously opposed to the Lower Thames Crossing, particularly due to the fact a raised road would be built over the Tilbury C2C line through the Orsett Fens, and a 5metre high viaduct through Mardyke valley which would ruin Thurrock’s natural landscape. In addition he felt, it would not benefit businesses as there would be no link road to Tilbury; and there would be no access southbound from the Orsett Cock roundabout or from the eastbound A13. He continued by stating that as no pre-Statutory Consultation had taken place and no practical information had been supplied, the council were now seeking legal advice from specialist lawyers who were investigating the prospect of judicial review. The Leader then described how he was presenting a motion to the next Full Council to ask for support for the judicial review from all 49 councillors. He felt that residents should engage with the Statutory Consultation events, or get involved on the website. He also stated that paper copies of the documents would be available from the Tilbury and Grays hubs, and asked residents to write to their local councillors to back the judicial review. He stated that everything was being done to protect the borough, and plans to have east facing slip roads at the A13 had been announced at the Conservative Party Conference. The Leader thanked the MP Jackie Doyle-Price for her hard work on this matter, and congratulated her on her new role as Minister for Suicide Prevention.

The Leader then updated Members on the Clean It, Cut It, Fill Scheme. In doing so, Members heard how 1273 potholes had been filled in, which was 99% within target time; 698 acres of grass had been cut; 1340 tonnes of waste had been cleared; 749 fly-tips had been cleared; 1760 Fixed Penalty Notices had been issued for anti-social behaviour such as littering. He added that 45, £400 fines had been issued to people caught fly-tipping.

Councillor Gledhill then moved on to congratulate the Purfleet Regeneration Scheme who won the Regeneration Award for Brownfield Sites. He described how the project had been under discussion for a long time, but was now being delivered on track and on time. He congratulated Councillor Coxshall for his work helping to develop and deliver the scheme.

The Leader then discussed the recent whistleblowing allegations, and although could provide no specifics wanted to state that independent barristers were investigating the allegations, and the necessary steps were being taken. He also discussed the recent article in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 43.

There were no briefings on policy, budget or other issues.

There were no petitions submitted by members of the public.

No questions had been received from non-Executive Members.

No matters had been referred to the Cabinet for consideration by an Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Councillor Watkins introduced the report by stating that the council’s current contract was reaching an end in 2019, so the council were undertaking a procurement exercise. He stated the majority of bus shelters were owned by suppliers, so there were two options open to the council. The first option being they could buy the existing shelters from the contractor and bring them in-house. The second option was to buy brand new bus shelters, which was the option recommended in the report. Councillor Watkins described how this was the best option as it ensured all stock could be modern, clean, and energy efficient, for example could provide real time information and be equipped with solar panels. He also described how the council could procure advertising for the bus shelters, and the money made from this could go back into the maintenance of the shelters. In addition, he stated that if the council owned the advertising, community groups could use it as a space to showcase local events and forums.

Councillor Gledhill commented that he felt this was fantastic news as the council could be at the forefront of bus shelters; and reaffirmed that Cabinet was agreeing to Option 2 as set out in the report.

RESOLVED: That Cabinet:

1. Approved the procurement proposal for a new bus shelter contract.

2. Granted delegated authority for award of contract to the Director of Environment and Highways, in conjunction with the Portfolio Holder.

Councillor Watkins introduced the report by stating that the contract for bus services 11, 374, and 265 were up for procurement as the current contract ends next year. He described how Councillor Huelin and Councillor B Little had fought for these bus services to remain, and how Councillor Hebb’s balanced budget had meant that these services could continue. He stated that the council were now going out to procure these bus routes for a longer term, 5 years in total, as this ensures that the services are secure. He also discussed how these bus routes were being ‘future-proofed’ for the new Integrated Medical Centre’s (IMC’s), as part of the procurement could include route changes to include the IMC’s. 

Councillor Huelin stated that she was pleased to see the report, as both herself and Councillors B and S Little had fought hard to retain these bus services. She continued by saying she was glad residents were using these routes and she hoped that more routes could be added and improved. Councillor Halden stated that he felt that the IMC’s were now in such an advanced stage that public transport was being discussed. He mentioned that himself and Councillor Coxshall were also ensuring there was adequate parking at the IMC’s, as well as Grays Hospital. He also commented on the stable budget which ensured that non statutory services, such as bus routes, could continue.

RESOLVED: That Cabinet:

1. Approved to commence a tender process for the provision of local bus services 11, 374 and 265.

2. Agreed delegated authority for award of contract to the Director of Environment and Highways in consultation with the Portfolio Holder.

Councillor Little introduced the report by saying that it is a requirement that Adult Social Care publish a Market Development Strategy, and sets out how the social care market may develop over the coming years. She continued by saying that is assesses the state of the current market, for example the borough’s aging population, and assesses future demand. She discussed the successes within the adult social care sector in the borough since the last Market Development Strategy, for example the Thurrock First campaign; 50 micro-enterprises that had been set up; the opening of Chichester Close; and the success of the planning application for Medina Road. Councillor Little mentioned that there was now more integrated care; more direct payments across the borough; and new domiciliary care. She commented that residents wanted to retain their independence, so there was now increased access for supported living arrangements for younger people, and the use of new technologies to allow older people to live in their own homes. She then drew Members attention to page 27 of the agenda and discussed how consultation had happened with a variety of forums such as the Old People’s Parliament; the Disability Board; and the Autism Action Group.

The Leader felt it was good consultation was occurring with residents across the borough, as the council were asking what services people felt they needed. He also discussed the slow uptake of direct payments, and how it was good to see this changing as it reduced residents need to wait for the council.

RESOLVED: That Cabinet:

1. Agreed the Adult Social Care Market Development Strategy.

Councillor Huelin introduced the report by stating this was the first corporate performance report for 2018/19 and there had been improvement in many services. The report provided statistical evidence that the council use to monitor progress and performance against the council’s priorities. It also provided a progress update in relation to the performance of Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s). Councillor Huelin began by stating that lots of improvement had occurred, but that the number of volunteers being given placements had been off target within the last quarter. She stated that volunteers were important to the council, and felt that the recruitment and administration teams should prioritise placing volunteers. Councillor Halden then discussed other KPIs such as the number of GP profile scorecards and diagnosis of high blood pressure, which had also been off target. He commented that this was due to issues such as the collection of real time data and changes which had been made to capacity, and assured the Cabinet these would improve by the next quarter. The Leader mentioned the KPI of payment of Fixed Penalty Notices for issues such as littering. He stated this had slipped due to the increase of the maximum payment of fines. He stated that the council would not reduce the cost of fines, as there were plenty of bins across the borough which people could use. He stated that if people chose not to pay fines, they would end up in court where the fine could be increased further.

RESOLVED: That Cabinet:

1. Noted and commented upon the performance of the key corporate performance indicators, in particular those areas which are off target.

2. Identified any areas which require additional consideration.