To approve as a correct record the minutes of General Services Committee meeting held on 3 February 2020, 10 February 2020 and 24 February 2020

The minutes of the General Services Committee held on 3 February, 10 February and 24 February 2020 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 declarations of interest.

The committee agreed to exclude the press and public in order to undertake interviews for the Assistant Director of Children’s Services.

The Committee undertook the required interviews.

RESOLVED That Mr Joseph Tynan be appointed to the post of Assistant Director Childrens Social Care and Early Help

The Committee reconvened in public session at 6.50pm.

The Chair outlined the changes to the current Lower Thames Crossing (LTC) proposals. Officers had reviewed these changes and had advised that the Council’s objection to the proposal should be maintained. Progress on the environmental and health impacts of the proposal had been slow. However, it was believed full mitigation of the scheme was still possible.

The Assistant Director of LTC outlined the potential lack of benefit for residents still and the lack of future proofing. Challenges with where the construction work force would live and commute within the borough, the lack of skills and training and uncertain health impacts were all still relevant. The ability of the LTC to relieve congestion and add further capacity was also uncertain.

Councillor Coxshall highlighted the importance of ensuring the Tilbury Relief Road was completed by the Council in tandem with any ongoing works by Highways England as the two projects would run concurrently in future years and this should not inconvenience the local community.

Councillor Okunade raised the environment and health impact assessments and officers stated both were behind where they needed to be. It was also confirmed that Recommendation 1.4, regarding compulsory purchase of land, did not refer to private individuals but Council land. Officers stated that before compulsory purchase occurred the Council would want to undertake a plot by plot review. It was added that there was some funding to pay for officer time spent on some work but the cost of creating the consultation response was not recoverable under the planning performance agreement.

The Chair informed the committee that he had highlighted the issues with SELEP who, although seeing the necessity of the LTC, were focussing on its negatives and he would be feeding back discussions tonight to their meeting on Friday.

RESOLVED: That:

1.    The Committee maintains its objection in principle to the Lower Thames Crossing in Thurrock.

2.    The Committee agrees the consultation response set out in Appendix A (Local Authority Response) for submission to Highways England by 25 March 2020.

3.    The Committee agrees to delegate authority to the Chief Executive and Director of Place, in consultation with Group Leaders, portfolio Holder for Regeneration and Chair of the LTC Task Force to make any final, minor changes to the consultation response in appendix A which may arise during the consideration of the consultation response by General Services Committee and the LTC Task Force on the night.

4.    The Committee agrees to delegate authority to the Chief Executive and Director of Finance, Governance and Property, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Regeneration to finalise the consultation response in relation to the Council’s land holdings as they are affected by the LTC scheme.