To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Council, held on 30 November 2022.

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Extraordinary Council, held on 9 January 2023.

Minutes of the Council meeting held on the 30 November 2022 and the minutes of the Extraordinary Council held on the 9 January 2023 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 items of urgent business.

To receive any declaration of interests from Members.

There were no declarations of interest.

The Mayor stated that following draft directions between the Secretary of State and commissioners, the Acting Chief Executive, Ian Wake, would return to his former post as Director of Adults, Housing and Health when the new managing director had been appointed. The Mayor stated that the Council would not have made it this far through the recovery process if it had not been for Ian Wake, the advice received had always been exemplary, he welcomed challenge and had been an outstanding advocate both in private and public. With Ian Wake having an incredible future, and with that future in Thurrock, the residents of Thurrock would have a bright future.

The Mayor reminded Members that nominations were still welcomed for the Mayoral Roll of Honour.

The Mayor paid his respect to former Councillor Merlyn Jones who had sadly passed, to which a minute silence was held.

Councillor M Coxshall, Leader of the Council, made the following statement:

“This week it had become clearer than ever that all 49 of us need to really look at ourselves and ask whether we have done enough. The Minster presented a written statement and accompanying letters from the commissions which gave a taste of the Best Value Inspection to come. We now have 10 days to make representations. I can say today I requested a General Services Committee to meet and discuss our response if needed and as chair all Members will be welcome and to speak. Please remember though this is a look back exercise at what happened previously and does not mention the work that had taken place since 2 September 2022. For me, one of the important quotes in this statement was “it was important to make clear that the Council’s financial difficulties are the consequence of the dysfunction within the Council and not the cause of it”. What this points to, was a poor culture and systemic weakness within this Council not just the governing party at the time. As it also says, it was also about lack of consistent strategic direction over many years, inadequate governance arrangements and weaknesses in internal controls. Those were the issues that must be addressed by all 49 of us. The decision taken by this Council were ones which were done in the name of all 49 of us. The process and record keeping provided an audit trail for accountability which was absent here in Thurrock. This was why I put so much emphasis on transparency. Sunlight was the best disinfectant. I must say though it was also the strategic weakness that Thurrock was too small to be a unitary authority, it was also the weakness that comes from successive minority administrations over 13 years, it was also about our mechanisms for accountability and security issues. I am horrified to learn in this report that our accountability structures do not appear to be lawful and that we have lacked a statutory scrutiny officer. It was for our legal officers to ensure that our  ...  view the full minutes text for item 96.

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

One question was received from a member of public.

A copy of the transcript of questions and answers can be viewed under the relevant meeting date at http://democracy.thurrock.co.uk/thurrock and are attached at Appendix A at these minutes.

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

The Mayor informed the chamber that one notice of petition had been received this evening.

Councillor Kelly presented his petition regarding flooding in Dock Road, Little Thurrock.  In response to this Councillor Jefferies acknowledged the petition.

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

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 Mayor enquired whether there were any changes to be made to the appointments previously made by committees and outside bodies, statutory and other panels.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor M Coxshall, stated he had the following change to make:

To appoint Councillor Snell to the Essex Pension Fund Advisory Board Outside Body.

The Leader of the Labour group, Councillor J Kent, stated he had no changes to make.

Councillors Byrne, Massey and Allen stated they had no changes to make.

Members agreed with the nomination.

This item was withdrawn prior to the meeting.

The report presented outlined the positive work that had been undertaken during 2021/2022 and highlighted to residents and Members how the Corporate Parenting Committee had picked relevant community issues and how Members undertook work to form recommendations that positively affected these issues. The report was presented to Council for information and noting.

No comments received from Members.

The Mayor thanked Councillor P Arnold for the report and proceeded to the vote to which 42 Members agreed to the recommendation.

RESOLVED

That the contents of the Corporate Parenting Annual Report 2021/2022 be noted.

The report presented required the Council, through the Localism Act 2011 to publish an annual Pay Policy Statement. Council approved the 2022/23 Pay Policy Statement in February 2022. In accordance with the recommendation from the independent market assessment the 2022/23 Pay Policy included a pay increase of between 2.25% and 2.5%. Noted in the report was the unpredictability of the national pay negotiations. The national negotiations for Local Government pay for 2022/23 had now concluded with an agreed increase of £1,925 on all pay points. This represented a higher increase than applied by the Council. The recognised Trade Unions had all requested the Council apply the higher NJC award in the current year. This will cost £2.758m in 2022/23 and represents an unaccounted in year pressure with an already declared S114. General Services Committee had considered a report setting out the costs, legal framework, options, and risks in applying the NJC award and making a change to the Council’s 2022/23 Pay Policy Statement and pay scales. The committee unanimously recommended Council support a change to the 2022/23 Pay Policy Statement to implement the NJC award in year. General Services Committee also supported the Commissioners recommendation to review pay arrangements and requested terms of reference to come back to the Committee.

Councillor Collins added his congratulations and appreciation for a good report and a good result for all members of staff who were hard working and was thoroughly deserved.

Councillor Mayes stated his support for the report as this was a cost-of-living increase to keep people in line with the current situation and was mindful that the £2.758 million had not been budgeted but was something that needed to be done and supported.

Councillor M Coxshall as chair of the General Services Committee was pleased the report had been presented this evening and it had been adopted unanimously. Although not in the budget, he agreed that this should happen to reward staff but stated how important the budget setting would be over the coming months.

Councillor Snell summed up by stating he agreed with the comments made this evening and moved to the recommendations.

The Mayor thanked Councillor Snell for the report and proceeded to the vote to which all 42 Members agreed to the recommendations.

RESOLVED

1.          The Annual Pay Policy Statement 2022/23 be revised to replace the locally agreed pay award with the higher national award.

2.          As requested by the commissioner a full review of pay arrangements be carried out before any future agreements are made, which should include a review of policies for increments and all other pay allowances to ensure all opportunities for mitigating the pay growth are considered.

3.          An appropriate oversight arrangement for decision making be introduced.

The report presented provided details of Thurrock’s current scheme and further analysis to support the recommendation that the current scheme remained unchanged for 2023/24.

No comments received from Members.

Councillor Snell summed up by stating this was good news for Thurrock residents.

The Mayor thanked Councillor Snell for the report and proceeded to the vote to which all 42 Members agreed to the recommendations.

RESOLVED

1.          Noted the analysis of the current scheme.

2.          Supported the recommendation that the current scheme remained unchanged for 2023/24.

3.          Supported the recommendation that in light of the Council’s financial situation a fuller review of the scheme would be carried out in 2023/24, in advance of setting the 2024/25 budget.

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

The Mayor informed the chamber that two questions to the Leader had been received and five questions to cabinet members.

A copy of the transcript of questions and answers can be found at Appendix A to these minutes.

No reports were presented.

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

Members received an information report updating the progress in respect of motions received at Council.

The Motion, as printed in the agenda was proposed by Councillor Jefferies and seconded by Councillor G Coxshall. The Motion read as follows:

This Council condemns plans by the London Labour Mayor to extend the Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) to all Greater London and notes with concern the impact this would have on many Thurrock residents if implemented.  Members also note the campaign by our Member of Parliament Jackie Doyle-Price to oppose the said extension and calls on Thurrock residents to sign her on-line petition.

Councillor Jefferies presented the motion by stating the motion spoke for people of Thurrock who would be affected by the Labour Mayor of London plan to expand ULEZ across Greater London in the summer of 2023. The change would affect 1000s of Londoners who used their car each day and more concerning the daily charge of £12.50 would affect 1000s of Thurrock residents who used their cars to travel into the zones. Regarding the amendment made by Councillor J Kent, although Councillor Jefferies was in favour of the measures to improve air quality which helped with public health and the climate, he could not agree to the consulting with the Mayor of London who had shown complete disregard to 5000 London residents who had replied to the consultation and were excluded from the headline figures of which 90% opposing to ULEZ. Councillor Jefferies stated if the Mayor of London had not listened to his own constituents, he would not listen to anyone in Thurrock. In conclusion, Councillor Jefferies called on the Mayor of London to cancel the ULEZ expansion which was regressive, unfair and a waste of money and call on all Members to support this motion and urged all residents to go on-line and sign the member of parliament’s petition.

An amendment to this motion had been received from Councillor J Kent and seconded by Councillor Worrall and read as follows:

Thurrock Council is in favour of measures that seek to improve air quality and public health, tackle the climate emergency, and that reduces traffic congestion. Council notes plans by the London Labour Mayor to extend the Ultra-Low Emission Zone to all Greater London and notes with concern the impact this would have on many Thurrock residents if implemented. Members also note the campaign by our Member of Parliament Jackie Doyle-Price to oppose the said extension and calls on Thurrock residents to sign her on-line petition. Council calls on Cabinet to work with Transport for London and the Mayor's Office to mitigate the impact on Thurrock residents.

Councillor J Kent presented the amended motion and stated all Members understood the need to improve air quality and public health but the scheme being rolled out now would be another hit to working people especially in Thurrock and agreed that this decision should have been delayed at least until the other side of the cost-of-living crisis. With Thurrock having many low-income workers who replied on their cars and vans as there was not the transport infrastructure  ...  view the full minutes text for item 109.

The Motion, as printed in the agenda was proposed by Councillor Massey and seconded by Councillor Allen. The Motion read as follows:

Members may be aware that National Highways have recently submitted, and had approved, their Development Consent Order for the Lower Thames Crossing scheme, to move forward to the next stage in the Planning Inspectorate process. The LTC Task Force seeks assurances that the Council is committed to opposing the scheme as currently presented and promote this message through Council communications channels.

Councillor Massey presented the motion by stated there needed to be confidence in the Council’s capacity to make a good case for the protection of Thurrock residents and businesses against the disruption and destruction of the Lower Thames Crossing. Those working on the Lower Thames Crossing at the Council had produced some really good work which had been presented to the task force and hoped that this important work would continue for the benefit of the borough. The proposed Lower Thames Crossing would consume much green belt, impact the local plan, will impact residents’ health and would be a permanent physical barrier going right through the heart of the borough and communities. The cost of both carbon and money are both high and agreed with both Members of Parliament of Thurrock this was now an out-of-date project and no longer delivered the benefits intended. Councillor Massey urged all residents, businesses, and other groups to register as interested party with the planning inspectorate which would allow representation later in the process. He asked Members to reaffirm their opposition to the Lower Thames Crossing, as currently opposed, by supporting the motion to ensure the Council had the resources required to communication and promote the opposition during the planning process.

Councillor Allen stated his support to Councillor Massey’s motion.

An amendment to this motion had been received from Councillor J Kent and seconded by Councillor Byrne and read as follows:

Members may be aware that National Highways have recently submitted, and had approved, their Development Consent Order for the Lower Thames Crossing scheme, to move forward to the next stage in the Planning Inspectorate process. The LTC Task Force seeks assurances that the Council is committed to opposing the scheme as currently presented and promote this message through Council communications channels. Council also calls on cabinet to identify sufficient resources to ensure effective opposition to the proposals.

Councillor J Kent presented the amended motion by stating it was clear that all Members agreed the Lower Thames Crossing, as currently configured, would be an ecological and environmental disaster for Thurrock and would not achieve the aims of the crossing but drive a motorway through the heart of the borough and would create a toxic triangle. Over the last 10 years there had been active opposition to the scheme which had been backed by Council funding to ensure public engagement events could take place, hire experts to advise to ensure the Council made the best case. This funding was no longer available  ...  view the full minutes text for item 110.

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

Thurrock Council resolves to use the Local Plan process to support the retention of Speedway in Thurrock and identify a new home for Grays Athletic, in the Grays area.

Councillor J Kent presented the motion by stating that Grays Athletic Football Club had lost their home ground in 2010 when the owner of the ground had sold it for development and since then had a variety of homes, sharing with East Thurrock United, with Rush Green and now sharing with Aveley Football Club. It was important to the town of Grays and for the club to be able to relocate to Grays. With changes being made to planning rules and the introduction of a policy that stated any sport club that had been displaced by a development would be found new land being identified in the borough. This had not happened for Lakeside Hammers who had been displaced by the potential development of Arena Essex. Councillor J Kent stated the motion requested that the planning process and the local plan process be used to identify suitable land for these two clubs that had brought only good to Thurrock.

Councillor M Coxshall welcomed this motion and as the local plan moved through the process it was important to include sports provision with leisure, entertainment, and sports provisions as they were a critical part of the local plan and for the residents of Thurrock.

Councillor Polley stated this was not the first time the Council had been asked to support Grays Athletic and would continue to support and questioned whether more negotiations by Grays Athletic with the landowner could have taken place. She noted the use of the local plan and that all football clubs and sports facilities now had to be profitable. She touched on the geographical area that a potential site could be offered and agreed that any activities and healthy living should be supported.

Councillor Mayes stated his support to the motion and the importance of the local plan. He also agreed for Grays Athletic to have a place to call their own home would be advantageous, not only for the football team but as a whole sports ecosystem, would be good for the whole community and youth set-up.

Councillor Gledhill stated his support to the motion and agreed there was a lot of interest in that Grays Athletic should return to Grays. In the past this had offered a lot of benefits to the area and had been an affordable day out for families. He agreed this should form part of the local plan and urged all residents to have their say. It should be a place where people want to come and spend their money because the sport, the facilities and entertainment were here in Thurrock for them to enjoy.

Councillor Ralph stated his support to the motion and agreed Grays Athletic needed a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 111.