It was noted Councillor Aaron Green had sent his apologies.

To approve the minutes of the Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on the 3 December 2024.

The Minutes of the Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 3 December 2024 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.

Councillor Steve Liddiard declared that he had been appointed onto the Tilbury Town Fund Board, however this was not before April 2024.

This Report is for noting only.

The Scrutiny Officer presented the briefing note to the Committee explaining it outlined the discussions and recommendations made by Cabinet regarding the All-Essex Joint Air Quality Strategy, which was previously presented to Place Overview and Scrutiny on 3 December 2024.

It was commented by Members that there was still concern as to the amount of dust which was produced by the Port of Tilbury and although it was understood this was different to air pollution, it might be useful to have someone attend a meeting to explain the difference and that all is being done to manage this effectively.

RESOLVED:

Members noted the briefing note.

The Portfolio Holder for Good Growth outlined the planning service’s progress and next steps in the process of improving Thurrock’s Section 106 (S106) governance. Key progress so far included the establishment and operation of the Thurrock Strategic Infrastructure Board and the effective collection of data regarding Thurrock’s Section 106 funds.

She continued to explain there was to a be meeting on 21 January 2025 where the Executive Director of Place and Chief Planning Officer would be meeting with all the Community Forums to discuss progress on existing planning obligations. In addition a request to hold a meeting with forums at the Civic Offices had been sent which will provide an opportunity for more granular discussion with Council services responsible for certain elements of delivery of existing Section 106 monies.

The following key points were highlighted by Members:

• Members asked whether Ward Members would be invited to the meetings. It was advised it would be up to the forums to contact their relevant Ward Councillors.
• It was confirmed that all agreements were being looked at with those which were close to their expiry date being completed first and had been passed to Legal Services.
• It was raised that Chafford Hundred didn’t have a Community Forum and queried how Councillors and residents would be informed of meetings. The Executive Director of Place suggested that quarterly S106 reports could be added to a separate webpage on the Council’s website.
• It was commented that 7 months of work had been undertaken however it appeared that very little had been completed to move forward with awarding funds to local forums. Members heard how officers were working through 15 years’ worth of agreements to see what was agreed at the time of signing the S106 agreements.

Action – For quarterly S106 reports to be added to a separate webpage on the Council’s website.

RESOLVED:

1. Note the progress made in implementing the new system of governance of Section 106 funds; and
2. Note the proposed next steps in the improvement of governance of Section 106 funds.

The Portfolio Holder for Good Growth introduced the report explaining the Department for Levelling Up and Housing and Communities announced a £3.6 billion Towns Fund program, the Council were successful in acquiring £19.9 million for Grays and £22.8 million for Tilbury following which both Town Fund Boards were set up and were company led.

Members heard some programmes were in the planning stage, some had already completed the planning process and for Tilbury some were ready for delivery. The consultation period for Grays had been completed and the Board were now looking at the consultation for building within Grays.

The Committee through their discussions raised the following points:

• For Tilbury could parking in Civic Square be looked at with the aim to have additional parking in the area. As well as looking at the Calcutta Club which was an eyesore for the area in its current state.  Members heard officers had a meeting scheduled with the developer in relation to the Calcutta Club and following this the PFH would update the Committee.
• Concern was raised as to the Tilbury Ferry and trying to bring the service back for use. Officers explained they were doing their best to extend the transport infrastructure and were working with other departments to see what other potential was out there for Tilbury.
• It was noted the positive approach to utilising the riverfront.
• Members sought information regarding the planning application for the waste disposal facility in Grays.
• It was confirmed the Youth Zone had been agreed at the Planning stage and had been progressed to delivery. This was well received by Members who commented this would be a welcome addition to the area.

Action – PFH for Good Growth to update the Committee following the meeting with the Calcutta Club developer on Tuesday 14^th January 2025.

Action – Information requested regarding the planning application for the waste disposal facility in Grays. 

RESOLVED:

The Committee notes the updates on the programme and the progress on delivering the Grays Town Deal (Riverside) and Tilbury Town Deal Programmes.

The Assistant Director of Finance and Procurement presented the report explaining there was a net forecast position for the Place Directorate of £1.9 million overspend in quarter two against a budget of £42.9 million. It was explained the reported £1.9 million overspend would be offset by funding which was held in reserves, to fund the overspend in homelessness of £965k. 

Members heard the overall the net pressure for the directorate was £954k and work was ongoing with the services to reduce that overspend position for the financial year-end.

During discussions Members raised the following points:

• Sought clarification for whether as an authority too much pressure was put onto officers when setting the budget. It was explained that officers were trying to be transparent when reporting to Members and one of the main pressures was around temporary accommodation which had been included when setting the budget for 2025/26. Members heard that in the final budget setting, which will be presented to Cabinet , officers had built in a growth  proposal to allow for increases within temporary accommodation. 
• Members asked that all upcoming finance update reports were to only include information relevant to the Place O&S Committee, so as to make it easier to identify what was within their remit.
• It was sought and confirmed that there were reserves within the housing revenue account.

Action - All future quarterly finance update reports to only include information relevant to the Place O&S Committee.

RESOLVED:

1. Note and comment on the council’s Service position and forecast overspend position as at quarter 2 of £2.722m, representing a reduction of £0.348m on the position presented at quarter 1.
2. Note and comment on the council’s overall position and forecast overspend position at quarter 2 of £1.896m, representing a reduction of £0.209m on the position presented at quarter 1.
3. Note the approval of the transfer of £1.381m reserves to a MTFS Delivery Reserve and £1.5m to an Adult Social Care & Children’s Social Care Demographic Risk Reserve (as per section 14 of Appendix 1 and 4.7 below) approved at Cabinet 11th December 2024.
4. Note and comment on the progress made on delivery against the savings target for 2024/25 and the remaining red (unachievable) rated savings.
5. Further to an in-depth review and re-profiling of the General fund capital projects, to note and comment on the capital programme, and the anticipated General Fund Capital Programme slippage of £30.627m and £10.157m HRA Capital Programme slippage projected in the report.
6. Note the approval of the addition of the DEFRA grant funding in the capital programme (as per section 16 of Appendix 1 and 4.12 below) approved at Cabinet 11th December 2024.

The Scrutiny Officer presented the work programme. She advised Members there were two meetings remaining for the municipal year.

The work programme was noted by the Committee.

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