Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Davidson, Mulroney and O’Connor.

The following declaration of interest was made:

(a) Cllr Garston – Minute 139 (Appointment of Independent Persons) – one of the independent persons is known to him (withdrew).

Resolved:

That the minutes of the meeting held on Thursday, 12 December 2024 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

Resolved:

That the minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday, 8 January 2025 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

Resolved:

That the minutes of the meeting held on Thursday, 20 February 2025 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

Officer Awards

The Mayor presented a certificate of commendation to Peter Thornton, Community Safety Officer, to recognise his quick action and bravery, whilst off-duty, to bring a person to safety who appeared to be planning to jump from a high structure.

The relevant Cabinet Members responded to written questions received from the public.

The relevant Cabinet Members responded to written and supplementary questions received from Councillors.

The Leader of the Council addressed the Council and provided a brief overview of the work of the Cabinet. Councillors Courtenay, Cox, Longstaff and Aylen responded.

Councillor Murphy presented a petition containing 124 signatures from residents requesting a new lift to be installed at Cluny House.

Resolved:

That, in accordance with Standing Order 3.79, the petition be referred to the Cabinet for consideration.

Councillor Courtenay presented a petition containing 94 signatures from residents concerning the parking restrictions in Beach Avenue.

Resolved:

That, in accordance with Standing Order 3.79 the petition be referred to the Executive Director (Environment and Place) to respond.

Report of Executive Director (Strategy and Change)

The Council considered a report of the Executive Director (Strategy and Change) that sought approval for the appointment of three Independent Persons to the Standards Committee.

Resolved:

That Mrs Julia Tetley, Dr Roderic Gray and Mr Robert Hammond be appointed as the Council’s Independent Persons for the purposes of section 28 of the Localism Act 2011 to commence from 1^st April 2025 for a term of up to 48 months.

The Council had before it the recommendation of Cabinet held 3^rd March 2025 concerning the City Vision for Southend-on-Sea.

Resolved:

That the recommendation of the Cabinet held on 3^rd March 2025 (Minute 99 refers), be endorsed.

(a) Honorary Aldermen

The Council had before the recommendation of the General Purposes Committee held on 27^th February 2025 concerning the nominations of Mr John Lamb and Mr Mike Stafford for Honorary Alderman.

Resolved:

1. That the recommendation of the General Purposes Committee held 27^th February 2025 (Minute 9 refers), be approved.

2. That an Extraordinary meeting of the Council be convened on 24^th April 2025 to confer the honours.

(b) Freedom of the City of Southend-on-Sea – Mr Roger Humphrey and Mrs Rosemary Pennington

The Council had before it the recommendation of the General Purposes Committee held on 27^th February 2025 concerning the nomination of Mr Roger Humphrey and Mrs Rosemary Pennington for Freedom of the City of Southend-on-Sea.

Resolved:

1. That the recommendation of the General Purposes Committee held on 27^th February 2025 (Minute 11 refers), be approved.

2. That a Special meeting of the Council be convened on 24^th April 2025 to confer the honours.

(c) Freedom of the City of Southend-on-Sea – 217 Field Squadron (EOD&S)

The Council had before it the recommendation of the General Purposes Committee held on 27^th February 2025 concerning the nomination of 217 Field Squadron (EOD&S) for Freedom of the City of Southend-on-Sea.

Resolved:

1. That the recommendation of the General Purposes Committee held on 27^th February 2025 (Minute 12 refers), be approved.

2. That a Special meeting of the Council be convened on 24^th April 2025 to confer the honours.

In accordance with Standing Order 3.88, a Notice of Motion concerning ‘Economic Assessment and Policy Prediction’ was submitted by Councillor Courtenay and seconded by Councillor McMahon.

Resolved:

That the Notice of Motion concerning Economic Assessment and Policy Prediction, be adopted/approved.

In accordance with Standing Order 3.88, a Notice of Motion concerning ‘Disability, Poverty and Exercise’ was submitted by Councillor Nelson and seconded by Councillor Warren.

Resolved:

That, in accordance with Standing Order 3.85, the Notice of Motion concerning ‘Disability, Poverty and Exercise’, be referred to Cabinet for consideration.

In accordance with Standing Order 3.88, a Notice of Motion concerning ‘Hedgehog Highways’ was submitted by Councillor Stuart Allen and seconded by Councillor Badger.

Resolved:

That, in accordance with Standing Order 3.85, the Notice of Motion concerning ‘Hedgehog Highways’, be referred to Cabinet for consideration.

In accordance with Standing Order 3.88, a Notice of Motion concerning ‘Integrating Artificial Intelligence to improve local services’ was submitted by Councillor Cartey and seconded by Councillor Campbell.

Resolved:

That the Notice of Motion concerning ‘Integrating Artificial Intelligence to improve local services’, be adopted/approved.

There were no changes to the appointments on Committees, etc.

Resolved:

That the draft calendar of meetings for 2025/26, subject to the start time of the Scrutiny Committees to be reviewed with the Leader of the Council and Group Leaders, be approved.