Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Nelson (substitute: Cllr Cox) and Councillor O’Connor (no substitute).

The following interests were declared at the meeting:

(i) Councillor Cowan – Agenda Item No. 7 (Honorary Alderman Nominations) - one of the nominees is a member of his synagogue;

(ii) Councillor Courtenay – Agenda Item No. 7 (Honorary Alderman Nominations) - one of the nominees is well-known to him;

(iii) Councillor Cox – Agenda Item No. 4 (Freedom of the City Nomination) – Is a season ticket holder at Southend Untied Football Club and Agenda Item No. 7 (Honorary Alderman Nomination) – As Leader of the Conservative Group has signed off one of the nominations for honorary alderman;

(iv) Councillor Line – Agenda Item No. 4 (Freedom of the City Nomination) – Founder of fans supporting foodbank that works closely with Southend United Football Club; and

(v) Councillor McMullan – Agenda Item No. 4 (Freedom of the City Nomination) – Is a long-standing season ticket holder at Southend Untied Football Club although is not a holder this year and Agenda Item No. 7 (Honorary Alderman Nomination) – one of the nominees for honorary alderman is a resident in the ward he represents and is well-known to him.

Resolved:-

That the Minutes of the Meeting held on Thursday, 9 February 2023, be confirmed as a correct record.

Report of Executive Director (Strategy and Change)

The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director (Strategy and Change) relating to the nomination received, to confer the Freedom of the City on Mr Kevin Maher.

Resolved:

1. That pursuant to Section 249(5) of the Local Government Act 1972, the Council be recommended to confer the Freedom of the City of Southend-on-Sea on Mr Kevin Maher, in recognition of his eminent and outstanding public service he has rendered to Southend United Football Club and the City of Southend-on-Sea.

2. That a Special meeting of the Council be convened in the New Year, to confer the honour and to present Mr Kevin Maher with a ceremonial scroll.

Report of Executive Director (Strategy and Change)

The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director (Strategy and Change) setting out the results of the consultation regarding the polling districts and polling places that fall within the City and the recommendations of the Returning Officer in respect of the responses received.

Resolved:

That that the recommendations of the Returning Officer, as set out in Appendix 2 to the submitted report be endorsed and that the current polling districts and polling places/stations remain unchanged pending the completion of the ward boundary review.

To agree that, under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the item of business set out below on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act, and that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

Resolved:-

That, under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the item of business set out below, on the grounds that it would involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act and that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

Report of Executive Director (Strategy and Change)

The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director (Strategy and Change) relating to the Honorary Alderman nominations received.

Resolved:

That, pursuant to Section 249(1) of the Local Government Act 1972, the Council be recommended to confer the title of Honorary Alderman on Mr Roger Weaver and Mr Mike Royston and that a Special Meeting of the Council be convened in the New Year, to confer the honours.