Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Ayling (substitute Cllr Harp), Councillor Nelson (substitute Cllr McMahon) and Councillor Stafford (no substitute).

Councillor McDonald acted as Vice Chair at the meeting.

The following interests were declared at the meeting:-

(a)   Councillors Lamb, Salter, Flewitt and Cox (Cabinet Members) - Disqualifying non-pecuniary interests in all the called-in/referred items; attended pursuant to the dispensation agreed at Council on 19th July 2012, under S.33 of the Localism Act 2011;

(b)   Councillor McMahon - interest in agenda item relating to Annual Report - non-pecuniary – been a night shelter worker; member of SCF provision of services for the homeless; co-founder HARP – homeless facilities in Southend;

(c)    Councillor Hadley – disclosable pecuniary interest in agenda item relating to Future Delivery of a regulated Private Rented Housing Sector - attended pursuant to dispensation agreed by the Standards Committee on 21^st November 2017, under S.33 of the Localism Act 2011 to participate in the debate and vote. However, Councillor Hadley confirmed that he would not be exercising his dispensation in terms of voting and would limit his contribution to speaking only;

(d)   Councillor Evans - disclosable pecuniary interest in agenda item relating to Future Delivery of a regulated Private Rented Housing Sector – withdrew;

(e)   Councillor Folkard – agenda item relating to Future Delivery of a regulated Private Rented Housing Sector – non-pecuniary – SBC appointed representative on SEAL;

(f)     Councillor Flewitt – agenda item relating to MPR – non-pecuniary – Hate Crime Ambassador.

Councillor Salter advised that she has a disclosable pecuniary interest in agenda item relating to Future Delivery of a regulated Private Rented Housing Sector (as a Private Sector landlord) but would be leaving the meeting prior to the item being discussed.

Councillor Lamb, the Leader responded to a question from Mr Webb and Councillor Cox, Cabinet Member for Adults & Housing responded to a question from Mr Webb.

The responses to the 2 questions from Mrs Grubb will be forwarded to her as she was not present at the meeting.

Resolved:-

That the Minutes of the meeting held on Thursday, 12^th April, 2018 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

Members are reminded to bring with them the most recent MPR for period end May 2018, circulated recently.

Comments/questions should be made at the appropriate Scrutiny Committee relevant to the subject matter.

The Committee considered the Monthly Performance Report covering the period to end May 2018, which had been circulated recently.

In response to questions about the format of this Report, the Leader said that he would ascertain why information on Public Protection and Partnership Indicators (Section 4) was not included this time.

The Cabinet Member for Public Protection reported verbally on the latest crime statistics received from the District Commander and confirmed that he would circulate the information to Members shortly.

Resolved:-

That the report be noted.

Note:- This is an Executive Function.

Executive Councillor:- As appropriate to the item.

Minute 45 (Agenda Item No. 6, Cabinet Book 1)

Called in by Councillors Gilbert and McDonald

The Committee considered Minute 45 of the meeting of Cabinet held on 19th June 2018, which had been called in to Scrutiny, together with a report of the Chief Executive setting out the proposed Social Value Policy to be applied across all Council procurement activities from June 2018.

Resolved:-

That the following decisions of Cabinet be noted:-

“1. That the Council’s Social Value Policy from June 2018, as set out in Appendix 1 to the submitted report, be adopted.

2. That the aims, objectives and principles stated in the Policy, be approved.”

Note: This is an Executive Function

Cabinet Member: Cllr Lamb

Minute 46 (Agenda Item No. 7, Cabinet Book 1)

Called in by Councillors Gilbert and McDonald

The Committee considered Minute 46 of the meeting of Cabinet held on 19th June 2018, which had been called in to Scrutiny, together with a report of the Chief Executive setting out the approach to the Council’s Annual Report and the end of year position of the Council’s corporate performance for 2017/18 and 2018/19 targets.

Resolved:-

That the following decisions of Cabinet be noted:-

“1. That the suggested approach to the Council’s Annual Report, set out in Appendix 2 to the submitted report and draft design set out in Appendix 3 to the report, be approved.

2. That the 2017/18 end of year performance report and targets for 2018/19, be noted.”

Note: This is an Executive Function

Cabinet Member: as appropriate for the item.

Minute 47 (Agenda Item No. 8, Cabinet Book 1)

Called in by Councillors Gilbert and McDonald

The Committee considered Minute 47 of the meeting of Cabinet held on 19th June 2018, which had been called in to Scrutiny, together with a report of the Chief Executive presenting the revised 2018/19 Corporate Risk Register.

Resolved:-

That the following decision of Cabinet be noted:-

“That the risks identified by the Corporate Management Team (CMT) be included in the 2018/19 Corporate Risk Register (these will be presented to the Audit Committee on 25^th July 2018).”

Note: This is an Executive Function

Cabinet Member: Cllr Lamb

Minute 61 (Agenda Item No. 22, Cabinet Book 2)

Called in by Councillors Gilbert and McDonald

The Committee considered Minute 61 of the meeting of Cabinet held on 19th June 2018, which had been called in to Scrutiny.

At the meeting of Council held on 19^th April 2018, Members received a Notice of Motion proposing that the Council supports the launch of the Jewish Manifesto for Local Government published by the Board of Deputies, the Security Council for British Jews.

Resolved:-

That the following decision of Cabinet be noted:-

“That the Notice of Motion proposing the launch of the Jewish Manifesto for Local Government, be adopted.”

Note: This is an Executive Function

Cabinet Member: Cllr Salter

Minute 62 (Agenda item No. 23, Cabinet Book 2)

Item 3.1 Acquisition of 6 Flats refers

Called in by Councillors Gilbert and McDonald

The Committee considered Minute 62 of the meeting of Cabinet held on 19^th June 2018, relating to item 3.1, acquisition of 6 flats at St Mary’s Court, Victoria Avenue, Southend-on-Sea.

In response to questions from the Committee, the Director of Adult Services and Housing said that she would ascertain the reasons for the properties becoming available at this time.

Resolved:

That the following decision of Cabinet be noted:-

“That the submitted report be noted.”

Note: This is an Executive Function

Cabinet Member: Cllr Flewitt

Report of Deputy Chief Executive (People) – to follow

(This is a pre-Cabinet Scrutiny item).

The Committee considered a report by the Deputy Chief Executive (People) by way of pre-Cabinet scrutiny.

The Committee discussed the Report in detail and in particular the merits of the Options presented, in particular Option 1 (revise the present delivery to incorporate enhanced enforcement) and Option 3 (strict application of all powers available & consider discretionary licensing).

Resolved:-

The Committee recommended that the Cabinet should pursue the approach set out in Option 1 in the Report.

Note:- This is an Executive Function

Cabinet Member:- Cllr Cox

Item at the request of Councillor Terry in accordance with Standing Order 35. 1 (d):-

To discuss the outcome of the unanimous decision by Full Council on 19^th April 2018 to call for more policing in Southend (Minute 937 refers) and the content of the letter sent to the Home Secretary / Government.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 35.1 (d), Councillor Terry requested that the following item be raised at the meeting – “To discuss the outcome of the unanimous decision by Full Council on 19^th April 2018 to call for more policing in Southend (Minute 937 refers) and the content of the letter sent to the Home Secretary / Government.

The Cabinet Member responded to questions raised and confirmed that letters have been sent to Mr Hirst, the Police, Fire & Crime Commissioner and to the Home Office (although this would be confirmed to all Members). He also agreed to arrange for the circulation of the letter to Mr Hirst and his response.

The Committee expressed concern about the delay in the despatch of the letters, and some of the content which did not reflect the agreement made by the Council in April. The Leader undertook to brief the Group Leaders on the situation.

Resolved:-

That the situation be noted.

Report of Chief Executive

The Committee considered a report of the Chief Executive concerning the possible in depth scrutiny project to be undertaken by the Scrutiny Committee in 2018/19. The report also attached some information about the work carried out by the Scrutiny Committee in the 2017/18 Municipal Year.

The Committee noted that the Place Scrutiny Committee at its meeting on 9^th July 2018 had considered the suggestion to undertake a joint study with the Policy & Resources Scrutiny Committee focussing on various aspects of the Town Centre, in the context of the vision for Southend 2050.  Such a joint study would enable cross cutting issues to be addressed effectively.  This study could cover retail in a changing world, housing, community safety, acquisition of properties etc. (shaping here, living here).

Resolved:-

1.     That the in depth scrutiny project for 2018/19 will be looking at the Town Centre, in the context of the vision for Southend 2050 and that this be a joint project with the Place Scrutiny Committee, to ensure that all cross cutting issues can be properly considered.

2.     That a joint Working Party be established consisting of 8 Members drawn from both Scrutiny Committees and chaired by the Chairman of the Place Scrutiny Committee. 

4.     That the information attached at Appendix 3 to the Report, the summary of work of the 3 Scrutiny Committees during 2017 / 2018, be noted.

Note:- This is a Scrutiny Function save for Resolution 3 above which is a Council function.

Resolved:

That the Minutes of the meeting of Chairmen's Scrutiny Forum held on Monday, 11^th June 2018 be received and noted and the recommendations therein endorsed.

Note: This is a Scrutiny Function.