The Cabinet Committee received a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) that appraised Members of the representations that had been received in response to the statutory consultation for proposed Traffic Regulation Orders in respect of various proposals within the Borough.

The reports sought the Cabinet Committee's approval on the way forward in respect of all of these proposals, after having considered the views of the Traffic & Parking Working Party the Traffic & Parking Working Party following consideration of all the representations that had been received in writing and at the meeting.

Resolved:

1.  That, subject to the following amendments, the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) be authorised to confirm The Southend-on-Sea Borough Council (Various Roads) (Stopping, Waiting, Loading, and Unloading Prohibitions and Restrictions, Parking Places and Permit Parking Zones) (Consolidation) Order 2016 (Amendment No. 6) Order 2017 as advertised:

(i)  remove the proposed “no waiting at any time” restrictions in Merilies Gardens opposite its junction with Seldon Close; and

(ii)  remove the proposed “no waiting at any time” restrictions in Merilies Gardens opposite its junction with Merilies Close.

2.  That, subject to the following amendments, the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) be authorised to confirm The Southend-on-Sea Borough Council (Various Roads) (Stopping, Waiting, Loading, and Unloading Prohibitions and Restrictions, Parking Places and Permit Parking Zones) (Consolidation) Order 2016 (Amendment No. 8) Order 2017 as advertised:

(i)  remove the proposed introduction of residents permit parking/business parking permits on Mondays to Saturdays 8.30 .am. to 6.30 p.m. in Boston Avenue and retain existing restrictions.

(ii)  remove the proposed introduction of two limited waiting bays on Mondays to Saturdays 8.30 .am. to 6.30 p.m. for 1hour no return in 4 hours in Harcourt Avenue and Officers work with the Ward Councillors to identify appropriate alternative locations.

3.  That the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) be authorised to confirm The Southend-on-Sea Borough Council (Various Roads) (Stopping, Waiting, Loading, and Unloading Prohibitions and Restrictions, Parking Places and Permit Parking Zones) (Consolidation) Order 2016 (Amendment No. 11) Order 2017 as advertised.

4.  That The Southend-on-Sea Borough Council (Various Roads) (Stopping, Waiting, Loading, and Unloading Prohibitions and Restrictions, Parking Places and Permit Parking Zones) (Consolidation) Order 2016 (Amendment No. 4) Order 2017 not be confirmed and the proposals not be implemented.

5.  That The Southend-on-Sea Borough Council (Various Roads) (Stopping, Waiting, Loading, and Unloading Prohibitions and Restrictions, Parking Places and Permit Parking Zones) (Consolidation) Order 2016 (Amendment No. 7) Order 2017 not be confirmed and that revised proposals be submitted to a future meeting of the Traffic & Parking Working Party and Cabinet Committee for consideration.

Reasons for Decision

To improve the operation of the existing parking controls to contribute to highway safety and to reduce congestion.

Other Options

Each proposal needs to be considered on its individual merits and their impact on public safety, traffic flows or parking and wider impact on the surrounding network. Members may consider taking no further action if they feel it is appropriate.

Note:- This is an Executive Function

Eligible for call-in to the Place Scrutiny Committee

Executive Councillor: Councillor Cox

The Cabinet Committee received a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) that appraised Members of the representations that had been received in response to the statutory consultation for proposed Traffic Regulation Orders in respect of a number of proposals to introduce Permit Parking Areas in various areas as detailed in the appendices to the report.

The report sought the Cabinet Committee's approval on the way forward in respect of all of these proposals, after having considered the views of the Traffic & Parking Working Party following consideration of all the representations that had been received in writing and at the meeting.

In response to concerns expressed regarding the parking problems in the Westcliff Parade area, the Director for Planning & Transport undertook to reduce the lengths of waiting restrictions where safe and appropriate to do so to maximise the parking space available.

Resolved:

1. That the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) be authorised to confirm The Southend-on-Sea Borough Council (Cliffs Pavilion Area) (Prohibition of Waiting and Permit Parking Places) (Zone CP) Order 2016 (As Amended) (Amendment No. 2) Order 2017 as advertised and that, subject to the level of responses from the additional area between this area and the Town Centre CPZ meet the required criteria, the additional area be formally advertised and any resulting works undertaken at one time. Any objections received following statutory advertisement will be referred to a future meeting of the Traffic & Parking Working Party for consideration.

2.  That the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) be authorised to confirm The  Southend-on-Sea Borough Council (Heygate Avenue Area) (Zone HY) (Permit Parking Places and Prohibition of Waiting) Order 2017 as advertised and that the effect of the permit parking scheme be monitored for a period of up to 6 months following implementation.  In the event the operational hours of the scheme need to be extended as a result of the monitoring, the Deputy Chief Executive (Place), in consultation with the Executive Councillor for Transport, Waste and Regulatory Services, be authorised to publish the relevant statutory notice and undertake the necessary consultation for a traffic regulation order to amend the Order as may be required.  Any objections received following statutory advertisement will be referred to a future meeting of the Traffic & Parking Working Party for consideration.

Reason for Decision

The proposals aim to improve parking availability on areas subject to high

levels of parking pressures. Formalising parking controls maximises parking

while maintaining highway safety and reduce congestion.

Other Options

Each proposal needs to be considered on its individual merits and their impact on public safety, traffic flows or parking and wider impact on the surrounding network. Members may consider taking no further action if they feel it is appropriate.

Note:- This is an Executive Function

Eligible for call-in to the Place Scrutiny Committee

Executive Councillor: Councillor Cox

The Cabinet Committee received a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) that sought Members' approval to authorise the advertisement of the amendments and/or new waiting restrictions at the locations indicated in Appendix 1 to the report, in accordance with the statutory processes and, subject to there being no objections received following statutory advertisement, to arrange for the relevant orders to be sealed and implement the proposals.  Having considered the views of the Traffic & Parking Working Party it was:

Resolved:

1.  That the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) be authorised to publish the relevant statutory notice and undertake the necessary consultation for a traffic regulation order(s) for the following requests and, subject to there being no objections following statutory advertisement, to arrange for the order to be sealed and the proposals implemented:

(i)  to introduce permit parking controls to prevent non-resident parking in the Coleman Street car park fronting Malvern;

(ii)  to introduce permit parking controls to prevent non-resident parking in the car park adjacent to Blackdown in North Road accessed from Newlands Road;

(iii)  to amend the current parking arrangements in the car parking area at the Cliffs Pavilion to pay and display;

(iv)  to introduce a part time loading bay in Western Esplanade, near to the Pier, operational from 7.00 a.m. to 9.00 a.m. daily and reverting to pay and display parking from 10.00 a.m. until 6.00 p.m.; and

(v)  to provide a parking bay for the fleet vehicles belonging to the Council in the Service Road to the Civic Centre;

(vi)  to provide limited waiting restrictions in the section of Ness Road, Shoeburyness from the existing pay and display parking bays to its junction with Freemantle; and

(vii)  to introduce any ppropriate prohibitions of vehicular access to the High Street, Southend on Sea.

2.  That consideration of the request for the installation of waiting restrictions on the bend in Shoebury Road be deferred to the next meeting.

3.  That, in respect of the request for permit parking controls in Percy Road, officers meet with Ward Councillors to assess the level of issues in the area and discuss an appropriate way forward.

Reason for Decision

To mitigate for likelihood of traffic flows being impeded, to improve safety or increase parking availability.

Other Options

Each request needs to be considered on its individual merits and their impact on public safety, traffic flows or parking and wider impact on the surrounding network. Members may consider taking no further action if they feel it is appropriate.

Note:- This is an Executive Function

Eligible for call-in to Place Scrutiny Committee:

Executive Councillor: Councillor Cox

The Cabinet Committee received a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) that appraised Members of the representations that had been received in response to the statutory consultation for proposed Traffic Regulation Orders for the introduction of a permit parking area in Station Avenue and East Street Southend-on-Sea.

The report sought the Cabinet Committee's approval on the way forward in respect of all of these proposals, after having considered the views of the Traffic & Parking Working Party the Traffic & Parking Working Party following consideration of all the representations that had been received in writing and at the meeting.

Resolved:

That the matter be deferred for consideration at the next meeting of the Traffic & Parking Working Party.

Reason for Decision

To ensure an informed decision to reflect the previous decisions taken by the Traffic and Parking Working Party and Cabinet Committee relating to the exclusion of established properties within a street from eligibility to purchase parking permits and reflect the outcome of the consultation on the revised proposals.

Other Options

Re-advertise the proposal excluding any property with off-street parking availability whether flats, houses in multiple occupation or individual houses.  This would however create additional costs and resources to amend the Traffic Regulation Order on every occasion that an individual property created off-street parking provision.

Note:- This is an Executive Function

Eligible for call-in to the Place Scrutiny Committee

Executive Councillor: Councillor Cox

The Cabinet Committee received a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) that appraised Members of the results of the consultation that had been led by residents in the area around Bailey Road, Leigh-on-Sea. Having considered the views of the Traffic & Parking Working Party it was:

Resolved:

1.  That, subject to the inclusion of Barnard Road and Eaton Road, the proposal to introduce a Permit Parking Area in the Bailey Road area, Leigh-on-Sea, as based on the streets consulted, be approved.

2.  That the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) be authorised to publish the relevant statutory notice and undertake the necessary consultation for a traffic regulation order to introduce permit parking controls in the area around Bailey Road and, subject to there being no objections following statutory advertisement, to arrange for the order to be sealed and the proposals implemented.  Any unresolved objections will be referred to a future meeting of the Traffic & Parking Working Party and Cabinet Committee for consideration.

Reasons for Decision

To improve the parking opportunity for residents of the local area leading to improved management of parking.

Other Options

Do nothing – parking problems would be addressed.

Note:- This is an Executive Function

Eligible for call-in to Place Scrutiny Committee

Executive Councillor: Councillor Cox

The Cabinet Committee received a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) that appraised Members of a petition from the residents of Southsea Avenue, Leigh-on-Sea requesting a reduction in the speed limit to 20mph in the road. Having considered the views of the Traffic & Parking Working Party it was:

Resolved:

1.  That the petitioner for be thanked for taking the time to compile the petition.

2.  That no further action at this time, on the basis of the findings of the In-depth Place Scrutiny Report 2016, the low average speeds of vehicles using the road and the agreed process for the consideration of speed reduction measures as set out in the Traffic and Parking Working Party Recommendations, January 2016 (Minute 516 of the meeting of Cabinet Committee held on 4 January 2106 refers).

Reason for Decision

To reflect the low incidence of excessive speeds evidenced and general lack of support indicated.

Other Options

To proceed with implementing a 20mph speed limit the costs of which, would need to be met through existing budgets. It should be noted that introducing a speed limit of 20mph is not generally supported by the Police who would be responsible for any enforcement activity.

Note:- This is an Executive Function

Eligible for call-in to Place Scrutiny Committee:

Executive Councillor: Councillor Cox

The Cabinet Committee received a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) that appraised Members of a petition comprising 30 signatures that had been presented by Councillor David Norman M.B.E. on behalf of residents in Osborne Road and Windsor Road requesting that the traffic flows be amended to one-way traffic.  Having considered the views of the Traffic & Parking Working Party it was: 

Resolved:

1.  That the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) be authorised to publish the statutory notices and undertake the necessary consultation for the relevant traffic regulation order(s) to introduce one-way traffic flows in Osborne Road and Windsor Road, Westcliff-on-Sea and the revocation of any appropriate lengths of waiting restrictions in the streets, the direction of flow and extent of waiting restrictions to be revoked to be determined by the Deputy Chief Executive (Place), in consultation with the Executive Councillor for Transport, Waste and Regulatory Services, following consultation with the Ward Councillors.

2.  That, subject to there being no objections received following statutory advertisement, the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) be authorised to confirm the Order(s) as advertised.  Any unresolved objections will be referred to a future meeting of the Traffic & Parking Working Party and Cabinet Committee for consideration.

Reason for Decision

To reflect residents views and create additional on street parking capacity.

Other Options

Do nothing – existing problems would not be addressed.

Note:- This is an Executive Function

Eligible for call-in to Place Scrutiny Committee

Executive Councillor: Councillor Cox

The Cabinet Committee received a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) that appraised Members of the requests received from Members of the Council, together with officers’ recommendations relating to those requests.  Having considered the views of the Traffic & Parking Working Party it was:-

Resolved:

1.  That the update in respect of the following requests as set out in the report be noted:

(i) Request Reference No. 16/01 – Introduction of waiting restrictions or a parking management scheme to deter airport parking in Rochford Road service road;

(ii) Request Reference No. 17/29 – Introduction of waiting restrictions in Belfairs Park Drive; and

(iii) Request Reference No. 17/30 – introduce limited waiting parking restrictions in Southchurch Boulevard adjacent to the church to deter all day parking by coaches.

2.  That no further action be taken in respect of the following requests and that they be removed from the list:

(i) Request Reference No. 17/04 – Verge hardening in Bridgwater Drive between Mannering Gardens and Southbourne Grove;

(ii) Request Reference No. 17/07 – Provide disabled parking bay near to doctor’s surgery in Southchurch Boulevard;

(iii) Request Reference No. 17/09 – Remove build-outs in London Road between Eastwood Road and Station Road;

(iv) Request Reference No. 17/10 – Convert existing crossing point in Eastwood Road at junction with the Prittlebrook Greenway to zebra;

(v) Request Reference No. 17/16 (Duplicated as Request Reference No. 17/23) – Extension of single yellow line waiting restrictions between 11.00 a.m. to 12.00 noon on both sides of The Broadway, Thorpe Bay between Johnstone Road to Burgess Road;

(vi) Request Reference No. 17/17 – Extension of yellow lines in Fermoy Road over PVX to property at 125 St James Avenue;

(vii) Request Reference No. 17/25 – Provide pedestrian crossing in Lifstan Way near to Apollo Drive;

(viii) Request Reference No. 17/28 – Propose alternative pedestrian facility following assessment for pedestrian crossing in Station Road.

3.  That the following requests be retained on the list pending further discussions with the Ward Councillors and residents:

(i)  Request Reference No. 15/07 – Provide facility to assist pedestrians crossing in Elmsleigh Drive;

(ii)  Request Reference No. 16/04 – Verge hardening in Silversea Drive

(iii) Request Reference No. 16//07 – Introduction of waiting restrictions on the bend in Campfield Road, Shoeburyness by Cumberland Packaging;

(iv) Request Reference No. 17/05 – Extend existing waiting restrictions in Wakering Avenue with its junction with Elm Road, Shoeburyness; and

(v) Request Reference No. 17/06 (Duplicated as Request Reference No. 17/24) – Introduction of waiting restrictions in Teigngrace, Shoeburyness to deter residents parking from neighbouring street.

4.  That the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) be authorised to publish the statutory notices and undertake the necessary consultation for the relevant traffic regulation order(s) in respect of the following requests and, subject to there being no objections following statutory advertisement, to arrange for the order to be sealed and the proposals implemented:

(i) Request Reference No. 17/03 – Introduction of waiting restrictions on the west side of Benvenue Avenue at peak school times;

(ii) Request Reference No. 17/08 – Extension of existing junction protection waiting restrictions on the southern kerbline of Shaftsbury Avenue from its junction with Warwick Road for a distance of approximately 40m to cover the bend;

(iii) Request Reference No. 17/11 – Extension of existing waiting restrictions in The Roding around the bend;

(iv) Request Reference No. 17/12 – Introduction of no waiting at any time restrictions in Eastwood Park Drive at its junction with Rayleigh Road;

(v) Request Reference No. 17/13 (Duplicated at Request Reference No. 17/18) – Extension of existing junction protection waiting restrictions in Colbert Avenue at its junctions with Warwick Road, Clieveden Road, Walton Road, Lynton Road and Burges Terrace.

(vi) Request Reference No. 17/14 – Amendment of existing no waiting at any time restrictions in Tyrone Road between Fermoy Road and Johnstone Road (with the exception of the section between Fermoy Road to 91 Tyrone Road) from 2.00 p.m. to 3.00 p.m. Mondays to Fridays to 11.00 a.m. to 12.00 noon Mondays to Fridays;

(vii) Request Reference No. 17/15 – Introduction of waiting restriction for 1 hour no return in 4 hours on Mondays to Fridays between 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. in Tyrone Road on the west kerbline from its junction with Fermoy Road to 91 Tyrone Road and in Fermoy Road from its junction with Thorpe Hall Avenue to 51 Fermoy Road; and amendment of existing junction protection waiting restrictions at the junction of Fermoy Road and Tyrone Road to no waiting at any time including for the purposes of loading and unloading.

(viii) Request Reference No. 17/26 – Introduction of waiting restrictions on north side of Colbert Avenue between 9.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. daily from April to October; and

(ix) Request Reference No. 16/11 – Provision of waiting restrictions in Colbert Avenue, west of the church; and

(x)  Request Reference No. 17/27 – Amendment of traffic flows in Chalkwell Park Drive to southbound only.

5.  That, with regard to Request Reference No. 17/02 for verge hardening in Mansell Close, the works be added to the 2018/19 work programme.

Reasons for Decision

To provide a rationalised and consistent management and decision-making process for all formal requests for highways and traffic management improvements by Ward Councillors via the Traffic & Parking Working Party and Cabinet Committee.

Other Options

Each request needs to be considered on its individual merits and their impact on public safety, traffic flows or parking and wider impact on the surrounding network. Members may consider taking no further action if they feel it is appropriate.

Note:- This is an Executive Function

Eligible for call-in to Place Scrutiny Committee:

Executive Councillor: Councillor Cox

Resolved:

That the minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 20^th June 2017 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

Following consideration of Agenda Item No. 7 entitled (Petition Regarding Amending Traffic Flow - Hadleigh Road (southern section) Leigh on Sea, and the hour of 10.00 p.m. having been reached, the Cabinet Committee resolved that the remaining items of business on the Agenda be dealt with at this meeting.

Resolved:-

That, under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the items of business set out below, on the grounds that they 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.

The Cabinet considered a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (People) presenting the Coordinated Admissions Scheme for 2019 onwards and the Published Admission Limits for community schools.

Resolved:

1. That a consultation with governing bodies of community schools takes place on the published admission numbers for community infant, junior and primary schools for September 2019, as set out in Appendix 1 to the submitted report.

2. That the proposed Coordinated Admissions Scheme for 2019 onwards (as set out at Appendix 2 to the submitted report), in principle, be approved, and if there are minor areas to be resolved following the consultation with all schools, the decisions on minor amendments be delegated to the Deputy Chief Executive (People) in consultation with the Executive Councillor for Children & Learning.

Reasons for Decision

The determination of admission arrangements for community schools and the provision of a coordinated admissions scheme is a statutory requirement.

Other Options

None.

Note: This is an Executive function

Eligible for call in to: People Scrutiny Committee

Executive Councillor: Courtenay

The Cabinet considered a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (People) updating Members on the progress of the Secondary School Places Programme and the progress on identifying a site for a new Free School.

Resolved:

1. That current progress on the progression of current expansion projects at good and outstanding secondary schools for September 2018, namely Shoeburyness High School and St Thomas More High School, be noted.

2. That the continuation of expansion discussions with remaining Good and Outstanding Schools, namely Belfairs Academy, The Eastwood Academy and St Bernard’s High School, to secure the remaining 60 places still required for September 2018, be approved.

3. That work continues on securing the plot of land identified in the submitted report to support an application to the Department of Education for a new secondary free school for September 2019.

Reasons for Decision

The Council has a statutory duty to ensure sufficient places for all statutory school aged children

Other Options

The Council has no option other than to provide sufficient school places if it is to meet its statutory duties.

Note: This is an Executive Function

Eligible for call in to: People Scrutiny Committee

Executive Councillor: Courtenay

The Cabinet considered a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) presenting the Essex and Southend-on-Sea Waste Local Plan.

Recommended:

Reasons for Decision:

It is clearly advantageous for the Council to have a new Waste Local Plan in place as soon as possible. This would avoid the risk of new planning applications for waste related development being considered without an up-to-date Plan - one of the consequences being a lack of certainty regarding where new waste development will take place in future and whether such development is indeed required in the Plan area.

Other Options

Do nothing – work on the Plan would cease and the joint planning authorities would be forced to rely on national planning policy and guidance in making planning decisions in future. This option risks penalties for the Councils levied by the Government for the absence of an up-to-date Waste Local Plan

Note: This is a Council function

Eligible for call in to: Place Scrutiny Committee

Executive Councillor: Flewitt

The Cabinet considered the recommendations of the Grants Strategy Working Party held on 5^th September 2017 regarding a Community Commissioning Prospectus 2018-21

Resolved:

That the proposals put forward for a Community Commissioning Prospectus 2018-21, be approved.

Note: This is an Executive Function

Eligible for call in to: Policy & Resources Scrutiny Committee

Executive Councillor: Moring

The Cabinet Committee received a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) that appraised Members of a petition comprising 24 signatures from the residents of Hadleigh Road, Leigh-on-Sea requesting the current two-way traffic flow in the section between Leigh Park Road to New Road be amended to one-way in a southerly direction. Having considered the views of the Traffic & Parking Working Party it was:

Resolved:

1.  That the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) be authorised to publish the statutory notices and undertake the necessary consultation for the relevant traffic regulation order for the introduction of a one-way traffic flow in the section of Hadleigh Road, Leigh-on-Sea between Leigh Park Road to New Road, the direction of which to be determined by the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) in consultation with the Executive Councillor for Transport, Waste and Regulatory Services, following consultation with the Ward Councillors.

2.  That, subject to there being no objections received following statutory advertisement, the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) be authorised to confirm the Order(s) as advertised.  Any unresolved objections will be referred to a future meeting of the Traffic & Parking Working Party and Cabinet Committee for consideration.

Reason for Decision

To improve traffic flow and safety on the highway network.

Other Options

Do nothing – road safety may be compromised.

Note:- This is an Executive Function

Eligible for call-in to Place Scrutiny Committee:

Executive Councillor: Councillor Cox

The Cabinet considered a report of the Chief Executive covering the treasury management activity for the period from April 2017 to June 2017.

Resolved:

1. That the Quarter One Treasury Management Report for 2017/18, be approved.

2. That it be noted that the Treasury management activities were carried out in accordance with the CIPFA (The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy) Code of Practice for Treasury Management in the Public Sector during the period from April to June 2017.

3. That it be noted that the loan and investment portfolios were actively managed to minimise cost and maximise interest earned, whilst maintaining a low level of risk.

4. That it be noted that an average of £48.6m of investments were managed in-house.  These earned £0.052m of interest during the three month period at an average rate of 0.43%.  This is 0.32% over the average 7-day LIBID and 0.18% over the bank base rate.

5. That it be noted that an average of £5.0m was managed by an enhanced cash fund manager.  This earned £0.006m during this three month period at an average rate of 0.52%.

6. That it be noted that an average of £15.2m was managed by two short dated bond fund managers.  This earned £0.046m during this three month period from a combination of an increase in the value of the units and income distribution, giving a combined return of 1.21%.

7. That it be noted that an average of £15.9m was managed by two property fund managers.  These earned £0.403m during this three month period from a combination of an increase in the value of the units and income distribution, giving a combined return of 10.14%.

8. That it be noted that the level of borrowing from the Public Works Loan Board (PWLB) (excluding debt relating to services transferred from Essex County Council on 1^st April 1998) remained at the same level of £227.8m (HRA: £77.0m, GF: £150.8m) during the period from April to June 2017.

9. That it be noted that during the quarter the level of financing for ‘invest to save’ schemes increased from £7.90m to £8.75m.

Reason for Decision

The CIPFA Code of Practice on Treasury Management recommends that Local Authorities should submit reports regularly.  The Treasury Management Policy Statement for 2017/18 sets out that reports would be submitted to Cabinet quarterly on the activities of the treasury management operation.

Other options

None.

Note: This is an Executive Function

Eligible for call in to: Policy & Resources Scrutiny Committee

Executive Councillor: Moring

The Cabinet considered a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) updating Members on the development of a Skills and Labour Market Strategy for Southend-on-Sea 2018-2022.

Resolved:

That the Towards a Skills and Labour Market Strategy for Southend-on-Sea, attached at appendix 1 to the submitted report, for wider consultation, be approved.

Reasons for Decision

The strategy aims to improve the Southend skills support landscape, raise ambition and skills levels, increase employment opportunities in local jobs and enable economic growth through equipping residents with the skills needed by business.  A clear strategy for the Council and its stakeholders will play an integral role in maximising the benefit realised by local residents facilitating economic growth.

Other Options

Decide not to pursue the development of a Skills and Labour Market Strategy and allow the market to continue as it is.  The result of this would be an absence of community leadership on the subject and a lack of response to the issues identified in the first stage consultation and assessment.

Note: This is an Executive function

Eligible call in to: Place Scrutiny Committee

Executive Councillor: Holland

Resolved:

That the submitted report be noted.

Note: This is an Executive function

Eligible for call in to: As appropriate to the item

Executive Councillor: As appropriate to the item

Resolved:

That the submitted report be noted.

Note: This is an Executive function.

Eligible for call in to all three Scrutiny Committees

Executive Councillor: as appropriate to the item

The Cabinet considered a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) providing an update on progress in developing the Council’s approach to Highways/Transport Infrastructure Asset Management (HIAM) and requesting that consideration be given to the Highways Infrastructure Asset Management Plan (HIAMP).

Resolved:

1. That the HIAMP and associated appendices as the Council’s approach to asset management and operational service delivery, be approved.

2. That continued cross boundary joint working on asset management, enabling better understanding and development of collaborative working, benchmarking and efficiency, resilience, customer communications and operation delivery to support the management of assets in Southend-on-Sea, be approved.

3. That the lifecycle plans which form the basis for the prediction of future performance of a group of assets, based on investment scenarios and maintenance strategies, be noted.

4. That it be agreed that the HIAMP and appendices will influence the Council’s approach to highway maintenance and management of assets in order to meet the requirements as set out by the Department of Transport.

5. That the increase of the Council’s banding for the next Department for Transport self-assessment questionnaire (SaQ) return, be noted.  (The result of which will be the Council will receive its full funding awards and improve the case for additional funding grants by adopting asset management principles).

Reasons for Decision

To establish a framework which has the means to deliver a more efficient and effective approach to the management of highway infrastructure assets.

Other Options

Do nothing and settle for a lower band score. However, this would mean that the Council has no credible strategy for investing in assets and result in a significant loss of external funding for maintenance.

Note: This is an Executive function

Eligible for call in to: Place Scrutiny Committee

Executive Councillor: Cox

The Cabinet considered a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) providing an update on the progress of the ‘Southend Central Area Transport Scheme (S-CATS).

Resolved:

1. That either of the  two design options for London Road (between Queensway and College Way) be taken forward to construction which will allow selection of the final design to be carried out in consultation with stakeholders and public.

2. That the drainage works can be started along London Road in September 2017, in preparation for the scheme construction to start in October 2017.

3. That the authority be delegated to the Chief Executive and Deputy Chief Executive (Place), in consultation with the Leader of the Council and the Executive Councillor for Transport, Waste and Regulatory Services, to agree the final design option, Option A or Option B, selected after stakeholder and public consultation, to be taken forward to implementation with a programmed commencement in October 2017, together with the advertisement of any necessary Traffic Regulation Orders.

Reasons for Decision

Southend Central Area Transport Scheme represents a major opportunity to support the continued growth and regeneration of the Southend Central Area.

Other Options

If no action was taken, the investment opportunity would be lost. This would reduce the contribution to supporting local health and wellbeing and restrict accessibility and local mobility, and potentially undermine business confidence and investment within the area.

Note: This is an Executive function.

Eligible for call in to: Place Scrutiny Committee

Executive Councillor: Cox

The Cabinet considered a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) which sought approval to launch a set of energy generation, storage and management services under the Southend Energy brand underpinned by minimum standards and an associated marketing campaign.

Resolved:

1. That a set of minimum standards for energy generation and storage devices and associated management services to be managed through the proposed governance process, be established.

2. That the devices and services be marketed to help households to save money and reduce their net energy consumption.

3. That the scheme be supported by an appropriate governance process, as set out in paragraph 5 of the submitted report, that will approve suppliers and processes for the scheme and the marketing for both the scheme, as a whole, and individual suppliers.

4. That it be noted that the scheme will be funded over time by referral fees and marketing contributions from suppliers with an initial investment of £50k from the Business Transformation Fund (already approved) to launch the scheme and to fund one staffing post until revenues cover on-going costs.  Over time, any net revenues will be used to fund the energy team.

Reasons for Decision

The savings to households together with other benefits of the proposals are detailed in the report.

Other Options

Doing nothing will remove the opportunity for Southend residents to make significant savings on their energy costs in the face of rising energy prices and remove the opportunity for improved local grid resilience. Households wishing to engage with the market would be exposed to a confusing marketplace without support.

Note: This is an Executive function

Eligible for call in to: Place Scrutiny Committee

Executive Councillor: Holland

The Cabinet considered a report of the Chief Executive informing Members of the current position on the outstanding debt to the Council as at 31^st July 2017.

Resolved:

1. That the current outstanding debt position as at 31^st July 2017 and the position of debts written off to 31^st July 2017 as set out in Appendices A and B of the submitted report, be noted.

2. That the write offs as detailed in Appendix B, be approved.

Reason for Decision

All reasonable steps to recover the debt have been taken and therefore where a write-off is recommended it is the only course of action available.

If the Council wishes to pursue debts for bankruptcy proceedings, it will follow the agreed and published recovery policy that covers this.

Other options

None

Note: This is an Executive function

Eligible for call in to: Policy and Resources Scrutiny Committee

Executive Councillor: Moring

The Cabinet considered a report of the Chief Executive proposing the adoption of a policy for risk based verification within the benefits service.

Resolved:

That the implementation of the Risk Based Verification Policy attached at Appendix 1 to the submitted report, be approved.

Reason for Decision

To improve performance in reducing fraud and error leading to additional Government funding through the Right Benefit initiative.

Other Options

To continue to work as we are but this would not free up the additional resources required to do the further checks.

Note: This is an Executive function

Eligible for call in to Policy & Resources Scrutiny Committee

Executive Councillor: Moring

The Cabinet considered a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) advising of the action the Council has taken following the Grenfell Tower fire tragedy.

Resolved:

1. That the action taken to date, be noted.

2. That it be noted that a further report will be submitted to Cabinet detailing the outcomes of the first phase of the Fire Safety review being undertaken by the Council, South Essex Homes and Essex Fire & Rescue Service.

3. That it be agreed that there is consideration in the Capital Budget proposals for 2018/19 to fund any necessary remedial work or fire safety improvements that are identified by the review set out in resolution 2 above.

Reason for Decision:

To reassure Members that the Council has reviewed the fire safety management measures across its own property portfolio and that assurance is being sought from other public and private sector building owners that they are also reviewing safety measures.

Other options

None.

Note:- This is an Executive function

Eligible for call in to Place Scrutiny Committee

Executive Councillor: Flewitt

The Cabinet considered a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) informing Members of the large object social history collection of Southend Museums Service and set out a future plan for maximising related resources.

Resolved:

That the submitted proposals for the future of the Museum Service’s large object social history collection, be approved.

Reasons for Decision

This is essential to the maintenance and development of the Museums Service and its collections.

Other Options

None.

Note: This is an Executive function

Eligible for call in to: Place Scrutiny Committee

Executive Councillor: Holland

The Cabinet considered a report of the Chief Executive proposing the appropriation of land at Priory School and Burr Hill Chase from education use for planning purposes to enable the wider redevelopment of the land following the relocation of the school.

Resolved:

That under S122 (1) of the Local Government Act 1972, the land at Priory School and Burr Hill Chase be appropriated from education use for planning purposes immediately following the vacation of the site to enable its redevelopment following relocation of the school in accordance with the consent of the Secretary of State for Education.

Reasons for Decision

The appropriation of land is required to ensure that the use is appropriately recorded and the land is enabled for future development.

Other options

As the Cabinet has agreed the future use of land subject to the consent of the Secretary of State for education which has now been received, other options are not relevant in this case.

Note: This is an Executive Function

Eligible for call in to: Policy and Resources Scrutiny Committee

Executive Councillor: Moring

The Cabinet considered a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (People) which informed Members of the high level performance outcome for all Southend schools at all key stages following the summer tests and examinations.

On consideration of the report, the Chairman referred to the excellent school examination results and thanked the relevant officers and others for their contribution towards the positive outcomes.

Resolved:

That the overall performance of Southend schools at each of the key stages, in particular relative to the emerging national benchmarks, be noted.

Reasons for Decision

To note the performance of Southend schools.

Other Options

None.

Note: This is an Executive function

Eligible for call in to: People Scrutiny Committee

Executive Councillor: Courtenay

The Cabinet considered a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (People) presenting the draft Suicide Prevention Strategy for Southend, Essex and Thurrock entitled ‘Let’s Talk About Suicide.’

Resolved:

That the Suicide Prevention Strategy and associated actions, be approved.

Reasons for Decision

To reduce suicide rates.

Other Options

None.

Note: This is an Executive function

Eligible for call in to: People Scrutiny Committee

Executive Councillor: Salter

Resolved:-

That the Minutes of the meeting held on Thursday, 8^th March 2017 be received, confirmed as a correct record and signed.

The following interests were declared at the meeting:

(a)  Councillor Callaghan – Agenda Item No. 6 (Members Requests List: Request Reference 17/11 – Waiting restrictions in The Rodings) – Non-pecuniary interest: Friend lives in the road;

(b)  Councillor Flewitt – Agenda Item No. 6 (Members Requests List: Request Reference 17/12 – Waiting restrictions in Eastwood Park Drive) – Non-pecuniary interest: Mother in law lives in the road;

(c)  Councillor J Garston – Agenda Item No 4 (Objections to Traffic Regulation Orders – Permit Parking Areas: Westcliff Parade) – Non-pecuniary interest: Lives in the vicinity of one of the proposed areas;

(d)  Councillor J Garston – Agenda Item No. 6 (Members Requests List: Request Reference 17/06 and 17/24 – Waiting restrictions in Teigngrace) – Non-pecuniary interest: Close friend lives in the street;

(e)  Councillor Moring – Agenda Item No. 6 (Members Requests List: Request Reference 17/13, 17/18, 17/26, 16/11 – Waiting restrictions in Colbert Avenue) – Non-pecuniary interest: Relative lives in the road;

(f)  Councillor Mulroney – Agenda Item No. 9 (Petition for 20mph Speed Limit – Southsea Avenue) – Non-pecuniary interest: Lives in the road;

(g)  Councillor Walker – Agenda Item No. 5 (Objections to Traffic Regulation Orders – Various Locations: Boston Avenue) – Non-pecuniary interest: Accompanies wife when attending St Mary’s School in connection with the Southend Boys and Girls Choir;

(h)  Councillor Ware-Lane – Agenda Item No. 6 (Members Requests List: Request Reference 17/04 – Verge hardening in Bridgwater Drive) – Non-pecuniary interest: Family live in the vicinity;

(i)  Councillor Ware-Lane – Agenda Item No. 8 (Request to Amend Traffic Flows to One-Way - Osborne Road and Windsor Road) – Non-pecuniary interest: Lives in the vicinity;

(j)  Councillor Woodley – Agenda Item No. 6 (Members Requests List: Request Reference 17/14 and 17/15 Amendment of waiting restrictions in Tyrone Road) - Non-pecuniary interest: Lives in Tyrone Road.