Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Terry.

The following Councillors and officers declared interests as indicated:

(a) Councillor Harp – Minutes 600 and 603 (Better Queensway Regeneration Project) – Non-pecuniary interest: Volunteer with Turning Tides and Youth Clubs in the wider Queensway area and Minute 601 (Chalkwell Hall Infants School and Junior School amalgamation) – disqualifying non-pecuniary interest: Close friend of Chair of Chalkwell Hall Junior School (withdrew);

(b) Councillor Jones - Minutes 600 and 603 (Better Queensway Regeneration Project) – Non-pecuniary interest: member of Development Control Committee;

(c) Councillor Mulroney - Minutes 600 and 603 (Better Queensway Regeneration Project) – Non-pecuniary interest: member of Development Control Committee;

(d) A Lewis and A Richards - - Minutes 600 and 603 (Better Queensway Regeneration Project) – Non-pecuniary interest: Council appointed representatives on the Porters Place LLP Board.

Report of Director of Growth and Regeneration to follow

The Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Regeneration and Growth  concerning the submission of the new Business Plan for Porters Place Southend-on-Sea LLP. The matter had been considered by the Shareholder at its meeting held on 1st December 2020 and the recommendations from the Board were before the Cabinet for consideration.

Resolved:

1. That the submitted Business Plan (attached to the report to the Shareholder Board), be approved.

2. That the Director of Regeneration and Growth, in consultation with the Leader, be authorised to:

(a)   agree any non-adverse changes to the Business Plan whereupon any such matters shall be noted for information and reported to the following Shareholder Board; and

(b)   approve, agree or action any necessary outcome, or product of, or from, the Business Plan necessary to progress the Better Queensway regeneration project.

Reasons for decision

The review of the Business Plan by Council officers and the Council’s procured advisors concluded that the Plan provides an assurance that the LLP is following the agreed strategic direction and objectives and is delivering its service and financial performance.

Delegation of agreement of non-material updates to the Business Plan and progression of actions resulting from the Plan will ensure that the LLP can continue to progress the project at pace and with the necessary agility to meet funding and programme deadlines.

Other options

Not approving the Business Plan would mean that the Plan approved in November 2019 would remain in place until an amended Plan is approved. This would frustrate the progress of the project. The October 2019 Plan does not reflect the next years’ work on the project.

The £15m HIF funding from Homes England has a deadline for spend. Not approving the Business Plan will delay the project as an amended Plan will be required, which could result in non-expenditure by the deadline and therefore a gap in project funding.

If the Business Plan is compliant with the Partnership Agreement but is not approved by the Council, there is a risk to the goodwill established between the LLP Partners.  This would have a considerably negative impact on the relationship between the LLP Partners.

Note: This is an Executive Function

Referred direct to: Place Scrutiny Committee

Cabinet Member: Cllr Gilbert

Report of Executive Director (Children and Public Health) attached

The Cabinet considered a report of the Executive Director (Children and Public Health) providing feedback on the outcomes of the stage one informal consultation exercise regarding the Chalkwell Hall Infant and Junior School potential amalgamation.

Resolved:

1. That the further stages of consultation on a potential amalgamation not be proceeded with and the two maintained schools, Chalkwell Hall Infant School and Chalkwell Hall Junior School, be allowed to remain as separate entities. 

2. That it be noted that as and when circumstances change in the future, the Cabinet reserves the right to reconsider the benefits of a potential amalgamation at that time.

Reasons for decision

As set out in the submitted report.

Other options

The proceed with the further stages of consultation on a potential amalgamation of the two schools.

Note: This is an Executive Function

Referred direct to:People Scrutiny Committee

Cabinet Member: Cllr Jones

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.

Confidential appendices attached

Resolved:

That the confidential appendices relating to the Porters Place LLP Business Plan, be noted.

Note: This is an Executive Function

Referred direct to: Place Scrutiny Committee

Cabinet Member: Cllr Gilbert