Agenda and draft minutes
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Contact: Rob Harris
Media
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Apologies for Absence Additional documents: Minutes: Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Burton. |
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Declarations of Interest Additional documents: Minutes: There were no declarations of interest at this meeting. |
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Submission of an Interim Plan for Local Government Reorganisation in Greater Essex Report of Executive Director (Strategy and Change) Additional documents:
Minutes: The Cabinet considered a report of the Executive Director (Strategy and Change) presenting the Interim Plan for Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) in Greater Essex. The report sought approval to submit the interim LGR Plan to MHCLG by 21st March 2025.
Councillor Gilbert attended and provided a verbal report summarising the comments and outcomes of the votes at the Extraordinary Council meeting on 20th March 2025 and that the Council had supported the submission of the LGR Interim Plan and the Council’s response to the MCHLGs devolution consultation (Minute 112 below refers).
The Cabinet noted that at the Extraordinary Council meeting on 20th March 2025 the Council approved the following resolution:
‘That there should be no Council Tax precept rise above the referendum cap to cover the costs in relation to LGR for Southend-on-Sea City Council.’
Resolved:
1. That the Interim LGR Plan, set out at Appendix 2 to the submitted report, be approved for submission to the MHCLG on 21st March 2025.
2. That, in principle, the five unitary model, including a unitary authority covering the current authorities of Southend-on-Sea City Council, Castle Point Borough Council and Rochford District Council, as its preferred structure for local government in Greater Essex, be supported.
3. That authority be delegated to the Chief Executive and Executive Director (Strategy and Change), in consultation with the Leader of the Council, to make any final changes to the Interim LGR Plan prior to submission by 21 March 2025.
4. That a programme of engagement and briefings for Councillors be developed and delivered, as more information is known, during the period between now and the final deadline for submission of proposals for Local Government Reorganisation in September 2025.
Reasons for decisions:
1. In his correspondence of 5th February 2025, the Minister set an ambitious timeline for areas participating in the Devolution Priority Programme to produce interim, and then final, proposals for LGR. This has catalysed close, agile working between the county, unitaries and district Council’s of Greater Essex, working together, towards the first milestone of delivering an interim plan to Government by 21st March 2025.
Other options:
1. The Council could produce its own proposal. However, the statutory invitation is clear that the Minister expects local leaders to work collaboratively to achieve consensus on a single proposal for the Greater Essex area, rather than devoting public funds to producing competing proposals, and that local leaders should “…jointly submit one proposal for unitary local government across the whole of your area.”
2. The Council could choose to make no proposal in relation to LGR, as this is currently an invitation rather than a mandatory requirement for proposals. However, the Government has made it very clear that devolution and LGR are cornerstones of its Plan for Change, and crucial enablers of achieving the Five Missions as set out its manifesto. Proposals for LGR should be complementary to devolution plans.
Note: This is an Executive Function Not eligible for call-in. Cabinet Member: Cllr ... view the full minutes text for item 111. |
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Southend-on-Sea City Council's response to MHCLG's Greater Essex Devolution Consultation Report of Executive Director (Strategy and Change) Additional documents:
Minutes: The Cabinet considered a report of the Executive Director (Strategy and Change) presenting the Council’s response to MHCLG’s Greater Essex devolution consultation.
Resolved:
1. That the proposed formal response to MHCLG’s Greater Essex Devolution consultation, as set out in Appendix 1 to the submitted report, be approved.
2. That authority be delegated to the Chief Executive and Executive Director (Strategy and Change), in consultation with the Leader of the Council, to make any final changes to the response prior to submission by 13th April 2025.
Reasons for decisions:
To ensure that the Council takes the opportunity to submit an individual response to MHCLG’s consultation.
Other options:
To not submit a consultation response. However, this would mean that the Council’s distinct view would not be considered in the decision-making and assessment process for finalisation of a devolution agreement and the establishment of a MCCA for Greater Essex.
Note: This is an Executive Function Not eligible for call-in Cabinet Member: Cllr Cowan |
