Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Butler, Callaghan and Nevin.

There were no declarations of interest at this meeting.

Report of Director of Legal & Democratic Services (to follow)

The Council considered a report of the Director of Legal & Democratic Services setting out changes to the Cabinet and requesting that consideration be given to several constitutional matters.

Resolved:

1. That the changes made to the political groups on the Council such that there are now 4 political group be noted and the make-up of the Council is as follows:

·         Conservative Group – 27;

·         Independent Group – 10;

·         Labour Group – 10

·         Liberal Democrat Group – 2

·         Unaligned Independent (Councillor Aylen) – 1

·         Vacancy (Shoeburyness) – 1

2. That the changes to the titles and responsibilities of three portfolios which have been confirmed by the Leader of the Council as set out in Appendix 1 to the report and that these changes will be reflected in an amendment to Part 3 Schedule 1(a) of the Constitution, be noted.

3. That the appointments to the Cabinet (and substitutes) made by the Leader of the Council (including the arrangements for the Deputy Leader) as set out in List A circulated at the meeting, be noted.

4. That the appointments to the Cabinet Committee (and substitutes) made by the Leader of the Council as set out in List B circulated at the meeting, be noted.

5. That the following changes to the Constitution, be approved:

(a) That all the Working Parties, Forums and Panels listed in Part 3 Schedule 2 which currently have a membership of 8 Councillors shall henceforth have a membership of 9 Councillors;

(b) That Standing Order 7.4(b) in Part 4(a) be amended as set out in Appendix 2 to the report so that black-lined minutes will automatically be available for debate at Council meetings, without the need for them to be reserved.

6. That the Council’s Constitution, including the Scheme of Delegation in Part, Schedule 3, be approved.

To follow

Resolved:

That the Members set out in List C, as circulated at the meeting, be appointed as members and substitutes of Regulatory and Scrutiny Committees, Licensing Sub-Committee C, Standards Committee and Audit Committee for the Municipal Year 2017/18.

To follow

Resolved:

That the Members set out in List C be appointed as Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen of Regulatory and Scrutiny Committees, Licensing Sub Committee C, Standards Committee and Audit Committee for the Municipal Year 2017/18..

To follow

Resolved:

That the Members set out in List D, as circulated at the meeting, be appointed as members and substitutes of Working Parties, Panels, Forums etc for the Municipal Year 2017/18.

Resolved:

That the Members set out in List D be appointed as Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen of Working Parties, Panels, Forums etc for the Municipal Year 2017/18.

To follow

The Worshipful the Mayor advised Members that there were vacancies for one position on the Homeless Action Resource Project and three positions on the Southend-on-Sea Arts Council….

Resolved:

That the Members indicated in List E, as circulated at the meeting, be appointed to the outside bodies for the Municipal Year 2017/18, and the following Members be appointed to the vacancies on the respective outside body:

(a) Homeless Action Resource Project – Councillor J Garston;

(b) Southend-on-Sea Arts Council – Councillors Burzotta, Davidson and Jarvis.

Calendar to follow

Resolved:

That the revised calendar of meetings for the Municipal Year 2017/18, be approved.