Apologies for absence were received from Councillors McDonald, Terry and Van Looy.

·           Councillor Borton

Cabinet – 16^th January 2020

Minute 691 (Draft Prioritising Resources to Deliver Better Outcomes 2020/21 to 2024/25) – Non-pecuniary interest: Non-Executive Director of South Essex Homes;

Policy and Resources Scrutiny Committee – 30^th January 2020

Minute 772 (Council Tax Base) and Minute 774 (Draft Prioritising Resources to Deliver Better Outcomes 2020/21 to 2024/25) – Non-pecuniary interest: Non-Executive Director of South Essex Homes;

Council – 20^th February 2020

Agenda Item 8 (Prioritising Resources to Deliver Better Outcomes 2020/21-2024/25) – Non-pecuniary interest: Non-Executive Director of South Essex Homes;

·           Councillor Davidson

Cabinet – 16^th January 2020

Minute 691 (Draft Prioritising Resources to Deliver Better Outcomes 2020/21 to 2024/25) – Non-pecuniary interest: Non-Executive Director of South Essex Homes;

Policy and Resources Scrutiny Committee – 30^th January 2020

Minute 772 (Council Tax Base) and Minute 774 (Draft Prioritising Resources to Deliver Better Outcomes 2020/21 to 2024/25) – Non-pecuniary interest: Non-Executive Director of South Essex Homes;

Council – 20^th February 2020

Agenda Item 8 (Prioritising Resources to Deliver Better Outcomes 2020/21-2024/25) – Non-pecuniary interest: Non-Executive Director of South Essex Homes;

·           Councillor K Evans

Cabinet – 16^th January 2020

Minute 690 (Council Tax Base and Non Domestic Rating Base 2020/21) – Non-pecuniary interest: Member of Leigh-on-Sea Town Council;

Cabinet – 11^th February 2020

Minute 800 (Prioritising Resources to Deliver Better Outcomes 2020/21 to 2024/25) – Non-pecuniary interest: Member of Leigh Town Council which is mentioned in the report;

·           Councillor Flewitt

Cabinet – 16^th January 2020

Minute 691 (Draft Prioritising Resources to Deliver Better Outcomes 2020/21 to 2024/25) – Non-pecuniary interest: friends and family are tenants of South Essex Homes Ltd (as to rent and heating increases);

Place Scrutiny Committee – 28^th January 2020

Minute 742 (Draft Prioritising Resources to Deliver Better Outcomes 2020/21 to 2024/25) – Non-pecuniary interest: friends and family are tenants of South Essex Homes Ltd (as to rent and heating increases);

People Scrutiny Committee – 29^th January 2020

Minute 725 (Draft Prioritising Resources to Deliver Better Outcomes 2020/21 to 2024/25) – Non-pecuniary interest: friends and family are tenants of South Essex Homes Ltd (as to rent and heating increases);

Policy and Resources Scrutiny Committee – 30^th January 2020

Minute 772 (Draft Prioritising Resources to Deliver Better Outcomes 2020/21 to 2024/25) – Non-pecuniary interest: friends and family are tenants of South Essex Homes Ltd (as to rent and heating increases);

Cabinet – 11^th February 2020

Minute 798 (Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Budget and Rent Setting 2020/21) - Non-pecuniary interest: friends and family are tenants of South Essex Homes Ltd (as to rent and heating increases);

Minute 800 (Minute 800 (Prioritising Resources to Deliver Better Outcomes 2020/21 to 2024/25) – Non-pecuniary interest: friends and family are tenants of South Essex Homes Ltd (as to rent and heating increases);

Council – 20^th February 2020

Agenda Item 8 (Prioritising Resources to Deliver Better Outcomes 2020/21-2024/25) – Non-pecuniary interest: friends and family are tenants of South Essex Homes Ltd (as  ...  view the full minutes text for item 802.

There were no communications from the Worshipful the Mayor.

The relevant Cabinet Members responded to written questions received from members of the public.

The relevant Cabinet Members responded to written questions received from Councillors.

Minutes attached

Resolved:

That the minutes of the Special Council meeting held on Tuesday 17^th December 2019 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

Minutes attached

Resolved:

That the minutes of the Council meeting held on Tuesday 17^th December 2019 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

Report of the Executive Director (Finance and Resources) attached

The Council considered a report of the Executive Director (Finance and Resources) presenting the Cabinet's revenue budget and Council Tax for 2020/21 financial year, together with Minutes 691 and 692 of Cabinet held 16th January 2020 and Minutes 798 to 800 of Cabinet held on 11th February 2020, and Scrutiny Minutes 742, 760, 773 and 774.

The Council suspended the relevant parts of Council Procedure Rule 10 to permit the extended budget speeches of the Leader of the Council and of the Leader of the Opposition Group.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 10.1(e) Councillor Cox, has submitted one amendment to the Budget.

The amendments were voted on by way of a named vote as required by law.  The voting was as follows:-

For the amendment:

Cllrs Boyd, Bright, Buck, Burzotta, Cox, Davidson, Dear, F. Evans, Flewitt, Folkard, Garne, Garston, Habermel, Jarvis, McGlone, Moring, Nelson, Salter, Walker (19)

Against the amendment:

Cllrs Aylen, Ayling, Beck, Borton, Burton, Chalk, Collins, Cowan, Dent, K. Evans, George, Gilbert, Harp, Hooper, Jones, Kelly, Mitchell, Mulroney, Nevin, Robinson, Shead, Stafford, Thompson, Wakefield, Ward, Wexham, Willis and Woodley (28)

Abstentions:

Cllr Lamb (1)

Absent:

Cllrs McDonald, Terry and Van Looy (3)

The amendment was not carried.

The substantive budget proposals were then voted on by way of a named vote as required by law.  The voting was as follows:-

For the budget:

Cllrs Aylen, Ayling, Beck, Borton, Burton, Chalk, Collins, Cowan, Dent, K. Evans, George, Gilbert, Harp, Hooper, Jones, Kelly, Mitchell, Mulroney, Nevin, Robinson, Shead, Stafford, Thompson, Wakefield, Ward, Wexham, Willis and Woodley (28)

Against the budget:

None

Abstentions:

Cllrs Boyd, Bright, Buck, Burzotta, Cox, Davidson, Dear, F. Evans, Flewitt, Folkard, Garne, Garston, Habermel, Jarvis, McGlone, Moring, Nelson, Salter, Walker (19)

(Cllr Lamb: no vote);

Absent:

Cllrs McDonald, Terry and Van Looy (3)

The Council Budget 2020/21 proposals were carried, as set out as follows:

Resolved:

With regard to the Housing Revenue Account Budget 2020/21 and rent setting:

1. That an average rent increase of 2.7% on all tenancies, be approved.

2. That an average rent increase of 2.7% on shared ownership properties, be approved.

3. That an increase of 2.7% for garage rents to £12.02 per week for tenants and £14.42 for non-tenants (being £12.02 plus VAT), a rise consistent with the proposal for the main rent increase (all variants on a standard garage will receive a proportionate increase.), be approved.

4. That the rent charges in 1-3 above be effective from 6^th April 2020.

5. That the South Essex Homes core management fee at £6,114,000 for 2020/21, be approved.

6. That the South Essex Homes proposals for average increases of 6.36% in service charges and 16.69% in heating charges to reflect the actual costs incurred, be approved.

7. That the following appropriations, be approved:

·         £60,000 to the Repairs Contract Pensions Reserve;

·         £5,126,000 to the Capital Investment Reserve; and

·         £8,708,000 from  ...  view the full minutes text for item 808.

Minutes attached

Resolved:

That minutes 691 and 692 of this meeting, be noted.

Minutes attached

Resolved:

That Minute 742 of this meeting be noted.

Minutes attached.

Resolved:

That Minute 760 of this meeting be noted.

Resolved:

That Minutes 773 and 774 of this meeting be noted.

Minutes attached

Resolved:

That the minutes of this meeting be noted.

Report of the Executive Director (Transformation) attached

The Council considered a report of the Director of Transformation presenting the Pay Policy Statement 2020/21 in the context of the Council’s overall Reward Strategy.

Resolved:

That the Pay Policy Statement as recommended by the Senior Manager Pay Panel, be approved.