Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Boyd, Buckley, Courtenay, Nelson, Warren and Woodley.

·       Councillor Buck

Minute 143 (Motion: Better Queensway) – Non-pecuniary interest: Has been contacted by residents and businesses and has publicly objected to the closure of the Queensway Road underpass;

·       Councillor Beggs

Minute 143 (Motion: Investigation into SEND Provision) – Non-pecuniary interest: Daughter is SEN and wife runs SEN workshops for LAMDA and National Youth Theatre;

·       Councillor Beck

Minute 143 (Motion: Investigation into SEND Provision) – Non-pecuniary interest: Is a teacher and has experience working with SEND children in the Borough;

·       Councillor Burton

Minute 143 (Motion: Investigation into SEND Provision) – Non-pecuniary: Is a teacher outside of the Borough but students with SEND from the Borough attend the school;

·       Councillor Cowdrey

Minute 143 (Motion: Investigation into SEND Provision) – Non-pecuniary interest: Parent of a child with SEND and is a supervisor for Social Work students in Special Schools in the Borough;

·       Councillor Cox

Minute 143 (Motion: Investigation into SEND Provision) – Non-pecuniary interest: Daughter is a SEND child and is in receipt of an EHCP;

·       Councillor Hooper

Minute 143 (Motion: Investigation into SEND Provision) – Non-pecuniary interest: Works for Blade Education who work with SEND children in the Borough;

·       Councillor Mitchell

Minute 143 (Motion: Investigation into SEND Provision) – Non-pecuniary interest: Daughter has previously received SEND services;

·       Councillor Jones

Minute 143 (Motion: Investigation into SEND Provision) – Non-pecuniary interest: Parent of children with SEND.

(i) Investigation into SEND provision

That this Council resolves: to undertake an independent investigation into SEND provision provided by the Council and the Children with Disabilities Team

(ii) Car Parking Charges

That this Council: resolves: to reverse the current car parking charges to pre 1st April 2021 levels but still retaining the current pilot of the Southend Pass

(iii) Better Queensway

That this Council resolves: to re-enter discussions with Swan Housing to reverse the decision to close the Queensway road underpass

The Worshipful the Mayor had agreed to call this Council meeting following a requisition by 5 Councillors, pursuant to Section 3 of Schedule 12 of the Local Government Act 1972, to consider the three matters referred to in the requisition and the associated motions.

The Worshipful the Mayor was satisfied that these matters were legitimate subjects for the Council to debate.

(a) Motion: Investigation into SEND Provision

The Council has before it a motion calling on the Council to undertake an independent investigation into SEND provision provided by the Council and the Children with Disabilities Team.

The Worshipful the Mayor drew attention to the SEND review scoping document which had been agreed with the Cabinet Member for Children and Learning and the shadow Cabinet Member.

Resolved:

That, in accordance with Standing Order 8.4, the following Motion, subject to the amendment in italics, be referred to the Cabinet:

‘To undertake an independent investigation into SEND provision provided by the Council and the Children with Disabilities Team based on the SEND Review scoping document discussed with the groups on the Council and agreed between the Executive Councillor for Children and Learning and the Shadow Cabinet Member, to be circulated to all Councillors after this meeting.’

(b) Motion: Car Parking Charges

The Council has before it a motion calling on the Council to reverse the current car parking charges to pre 1^st April 2021 levels but still retaining the current pilot of the Southend Pass.

During consideration of the matter a motion was moved and seconded to refer the matter to Cabinet.

The motion to refer the matter to Cabinet was not carried.

(c) Motion: Better Queensway

The Council has before it a motion calling on the Council to re-enter discussions with Swan Housing to reverse the decision to close the Queensway Road underpass.

During consideration of the matter a motion was moved and seconded to refer the matter to Cabinet.

The motion to refer the matter to Cabinet was not carried.