Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Berry, Moyies, Mulroney, Murphy, Stafford and Terry.

The following declarations of interest were made:

(a) Cllr Buck – Minute 37 (Notice of Motion: Sheltered Housing) – Council appointed member to the South Essex Homes Board.

(b) Cllr Line – Minute 36 (Notice of Motion: Proportional Representation) – He is a member and involved in the Labour for a New Democracy, Labour Campaign for Electoral Reform, Make Votes matter and the Electoral Reform Society.

(a) Mayor’s Introduction

Prior to the consideration of the matters set out in the agenda, the Mayor outlined his expectations of the standard of conduct and behaviour to be shown at the meeting.

(b) Minute Silence

The Council remained silent for one minute as a mark of respect to Mr Grant Littler, former Councillor, who sadly passed away recenty.

(c) Youth Mayor and Deputy Youth Mayor

The Mayor presented the badge of office to the new Youth Mayor, Jocelyn Ayo and the Deputy Youth Mayor, Josh Hosking. 

The Youth Mayor and Deputy Youth Mayor provided a short presentation on the Youth Council work programme for the next six months.

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

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

Resolved:

That the Minutes of the Meeting held on Thursday, 11 May 2023 be confirmed as a correct record and signed.

Resolved:

That the Minutes of the Extraordinary Meeting held on Thursday, 18 May 2023 be confirmed as a correct record and signed.

Resolved:

That the Minutes of the meeting held on Thursday, 18 May 2023 be confirmed as a correct record and signed.

The Leader of the Council addressed the Council and provided a brief overview of the work of the Cabinet.  The Group Leaders and Councillors Aylen and Longstaff responded.

Councillor Beggs presented a petition signed by 193 residents calling on the Council to install a zebra crossing on Royston Avenue by the gates of Temple Sutton Primary School.

Resolved:

That in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 19.7 the petition be referred to the Cabinet Committee for consideration.

Resolved:

That the Notice of Motion concerning transition planning for children and young people be referred to Cabinet for consideration.

Resolved:

That the Notice of Motion concerning proportional representation be not adopted.

Resolved:

That the Notice of Motion concerning sheltered housing, be referred to Cabinet for consideration.

Resolved:

That the Notice of Motion concerning idling of vehicles around schools, be referred to Cabinet for consideration.

Report of Executive Director (Finance and Resources) to follow

The Council considered a report of the Executive Director (Finance and Resources) seeking approval for some amendments to the Constitution.

Resolved:

1. That the update to the Constitution which deletes the words “although no individual Cabinet Member shall have executive powers” from Part 3, Paragraph 3.2, be approved.

2. That the update to the Constitution, under Part 3, Schedule 2, paragraph 6.5.3, which updates senior officer job titles and the added words ‘Power to approve Ex Gratia Payments, including retirement and business efficiency, with respect to the Head of Paid Service, Executive Directors and Directors’, be approved.

3. That an amendment to the Pay Policy Statement at Section 7 to include a new paragraph d. ‘Ex Gratia Payments.  Ex Gratia Payments must be agreed in advance by the Council’s Appointments and Disciplinary Committee’, be approved.

Minutes of Special Place Scrutiny Committee held 4^th April 2023

The Leader of the Council reported that this matter would be dealt with at the Cabinet meeting on Tuesday 18^th July 2023.

There were no changes to Committees, etc to report at this meeting.