Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Murphy.

The following declarations of interest were made:

(a) Cllr Buck – Minute 112 (Budget Proposals) – Member of Belfairs Golf Club.

(b) Cllr Buckley – Minute 112 (Budget Proposals) – partner is a Leigh Town Council member.

(c) Cllr Ann Jones – Minute 112 (Budget Proposals) – family member is a Counicl employee.

(d) Cllr Lamb – Minute 112 (Budget Proposals) – Chair of Essex Fisheries.

(e) Cllr Mulroney – MInute 112 (Budget Proposals) – Member of Leigh Town Council.

There were no communications from the Mayor.

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

The relevant Cabinet Member responded to written and supplementawry questions received from Councillors.

Report of Executive Director (Finance and Resources)

The Council considered a report of the Executive Director (Finance and Resources) presenting the Cabinet's revenue budget and Council Tax level for 2024/25 financial year and a Capital Investment Programme for 2023/24 to 2028/29, including the associated Prudential Indicators and Treasury Management arrangements, together with the Minutes 93 to 95 of Cabinet held 13^th February 2024.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 23.12 Councillor Cowan, had submitted one amendment to the Budget, which was circulated to all Councillors prior to the meeting and tabled this evening (the amendment was also added as a supplementary document on the website).

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

For the Budget Amendment:

Cllrs Berry, Borton, Burton, Collins, Cowan, Cowdrey, Dent, George, Gilbert, Hyde, A Jones, Leroy, Line, Longstaff, McMullan, Mulroney, Nevin, O’Connor, Richardson, Robinson, Sadza, Stafford, Terry, Wakefield, Ward, Wexham and Woodley (27)

Against the budget amendment:

Cllrs Aylen, Beggs, Boyd, Buck, Buckley, Campbell, Cartey, Courtenay, Cox, Davidson, Dear, Evans, Folkard, Garston, Harland, Jarvis, D Jones, Lamb, Moyies, Nelson, Walker and Warren (22)

Abstentions:

Cllr Habermel (Mayor) (1)

Absent

Cllr Murphy (1)

The amendment to the budget was carried.

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

For the (amended) budget:

Cllrs Berry, Borton, Burton, Collins, Cowan, Cowdrey, Dent, George, Gilbert, Hyde, A Jones, Leroy, Line, Longstaff, McMullan, Mulroney, Nevin, O’Connor, Richardson, Robinson, Sadza, Stafford, Terry, Wakefield, Ward, Wexham and Woodley (27)

Against the (amended) budget:

Cllrs Aylen, Beggs, Boyd, Buck, Buckley, Campbell, Cartey, Courtenay, Cox, Davidson, Dear, Evans, Folkard, Garston, Harland, Jarvis, D Jones, Lamb, Moyies, Nelson, Walker and Warren (22)

Abstentions:

Cllr Habermel (Mayor) (1)

Absent:

Cllr Murphy (1)

The Council Budget 2024/25 proposals as amended were carried, as set out as follows:

Resolved:

1. That the Section 151 Officer’s statement on the robustness of the proposed budget (including the amendment) , the adequacy of the Council’s reserves and the Council’s Reserves Strategy, be approved.

2. That a 2024/25 revenue budget (as amended), be approved:

·       A Council Tax increase of 4.99% for the Southend-on-Sea element of the Council Tax for 2024/25, being 2.99% for general use and 2.0% for Adult Social Care.

·       The use of £1 million of the collection fund surplus for the 2024/25 budget.

·       Note the increase in the Council Tax level of 2.91% for the precepting authority the Essex Fire and Rescue Services.

·       Note the increase in the Council Tax level of 5.55% for the precepting authority the Essex Police.

·       Note the increase in the Council Tax level of 2.31% for Leigh-on-Sea Town Council.

3. That the final levy position for 2024/25, be approved.

4. That the Capital Investment Programme for 2023/24 to 2028/29 (as amended), be approved.

5. That the recommendations from Cabinet held 13^th February 2024 for the HRA and associated rent levels, service charges and heating charges, Treasury Management and Prudential Indicators,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 112.

Report of Executive Director (Strategy and Change)

The Council considered a report of the Executive Director (Strategy and Change) presenting the Pay Policy Statement for 2024/25 in the context of the Council’s overall Reward Strategy.

Resolved:

That the Pay Policy Statement for 2024/25, be approved.