Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Campbell, Murphy and Wexham.

The following declarations of interest were made:

(a) Councillor George – Minute 24 (Notice of Motion – Better Queensway) – Brother-in-law sits on the Board of Sanctuary.

(b) Councillor Sadza – Minute 24 (Notice of Motion – Better Queensway) – Is a member of Acorn Community Union.

Notice of Motion attached

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 a Notice of Motion concerning Better Queensway.

During consideration of the matter an amended Notice of Motion was proposed by Councillor Nelson and Councillor Gilbert and seconded by all Group Leaders.  Councillors present at the meeting unanimously supported the amended Motion.

Resolved:

That the following amended Notice of Motion be referred to the Cabinet for consideration:

‘The Better Queensway Project is an investment in the future of our city that aims to create good quality housing and regeneration of the Queensway area and demonstrates this Council’s ambition for the future of our city.

Whilst the Council has planning permissions in place for the project, we acknowledge that there have been well documented issues with regards to Swan Housing who are now subsidiaries of the Sanctuary Group as well as the wider problems in the economy which have increased building costs in the construction sector.

Therefore, Southend-on-Sea City Council resolves to:

1.    Recognise that the Better Queensway Project aims to deliver better quality housing for those living in and around Queensway, and those families on the Council Housing Waiting list.

2.    Work to improve the living standards of those currently living on the Queensway estate to ensure they have a decent standard of living and make the best temporary use of vacant units whilst the scheme is developing.

3.    Regenerates the Queensway area and demonstrates the ambition for the future of our city.

4.    Acknowledge that there is currently a hybrid planning permission which has outline planning permission for a housing scheme and full planning permission for a road network scheme has been agreed as acceptable to the Council.

5.    Do everything possible to deliver a financially viable Better Queensway scheme that increases genuinely affordable housing and honours promises made to residents.’