Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Cox, Longstaff, Nelson and Ward.

There were no declarations of interest at this meeting.

(a) Councillor Chris Webster

The Mayor welcomed Councillor Chris Webster who was elected as a Kursaal ward councillor in the recent by-election.

(b) Officer Awards/Recognition

The Mayor presented certificates of recognition to Kirsty Horseman for her work to secure the Knife Angel coming to Southend-on-Sea and Gemma Robinson for her contribution to the Community Safety Unit and the introduction of the Transport Safety Officer programme.

Resolved:

That the minutes of the Extraordinary Council meeting held Thursday, 21 March 2024, be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

Resolved:

That the minutes of the Council meeting held Thursday, 21 March 2024, be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

Resolved:

That the minutes of the Annual Council meeting held Thursday, 9 May 2024, be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

Resolved:

That the minutes of the Extraordinary Council meeting held Monday, 20 May 2024, be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

Resolved:

That the minutes of the Council meeting held Monday, 20 May 2024, be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

Resolved:

That the minutes of the Special Council meeting held Thursday, 13 June 2024 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

Resolved:

That the minutes of the Extraordinary Council meeting held Thursday, 13 June 2024, be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

Resolved:

That the minutes of the adjourned Special Council meeting held Thursday, 13 June 2024 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

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

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

The Leader of the Council addressed the Council and provided a brief overview of the work of Ca binet.  Councillors Moyies, Aylen and Murphy responded.

In accordance with Standing Order 15, a Notice of Motion concerning a tree for every child was submitted by Councillor Dear and seconded by Councillor Moyies.

During consideration of this matter an amendment was proposed by Councillor Hyde and seconded by Councillor Mulroney and accepted by Councillor Dear.

Resolved:

That the Notice of Motion concerning a tree for every child, as amended below, be referred to the Cabinet for consideration:

‘A Tree For Every Child Registered at Southend Council

Trees have a variety of positive impacts on our City. They can lower the temperature

of city streets during extreme heat, increase flood defence, enable good mental

health, reduce our Carbon footprint, and of course improve the street scene of our City.

However, for many years the City appears to have lost more trees than it has been

able to plant and the ‘2 for 1’ policy has historically been difficult to implement. This

has meant that residents often feel that trees are not being replaced. Trees are often seen as a celebration of life and so the feeling from residents that their number is decreasing often brings distress.

This Council therefore resolves:

1. To offer to plant a tree for every childbirth registered at Southend-on-Sea City Council, in areas of the city designated for this purpose, details of which can be provided to parents.
2. To offer to plant a tree to every resident receiving their British Citizenship at Southend-on-Sea City Council with an appropriate accompanying letter to symbolise their putting down roots in our city.’

In accordance with Standing Order 15, a Notice of Motion concerning the Kursaal building was submitted by Councillor McMahon and seconded by Councillor Garston.

During consideration of this matter an amendment was proposed by Councillor Dent and seconded by Councillor Gilbert.

Resolved:

That the Notice of Motion concerning the Kursaal building, as amended below, be referred to the Cabinet for consideration:

‘Kursaal Building

The iconic nature of the Kursaal on the seafront and its current situation, means it is understandably the subject of current speculation and discussion.

The future of the listed building has been in doubt for some time following the closure of the bowling alley and leisure area.

Since its closure, the building has fallen into a sate of disrepair. The lease arrangements entered into with the current owners require the outside of the building to be maintained.

This Council therefore resolves:

1. To publicise to the current owners to maintain the outside of the building that the council will take swift enforcement action if the interior and exterior of the building is not properly maintained.
2. To continue to work towards the reopening of the Kursaal and a sustainable future for the building, as outlined in the joint administration agreement published on 21^st May 2024.’

The Notice of Motion concerning Norton Place was withdrawn.

In accordance with Standing Order 15, a Notice of Motion concerning the seafront parking charges parking displacement was submitted by Councillor Davidson and seconded by Councillor Buck.

During consideration of this matter an amendment was proposed by Councillor Cowan and seconded by Councillor Ferguson and accepted by Councillor ******.

Resolved:

That the Notice of Motion concerning the seafront parking charges parking displacement, as amended below, be referred to the Cabinet for consideration:

‘Seafront Parking Charges Parking Displacement

Parking for residents on the Woodgrange Estate is in short supply where in the evenings, residents have to park on the double yellow lines in the estate.

Visitors to the seafront use the estate to park their vehicles to avoid the sky high parking charges. This will only get worse now charging will be up to 9pm.

When charging on the seafront was previously up to 9pm, residents were facing enforcement action on the Woodgrange Estate up until 9pm when there was a lack of spaces.

With the sky-high parking charges and the re-introduction of the 6-9pm parking charges

This Council therefore resolves:

Review parking and yellow line arrangements on the Woodgrange Estate, in consultation with residents and Estuary Housing, with a view to improving parking provision for residents and ensuring enforcement is appropriate and proportionate to prioritise parking for residents of the estate.’

In accordance with Standing Order 15, a Notice of Motion concerning a ban on face coverings in Southend High Street was submitted by Councillor Warren and seconded by Councillor Campbell.

Resolved:

That the Notice of Motion concerning a ban on face coverings in Southend High Street be not adopted.

On consideration of the Notice of Motion Southend-on-Sea City Council Planning Applications the Leader of the Council undertook to:

-       Ensure that the constitutional review includes consideration of the process for dealing with the Council’s own planning applications.

-       To raise with Executive Directors the need to ensure that consultation on the Council’s own planning applications takes place with the relevant ward councillors before proposals are taken forward.

The Notice of Motion concerning Southend-on-Sea Council planning applications was therefore withdrawn.

Resolved:

That the following changes to the appointments to Committees, be noted:

Policy and Resources Scrutiny Committee

Cllr Chris Webster to replace Cllr Cheryl Nevin.

Cllr Tony Cox to replace Cllr Faye Evans.

Appeals Committee B

Cllr Chris Webster to replace Cllr Donna Richardson

Development Control Committee

Cllr Chris Webster to replace Cllr Matt Dent

Standards Committee

Cllr Mandy O’Connor to replace Cllr Sam Allen.