Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Berry, Buck and Harland.

The following declarations of interest were made:

(a) Cllr Borton – Minute 122 (Budget Proposals 2025/26-2029/30) – South Essex Homes Board Member.

(b) Cllr Garston – Minute 122 (Budget Proposals 2025/26-2029/30) – son is a Member of Leigh Town Council.

(c) Cllr Gilbert – Minute 122 (Budget Proposals 2025/26 – 2029/30) – works for Member of Parliament.

(d) Cllr A Jones – Minute 122 (Budget Proposals 2025/26 – 2029/30) – South Essex Homes Board Member.

(e) Cllr Kinsella – Minute 122 (Budget Proposals 2025/26 – 2029/30) – relative employed by the Council.

(f) Cllr Norman – Minute 122 (Budget Proposals 2025/26-2029/30) – South Essex Homes Board Member.

(g) Cllr Mulroney – Minute 122 (Budget Proposals 2025/26-2029/30) – Member of Leigh Town Council.

(h) Cllr Wakefield – Minute 122 (Budget Proposals 2025/26-2029/30) – sub-contractor for South Essex Homes.

(i) Cllr Faulkner-Hatt – Minute 122 (Budget Proposals 2025/26-2029/30) – Relative employed by the Council and works for a charity supporting children and families with additional needs.

(j) All officers present – Minute 123 (Pay Policy Statement 2025/26)

Departure of Colin Gamble – Head of Democratic Services

The Mayor informed Councillors that Colin Gamble, Head of Democratic Services would be leaving the Council shortly and this was his last Full Council meeting. 

On behalf of the Council, The Mayor expressed his appreciation and thanks to Mr Gamble for his sterling work and excellent service and wished him all the very best for the future.

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

The relevant Cabinet Member responded to a written and supplementary question received from Councillor Longstaff.

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 2025/26 financial year and a Capital Investment Programme for 2025/26 to 2029/30, including the associated Prudential Indicators and Treasury Management arrangements, together with Minutes 90 to 92 of Cabinet held 11 February 2025.

In accordance with Standing Order 3.21 four amendments had been submitted to the Budget, which were circulated to all Councillors prior to the meeting and table this evening (the amendments were also added as a supplementary document on the Council’s website).

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

Budget Amendment 1:

For amendment 1:

Cllrs Stuart Allen, Campbell, Cartey, Courtenay, Cox, Davidson, Dear, Evans, Folkard, Garston, Habermel, D Jones, Longstaff, McMahon, Moyies, Murphy, Nelson, Salter and Warren (19).

Against amendment 1:

Cllrs Sam Allen, Aylen, Badger, Borton, Burton, Collins, Cowan, Dent, Faulkner-Hatt, Ferguson, Gilbert, Hyde, A Jones, Kinsella, Webster, McMullan, Mulroney, Nadeem, Nevin, Norman, O’Connor, Poulton, Richardson, Robinson, Sadza, Terry, Wakefield and Ward (28)

Abstentions

Cllr Woodley (1)

Budget amendment 1 was not carried.

Budget Amendment 2:

For amendment 2:

Cllrs Aylen, Campbell, Cartey, Courtenay, Cox, Davidson, Dear, Evans, Folkard, Habermel, D Jones, McMahon, Moyies, Murphy, Nelson, Salter, Warren (17)

Against Amendment 2:

Cllr Sam Allen, Stuart Allen, Badger, Borton, Burton, Collins, Cowan, Dent, Faulkner-Hatt, Ferguson, Garston, Gilbert, Hyde, A Jones, Kinsella, Webster, McMullan, Mulroney, Nadeem, Nevin, Norman, O’Connor, Poulton, Richardson, Robinson, Sadza, Terry, Wakefield, Ward (29).

Abstentions:

Cllr Longstaff and Cllr Woodley (2).

The budget amendment 2 was not carried.

Budget Amendment 3:

For amendment 3:

Cllrs Aylen, Campbell, Cartey, Cox, Evans, Garston, D Jones, McMahon, Moyies, Nelson, Warren (11).

Against amendment 3:

Cllrs Sam Allen, Stuart Allen, Badger, Borton, Burton, Collins, Courtenay, Cowan, Davidson, Dear, Dent, Faulkner-Hatt, Ferguson, Folkard, Gilbert, Habermel, Hyde, A Jones, Kinsella, Webster, Longstaff, McMullan, Mulroney, Murphy, Nadeem, Nevin, Norman, O’Connor, Poulton, Richardson, Robinson, Sadza, Salter, Terry, Wakefield, Ward (36).

Abstentions:

Cllr Woodley (1).

Budget amendment 3 was not carried.

Budget Amendment 4:

For amendment 4:

Cllrs Aylen, Cartey, Courtenay, Cox, Davidson, Dear, Evans, Folkard, Garston, Habermel, D Jones, McMahon, Moyies, Nelson, Salter, Warren (16).

Against amendment 4:

Cllrs Sam Allen, Stuart Allen, Badger, Borton, Burton, Campbell, Collins, Cowan, Dent, Faulkner-Hatt, Ferguson, Gilbert, Hyde, A Jones, Kinsella, Webster, Longstaff, McMullan, Mulroney, Nadeem, Nevin, Norman, O’Connor, Poulton, Richardson, Robinson, Sadza, Terry, Wakefield, Ward (30).

Abstentions:

Cllrs Murphy and Woodley (2).

Budget amendment 4 was not carried.

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

For the Budget Proposals:

Cllrs Sam Allen, Aylen, Badger, Borton, Burton, Cowan, Dent, Evans, Faulkner-Hatt, Ferguson, Gilbert, Hyde, A Jones, Kinsella, Webster, McMullan, Mulroney, Nadeem, Nevin, Norman, O’Connor, Poulton, Richardson, Robinson, Sadza, Terry, Wakefield, Ward (29).

Against the budget proposals:

Cllrs Campbell, Cartey, Courtenay, Cox, Davidson, Dear, Folkard, Garston, Habermel, D Jones, McMahon, Moyies, Murphy, Nelson, Salter, Warren  ...  view the full minutes text for item 122.

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 2025/26 in the context of the Council’s overall Reward Strategy.

Resolved:

That the Pay Policy Statement for 2025/26, be approved.