There were no apologies for absence.

The following interests were declared at the meeting:

(a)  Councillor Bright – Agenda Item No. 8 (In-depth Scrutiny Project - Re-imagining the Town Centre in the context of the vision for Southend 2050 - Draft Final Report) – Non-pecuniary interest: Lives in High Street, Southend;

(b)  Councillor Burzotta – Agenda Item No. 8 (In-depth Scrutiny Project - Re-imagining the Town Centre in the context of the vision for Southend 2050 - Draft Final Report) – Non-pecuniary interest: Family business interest in the Borough;

(c)  Councillor Dent – Agenda Item No. 7 (Southend Energy Partnership) – Pecuniary interest: Customer of Southend Energy Company; and

(d)  Councillor Terry – Agenda Item No. 7 (Southend Energy Partnership) – Non-pecuniary interest: Son works for an energy broker.

In the absence of the questioner, the Scrutiny Committee noted the written response to a question from Mr Grubb to the Cabinet Member for Growth.

Resolved: That the Minutes of the meeting held on Monday, 28^th January 2019 be received, confirmed as a correct record and signed.

Resolved:  That the Minutes of the special meeting held on Wednesday, 13^th February 2019 be received, confirmed as a correct record and signed.

Called in by Councillors R Woodley and M Terry

Members are reminded to bring with them the most recent MPR for period end January 2019 circulated recently.

Comments/questions should be made at the appropriate Scrutiny Committee relevant to the subject matter.

The Committee considered Minute 779 of Cabinet held on 12^th March 2019, which had been referred direct by Cabinet to all three Scrutiny Committees together with the Monthly Performance Report covering the period to end February 2019, which had recently been circulated.

Resolved:- That the report be noted.

Note:- This is an Executive Function.

Executive Councillor:- As appropriate to the item.

Minute 774 (Cabinet Book 1, Agenda Item No.9 refers)

Called-in by Councillors Dent, Jones, Terry and Woodley

The Committee considered Minute 774 of Cabinet held on 12^th March 2019, which had been called-in for Scrutiny, together with the report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) which sought approval to transfer the contract for the operation of Southend Energy from OVO Energy Ltd to Robin Hood Energy.

Resolved:  That the following decision of Cabinet be noted:

“That the transfer of the contract to operate Southend Energy from OVO Energy Ltd to a new 5 year contract with Robin Hood Energy, subject to agreeing suitable commercial terms, be approved.”

Note: This is an Executive Function

Cabinet Member: Cllr Flewitt

The Committee considered a report by the Strategic Director (Legal & Democratic Services) which sought formal approval to the draft final report and recommendations from the joint in-depth scrutiny project with the Policy & Resources Scrutiny Committee for 2018/19 entitled ‘Re-Imagining the Town Centre, in the Context of the Vision for Southend 2050’.

Resolved:-

1.  That the report and conclusions from the in depth scrutiny project, detailed at Section 1 of the submitted report be agreed.

2.  That in accordance with Scrutiny Procedure Rule 10 (part 4 (e) of the Constitution), to agree that the Chairman of the Project Team present the report to a future meeting of Cabinet.

3.  That the Members and Officers involved with the study be thanked for their hard work.

Note:  This is a Scrutiny Committee.

The Committee thanked the Chairman for the able way in which he had conducted the meetings of the last Municipal Year.  The Chairman thanked the Committee for their contributions and hard work.