The Chair welcomed everybody to the meeting and reminded everyone present of the standards conduct, behaviour and communication expected to be shown at the meeting.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Berry (no substitute), Davidson (substitute: Councillor Cox) and Woodley (no substitute).

The following interests were declared at the meeting:

(i) Councillors George, Mulroney and Wakefield (Cabinet Members) - Interest in the items referred direct; attended pursuant to the dispensation agreed at Council on 19 July 2012, under S.33 of the Localism Act 2011; and

(ii) Councillor Borton – Minute No. 756 (Air Quality Action Plan 2023-2027) – Lars Davidson, who was mentioned in Schedule 2 of Appendix 2, was known to her as a member of the Labour Party.

The Committee noted the responses from the Cabinet Member for Environment, Culture and Tourism to two questions from Mr Grubb and a question from Mr Webb.  The Committee also noted the response for the Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Parking to a question from Mr Webb.  As neither of the questioners were present at the meeting, copies of the written responses were sent to them.

Resolved:-

That the Minutes of the meeting held on Monday, 30^th January 2023 be received, confirmed as a correct record and signed.

Minute No. 722 (Cabinet Book 2, Agenda Item No. 12 refers)

Called-in By Councillors Cowdrey & Woodley

The Leader and Cabinet Member for Environment, Culture and Tourism, withdrew this item to enable the Council’s Environment, Culture and Tourism Working Party to consider issues raised in respect of the draft Air Quality Management Plan 2023-2027.  The matter would be reported to a future or special meeting of the Cabinet and Place Scrutiny Committee in due course.

Minute No. 723 (Cabinet Book 2, Agenda Item No. 13)

Called-in by Councillors Cowdrey and Woodley

The Committee considered Minute No. 723 of Cabinet held on 21^st February 2023, which had been call-in for scrutiny, together with the joint report of the Executive Director (Neighbourhoods and Environment) and Executive Director (Growth and Housing). This sought agreement to the expenditure of up to £1million from the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Main Fund on enhancing cycle infrastructure within the city.

The Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Parking gave his assurances that the missing link from Shoebury Common to the Garrison would be investigated under phase 1 of the scheme and that any detailed proposals for improvements/additions to the cycle route network, including the proposed cycle route along the central reservation of Prittlewell Chase, Kennilworth Gardens and Blenheim Chase from Fairfax Drive to Belfairs Park, would be submitted to the Council’s Traffic Regulation Working Party and Cabinet Committee for consideration.

Resolved:-

That the following recommendation of Cabinet be noted:

Note: This is a Council Function

Cabinet Members: Cllr Wakefield and Mulroney

Minute No. 706 (Cabinet Committee Agenda Item No. 5 refers)

Called-in by Councillors Cowdrey and Woodley

The Committee considered Minute No. 706 of Cabinet Committee held on 20^th February 2023, which had been called-in to scrutiny, together with the report of the Executive Director (Neighbourhoods and the Environment) that sought approval of the commencement of consultation and implementation of the relevant traffic regulation orders in respect of the junction at Blatches Chase with Whitehouse Road.  This would be included in the junction protection project schemes across the City.  This matter had been referred to the Traffic Regulations Working Party and Cabinet Committee for determination as it crosses the boundary the two wards of Eastwood Park ward and St Laurence.

Resolved:

That the following decisions of Cabinet Committee be noted:

“1. That the Executive Director (Neighbourhoods & Environment) or Head of Traffic Management and Highways Network be authorised to undertake the statutory consultation and prepare the requisite traffic regulation order(s) for the introduction of the waiting restrictions for the proposed junction protection measures set out in the submitted report and, subject to there being no objections following statutory advertisement to confirm the appropriate traffic regulation order and implement the restrictions.

2. That, in the event any objections are received in response to the statutory consultation, the matter be referred to the Traffic Regulations Working Party and Cabinet Committee for determination.”

Note: This is an Executive function

Cabinet Member: Councillor Wakefield

Minute No. 707 (Cabinet Committee Agenda Item No. 6 refers)

Called-in by Councillors Cowdrey and Woodley

The Committee considered Minute No. 707 of Cabinet Committee held on 20^th February 2023, which had been called-in to scrutiny, together with the report of the Executive Director (Neighbourhoods and Environment). This sought approval of the commencement of the statutory consultation for the relevant traffic regulation order in respect of the Ronald Hill Grove (West Leigh School Street) proposals and the implementation of the scheme should the traffic regulation order be confirmed. This matter had been referred to the Traffic Regulations Working Party and Cabinet Committee for determination as it crosses the boundary of two or more electoral Wards in the City.

Resolved:-

That the following decisions of Cabinet Committee be noted:

“1. That the Executive Director (Neighbourhoods & Environment) or Head of Traffic Management and Highways Network be authorised to undertake the statutory consultation and prepare the requisite traffic regulation order(s) for the introduction of the Ronald Hill Grove (West Leigh School Street) scheme as set out in the submitted report and, subject to there being no objections following statutory advertisement to confirm the appropriate traffic regulation order and implement the restrictions.

2. That, in the event any objections are received in response to the statutory consultation, the matter be referred to the Traffic Regulations Working Party and Cabinet Committee for determination.”

Note: This is an Executive function

Cabinet Member: Councillor Wakefield

Minute No. 709 (Cabinet Committee Agenda Item No. 8 refers)

Called-in by Councillors Cowdrey and Woodley

The Committee considered Minute No. 709 of Cabinet Committee held on 20^th February 2023, which had been called-in to scrutiny, together with the report of the Executive Director (Neighbourhoods & Environment) that presented proposals for the conversion of existing pedestrian only footways to shared use cycle track at various locations as set out in the submitted report to improve the continuity of Prittle Brook Greenway cycle track.

The report also sought approval of the commencement of the statutory consultation and implementation of the relevant traffic regulation orders to support the scheme.  This matter had been referred to the Traffic Regulations Working Party and Cabinet Committee for determination as it crosses the boundary of two or more electoral Wards in the City.

The Committee noted the assurances that had been given by the Council’s Head of Traffic Management and Highways Network:

(i)  that the final designs and details of the widths of the shared use cycleway/footway would be brought back to the Traffic Regulations Working Party and Cabinet Committee prior to the statutory advertisement of any proposals; and

(ii) to investigate the possibility of providing appropriate markings on the pavement to advise pedestrians of the potential of cyclists as part of the improvements.

Resolved:-

That the following decisions of Cabinet Committee be noted:

“1. That the Executive Director (Neighbourhoods & Environment) or Head of Traffic Management and Highways Network be authorised to undertake the statutory consultation and prepare the requisite traffic regulation order(s) to support the improvements of the continuity of Prittle Brook Greenway cycle track scheme as set out in the submitted report and, subject to there being no objections following statutory advertisement to confirm the appropriate traffic regulation order and implement the restrictions.

2. That, in the event any objections are received in response to the statutory consultation, the matter be referred to the Traffic Regulations Working Party and Cabinet Committee for determination.”

Note: This is an Executive function

Cabinet Member: Councillor Wakefield

The Committee noted an oral update on the progress that had been made in respect of the in-depth scrutiny project entitled “Preparing Southend for the EV Revolution.”

Resolved:-

That the report be noted.

This is a Scrutiny function.