There were no apologies for absence.

The following interests were declared at the meeting:

(i) Cllr Hyde – Minute No. 6 (Site Known as ‘Land between Barge Pier Road and Ness Road’ – Vehicle Movements) – Primary employer is with the Lighthouse Authority which deals with any matters relating to planning and building within waterways;

(ii) Cllr A Jones – Minute No. 6 (Site Known as ‘Land between Barge Pier Road and Ness Road’ – Vehicle Movements) – Son’s employer was mentioned in the debate;

(iii) Cllr Woodley – Minute No. 6 (Site Known as ‘Land between Barge Pier Road and Ness Road’ – Vehicle Movements) – Raised the petition requesting the Council consider alternative options; and

(iv) Cllrs Berry, Buck, Dear, Evans, Dent, Garston, A Jones, Mulroney, Walker & Woodley – Minute No. 6 (Site Known as ‘Land between Barge Pier Road and Ness Road’ – Vehicle Movements) – Members of the Development Control Committee which determined the application.

The Committee noted the responses from the Cabinet Member for Environment to a question from Mr Hardiman and Mr Webb. The Committee also noted the response from the Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Parking to a question from Mr Webb. Both questioners were in attendance at the meeting to put their questions in person.

Resolved:-

That the Minutes of the meeting held on Monday, 13^th March 2023 be received, confirmed as a correct record.

Resolved:-

That the Minutes of the special meeting held on Tuesday, 4^th April 2023 be received, confirmed as a correct record and signed.

Further to Minute No. 762 of the meeting of Council held on Thursday 2^nd March 2023, the Committee considered the report of the Executive Director (Neighbourhoods & Environment), by way of pre-Cabinet scrutiny, that provided an update on the options that may exist for the developer to transport the spoil in relation to the development on the land between Barge Pier Road and Ness Road, Shoeburyness by means other than the city’s road network.

The Committee discussed the report in some detail and asked a number of questions which were responded to by the Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Parking.

Whilst noting the report, the Committee requested that the following comments be forwarded to Cabinet:

·       The Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport & Parking be included in the discussions with between the Council’s Head of Civil Engineering and/or Director for Transport & Waste and the developer in respect of this matter;

·       That the issues regarding the Air Quality Management areas be included in the discussions on this matter with the developer; and

·       That a further report on the outcome of the discussions with the developer be submitted to the Committee for consideration prior to it be determined by Cabinet. This report should include the legal situation clearly setting out the legal responsibilities of the Council as Highway Authority and any liabilities the Council could face in the event that the development authorised by the planning permission already granted by the Council as Local Planning Authority becomes unviable as a result of any restrictions that may be subsequently imposed by the Council as Highway Authority.

The Leader of the Council and the Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Parking gave their assurance that this would be done.

Resolved:-

That, subject to the inclusion of the above comments, the report and to Cabinet be noted.

Note: This is an Executive function

Cabinet Member: Cllr Buck

The Committee received a report of the Executive Director (Finance & Resources) providing information on the work carried out by the scrutiny committees during the previous municipal year.

Resolved:-

1. That the Committee note the summary of the scrutiny work that it has undertaken during the 2022/23 municipal year.

2. That the completion of the in-depth scrutiny project undertaken for 2022/23, around the theme of ‘Preparing Southend for the EV Revolution’, be noted.

Note: This is a scrutiny function.