Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Berry (no substitute), Cowan (no substitute), Dent (substitute: Councillor Line), George (substitute: Councillor Berry), Ward (substitute: Councillor Harp) and Warren (substitute: Councillor Nelson.)

The following interests were declared at the meeting:

(i) Councillors Gilbert, Collins and Mulroney (Cabinet Members) – Interest in the called-in items; attended pursuant to the dispensation agreed at Council on 19th July 2012, under S.33 of the Localism Act 2011, and

(ii) Councillor Mitchell – Minute 241 (Hamlet Court Road Proposed Conservation Area) – Non-pecuniary interest: Member of Hamlet Court Road Community in Harmony.

The Committee noted the response to a question received from Mr Alan Grubb to the Cabinet Member for Environment, Culture, Tourism & Planning. A copy of the response will be sent to him as he was not present at the meeting.

Resolved:-

That the Minutes of the Meeting held on Monday, 5^th  July 2021 be received, confirmed as a correct record and signed.

Minute No. 216 (Cabinet Agenda Item No. 5 refers)

Referred direct to all three Scrutiny Committees and called-in by Councillors Cox & Davidson

The Committee considered Minute 216 of Cabinet held on Tuesday, 27th July 2021, which had been called-in and referred direct to all three scrutiny Committees for consideration.  The Committee also had before it the report of the Chief Executive presenting the annual review and refresh of Southend 2050 and set out how the Council will use the evolved Southend 2050 outcomes to drive recovery.

Resolved:-

That the following decision of Cabinet be noted:

“1. That the refresh of the Southend 2050 outcomes and high-level roadmap milestones, be endorsed.

2. That further developed work on the review and refresh of the Southend 2050 outcomes and associated roadmap milestones be presented to Cabinet in September, including the associated outcome success measures.

3. That the planned engagement over the summer and additional Special Cabinet meeting on 7th September 2021, following the Scrutiny Committees, be noted.

4. That it be noted that the Southend 2050 roadmap milestones will form part of future reports that update on Southend’s recovery journey in order for responsive developments.

5. That it be noted that the performance and measures of success and progress to achieve 2050 will continue to be reported through the Outcome Success Measures Report, reported twice a year to Cabinet.”

Note: This is an Executive Function save that approval of the final decision is a Council Function.

Cabinet Member: Cllr Gilbert

Minute 222 (Cabinet Agenda Item No. 11 refers)

Called-in by Councillors Cox and Davidson

The Committee considered Minute 222 of Cabinet held on Tuesday, 27th July 2021, which had been called-in to scrutiny, together with the report of the Executive Director (Legal and Democratic Services) presenting the final report of the In-depth Scrutiny Project – ‘To improve and increase domestic waste recycling in the Borough.’

On behalf of the Project Team that led the in-depth scrutiny project, that Chair of the Committee expressed thanks to all councillors and officers that contributed to the project.

Resolved:-

1. That the following decision of Cabinet be noted:

“1. That the report and recommendations arising from the in-depth scrutiny project, be approved.

2. That it be noted that approval of any recommendations with budget implications would require consideration as part of future years’ budget processes prior to implementation.”

2. That the officers and Councillors involved in the study be thanked for their work.

Note: This is an Executive Function

Cabinet Members: Cllr Mulroney and Cllr Terry

Minute 223 (Cabinet Agenda Item No. 12 refers)

Called-in to all three Scrutiny Committees by Councillors Cox and Davidson

The Committee considered Minute 223 of Cabinet held on Tuesday, 27th July 2021, which had been called-in to all three Scrutiny Committees for consideration, together with the report of the Chief Executive presenting the updated Corporate Risk Register summary.

Resolved:-

That the following decision of Cabinet be noted:

“That the updated Corporate Risk Register summary and the position at June 2021, outlined in Appendix 1 to the submitted report, be approved.”

Note: This is an Executive Function

Cabinet Member: Cllr Collins

Minute No. 227 (Cabinet Agenda Item No. 16 refers)

Called-in by Councillors Cox and Davidson

The Committee considered Minute 227 of Cabinet held on Tuesday, 27th July 2021, which had been called-in to scrutiny, together with the report of the Deputy Chief Executive and Executive Director (Growth and Housing) presenting the Hamlet Court Road Conservation Area Appraisal produced for the Council by independent heritage experts, Purcell, proposing that part of Hamlet Court Road (the area south of London Road and north of St Helen’s Road) for Conservation Area status, following recent public consultation.

The Committee felt that, in view of the comments received in response to the consultation and the various buildings that merited becoming locally listed status, the southern end of Hamlet Court Road should be included in the designation as Conservation Area status.

Resolved:-

1.  That the matter be referred back to Cabinet to enable the proposed inclusion of the southern end of Hamlet Court Road in the designation as Conservation Area status.

Note: This is an Executive Function

Cabinet Member: Cllr Mulroney

Minute No. 228 (Cabinet Agenda Item No. 17 refers)

Called-in by Councillors Cox and Davidson

The Committee considered Minute 229 of Cabinet held on Tuesday, 27th July 2021, which had been called-in to scrutiny, together with the report of the Executive Director (Neighbourhoods and Environment) presenting the Official Feed and Food Control Service Plan 2021/22, as required by the Food Standards Agency (FSA).

Resolved:-

That the following decision of Cabinet be noted:

Note: This is a Council Function

Cabinet Member: Cllr Terry

Minute No. 229 (Cabinet Agenda Item No. 18 refers)

Called-in by Councillors Cox & Davidson

The Committee considered Minute 228 of Cabinet held on Tuesday, 27th July 2021, which had been called-in to scrutiny, together with the report of the Deputy Chief Executive and Executive Director (Neighbourhoods and Environment) setting out proposed changes to the development control system regarding notification of third parties which would remove the right of neighbours and other interested parties to comment on planning applications when they are submitted in areas zoned for growth or renewal.

Resolved:

1. That the following decision of Cabinet be noted:

“That the motion proposed by Steven Reed MP, set out at Appendix 1 to the submitted report, be approved.”

Note: This is an Executive Function

Cabinet Member: Cllr Mulroney

Minute No. 230 (Cabinet Agenda Item No. 19 refers)

(Item No. 2 is for this Committee)

Called-in by Councillors Cox and Davidson

The Committee considered Minute 230 of Cabinet held on Tuesday, 27th July 2021, which had been called-in to scrutiny, together with the report summarising out the actions that had been taken under Council Procedure Rule 46.

Resolved:-

That the following decision of Cabinet be noted:

“That the submitted report be noted”.

Note: This is an Executive Function

Cabinet Member: as appropriate to the item

To receive an update on the progress of the joint in-depth scrutiny project for 2021/22

The Committee noted an oral update on the progress that had been made in respect of the joint in-depth Scrutiny study, entitled ‘Enabling Councillors to be Effective’.

Resolved:-

That the report be noted.

Note: This is a Scrutiny function