Apologies for absence were received from Councillors P Collins (no substitute) and M Terry (sustitute: Councillor S Wakefireld).

No interests were declared at the meeting.

The Committee received a report of the Executive Director (Strategy & Change) that presented the first drafts of Part 5 (Overview and Scrutiny) and Part 6 (Councillors) of the proposed new constitution for Southend-on-Sea City Council. These were attached at Appendices B & C to the submitted report.

The Committee debated and reviewed the provisions presented by Officers and suggested a number of amendments which were duly noted. The amended draft of these parts would be submitted for the Committee’s approval at its meeting on 12 November 2024, together with the initial draft of Part 7 (Officers). The amended drafts of Parts 3 and 4 would be submitted for further consideration and agreement by the Committee at its next meeting to be held on 22 October 2024.

Resolved:-

1. That the amended timeline for the Work Programme, as agreed by the Chair and attached as Appendix A to the submitted report be noted.

2. That it be noted that the summary of suggested drafting amendments made by Committee (with annotations from our external advisors, Anthony Collins) its meeting on 7 October was not ready in time for publication of this report and will be circulated to Members of the Committee and published with the repot for its meeting on 22 October.

3. That, subject to the comments made at the meeting, the first draft of Part 5 (Overview and Scrutiny) of a new proposed Constitution for Southend-on-Sea City Council as set out in Appendix B to the submitted report be noted and that officers make the appropriate amendments and/or additions based on those comments for approval at the meeting of the Committee taking place on 12 November 2024.

4.  That, subject to the comments made at the meeting, the first draft of Part 6 (Councillors) of a new proposed constitution for Southend-on-Sea City Council as set out in Appendix C to this report to the submitted report be noted and that officers make the appropriate amendments and/or additions based on those comments for approval at the meeting of the Committee taking place on 12 November 2024.

5.  That officers bring the amended drafts of Parts 3 and 4 of the Work Programme for further consideration and agreement by Committee to its next meeting to be held on 22 October 2024.