Apologies for absence were received from Councillors K Robinson (no substitute), J Courtenay (substitute: Councillor O Cartey) and M Terry (substitute: Councillor S Wakefield).

No interests were declared at the meeting.

Resolved:-

That the Minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 16^th July 2024 be confirmed as a correct record and signed.

Resolved:-

That the Minutes of the Meeting held on Wednesday, 31^st July 2024 be confirmed as a correct record and signed.

The Committee received a report of the Executive Director (Strategy & Change) that presented the comments from the Committee and the amendments and adjustments to Part 1 (Summary and Explanation and Public Participation) and Part 2 (The Council)of the proposed new Constitution for Southend on Sea City Council.  Copies of these were attached to the submitted report at Appendices A, B and C.

The report also presented the first draft of Part 2 (Budget & Policy Framework Procedure Rules), which had been deferred from the last meeting, together with the first drafts of Part 3 (Committees) and Part 4 (The Executive). Copies of these were attached to the submitted report at Appendices D, E and F.

The Committee noted comments had been received via email from Councillor Courtenay in respect of Part 1 (Summary and Explanation and Public Participation) and Part 2 (The Council) following the last meeting. The Committee discussed and reviewed these sections and suggested some further amendments.

The Committee also discussed and noted the comments of the Executive Director (Finance & Resources and S.151 Officer in respect of the first draft Part 2 (Budget & Policy Framework Procedure Rules), attached at Appendix D to the submitted report.

Consideration of the first drafts of Part 3 (Committees) and Part 4 (The Executive) attached to the submitted report at Appendices E and F were, however, deferred until the next meeting of the Committee taking place on 7^th October 2024.

The Leader of the Council gave his assurance that he would discuss the amendments and adjustments to Part 1 (Summary and Explanation and Public Participation) and Part 2 (The Council) with the Monitoring Officer and Claire Ward of Anthony Collins.  He also gave an undertaking to ensure that the documents be circulated to the Committee at a reasonable time in advance of the next meeting and the this would include a version showing the tracked changes, where appropriate, and a clean amended version.

The Committee was reminded that comments on Appendices E & F were required by 30^th September at the latest so that they may be considered at the meeting on 7^th October.

Resolved:-

1. That the summary of suggested drafting amendments made by the Committee at its meeting on 31 July and attached as Appendix A be noted.

2. That, subject to the further comments made at the meeting, the first draft Part 1 (Summary and Explanation and Public Participation) 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 any amendments and/or additions as appropriate based on those comments for approval at the next meeting.

3. That, subject to the comments made at the meeting, the first draft Part 2 (The Council) of a new proposed constitution for Southend-on-Sea City Council as set out in Appendix C to the submitted report be noted and that officers make any amendments and/or additions as appropriate based on those comments for approval at the next meeting.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.