To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Council, held on 26 August 2015.

The Minutes of the Council, held on 26 August 2015, were approved as a correct record.

Councillor MacPherson informed the Chamber that at the July meeting she had requested an update from Councillor Okunade on Children in Care; she had not received anything.

To receive additional items that the Mayor is of the opinion should be considered as a matter of urgency, in accordance with Section 100B (4) (b) of the Local Government Act 1972.

The Mayor addressed the Chamber advising that she had agreed to the consideration of an item of urgent business, which related to the result of the by-election in West Thurrock & South Stifford.  All Members were informed that a copy of the report by the Chief Executive was e-mailed to all Members prior to the meeting and has been circulated at the meeting.

Councillor Gledhill welcomed Councillor C. Holloway to the Chamber.

Councillor C. Holloway took the opportunity to thank everyone who supported him through the election; he continued by thanking his fellow candidates.

RESOLVED:

That the result of the West Thurrock & South Stifford by-election, held on 10 September 2015, be noted.

To receive any declaration of interests from Members.

Councillor Hipsey declared a non-pecuniary interest in respect of Agenda Item 10, ‘Debate of a petition containing over 1500 verified signatures – Save Corringham Greenbelt,’ as he was the Chair of the Planning Committee and to be able to hear the application with an open mind, to be clear and transparent he would be removing himself from the Council Chamber.

Councillor G.Rice declared a non-pecuniary interest in respect of Agenda Item 10, ‘Debate of a petition containing over 1500 verified signatures – Save Corringham Greenbelt, as he was a Member of the Planning Committee and to be able to hear the application with an open mind he would be removing himself from the Council Chamber.

Councillor Ojetola declared a non-pecuniary interest in respect of Agenda Item 10, ‘Debate of a petition containing over 1500 verified signatures – Save Corringham Greenbelt, as he was a Member of the Planning Committee and to be able to hear the application with an open mind he would be removing himself from the Council Chamber.  He continued to declare a non-pecuniary interest in respect of Agenda Item 11 in that he was the Ward Member.

Councillor Johnson  declared a non-pecuniary interest in respect of Agenda Item 10, ‘Debate of a petition containing over 1500 verified signatures – Save Corringham Greenbelt, as he was a Substitute Member of the Planning Committee, he notified Members that he be removing himself from the debate however, he would not leave the Council Chamber.

Councillor C. Baker declared a non-pecuniary interest in respect of Agenda Item 10, ‘Debate of a petition containing over 1500 verified signatures – Save Corringham Greenbelt, as he was a Member of the Planning Committee and to be able to hear the application with an open mind he would be removing himself from the Council Chamber.

Councillor Liddiard declared a non-pecuniary interest in respect of Agenda Item 10 as he was a Member of the Planning Committee and to be able to hear the application with an open mind he would be removing himself from the Council Chamber.

Councillor Wheeler declared a non-pecuniary interest in respect of Agenda Item 10 as he was a Member of the Planning Committee and to be able to hear the application with an open mind he would be removing himself from the Council Chamber.

Councillor MacPherson declared a non-pecuniary interest in respect of Agenda Item 11, ‘Enterprise Units,’ as she was a Trustee of High House Production Park.

Councillor Kelly declared a non-pecuniary interest in respect of Agenda Item 10 as he was the Vice-Chair of the Planning Committee and to be able to hear the application with an open mind he would be removing himself from the Council Chamber.

Councillor J. Kent declared a non-pecuniary interest in respect of Agenda Item 11, ‘Enterprise Units,’ as he was a Trustee of High House Production Park.

Councillor Coxshall declared a non-pecuniary interest in respect of Agenda Item 11, ‘Enterprise Units,’  as he lived in close proximity of the site and that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 64.

Before the Mayor began her announcements she asked all present to take a moment and remember the fallen Thurrock service personnel during World War One, the names of whom  she read aloud to the Chamber. 

The Mayor notified the Chamber that since then last meeting she had spent time with a World War Two Bomber pilot on his 90th birthday and had the pleasure of opening a small memorial garden in Peartree close, South Ockendon. The Mayor thanked ex-Councillor Mr Charlie Curtis for his help and involvement with the Veolia Cleanaway Trust, Thurrock Garden Centre and Thurrock Council Ground Staff for their work on the memorial garden.

The Mayor announced that at the National Housing Design awards held at the London School of Economics in July, the St. Chad’s scheme was the 2015 Project Winner for architect Bell Phillips Architects, developer Gloriana (Thurrock Council), contractor Willmott Dixon Housing and planning authority Thurrock Council.

The mayor congratulated Councilor Worrall, Portfolio Holder for Housing and Council Officers for their work, in addition to our partners, for winning this prize.

Finally, the Mayor welcomed Lyn Carpenter, Chief Executive and newly elected Councillor Cliff Holloway to the Chamber this evening. She also thanked Mike Heath for all his work with the Council, as she understood that his role was to be changing.

The Leader of the Council had no announcements to address.

In accordance with Chapter 2, Part 2 (Rule 14) of the Council’s Constitution.

A copy of the transcript of questions and answers can be viewed on Mod.Gov at http://democracy.thurrock.gov.uk/thurrock, and are attached at Appendix A to these minutes.

In accordance with Chapter 2, Part 2(Rule 14) of the Council’s Constitution.

The Mayor informed Members that in accordance with the Council’s Petition Scheme, the requisite notice had been given by one member of the public and two Councillors who wished to present a petition at the meeting.

Councillor Aker presented a petition on behalf of residents of Stanford Gardens, Aveley which called on the Council to investigate the noise and pollution caused by a Persimmon Development called ‘The Village’ on the Aveley By-Pass.

Ms Gel presented a petition on behalf of residents of Argent Street, Grays which called on the Council to relook at the future of the flats, namely Davall, Greenwood and Bulter House.

Councillor Redsell presented a petition on behalf of 334 residents of Blackshots and Woodview, Grays which called on the Council to take notice of the use of motorbikes and similar vehicles on open green spaces.

Members received a report on the status of those petitions handed in at Council Meetings and Council Offices over the past six months.

Councillor Stewart addressed the Chamber, informing Members that she would be writing to the Leader of the Councillor regarding Petition 466 the 374 Bus service through Fobbing.  She continued by explaining that she would be asking the Leader for help in providing emergency transport for those residents living in Fobbing.

The Council are asked to agree any changes to the appointments made to committees and outside bodies, statutory and other panels, as requested by Group Leaders.

The Mayor enquired whether Group Leaders wished for any changes to be made to the appointments previously made to Committees and outside bodies, statutory and other panels.

The Leader of the Council informed the Chamber that he wished to make the following changes:

·         for Councillor C. Holloway to be appointed as a member of the Licensing Committee to replace Councillor Pothecary.

·         for Councillor Liddiard to join the Standards and Audit Committee

The Leader of the Conservative Group informed the Chamber that he wished to make the following change:

·         for Councillor Halden to be appointed as a member of the Health and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee

It was confirmed by the Leader of the UKIP Group that no changes to appointments were to be made.

Councillor Churchman confirmed that Councillor Palmer would remain on the Planning Committee and he would be appointed to the Licensing Committee. He continued by enquiring whether he would be allowed to substitute for Councillor Palmer on the Planning Committee, to which it was clarified that as the Independent Councillors were not a political group they were not permitted to nominate a substitute on the Committee.

RESOLVED:

1.         That Councillor C. Holloway be appointed as a member of the Licensing Committee to replace Councillor Pothecary.

2.         That Councillor Liddiard be appointed as a member of the Standards and Audit Committee.

3.         That Councillor Halden be appointed as a member of the Health and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

4.         That Councillor Churchman be appointed as a member of the Licensing Committee.

At 7.35 pm Councillors Hipsey, Kelly, C. Baker, B. Little, Liddiard, Ojetola, G. Rice and Wheeler left the Council Chamber.

The Mayor informed the Chamber that a petition had been submitted to Development Management titled ‘Save Corringham Greenbelt – we the undersigned object to any development on green belt land’ and that as the petition had reached the threshold of 1,500 verified signatures, it had qualified to be debated by the Council. 

Members were informed that the signatures had been checked and verified by Democratic Services using the electoral register.

The Mayor invited Mr. Kabul Sandu, the Lead Petitioner to speak on the petition.

During his address to the Chamber, Mr Sandu requested that the Council recommend and urge the Planning Committee to reject the applications in the Corringham greenbelt for the following reasons:

·         In additional to the petition, 600 people had emailed the Planning Department with their objections; with many dismissing point by point the case from the developer;

·         That the land had been identified as green belt land and that the national framework policy stated that local authorities should avoid inappropriate building on green belt land;

·         The infrastructure would be unable to sustain an increase in local population and overcrowding would affect the whole community, increase in traffic would have a negative impact on the boroughs highway network and local hospitals and doctors surgeries would experience an increase in pressure on their services which would lead to delays in waiting times;

·         An increase in population in the area would worsen the parking in the local area and also impact on the current lack of emergency services in place, i.e. police station;

·         The figures that the developer had taken into account were from a 2008 survey; meaning that the numbers were out of date.

Members welcomed the opportunity to debate the petition and congratulated local residents for their efforts, noting that this was the second time a petition on the subject had been debated by the Council.

Councillor Tolson commented that she had enquired with National Rail as to the possibility of a rail station as part of the development and had been informed that this was not the case. She continued to inform the Chamber that the government had provided funding to update Stanford Le Hope Station and the only recent new rail stations within the area were West Ham and Chafford Hundred. 

Councillor Speight stated that the application was within the Green Belt and felt that without very special circumstances applications on Green Belt land were not to be approved. He continued to explain that the development would impact on Southend Road with the amount of congestion created. He further urged residents to get involved with the consultation for the Local Plan.

Councillor Halden congratulated the lead petitioner for presenting a petition to the Council for the second time and commented that although the application may be the right thing for the business sector, it was not for local residents or the people of Corringham.

Council Roast  ...  view the full minutes text for item 70.

Councillor Richard Speight, Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, introduced the report and informed Members that Thurrock was undergoing transformational change with one of most exciting Growth Programmes in the Country.

In introducing the report the Cabinet Member highlighted the following key points:

·         The Business Centres had two complementary objectives, the first being to offer high quality business space for local businesses and the other to allow the Regeneration team to generate an income to assist with meeting saving targets;

·         There were already two business centres open in Tilbury, the Riverside Business Centre and the Old Post Office in Grays, both of which were popular with local businesses and each had waiting lists;

·         The refurbishment of the Grays Magistrates Court was expected to complete in October 2015, which had created a great deal of interest with local businesses.

The Portfolio Holder further advised Members that the Council was looking to expand business units into the High House Production Park and was seeking Council approval along with £1.5 million of the Capital Programme to invest in business units as part of the development for the National College at the High House Production Park. He reported that this would be funded through borrowing and was expected to generate healthy revenue back to the Council, which was set out within the report.

Councillor Gledhill welcomed the report stating that it was good that the Council was investing in people. He further commented that this was the right thing to do, as to make money the Council had to invest money.

Councillor Coxshall enquired as to whether it would just be creative industries, similar to High House Production Park.

The Portfolio Holder for Regeneration responded by stating that he could not guarantee it, however it would make sense.

RESOLVED:

That Full Council:

1.         Note progress made with the Enterprise Units programme and the positive impact this will have on supporting business growth and job creation in the borough as well as supporting the Council’s savings programme.   

2.         Approve an addition of £1.5m to the Council’s capital programme for investment in Council owned commercial enterprise units as part of the National College building at High House Production Park.

3.         Grant in principle approval to underwrite up to £150,000 of the fundraising target for the National College project. Final approval to be subject to a report to Cabinet.

Councillor B. Rice, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health, introduced the report and, in doing so, highlighted some of the key achievements and successes of the Portfolio despite the challenging budget savings, which included:

·         Adult Social Care was the largest part of the Portfolio, which amounted to 40% of the General Fund, however spending had been continuously refused over the last few years;

·         People were living for longer, this meant that the number of people living with Dementia were also increasing between 5-10% per annum;

·         The Rapid Response and Assessment Team (RRAS) had seen an increase in demand for the service since 2012, including over 300 referrals received each month;

·         The RRAS had expended and now included COPD and dementia expertise. The team continued to perform beyond expectation with less than 2% of service users being admitted to Hospital;

·         The Health and Well-being Overview and Scrutiny Committee were looking into GPs Practices with the NHS to help improve the services offered to residents.

Members questioned the Cabinet Member and received responses as follows:

·         Councillor Ojetola commented that he submitted a motion in 2013 with regards to GP’s (General Practitioners) in Chafford Hundred, and requested an update.

The Cabinet Member explained that a meeting had been held with NHS England with regards to GP surgeries across the borough; however they had to work on a priority basis.

·         Councillor Halden enquired if, following the Cabinet Member’s reference to issues with GP practices, she agreed that there needed to be a way to ’weed out’ the poor services being offered to residents.

The Cabinet Member informed Councillor Halden the CQC investigated GP practices if they were not providing an acceptable service. She reported that a national scheme was also in place.

·         Councillor Baldwin queried as to why it took up to 10 weeks to see an Occupational Therapist.

The Cabinet Member reported that nationally there was a shortage of Occupational Therapists as there were not enough people within the profession and the degree took 4 years to complete.

·         Councillor Worrall asked the Cabinet Member to comment on the doctor’s surgeries in Tilbury.

The Cabinet Member informed the Chamber that there was to be a public meeting which Councillor Worrall would be invited to as a Ward Councillor, along with the CQC and Adult Social Care officers.

·         Councillor Gledhill thanked the Cabinet Member for her report and congratulated her on the success of the RRAS.

The Cabinet Member thanked Councillor Gledhill and confirmed that she had been working with the Health and Well-being Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

·         Councillor V. Holloway asked for clarification on the demand on services, given the circumstances with the Mental Health Welfare.

The Cabinet Member confirmed that there had been more demand on all services with most being under pressure. She continued that the service was not poor however it was not brilliant either; it was a challenging climate.

The Cabinet Member summed up the report by informing the Chamber that Ian Wake had been appointed as Director  ...  view the full minutes text for item 72.

In accordance with Chapter 2, Part 2 (Rule 14) of the Council’s Constitution.

The Mayor informed the Chamber that one question had been submitted to the Leader and a further three questions to Cabinet Members, Committee Chairs and Member appointed to represent the Council on a Joint Committee.

A copy of the transcript of questions and answers can be found at Appendix A to these Minutes.

Councillor Ojetola provided an update on the work of the Standard Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE) which was now fully constituted. He advised that they continued to encourage and support Thurrock schools with their syllabus.

A report from Councillor Gupta regarding Thurrock Arts Council was also tabled at the meeting.

The Minutes of Committees, as set out in the Agenda, were received.

Members received an information report updating them on progress in respect of Motions resolved at Council over the past year.

Councillor Kelly addressed the Chamber informing Members that in regard to his Motion submitted on 10^th September 2014, money had been secured and an update would be brought to Members at the next meeting.

Councillor Tolson queried that with regards to her Motion concerning Food Hygiene Rating Scheme, as to whether it could be clarified as to which letters were sent out and to whom.

Councillor Gledhill provided an update to his Motion submitted on 10^th September 2014 and advised that he had met with senior officers and members of the public protection team who were now awaiting agreement from Cabinet.

In accordance with Chapter 2, Part 2 (Rule 15) of the Council’s Constitution.

The Motion, as printed in the Agenda, was proposed by Councillor Halden and seconded by Councillor Hebb. The Motion read as follows:

“Legal highs are quickly becoming a social disaster, from both the point of view of being harmful as substances, but also giving a very incorrect impression of the dangers of substance abuse, especially amongst younger people.

We instruct Council to expedite the process and public consultation for Public Space Protection Orders to be implemented on a Borough wide basis to tackle the issue of legal highs with the relevant O&S committee monitoring its effectiveness.

In addition we instruct the constitution working group to consider how to best exercise and delegate all of our streamlined public protection powers that come from the 2014 Crime and Disorder act to be accessible to all members.”

Councillor Halden introduced the motion, and in doing so explained that the reasoning behind his Motion followed a clean-up day with Councillor Hebb and having spoken to Members, discovered it was a problem in many Wards; particular by schools. He continued to explain that he didn’t like the idea of ‘banding’ and a Public Protection Order was not a band, as it did not affect consenting adults within their own homes; this was to keep it away from impressionable young people.

Members were advised that that Crime and Disorder Act 2014 had streamlined Public Protection powers for the use of Local Authorities, meaning that there were tools which could be used in conjunction with the Police.

Councillor Halden informed the Chamber that Councillor Hebb had written to the Police District Commander who explained that Thurrock did not have a crime wave which meant that this would impact on current resources; they did however confirm that they would work the Council to tackle the problem.

Councillor Pothecary proposed an amendment to the Motion and this was seconded by Councillor Kent. The amendment read as follows:

To replace the second paragraphwith the following;

“We instruct Council to consult with Essex Police on the most effective way of tackling the use of legal highs in public spaces, including Public Space Protection Orders, with the relevant Overview and Scrutiny Committee monitoring the outcome.”

Councillor Pothecary introduced her amendment, and in doing so welcomed Councillor Halden’s Motion, she notified Members that she understood the drugs were sold online and not within Thurrock. She continued that the Constitution Working Group should look at the issue and that Public Space Protection Orders will only work if the Police support it and currently they didn’t have the resources.

Councillor Cherry commented that Public Space Protection Orders had to be dealt with by the Police; he continued to state that 300 police officers had been lost from Essex Police.

Councillor Gledhill welcomed the substantive Motion, advising that Police had collected 100 canisters from Lodge Lane in Grays, he suggested that the Council could look into seek residents to involved with the clean-up.

Councillor J. Kent, Leader of the Council remarked that the canisters of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 77.

The Motion, as printed in the Agenda, was proposed by Councillor Worrall and seconded by Councillor Kerin. The Motion read as follows:

“Thurrock Council are concerned over implications for tenants and housing stock of the Conservative government's Emergency Budget's housing measures:

·         Housing Benefit withdrawn for 18–21 year olds;

·         Housing Benefit/ Local Housing Allowance (LHA) frozen for five years;

·         Tax Credits and Housing Benefit/LHA include only first two children in households born after April 2017;

·         Market rents charged in social housing where incomes are £30,000, additional rent receipts go to Treasury not Housing Revenue Account or Council.

The impact will increase poverty, homelessness and numbers at risk of being homeless, amongst young and very low income families.

For individual tenants who have faced significant above inflation rent increases and falling incomes over the last few years, the Budget proposal to cut social sector rents by 1% for the next four years will be welcome.

That a 1% rent cut will mean loss of rental income to Housing Revenue Account of £18.75 million by 2019/2020, that loss will have significant consequences for Council's plans to build new homes, maintain and refurbish existing stock of homes.

The Council resolves to write to the two MPs for Thurrock to lay out concerns and to highlight the impact on Thurrock residents of these measures in Westminster.”

Councillor Worrall introduced the motion, and in doing so she expressed that she felt that this was an attack on young people who wanted to move out of the family home and be independent.

She continued to explain that the impact of the Governments’ Emergency Budget Housing measures would increase poverty, homelessness and the 1% rent cut would mean loss to the Housing Revenue Account of 18.75 Million by 2019/2020.

Councillor Snell commented that he did not agree with the first part of the Motion, as he felt that young people should go out and work for a living; however he did agree with the second half and for that reason he would be supporting the Motion.

Councillor J. Kent felt that if housing benefit was withdrawn from 18-21 year olds this would prevent them from gaining independence and moving away from home. He further explained that it was all well and good people getting better employment and better homes, however with the suggested cuts repairs this would take longer to achieve.

Councillor Gledhill stated that he would not be supporting the Motion and agreed with the sentiments raised by Councillor Snell. He further observed that it was not a case of continually spending, however it important to spend wisely.

Councillor Kerin stated that he supported the Motion. He advised Members that he felt the situation would enable a cap on ambition and success for young people and would take away the incentive for promotion.

The result of the recorded vote in respect of Councillor Worrall’s Motion was as follows:

Votes in Favour of the Motion:

Councillors Sue Gray (Mayor), Cathy Kent (Deputy Mayor), Tim Aker

Chris Baker, James  ...  view the full minutes text for item 78.

The Motion, as printed in the Agenda, was proposed by Councillor Ray and seconded by Councillor Kent. The Motion read as follows:

“This Council calls for those Councillors who passed away during their service as a member of Thurrock Council (since the turn of the new century) to be commemorated in the Council Chamber for their work and contributions to the community of Thurrock.”

Councillor Ray introduced the motion, and in doing so explained that within the Council Chamber there were former Mayor’s, Leaders and Chief Executives on roll. He further advised that he would like to remember those Elected Members who had passed away while in service since the year 2000.

Councillor Gledhill welcomed the Motion and suggested that Elected Members who have had 20-25 years’ service should also be recognised.

Councillor Snell indicated his support for the Motion.

Councillor Coxshall expressed that he supported the Motion; he further proposed that officers should also respected.

Councillor J. Kent welcomed the Motion and recommended that Elected Members who passed away since 1998 be commemorated, as this was the date when Thurrock became a Unitary Authority.

RESOLVED:

This Council calls for those Councillors who passed away during their service as a member of Thurrock Council (since the turn of the new century) to be commemorated in the Council Chamber for their work and contributions to the community of Thurrock.

Councillor Redsell withdrew her Motion and asked that it be resubmitted for the next meeting.

The Motion, as printed in the Agenda, was proposed by Councillor Halden and seconded by Councillor Ojetola. The Motion read as follows:

“The current crisis with refugees has led to calls for national and local governments to act in support. The chamber agrees with this.

Thurrock resolves to play its part to aid refugees and will make this position known to the Home Office.

We instruct the council to be ready with clear plans for service support from housing, social care, to public protection.

While we welcome the notion of using international aid funding to help with costs, we of course understand local pressures we are already under and therefore council will make representations to the Home Secretary that support must be evenly sought across local authorities to avoid disproportionate costs being applied to the taxpayer”

Councillor Halden introduced the motion, and in doing so he explained that if communities worked together it would send a strong message and the current crisis would be manageable if all Council’s around the County undertook similar action. He continued by stating that the Council should work together with the Home Office and supports its residents.

Councillor Ojetola welcomed the Motion and advised the Chamber that he would be supporting the Motion.

The result of the recorded vote in respect of Councillor Halden’s Motion was as follows:

Votes in Favour of the Motion:

Councillors Mark Coxshall, Oliver Gerrish, Robert Gledhill, Garry Hague,  

James Halden, Shane Hebb, Victoria Holloway, Barry Johnson, Tom Kelly,

Martin Kerin, Charlie Key, Brian Little, Susan Little, Sue MacPherson, Ben Maney, Tunde Ojetola, Bukky Okunade, Joy Redsell, Andrew Roast, Richard Speight, Deborah Stewart and Pauline Tolson (22)

 Votes against the Motion:

Councillors Tim Aker, Chris Baker, James Baker, Jan Baker, Clare Baldwin,

Russell Cherry, Leslie Gamester, Graham Hamilton, Terry Hipsey, Cliff Holloway, Roy Jones, John Kent, Steve Liddiard, Barbara Rice, Gerard Rice,

Peter Smith, Graham Snell, Kevin Wheeler and Lynn Worrall (19)

Abstentions:

Councillors Colin Churchman, Yash Gupta, Jane Pothecary, Robert Ray, Cathy Kent and Sue Gray (6)

RESOLVED:

The current crisis with refugees has led to calls for national and local governments to act in support. The chamber agrees with this.

Thurrock resolves to play its part to aid refugees and will make this position known to the Home Office.

We instruct the council to be ready with clear plans for service support from housing, social care, to public protection.

While we welcome the notion of using international aid funding to help with costs, we of course understand local pressures we are already under and therefore council will make representations to the Home Secretary that support must be evenly sought across local authorities to avoid disproportionate costs being applied to the taxpayer