To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Council, held on 25 May 2016.

The Minutes of the meeting of Council held on the 25 May 2016 were approved as a correct record.

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 informed the Council that she had not agreed to the consideration of any items of urgent business.

To receive any declaration of interests from Members.

No interests were declared.

Firstly the Mayor invited all those present to remember Thurrock’s fallen during World War One and to reflect upon past conflicts and tragedies with the 100 year anniversary of the Battle of the Somme on Friday.

The Mayor then reflected on the tragedies that had happened across the world recently, with the Orlando shooting, the murder of MP Jo Cox and the recent bombing in Turkey and that together we will stand in defiance and none acceptance.

The Mayor stated that there was a 73 per cent turn out at the polling stations last week for the EU Referendum and that we will continue to support Thurrock and its residents regardless of any personal views and parties.

Finally the Mayor stated that since her election as mayor she had attended 19 events, 14 were in Thurrock and 5 were out of borough and gave a special mention to the presentation of the Sutherland pipes and drums in volunteers week and the reception attended to bid farewell to the last working Royal Mail Ship, St Helena, before her final voyages this year.

The Mayor reminded Members that it was the Orsett’s Fire Station Open Day on Saturday 2 July and encouraged all to attend.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Gledhill, stated that looking to the future he promised to improve the environment across Thurrock and that the administration’s commitment to residents was clear, “Clean It, Cut It, Fill It”. To ensure that green and open spaces are kept to a standard that we are all proud of and to keep them that way.

Residents need to be able to trust the Council to provide these and more complex services and that the Council had the right people working to get them done.

To also address these problems within the borough a new approach was definitely needed and with this in mind Portfolio Holders will be presenting reports over the next couple weeks to address these. Any changes will not take priority and announcements will be made shortly on the how these will be moved forward.

Councillor Gledhill stated that after the EU Referendum last week, the Council were still waiting to see what happens next. Particularly on funding, infrastructure and procurement and that no statements had been received as yet regarding whether any existing infrastructure projects will be going ahead or if there will be any new ones.

Councillor Gledhill reassured members and residents that as soon as the Council receives any notice of change these will be made available.

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 under the relevant meeting date at http://democracy.thurrock.gov.uk/thurrock.

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 a member of the Public and Councillor Allen who wished to present a petition at the meeting.

Mr Perrin presented a petition to allow the continued trading of two premises trading in Derwent Parade in South Ockendon.

Councillor Allen presented a petition on behalf of residents of Lansbury Gardens, Tilbury on the increased concerned for the safety of the complex.

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

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, Councillor Gledhill, informed the Chamber that he wished to make the following changes:

•           For Councillor Piccolo be appointed as member of the Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee to replace Councillor Collins.

•           For Councillor Kelly be appointed as substitute member of the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee to replace Councillor Piccolo.

•           For Councillor Redsell be appointed as member of the Health and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee to replace Councillor Piccolo.

Councillor Snell, Leader of the UKIP Group, informed the Chamber that he wished to make the following changes:

•           For Councillor Gamester be appointed as Vice Chair of the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee to replace Councillor Wheeler.

•           For Councillor Gamester be appointed as Vice Chair of the Corporate Parenting Committee.

•           For Councillor Smith be appointed as Vice Chair of the Planning Transport and Regeneration Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

•           For Councillor Hamilton be appointed as Vice Chair of the Standards and Audit Committee.

•           For Councillor Hamilton be appointed to the vacancy on Licensing Committee.

Councillor Kent, Leader of the Labour Group, informed the Chamber that he wished to make the following changes:

•           For Councillor Gerrish be appointed as substitute on Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

•           For Councillor Liddiard be appointed as member of the Health and Wellbeing Board to replace Councillor V Holloway.

RESOLVED:

1.         That Councillor Piccolo be appointed as member of the Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee to replace Councillor Collins.

2.         That Councillor Kelly be appointed as substitute member of the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee to replace Councillor Piccolo.

3.         That Councillor Redsell be appointed as member of the Health and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee to replace Councillor Piccolo.

4.         That Councillor Gamester be appointed as Vice Chair of the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee to replace Councillor Wheeler.

5.         That Councillor Gamester be appointed as Vice Chair of the Corporate Parenting Committee.

6.         That Councillor Smith be appointed as Vice Chair of the Planning Transport and Regeneration Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

7.         That Councillor Hamilton be appointed as Vice Chair of the Standards and Audit Committee to replace Councillor Smith.

8.         That Councillor Hamilton be appointed as a member of the Licensing Committee.     

9.         That Councillor Gerrish be appointed as a substitute member of the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

10.       That Councillor Liddiard be appointed as a member of the Health and Wellbeing Board to replace Councillor V Holloway.

The Mayor introduced the Chief Superintendent, Sean O’Callaghan, the Assistant Chief Constable, Maurice Mason and Roger Hirst, Police and Crime Commissioner, to the meeting of Council and asked that they deliver their presentation which would then be followed by questions by Members.

The Police and Crime Commissioner thanked the Mayor and Members for inviting Essex Police to Thurrock Council and how important it was to engage with Members on Thurrock matters. A very detailed presentation was given by the Police and Crime Commissioner and the Assistant Chief Constable to Members on the key local issues the Police faced:

•           Key issues from the Community Safety Partnership and that the priorities of Thurrock will form part of the Police and Crime Plan.

•           Sexual Violence – Domestic cases had been addressed in the manifesto in May.

•           Road Safety – A serious issue in Essex that was being addressed by the police road unit.

•           Gangs Conference – Gang activity was increasing in Essex and had received extra funding for new projects.

•           Re-Structure of Community Police – This will be introduced into community hubs.

•           Community Police – There are ten Special Police Officers and ten Specials lead by Inspector Lee Argent.

•           Anti-Social Behaviour – Slightly down in the last few months but remains the forefront of achievements in partnerships.

•           Multi Agency Safeguard Hub – It had excellent information sharing and being one of the best in the country.

•           Training – Five thousand staff have been trained to be more aware and how to deal with vulnerability.

•           Violence with Injury – Figures were slightly up.

•           Safety – Essex was the fifteenth safest place out of forty-three in the country.

•           Specials – Recruitment of 162 specials over the next twelve months and with the support of the Police and Crime Commissioner this will double in size. These will be placed into communities and safety teams.

•           Community Safety Hubs – Have a good reputation in Thurrock with good information sharing and that the community safely plan will form part of this.

•           Active Citizen – Recruiting of neighbours and friends to be more aware of residents around them.

•           On-Line Fraud – One million pounds will be invested into digital to compact on-line fraud and to protect those most vulnerable.

•           Hate Crime – This has risen in Thurrock by 50 per cent since the EU Referendum and that operations were already in place to address this.

Members raised the following questions:

Councillor Redsell – What was being done about the motorbikes that were causing mayhem across the borough? It was stated that further analysis would be undertaken with the police road unit to identify trends and patterns and that Essex Police have and will continue to be deployed to deal with incidents. The Police and Crime Commissioner would send details of what had already been achieved so far to Members.

Councillor S Little – Why were there delays when residents rang 101? It  ...  view the full minutes text for item 21.

Members received information on the Annual Overview and Scrutiny Report that provided them with the main achievements of the overview and scrutiny committees for the municipal year 2015-16. The report was designed to inform residents of the achievements in an accessible and engaging format.

Councillor Hebb stated that lots of great ideas came out of the overview and scrutiny committees last year with some very passionate chair, vice chairs and members with good discussion. Noticeable was Councillor B Little’s chairmanship of the cross party board and examination of the Lower Thames Crossing.

Councillor Hebb thanked all Members of the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee for the work undertaken and thanked all Officers for the reports prepared.

Councillor Hebb stated that the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee covered three parts – Democracy, Performance and Finance. For democracy, a cross party discussion on the elections in Thurrock had taken place and it had been agreed to reach out to Thurrock’s customers, residents and business to ask them how the model of how politicians are elected in Thurrock in the future and announced that a report on this will be presented at July’s Full Council.

Councillor Hebb stated he had one regret about a task that had not been undertaken at Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee and that was the accountability of Members and how they operated and represented Thurrock. Councillor Hebb stated that through the Legal Team, a report would be presented that would look at the highest accountability that will apply to members who do not abide by code of conduct or good governance.

Councillor Hebb stated that one performance KPI on Environment had not improved so this will now be followed up on the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Councillor Hebb stated that the review of the quality of KPI performance measures model which was currently red, amber and green would be changing to only Achieved or Failed.

A great amount of discussion had taken place with Sean Clark, Director of Finance and IT, on the future budget and the reserves amount which had not been revised since 2010/11 and those results would be announced in due course.

Councillor C Holloway stated that with regard to the announcement made by C2C on providing more carriages on trains he asked that Members to ensure that C2C are more specify on what they promise.

Councillor B Little stated that a further Planning Transport and Regeneration Committee was scheduled for next week and further updates would be available following this committee.

Councillor Wheeler asked if there were any details of costings on the employing of staff rather than Agency. Councillor Hebb stated as a new administration these costings will be reviewed and feedback would be available in due time.

RESOLVED:

That the contents of the Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report 2015-16 be noted.

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

The Mayor informed the Chamber that five questions to Cabinet Members, Committee Members appointed to represent the Council on a Joint Committee were received.

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

There were no reports from Members representing the Council on outside bodies.

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

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