To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Council, held on 29 June 2016.

Councillor Allen requested an amendment to the minutes as it was himself that presented the Petition on behalf of the residents of Lansbury Gardens and not Councillor Collins as stated in the minutes.

The Mayor accepted the requested amendment to which Members indicated their agreement.

The Minutes of the meeting of Council held on the 29 June 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 reflect and remember Thurrock’s fallen of World War One.

The Mayor announced that the itinerary of her mayoral events for this year would be emailed to all members and would be grateful for members’ support.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Gledhill, firstly stated that on behalf of the Administration and the Council he welcomed the appointment of the new Prime Minister, Theresa May, and congratulated her on forming a new government. Councillor Gledhill stated that he would be writing to members of her administration team to secure the best positive outcomes for Thurrock.

He also stated that work to improve the environment across Thurrock was ongoing at a pace with the Administration’s commitment to “Clean It, Cut It, Fill It”.

At the last Cabinet meeting it had been agreed that tougher enforcement powers to crack down on those blighting the borough with litter would be introduced and a public awareness campaign would shortly be underway to inform residents on how to change their behaviour or risk being fined.

The new Trade Ways Team was working their way through the borough offering business council trade waste as a new business opportunity. 

The new Waste Data Systems were currently being installed to allow street and ground maintenance teams to log and see all service requests via the “Report It” mobile application. This would be accessible through the council contact centre, the communications team and be available on the council web site. Councillor Gledhill stated that the Administration was still committed to a weekly bin collection.

Starting next week the Thurrock section of the A13 would be cleaned up with the grass being cut and litter picked up and hoped that the Highways Agency would follow suit.

Councillor Gledhill stated that it would not be possible to pick every piece of litter up and encouraged residents to not drop litter, dispose of larger items appropriately and to report those that do.

Flooding at Grays Beach at the weekend was caused by high tides and the Council was working with Anglian Water to clean up the damage and ensure this did not happen again.

Progress had been made and further works were planned to fulfil the Administration’s vision of making Thurrock a safer and cleaner place to live.

Finally, the Leader took the opportunity to thank Richard Parkin, Head of Environment, for his contributions and hard work to the Council and wished him well in his new role.

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 and were 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 a member who wished to present two petitions at the meeting.

Councillor Duffin presented a petition on behalf of the residents of Limeslade Close on the lack of parking spaces for residents.

Councillor Duffin presented a petition on behalf of the residents of Southend Road, Plashet Close and Abbots Drive on the introduction of parking permits.

Members received a report on the status of those petitions handed in at Council Meetings and Council Officers 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 Council Chamber that he wished to make the following changes:

•           For Councillor Piccolo be appointed as member of the Planning Committee

•           For Councillor Piccolo be appointed a member of the Standard and Audit Committee.

•           For Councillor Ojetola be appointed a substitute member of the Standard and Audit Committee.

Councillor Snell, Leader of the UKIP Group, informed the Council Chamber he had no changes to make.

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

•           For Councillor Liddiard be appointed a member of the Health and Wellbeing Board.

RESOLVED:

1.         That Councillor Piccolo be appointed a member of the Planning Committee.

2.         That Councillor Piccolo be appointed a member of the Standard and Audit Committee.

3.         That Councillor Ojetola be appointed a substitute member of the Standard and Audit Committee.

4.         That Councillor Liddiard be appointed a member of the Health and Wellbeing Board.

Councillor Hebb introduced the report which provided members with background information to enable them to make a decision on the recommendation received from the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee that Full Council consider consulting with the communities in Thurrock on the potential changes to the Council’s electoral arrangements.

Councillor Hebb pointed out an error in the report on page 37, paragraph 2.8, fourth line down, third word in which it should have said country rather than borough.

Councillor Hebb stated that residents did not feel that their votes counted and made enough of a difference to their lives. He stated that members were close enough to the electorates to know that and that it was time to potentially rectify this. In the past the debate on elections and the future of elections had taken place within the four walls of the Council Chamber. It was now the intention to take the question of electoral reform to the heart of the community to give all residents the opportunity to have their say.

The report proposed that the Council changed its electoral cycle and opt for a whole council election taking place four-yearly, rather than by the current method of elections by thirds and recommended that a public consultation be undertaken before any final decision can be made.

Councillor Hebb stated that this consultation exercise was key and the need to give residents the opportunity to respond. It was proposed that the consultation be carried out using:

•           Social media

•           Letters

•           Reference Point on the Council website

•           Forums

•           Consultations with elected members and local members of parliament

•           Press releases

In early 2017 a hard copy format of the consultation would be sent out as a reminder to all residents with Council Tax notices.

Councillor Duffin stated that he could not see any point or benefit from the four-yearly elections and that a consultation would not work. Councillor Duffin suggested that elections should be left as they currently were.

Councillor Spillman agreed with Councillor Duffin and asked Councillor Hebb how much the consultation would cost. At present there was a real connection between the elected candidates and residents due to the yearly nature of elections and did not see any point or benefit of the consultation.

Councillor G Rice stated that from previous experience of four-yearly terms at Essex County Council members ‘go to sleep’ and totally disconnect with the public. The public should be able to vote year by year and hold councillors to account.

Councillor J Kent stated that he would support the consultation going ahead and give the public the opportunity to speak but had concerns that the key motivator for changing to four-yearly elections was to save money and democracy should not be done on the cheap.

Councillor Aker stated that there should be more opportunities for residents to get involved and engage more in the voting process but believed the costings of the consultations would be far greater than the projected savings and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 35.

Councillor Halden introduced the report and stated that he was delighted to be presenting this report tonight as the Cabinet Member for Education and Health and that the mission and overriding priority was to tackle mediocrity to ensure that Thurrock can fulfil its potential.

Councillor Halden stated that the three key areas of tackling mediocrity in Thurrock were:

•           Council Leadership – Display true commitment to leadership to improve public services.

•           Expectations – Be more rigorous in challenging services and becoming residents’ champions to hold poor general practitioners and Primary Care facilities to account.

•           Early Years Support – A role as a corporate parent or in the role monitoring the causes of child poverty or neglect and to view poor early years support as a serious threat to the long term future of the borough.

Councillor Halden explained the reason for bringing Education and Health Directorates together as one report which was to ensure that any gaps found between education and employment outcomes with associated poor physical and mental health outcomes were bridged.

Councillor Halden updated members on the number of visits and meetings attended in his time so far as portfolio holder.

Councillor Halden stated he was grateful to be given the opportunity to undertake a job that he relished and would give it his all. Councillor Halden then thanked his party colleagues, officers in his directorates and the residents of Thurrock.

Councillor V Holloway asked what authority the scorecards would have and why general practitioners would sign up to them. Councillor Halden stated that providers would be held to account if services did not improve and peer pressure would be evident amongst providers.

Councillor Gerrish welcomed Councillor Halden to his role and shared his passion with other members that young people do well in education, be set up for life and the healthcare be the best for residents. With regard to the much reduced role in the local authorities post academies, Councillor Gerrish asked Councillor Halden if the educational budget could be radically cut or had he changed his mind now that he was in office. Councillor Halden referred members to past actions of Councillor Gerrish’s portfolio holder and that he should not be lecturing him.

Councillor Jones was concerned that there were not enough provisions for senior schools and insufficient monies were being spent on obesity which was at a high level in the borough. Councillor Halden stated the reason his lobby unit was in place was to holistically look at the entire school system and to look at where schools need to plan forward. The redesign of the children’s centres and bringing the health and education strands together would ensure that children get comprehensive and joined up care.

Councillor Watkins asked Councillor Halden for a performance update on the schools in his ward. Councillor Halden stated the results at the moment were provisional. Corringham Primary and Gable Hall had been outstanding and showed a good example where multi academy trusts work.

Councillor Fish asked  ...  view the full minutes text for item 36.

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

The Mayor informed the Chamber that two questions to the Leader of the Council had been received and seven 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 were informed that the General Services Minutes for the 17 May 2016 should have been included in the agenda item. Copies of these minutes were tabled.

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

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 Duffin and seconded by Councillor Aker. The Motion read as follows:

Thurrock Council calls upon the government to introduce legislation to provide for a right of "Real Recall" of underperforming local government councillors on grounds similar to those put before parliament when MPs debated “Real Recall” in 2014.

Councillor Duffin introduced the Motion, and in doing so, explained that if legislation was passed Thurrock Council could then work to implement “Real Recall”.

Councillor Duffin explained that if a councillor was underperforming the Council would be able to deal with the matter instantly and not have to wait for their four year term to finish. The recall mechanism would potentially see 20 per cent of registered voters campaigning to get a councillor removed for the following situations:

•           Misconduct

•           Failure to Represent

•           Crossing the Floor

•           Breaking Electoral Promises

This motion was to put the power back in the hands of the voters.

A proposed amendment to the Motion had been submitted by Councillor Hebb and seconded by Councillor Gledhill. The amended Motion read as follows:

Thurrock Council calls upon the government to introduce legislation to provide for a right of "Recall" of local government councillors, alongside Thurrock Council also exploring the possibilities to introduce its own local recall scheme.

Councillor Hebb introduced his amendment and stated that it was an important matter to consider and that it was announced at Council last year as an Administration policy to ensure that councillors who do not behave were held to account.

The amendment was made to ensure that the work already undertaken by the Council had not been overlooked.

Councillor J Kent stated that he would be supporting the amendment and stated that the principal behind Recall was right. He stated that over the past 20 years the vast majority of elected members of all parties had stood for election to do the best they could to improve the area they lived in. Councillor J Kent stated that if recall was brought in it would be used very rarely. He stated that the current six month rule can be waivered when health matters were involved and that the current regime could be tightened up. The council could also publish the casework undertaken by councillors to show their activity in office.  Councillor J Kent went on further to say that some transparency was needed to give residents the tools to hold councillors to account which they currently do not have.

Councillor Aker stated that he supported Councillor Duffin’s motion and told members that if the Real Recall were to pass he believed that it would never get used. Having agreed with Councillor J Kent’s comment that people get involved with politics for the right reasons Councillor Aker felt that the passing of this motion would demonstrate that councillors were already happy to hold members to account.

At 9.15pm, the Mayor moved a motion to suspend Council Procedure Rule 11.1 to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 41.