To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Council, held on 30 November 2016.

The Minutes of the meeting of Council held on the 30 November 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 received one application for an urgent question on Gloriana Limited from Councillor Spillman and had indicated to Councillor Spillman that I cannot accept his question as being urgent for the special circumstances required in the legislation to justify a lack of public notice because:

1.         There had been insufficient grounds justifying urgency, Councillor Spillman had modified his question (which was modified to preserve a fair hearing of an application at Planning Committee) and his modified question can reasonably await the next hearing of Council in February;

2.         The Mayor informed Councillor Spillman that a Portfolio Holder Report / Update on the company would be  brought to Full Council in March;

3.         Councillor Spillman also queried whether as a point of order he could record his disagreement with my decision. I have advised him that his wish to merely record his personal disagreement with my decision was not a valid point of order as there was no identified breach of rule;

4.         By going into this detail I have however perhaps satisfied his desire to have his position being noted in the minutes.

To receive any declaration of interests from Members.

Councillor Gledhill declared a non-pecuniary interest in respect of Item 10: Annual Report of the Director of Public Health 2016 as he was the Chair of the Patients Participation Group of the SAI Surgery in Tilbury.

Councillor Collins declared a non-pecuniary interest in respect of Item 14 – Member Question 6 as he had grown up on the Bata Estate at East Tilbury and also his cousin was the Chair of the Bata Resource and Reminisce Centre.

Firstly the Mayor invited all those present to reflect on and remember Thurrock’s fallen of World War One.

The Mayor reminded Members that the International Holocaust Memorial Day would be held on the 27 January 2017 at the High View Avenue Memorial Gardens in Grays and encouraged all members to attend.

The Mayor stated that the Charity Blue Light Ball would be held on the 3 March 2017 at the Civic Hall in Grays to help support our fire fighters and tickets could be purchased directly from her.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Gledhill, stated that he looked forward to responding to Councillor Spillman’s question on Gloriana and its Governance in February.

The Leader gave Members the following updates:

Clean it, Cut it, Fill it had received an increase of 40 per cent in Government Funding for pot holes and although there will never be a pot hole free Thurrock it had been encouraging that a further grant from Government may help to detect hot holes earlier by placing cameras on the front of bin lorries to identify where the pot holes were and areas that are likely to need attention.

There had been 548 Fixed Penalty Notices issued for littering and dog fouling. The Leader stated that the message was getting through and residents were becoming more aware.

The scheme appeared to be working well in the town centres but the next stage would be to address side streets.

A significant grant of £459,000 had been received to help with eight specially adopted houses for younger people with learning difficulties. This was nearly half a million pounds to help those most vulnerable to get through the care system.

3000 tonnes of salt had been scattered on the roads in preparation for the cold weather conditions and this would continue to be done as directed by the weather.

Councillor Gledhill moved onto the subject of the Thameside Complex. Councillor Gledhill stated that press reports had reported that the Thameside Theatre could potentially close before an alternative venue had been found.

Councillor Gledhill made clear that the service provided at the Thameside Complex cost the tax payer in the region of one million pounds per year. He stated that no one would expect the museum or the public library to make money but what tax payers would expect was for the Council to provide those services cost effectively so that residents got value for money and provided a service required for a 21st century Thurrock. Councillor Gledhill stated that he would expect a theatre to at least break even. He had never sugar-coated the fact that he believed this and he never would. Councillor Gledhill continued to state that there were some performances at the theatre that made a considerable amount of money, being enjoyed by thousands of residents but others only had a handful in the audience, sometimes less than ten per cent of the capacity.

The space was also used by community groups, religious groups, high house productions,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 95.

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 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 no notices of petitions had been received.

Councillor Duffin made reference to a petition he had submitted regarding insufficient parking and requested an update. Democratic Services would follow this up and inform Councillor Duffin.

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.

There were no changes to the appointments previously made to Committees and outside bodies, statutory and other panels.

Councillor Halden presented the report that made a series of recommendations in terms of improving the quality of Primary Care in Thurrock, improving the quality of long term condition management and strengthening the local health and social care workforce.

The Annual Public Health Report had played an important part in public health practice ever since the early days of medical officers of health. Councillor Halden stated they still remain an important vehicle for informing local people about the health of their community.

Councillor Halden referred Members to the Public Health Report that had been set out in seven sections with each one demonstrating the following eight key issues:

1.         Increasing and unsustainable levels of demand on the local health and care system.

2.         Practice-level variation in outcomes and an indication of patterns.

3.         How a revised Primary Care staffing model could address demand.

4.         Key influences on non-elective admissions and inappropriate Accident and Emergency attendances.

5.         Estimates of future activity if no changes are made to provision.

6.         How activity in different parts of the system links to cost.

7.         What was cost effective in terms of prevention/shifting demand.

8.         The need for a “System Wide” response across organisational budgets to solve financial and operational sustainability.

Councillor Halden stated that:

•           83 per cent of all Accident and Emergency attendances needed no medical investigation or treatment.

•           27 per cent of these attendances were conveyed to Accident and Emergency by ambulance.

•           Four Hubs would replace the closure of the Grays Walk In Centre and that meetings with the project manager from the Clinical Commissioning Group had taken place to get these hubs underway.

•           The General Practitioners Plan had been passed.

•           Thurrock would not tolerate poor health care.

•           Back tracking should be undertaken to pin point ailments that had not been treated appropriately.

•           A 0-19 Wellbeing Model had been introduced.

•           Working with schools and introducing the education of health matters.

•           Looking at generation issues and poor health.

Finally, Councillor Halden thanked Ian Wake, Director of Public Health, and his team for all their hard work.

Councillor V Holloway, Chair of the Health and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee, echoed Councillor Halden’s comments on the thanks and praise to Ian Wake and his team for the efforts made. Councillor Holloway asked whether the closure of the Walk In Centre had put extra pressure onto general practitioners. Councillor Halden stated the four hubs were active and appointments were available during the week and weekends. These were being delivered by the Clinical Commissioning Group and that better pathways would result in better quality of care.

Councillor Snell also echoed Councillor Halden’s comments on the thanks and praise to Ian Wake and his team for the efforts made. Councillor Snell asked what plans would be in place to tackle the £18 million deficit. Councillor Halden stated there was no baseline and that the deficit was driven by pressure and that the deficit would not go down until the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 100.

Councillor Hebb presented the report and stated that the current Local Council Tax Support scheme was implemented on 1 April 2016 and that Thurrock Council agreed its current scheme through a public consultation exercise informed by cross party Members working groups. The resulting scheme was agreed by both Cabinet and Council.

Councillor Hebb continued to state that the proposed design of the scheme for 2017/18 was built on the existing scheme and the proposed changes aligned with central government changes to the Housing Benefit and Universal Credit Regulations. These changes incentivised people to seek employment whilst also simplifying the administration of the scheme. Consideration of the proposed changes was undertaken with other Essex authorities.

There were six proposed changes to the existing scheme which were outlined in the report.

A consultation had been undertaken on the proposed scheme which was open to all residents and was promoted via Councillor channels including social media. The proposed system was also considered by the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee on the 22 November 2016 and agreed to support options 2, 4 and 6 but not options 1, 3 and 5 due to the financial impact on claimants.

The report was also considered by Cabinet on 11 January 2017 and considered the comments of the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Councillor Okunade commented on the low number of responses to Proposed Change 1.

Councillor Spillman commented that the consultation needed to be sorted out and welcomed the proposed money for the Citizen Advice Bureau. Councillor Spillman stated that this proposed money would not be enough and further cuts would have to be made. Councillor Spillman asked that this continued to be looked at.

Councillor Kerin thanked the Portfolio Holder for the report and declared that he would not be supporting Proposed Change 1 as it appeared the books were being balanced on the people who can afford it the least. Proposed Change 3 was based on self-employed and the concern around residents not knowing what work they will have and Proposed Change 5 with concerns over the Council’s view of the ideal size of Thurrock families and equally with the conditions.

Councillor Jones thanked the Portfolio Holder for the report and welcomed the recommendations but would not be supporting recommendations 1.1 and 1.3. Councillor Jones stated that the language in the consultation should be in lay-man’s terms and be more engaging.

Councillor Pothecary stated that she had reservations on recommendations 1.1, 1.3 and 1.5 as these may drive more people to the Citizen Advice Bureau and make the situation worse.

Councillor Duffin stated that it was no wonder nobody wanted to comment on the consultation with the options on the table.

Councillor Gledhill stated that the number of responses received to the consultation was not good enough. This was a statutory requirement and had to ensure that open and honest consultants took place. Councillor Gledhill will raise with the communications team to ensure that this happens next year.

Councillor Halden stated that if schemes  ...  view the full minutes text for item 101.

Councillor Tolson presented the report and stated that she was proud to be the Portfolio Holder for Environment and how this was unique in the Council by providing the following core services to residents in the Borough:

•           Waste collection and disposal

•           Environmental Enforcement

•           Street Cleaning

•           Parks and Open Spaces

•           Operational aspects of Highway Repair and Maintenance

•           Fleet Management and Maintenance

Councillor Tolson gave an overview of these services to Members.

Councillor Tolson encouraged members to report any incidents through the App Service - Thurrock Report It.

Councillor Tolson thanked the Officers for all their hard work and that the way forward was together.

Councillor Gerrish thanked the Portfolio Holder for the report and asked that to ensure all residents take advantage of the investments of Clean It, Cut It, Fill It, what was being done in West Thurrock. Councillor Tolson stated that the whole borough had received a deep clean and that Councillor Gerrish should report any issues in his ward if he though they needed to be addressed.

Councillor Maney asked for reassurance from the Portfolio Holder that getting grass cut would not result in the same situation as with the former administration where residents had to cut grass on Council land. Councillor Tolson stated that grass cutting equipment had to be repaired at a great expense and further equipment had to be hired for the three agency staff to undertake grass cutting on major routes.

Councillor Watkins asked the Portfolio Holder if a consultation on the Street Cleaning Barrier had taken place. Councillor Tolson stated that under the former administration no consultation had taken place.

Councillor Smith asked the Portfolio Holder what action was being taken with fly tipping in back alleys. Councillor Tolson stated that double efforts to spot these fly tippers had to be done due to the number of enforcement officers being reduced by the former administration from 12 to 2. Councillor Tolson stated that the Council would not pay for the removal of any fly tipping that was on private land or un-adopted pathways.

Councillor Jones stated that it was a good report and that Cleaner Greener and Safer Overview and Scrutiny Committee had been involved. Councillor Jones stated that all residents wanted a clean borough and to ensure that the £1 million allocated to the Clean It, Cut It, Fill It had been costed by the Section 151 Officer. Councillor Jones was pleased with the sweep system for bin collections and that the weekly bin collections remain in place.

Councillor Tolson summed up by stating she was proud to be the Portfolio Holder for Environment and had worked hard in the time that her appointment had started. There had been frustrations at the beginning but with the passion and with great officer support she was able to do Thurrock proud.

Councillor MacPherson stated she had pleasure in presenting the report tonight and stated that the report had been created in recognition of the impact of the services covered in supporting how we reshape the community living in Thurrock. Councillor MacPherson stated that she was passionate about building strong communities where people choose to live connected, healthy lives with access to a range of cultural and leisure activities for all ages.

Councillor MacPherson stated that she was proud to be the Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhoods and how this was unique in the Council by providing the following core services to residents in the Borough:

•           Community Development and Equalities

•           Community Environment Development Fund

•           Sports and Leisure

•           Community Hubs

•           Libraries

•           Volunteering

•           World War One Commemorative

•           Culture, Age and Heritage

•           Equalities

•           Public Protection

•           Community Safety Partnership

Councillor MacPherson gave an overview of these services to Members.

Councillor Gerrish questioned if the review in hand would be right for the future. Councillor MacPherson agreed to bring this item back to Members when the budget had been finalised.

Councillor Okunade thanked the Portfolio Holder for the report and commented that the Community Hub in Tilbury had been remarkably successful but it was important that partial independent advice services were delivered at all hubs and asked when this support would be available at the Tilbury Hub. Councillor MacPherson stated that it was important that the community hubs were providing what residents need. The aim was to get best practice at all of the hubs so that the Council/Thurrock end up with a place those residents can go to and get the advice they need.

Councillor Pothecary requested that feedback from previous consultation be incorporated into the current review being undertaken.

Councillor Jones requested some information on the Community and Environment Development Fund for the next financial year and whether there were plans for a Community Hub in Corringham. Councillor MacPherson stated that she would come back to Members with written confirmation regarding the Community and Environmental Development Fund and also a timescale for the Corringham Hub.

Councillor Duffin asked the Portfolio Holder for a list of all Estate and Letting Agents based in Thurrock that provided free independent housing advice. Councillor MacPherson stated that any estate or letting agent in the borough could give him this information and suggested Councillor Duffin contacted them.

Councillor Spillman had concerns over the rumour of the Aveley Library closing and could the Portfolio Holder provide an update. Councillor MacPherson stated there were no definite plans to close Aveley Library at this time as a review was currently in hand.

Councillor MacPherson summed up by thanking everyone for their comments and was pleased to be in this Portfolio Holder position. Councillor MacPherson stated she had the privilege of working with partners and residents and that there were exciting times ahead.

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

The Mayor informed the Chamber that 1 question to the Leader of the Council had been received and 7 questions to Cabinet Members.

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

The Mayor informed the Chambers that no reports had been received.

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

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

At 9.15pm the Mayor requested that standing orders be suspended to provide time to hear and debate the remaining items from members. Members voted against this.

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

That Thurrock Council supports the government’s position on introducing an oath to British Values, and will look into the options for creating a local one for Thurrock.

Councillor Watkins stated that he was proud to be presenting his first Motion and in doing so encouraged Members to back the Government’s desire to see an oath of British values be introduced across those in the public service and to introduce this oath into Thurrock Council in some capacity.

Following an announcement made in December 2016 by Sajid Javid announcing a desire to have a British oath of values introduced into the public service. This would be taking a positive step forward and playing an important part in the community and leading by example. It was impossible for people to play a "positive role" in public life unless they accepted basic values like democracy and equality. The aim was not to create a government-approved one size fits all identity but have phrases such as "tolerating the views of others even if you disagree with them", as well as "believing in freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom from abuse, a belief in equality, democracy and the democratic process”. This oath would need to be commented and agreement on by all Members.

Councillor Watkins summed up by asking Members to take the innovative and lead by example and support his Motion.

Councillor Huelin, as seconder to the Motion, briefly stated that all Members had to do was look around the Chamber to see that Members already had values of respect, were tolerant to each other and exercised freedom of speech and democracy.

The Mayor called a vote on the Motion:

For                   :           21

Against            :           19

Abstain            :           3

The Mayor declared the Motion was carried.

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

Thurrock Council deplores the crisis in the NHS and the impact this is having on Thurrock residents. Council calls on Cabinet to use all powers and influence to apply pressure on Government and partners to ensure a resolution.

Councillor Gerrish introduced the report and in doing so explained that there was a severe crisis within the NHS and as advocate for the people of Thurrock this should not be allowed to continue. That the Red Cross had stepped in and declared NHS was in a “humanitarian crisis” alongside Basildon Hospital being on black alert over the Christmas Period with unacceptable waiting times and operations being cancelled. Councillor Gerrish asked Members to support this Motion to put pressure on the Government and partners to ensure a resolution was put in place.

Councillor Gerrish requested that a requisition vote be undertaken.

The Mayor called a requisition vote on Councillor Gerrish’s Motion.

Upon being put to the vote the following members voted in favour: Councillors Baldwin, Duffin, Fish, Gerrish, C Holloway, V Holloway, C Kent, Kerin, Liddiard, Okunade, Pothecary, Spillman and Wheeler (13).

The following members voted against: Councillors Churchman, Collins, Coxshall, Gledhill, Halden, Hamilton, Hebb, Huelin, Kelly, B Little, S Little, MacPherson, Maney, Ojetola, Piccolo, Redsell, Sammons, Tolson and Watkins (19)

The following members voted to abstain: Councillors Allen, C Baker, Jan Baker, James Baker, Cherry, Gamester, Jones, Potter, Sheridan, Smith and Snell (11)

The Mayor declared the Motion Lost.