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

“Essex Police have recently announced they plan to close two of the borough’s police stations and sell off a third, as well as cut the number of PCSOs in Thurrock from 38 to just 6. After already making cuts of £40 million, Essex Police is facing having to make over £60 million worth of cuts by 2020 thanks to the Government. The dramatic reduction in the number of police officers and PCSOs on our streets is a big issue for our residents and has worrying implications for community safety.

The Council resolves to write to the two MPs for Thurrock to set out our concerns about the detrimental impact of police cuts on Thurrock residents and community safety, and ask them to lobby for better funding for Essex Police.”

Councillor Pothecary introduced the motion, and in doing so expressed her concern at the impact of the budget cuts and the recent announcement by Essex Police that they would be unable to attend 97% of Anti-Social Behaviour calls and anticipated a reduction of 300 Police Officers by 2020.

Councillor Halden felt alternative ideas should be developed in order to offset the impact of budget cuts, such as the arrangement with the Youth Offending team and Corringham Police Station.

Councillor Halden reported that the Cabinet appointed representative to the Essex Police and Crime Panel had failed to attend numerous meetings of the panel during the previous year, and that on the two occasions he had been present he was not recorded in the minutes as contributing to the debate. He felt that Thurrock should be correctly represented at such meetings in an attempt to make a difference to outcomes with the Police, rather than submitting motions.

During the debate a number of Councillors expressed a view that the Police force was being ruined by Central Government, which was imposing significant cuts that made Essex Police less effective and able to do their job, such as through the closure of police stations.

Councillor Johnson argued that the UK needed to pay back a huge deficit that had been created by the previous government and that money needed to be spent more efficiently. He felt that the Police and Crime Commissioner should be invited to a meeting of Council so that Members could question whether money was being spent wisely.

Councillor Hipsey felt that the morale of Police Officers would be negatively affected and the pressures they faced immense, in light of the fact that a considerable number of Anti-Social Behaviour calls could not be responded to in future.

Councillor Worrall added that soon there would not be adequate Policing to enforce existing dispersal orders and Anti-Social Behaviour, especially during Halloween and Bonfire Night season where residents could become increasingly intimidated.

Councillor Snell was concerned that the Cabinet Member did not attend meetings of the Essex Police and Crime Panel during the previous year in order to represent Thurrock’s interests and felt that this needed to be remedied. He argued that the cuts had gone too deep and the priority for any government must be the protection of its citizens.

Councillor Ray remarked that Essex Police had been responsible for wasting considerable sums of money, which included spending £100,000 on equipment that was never used and £300,000 on a survey asking the public what they thought crime was.

Councillor J. Kent agreed that it was unacceptable that a representative had not attended meetings of the Essex Police and Crime Panel and explained that although Councillor Pothecary would be unable to attend future meetings in her capacity as Cabinet Member for Public Protection due to work commitments a permanent substitute would be appointed.

At 9.16 pm Members agreed not to suspend Council Procedure Rule 11.1 in order to allow the meeting to continue beyond the 2 ½ hour time limit.

Councillor Ojetola felt that although the wording of the motion itself was not harmful he was concerned at the speculation during the arguments that had been made.

A further debate ensued during which a number of Councillors made comments regarding how Central Government should save money through the cessation of other schemes, initiatives and proposals.

Councillor Halden noted that it was not the current Portfolio Holder, Councillor Pothecary, who had not attended Police and Crime Panel meetings, rather it was her predecessor.

In accordance with Procedure Rule 20.7, five Members indicated that the vote on the motion be recorded. Democratic Services conducted the recorded vote, the result of which was as follows:

Votes in favour of the motion:

Councillors Chris Baker, James Baker, Jan Baker, Russell Cherry, Leslie Gamester, Oliver Gerrish, Yash Gupta (MBE), Graham Hamilton, Terry Hipsey, Cliff Holloway, Victoria Holloway, Roy Jones, John Kent, Martin Kerin, Steve Liddiard, Bukky Okunade, Barry Palmer, Jane Pothecary, Barbara Rice, Gerard Rice, Graham Snell, Richard Speight, Kevin Wheeler, Lynn Worrall, Cathy Kent and Sue Gray (26)

Votes against the motion:

Councillors Mark Coxshall, Garry Hague, James Halden, Barry Johnson, Tom Kelly, Brian Little, Susan Little, Sue MacPherson, Ben Maney, Tunde Ojetola, Joy Redsell, Deborah Stewart and Pauline Tolson (13)

Abstentions:

Councillors Robert Ray and Peter Smith (2)

The Mayor declared that the motion be carried.

RESOLVED:

Essex Police have recently announced they plan to close two of the borough’s police stations and sell off a third, as well as cut the number of PCSOs in Thurrock from 38 to just 6. After already making cuts of £40 million, Essex Police is facing having to make over £60 million worth of cuts by 2020 thanks to the Government. The dramatic reduction in the number of police officers and PCSOs on our streets is a big issue for our residents and has worrying implications for community safety.

The Council resolves to write to the two MPs for Thurrock to set out our concerns about the detrimental impact of police cuts on Thurrock residents and community safety, and ask them to lobby for better funding for Essex Police.