146 Statement of the Leader of the Council
To consider the statement of the Leader of the Council setting out the Council’s report and programme for the current municipal year.
Minutes:
Councillor R H Siddall, Leader of the Council (the Leader) made a statement (attached at APPENDIX 1 to these Minutes) setting out the Council’s report and programme for the remainder of the municipal year. The statement referred to a number of areas, including:
· the appointment of Mr Doug Wilkinson as the Council’s new Chief Executive, following a review of the Council’s corporate leadership team structure. Mr Wilkinson had been working with the Local Government Association to undertake a review of the Council’s organisational structure, and this would be considered at an extraordinary meeting of the Council on 7 August 2025.
· Community investment in both Burnham-on-Crouch and Maldon, which had been funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and S106 developer contributions. The Leader commented on the work of the Council’s officers who through administration of the UKSPF had supported projects totaling over £831k and £717k from the Rural Community Council for Essex. The Council would continue to invest in projects across the district as well as enhancing its parks and assets.
· The new Leisure Contract with Places Leisure brought changes but also a number of benefits, including delivery of outreach work across the district. The Council would look to ensure that health and financial benefits were realised. The Leader advised that he had asked the Corporate Leadership Team to undertake a post-implementation review of the contract and would be asking officers to bring forward a Terms of Reference for a new Wellbeing and Leisure Working Group.
· How the One Maldon District partnership continued to play a strategic role in helping the Council bring together senior representatives from local statutory, voluntary and private sectors.
· The work being done following the appointment of Culture Engine who would be supporting the development of a Culture and Heritage Strategy for the District.
· The Council had published the draft accounts for 2024 / 25 which set out its position at the end of 2024 / 25 and the Leader welcomed Mr Ben Jay, the Council’s new Chief Finance Officer and Section 151 Officer. On behalf of Members, he thanked the Finance team for their excellent work in managing the Council’s finances.
· The forthcoming changes as part of Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) and the business case options that would be submitted to the Government for consideration. The Council would be receiving a report on this at its extraordinary meeting on 25 September 2025.
· Work was taking place to replace play equipment at the West Maldon Community Centre as a tribute to Flo Shaughnessy and the service she had given to the local community.
· The work of the Save Maldon’s Medical Services Group and all those who had supported the fight to retain medical services at St. Peter’s hospital. The decision of the Integrated Care Board on the future of St. Peters would be known in the next few days.
· The changes to the National Planning Policy Framework, particularly the Council’s Five-Year Housing Land Supply and the work being done by Officers to ... view the full minutes text for item 146