Agenda and minutes

Having welcomed everyone to the meeting the Chairman raise that from this Council the seating plan that had been given to Members this evening be approved.  This was duly agreed.

RESOLVED  that the Council seating plan given to Members at this meeting be approved.

The Chairman referred to the tragic death of Sir David Amess MP for Southend West and asked all Members to join him and the residents of the District for a moments’ silent reflection to remember him and his family to whom deepest sympathies were sent.

Following this, the Chairman returned to the agenda and went through some general housekeeping arrangements for the meeting.

Following interruptions by Councillor C Morris then raised a Point of Order.  This was not taken by the Chairman and Councillor Morris kept repeating his Point of Order.  Councillor Morris kept interrupting and other Members raised their voices.[1]  The Chairman advised Councillor Morris that his behaviour was unacceptable and had breached the Council’s Code of Conduct.  He asked Councillor Morris to cease this behaviour.

The Chairman referred to the Nolan principles of accountability and integrity and then the Council’s Procedure Rule 10 – Disorderly Conduct.  He then moved that Councillor Morris be not heard.  This was duly seconded and agreed by the Council.

RESOLVED that Councillor C Morris be not heard.

The Chairman moved that due to Councillor Morris’ continued misconduct that he leave the meeting.  This was duly agreed by the Council.

RESOLVED that Councillor C Morris leave the meeting.

The Chairman then requested that all Officers present leave the meeting referring to his duty and care towards Members of Staff.

At this point three Police officers arrived due to the continued disorderly conduct of Councillor Morris.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor R G Boyce MBE and M R Edwards.

To disclose the existence and nature of any Disclosable Pecuniary Interests, other Pecuniary Interests or Non-Pecuniary Interests relating to items of business on the agenda having regard to paragraphs 6 - 8 inclusive of the Code of Conduct for Members.

(Members are reminded that they are also required to disclose any such interests as soon as they become aware should the need arise throughout the meeting).

Councillor M F L Durham, Mrs J L Fleming and W Stamp all declared a non-pecuniary interest as a Member of Essex County Council.

To confirm the Minutes of the council meeting held on Thursday 2 September 2021 (copy enclosed).

RESOLVED

(i)              That the Minutes of the Council meeting held on 2 September 2021 be received.

Minute No. 239 – Statement of Community Involvement – Adoption

Councillor Mrs P A Channer referred to this item and how she along with the Council had acknowledged the good work of an officer, Leonie Alpin, when this item was considered.  She asked that the Minutes be amended to include the Officers’ name.

At this point, Councillor Mrs Channer indicated she had other items to raise in respect of the Minutes and the Chairman advised he would come back to the Minutes later in the meeting.  However, this did not occur due to the adjournment and subsequent closure of the meeting.

·                 Minute No. 260 - Standards Complaints - Councillor Chrisy Morris - The Committee Decision

The Chairman advised that he wished to take this item of business next, this was duly agreed by Council.

RESOLVED

(i)              That the Minutes of the Joint Standards Committee held on 8 September 2021 be received.

The Council considered the following recommendation set out in the Minutes:

Minute 260 – Standards Complaints – Councillor Chrissy Morris – the Committee Decision

Councillor M G Bassenger, Chairman of the Joint Standards Committee, referred to the recommendation set out in the Minutes and proposed that Councillor C Morris be removed from all Committees, including Planning Committees, District Planning, Working Groups and Outside Body for the remainder of the Municipal Year 2021 / 22 for approval.  This was duly seconded.

Councillor K M H Lagan referred to the sanctions agreed in respect of another Councillor and proposed for consistency and openness that if agreed the sanctions in relation to Councillor Morris should be the duration of 12 months and not to the end of the municipal year.

The Chairman advised that this would be an amendment to the original proposal.

Councillor M W Helm also comments on sanctions applied to another Councillor and proposed an amendment to the original proposal that this be a for a period of 18 months. 

At this point Councillor Lagan withdrew his earlier amendment and seconded the proposed amendment from Councillor Helm. 

It was clarified that the 18 months would be until May 2023.  The Chairman put the amendment to the Council, and this was duly agreed.  

Councillor Mrs P A Channer advised that as a result of the vote there was now a substantive motion that Councillor Morris be removed from all Committees including District Planning and the Area Planning Committees, working groups and outside bodies up until May 2023.  She proposed this be accepted by the Council, this was duly seconded and agreed.

RESOLVED

(ii)            that Councillor C Morris be removed from all Committees (including District Planning Committee and Area Planning Committees), Working Groups or Outside Body up to May 2023.

RESOLVED

(iii)          that subject to the above decision the Minutes of the Joint Standards Committee be agreed.

In response to a question the Chairman advised that the meeting would now adjourn for a short break and asked that the live stream be stopped. 

RESOLVED that the meeting be adjourned at 19:50 for a short break.

RESOLVED that the meeting resumes in open session.

At this point, the Chairman reminded Councillor C Morris that he had been asked to leave the meeting.

The Chairman asked all Members to rise and walk out of the meeting in protest at Councillor Morris’ continued presence and continued disorderly conduct and then closed the meeting at 19:59.