Agenda and minutes

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting and went through some general housekeeping arrangements for the meeting.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors D O Bown, J R Burrell-Cook, M F L Durham CC, A M Lay, R G Pratt and S White.

To confirm the Minutes of the Statutory Annual Council meeting held on 15 May 2025 (copy enclosed).

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Statutory Annual meeting of the Council held on 15 May 2025 be approved and confirmed.

To confirm the Minutes of the extraordinary Council meeting held on 17 June 2025 (copy enclosed).

RESOLVED

(i)             that the Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 17 June 2025 be received.

Minute No. 5 – Chairperson’s Announcements

Councillor S Dodsley advised that reference to her in the first sentence should refer to ‘Dodsley’ and not Dodson. The Chairperson advised that this would be corrected.

Minute 8 – Maldon District Growth Options

Councillor A S Fluker queried the resolution in respect of this Minute item as he felt that further testing on Options 3 and 5 with the inclusion of Althorne and Land at Stow Maries had been agreed. In response the Chairperson advised that the sites referred to were included as part of Option 5 and therefore the Minutes would stand as written.

RESOLVED

(ii)            that subject to the above amendment the Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 17 June 2025 be confirmed.

To disclose the existence and nature of any Disclosable Pecuniary Interests, Other Registrable interests and Non-Registrable Interests relating to items of business on the agenda having regard to paragraph 9 and Appendix B 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).

There were none.

To receive questions from members of the public, of which prior notification in writing has been received (no later than noon two clear working days before the day of the Council meeting).

Should you wish to submit a question please complete the online form at www.maldon.gov.uk/publicparticipation.

There were none.

In accordance with Part 4 Rule 8(3) of the Constitution, the Chairperson advised that he would be suspending the need to stand.

The Chairperson referred to having recently attended the heavy military vehicles event at Promenade Park with other Members. He referred to it being a joyful occasion, with an enormous turnout and how the highlight had been a fly past by a Lancaster bomber. The Chairperson felt the event had showed the District off and thanked everyone involved.

Please note the following items of business contain recommendations to the Council from the Strategy and Resources Committee and are the subject of separate reports on this agenda.

·       Budget Growth Request

·       Princes Road – Replacement Fire and Building Security Systems

The Chairperson advised the Council that the recommendations coming forward from this meeting of the Strategy and Resources Committee were the subject of separate reports on the agenda:

·                Agenda Item 17 – Budget Growth Request

·                Agenda Item 18 – Princes Road – Replacement Fire and Building Security Systems

To note that since the last Council, up until Wednesday 2 July 2025 (Council agenda dispatch) the following Committees have met, and to receive any questions in accordance with Council and Committee Procedure Rule 6 (2).

Councillor A S Fluker raised a query regarding publication of the Strategy and Resources Committee minutes from the meeting on 12 June 2025 and proposed that noting of these Minutes be held over to the next Council meeting. Subsequently the Chairperson agreed that any Minutes not published would be brought back to the next Council meeting.

The Council noted that with the exception of any Minutes not published, the list of Committees that had met before and since the last meeting of the Council, up until Wednesday 2 July 2025 for which Minutes had been published.

To consider the statement of the Leader of the Council setting out the Council’s report and programme for the current municipal year.

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.

There were none.

To consider the report of the Chief Executive, (copy enclosed).

The Council considered the report of the Chief Executive seeking approval for the establishment and operational framework of the new Maldon District Council (MDC) Community Grant Scheme, including its funding priorities, tiered structure, eligibility criteria and assessment methodology.

The report reminded Members of the agreement in April 2025 that the proposed projects be delivered through the Maldon District’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) allocation with 100% match funding provided from the Council’s reserves. This included the delivery of a Community Grant Scheme.

A Community Grant Scheme aimed to streamline and enhance the Council’s ability to provide financial assistance to a broad range of local organisations and the proposed “Where Quality of Life Matters Grant Scheme” had been designed to fund local initiatives that directly contributed to the four resident, community and business focused Corporate Plan Priorities. The report provided further detail regarding the Scheme and Appendix 1 set out the proposed applicant guidance, including funding priorities, eligibility criteria, what could and couldn’t be supported, tiered grant values, the application process and deadlines. Appendix 2 set out the tiered scoring matrices which would form the robust and transparent assessment process.

An addendum circulated prior to the meeting provided updates to the report and Appendices following feedback from Members.

The Leader of the Council presented the report before the Lead Specialist Prosperity took Members through a detailed presentation which set out the types of projects that could be taken forward, the application window, the application type, funding levels, scoring matrices and proposed scoring panel composition.

The Chairperson moved the recommendation set out in the report and this was duly seconded.

Councillor W Stamp advised that she didn’t agree with the proposal to fund businesses as the Council supported them in other ways. She referred to the work she had been involved with to section S106 funding for a project in Burnham-on-Crouch and felt that Community Grant Fund monies should be used by Parish / Town Councils and Community Groups.

In accordance with Procedure Rule No. 13 (3) Councillor Stamp requested a recorded vote. This was duly seconded.

The Chief Executive gave reassurance on the format of the proposed approvals process and that this would ensure independence and fairness in governance. He advised that Officers hoped Ward Members would encourage community groups to bid for funding.

A lengthy debate ensued and in response to a number of concerns and queries raised, the following information was provided by Officers:

·                The Scheme had been based on the UKSPF but had been changed to encourage communities to bid for the grants first.

·                The small grant didn’t relate to the size of an organisation, it was about the size of the bid. There was no limit in terms of bids.

·                It was hoped that the scheme would give opportunity to work with villages, towns etc. and to get them to come forward with bids for these grants.

·                The framework and governance process for which approval was sought included criteria for the scoring mechanism which would provide reassurance  ...  view the full minutes text for item 148.

To consider the report of the Deputy Chief Executive, (copy enclosed).

The Council considered the report of the Deputy Chief Executive seeking Members’ approval to renew the current Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) relating to the powers for managing dog control in specified places within the district. If agreed the order would be valid for three years from 18 July 2025.

The report advised that implementation of the Anti-Social Behaviour and Policing Act 2014 by the Government in 2014 had given local authorities and the Police more effective powers to tackle Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB). Amongst these tools were PSPO’s which provided Councils with a flexible power to implement local restrictions to address a range of ASB issues in public places in order to prevent future problems. Further details of PSPOs was set out in the report.

The proposed PSPO was attached at Appendix 1 to the report and had been informed by a public consultation. Details of the public consultation process and the results of the consultation were set out in the report and Appendix 3, including comments from the consultation.

The report set out the proposed conditions of the PSPO, including those which resulted in no change, changes to existing controls and new controls proposed.

Following a presentation of the report by the Assistant Director - Customer Services and Operations, the Chairperson moved the recommendations set out in the report. These were duly seconded.

In response to a question regarding signage the Assistant Director advised that the Council would be making amendments to existing signage, as signage was critical, and publicity would follow this to ensure that dog walkers were aware. It was also noted that a soft launch was proposed following approval of the PSPO.

The Chairperson then put the recommendations which were duly agreed.

RESOLVED

(i)             That Members note the outcome of the public consultation as set out at Appendix 3 to the report;

(ii)            that the Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) (Appendix 1 to the report) be renewed for three years from 18 July 2025;

(iii)           that the amended conditions as set out in paragraphs 6.2.1 – 6.2.4 of the report, be agreed;

(iv)           that the new conditions as set out at paragraphs 6.3.1 – 6.3.2 of the report, be agreed.

To consider the report of the Chairperson of the Performance, Governance and Audit Committee Working Group, (copy enclosed).

The Council considered the report of the Chairperson of the Performance, Governance and Audit Committee (PGA) Working Group seeking Members’ approval of the Council’s response to the Government’s consultation on changes to Planning Committees.

Once the Planning and Infrastructure Bill (published in March 2025) gained Royal Assent this would grant the Secretary of State (SOS) powers to instruct, by Regulations, which types of applications should be delegated to planning officers and which should be determined by a planning Committee. On 25 May 2025 the Government published a consultation on its proposals for how this would work.

Councillor W Stamp, Chairperson of the PGA Working Group, introduced the report and advised that the Working Group had met on 24 June 2025 to discuss the proposals and form a recommended response (attached as Appendix A to the report) for the Council to consider and approve. Councillor Stamp proposed that the recommendation set out in the report be approved. This proposal was duly seconded.

The Assistant Director – Planning and Implementation presented the report and highlighted how the scope of the consultation affected the delegation of planning functions related to development management. He highlighted the areas affected and how if the changes came into effect there was legislation in the Planning and Infrastructure Bill (currently going through Parliament) which would bring in a number of new powers for the Secretary of State. He then proceeded to take Members through these new powers.

In response to a question regarding the suggested Planning Committee membership of 11 Members and how the required training would work in terms of appointing substitutes, the Assistant Director explained that the PGA Working Group had felt more than 11 Members would require training, although this was open for future debate. The Government had outlined that a Planning Committee could have to 11 Members and would have to be quorate to operate.

The Chairperson put the proposal in the name of Councillor Stamp and this was duly agreed.

RESOLVED that the consultation response (attached at Appendix A to the report) be approved for submission to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government by 23 July 2025.

The Chairperson announced that in accordance with Section 100b(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 he had agreed to allow the Chief Executive to raise an urgent item of business in response to the recent Council decision to receive an update on Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation at every meeting.

This matter is brought forward for consideration with the agreement of the Chairperson of the Council following a decision by the Council to receive an update on Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation at all Council meetings.

The Chief Executive provided an update on Devolution explaining that work continued at pace with workshops beginning the following week. Essex County Council (ECC) had organised a broader summit on 16 July and Officers were due to attend an economic growth session on 17 July. Work continued to prepare the processes and the target operating model in readiness for day one of the Mayoral County Combined Authority. The Chief Executive advised that there was no feedback from the Government on the Devolution consultation response.

With regards to Local Government Reorganisation (LGR), Members were advised that ECC had confirmed they would be progressing a three authority case which would see Maldon District Council form a large unitary with Tendering, Colchester and Braintree Councils, serving a population size of 578,000 people. It was understood that Thurrock Council may also be progressing a four unitary authority case and Rochford were exploring a three / four unitary model. The five unitary authority business case was on track, content had been drafted with a complete draft being available by the end of July. The five unitary model consultation had started on 26 June and as of the previous week had seen over 2,600 responses.

The Council’s Devolution and LGR Member Working Group had held its first meeting and was due to meet again on 21 July, with two further Working Groups planned between now and the submission of the proposal on 26 September. This would give opportunity for Members to view the draft business case and for the Council to provide feedback. All staff had received a briefing on Devolution and LGR through the Chief Executive Connects meeting this week and the Chief Executive explained that these would continue on a monthly basis to provide an update to staff on progress.

At this point the Chief Executive referred to the Assistant Director - Strategy, Partnerships and Communications to go through the presentation which had been circulated prior to the meeting.

The Assistant Director - Strategy, Partnerships and Communications then gave a short presentation which provided Members with the latest update in respect of Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation.

In response to questions raised, the Leader of the Council advised that the Council had now received invites to all meetings relating to the three authority model. These meetings had been scheduled by ECC every two weeks, and he would be attending along with the Chief Executive. The Council had initially not been invited to these meetings, but this had since changed, and the Leader confirmed that Maldon District Council would be working with all Leaders and Chief Executives in Essex on both the three and five authority models.

In response to further comments, the Chairperson reminded the Council of the Devolution Working Group where further detail would be available.

To resolve that under Section 100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act, and that this satisfies the public interest test.

RESOLVED that under Section 100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act, and that this satisfies the public interest test.

To consider the report of the Deputy Chief Executive, (copy enclosed).

The Committee considered the report of the Deputy Chief Executive seeking approval of a budget to fund a full time role to support the delivery of a service detailed within the report.

The report provided background information regarding the service and the reason behind a reduction in resources as part of the 2023 / 24 budget savings programme. The current position and why it was not possible to deliver the service without additional resources was also set out in the report.

It was noted that the Strategy and Resources Committee had considered this report at its meeting on 12 June 2025 and recommended that the requested budget be agreed.

The Chairperson moved the recommendation set out in the report. This was duly seconded and agreed.

RESOLVED that a budget of £43,100 to enable the recruitment of a full time permanent Officer (as set out in the report), be approved.

To consider the report of the Deputy Chief Executive, (copy enclosed).

The Council considered the report of the Deputy Chief Executive seeking Members’ approval to drawdown funds to replace fire and building security systems.

The report provided background information following consideration of a report in March 2025 by the Strategy and Resources Committee (S&R) to replace fire and security systems at Princes Road. The Committee had made a number of recommendations to the Council; however, it was noted that when considered by the Council in April 2025 they were not agreed. Further detailed information in respect of each of the systems was set out in the report.

It was noted that on 12 June 2025 the S&R had considered this report and recommended to the Council that the recommendations set out within it be approved.

The Chairperson drew Members’ attention to an addendum to the report that had been circulated prior to the meeting and provided further supporting information to aid Members in their consideration of the report.

The Deputy Chief Executive presented the report and took Members through each section outlining the reasons behind the request for drawdown from Council Reserves. The Chairperson then moved each recommendation individually and each was duly seconded.

A lengthy debate on each request ensued and in response to questions raised by Members Officers provided further information and clarification.

In accordance with Procedure Rule No. 13 (3) Councillor A S Fluker requested a recorded vote. This was duly seconded.

The Leader of the Council clarified that the amounts detailed were the maximum amounts. As each area progressed this would be presented back to the Strategic Asset Working Group, along with the figures, before being reported to the Strategy and Resources Committee and the Council.

Further debate ensued.

At this point, in accordance with Procedure Rule 1(6)(i) the Chairperson advised that he would be allowing the meeting to continue past 10pm.

The Chairperson then put recommendation (i), as detailed in the report, to the Council and the voting was as follows:

For the recommendation:

Councillors M G Bassenger, V J Bell, S J Burwood, S Dodsley, J Driver, A Fittock, L J Haywood, J C Hughes, W J Laybourn, R H Siddall, N D Spenceley, P L Spenceley, E L Stephens, J C Stilts, N J Swindle and M E Thompson.

Against the recommendation:

Councillors A S Fluker, K M H Lagan, S J N Morgan, C P Morley, M G Neall, U G C Siddall-Norman, W Stamp and L L Wiffen.

Abstention: None.

The Chairperson declared that recommendation (i) was agreed.

The Chairperson then put recommendation (ii), as detailed in the report, to the Council and the voting was as follows:

For the recommendation:

Councillors V J Bell, S J Burwood, S Dodsley, J Driver, A Fittock, J C Hughes, R H Siddall, N D Spenceley, P L Spenceley, E L Stephens and N J Swindle.

Against the recommendation:

Councillors M G Bassenger, A S Fluker, L J Haywood, K M H Lagan, W J Laybourn, S J N Morgan, C P Morley,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 155.