Agenda

To confirm the Minutes of the Council meeting held on 12 December 2024 (copy enclosed).

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).

Local Government Finance Act 1992 – Section 106

Willany Members affectedby Section106 pleasenote that anydeclarations to thateffect should bemade onthe commencementof themeeting or immediately onarrival if thisis later. Under Section106 a Memberwho has notpaid anamount due inrespect oftheir Council Taxfor at least twomonths after it became payableis precludedfrom voting onany matters affectingthe levelof Council Taxor thearrangements for administeringthe CouncilTax. (TheMember is, however, entitledto speak).

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.

To consider the recommendations coming forward from the Committees detailed below. Please note that the Minutes of these meetings are not enclosed as they have not been approved at Committee level.

Link to Committee report pack

Amended Contract Procedure Rules in line with legislation under the Procurement Act 2023

RECOMMENDED

(i)             That subject to the above amendment, the Contract Procedure Rules 2025 (attached at APPENDIX 1) be approved to ensure the Council is compliant with the Procurement Act 2023;

(ii)            that the Council’s Constitution at pages 218 to 242 is updated with the Contract Procedure Rules 2025.

Link to the Committee report pack

Fees and Charges Additional Information: Car Park Charges – Burnham-on-Crouch

RECOMMENDED

(i)             That the Car Park charges proposed for all Burnham-on-Crouch car parks not be agreed, and the Council continues to offer free car parking at all Burnham-on-Crouch car parks.

Council Tax Support Scheme 2025 / 26

RECOMMENDED

(i)         That the following changes to the existing schemes are approved:

a.      a cost of living increase in line with the Department for Work and Pensions schemes be included in the Local Council Tax Support Scheme (LCTS) for 2025 / 26 for Pensioners only;

b.      that any legislative changes being introduced to the Housing Benefit Scheme, for 2025 / 26 are mirrored in the Council’s LCTS to ensure consistency;

c.      minor technical amendments to ensure that the Council is able to administer the Scheme reflecting current local and national guidance and that the Council may disregard anything determined to be a local welfare payment from its calculation;

(ii)            that these decisions have been made following Members careful reading of and regard to the Equality Impact Assessment at APPENDIX 1;

(iii)           that Members note the unchanged framework for the Hardship Provision at APPENDIX 2;

(iv)           that the Policy document at APPENDIX 3 be approved;

(v)            that the final Policy document relating to the Council Tax Support Scheme at APPENDIX 4 be approved.

Business Rate and Council Tax Discretionary Polices 2025 / 26

RECOMMENDED

(i)             That the proposed Discretionary Non-Domestic Rate Relief Scheme at APPENDIX 5 be approved;

(ii)            That the proposed Empty Homes and Second Homes Premium Policy at APPENDIX 6 be approved.

Hythe Quay Dredging Project

RECOMMENDED

(i)             That a budget provision of up to £135,000 is created for desilting the Hythe Quay and Visitors Pontoon.

UK Shared Prosperity Fund 2025 / 26 Allocation

RECOMMENDED

(i)             that Members consider the opportunity to 100% match fund the Council’s allocation to maximise delivery opportunities for the benefit of communities and the District.

Revised Health and Safety Policy and Statement of Intent

The Strategy and Resources Committee (S&R) at its meeting on 23 January 2025 discussed the report related to this item of business and Members made a number of recommendations to the Council.

Following feedback from the S&R, the Council is asked to defer consideration of these recommendations to allow Officers to review the tone of the Council’s Corporate Health and Safety (H&S) Policy before it is brought forward to the Council for approval. In response to recommendation (i) Officers propose that the Council has a separate H&S policy for Members that better reflects their activities, linking to other relevant policies as required. As Council Members are generally not classed as ‘paid employees’ and so in some respects, fall outside of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, senior officers feel this would be a better approach. Members will have the ability to inform this Policy through a focused Task and Finish Working Group, with the Corporate Health and  ...  view the full agenda text for item 7b

To note that since the last Council, up until Wednesday 5 February 2025 (Council agenda dispatch) the following Committees have met, and to receive any questions in accordance with Council and Committee Procedure Rule 6 (2).

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

To consider the report of the Interim Chief Finance Officer (copy enclosed).

To resume the meeting of the Council in open business.

To receive a Budget Statement from the Leader of the Council, to consider the following reports of the Section 151 Officer (copies enclosed) and to determine the level of Council Tax.

Members’ attention is drawn to the following Procedure Rules:

·                Voting – Procedure Rule 13(5) set outs the requirement for any vote taken at a budget decision meeting (as defined by the Local Government Finance Act 1992) to be recorded in the Minutes.

·                Budget Speech – Procedure Rule 1(13)(a) sets out the time limits in relation to the budget speech and (b) details the requirements for making alternative proposal or amendment as part of the Budget and Council Tax setting.

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

To consider the report of the Monitoring Officer (copy enclosed).

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

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

To resolve that under Section 100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 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).