Agenda and draft minutes

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

At this point the Chairperson referred to the recent passing of former Councillor Peter Elliott and asked Councillor R G Pratt to say a few words.

Councillor Pratt spoke of Peter Elliott’s love of politics, which had also been highlighted by his family at his recent funeral service. He noted that Peter had run his own accountancy business from his home alongside his wife Helen, who was also a former District Councillor.

Peter Elliott served as a Maldon District Councillor from 2003 to 2019. During that time, he had held the position of Chairperson of the Council and had sat on, as well as chaired, a number of Committees and outside bodies. He had also been a Burnham-on-Crouch Town Councillor and served as Mayor for two years.

Councillor Pratt shared that Peter had been his mentor and that both he and community of Burnham-on-Crouch would miss him greatly.

All present then stood in silent memory of Peter Elliott.

The Chairperson advised he had attended his final civic engagement earlier in the day, the 120^th celebration of the sailing barge Hydrogen, at which he had been presented with a flagship pennant.

As outgoing Chairperson, Councillor K M H Lagan reflected on his three years in office, the significant work involved and expressed his appreciation for the support he had received from Members and Officers.

Councillor W Stamp thanked Councillor Lagan, stating that he had been an excellent and fair Chairperson. She also thanked him personally, referring to the hard work he had undertaken in learning the Constitution thoroughly.

To elect the Chairperson of the Maldon District Council for the ensuing municipal year.

The Chairperson called for nominations for Chairperson of the Maldon District Council for the ensuing municipal year to May 2027 and nominated Councillor R G Pratt. This was duly seconded by Councillor S J N Morgan.

There being no other nominations it was:

RESOLVED that Councillor R G Pratt be elected as Chairperson of the Maldon District Council for the ensuing municipal year.

IN THE CHAIR : COUNCILLOR R G PRATT

Chairperson to make the Statutory Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

Councillor R G Pratt made the Statutory Declaration of Acceptance of the Office of the Chairperson of the Council.

To appoint the Vice-Chairperson of the Maldon District Council for the ensuing municipal year.

The Chairperson called for nominations for to the position of Vice-Chairperson of the Maldon District Council. Councillor S J N Morgan nominated Councillor J C Stilts and this was duly seconded by Councillor M E Thompson.

There being no other nominations it was:

RESOLVED that Councillor J C Stilts be elected as Vice-Chairperson of the Maldon District Council for the municipal year to May 2027.

Vice-Chairperson to make the Statutory Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

Councillor J C Stilts made the Statutory Declaration of Acceptance of the Office of Vice-Chairperson of the Council.

There were none.

To confirm the Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 26 March 2026, (copy enclosed).

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 26 March 2026 be received and adopted.

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 on the Tuesday prior to the date of the meeting).

There were none.

The Chairperson thanked Councillor K M H Lagan, the outgoing Chairperson, for an excellent three years and reiterated the earlier comments of Councillor W Stamp.

To note that since the last meeting of the Council, up until Wednesday 6 May 2026 (Council agenda dispatch) the following Committees have met, and to receive any questions in accordance with Council and Committee Procedure Rule 6 (2).

The Council noted the list of Committees that had met before and since the last meeting of the Council, up until Wednesday 6 May 2026 for which Minutes had been published.

There were none.

(i)             To consider the report of the Chief Executive on the Leaders and composition of each political group (copy to follow).

(ii)            The Council to consider the ratification of the Leader-designate as Leader or to elect the Leader of the Council.

(iii)           To elect the Deputy Leader of the Council.

The Council considered the report of the Chief Executive, tabled at the meeting. As required by the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, the Chief Executive had been notified that the composition of the political Groups on the Council was as follows:

It was noted that there were a further four Members of the Council not aligned to a political group.

In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, Councillor S J N Morgan was therefore recognised as Leader-designate.

The Chairperson moved recommendation (i) and this was duly seconded.

In accordance with Procedure Rule No. 13 (3) Councillor R H Siddall requested a recorded vote. 

The Chairperson put recommendation (i) to the Council, to elect the Leader-designate (Councillor S J N Morgan) and the voting was as follows:

For the recommendation:

Councillors D O Bown, J R Burell-Cook, M F L Durham, A S Fluker, L J Haywood, K M H Lagan, W J Laybourn, S J N Morgan, C P Morley, M G Neall, R G Pratt, W Stamp, J C Stilts, M E Thompson, S White and L L Wiffen.

Against the recommendation:

Councillors M G Bassenger, V J Bell, S J Burwood, S Dodsley, J Driver, A Fittock, J C Hughes, K Jennings, A M Lay, R H Siddall, U G C Siddall-Norman, N D Spenceley, P L Spenceley, E L Stephens and N J Swindle.

Abstention:

There were none.

The Chairperson declared that Councillor Morgan was therefore ratified as Leader of the Maldon District Council for the ensuing municipal year.

At this point, Councillor Morgan paid tribute to his predecessor, Councillor R H Siddall, and the work he had done for the residents of the District.

RESOLVED

(i)             that the Leader-designate, Councillor S J N Morgan be ratified as Leader of the Council;

The Chairperson then called for nominations to the position Deputy Leader of the Council.

Councillor S J N Morgan nominated Councillor M E Thompson, and this was duly seconded.

There being no other nominations, the Chairperson declared that Councillor Thompson was duly elected as Deputy Leader of the Council.

RESOLVED

(ii)            that Councillor M E Thompson be elected as Deputy Leader of the Council for the ensuing Municipal Year.

Councillor S White left the meeting at this point and did not return.

At this point,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 15.

To appoint Members to serve on Committees, as required by Procedure Rule 15. (Report of the Chief Executive on the nominations of the Leaders of all Groups to the places allocated to their respective Groups, copy to follow).

The Council considered the report of the Chief Executive, circulated prior to the meeting.

In response to a question the Director of Legal and Governance explained that in accordance with the Constitution, the Opposition Leadership passed to the leader of the largest political group which was the Liberal Democrats.

In response to the draft regulations set to come in on 30 September 2026 restricting the seats on Planning Committees the report sought Members agreement to appoint 13 members to a new District Planning Committee (new DP) which would take effect from 30 September 2026. The report advised that this would also allow for training of those appointed Members to take place. It was clarified that changes to the Constitution, the Committee Terms of Reference etc. would come through the Performance, Governance and Audit Committee prior to September.

Councillor W Stamp advised the Council that she did not support the proposal to establish from September 2026 a new DP, stating that she felt it was premature. She proposed that the Council did not populate the new DP as it was not definite and had not been confirmed at this stage. This proposal was duly seconded.

In the discussion that followed, the importance of training for Members of the new DP was emphasised. In response to questions, the Director of Legal and Governance advised that, should Members decide not to appoint to the new DP, this would not affect the planning or review of the legislation coming forward. The exact nature of the training had not been confirmed at this stage but was likely to be more than one session held either at the Council offices or online.

The Chairperson then put the proposal in the name of Councillor Stamp not to appoint to the new District Planning Committee at this time. Upon a vote being taken this was duly agreed.

RESOLVED

(i)             That the Council did not appoint Members to the proposed new District Planning Committee which would take effect from 30 September 2026.

The Leader of the Council presented the report, and the Chairperson highlighted a number of Committees to which the Council would need to nominate and appoint non-aligned Councillors. Members were advised that no political group had a majority of 51% and therefore none could request a majority on each Committee. Nominations of non-aligned Members were duly made and considered as follows:

·                Performance, Governance and Audit Committee (one member)

Councillor W Stamp proposed that Councillor U G C Siddall-Norman be nominated as the non-aligned Councillor on this Committee. This proposal was duly seconded and agreed.

·                Strategy and Resources Committee (one member)

Councillor R H Siddall proposed that Councillor A M Lay be nominated as the non-aligned Councillor on the Strategy and Resources Committee. This proposal was duly seconded.

Councillor W Stamp proposed that Councillor U G C Siddall-Norman be nominated as the non-aligned Councillor on this Committee. This proposal was duly seconded.

There being two nominations the Chairperson advised that a vote would be required.

In accordance with  ...  view the full minutes text for item 16.

To adjourn the meeting to allow Committees of the Council and the Area Planning Committees to proceed to elect Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson.

Special Meeting of the Performance, Governance and Audit Committee

(a)        To elect a Chairperson of the Committee for the ensuing Municipal Year

(b)        To appoint a Vice-Chairperson of the Committee for the ensuing Municipal Year

To be followed by:-

Special Meeting of the Strategy and Resources Committee

(a)        To elect a Chairperson of the Committee for the ensuing Municipal Year

(b)        To appoint a Vice-Chairperson of the Committee for the ensuing Municipal Year

To be followed by:-

Special Meeting of the Licensing Committee

(a)        To elect a Chairperson of the Committee for the ensuing Municipal Year

(b)        To appoint a Vice-Chairperson of the Committee for the ensuing Municipal Year

To be followed by:-

Special Meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee

(a)        To elect a Chairperson of the Committee for the ensuing Municipal Year

(b)        To appoint a Vice-Chairperson of the Committee for the ensuing Municipal Year

To be followed by:-

Special Meeting of the Joint Standards Committee

(a)        To elect a Chairperson of the Committee for the ensuing Municipal Year

(b)        To appoint a Vice-Chairperson of the Committee for the ensuing Municipal Year

To be followed by:-

Special Meeting of the Investigating and Disciplinary Committee

(a)        To elect a Chairperson of the Committee for the ensuing Municipal Year

(b)        To appoint a Vice-Chairperson of the Committee for the ensuing Municipal Year

*To be followed by:-

Special Meeting of the District Planning Committee

(a)        To elect a Chairperson of the Committee for the ensuing Municipal Year

(b)        To appoint a Vice-Chairperson of the Committee for the ensuing Municipal Year

To be followed by:-

Special Meeting of the Central Area Planning Committee

(a)        To elect a Chairperson of the Committee for the ensuing Municipal Year

(b)        To appoint a Vice-Chairperson of the Committee for the ensuing Municipal Year

To be followed by:-

Special Meeting of the North Western Area Planning Committee

(a)        To elect a Chairperson of the Committee for the ensuing Municipal Year

(b)        To appoint a Vice-Chairperson of the Committee for the ensuing Municipal Year

To be followed by:-

Special Meeting of the South Eastern Area Planning Committee

(a)        To elect a Chairperson of the Committee for the ensuing Municipal Year

(b)        To appoint a Vice-Chairperson of the Committee for the ensuing Municipal Year

RESOLVED that the meeting be adjourned at 8:19pm to allow special meetings to be held as follows:

Performance, Governance and Audit Committee, Strategy and Resources Committee, Licensing Committee, Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Joint Standards Committee, Investigating and Disciplinary Committee, District Planning Committee, Central Area Planning Committee, North Western Area Planning Committee and South Eastern Area Planning Committee.

To continue with the business of the Statutory Annual Meeting of the Council.

RESOLVED that the business of the Annual Meeting of the Council be resumed at 8:50pm.

To appoint Members to serve on the Appointments Board, as required by Procedure Rule 15. (Please see Agenda Item 14 for report of the Chief Executive on the nominations from the Leaders of all Groups to the places allocated to their respective Groups.)

Referring back to Agenda Item 14 - Appointment of Membership of Committees of the Council, the Chairperson advised that the Council needed to confirm the membership of the Appointments Board (the Board), now that Committee Chairpersons had been appointed.

The Director of Legal and Governance advised that the Board membership consisted of six Members politically balanced and therefore a nominee from the Conservative Group along with a non-aligned Member was required.

The Chairperson called for nominations and the Leader of the Council then proposed that Councillor M E Thompson be nominated to the Board as a Conservative Group Member. This was duly seconded and agreed.

Councillor W Stamp proposed that Councillor A M Lay be appointed to the Board as the non-aligned Member. This was duly seconded and agreed.

RESOLVED that the Membership of the Appointments Board for the ensuing Municipal year be agreed as follows:

·                Leader of the Council (Councillor S J N Morgan)

·                Leader of the Opposition (Councillor J Driver)

·                Chairperson of the Strategy and Resources Committee (Councillor A Fittock)

·                Chairperson of the Performance, Governance and Audit Committee (Councillor W Stamp, CC)

·                Councillors A M Lay and M E Thompson

To consider the report of the Chief Executive (copy to follow).

The Council considered the report of the Chief Executive, circulated prior to the meeting, seeking Members’ consideration of the appointment of representatives to serve on Local Government and Outside Bodies for the ensuing municipal year to May 2027.

The Chairperson drew Members’ attention to Appendix 1 which detailed nominations received from the respective Political Groups and highlighted a number of bodies where further nominations were required. The Council then went through each of these as follows:

·                Essex Coastal Forum

Councillor K M H Lagan nominated himself as the substitute on this Forum. This was duly seconded and agreed.

·                Livewell Partnership Group

The Chairperson advised that two further Councillors were required to sit on this Group. Councillor L J Haywood nominated Councillor E L Stephens and Councillor A M Lay nominated himself These nominations were duly seconded and agreed.

·                Mid Essex Joint Committee

It was noted that one further nomination was required. Councillor R H Siddall nominated Councillor J Driver. This was duly seconded.

The Director of Legal and Governance explained that this appointment was a new Committee related to the Local Government Reorganisation (LGR), as detailed in the report. It would be set up as part of the structural changes order and include representatives from Essex County Council, Brentwood District Council and Chelmsford City Council as well as this Authority.

Councillor L J Haywood nominated Councillor W Stamp to this Committee. This was duly seconded.

Councillor S J N Morgan nominated Councillor M F L Durham to this Committee. This was duly seconded.

At this point Councillor Stamp advised that she wished to withdraw herself from the nominations.

Following a vote being taken, the Chairperson declared that Councillor Driver would be the Council’s other representative alongside the Leader of the Council on this Committee.

·                Stow Maries Aerodrome Consultative Committee

The Chairperson advised that a further nomination was required to this Committee. Councillor J R Burrell-Cook nominated himself. This was duly seconded.

Councillor V J Bell nominated Councillor C P Morley.

Upon a vote being taken the Chairperson declared that Councillor Burrell-Cook was appointed to this Committee.

·                Responsible Authorities Group (RAG)

The Chairperson advised that one Members was required on this Group but two had been nominated. In response, Councillor P L Spenceley withdrew her nomination on this Group.

The Chairperson then put recommendation (i) to the Council subject to the above appointments. This was duly agreed. He then moved recommendation (ii) which was also agreed.

RESOLVED

(i)             That the appointment of representatives to Local Government and Outside Bodies, as detailed in APPENDIX 1 to these Minutes, nominated by the respective Political Groups, be agreed for the Municipal Year to May 2027;

(ii)            That Members appointed as representatives to Local Government and Outside Bodies are responsible for sharing Minutes of meetings attended, to be stored centrally on the Modern.Gov library as per the details in section 3.3 of the report.

To consider the report of the Chief Executive (copy to follow).

The Council considered the report of the Chief Executive, circulated prior to the meeting, seeking Members’ agreement to appoint Members to serve on Working Groups of the Council for the municipal year, as set out in Appendix 1 to the report. The report highlighted some changes to Working Groups following an annual housekeeping review.

The Leader of the Council presented the report and proposed that recommendations as set out in report be agreed. This was duly seconded.

Members discussed the report and nominations received specifically in relation to the following:

·                Environmental and Sustainable Working Group

Councillor W Stamp advised of an error in the list of Members nominated to this Working Group, Councillor K M H Lagan should be replaced with Councillor U G C Siddall-Norman. This change was duly noted.

·                Strategic Asset Working Group

In response to a comment regarding this Working Group and there not being a non-aligned Member nominated, Councillor S Dodsley removed her nominated. She then nominated that Councillor A M Lay be nominated to this Working Group. This was duly agreed.

·                Finance Member Working Group

The Director of Legal and Governance advised that following the appointment of the Leader of the Council and Chairperson of Committees there was one vacancy on this Working Group and Appendix 1 detailed two nominations (Councillors N D Spenceley and M E Thompson) had been received. Upon a vote being taken it was agreed that Councillor N D Spenceley was appointed to the Finance Member Working Group.

·                Local Government Reorganisation and Devolution Working Group

The Director of Legal and Governance reported that this Working Group consisted of ten Members, however only seven nominations had been received. A further three nominations were therefore required.

Councillor R H Siddall nominated Councillor A Fittock. Councillor S J N Morgan nominated Councillor M F L Durham and Councillor L L Wiffen nominated Councillor C P Morley. These nominations were duly seconded and agreed.

·                Member Training Working Group

Members were advised that following the nominations received a further three Members were required to be nominated to this Working Group.

Councillor J C Stilts nominated Councillor A M Lay and this was duly seconded. Councillor E L Stephens nominated Councillor R H Siddall, however Councillor Siddall declined the nomination. Councillor P L Spenceley nominated Councillor S Dodsley and this was duly seconded. Councillor Stilts nominated Councillor V J Bell however Councillor Bell declined the nomination. Councillor L L Wiffen nominated Councillor W J Laybourn and this was duly seconded. The nominations of Councillors Dodsley, Lay and Laybourn was agreed.

·                Planning Policy Working Group

The Director of Legal and Governance reported that this Working Group was made up of eight Members, however nine nominations had been received. Following some discussion, it was agreed that the Membership of the Planning Policy Working Group would be increased to nine Members.

·                Strategic Housing Working Group

It was noted that two nominations were required.

Councillor S J N Morgan nominated himself. Councillor M E Thompson nominated Councillor M F L  ...  view the full minutes text for item 21.

To consider the report of Director of Legal and Governance, (copy enclosed).

The Council considered the report of the Director of Legal and Governance presenting an annual update on the work of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (the Committee).

The report provided background information relating to the setting up of the Committee, its responsibility to report annually to the Council and the process for consideration of possible scrutiny items by the Committee.

The annual report for 2025 / 26 had been endorsed by the Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson of the Committee and was set out in Appendix 1 to the report. It was noted that the annual reporting arrangements ensured accountability of the Committee to the Council.

Councillor S J N Morgan, as the 2025 / 26 Chairperson of the Committee, presented the report to the Council highlighting that this year there had been eight referrals received by the Committee. At this point he encouraged Members to submit any referrals. Councillor Morgan then proposed that the recommendation as set out in the report be approved. This was duly seconded and agreed.

RESOLVED that the annual report of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee for 2025 / 26 be approved by the Council.

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

The Council considered the report of the Chief Executive providing an update on Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation (LGR).

The Director of Legal and Governance introduced the report which provided a brief outline of the announcement in March 2026 that the Government supported the Five Unitary Business Case. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) had sought further information from the Council to inform a draft Structural Change Order (Order). The Council’s proposed response to the questions raised by the MHCLG Was set out in paragraphs 3.3 – 3.5 of the report. Delegation was also sought to allow the Chief Executive to make any amendments or provide further information to MHCLG if required.

It was noted that Officers had undertaken a review of the ward arrangements in line with the Boundary Commission guidelines and previously approved by Members.

The Director of Legal and Governance advised that there was a typographical error in the Parish Council election harmonisation table (paragraph 3.5 of the report), for the 2026 ordinary year of election the ordinary end of term should read 2030, not 2040. This was noted.

Members noted the progress, ongoing discussions and work with Essex County Council, Chelmsford City Council and Brentwood District Council around implementation delivery planning.

The Director of Legal and Governance advised that there was no update in respect of Devolution.

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

In response to the discussion that ensued, the Director of Legal and Governance explained that the information set out in the report was being provided to the MHCLG and would not be presented before parliament at this time. The Chief Executive gave his commitment to Maldon that he would ensure Members were updated as soon as he was aware of information. He acknowledged that at times social media got hold of information quicker than the Council.

The Chairperson then put the recommendations which were duly agreed.

RESOLVED

(i)             That Members approve the response to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) questions as set out below:

Warding Arrangements - Officers have undertaken a review of the warding arrangements in line with the Boundary Commission guidelines. The proposed warding arrangement are as follows:

Returning Officer - The Returning Officer for the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 23.