Agenda and minutes

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

An apology for absence was received from Councillor S Dodsley. In accordance with notice duly given, it was noted that Councillor N D Spenceley was attending as a substitute for Councillor Dodsley.

To consider the Minutes of the Strategy and Resources Committee held on 19 March 2026 (copy enclosed).

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 19 March 2026 be approved and 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 the views of members of the public, of which prior notification in writing has been received (no later than noon on the Tuesday prior to the day of the meeting).

Should you wish to submit a question please complete the online form at:

www.maldon.gov.uk/publicparticipation.

No requests had been received.

To consider the report of the Director of Place, Planning and Growth, (copy enclosed).

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Place, Planning and Growth providing an update on the review of the Essex Coast Recreational disturbance Avoidance Mitigation Strategy (RAMS) and seeking Members’ approval of the final Strategy (attached as Appendix 1 to the report). Members were also asked to consider revoking the existing Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) and replacing it with an updated Technical Advice Note.

It was noted that Natural England had requested the review to ensure the RAMS and its evidence base remained up to date. The updated RAMS included an enhanced mitigation package and a revised tariff reflecting increased housing growth and the need for mitigation to be secured in perpetuity.

Members noted that the tariff would rise from £175.55 to £500 per new dwelling, inclusive of a 5% administration fee, and that the existing RAMS SPD was no longer aligned with the updated strategy. In its place a Technical Advice Note (TAN) would be prepared to guide implementation and delegation to the Director of Place, Planning and Growth was sought to finalise and publish the TAN.

The Committee also noted the extensive mitigation work already undertaken in the Maldon District by Bird Aware Essex, including over 1,442 hours of ranger activity and more than 4,454 public engagements. The updated RAMS retained a flat tariff across Essex, as alternative apportionment methods would have resulted in significantly higher charges for coastal authorities such as Maldon.

Following a detailed presentation of the report by the Planning Policy Manager, the Chairperson moved the recommendations as set out in the report, noting that they would be a recommendation to the Council. This was duly seconded.

A number of comments and questions were raised during the debate that ensued and in response further information was provided by the Planning Policy Manager, including:

·                The proposed tariff cost of £500 per dwelling had been calculated taking a number of factors into consideration including the mitigation measures required for the predicted number of new houses in Essex over the 20-year period and then the lifetime of the development. Chelmsford City Council (CCC) was the accountable body and whilst all Essex authorities involved in RAMS collected and then transferred monies to CCC, the spending of monies was done in consultation with the Council mainly through the RAMS Steering Group which the Policy team attend. Members were advised that CCC also managed the Bird Aware branding and delivered the mitigation measures, engagement with Parish Councils, local communities, visitors etc.

·                It was confirmed that the new dwelling tariff was a flat rate across any new houses in Essex. Houses within a closer proximity to the coastline paying a higher tariff had been discussed by the RAMS Steering Group but for consistency and ease of collection a flat rate tariff had been agreed. Members were advised that the District benefited as a high proportion of the mitigation measures happened along the Maldon coastline.

·                £500 per new house appeared to be an average cost when compared to comparable tariffs  ...  view the full minutes text for item 95.

To consider the report of the Director of Neighbourhood Services and Communities (copy enclosed).

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Neighbourhood Services and Communities seeking Members’ approval to replace the Council’s existing pay-and-display parking machines.

The Director of Neighbourhood Services and Communities presented the report advising that the Council’s existing pay?and?display machines were no longer sustainable due to age, obsolescence and rising maintenance issues, creating risks to service continuity, customer experience and the Council’s £2m annual parking income. It was reported that a replacement programme would provide a modern, reliable and cost?effective solution that aligned with current customer behaviour, with the capital purchase option offering the best long?term value. Evidence showed that customers had already shifted significantly towards cashless payments, meaning the current machines were under?used; therefore, rationalising the number of machines would better match demand, increase income per machine, reduce maintenance costs and do so without materially affecting accessibility.

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

In response to questions raised the Director of Neighbourhood Services and Communities advised that the option to pay by cash had been removed from all Council car parks a number of years ago and Officers were not looking to reverse that decision. Pay as you exit would be considered as part of this proposal and the new machines would have functionality to accommodate this should the Council wish to introduce that payment method. In respect of a barrier for exit only, Officers advised that a review of all car parks would be required to ascertain whether this was practical or not.

Councillor J R Burrell-Cook referred to the loss of income from being cashless and proposed that recommendation (i) be amended to include pay on exit as an option. This amendment was duly seconded.

The Director of Finance reminded Members of the discussions that had taken place at the Finance Working Group when considering these proposals. Officers highlighted the need to ensure that the income stream of £2 million was safeguarded along with issues regarding reliability with the current machines.

During the debate that followed, a number of Members commented on the proposal as set out in the report and alternative solutions including the use of Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) systems and pay as you leave were raised. In response the Senior Car Park and Community Safey Officer provided further information on the options considered and the ongoing need for enforcement officers due to the Council having to issue physical penalty notices.

In response to a question regarding the proposed removal of the car parking machine at the Promenade Park Coach Park, Members were advised that this decision had been made as there had been an unreliable service from the machine and a large proportion of payments were made using the RingGo cashless payment system. It was clarified that parking was free for those users who had a disabled parking permit.

The Chairperson then moved the proposed amendment to recommendation (i) in the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 96.

To consider the report of the Director of Strategy and Improvement, (copy enclosed).

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Strategy and Improvement seeking Members’ approval to create a Culture and Heritage Strategy (the Strategy) for the Maldon District drawing on information set out in Appendix 1 to the report.

The Director of Strategy and Improvement presented the report and took Members through the extensive engagement, partnership working and evidence gathering which had led to formation of the Strategy. The Strategy would provide a clear and practical framework for protecting and strengthening the district’s distinctive cultural, heritage and environmental assets whilst supporting community wellbeing, regenerative tourism and economic resilience. It was noted that the detailed themes had been grouped into five strategic areas which provided a clear overview of where future focus, partnership working and investment would be needed.

If the Committee approved the Strategy a costed Action Plan would be developed to deliver against the Strategy, with external funding to be sought where possible (e.g. Arts Council England, Public Health and Heritage funding). The Action Plan would be presented to the relevant Committee for approval later in the year, proposed for September 2026.

At this point Councillor J R Burrell-Cook declared an interest as Chairperson of Maldon District Tourism Group and worked with Cultural England.

The Chairperson moved the recommendations set out in the report. These were duly seconded.

In response to some comments further information was provided by the Director of Strategy and Improvement, and it was noted that the Council’s Corporate Plan stated that the Council would develop a Culture and Heritage Strategy.

The Chairperson put the recommendations to the Committee and upon a vote being taken these were duly agreed.

RESOLVED

(i)             That a Culture and Heritage Strategy for the Maldon District be approved, informed from the briefing papers at Appendix 1 to the report;

(ii)            that Members acknowledge work will now commence to develop a costed Action Plan to be brought back to the relevant Committee later this calendar year, proposed to be September 2026.

To consider the report of the Director of Strategy and Improvement, (copy enclosed).

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Strategy and Improvement seeking Members’ consideration of a Pay Policy Statement (PPS), attached at Appendix 1 to the report.

The Director of Strategy and Improvement introduced the report, advising that in order to meet requirements of the Localism Act 2011 the Council had to publish and annually approve a PPS. A number of changes had been made to the current PPS and these included:

·                clarification that payments relating to the administration of elections were outside of current pay policy arrangements.

·                removal of Pay Bands A and B in line with the National Joint Council (NJC) 2025 / 26 pay award, and it was noted that any employees aligned to these bands had been transitioned to Pay Band C.

·                market supplements had been updated to reflect their increase in line with national agreed pay awards.

·                an increase to the Council’s pay ratio to 1:4:4.

Members were advised that the NJC Pay Award had yet to be agreed nationally and once agreed the PPS would be updated and staff provided backpay to 1 April 2026, as required. However, it was noted that since publication of the report the Chief Officers pay award to up lift pay by 3.5% had been agreed.

The Chairperson moved the recommendations set out in the report. These were duly seconded and agreed.

RESOLVED

(i)             That the Committee notes:

a)             the inclusion confirming that payments relating to election duties fall outside the Council’s standard pay policy arrangements, reflecting their statutory and distinct nature;

b)             the removal of Pay Bands A and B, as required under the National Joint Council (NJC) Pay Award 2025/26, and the consequential transition of affected employees to Grade C with effect from 01 April 2026/27;

c)             that Market Supplements will increase in line with nationally agreed pay awards, ensuring consistency and transparency in pay management arrangements;

RECOMMENDED

(ii)            that the 2026 / 27 Pay Policy Statement attached at APPENDIX 2 to these Minutes be approved.

To consider the report of the Director of Finance (copy enclosed).

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Finance providing the final (outturn) financial position for the period year to 31 March 2026 (period 12).

The Director of Finance thanked budget managers for their work and presented the report which provided an update on a number of areas including the following:

·                Revenue Budget Outturn (Period 12) - The outturn for this budget was an underspend of £133,000 attributable to additional income from investments, car parks and planning activities and further detail was set out in Appendix 1 to the report. Salary underspend had been used to fund interim and temporary staff costs and the overspend in Finance Services was due to prior years’ corporate savings being included in these budgets.

·                Significant Changes During the Year - A number of key developments had been undertaken during the year which included the Local Government Reorganisation proposals, the first year of the new Leisure Services Contract and restructure of staff. The report provided further detail in respect of each key development.

The Director of Finance advised that the pension strain total figure shown at paragraph 5.4.10 of the report was incorrect and should be £531,000. This was noted.

·                Activity Levels – The report included a number of charts which provided background information on some of the high-profile areas of activity and therefore key drivers of overall cost.

·                Capital Budget Monitoring - Outturn – The main project details were set out in Appendix 2 to the report, and the report provided a list of those capital schemes completed during this period.

·                Reserves – Appendix 3 to the report detailed the movements on Earmarked Reserves for 2025 / 26.

·                General Fund Debtors – Outstanding debt for general fund activities as at 31 March was £383,811 and detailed in the report along with the work undertaken to collect debts. Details of general debt written off by the Council to the end of March 2026 was set out in the report.

·                Collection Fund – A table within the report set out the collection fund outturn position and it was noted that a strong collection rate (985) and stable debt position indicated good management of the fund. The Director of Finance highlighted the work being undertaken by the Revenues and Benefits Team, alongside the Finance Team.

It was noted that in line with previous monitoring reports the outturn showed good performance in both revenue budgets and capital investment in line with expectation; debts had reduced, and reserves applied in line with previous decisions.

The Chairperson moved the recommendations as set out in the report. This was duly seconded.

In response to questions raised, the Director of Finance provided the following information:

·                The debt written off and as set out in paragraph 7.5.4, related to general debt and therefore excluded the Collection Fund and Non-Domestic Rates, which were addressed separately. The bad debt provision exceeded £1million, and the reduction in the overall level of outstanding debt meant that the bad debt provision could be reduced, which was where  ...  view the full minutes text for item 99.

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

The Committee considered the report of the Chief Executive to appoint to Outside Bodies and Working Groups of the Strategy and Resources Committee for the ensuing municipal year.

The Chairperson called for nominations to the Outside Bodies and Working Groups detailed.

Following a brief discussion and receipt of nominations the following was agreed.

RESOLVED

(i)             That the Committee appoints representatives to the Outside Bodies as listed below, for the ensuing Municipal Year;

(ii)        That the Committee appoints representatives to the Working Group as listed below, for the ensuing Municipal Year;