Agenda and draft minutes

To appoint a Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Committee for the remainder of the municipal year.

At this point, Councillor R G Boyce made a proposal in respect of the appointment of the Chairman of the Committee.  He then raised a point of order requesting that his proposal should be put to the vote.  In response, the Director of Strategy, Performance and Governance advised that nominations for the positions of Chairman and Vice-Chairman had not yet been sought.

With permission, Councillor M S Heard addressed the Committee asking Members to consider the appointment of an independent Chairman or Vice-Chairman.

The Director of Strategy, Performance and Governance called for nominations for Chairman.  It was proposed by Councillor R G Boyce and duly seconded that Councillor B E Harker be elected as Chairman of the Committee for the remainder of the municipal year.  The Director then called for any other nominations and Councillor N G F Shaughnessy proposed, and it was duly seconded that Councillor J Stilts be elected as Chairman.  The Director of Strategy, Performance and Governance called for a vote and upon this being taken he declared Councillor Harker was appointed as Chairman of the Committee for remainder of the municipal year.

In the absence of the Chairman, the Director of Strategy, Performance and Governance then sought nominations for Vice-Chairman of the Committee.  It was proposed by Councillor R G Boyce and duly seconded that Councillor Miss S White be elected as Vice-Chairman of the Committee for the remainder of the municipal year.  The Director then called for any other nominations and Councillor N G F Shaughnessy proposed, and it was duly seconded, that Councillor N Skeens be elected as Vice-Chairman.  The Director of Strategy, Performance and Governance called for a vote and upon this being taken he declared Councillor Miss White was appointed as Vice-Chairman of the Committee for remainder of the municipal year.

RESOLVED

(i)              That Councillor B E Harker be elected as Chairman of the Committee for the remainder of the municipal year;

(ii)            That Councillor Miss S White be elected as Vice-Chairman of the Committee for the remainder of the municipal year.

In the absence of the Chairman, the Vice-Chairman then took the chair.

IN THE CHAIR : COUNCILLOR MISS S WHITE (Vice-Chairman)

The Chairman drew attention to the list of notices published on the back of the agenda.

An apology for absence was received from Councillors B E Harker.  In accordance with notice duly given Councillor K W Jarvis was attending as a substitute for Councillor Harker.

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

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

Councillor N Skeens disclosed a non-pecuniary interest in Agenda Item 8 – Dengie Gateway Project – Burnham-on-Crouch ‘Hub’ Update as the Burnham Observatory was a central part of this report and as a Member of the Burnham-on-Crouch Town Council he was lead member on this project.

Councillor Mrs P A Channer disclosed a non-pecuniary interest as a Member of Essex County Council on any matter relating to the County Council.

To receive the views of members of the public on items of business to be considered by the Committee (please see below):

1.               A period of ten minutes will be set.

2.               An individual may speak for no more than two minutes and will not be allowed to distribute or display papers, plans, photographs or other materials.

3.               Anyone wishing to speak must notify the Committee Clerk between 7:00pm and 7:20pm prior to the start of the meeting.

No requests had been received.

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

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Strategy, Performance and Governance presenting the Marketing and Communications Strategy (the Strategy) (attached as Appendix 1 to the report) for approval. 

It was noted that the Strategy would underpin delivery of the Council’s Corporate Plan and support its three Thematic Strategies and Commercial Strategy.

There was some discussion regarding ‘commercial use of assets’ referred to in the Strategy and reference made to the Promenade Park and future projects.  Councillor R H Siddall raised a Point of Order that commercial projects were part of a separate thematic strategy and not relevant to this Strategy.  In response to comments, the Director of Strategy, Performance and Governance clarified that the Strategy related to how the Council communicated and promoted projects and not the process behind how projects were established or dealt with.

In response to a comment regarding the inclusion of targets within the document, the Director of Strategy, Performance and Governance advised that the thematic strategies and performance indicators from which targets would be identified had yet to be determined. 

The Director of Strategy, Performance and Governance advised that the figure detailed within section 7 of the Strategy was based on activity to date.  He explained there was a formula used to calculate such figures and this related to the size of the film, crew etc.  Members were reminded that the figure represented a benefit to the District as a whole.

It was commented that the Strategy was a very well worked up document, clear and easy to understand.

Councillor A S Fluker commented that the Strategy would be continuously updated and therefore gave opportunity for Members to further engage with Officers.  He then proposed that the Strategy be approved.  This was duly agreed.

RESOLVED that the Marketing and Communications Strategy be approved.

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

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Strategy, Performance and Governance seeking Members’ approval to adopt the List of Local Heritage Assets for Maldon (attached as Appendix 1 to the report).

It was noted that a draft of the Local List for Maldon had been approved for public consultation in June 2019 and a table summarising the consultation responses received was attached as Appendix 2 to the report.  Members attention was drawn to a letter submitted by RPS Group on behalf of Mid-Essex Hospital Servicers NHS Trust which sought exclusion of specific areas from the listing and inclusion of a map highlighting those buildings included and excluded from the list document.  The report highlighted Officers’ responses in relation to this and the changes that had been made to the local list.

Members were reminded that up-to-date Parish Lists of Local Heritage Assets which highlight and promote locally important historic buildings in each parish would be a useful tool in meeting the Council’s objectives.

During the discussion the Director of Strategy, Performance and Governance provided explanation as to the difference between a heritage asset and Grade I and II listing on buildings.  The Director clarified that if approved, the List of Local Heritage Assets would have immediate effect on any new planning applications relating to sites listed.

The Committee asked that its thanks be passed onto the Conservation Officer for his work on drafting all Lists of Local Heritage Assets.

RESOLVED that the List of Local Heritage Assets for Maldon be approved for formal adoption.

To consider the report of the Director of Service Delivery, (copy enclosed).

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Service Delivery providing Members with an update on the delivery of a ‘Saltmarsh Coast Hub’ in Burnham-on-Crouch.

The Chairman drew Members’ attention to a letter from Burnham-on-Crouch Town Council and a presentation from Councillor N Skeens which had been circulated prior to the meeting.

The report provided background information regarding the installation of Saltmarsh Coast Visitor Information Hubs on the Districts coastline as part of the Dengie Gateway Project and the agreement to progress a Woodland and Sculpture Trail in Burnham-on-Crouch.  Members were advised that Burnham-on-Crouch Town Council had informed the Council that they would like a ‘Burnham Observatory’ in preference to the Woodland Sculpture Trail.

Councillor Skeens addressed the Committee and provided a brief explanation of the proposed ‘Burnham Observatory’ referring to how it would be a tourist attraction, and provide information regarding the maritime location, including tides and surrounding area.  He advised that the proposal was fully supported by Burnham-on-Crouch Town Council who had plans in place to raise the additional funds required should the project be agreed.

In response to a question regarding the ownership of the land for the proposed ‘Burnham Observatory’ the Director of Service Delivery advised that he did not have that information available but understood that further work regarding ownership and liability etc. was required.

A comment was raised regarding the funding originally identified and in response the Director of Service Delivery explained that £20,000 reserve had been originally identified for a project in Burnham-on-Crouch which had been reduced to fund the approved woodland project.  He confirmed that all of the grant monies had been spent on coastal projects and identified how some of the monies had been allocated to improve access to the coast.

The Committee extended its thanks to Councillor Skeens for his presentation and documentation detailed in the supplementary pack.  Councillor A S Fluker referred to some of the queries raised during Members’ discussions including ownership of the ‘Burnham Observatory’ site, funding shortfall and ongoing maintenance.  Although in principle the Committee was supportive of the alternative project, he proposed that Officers work with Burnham-on-Crouch Town Council to develop the alternative project and report back with a fully costed and developed plan for consideration by the Committee at a future date.  This proposal was duly seconded and agreed.

RESOLVED that Officers work with Burnham-on-Crouch Town Council to develop the alternative project and report back with a fully costed and developed plan for consideration by the Committee at a future date.

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

The Council considered the report of the Director of Strategy, Performance and Governance informing Members of the initial funding agreement in place between the Council and BRB (developers of Bradwell B Nuclear Power Station) to fund the Councils work in supporting the Development Consent Order (DCO) Process for Bradwell B.

The report provided background information regarding the proposed Bradwell B Nuclear Power Station and the process to build a new nuclear power station.  Members were advised that it was usual for the developer and Local Planning Authority to enter into a Planning Performance Agreement and that an agreement had been reached between the Council and BRB for the developer to provide funding of up to £14,995 per month to support the role of the Council in supporting the DCO process.  An initial agreement for a period of three months to the end of December 2019 had been agreed by letter and was attached at Appendix 1 to the report

In response to questions, the Director of Strategy, Performance and Governance provided Members with additional information, including:

·                 It was understood that in respect of traffic at the end of February 2020 a consultation would be undertaken which would then inform the statutory consultation which would follow;

·                 Calculations had been based on meetings that had to be attended, fees, hourly rates etc.  Back fees had been calculated and claimed for September 2019. 

·                 Looking forward this arrangement would either be a Planning Performance Agreement or extension of the written agreement

·                 The DCO process would cover everything include the additional infrastructure.

RESOLVED that the agreement in place between Maldon District Council (MDC) and BRB for the period to 31 December 2019 covering MDC’s resources to support the Development Consent Process for Bradwell B Nuclear Power Station be noted.

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

In response to a request from Councillor M S Heard to speak, the Chairman advised that he would be able to do so after the nominations.

In response to a question the Chairman clarified that the Committee would consider nominations and should the first not carry, the second / any other nominations would then be considered. 

The Chairman then made the following proposals which were duly seconded and upon votes being taken, agreed:

·                 that Councillors A S Fluker, Miss S White, A L Hull and Mrs M E Thompson be appointed to the Car Parking Task and Finish Working Group. 

·                 that Councillors Fluker, R H Siddall, Miss White, B E Harker and Mrs J L Fleming be appointed to the Events Member Task and Finish Working Group.

·                 that Councillors Mrs Thompson, Miss White, Harker and Mrs P A Channer be appointed to the Maldon Market Member Task and Finish Working Group.

·                 That Councillor Mrs Channer be appointed to the Recreational Avoidance and Mitigation Strategy Member Forum.

·                 That Councillors Fluker, Miss White, Harker and Siddall be appointed to the Waste Member Task and Finish Working Group.

·                 That the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of this Committee be appointed to the River Crouch Coastal Community Team (Management Team).

During the above nominations and their consideration the following Points of Order were raised:

·                 Councillor C Swain raised a point of order advising that there was no limit to the number of members nominated and therefore suggested that the Chairman could take further nominations.

·                 Councillor N Skeens raised a point of order as he felt there had been no opportunity to propose independent candidates.  In response to this the Chairman advised that under a point of order in the constitution once a motion was put forward and duly seconded the vote was taken and if that motion was carried then that motion stood.  It was only if that motion failed that there would be a second motion.

RESOLVED that the representatives be appointed to the bodies detailed below, for the remainder of the municipal year.

At  ...  view the full minutes text for item 473.