To consider the statement of the Leader of the Council setting out the Council’s report and programme for the current municipal year.
Minutes:
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 address these challenges.
The Leader thanked Members and Officers of the Council for the continued hard work and dedication they had put into the delivery of the Council’s public services over the last year. He was keen that the Council continued to build on the positive steps taken to allow the Maldon District to grow and prosper and hoped Members would share his vision for this.
The Chairperson advised that there were currently three Leaders of the Opposition and in accordance with Procedure Rule 1(12) he would allow them each five minutes to respond to the statement made by the Leader of the Council.
Councillor J C Stilts, Leader of the Maldon District Support Group, advised how her Group welcome the organisational review being undertaken by the Chief Executive, along with future smart ways of working. She referred to investment in Promenade Park and hoped this would be extended to other parts of the District. In respect of the Leisure Contract, Councillor Stilts asked for reassurance that all groups had been accommodated with any concerns addressed. She thanked Officers for their hard work in delivering all grants to the community and supported the Leaders’ suggestion of a Health, Well-being and Leisure Working Group. In congratulating the Section 151 Officer on his appointment thanks were given to both him and the last Officer for bringing forward early the draft accounts for auditing. The Group looked forward to receiving all information regarding LGR, including the evidence relating to both the three and five authority models being proposed to form a beneficial outcome for the residents of the District. Highlighting the need to ensure that housing needs were met for everyone in the District, Councillor Stilts commented how her Group looked forward to the challenges of working with other Groups to shape the future of the District. Finally, the Group hoped that the new Local Development Plan had infrastructure, schools, doctors, transports and connectivity at its forefront.
Councillor S J N Morgan, Leader of the Conservative Group, thanked the Leader of the Council for his speech and commended the Chief Executive for his work including that coming forward in his reorganisation of the Council. On behalf of his Group, Councillor Morgan welcomed Mr Jay and thanked all officers for their hard work over the year and looked forward to future working with them. He agreed with the Leader that the achievements over the year had been done with all four political Groups and non-aligned Members to move the District forward and develop projects. The Group was encouraged that all possibilities were being considered in respect of LGR. Councillor Morgan highlighted the recent cancelling of the A12 road widening and the Group noted the significant implications this would have on wards, the District and county. In conclusion, Councillor Morgan, referred to the forthcoming municipal year, working together and putting residents’ interests forward.
Councillor J Driver, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, thanked the Leader of the Council for his speech and referred to the growth of the Liberal Democrat Group with the recent election of Councillor Sarah Dodsley. He advised that the Groups commitment continued, to work collaboratively with all parties and independent Members to ensure stability at such a crucial time in the Council’s history. The Council had much to celebrate at this time, including the new pontoon at Burnham-on-Crouch, investment in play equipment and skateboard parks at Burnham-on-Crouch and Maldon and repairs to the amphitheatre. Councillor Driver advised that he had recently attended a One Maldon District partnership meeting and commented that the work of the partnership needed wider recognition. He noted how the UKSPF and Rural England Prosperity Fund had helped to deliver a number of projects across the District. The Group acknowledged the work of Mr Jay and the finance team and how the Council must continue to be careful whilst also being bold in its desire to use its reserves to benefit residents. The Council faced pressures from Government housing targets and there was an urgent need for a robust Local Development Plan. Councillor Driver highlighted how the Council had taken a clear stand on St. Peter’s Hospital and must continue to keep the pressure to secure the range of health services required by its community. Progress in respect of LGR should not be undermined by political distractions as residents deserved a Council focused on their interest. In conclusion, Councillor Driver referred to the Council having many opportunities and how continuing to work together would ensure great success for it.