Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Simon Carter and Mark Wilkinson.

Councillors’ declarations of interest (if any) in relation to any items on the agenda.

None.

To agree the minutes of the meeting held on 10 December 2020.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 10 December 2020 are agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

The Chair said that the only event she had attended since the last meeting was the virtual Holocaust Memorial Day service.

None.

The questions, together with the answers, are appended to the minutes.

The questions, together with the answers, are appended to the minutes.

Proposed by Councillor Emma Toal (seconded by Councillor Chris Vince):

“This Council notes:  

             i)        That the Law Commission is currently reviewing all current hate crime legislation to consider whether any additional characteristics, including misogyny, should be granted legal protection, and is due to report back to Parliament in 2020. Misogyny is not currently recorded as a hate crime by the vast majority of police forces in the UK, outside of a handful of trial areas. 

            ii)        That this review was thanks to the work of Stella Creasy and her campaign to have misogyny classified as a hate crime - which her amendment to the Voyeurism (Offences) (No.2) Bill, or Upskirting Bill would have secured – alongside groups such as Citizens UK, HOPE Not Hate, Southall Black Sisters, Tell MAMA UK, and the Fawcett Society. 

           iii)        That like women and girls across the country our residents suffer harassment and abuse every single day. A YouGov national survey in 2016 showed that 85% of women aged 18-24 were subjected to sexual harassment in public. 

           iv)        The adoption of misogyny as a hate crime was successfully implemented in Nottingham, where analysis showed an increase in reporting as well as an increase in the use of wider services. It also showed the vast majority of local people wanted the scheme to continue. 

            v)        Studies have shown that the intersectional nature of discrimination means that women with additional protected characteristics, such as those who are BAME, disabled or LGBT+, are even more likely to experience harassment, discrimination and abuse. 

The Council resolves: 

             i)        To make a submission to the Law Commission’s Consultation at the earliest opportunity in favour of strengthening hate crime legislation and making misogyny a hate crime. 

            ii)        To call on the Government to listen to the lived experience of women and girls across our country and to urgently act on any recommendations the commission makes to strengthen the law on hate crime, and to reform legislation around harassment to recognise as an offence a ‘course of conduct’ which targets women and girls in their community. 

           iii)        To call on the Government to provide the resource and funding for police forces across the UK to effectively tackle harassment, misogyny and domestic abuse. 

To call on Essex Police to record harassment of women as a hate crime, following successful trials in Nottingham and elsewhere.”

Councillor Toal proposed an amendment to part i) under ‘The Council resolves:’ so that it read ‘To write to the Law Commission in favour of strengthening hate crime legislation and making misogyny a hate crime’. The amendment was carried with the consent of the meeting and became part of the substantive motion.

Proposed by Councillor Emma Toal (seconded by Councillor Chris Vince):

RESOLVED that the motion, as amended, was carried.

“This Council notes:  

                             i)        That the Law Commission is currently reviewing all current hate crime legislation to consider whether any additional characteristics, including misogyny, should be granted legal protection, and is due to report back to Parliament in 2021. Misogyny is not currently recorded as a hate crime by the vast majority of police forces in the UK, outside of a handful of trial areas. 

                            ii)        That this review was thanks to the work of Stella Creasy and her campaign to have misogyny classified as a hate crime - which her amendment to the Voyeurism (Offences) (No.2) Bill, or Upskirting Bill would have secured – alongside groups such as Citizens UK, HOPE Not Hate, Southall Black Sisters, Tell MAMA UK, and the Fawcett Society. 

                           iii)        That like women and girls across the country our residents suffer harassment and abuse every single day. A YouGov national survey in 2016 showed that 85% of women aged 18-24 were subjected to sexual harassment in public. 

                           iv)        The adoption of misogyny as a hate crime was successfully implemented in Nottingham, where analysis showed an increase in reporting as well as an increase in the use of wider services. It also showed the vast majority of local people wanted the scheme to continue. 

                            v)        Studies have shown that the intersectional nature of discrimination means that women with additional protected characteristics, such as those who are BAME, disabled or LGBT+, are even more likely to experience harassment, discrimination and abuse. 

The Council resolves: 

                             i)        To write to the Law Commission in favour of strengthening hate crime legislation and making misogyny a hate crime. 

                            ii)        To call on the Government to listen to the lived experience of women and girls across our country and to urgently act on any recommendations the commission makes to strengthen the law on hate crime, and to reform legislation around harassment to recognise as an offence a ‘course of conduct’ which targets women and girls in their community. 

                           iii)        To call on the Government to provide the resource and funding for police forces across the UK to effectively tackle harassment, misogyny and domestic abuse.

                           iv)        To call on Essex Police to record harassment of women as a hate crime, following successful trials in Nottingham and elsewhere.”

The Chair asked Full Council to take items 9a-f of the agenda enbloc. As required by the Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2014 all votes on these were recorded. Details of these are appended to the minutes.

Cabinet recommended to Full Council that:

     i)        The Corporate Plan 2020/21, attached as Appendix A to the report, is adopted.

    ii)        Authority be delegated to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, to make minor and inconsequential amendments to the Corporate Plan.

   iii)        The Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, prepare the proposed delivery programme for 2021-22 and therefore milestones to be monitored through regular Joint Finance and Performance Report quarterly reporting to members.

   iv)        The review of the Corporate Plan achievements, in future, form part of an enlarged Year End Performance report monitored by Cabinet annually.

Cabinet recommended to Full Council that:

     i)        The Corporate Plan 2020/21, attached as Appendix A to the report, is adopted.

    ii)        Authority be delegated to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, to make minor and inconsequential amendments to the Corporate Plan.

   iii)        The Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, prepare the proposed delivery programme for 2021-22 and therefore milestones to be monitored through regular Joint Finance and Performance Report quarterly reporting to members.

   iv)        The review of the Corporate Plan achievements, in future, form part of an enlarged Year End Performance report monitored by Cabinet annually.

Proposed by Councillor Mark Ingall (seconded by Councillor Mike Danvers) it was:

RESOLVED that the above recommendations be approved.

Cabinet recommended to Full Council that:

     i)        The Medium Term Financial Strategy for 2021/22 to 2023/24 (attached as appendix B to the report) is adopted.

    ii)        The planned Council Tax increase of 1.99 per cent for 2021/22 as set out in the Medium Term Financial Plan be approved.

   iii)        That an initial £155,000 is earmarked from the Governments 2021/22 Covid support funding to provide additional council tax hardship support and that up to £300,000 in total is made available should it be required in 2021/22.

   iv)        That a new Budget Stabilisation Fund is created as set out in this report totalling £1.363 million by utilising £1 million of the existing Severance Reserve and the balance of the 2021/22 Covid-19 funding provided by the Government.

    v)        That the New Homes Bonus for 2021/22 totalling £1.079 million is contributed in full to the Discretionary Services Fund.

Cabinet recommended to Full Council that:

     i)        The Medium Term Financial Strategy for 2021/22 to 2023/24 (attached as appendix B to the report) is adopted.

    ii)        The planned Council Tax increase of 1.99 per cent for 2021/22 as set out in the Medium Term Financial Plan be approved.

   iii)        That an initial £155,000 is earmarked from the Governments 2021/22 Covid support funding to provide additional council tax hardship support and that up to £300,000 in total is made available should it be required in 2021/22.

   iv)        That a new Budget Stabilisation Fund is created as set out in this report totalling £1.363 million by utilising £1 million of the existing Severance Reserve and the balance of the 2021/22 Covid-19 funding provided by the Government.

    v)        That the New Homes Bonus for 2021/22 totalling £1.079 million is contributed in full to the Discretionary Services Fund.

Proposed by Councillor Mark Ingall (seconded by Councillor Mike Danvers) it was:

RESOLVED that the above recommendations be approved.

Cabinet recommended to Full Council that:

     i)        The General Fund estimates for 2021/22, as set out in Appendix A to the report, are approved.

    ii)        The proposed transfers between the General Fund and Earmarked Reserves, referred to in paragraph 27, Table 3 of the report and set out in Appendix C to the report, are approved.

   iii)        The proposed Fees and Charges, as set out in Appendix E to the report, are approved.

   iv)        The Pay Policy Statement, as set out in Appendix G to the report, is approved.

    v)        The Council’s Band D Council Tax for 2021/22 is set at £288.90 representing an increase in Council Tax of 1.99 per cent for the forthcoming year.

Cabinet recommended to Full Council that:

     i)        The General Fund estimates for 2021/22, as set out in Appendix A to the report, are approved.

    ii)        The proposed transfers between the General Fund and Earmarked Reserves, referred to in paragraph 27, Table 3 of the report and set out in Appendix C to the report, are approved.

   iii)        The proposed Fees and Charges, as set out in Appendix E to the report, are approved.

   iv)        The Pay Policy Statement, as set out in Appendix G to the report, is approved.

    v)        The Council’s Band D Council Tax for 2021/22 is set at £288.90 representing an increase in Council Tax of 1.99 per cent for the forthcoming year.

Councillor Russell Perrin (seconded by Councillor Andrew Johnson) moved an amendment as set out in supplementary agenda 2.

A recorded vote was taken on the amendment and the amendment was lost.

Councillor Mark Ingall (seconded by Councillor Mike Danvers) moved that a vote was taken on the substantive motion. As required by law a recorded vote was taken and it was:

RESOLVED that the original recommendations above be approved.

Cabinet recommended to Full Council that it:

     i)        Approves the Housing Revenue Account estimates as set out in Appendix 2 to the report.

    ii)        Approves that tenant rents are increased by CPI plus 1 per cent (1.5 per cent) with effect from 5 April 2021. This equates to an average weekly rent of £93.66 an increase of £1.38 (set out in paragraph 4 of the report).

   iii)        Approves that the rents and personal charges for temporary accommodation be increase by an average of 1.5 per cent with effect from 5 April 2021 (set out in paragraph 5 of the report).

   iv)        Approves that garage rents within the ‘retain and invest’ category are increased by 5 per cent with effect from 1 April 2021.  This equates to an average weekly rent of £11.20, an increase of £0.53. Also approves the proportionate increases for other garages, car ports and car spaces (set out in paragraph 6 of the report).

    v)        Approves that tenant service charges are increased by an average 1.5 per cent with effect from 5 April 2021 This equates to an average weekly service charge  of £2.34 (see paragraphs 7 to 9 of the report and Appendix 1 attached to the report).

   vi)        Approves that other housing related support charges for sheltered accommodation are increased to recover full cost with effect from 5 April 2021 (see paragraphs 10 to 14 of the report and Appendix 1 attached to the report).

 vii)        Approves that tenant heating charges are increased by an average 2.9 per cent with effect from 5 April 2021. This equates to an average weekly heating charge of £9.50 an increase of £0.27. For tenants in sheltered accommodation this equates to an average weekly charge of £7.04 an increase £0.20 (see paragraphs 15 to 17 of the report and Appendix 1 attached to the report).

viii)        Approves that the leasehold service charges are increased with effect from 1 April 2021 to ensure that all leaseholder costs are recovered (see paragraphs 18 to 22 of the report and Appendix 1 attached to the report).

   ix)        Approves that all other tenant charges are increased with effect from 5 April 2021 in order to recover cost (see Appendix 1 attached to the report).

Cabinet recommended to Full Council that it:

     i)        Approves the Housing Revenue Account estimates as set out in Appendix 2 to the report.

    ii)        Approves that tenant rents are increased by CPI plus 1 per cent (1.5 per cent) with effect from 5 April 2021. This equates to an average weekly rent of £93.66 an increase of £1.38 (set out in paragraph 4 of the report).

   iii)        Approves that the rents and personal charges for temporary accommodation be increase by an average of 1.5 per cent with effect from 5 April 2021 (set out in paragraph 5 of the report).

   iv)        Approves that garage rents within the ‘retain and invest’ category are increased by 5 per cent with effect from 1 April 2021.  This equates to an average weekly rent of £11.20, an increase of £0.53. Also approves the proportionate increases for other garages, car ports and car spaces (set out in paragraph 6 of the report).

    v)        Approves that tenant service charges are increased by an average 1.5 per cent with effect from 5 April 2021 This equates to an average weekly service charge  of £2.34 (see paragraphs 7 to 9 of the report and Appendix 1 attached to the report).

   vi)        Approves that other housing related support charges for sheltered accommodation are increased to recover full cost with effect from 5 April 2021 (see paragraphs 10 to 14 of the report and Appendix 1 attached to the report).

 vii)        Approves that tenant heating charges are increased by an average 2.9 per cent with effect from 5 April 2021. This equates to an average weekly heating charge of £9.50 an increase of £0.27. For tenants in sheltered accommodation this equates to an average weekly charge of £7.04 an increase £0.20 (see paragraphs 15 to 17 of the report and Appendix 1 attached to the report).

viii)        Approves that the leasehold service charges are increased with effect from 1 April 2021 to ensure that all leaseholder costs are recovered (see paragraphs 18 to 22 of the report and Appendix 1 attached to the report).

   ix)        Approves that all other tenant charges are increased with effect from 5 April 2021 in order to recover cost (see Appendix 1 attached to the report).

Proposed by Councillor Mark Ingall (seconded by Councillor Mike Danvers) it was:

RESOLVED that the above recommendations be approved.

Cabinet recommended to Full Council that:

     i)        The following Capital and Treasury Reports be approved:

·         The Capital Strategy Report (attached as Appendix A to the report).

·         The Capital Programme Strategy Statement 2021/22 (attached as Appendix B to the report).

·         The Investment Strategy Report 2021/22 (attached as Appendix D to the report).

·         The Minimum Revenue Provision Statement 2021/22 (attached as Appendix E to the report).

    ii)        The proposed revised Treasury Management Strategy Statement 2021/22 (attached as Appendix C to the report) be approved for implementation with effect from 1 April 2021.

Cabinet recommended to Full Council that:

     i)        The following Capital and Treasury Reports be approved:

·         The Capital Strategy Report (attached as Appendix A to the report).

·         The Capital Programme Strategy Statement 2021/22 (attached as Appendix B to the report).

·         The Investment Strategy Report 2021/22 (attached as Appendix D to the report).

·         The Minimum Revenue Provision Statement 2021/22 (attached as Appendix E to the report).

    ii)        The proposed revised Treasury Management Strategy Statement 2021/22 (attached as Appendix C to the report) be approved for implementation with effect from 1 April 2021.

Proposed by Councillor Mark Ingall (seconded by Councillor Mike Danvers) it was:

RESOLVED that the above recommendations be approved.

Cabinet recommended to Full Council that it approves:

     i)        The Housing Capital Programme (HCP) 2021/22 as set out in Appendix 1 to the report.

    ii)        The inclusion in the Non Housing Capital Programme (NHCP) of an additional provision of £618,000 to finance the Town Wide Paddling Pools and Staple Tye Splash Park improvements. Consequently the 2020/21 revised budget will increase by £152,000 and the 2021/22 estimates by £466,000.

   iii)        The inclusion in the NHCP a provision of £3.56 million for additional capital expenditure at the Enterprise Zone funded by grant from the South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP) Getting Building Fund. Consequently the 2020/21 revised budget will increase by £200,000 and the 2021/22 estimates by £3.36 million.

   iv)        The NHCP bids for £5.57 million additional investment in 2021/22 as set out in Table 10 of the report.

    v)        The NHCP 2021/22 as set out in Appendix 2 to the report.

Cabinet recommended to Full Council that it approves:

     i)        The Housing Capital Programme (HCP) 2021/22 as set out in Appendix 1 to the report.

    ii)        The inclusion in the Non Housing Capital Programme (NHCP) of an additional provision of £618,000 to finance the Town Wide Paddling Pools and Staple Tye Splash Park improvements. Consequently the 2020/21 revised budget will increase by £152,000 and the 2021/22 estimates by £466,000.

   iii)        The inclusion in the NHCP a provision of £3.56 million for additional capital expenditure at the Enterprise Zone funded by grant from the South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP) Getting Building Fund. Consequently the 2020/21 revised budget will increase by £200,000 and the 2021/22 estimates by £3.36 million.

   iv)        The NHCP bids for £5.57 million additional investment in 2021/22 as set out in Table 10 of the report.

    v)        The NHCP 2021/22 as set out in Appendix 2 to the report.

Proposed by Councillor Mark Ingall (seconded by Councillor Mike Danvers) it was:

RESOLVED that the above recommendations be approved.

The Licensing Committee recommend to Full Council the adoption of the policy changes set out at recommendation items 9-16 in the main agenda report under the heading in the report below; Group B – Policy Change Can be Recommended at This Time and recommendation items A and B for DFT standard 13 in the supplementary agenda report.

The Licensing Committee recommend to Full Council the adoption of the policy changes set out at recommendation items 9-16 in the main agenda report under the heading in the report below; Group B – Policy Change Can be Recommended at This Time and recommendation items A and B for DFT standard 13 in the supplementary agenda report.

Proposed by Councillor Shannon Jezzard (seconded by Councillor Mark Ingall) it was:

RESOLVED that the above recommendation be approved.

With the consent of the meeting, it was agreed to suspend Council Procedure Rule 9.1 and that the meeting would continue until the remaining business had been considered.

Councillor Andrew Johnson proposed that Councillor Clive Souter was appointed to the vacant seat on the Licensing Committee. With the consent of the meeting this became part of the substantive motion.

RESOLVED that the appointment to Committees, Sub Committees and Panels of the Council and their Chair and Vice Chair be approved as appended to the minutes.

RESOLVED that the nominations for Appointment of Council Representatives on Outside Bodies be approved as appended to the minutes.

To note the following Cabinet and Committee minutes:

RESOLVED that the minutes of the following meetings are noted.

Such other business which, in the opinion of the Chair, should be received as a matter of urgency by reason of special circumstances to be specified in the minutes.

None.