Agenda and minutes

Public Speaking: To register your intention to speak at a Council, Cabinet or Committee meeting, please contact Democratic Services on committee@uttlesford.gov.uk or 01799 510410, 510548, 510369 or 510460. Panel, Forum and Working Group meetings do not generally permit public speaking. Please refer to a specific meeting's pdf agenda pack for further information and registration deadlines.

Live Broadcast: For Council, Cabinet and Committee meetings the video player will be available on this page under the Media banner a few minutes before the meeting is due to begin. Please note that Panel, Board, Forum and Working Group meetings are not generally broadcast on the website. We believe that live streaming video of our formal decision making meetings, and publishing the recordings to be watched back later, is good for democracy – and you can find these videos on our website. This video technology sits alongside the longstanding practice of providing seats in the public gallery for members of the public and journalists to turn up and watch our in-person meetings live. Please understand that whilst we will continue to make every reasonable effort to ensure that our key public meetings at which important decisions are live streamed and recorded, any failure in that technology does not in any way invalidate the legitimacy of that meeting or of the decisions taken at it. Even in the event of such occasional technical failures, the public gallery will still have been open, as required by law, and the minutes of the meetings will still be made available in due course.

Zoom and YouTube have their own privacy and data security policies, which can be accessed at www.zoom.us and www.youtube.com.

Venue: Council Chamber - Council Offices, London Road, Saffron Walden, CB11 4ER. View directions

Contact: Democratic Services  Email: committee@uttlesford.gov.uk

Media

Items
No. Item

C1

Remarks of the Outgoing Chair

To receive remarks from the outgoing Chair.

Minutes:

In welcoming members from all parties, Councillor Asker said she had experienced an interesting year in the Chair. She thanked the Chief Executive and officers for their support during her tenure and provided a summary of the numerous events she had attended. She said the loss of Her Majesty the Queen had cast a shadow but she had hope the new King would bring joy to the country.

 

The Chief Executive formally thanked Councillor Asker as she received flowers and a portrait to mark her year in the Chair.

C2

Public Speaking

Minutes:

Former Councillor George Smith had registered to speak in regards to Item 18. His statement has been appended to these minutes.

C3

Election of the Chair

To receive nominations and elect the Chair of Council.

Minutes:

The Chair called for nominations for the position of Chair of the Council.  Councillor Driscoll was proposed by Councillor Coote and seconded by Councillor Freeman.

 

RESOLVED to elect Councillor Driscoll as Chair of the Council for 2023/24.

 

 

C4

Chair's Statutory Declaration of Acceptance of Office

The Chair to make the statutory declaration of acceptance of office.

Minutes:

Councillor Driscoll made the statutory declaration as Chair of the Council for 2023/24.

 

He said he had not yet chosen his charity but it would operate throughout the district and would likely relate to supporting people with dementia.

C5

Election of the Vice Chair

To receive nominations and appoint the Vice Chair of Council.

Minutes:

The Chair called for nominations for the post of Vice-Chair.  Councillor Foley was proposed by Councillor Lees and seconded by Councillor Tayler.  

 

RESOLVED to appoint Councillor Foley as Vice-Chair of the Council for 2023/24.

C6

Vice Chair's Statutory Declaration of Acceptance of Office

The Vice Chair to make the statutory declaration of acceptance of office.

Minutes:

Councillor Foley made his declaration of acceptance of office.

C7

Apologies for Absence and Declarations of Interest

To receive any apologies and declarations of interest.

Minutes:

 Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Bagnall, Luck, Dean and Martin. Councillor Gregory sent apologies for lateness.

 

Councillor Barker said Councillor Martin’s employment prevented him from attending this evening but he would make every effort to attend in future.

 

There were no declarations of interest.

C8

Minutes of the previous meeting pdf icon PDF 128 KB

To receive the minutes of the ordinary and extraordinary meetings held on 21 March 2023.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The minutes of the ordinary and extraordinary meetings held on 21 March 2023 were approved as correct records.

C9

Returning Officer's Report pdf icon PDF 64 KB

To receive the report from the Returning Officer.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The report of the Returning Officer relating to the outcome of the election of district councillors on 4 May 2023 was received and noted.

C10

Election of a Leader

To elect a Leader of the Council.

Minutes:

Councillor Gregory arrived at 7.15pm.

 

Councillor Foley proposed Councillor Lees for the position of Leader of the Council and the nomination was seconded by Councillor Coote.

 

            RESOLVED to elect Councillor Lees as Leader of the Council

 

C11

Leader's Announcements pdf icon PDF 62 KB

To receive any announcements from the Leader including the appointment of a Deputy Leader and members of the Executive.

Minutes:

Councillor Lees said she wanted to start by noting that the Council had won an exemplar award for address data reaching ‘gold standard’ and thanked Sampson Adamah and Richard Ebberson of the Planning Directorate for their work.

 

The Leader moved on to congratulate members for their election to Council. She said she wanted to work together and avoid tribal politics, and hoped this council could be an example to others who wanted to be non-political.

 

            Councillor Lees announced her Cabinet as follows:

 

·         Councillor Hargreaves – Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Finance and the Economy

·         Councillor Reeve – Portfolio Holder for the Environment and Climate Change

·         Councillor Evans – Portfolio Holder for Planning

·         Councillor Sutton – Portfolio Holder for Communities and Local Partnerships

·         Councillor Coote – Portfolio Holder for Housing and Equalities

 

Councillor Barker, Leader of the Conservative Group and main opposition, said the Council would be poorer for the loss of former Councillors Smith, Isham, Khan, Fairhurst and Light at the election. She said their passion would be missed. She asked the Leader to re-think the responsibilities listed under the new Cabinet structure as important functions, such as waste collection, social housing, heritage, army liaison, rural affairs were missing from the list.

           

Councillor Sell, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, congratulated the new Chair and Leader, and said that Councillor Lees was both the first female and non-Conservative Leader to return an administration at Uttlesford District Council. Further to Councillor Barker’s earlier comments, he said he also wanted to remember Councillor Caton’s contribution to Council. He said his Group would not criticise the Administration for the sake of it but, equally, Council was not a political “big tent”.

C12

Nominations of Honorary Aldermen and Alderwomen pdf icon PDF 80 KB

To consider the Honorary Alderman and Alderwoman nominations of former Councillors.

Minutes:

Four nominations for Alderpersons had been brought to Council; former Councillors Cheetham, Morson, Godwin and Cant. The Chair invited proposals for each nomination.

 

Councillor Barker proposed and spoke to former Councillor Cheetham’s nomination, who had been an extremely well respected and long standing Chair of the Planning Committee, as well as deputy leader. Councillor Lemon seconded the proposal.

 

Councillor Sell proposed and spoke to former Councillor Morson’s nomination. He said former Councillor Morson had worked tirelessly in the community and had represented his Ward of Henham and Elsenham with distinction. Councillor Loughlin seconded the proposal.

 

Councillor Driscoll proposed and spoke to the nomination of former Councillor Godwin. He said she had served the former Ward of Birchanger for fifteen years and had Chaired the Scrutiny Committee between 2011-2015. Councillor Lemon seconded the proposal.

 

Councillor Driscoll proposed the nomination of former Councillor Cant. Councillor Evans spoke to the nomination and praised her for the work she had undertaken in her Ward and local community. Councillor Sell seconded the proposal.

 

The Chair asked whether there were any objections to taking all four nominations en bloc to one vote. The meeting consented and the nominations were carried unanimously.

 

 

RESOLVED to approve the nominations of former Councillors Cheetham, Godwin, Cant and Morson as Alderwomen and Alderman of Uttlesford District Council.

 

 

C13

Scheme of Delegation pdf icon PDF 68 KB

To approve the Scheme of Delegation for Council functions.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Members received for approval that part of the scheme of delegation of Council functions as set out in part 3 of the Constitution. The merger of the Governance, Audit and Performance and Standards Committee was highlighted.

 

Councillor Evans proposed approval of the Scheme. This was duly seconded by Councillor Coote.

 

            RESOLVED to

 

i.              That the Council approves the Scheme of Delegation in respect of Council functions as set out at Appendix A, including the formal merger of the Standards and GAP Committees, to be known as the ‘Audit and Standards Committee’.

ii.             That the Council approves the transfer of the functions of performance and corporate risk monitoring from the former GAP Committee to Cabinet, within the knowledge that Scrutiny Committee will be able to scrutinise said matters.

iii.            To authorise the Monitoring Officer under delegated powers to update the Constitution as necessary in respect of the two recommendations above.

C14

Political Balance pdf icon PDF 90 KB

To review the political balance of the Council.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Council received the report on the allocation of seats to the Council’s committees in accordance with the political balance provisions of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989.  The recommendation outlined in the report for a 58 seat scheme was proposed by Councillor Lees and seconded by Councillor Evans.

 

Notice of an amendment had been submitted by Councillor Barker. Councillor Barker proposed a 60 seat scheme, which would provide an additional seat to both the Residents for Uttlesford and Conservative Groups on the Planning Committee. This was seconded by Councillor Loveday.

 

Councillor Criscione said both schemes were valid but the 60 seat scheme created no problems for the majority group.

 

Councillor Hargreaves said he had conducted research and smaller committees of 8 members, were the optimal size.

 

Councillor Moran said more members would equate to more experience on committee.

 

Councillor Barker requested a recorded vote.

 

COUNCILLOR

For/Against/Abstain

Cllr Ahmed

Against

Cllr Armstrong

Against

Cllr Asker

Against

Cllr Bagnall

Absent

Cllr Barker

For

Cllr Church 

For

Cllr Coletta

Against

Cllr Coote

Against

Cllr Criscione

For

Cllr Davey

For

Cllr Dean

Absent

Cllr Donald

Against

Cllr Emanuel

Against

Cllr Evans

Against

Cllr Fiddy

Against

Cllr Foley

Against

Cllr Freeman

Against

Cllr Gooding

For

Cllr Gregory

Abstain

Cllr Hargreaves

Against

Cllr Haynes

Against

Cllr Lees

Against

Cllr Lemon

For

Cllr Loughlin 

Abstain

Cllr Loveday

For

Cllr Luck

Absent

Cllr Martin

Absent

Cllr McBirnie

Against

Cllr Moran

For

Cllr Oliver

For

Cllr Pavitt

Abstain

Cllr Alex Reeve

Abstain

Cllr Neil Reeve

Against

Cllr Regan

For

Cllr Sell 

Abstain

Cllr Silcock

Abstain

Cllr Sutton

Against

Cllr Tayler

Against

Chair (Cllr Driscoll)

Abstain

 

The amendment fell with ten votes for, eighteen against and seven abstentions.   

Councillor Evans said the rationale behind the scheme was that a smaller Planning Committee would manage its business more effectively.

 

The Chair took the substantive proposal to a vote.              

 

RESOLVED to approve the political balance of the Council and the allocation of seats set out in the report.

 

C15

Appointment of Committees 2023-24 pdf icon PDF 57 KB

To appoint the Council’s committees for 2023-24 and agree the nominations from the Group Leaders for Committee Chairs, Vice Chairs, members and substitutes.

Minutes:

Councillor Foley proposed approval of the appointment of Committees as set out in the report. Councillor Asker duly seconded.

 

The proposal was carried unanimously.

 

RESOLVED to approve the Council Committee appointments as set out in the report.

 

 

C16

Calendar of Meetings 2023/24 pdf icon PDF 71 KB

To agree the Calendar of Meetings for 2023-24.

Minutes:

Councillor Sutton proposed approval of the revised calendar of meetings as set out in the agenda papers. This was seconded by Councillor Asker.

 

In response to a question from Councillor Criscione regarding the frequency of Scrutiny meetings in light of the Executive adopting the performance function, Councillor Gregory said the number of meetings would be kept under review but there would be fewer Local plan Scrutiny meetings and there would be standing item on performance indicators.

 

            RESOLVED to approve the calendar of meetings 2023/24

 

C17

Appointment of Council Working Groups 2023-24 pdf icon PDF 38 KB

To appoint the Council’s working groups for 2023-24.

Minutes:

Councillor Lees proposed approval of the Working Group appointments set out in the report. This was seconded by Councillor Foley.

 

RESOLVED to approve the Working Group appointments set-out in the report.

 

C18

Appointment of a Member to the Essex Police, Fire and Crime Panel pdf icon PDF 45 KB

To consider a nomination to appoint a member to the Essex Police, Fire and Crime Panel, and to appoint a substitute to the Panel.

Minutes:

Councillor Lees proposed Councillor Sutton to serve as the Council’s representative on the Essex Police, Fire and Crime Panel, and Councillor Coletta to serve as the reserve member.

 

RESOLVED to appoint Councillor Sutton as the substantive and Councillor Coletta as the reserve representative on the Essex Police, Fire and Crime Panel

 

C19

Consideration of an individual Standards Complaint against a [former] Member pdf icon PDF 92 KB

To consider the report relating to an individual Standards Complaint against a [former] Member.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Chair opened the item for comment.

 

Councillor Gregory said the report was clear and he supported the Chief Executive’s view. However, he had real concerns regarding process, particularly in regard to the length of time it took to establish a hearing and the Panel selection process. In terms of substance, he felt the complaint was politically motivated as the breach of the Code was of a technical nature, principally that the information had been entered on the incorrect section of the form. He questioned whether the complaint had been in the public interest and value for money, and said underhand tactics had been used, including stalking and harassment, and that the complaints had originated from members of a national party in order to discredit the former member.

 

Councillor Barker said the former councillor was an intelligent businessman and could have completed the form correctly. She said she was pleased that the matter had finally been resolved and if breaches of the Code occurred in her own Group, members would be suspended.

 

Councillor Asker highlighted the swift actions of officers following the hearing, in order to address the failings identified in the Standards hearing report.

 

Councillor Sell said national political groups would suspend members if they were found to be in breach of the Code. He said the previous Council had been toxic and the annual accounts had still not been signed off.  

 

The report was noted.

C20

Pay Policy Update pdf icon PDF 69 KB

To consider the Pay Policy Update report.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Hargreaves presented the report on an updated Pay Policy. He said the report proposed a minor in-year amendment to the Pay Policy, so as to provide for a supplementary payment for any Statutory Officers [Head of Paid Service, Section 151 Officer or Monitoring Officer] or Deputy Statutory Officers [ie deputies to those three posts] whose substantive grade was below grade 13 [Assistant Director]. This was to allow for greater flexibility in seeking to attract candidates to hard to recruit functions and associated roles.

 

Councillor Lees seconded the proposal.

 

The proposal was carried unanimously.

 

            RESOLVED:

 

i.              To introduce a Statutory Officers Allowance of £10,000 per annum, to be paid only to Statutory Officers on Grades 12 and below. This allowance will be subject to the normal deductions such as Tax, NI and Pension and will be paid on a monthly basis. Statutory Officers on grades 13 to 15 will not be entitled to this allowance as these duties are already included in the grade and salary of the post.

 

ii.                  To introduce a Deputy Statutory Officers Allowance of £3,000 per annum, to be paid only to Deputy Statutory Officers on Grades 12 and below. This allowance will be subject to the normal deductions such as Tax, NI and Pension and will be paid on a monthly basis. Deputy Statutory Officers on grades 13 to 15 will not be entitled to this allowance as these duties are already included in the grade and salary of the post.

C21

Update on handling of Sudan evacuation pdf icon PDF 77 KB

To receive an update on the handling of the Sudan evacuation.

Minutes:

Councillor Lees updated Council on the handling of the Sudan Evacuation effort at Stansted Airport in the district, which received evacuees from Sudan in late April/early May 2023. She proposed suspending Council Procedure Rule 10.1 (Motions on Notice) in order to put forward a motion of thanks to all those involved. Councillor Foley seconded the proposal.

 

The motion to suspend Rule 10.1 was carried unanimously.

 

Councillor Lees said she was incredibly proud of the response and proposed a motion of thanks.

 

Councillor Hargreaves duly seconded.

 

The proposal was carried unanimously.

 

RESOLVED: To officially thank all the volunteers and staff who worked all hours of the day and night on the Sudanese evacuation response at Stansted from 24th April 2023, and all the way through the Bank Holiday weekend – to UCAN who set up the initial Humanitarian Assistance Centre and all the other volunteer agencies including RE:ACT Emergency Response, Citizens Advice, the Red Cross and St John’s; to the other Councils providing staff from Harlow, Epping, Braintree, Maldon, Tendring, Colchester, Castle Point, Essex County, and beyond into Stevenage, South Cambridgeshire, Herts and Cambridgeshire Counties; to the Police, Fire and Rescue Service, Ambulance Service, the NHS, Border Force and Government departments; to Stansted Airport and the Radisson Blu Hotel; and to all of our own staff in housing, communities and all the other departments whose staff answered the call and ran to help; and to anyone else not specifically mentioned.

 

 

    The meeting was closed at 8.25pm.