Live broadcast to start at 7pm and avaliable for repeat viewing.

Apologies were received from Cllrs Lewis, Cllr Heard and Cllr Tanner. 

Councillor Mynott gave a public apology through the Mayor to the Council for comments he made at an Ordinary Council meeting on 25^th January 2022. 

There were no declarations of interest at this stage.

“Since the new year, I have undertaken a number of engagements in and around the Borough.  In January, I attended 2 Holocaust events in and outside of the Borough.  This was a very moving event and it is so important that we remember the Holocaust - and the other genocides which have followed it. 

In February, I hosted a Quiz Night in aid of my chosen charities.  Thank you to those who attended for your support.  I was pleased to raise almost £1000 at this event.  

On Monday of this week, I was honoured to raise the Commonwealth Day flag and was the first Commonwealth Day presided over by His Majesty King Charles III as King and Head of the Commonwealth. The day also marked the tenth anniversary of the signing of the Commonwealth Charter, which outlines the values and principles that unify the 56 Commonwealth countries, representing one-third of humanity.

I look forward to seeing many of you at my upcoming Civic Dinner this Friday where I will also be presenting 5 Civic Awards to those being recognised in for Services to the Community, Sports Coach of the Year and Sports Club of the Year.”  

To follow

The Ordinary Council meeting held on 1^st March 2023 were APPROVED as a true record. The minutes contain a summary of the meeting, to view the full meeting, please visit Ordinary Council - YouTube

Cllr Aspinell gave a vote of thanks on behalf of the Liberal Democrats Group to Mayor for the work she had undertaken in her role over the last few years in exceptional circumstances at times.  This was seconded by Cllr Kendall.  

No memorials or petitions were received.

In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, a member of the public resident within the Borough may ask a maximum of two questions relating to the business of the Council providing notice has been received by 10.00am two working days before the relevant meeting.

Four Public Questions had been received and these were put to and responded to by the Leader of the Council, Cllr Hossack, as follows:

Although Mrs Gearon-Simm was not present to ask her questions, the Leader read out the question and gave his response so it was on record. 

Mrs Gearon-Simm submitted two questions as follows:

1. We are now required to provide photographic evidence for our right to vote”.

Brentwood residents are required to pay council tax.

In the light of this Conservative governments’ requirement, what will Brentwood Borough Council do to enable residents to participate in democracy?

Cllr Hossack responded as follows:

Brentwood Borough Council will be supplementing the Electoral Commissions national information programs through local awareness campaigns.

In addition, communication sent from the Electoral Registration Officer via the councils website, posters, social media and email newsletters contains information on voter ID to ensure electors have access to the correct voter ID or information on how to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate.

Leaflets will shortly be despatched to households with council tax bills and the prescribed voter ID information will be printed on electors poll cards together with information at the polling stations.

Electors can also contact the electoral services direct for additional assistance.

Mrs Gearon-Simm’s second question was as follows:

1.    An amendment to the housing bill that is presently awaiting its third reading in the Commons will require landlords to fix health hazards withing strict timeframes.

This has been prompted by the failure of Rochdale Borough Housing to tackle the black mould in the house where two year old Awaab Ishak lived.  This mould caused his death.

England’s housing regulator will be given new powers to conduct inspections issue unlimited fines and charge landlords for emergency repairs. 

I believe that his bill only applies to “social housing”?

If there is not a housing regulator in England for tenants who pay rent to private landlords in the free market, does Brentwood Borough Council inspect such properties?

Cllr Hossack responded as follows:

The Bill is the Social Housing (Regulation) Bill which aims to facilitate a new proactive consumer regulation regime by establishing a Social Housing Regulator.  This will apply to social housing residents, however local authorities already regulate the private rented sector and there are powers to require repairs and to issue fixed penalties or prosecute for non-compliance.

The Government also plans a renters reform Bill for the private rented sector and to introduce other measures for the private rented sector, including a legally binding decent homes standard and a new property portal for landlords to provide information on all properties let.

There are also powers to introduce selective licensing of private rented homes to tackle problems of low housing demand or significant anti-social behaviour,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 415.

Any Member may ask a Chair a written or oral question on any matter in relation to which the Council has powers or duties or which affects the Council’s area and which falls within the area of responsibility of the Chair’s committee.

The period allowed for written and oral questions and answers will not exceed 60 minutes without leave of the Mayor.

Six written questions were received.

Cllr Naylor submitted two questions, his first question was as follows:

To the Chair of the Community, Environment & Enforcement Committee

At the Full Council meeting held on Wednesday 1st March, the Liberal Democrat Group raised concerns over the continued failure to repair/replace various items of equipment within our ‘Flagship’ play area at King George’s Park. Notification of various defects has been presented through the appropriate channels on at least three separate occasions, dating back as far as October, 2022, but a satisfactory response has not yet been forthcoming.

Given our summer months are now approaching, bringing with them a much higher public usage of our outdoor facilities, can the Chair of the Community, Environment and Enforcement Committee provide a definitive date when the Zip Wire and Suspended Roundabout equipment will be fully operational.

Response from Cllr Russell, Chair of Community, Environment & Enforcement Committee

One zip wire is fully operational, the other zip wire was inspected at the end of January and was removed, new parts were promptly ordered. Some of the parts have been received and they are awaiting the delivery of the zip wire cable, it is expected to arrive within the next couple of weeks. The manufacturer has provided an installation date of the end of April. In respect of the roundabout swing, one swing was removed at the request of a neighbouring property, claiming that it resulted in a lack of privacy. An alternative swing seat is being sourced with installation at the end of April.

Cllr Kendall submitted one questions. His question is as follows:

To the Chair of Community, Environment and Enforcement Committee

King George’s Play area is promoted as a ‘fully inclusive’ environment for the enjoyment of residents and visitors alike and it is noted that apparatus specifically for those with disabilities features as part of the park’s overall offering. However, it appears that some very fundamental operational considerations have been overlooked.

Use of the toilet facilities adjacent to the play areas is restricted to the seasonal opening times operated by the splash park with the only alternative being located at the pavilion site. This is especially problematic for mothers/carers of young or disabled children who require prompt access to toilet, baby changing and disabled facilities.

Can the Chair of the Community, Environment and Enforcement Committee please explain why access to the toilets adjacent to the play areas is restricted and what plans are in hand to increase accessibility to an all year-round basis.

Response from Cllr Russell, Chair of Community, Environment & Enforcement Committee

With regards to King George’s playing field toilets, the disabled toilet in the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 416.

Appendix to follow.

The report updated members on the progress of the Corporate Strategy 2020–2025 and presented an annual review document for approval.

Members acknowledged and thanked the work of officers for all that had been undertaken. 

Councillor Barber wanted to thank retiring Councillor Hossack, Leader of the Council, for how he had led the Council and his vision for the Borough. 

During the discussion, Cllr Barber read out a Freedom of Information request he submitted from Essex County Council on member led pothole initiatives.  This stated that only 1 had been received from Cllr Aspinell on behalf of Brentwood North division for Essex County Council.  Councillor Aspinell disputed this that there had been a failure in the system and this information should never have been publicly available as it was incorrect and he had reported over 50 potholes in his division.  

Cllr Hossack MOVED and Cllr Poppy SECONDED the recommendations in the report. A vote was taken and it was RESOLVED.

Members were asked:

R1. To approve the Draft Corporate Strategy 2022/23 Annual Review as set out in Appendix A.

R2. To delegate authority to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Leader and Deputy Leader to make any minor amendments to Appendix A including decisions of other committees during March 2023.

Reasons for Recommendation

The Council is required to have and publish a Corporate Strategy

The Council requires sound strategic direction to deliver its objectives.

Cllr Barber expressed his thanks to the Leader of the Council, Cllr Hossack for the way he has led this council over the past few years.

The report provided the first annual update on progress of the OneTeam Transformation Programme for February 2022 to January 2023. It included information on the governance arrangements, the service reviews and set up arrangements.

The report also identified that a saving of £290,000 across both authorities should be made by 2024/25 following recruitment at Tier 1 to 3. And further savings of £42,000 from HR service changes, £24,000 through initial ICT changes and a one off saving of £1,900 due to shared resource around the UK Shared Prosperity Fund have been achieved.

Other benefits highlighted included the close working arrangements that can be attributed to Electoral Services, a joint Environment Officer and more effective Wi-Fi at our buildings. This has created resiliency in the service and will develop the one team working ethos and generate efficiencies and therefore further savings.

Other initiatives worked on jointly included the campaign to assist and sign post residents and businesses to help with the issues around the Cost-of-Living. Not an easy issue to deal with but one that both authorities were recognised for with the Director Of Communities & Health Being asked to present at conference and provide our product to the Local Government Association via a case study.

There have been 13 services from phase 1 underway with a number due for completion around March 2023 with phase 2 due to start in May 2023.

The above savings would be very unlikely without the formation of the partnership.

This item was for information only and no vote was required.

One notice of motion was received, as detailed in the report.

Motion 1 – Received on 24th February 2023 @ 22:51

Mover: Cllr Barber                   Seconder: Cllr Russell

We believe the ULEZ expansion to be a regressive tax inflicted upon the poorest motorists and is to the detriment of residents living here in Brentwood.

Working people do not choose to drive older, more polluting vehicles out of choice. Placing an additional financial burden on them with a £12.50 charge every time that they need to use their cars to travel into Greater London will hit hard working families with a tax grab by the Mayor of London that will result in real hardship for those who need to work, travel to hospital or visit and support friends and relatives living within the proposed expanded zone but are unable afford to replace their cars.

This Council opposes the expansion proposal and supports Essex County Council in not co-operating with the installation of any signage to support such an expansion.

An AMENDMENT to the motion was MOVED by Cllr Kendall SECONDED by Cllr Naylor.  This was not accepted by the original mover Cllr Barber.  The amendment read as:

This Council opposes the expansion proposal “during the cost of living crisis, and whilst Brentwood residents and businesses who commute in to the expanded ULEX zone for health, family, social and business reasons, have no access to car or van scrappage schemes, or decent public transport links”.

This Council also supports Essex County Council in not co-operating with the installation of any signage to support such an expansion “until the following issues have been resolved”

“This Council believes that any Brentwood resident/business who had a non-compliant car or van and has a legitimate reason for driving in to the new ULEZ zone should be able to claim a grant under the scrappage scheme.

We call for:

-       The scrappage scheme to be expanded to all the District and Borough authorities on the boundary to the new expanded ULEX zone.

-       An increase in the amount of financing available for the scrappage scheme to enable this expansion.

-       Funding provided by TFL and the Government to improve the public transport and cycle routes connecting to London Boroughs from all the Districts and Borough authorities on the boundary with ULEZ. 

Following a full discussion, a recorded vote on the motion was requested by Cllrs: Kendall, M Cuthbert, Davies, Naylor and Mynott. 

FOR:

Cllrs: Barrett, Aspinell, Dr Barrett, Cloke, M Cuthbert, Davies, Fryd, Fulcher, Haigh, Kendall, Laplain, Mynott, Naylor and Sankey (14)

AGAINST:

Cllrs: Francois, Barber, Bridge, Gelderbloem, Hirst, Hones, Jakobsson, Murphy, Parker, Pearson, Poppy, Reed, Russell, Slade, Wagland, White and Wiles (17)

The AMEDNDED MOTION was LOST.

Members debated the substantive motion and a vote was taken on the SUBSTANTIVE MOTION.  A recorded vote on the motion was requested by Cllrs: Bridge, Hones, Wagland, Parker and Barber. 

FOR:

Cllrs: Francois, Barber, Bridge, Gelderbloem, Hirst, Hones, Jakobsson, Murphy, Parker, Pearson, Poppy, Reed, Russell,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 419.

An item of business may only be considered where the Chair is of the opinion that, by reason of special circumstances, which shall be specified in the Minutes, the item should be considered as a matter of urgency.

The Mayor thanked all councillors for their work and expressed thanks to those not standing for election this year.

Thanks was given from across the Chamber to the retiring Leader, Cllr Hossack for the work he has done over the past 20 years as a Councillor and 4 years as Leader of the Council. 

There were no items of urgent business to discuss.

The public were excluded from the meeting for the item of business on the grounds that the disclosure of exempt information as defined in Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 was involved.

The public were excluded from the meeting for the item of business on the grounds that the disclosure of exempt information as defined in Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 was involved.

The public were excluded from the meeting for the item of business on the grounds that the disclosure of exempt information as defined in Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 was involved.

A Motion was MOVED by Cllr Hossack and SECONDED by Cllr Poppy to agree the recommendation in the report.

A vote was taken by a show of hands and it was RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY.

The meeting concluded at 9.38pm