The Cabinet of Tendring Council met on Friday 24 July 2026 to discuss a range of financial, regeneration, and policy matters. Key decisions included approving the financial outturn for 2025/26, allocating a favourable General Fund revenue variance, and endorsing the Year 1 delivery funding for the Clacton Pride in Place Programme. The Cabinet also approved the draft Clacton Town Centre Culture-Led Framework for public consultation and formally adopted the Housing Mutual Exchange Policy.

Financial Outturn and Budget Adjustments

The Cabinet noted the favourable General Fund Revenue variance of £3.389m for the year 2025/26, which is currently held within the Corporate Investment Fund (Revenue) via the Revenue Commitments Reserve. They approved the use of this variance, along with other budget adjustments for 2026/27 and 2027/28. Specific allocations included £0.250m for contingency, £1.000m for general council capacity, and £0.050m in both 2026/27 and 2027/28 to support local sports grant schemes. Authority was delegated to the Chief Executive and the Corporate Director (Place and Wellbeing) for the utilisation of these funds, in consultation with relevant Portfolio Holders. The Council's Section 151 Officer, in consultation with the Corporate Finance and Governance Portfolio Holder, was also authorised to adjust the 2025/26 outturn position based on recommendations from the Council's External Auditor.

Treasury Management Performance

The Cabinet noted the Treasury Management performance for 2025/26 and approved the Prudential and Treasury Indicators for the same period. An amendment to the Council's Treasury Management Practices was also approved, increasing the maximum amount that can be invested per money market fund from £4.000m to £6.000m. This change aims to provide officers with greater flexibility while maintaining a balance with risk.

Pride in Place Programme in Clacton-on-Sea

The Cabinet welcomed the UK Government's endorsement of the 10-Year Vision and Investment Plan for Clacton as the principal document for the Pride in Place programme. They approved the Year 1 delivery funding programme, totalling £360,000 capital and £232,000 revenue, as agreed by the Clacton Town Board. Furthermore, the Cabinet approved two Memoranda of Understanding: one between Tendring District Council and the Clacton Town Board, and another between Tendring District Council and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. The Chief Executive was authorised to sign these on behalf of the Council, with the latter signature triggering the release of Year 1 delivery funding. Delegations were also approved for capital and revenue delivery funding, authorising the Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth, Regeneration and Tourism for capital expenditure and the Deputy Chief Executive for revenue expenditure, following consultation with the Section 151 Officer.

Clacton Town Centre Culture-Led Framework

The Cabinet approved the draft Clacton Town Centre Culture-Led Framework, titled Clacton Thriving, and its accompanying Draft Action Plan for a public consultation period of 8 weeks. The consultation was scheduled to commence on 17 August 2026, with the Portfolio Holder for Arts, Culture & Heritage authorised to approve the consultation arrangements. The outcome of the consultation will be considered when the final documents are presented to Cabinet for adoption. This framework aims to support economic regeneration, improve quality of life, and address socio-economic issues in Clacton-on-Sea by providing a strategic basis for future investment and project development.

Housing Mutual Exchange Policy

The Cabinet formally adopted the Housing Mutual Exchange Policy for implementation. This policy formalises existing practices and ensures compliance with the Housing Act 1985 and the Housing Act 2004, as well as meeting the Regulator of Social Housing's Consumer Standards and the Housing Ombudsman's recommendations. The Corporate Director (Operations and Delivery) was authorised to make future updates to the policy in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Housing, and the policy will be reviewed every two years.

Tendring District Council (Career Track) Apprenticeships

The Cabinet noted the annual review of Career Track, the Council's apprenticeship training provider. The review covered the programme's impact, governance, quality assurance, financial position, and proposed actions for continued development, including the forecast subsidy reflected in the Council's long-term financial plans. Officers were requested to continue reporting financial updates through the two-year financial planning process and/or quarterly financial reporting arrangements. Career Track was highlighted as a successful and strategically important programme, contributing to skills development, employment opportunities, and the future public sector workforce across North East Essex.