The Cabinet of Tendring Council met on Friday 25 September 2026. Key decisions included recommending amendments to the Council's Constitution regarding planning functions, reviewing the annual housing complaints performance, and adopting a new housing succession and assignment policy.

Amendments to the Council's Constitution - Planning Committees and the National Scheme of Delegation of Planning Authority Functions

Cabinet formally recommended to Full Council that amendments be made to the Council's Constitution to comply with the Government's new National Scheme of Delegation of Planning Functions. These changes, which will come into effect on 31 October 2026, are a result of the Town and Country Planning (Discharge of Local Planning Authority Functions) (England) Regulations 2026. The amendments will affect Part 3 (Scheme of Delegated Powers – Planning Committee) and Part 6 (Codes and Protocols) of the Constitution. A key change will be the removal of the power for Ward councillors to automatically refer cases to committee consideration. Authority to make minor alterations to the new Protocol for the Discharge of Local Planning Authority Functions has been delegated to the Corporate Director (Planning and Community), in consultation with the Chairman of the Planning Committee and the Monitoring Officer. The reasons for the decision highlight the need to comply with new legislation and ensure the Council's Constitution remains effective and efficient.

Annual Housing Complaints Performance and Service Improvement Report

Cabinet received and formally noted the Council's Annual Housing Complaints Performance and Service Improvement Report for 2025/26, which included a self-assessment against the Housing Ombudsman's Complaint Handling Code. Cabinet formally provided a response to the report, expressing concern about the decrease in tenant satisfaction with complaint handling and the speed of response to Stage 2 complaints, and urging Councillor Baker, Portfolio Holder for Housing & Planning, to ensure measures are put in place to improve these areas. Cabinet endorsed the self-assessment. Officers were authorised to publish the report and Cabinet's response on the Council's website, and to submit the self-assessment to the Housing Ombudsman by 30 September 2026. Amended figures for the annual Tenant Satisfaction Measures return were also noted. The decision was made to ensure compliance with the Housing Ombudsman's Complaint Handling Code and to provide a response before its submission.

Consideration and Adoption of the Housing Succession & Assignment Exchange Policy

Cabinet formally adopted the Housing Succession and Assignment Policy. This policy formalises existing work within the Housing and Environment service, ensuring compliance with the legal framework for succession and assignment applications and assisting the Council in meeting the Regulator of Social Housing's Consumer Standards and the Housing Ombudsman's requirements. The policy aims to ensure that tenancy succession and assignment applications are handled in accordance with legislation and statutory guidance, promoting sustainable tenancies and making the best use of the Council's housing stock. Future updates or amendments to the policy will be made by the Corporate Director (Operations and Delivery) in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Housing, with a review scheduled every three years. The adoption of this policy is intended to ensure regulatory compliance and prevent homelessness.