The Tendring District Council meeting on Tuesday 13 October 2026 saw councillors approve significant amendments to the Council's Constitution regarding planning functions and the commencement date for new parish councils. The council also debated and amended a motion concerning the financial costs incurred due to the Government's Local Government Reorganisation programme.

Amendments to the Council's Constitution for Planning Functions

Tendring District Council approved amendments to its Constitution concerning planning committees and the national scheme of delegation of planning authority functions. These changes, which came into effect on 31 October 2026, align the Council's practices with the Town and Country Planning (Discharge of Local Planning Authority Functions) (England) Regulations 2026. The core of the amendment involves a shift towards greater delegation of planning decisions to officers, with committees focusing on more significant proposals. A key change is the removal of the power for ward councillors to automatically refer cases to committee consideration.

During the debate, an amendment was proposed and carried, which expressed opposition to the legislation and the removal of councillor input into local planning matters. This amendment also mandated that the Leader of the Council write to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government outlining this opposition. Furthermore, the amendment stipulated that a review of the outcomes of the new delegation scheme would be undertaken by the Community Leadership Scrutiny Committee after three months, and that all District Councillors would receive training on raising matters impacting their wards and the criteria for referrals to planning committees. Despite these reservations, the Council formally approved the necessary amendments to its Constitution to comply with the national scheme.

Parish Councils Commencement Date and Initial Terms of Office

The Council approved amendments to the commencement date and initial terms of office for the new Parish Councils for Clacton-on-Sea, Holland-on-Sea, and West Clacton & Jaywick Sands. Originally planned to commence on 1 April 2027 with a five-year term for councillors, these dates have been revised. The new parishes will now commence on 1 April 2028, with elections to the Parish Councils taking place in May 2028. Consequently, the initial term of office for Parish Councillors elected to these councils will be three years, aligning their subsequent elections with the scheduled elections for all other parish councils in the District. This decision was made following the UK Government's announcement to withdraw its decision to implement Local Government Reorganisation in Greater Essex pending a review.

Motion on Local Government Reorganisation Costs

A motion concerning the financial costs incurred by the Council in responding to the Government's Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) programme was debated and amended. The original motion called for the establishment of the total direct and indirect costs to Tendring District Council (TDC) in responding to the LGR programme and requested the Government reimburse these costs. An amendment was proposed and carried, which noted the Government's review of LGR and the pause in implementation work. The amended motion resolves that the Leader's next financial budget performance report will include information on the financial and resource implications for TDC in responding to the LGR programme. It also notes that all financial budget performance reports are available to the Resources and Services Overview & Scrutiny Committee. The amended motion also states that the report to Cabinet will cover points before the Leader determines the content of any written communication to the Secretary of State and local Members of Parliament, including calls for reimbursement of costs and clear answers about the future of LGR.

Executive Decision on Corporate Insurance Arrangements

The Council noted an urgent executive decision taken by the Leader of the Council on behalf of the Cabinet to extend the Council's existing corporate insurance arrangements for a period of one year, from 1 October 2026 to 30 September 2027. This decision was made under special urgency powers to ensure uninterrupted insurance cover, which was deemed essential for the Council's assets, liabilities, employees, and operational needs. The Corporate Director (Finance and IT) was authorised to make the necessary arrangements, including undertaking a full competitive procurement exercise as soon as practicable.

Tendring4Growth Business Fortnight

Councillor Ivan Henderson, Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth, Regeneration & Tourism, provided an update on the success of the Tendring4Growth Business Fortnight. He highlighted the programme of events focused on supporting economic growth, including workshops on procurement, business start-ups, and funding opportunities. The fortnight also featured the Tendring Jobs and Skills Fair, which attracted nearly 1,000 residents and 53 businesses, and concluded with the Tendring4Growth Business Awards celebrating local businesses.

E-Petition: Wheelie Bins for Recycling

The Council was informed about a submitted e-petition titled Wheelie Bins for Recycling, which advocates for the provision of wheelie bins for recycling instead of boxes. The petition, submitted by Sharon Tyler, was validated and is currently live on the Council's website, running until 31 January 2027. Further reports will be submitted to members as necessary.

Committee Minutes Noted

The minutes of the Planning Policy & Local Plan Committee meeting held on 25 August 2026 and the Resources and Services Overview & Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 15 September 2026 were received and noted by the Council.

Appointment to Tendring / Colchester Borders Garden Community Joint Committee

Councillor Bill Davidson was appointed as the Tendring District Council's designated Substitute Representative to serve on the Tendring / Colchester Borders Garden Community Joint Committee, replacing Councillor Maria Fowler. Councillor Fowler was thanked for her service.

Changes in Membership of Political Groups and Committees

The Council noted changes in the membership of political groups, with Councillor Daniel Land no longer being treated as a member of the Conservative political group and Councillor Bradley Thompson no longer being a member of the Reform UK political group. Changes to committee memberships were also reported, including Councillor Jeff Bray being appointed to the Audit Committee in place of Councillor Aimee Keteca, and Councillor Keteca being appointed to the Planning Committee in place of Councillor Bray.

Question on Clacton Airshow Carbon Footprint

Councillor Zoe Fairley asked Councillor Ivan Henderson, Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth, Regeneration & Tourism, about the measurement of the Clacton Airshow's carbon footprint and its balance against its reported £12 million economic benefit. Councillor Henderson stated that while a standalone carbon audit had not been commissioned, environmental considerations were part of the event's planning. He outlined measures to encourage sustainable travel, provide sustainability guidance to traders, and noted the Royal Air Force's commitment to net zero by 2040. He also mentioned the Council's support for local companies developing sustainable aviation fuel technology and its tree-planting activities.

Seating Plan Approved

The seating plan for Full Council meetings for the remainder of the 2026/2027 Municipal Year was approved, with amendments made to account for recent resignations from political groups by Councillors Land and Thompson.