The Cabinet of Tendring Council met on Friday 23 October 2026, approving adjustments to the 2026/27 budget and adopting a new Housing Competence and Conduct Policy. The meeting also reviewed the Council's financial performance and discussed future financial forecasts.

Financial Performance Report 2026/27

Cabinet reviewed the Council's financial performance for the 2026/27 budget as at the end of July 2026. The Council's General Fund Revenue Account was underspent against the profiled budget by £3.669 million. Several adjustments to the 2026/27 budget were approved, including:

• A budget adjustment of £0.540 million for Housing Capacity/Restructure, with officers requested to provide updates in future reports.
• Acceptance of £0.270 million in grant funding from the Government's Playground Fund, with a delegation to the Corporate Director Operations and Delivery, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Public Realm, to confirm allocations.
• A budget adjustment of £0.100 million for Investment in Public Conveniences, with a delegation to the Corporate Director Operations and Delivery, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Assets and Community Safety, to allocate funding.
• A budget adjustment of £0.400 million for project delivery capacity, with a delegation to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance and Governance, to allocate funding.
• Approval for the reallocation of funding within existing CRP2 schemes, with a delegation to the Deputy Chief Executive, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth, Regeneration and Tourism, to undertake necessary governance activities.

Cabinet also noted the updated context to the financial forecast from 2027/28 onwards and invited the views of the Resources and Service Overview and Scrutiny Committee on the Council's financial position.

Housing Competence and Conduct Policy

The Cabinet formally adopted the Housing Competence and Conduct Policy. This policy aims to ensure that employees and relevant service providers have the necessary knowledge, skills, experience, and behaviours to deliver high-quality landlord services. The policy will be implemented, with authority delegated to the Corporate Director (Operations and Delivery) to make future updates or amendments in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Housing. The policy is set to be reviewed annually, or sooner if required by tenant feedback, with a formal review no later than October 2027. This adoption is a key step in meeting the Regulator of Social Housing's Competence and Conduct Standard.

The policy was developed with input from tenants, incorporating feedback on the importance of respectful treatment, being listened to, receiving empathetic responses, and being kept informed. The policy covers workforce planning, recruitment, induction, learning and development, professional qualifications, appraisal, performance management, and tenant oversight. It also addresses the need for service providers to meet similar standards. The adoption of this policy is considered a key decision with a significant effect on two or more wards.