Tendring District Council met to discuss local government reorganisation, committee membership, and biodiversity net gain, among other items. The council received a presentation on options for local government reorganisation in Greater Essex, but did not indicate a preference. Councillors also approved the delegation of authority to the Head of Planning and Building Control for decisions regarding habitat banks¹.

Here's a breakdown of the key topics discussed:

Local Government Reorganisation in Greater Essex

The council received an update from the Chief Executive, Ian Davidson, on the options for local government reorganisation (LGR) in Greater Essex, following an invitation from the Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution. The presentation highlighted:

• The timeline for submitting a proposal for LGR, with a final proposal due by 26 September 2025.
• The four current options for LGR.
• The financial questions set by the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government.
• The need for strong, accountable leadership and maintaining a strong community voice.

Councillors then debated the options, with some favouring a merger of Tendring with Braintree, Colchester and Uttlesford, while others preferred a merger with Colchester and Braintree only. However, a motion to proceed to the next business was carried, and no formal preference was indicated by the council at this time.

Committee Membership

Following the by-election in Frinton Ward on 5 June 2025, Councillor Anne Davis joined the Reform UK group. As a result, the council reviewed the allocation of seats on committees and sub-committees to political groups, in accordance with the Local Government and Housing Act 1989. The council approved the revised allocation of seats and the appointment of members to each committee and sub-committee.

Biodiversity Net Gain

The council approved the delegation of authority to the Head of Planning and Building Control for decisions related to habitat banks, including:

• Approving and entering into Section 106 legal agreements² with landowners for the establishment of habitat banks.
• Making decisions about enforcement action against non-compliance.

The decision followed a recommendation from the Planning Committee and the council confirmed that there would be no specific requirements for public consultation on habitat bank proposals, aside from technical consultation with ecologists.

Urgent Decisions

The council noted two urgent decisions taken by the Leader of the Council and a Portfolio Holder:

• Agreement to serve a counter notice in respect of a lease extension request for a former council-owned property at 8 Ashley Court, Ashley Road, Dovercourt. This action was necessary to meet statutory deadlines under the Leasehold Reform Housing and Urban Development Act 1993.
• Exemption from procurement rules to appoint Heaton Design and Engineering Ltd for the Clacton Leisure Centre Oil Boiler Replacement. This appointment was considered critical to maintaining the project timeline and meeting the delivery milestones set out in the Salix funding agreement.

Overview and Scrutiny Committees' Work Programmes

The council approved the proposed work programmes for 2025/2026 for both the Community Leadership and the Resources & Services Overview and Scrutiny Committees, as detailed in Public reports pack 14th-Aug-2025 19.30 Council.pdf. The council also noted the work carried out by those committees during 2024/2025, as detailed in the Annual Overview Scrutiny Review for 202425 14th-Aug-2025 19.30 Council.pdf.

Amended Complaints Procedure

The council approved the recommendations of the Standards Committee to adopt the amended Complaints Procedure (Members' Code of Conduct) and to delegate authority to the Standards Committee to make future amendments for efficiency purposes, particularly in preparation for local government reorganisation.

Motions to Council

The council considered two motions:

• A motion from Councillor Carrie Doyle regarding end-of-life care in the NHS and hospices was carried. The council will write to the Secretary of State for Health to urge the government to address the inequality in funding for end-of-life care.
• A motion from Councillor Maurice Alexander regarding Clacton Police Station was carried. The council will write to the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner to highlight concerns about the closure of the front counter and seek assurances that the decision will be reversed if there is not a marked reduction in crime and an increase in public confidence within one year.

Other Matters

• The council received the Returning Officer's report on the by-election held in the Frinton Ward on 5 June 2025, formally acknowledging the election of Councillor Anne Davis.
• The minutes of the previous council meeting held on 20 May 2025 were approved.
• Councillor Bill Davidson, Chairman of the Council, announced his attendance at various civic events.
• Councillor Chris Griffiths asked Councillor Peter Kotz, Portfolio Holder for Assets and Community Safety, about actions being taken to protect residents in the William Drive, George Close and Stanley Road area from arsonists. Councillor Kotz outlined the actions being taken by the council and partner organisations, including investigations into CCTV installation, door-to-door visits by the police and fire service, and engagement with the landowner to implement fire prevention measures.
• The council approved an updated seating plan for meetings, reflecting changes in political group membership.