Meeting Details

Sir Bob Russell addressed Council pursuant to the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 6(1) about Local Government Reorganisation.  Concern was expressed about the potential loss of City Status that could result, the cancellation of elections, which had not been a feature of previous reorganisations, and the loss of democratic accountability from the reduction in the number of Councillors representing Colchester. 

Councillor King, Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Strategy, responded and explained that the process was still in its early stages and the Council was seeking a way forward within the parameters set by government. The Council was looking at what could be done to maintain City Status. 

Melina Spantidaki addressed Council pursuant to the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 6(1) to express concern about how Essex Police and Council officers had treated a complaint she had made several years ago about illegal activity inside local parks. There had been ongoing difficulties with Essex Police, the NHS and her landlord. Concerns were also raised about how the Council had treated her application for the future use of Holy Trinity Church. 

Councillor Sommers, Portfolio Holder for Communities, Heritage and Public Protection, responded and explained that a thorough investigation had been conducted into her initial complaint but no evidence had been found to substantiate it. She could raise her concerns about the police at the forthcoming meeting of the Crime and Disorder Committee or through the Independent Office of Police Conduct. The decisions around future use of Holy Trinity Church had been made on the basis of the best business case.

Caroline White addressed Council pursuant to the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 6(1).  It had been encouraging to hear the strong support for Middlewick Ranges during the recent Local Plan Committee meeting. The management and protection of Middlewick k remained important and it was important that this issue was not politicised.  The following questions were asked:-  
• Would the Council commit to ensuring Middlewick was not used for political gain?
• Would the expertise with Friends of Middlewick and the local community play a role in shaping its future?
• How could the Council and Friends of Middlewick work together to ensure the site was properly managed?

Councillor Luxford Vaughan, Portfolio Holder for Planning, Environment and Sustainability, responded to explain that she had tried throughout to ensure due process was followed and not to politicise the issue. She hoped that all Councillors would heed her call. Once Middlewick was removed from the Local Plan the Council would no longer be a key player and the future management of the site would be the responsibility of the Ministry of Defence and Natural England. The designation of the site as a Site of Special Scientific Interest was for Natural England, although if the Council could help build a collective dialogue on the issue, it would be happy to do so. 

Noah Buckley addressed Council pursuant to the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 6(1), representing schools across Colchester, about the value of the Dora Love Prize and how it actively worked to eliminate discrimination in Colchester.  It helped educate younger people in the values of freedom and democracy.  It was hoped that  members of Council would help make Colchester a more equal and inclusive place by promoting the Dora Love prize within their wards.  

Councillor King, Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Strategy, thanked Noah for his comments and for his engagement with the prize.  The Council, both as a corporate body and in terms of individual councillors, was tolerant and welcoming and reflected Colchester’s status as a City of Sanctuary.  There was already good awareness of the Dora Love prize and many Councillors supported it. 

The minutes of the meeting held on 5 December 2024 were confirmed as a correct record. 

The Mayor welcomed Councillor Calverley to Full Council following his election as a member for Tiptree on 21 February 2025. Councillor Calverley introduced himself to Full Council and paid tribute to former Councillor Mannion.

The Mayor announced the following events:

Drag bingo on 28 February 2025;
Testing the Ales with the Town Watch on 21 March 2025;
Quiz Night at the Town Hall, led by the Royal Association for Deaf People, on 28 March 2025
Colchester Pride Masquerade Ball at Colchester Arts Centre on 10 May 2025

Councillor Alake-Akinyemi declared an Other Registerable Interest in Main Amendment 4 and left the meeting for the duration of its consideration and determination.

It was proposed by Councillor Cory that the recommendations contained in the reports from the Section 151 Officer entitled Final Budget Proposals 2025/26 and Council Tax Setting 2025/26, including the schedule of fees and charges for licensing services included in the Supplementary Information and the draft MRP Statement and Schedule 2025/26 as agreed by Governance and Audit Committee on 25 February 2025, and the recommendations in draft minute 917 from the Cabinet meeting of 29 January 2025 be approved and adopted.

Councillor Dundas moved Main Amendment 1 as set out in the Supplementary Information for the meeting.  

Councillor Cory indicated that Main Amendment 1 was not accepted.

Councillor Barber moved Main Amendment 2 as set out in the Supplementary Information for the meeting.

Councillor Cory indicated that Main Amendment 2 was not accepted.

Councillor Smithson moved Main Amendment 3 as set out in the Supplementary Information for the meeting.

Councillor Cory indicated that Main Amendment 3 was not accepted. 

Councillor J. Young moved Main Amendment 4 as set out in the Supplementary Agenda, subject to the reference to Boaz Food Poverty Project being replaced by Emmaus. 

Councillor Cory indicated that Main Amendment 4 was accepted and the motion was deemed amended accordingly.

On being put to the vote Main Amendment 1 proposed by Councillor Dundas was lost (EIGHTEEN voted FOR, TWENTY-FIVE voted AGAINST and THREE ABSTAINED from voting).

Further to the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 15(3) a named vote was taken and the voting was as follows:-

FOR: Councillors Barber, Bentley, Buston, Calverley, Dundas, Ellis, Hagon, Laws, Lissimore, Maclean, Naylor, Parsons, Powling, Rowe, Smithson, Sunnucks, Tate and Willetts. 

AGAINST: Councillors Appleton, Arnold, Cory, Çufoglu, Goacher, Goss, Harris, Jay, Kelly, King, Kirkby-Taylor, Law, McLean, Moffat, Pearson, Rippingale, Scordis, Smalls, Smith, Sommers, M. Spindler, Warnes, J. Young, T. Young and the Deputy Mayor (Lilley).

ABSTAINED FROM VOTING: Councillors Luxford Vaughan, C. Spindler and the Mayor (Scott-Boutell).  

On being put to the vote Main Amendment 2 proposed by Councillor Barber was lost (NINETEEN voted FOR, TWENTY-SIX voted AGAINST and ONE ABSTAINED from voting).

Further to the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 15(3) a named vote was taken and the voting was as follows:-

FOR: Councillors Barber, Bentley, Buston, Calverley, Dundas, Ellis, Hagon, Kelly, Laws, Lissimore, Maclean, Naylor, Parsons, Powling, Rowe, Smithson, Sunnucks, Tate and Willetts. 

AGAINST: Councillors Appleton, Arnold, Cory, Çufoglu, Goacher, Goss, Harris, Jay, King, Kirkby-Taylor, Law, Luxford-Vaughan, McLean, Moffat, Pearson, Rippingale, Scordis, Smalls, Smith, Sommers, C. Spindler, M. Spindler, Warnes, J. Young, T. Young and the Deputy Mayor (Lilley).

ABSTAINED FROM VOTING: The Mayor (Scott-Boutell).  

On being put to the vote Main Amendment 3 proposed by Councillor Smithson was lost (NINETEEN voted FOR, TWENTY-FIVE voted AGAINST and TWO ABSTAINED from voting).

Further to the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 15(3) a named vote was taken and the voting was as follows:-

FOR: Councillors Barber, Bentley, Buston, Calverley, Dundas, Ellis, Hagon, Kelly, Laws, Lissimore, Maclean, Naylor, Parsons, Powling, Rowe, Smithson, Sunnucks, Tate and Willetts. 

AGAINST: Councillors Appleton, Arnold, Cory, Çufoglu, Goacher, Goss, Harris, Jay, King, Kirkby-Taylor, Law, Luxford-Vaughan, McLean, Moffat, Pearson, Rippingale, Scordis, Smalls, Smith, Sommers, C. Spindler, Warnes, J. Young, T. Young and the Deputy Mayor (Lilley).

ABSTAINED FROM VOTING: Councillor M. Spindler and the Mayor (Scott-Boutell).  

The substantive motion, as amended by Main Amendment 4, was then put to the vote and was carried (TWENTY-FIVE voted FOR,  NINETEEN voted AGAINST  and TWO ABSTAINED from voting).

FOR: Appleton, Arnold, Cory, Goacher,  Goss, Harris, Jay, King, Kirkby-Taylor, Law, Luxford Vaughan, McLean, Moffat, Pearson, Rippingale, Scordis, Smalls, Smith, Sommers, C. Spindler, M. Spindler, Warnes,  J. Young, T. Young and the Deputy Mator (Lilley).

AGAINST: Councillors Barber, Bentley, Buston, Calverley, Çufoglu, Dundas, Ellis, Hagon, Laws, Lissimore, Maclean, Naylor, Parsons, Powling, Rowe, Smithson, Sunnucks, Tate and Willetts.

ABSTAINED FROM VOTING: Councillor Kelly and the Mayor (Scott-Boutell).

RESOLVED that the recommendation contained in draft minute 919 of the Cabinet meeting of 29 January 2025 be approved and adopted.

RESOLVED that the recommendation contained in draft minute 920 of the Cabinet meeting of 29 January 2025 be approved and adopted.

RESOLVED that the recommendation contained in draft minute 465 of the Governance and Audit Committee meeting of 3 December 2024 be approved and adopted.

RESOLVED that the recommendation contained in draft minute 466 of the Governance and Audit Committee meeting of 3 December 2024 be approved and adopted.

RESOLVED that the recommendation contained in draft minute 209 of the Licensing Committee meeting of 15 January 2025 be approved and adopted.

RESOLVED (UNANIMOUS) that Anna D’Alessandro be designated as the Interim Section 151 Officer with effect from 1 March 2025.

RESOLVED that the schedule of Portfolio Holder decisions covering the period  9 October 2024 – 17 February 2025 be noted.