2003 - 2004

Takes some of the most important decisions on the Council's major policies, such as the budget and Council Tax levels.

Exercises the Council's appeals & licensing functions for Council Tax, housing benefits, staff employment, taxi voucher scheme, hackney carriage, tree preservation orders, public entertainment, trading controls and taxi licensing.

Considers, in accordance with the Overview & Scrutiny Procedures rules, all Council services relating to recreation, leisure, culture, tourism, public health, housing, community safety and emergency planning.

Oversees the drafting of the Council's Animal Welfare Charter.

Considers the homelessness, housing strategy and housing management action plans and examines the proposed housing developments referred from the Community Services Committee on 2 September 2003 and conducts consultations with residents in the locality of each proposed development.

Recommends a policy, in partnership with Parish/Town Councils, in respect of public playspaces.

Exercises the Council's functions in relation to recreation, culture, housing, leisure, public protection, emergency planning, tourism and community safety.

Convenes at the request of the Chief Executive or Leader of the Council at short notice when a major incident or catastrophe has been declared, with delegated authority to deal with matters requiring the urgent commitment of significant human, financial and/or other resources and any related issues due to the profound nature of the incident.

Considers options for the Council with respect to the Rayleigh Windmill and recommends a plan of action for securing the future of the Windmill and the adjoining area.

Considers, in accordance with the Overview & Scrutiny Procedures rules, all Council services relating to highways transportation, planning policy, building control, recycling, waste collection and disposal, the Environment, regeneration economic development and health & safety.

Oversees the final stages of the Hullbridge Village Enhancement Scheme.

Considers options for improvement in traffic flow within Rayleigh Town Centre and reports to the Environment Overview & Scrutiny Committee in December 2003.

Examines the kerbside recycling expansion proposals in detail following the approval of extra funding from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) via an Essex County Council partnership bid and makes appropriate recommendations to the parent Committee by April 2004.

Considers and reports on tariff charges and licensing fees and charges associated with the taxi trade.

Exercises the Council's functions in relation to highways and transport, building control, waste collection and disposal, planning policy, economic development, Environment, regeneration, health & safety and recycling.

Determines the recipients of the Heritage, Design and Conservation Awards 2003 with a view to presentations being made to Full Council.

Considers, in accordance with the Overview & Scrutiny Procedures rules, the Council's budget, management of budget, capital & revenue borrowing, assets and audit arrangements, policies and strategies of the Council and other bodies that affect the economic, social and political resources available, including best value, community plan, corporate plan, local democracy and achievement of objective, transparent and accountable decision-making by the Council.

Considers the commissioning of an art project to commemorate the Holocaust and other conflicts and reports to the Finance & Procedures Overview & Scrutiny Committee with the recommendation.

Considers areas identified by Parishes to be of particular concern, in order to enable clarity of service delivery and recommends to the parent Committee accordingly.

Exercises the Council's functions in relation to town & country planning regulation, dangerous, neglected or derelict premises and building control.

Exercises the Council's functions in relation to all matters not otherwise reserved to Full Council or the responsibility of another Committee with particular reference to finance, Council Budget and Support Services, including the formulation and implementation of the policy framework and management of the budget in respect of these functions.

Promotes and maintains high standards of conduct with the Council and exercises the Council's functions in relation to Standards of Conduct of Members, Codes of Conduct for Officers and Members.