Full Council (July 2026)
Summary
Item 15, which is the presentation in relation to Cllr Whitehead being conferred with the Honorary title of Freedom of the City, will now take place at 6.30pm, instead of at the end of the meeting. The other agenda items will start at 7pm.
You can view:
1. Apologies for Absence
2. Mayor’s Announcements
3. Declarations of Interest
Members are reminded that they must disclose any interests they know they have in items of business on the meeting’s agenda and that they must do so at this point on the agenda or as soon as they become aware of the interest. If the interest is a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest they are also obliged to notify the Monitoring Officer within 28 days of the meeting.
4. Minutes
Minutes of meeting on 2 May 2026
5. Public Questions
To receive questions from members of the public in accordance with Council Rules 10.1 to 10.6.
Any member of the public who wishes to submit a question or statement to this meeting should email it to committees@chelmsford.gov.uk 24 hours before the start time of the meeting. All valid questions and statements will be published with the agenda on the website at least six hours before the start time and will be responded to at the meeting. Those who have submitted a valid question or statement will be entitled to put it in person at the meeting.
6. Cabinet Question Time
The Leader and Members of the Cabinet to answer questions submitted by Members of the Council in accordance with Council Rules 10.18 to 10.22.
Questions submitted
7. Proposed changes to the Constitution
To consider the attached report from the Governance Committee on 24th June 2026 and Cabinet on 14th July 2026
8. Treasury Outturn 2025/26
To consider the attached report from the Treasury Management and Investment Sub Committee on 15th June 2026 and Cabinet on 14th July 2026
9. Annual Report of the Audit and Risk Committee
To consider the attached report from the Audit and Risk Committee on 24th June 2026
10. Annual Report of the Governance Committee
To consider the attached report from the Governance Committee on 24th June 2026
11. Annual Report of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee
To consider the attached report from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 29th June 2026
12. Report from the Governance Committee - Proposed Censure of City Councillor
To consider the attached report from the Governance Committee
13. Community Governance Review
To consider the attached report from the Chief Executive
14. Notice of Motion
In accordance with notice duly given, Councillor Jeapes to move:
Most of our Public Parks are accessible without the need to use a car. However, Hylands which has so much capacity and such excellent facilities is an exception to this for most of our residents. Specifically, those with young families.
In 2021 despite over 7,500 people signing a petition objecting to parking charge being introduced and many more residents opposing it this council voted to introduce them.
We are now in the midst of a 'cost of living Crisis', where many of our residents are having to count every penny just to get by. The school summer holidays are now coming up but a day out can be very expensive, particularly for families.
Council believes that:
For the summer holidays from 18th of July until 30th of August 2026 parking at Hylands Park should be free. This is a small gesture but may help more of our residents to enjoy the facilities in a park that was originally purchased by the council to 'secure the vast green space for local public use'.
Removing parking charges would promote access to outdoor recreation and help ensure that the park is affordable and welcoming to all.
That the loss of income for this period, approximately £77,000 can be offset by the £1.24million that was obtain over the initial income expectations when residents were charged for the disposal of garden waste.
In addition, Chelmsford City Council also received an improved financial Government settlement which Cllr Davidson stated would allow the council to support worthy initiatives.
It should be noted that Basildon Council has just approved free weekend parking in several areas based on supporting their town centres, local businesses and communities which may be an additional consideration for Chelmsford City Council.
Council therefore resolves to:
Request that the cabinet member responsible and the relevant officers instigate a Summer (18.7.26.- 30.8.26.) of free parking at Hylands Park
That the viability of similar schemes for free or discounted parking is considered to support Chelmsford town centre and local businesses.
15. Freedom of the City
A presentation will be made in relation to the conferring of the honorary title of Freeman of the City upon Cllr Whitehead.