The Tendring Council's cabinet met to discuss treasury management, a housing strategy, a health and wellbeing strategy, corporate projects, and a planning document. The cabinet approved the adoption of a Health and Wellbeing Strategy, approved launching a consultation on the draft Housing Strategy 2026-30, noted the Treasury Management performance position for 2024/25, and approved the Hartley Gardens Draft Supplementary Planning Document for publication and consultation.

Adoption of a Health and Wellbeing Strategy for Tendring

The cabinet approved the adoption of a new Health and Wellbeing Strategy for Tendring, following a consultation. The strategy aims to support residents in living healthier, more independent, and fulfilling lives. The strategy sets out five strategic objectives:

• Addressing the wider determinants of health
• Improving wellbeing and resilience
• Encouraging healthier lifestyles
• Improving long-term condition prevention and management
• Suicide prevention

The strategy includes a delivery plan, and the cabinet delegated authority to Councillor Gina Placey, Portfolio Holder for Partnerships, to accept and allocate Essex County Council's public health improvement funding to support the strategy's objectives. The cabinet also delegated authority to the Assistant Director (Sport, Culture and Health) to enter into associated funding agreements.

The strategy was amended following the consultation to include more detail on the NHS's 10-year plan and the council's existing work impacting health and wellbeing.

Approval of Draft Housing Strategy 2026-30 for Consultation

The cabinet agreed to launch a consultation on the draft Housing Strategy 2026-30. The strategy sets out four strategic priorities:

• Maintaining and improving existing housing stock
• Preventing and reducing homelessness
• Delivering high-quality homes with partners
• Supporting people in their homes and communities

The cabinet authorised the Corporate Director (Operations & Delivery), in consultation with Councillor Andy Baker, Portfolio Holder for Housing and Planning, to approve the consultation questions. The consultation aims to gather feedback from the public, relevant authorities, and stakeholders, with a final version of the strategy to be recommended for adoption by the full council in January 2026.

Treasury Management Performance 2024/25

The cabinet noted the Treasury Management performance position for 2024/25 and approved the Prudential and Treasury Indicators for 2024/25. The council's borrowing position included £0.119m for the General Fund and £30.534m for the Housing Revenue Account (HRA). No new external borrowing was undertaken in 2024/25. The council's investment position showed a value of £98.722m with an average interest rate of 5.148%, earning £4.781m in interest. The council also holds one property within its Commercial Investment Portfolio, which had a balance sheet value of £2.212 million at the end of 2024/25 and earned rental income of £0.233 million in 2024/25.

The cabinet endorsed the response of the Corporate Finance and Governance Portfolio Holder to the recommendation made by the Resources and Services Overview & Scrutiny Committee regarding the Annual Capital and Treasury Strategy for 2025/26, and agreed that no amendments to the Strategy were necessary.

Draft Hartley Gardens Supplementary Planning Document

The cabinet approved the Hartley Gardens Draft Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) for publication and consultation with residents and other interested stakeholders. The Planning Policy and Local Plan Committee had recommended the approval at its meeting on 8 September 2025. The SPD provides a framework for development at Hartley Gardens, a site allocated in the Local Plan for approximately 1,700 new homes, employment land, a primary school, and early years and childcare facilities. The consultation will allow residents to review the proposals and share their views to help refine the details and ensure the final SPD reflects local priorities and aspirations.

Update on Corporate Projects

The cabinet noted the recommendations made by the Resources and Services Overview & Scrutiny Committee regarding the update on Corporate Projects and endorsed the response of Councillor Mark Stephenson, Leader of the Council, to those recommendations. The committee had raised concerns about project management and risk assessment for projects not managed through the Project Delivery Unit (PDU), the criteria for projects within the PDU, and the roles and responsibilities of cabinet members in managing projects, budget controls, and risk assessments. Councillor Stephenson thanked the committee for its attention to risks associated with project delivery and welcomed the suggestion that the cabinet reflect on its collective role and responsibilities in managing projects, budget controls, and risk assessments.