Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies were received from or on behalf of H Bingham, H Drury and J Tyrrell.

To sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 13 May 2020   (copy enclosed).

That the minutes of the meeting held on 13 May 2020 be signed as a correct record as soon as reasonably practical after the meeting.

To consider the suspension of Standing Order No.5 (Order of Business), to enable the order of business for this meeting to be altered.

Consideration was given to the suspension of Standing Order No.5 (Standard Order of Business)

DECISION:

That Standing Order No.5 be suspended.

(Where a Councillor has a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest the Councillor must declare the interest and then leave the meeting without participating in any discussion or making a statement on the item, except where a Councillor is permitted to remain as a result of a grant of dispensation.)

There were none.

There were none.

Question to: Portfolio Holder for Communities and Facilities, Cllr Taylor

Question from: Cllr Newton

Topic: Reopening of Ayscoughfee Museum

Cllr Newton advised that Lincolnshire County Council were providing a shielding hour at Lincoln Castle museum once it had reopened. Cllr Newton asked whether this was something that could be provided at Ayscoughfee Hall Museum once it reopened.

Cllr Taylor advised that this was something he would look into and report back to Cllr Newton.

Question to: Portfolio Holder for Communities and Facilities, Cllr Taylor

Question from: Cllr Alcock

Topic: Health and Safety

Cllr Alcock advised that initial legislation around COVID-19 was interpreted as events, such as village fetes, could not go ahead. Recently the interpretation of this legislation had changed to assist events to be delivered in a safe manner. Cllr Alcock asked how the authority was interpreting the legislation in enabling events in the district to go ahead safely.

Cllr Taylor advised that the authority hoped to return services for residents to use with confidence and had measures in place to operate in a safe environment.

To consider a revised workforce strategy following CV19 (report of Councillor Tracey Carter and Chief Executive enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Chief Executive and the Portfolio Holder for Governance and Customer to seek changes to the Workforce Strategy (2019-2023) which was revised following the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Portfolio Holder for Governance and Customer introduced the report and highlighted the following points:

• Changes had been made to the Workforce Strategy 2019-2023 following the COVID-19 pandemic;
• There had been a rapid shift over the last four months to remote working and there was a  need to ensure that staff were performance focused and managed based on outcomes whenever and wherever they worked;
• There was a need to respond to changing customer needs and to enhance the customer experience by ensuring staff continued to be more digital in delivering services, while still maintaining face-to-face services where appropriate;

• The HR team were working with the Health and Safety team to ensure that all staff were working in a safe environment and were monitoring staff health and wellbeing.

The Portfolio Holder proposed that the recommendation be amended to ensure that the Strategy is reviewed in January 2021.

It was questioned whether current difficulty in filling vacant roles was likely to continue, given that there were likely to be higher levels of unemployment due to the pandemic. Cllr Alcock requested that an update report to be brought to the Performance Monitoring Panel in a year’s time on the Council’s progress against the criteria set out in the report.

The Executive Director for Commercialisation advised that it had previously been very difficult to recruit for specialist roles and despite numerous attempts, these roles remained vacant.

DECISION:

That the Workforce Strategy 2019-2023 (revised following CV19) be approved and reviewed in January 2021.

To report to Council reasons for urgency relating to a number of Non-Key Decisions, as required by the Council’s Constitution (Report of the Executive Manager – Governance (Deputy Monitoring Officer enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Executive Manager – Governance to report to Council reasons for urgency relating to a number of Non-Key Decisions, as required by the Council’s Constitution.

The Executive Manager - Governance introduced the report and noted that there had been six Non-Key Decisions made since the last Full Council meeting which were set out in Appendix A of the report.

DECISION:

That the information contained within the report be noted.

To consider recommendations of the Cabinet in respect of:

a) Re-opening of South Holland's Markets, and Spalding Market Stall provision-To consider the options for re-opening the markets in South Holland and market stall provision at Spalding market. Considered first at Cabinet on 16 June 2020 (Cabinet minute 9) (Cabinet agenda items 9 and exempt agenda item 12) and reconsideration of this item at Cabinet on 21 July 2020 (Cabinet minute 15)(Cabinet agenda items 5a and exempt agenda item 11);

(Please note that a number of appendices to this report are not for publication by virtue of Paragraphs 1 (Information relating to any individual) and 3 (Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information)) in Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, and are therefore attached to this agenda at item 12).

b) Resourcing of the Council's Housing Development Team - To set out a proposal concerning the resourcing of the Council's Housing Development service which will bring two additional Housing Development Project Manager posts into the establishment to align with the authority's ambition to build new council houses and deliver new homes through its housing companies. Considered at Cabinet on 21 July 2020 (Cabinet minute 17)(Cabinet agenda item 7)

a)    Consideration was given to the recommendations of the Cabinet in respect of the Re-opening of South Holland Markets and Spalding Market Stall provision report which considered the options for re-opening the markets in South Holland and the market stalls provision at Spalding Market (considered at Cabinet on 16 June 2020 and 21 July 2020).

The full Council voted to exclude the press and public under Paragraphs 1, 3 and 5 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, for consideration of this, Item 8a, and Item 13 – Covid Implications on the Leisure Operating Contract. 

DECISION:

That, in light of the outcome of the consultation with staff and in light of the content of the confidential report at Appendix C generally, the Council ceases market stall provision in Spalding and follows its usual process arising as a result and as referenced in paragraph 5.1 of that report.

(Cllr Newton wished for it to be noted in the minutes that she voted Against the recommendation)

8b)  Consideration was given to the recommendations of the Cabinet in respect of the resourcing of the Council’s Housing Development Team. The proposal would bring two additional Housing Development Project Manager posts into the establishment to align with the authority’s ambition to build new council houses and deliver new homes through its housing companies (considered at Cabinet on 21 July 2020, Cabinet minute 17, Cabinet agenda item 7).

DECISION: 

That two additional Housing Development Project Manager posts (2 FTE) be created within the Council’s permanent staffing establishment.

To consider and provide feedback on a decision to be taken by the Leader of the Council in respect of the contractual position and range of potential options for the leisure management contract (Report of the Leader and Executive Director – Commercialisation (S151) enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Leader and the Executive Director – Commercialisation (S151) which sought feedback on a decision to be taken by the Leader of the Council in respect of the contractual position and range of potential options for the leisure management contract.

DECISION:

That the Council supports the Leader’s proposed approach as set out in the appendix to the report.

The press and public were re-admitted to the meeting for the remainder of the business.

There was one urgent item of business that was added to the agenda with the Chairman’s approval on 24 July.

To consider delegating to the Lincolnshire County Council authority to discharge all functions relating to pavement licences under sections 1 to 9 of the Business and Planning Act 2020 (report of the Portfolio Holder for Public Protection and Licensing and Business Support Manager enclosed).

(Please note that this item was not included on the Agenda published on 21 July 2020. This is an urgent item added on the approval of the Chairman and on 24^th July 2020).

Consideration was given to the report of the Portfolio Holder for Public Protection and the Licensing and Business Support Manager to consider delegating to the Lincolnshire County Council authority to discharge all functions relating to pavement licences under Sections 1 to 9 of the Business and Planning Act 2020.

DECISION:

1)    That the Lincolnshire County Council be authorised to discharge, for the South Holland District Council area, all functions relating to pavement licences contained in sections 1 to 9 of the Business and Planning Act 2020; and

2)    That the Licensing and Business Support Manager be authorised to:

· make all decisions under sections 1 to 9 of the Act until such time as the County Council formally agrees to discharge such functions; and

·agree arrangements with the County Council regarding the   administration of the scheme pending such formal agreement.