Agenda and minutes

The Council observed a minute silence to mark the recent death of Richard Tweddell who had sadly passed away on 22 January 2024, following a battle with cancer.  

The Chairman stated that Richard had worked in Property Services within the Housing Department for a number of years. Thoughts were with Richard’s family and friends at this sad time.

To sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 22 November 2023 (copy enclosed).

Consideration was given to the minutes of Full Council held on 22 November 2023.

DECISION:

That the minutes of the meeting of Full Council on 22 November 2023 be signed as a correct record.

(Where a Councillor has a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest the Councillor must declare the interest to the meeting and leave the room 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.

The following announcements were made:

The Chairman stated that this was the first meeting of Full Council of the new year – he hoped that all had had a good Christmas and a peaceful New Year.

The Chairman reminded members that details of events that he had attended as Chairman could be viewed under the Chairman’s Log on the Council’s website.

The Chairman advised of the following forthcoming events:

·       Friday 26 January 2024 – Open Mic Night – South Holland Centre at 8.00pm.  Tickets were still available.

·       Friday 16 February 2024 – Quiz Night - Cowbit Village Hall at 7pm for 7.30pm start

Finally, the Chairman congratulated the Vice-Chairman for her efforts in  getting Spalding on the Look North weather map.

The Leader made the following announcements:

·       Councillor Bingham’s attendance – Councillor Bingham had come into the offices but had then gone home as he was not well enough to attend the meeting;

·       The Leader had held a very good meeting with the Woodland Trust recently – responsibility for trees/woodland, climate change and environment had now moved from the Leader’s responsibility to Councillor E Sneath’s portfolio.  The Leader asked that if anyone had any suggestions for areas to plant trees, that they contact the Portfolio Holder;

·       The White Horse Public House – following the recent accident involving two cars which had hit the building, the Leader advised that he had had a promising discussion with the owners.  The front bay window would need repairing, along with the first-floor window, and the owners had agreed to undertake these repairs.  They were also willing to undertake repairs to the ground floor window damaged in the summer of 2022, along with looking at the paintwork and render. The project manager had advised that he had been instructed to conduct a full scheme for the building.  A planning application would be submitted for the premises as a listed building, and submission of this was required by 2 February 2024.  It was hoped that there would now be some rapid progress on improvements to the building.  The owners had also advised that they were optimistic of getting a tenant for the public house.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance, Commercialisation, UKSPF and Levelling Up made the following announcement:

With regard to IDBs, the Rt Hon Michael Gove MP had recently made a statement awarding £3 million to those authorities most significantly impacted by that additional funding.  These monies had been secured following pressure from the IDB Special Interest Group.  At this point in time, the authority did not know how much the award would be, and it was very much a short- term solution.  However, there had been an agreement to look at a more long-term solution to this problem.  The Group was continuing to maintain pressure on the government around this issue and it was hoped that in the long term, all those affected would end up in a stronger position, with a clearer way forward. In light of the recent flooding, the work of the IDBs was indeed recognised.

There were none.

Question to: Councillor Worth

Question from: Councillor Gibson

Subject: Anaerobic digester – Rangell Gate

Councillor Gibson commented that he was receiving a lot of correspondence from the public regarding the proposed installation of an anaerobic digester at Rangell Gate.  Concerns were being raised around the smell that could drift across residential areas.  As a Council, could we undertake any due diligence to see how these residents may be affected and if so, could any action be taken before building commenced.  Councillor Worth responded to advise that this was subject to a Planning application.  Environmental Health would be able to have input into the application and would monitor this very carefully, due to its proximity to residential areas. 

Question to: Councillor Tyrrell

Question from: Councillor Brewis

Subject: Missed refuse and recycling collections

Councillor Brewis stated that there had recently been more complaints over missed refuse/recycling collections than for some time.  How could it be ensured that the confusion around changed dates over the Christmas and New Year period did not happen again next year?  Councillor Tyrrell responded by stating that the re-routing of collections had been undertaken to find out whether a better job could be done.  Until the six-month trial was completed (end of March), it would be difficult to evaluate this.  There had been a number of issues creating problems – a huge amount of additional waste had to be collected over the Christmas period, and there had been staff sickness.  The Pride Team had assisted in the collection of as much waste as possible.  A clearer answer would be given once the six-month trial period had ended and the results evaluated.

Question to: Councillor E Sneath

Question from: Councillor Tennant

Subject: Conservation areas and protection of the environment 

Councillor Tennant stated that new planning legislation would make it easier for authorities to monitor conservation areas and protect the environment.  Could consideration be given to adding Long Sutton to the agenda – it was felt that the area had been neglected over the last 15-20 years and it was blighted by a Grade 2 listed hotel in the town centre.  It was also requested that the way in which other authorities addressed enforcement be considered in order that successful practice could be used locally.  Councillor E Sneath responded that she would be happy to visit Long Sutton and meet with individuals to discuss the issues and to move things forward.

Question to: Councillor Astill

Question from: Councillor Eldridge

Subject: Prevention of digital exclusion

Councillor Eldridge asked what the Council was doing to ensure that its customers were not excluded digitally.  Councillor Astill responded that there were currently two documents in place – the Customer Strategy that had been approved by Cabinet earlier that month, and the IT Strategy.  Both documents would ensure that any projects brought forward would not have a detrimental effect on the community.  In addition to this, one focus project group around sheltered housing had been undertaken and there were various other bids being submitted for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 73.

To receive the minutes of the following Committees and Panels:-

Governance and Audit Committee - 9 November 2023

Planning Committee - 14 November 2023

Performance Monitoring Panel - 15 November 2023

Policy Development Panel - 12 December 2023

Planning Committee - 10 January 2024

The minutes of the following Committees and Panels were noted:

·       Governance and Audit Committee – 9 November 2023

·       Planning Committee – 14 November 2023

·       Performance Monitoring Panel – 15 November 2023

·       Policy Development Panel – 12 December 2023

·       Planning Committee – 10 January 2024

To receive the current Key Decision Plan (copy enclosed).

Consideration was given to the Key Decision Plan.

DECISION:

That the Key Decision Plan be noted.

To consider the recommendations of the Cabinet in respect of:

·       2023/24 Quarter Two Finance update – To set out the current financial position for the Council at the end of the second quarter of 2023/24 (Cabinet minute 38) ( Cabinet agenda item 3)

(report of the Cabinet enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Cabinet which sought approval for the Cabinet’s recommendations.

2023/24 Quarter Two Finance update

The Portfolio Holder for Finance, Commercialisation, UKSPF and Levelling Up presented the report.

DECISION:

1)    That the use of New Homes Bonus (NHB) from reserves of £300,000, to alleviate in year budget pressures, be approved;

2)    That the Capital Programme at Appendix A – Table 4 be amended to take into account the changes set out within the report.

To consider the recommendations following the review of Polling Districts and Polling Places within the South Holland District area (report of the (Acting) Returning Officer and Deputy Chief Executive (Corporate Development) enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the (Acting) Returning Officer and Deputy Chief Executive – Corporate Development, which asked Council to consider the recommendations following the review of Polling Districts and Polling Places within the South Holland District area.

The Assistant Director – Governance (Monitoring Officer) introduced the report, which included at Appendix 1 the (Acting) Returning Officer’s Proposals of polling districts and polling places for South Holland.

The following issues were raised:

·       Councillor Astill commented that following feedback from himself and County Councillor Pepper, it was encouraging to note that the Polling Station for the west of Crowland was in the west of the town.  What was not so positive however was that residents in Tongue End still needed to travel a significant distance to vote.  He and the Elections Team would endeavour to seek a solution to this and he also suggested that ward members collectively write to the electorate there to encourage them to apply for a postal vote.

·       Councillor Alcock supported what Councillor Astill had said.  He commented that in the past there had been polling stations in Tongue End and suggestions going forward were required.

DECISION:

1)    To adopt the polling districts and polling places as listed in Appendix 1 to this report which include the following changes:

a.     To relocate the following streets in Pinchbeck from Polling District PS2 to PS1 – Rotten Row, Primrose Crescent, The Chase, Fennell Road, Wayet Road, Brayfields and odd numbers of Rose Lane to accommodate growing electorate numbers.

b.     To relocate the Polling Place for Polling District CRD1 from Crowland Parish Rooms to Snowden Pavilion, off Thorney Road, Crowland.

c.     To relocate the Polling Place for Polling District CRD2 from Snowden Pavilion to Crowland Community Hall, Broadway, Crowland.

d.     To relocate the Polling Place for Polling Districts CRD4 and CRD5 from Deeping St Nicholas Primary School to Deeping St Nicholas Church.

e.     To relocate the Polling Place for Polling District PS2 from Pinchbeck Village Hall to Pinchbeck Church Hall on Rose Lane.

f.      To confirm Monkshouse Scout Hut as the Polling Place for Polling District SMK4.

g.     To confirm Bromley Hall as the Polling Place for Polling District SMK5.

h.     To merge Polling Districts SC1 and SC2.

i.       To merge Polling Districts SSJ3 and SSJ4.

2)    That the (Acting) Returning Officer be granted delegated authority for keeping polling districts and polling places under review and amending any such arrangements (following consultation with local Ward Member(s)) where there is an operational need, prior to the next compulsory District wide review.

To receive, from political groups, nominations for any changes to Committees and other seats and to consider any proposed changes to the Constitution.

The following proposed substitute members to the Chief Officer Employment Panel were reported to Council:

·       Councillor Elizabeth Sneath (Conservative)

·       Councillor Margaret Geaney (Conservative)

·       Councillor Ingrid Sheard (Independent)

DECISION:

That the appointment of the following substitute members to the Chief Officer Employment Panel be approved:

·       Councillor Elizabeth Sneath (Conservative)

·       Councillor Margaret Geaney (Conservative)

·       Councillor Ingrid Sheard (Independent)

There were none.