Agenda and minutes

Following the recent passing of Her Majesty the Queen Elizabeth II, Full Council was up standing in holding a two minute silence in her memory.

The Chairman thanked all members and officers for their hard work and support in the successful undertaking of Operation London Bridge at a local level.

Councillor Astill reiterated the Chairman’s words, and specifically thanked Democratic Services for their work both locally and in supporting the partnership councils, as well as their support of the Chairman in his official role within Operation London Bridge at a local level.

Following the recent passing of Councillor Angela Newton MBE, Full Council was up standing in holding a minute silence in her memory.

The Chairman invited members to pay their tributes to Councillor Newton.

The Leader paid tribute to Councillor Newton on behalf of all members, both past and present.  She had been South Holland District Council’s longest serving Councillor and for around 20 years had been the Leader of the largest opposition group.  The fact that the Authority had been so successful and innovative was in part due to how well she had managed her role as Leader of the opposition group whilst working jointly to ensure positive results and holding the Council Chamber together in a positive way.  She had always engaged positively with all items that she dealt with, even when she had disagreed.  She had contributed and supported numerous community initiatives such as Spalding in Bloom and the Voluntary Car Scheme and had worked tirelessly for the community.  She would be a very hard act to follow, and the Leader wished it to be recorded how sorely she would be missed.

Councillor Alcock commented that all members knew what Councillor Newton had done within the Council, and that all she did should be celebrated.  Privately, she had been devoted to her family – she regularly spoke about them, and her passing was a sad loss for them. The Independent Group would greatly miss her, and he commented that she was ‘nearly’ unique.

Councillor Brewis commented how highly she was regarded, and of her great knowledge of what was going on in the town and the surrounding villages.  Her influence extended further than the District, as a result of her work with the National Association of British Market Authorities (NABMA).  The subject of markets was one on which she had held a huge amount of knowledge, and a fitting memorial to her would be to ensure the success of markets within the South Holland area.

Councillor Booth had known Councillor Newton for some 60 years.  She was the most dedicated, honest and hard-working person that he had known, and he would miss her greatly.

Councillor Lawton worked with Councillor Newton on many occasions, predominantly on gardening projects, and they often talked of their families. She was a force of nature and would be greatly missed.

Councillor Sneath stated that she had known Councillor Newton all her life but had got to know her better since being elected as a District Councillor.  They had worked together on many projects. Residents had lost a great champion. She also commented on how greatly her family mattered to her.  She would be greatly missed.

Councillor Gibson commented that he also wished to associate himself with the Leader’s comments.  He thanked all Councillors, staff and the public for their kind comments following Councillor Newton’s passing.

Councillor Gambba-Jones acknowledged that he and Councillor Newton had disagreed on many occasions however, she had posthumously gained a victory with regard to the former Pennygate Surgery whose  ...  view the full minutes text for item 60.

To sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 27 July 2022 (copy enclosed).

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meeting of Full Council held on 27 July 2022.

DECISION:

That the minutes 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 Chairman made the following announcements:

·         The Chairman thanked members for their support of him and some members of the Democratic Services Team in their recent skydive in aid of raising funds for the Chairman’s Charity - £2054 had been raised.

·         A MacMillan Coffee Morning had been held on 8 September 2022, and £400 had been raised.

·         The Chairman’s Civic Service was being held on 16 October 2022 at St Mary’s Church, Whaplode

·         Long Sutton In Bloom were congratulated on gaining a Silver award;

·         The Chairman reminded members that the Chairman’s Quiz was to be held on 10 November 2022 at the Elizabethan Centre, Whaplode Drove.

The Leader had no announcements to make.

There were no announcements from the Cabinet.

There were none.

Question to:  Councillor Porter

Question from: Councillor Brewis

Subject: Council Tax charge for empty properties

Councillor Brewis referred to an issue around Council Tax charging for empty properties that had been raised under Questions Without Notice at the last two meetings of the Council, and his view that the policy around charging on this issue was unfair.  Councillor Porter replied that he would ensure that this issue was looked at outside of the meeting.

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

a)    Policy Development Panel – 12 July 2022

b)    Planning Committee – 20 July 2022

c)    Governance and Audit Committee – 28 July 2022

d)    Planning Committee – 7 September 2022

The minutes of the following Committees and Panels were noted:

·         Policy Development Panel – 12 July 2022

·         Planning Committee – 20 July 2022

·         Governance and Audit Committee – 28 July 2022

·         Planning Committee – 7 September 2022

Consideration was given to the Key Decision Plan.

Councillor Grocock provided an update on the third item on the Key Decision Planner, ‘Acquisition of seven S106 affordable homes in Holbeach’.  He stated that SHDC was negotiating with a developer to purchase the seven S106 homes in Holbeach and that the item had been added to the Plan to ensure a prompt decision should the negotiations prove successful.  However, the developer had accepted another offer and this particular scheme would therefore not be brought forward by SHDC.  Affordable homes would still be provided.

DECISION:

That the Key Decision Plan be noted.

To consider recommendations of the Cabinet in respect of:

·         Provisional Financial Outturn 2021/22 (Cabinet minute 34) (Cabinet agenda item 10).

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

2021/22 Provisional Financial Outturn

The Portfolio Holder for Finance presented the report, and commented that since the start of the pandemic, the Council has seen numerous impacts on its finances.  In addition, increased living costs had impacted on the public and also made it difficult for the Authority to budget. There had been significant changes as South Holland District Council had separated from its partnership with Breckland Council and joined the South and East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership.  It had been a challenging year for the Finance Team and the Portfolio Holder thanked the Deputy Chief Executive (Corporate Development) for her great leadership, and the Finance Team for their dedicated work.

DECISION:

1)    That the outturn position for 2021/22 as detailed in Table 1 be financed from the Council Tax Reserve;

2)    That the following reserve movements be approved:

a)    A contribution of £1,419,065 to the Earmarked Grants reserve of additional section 31 grants received in year which are required to fund the Collection Fund Deficit in 2022/23;

b)    A contribution from the Earmarked Grants Reserve of £2,922,033 which is required to drawdown section 31 grants received in 2020/21 but are required to fund the Business Rates deficit in 2021/22;

3)    General Fund capital position – That the 2021/22 capital budget carry forward to 2022/23 due to slippage/re-profiling, as detailed in column 3 of Table 8, be approved; and

4)    HRA capital position – That the budget carry forward due to slippage/re-profiling, as detailed in column 3 in Table 12, be approved.

To seek Member approval to implement a salary supplement for the lowest paid employees (report of the Assistant Director – Corporate enclosed)

Consideration was given to the report of the Assistant Director (Corporate) which sought member approval to implement a salary supplement for the lowest paid employees.  The report was presented to members by the Portfolio Holder Corporate and Communications.

DECISION:

That from 1 April 2022, the Council implements a pay supplement to raise pay to £9.90 per hour for all Council employees on the National Joint Council (NJC) pay rate currently paid below this sum.

Six monthly update on Partnership performance (Report of the Assistant Director – Corporate enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Assistant Director (Corporate) which provided a six-monthly update on Partnership performance.  The report was presented to members by the Leader.

DECISION:

That the following be noted:

·         The progress of Phase 2 of the Partnership (section 2 of the report);

·         The peer review update (section 3 of the report);

·         The Annual Delivery Plan (ADP) update (section 4 of the report);

·         The updates from the Priority Partnerships (section 5 of the report); and

·         The update on the joint Scrutiny work (section 6 of the report)

To provide the Annual Treasury Management Review for 2021/22 financial year for review and approval as required by the Local Government Act 2003 and the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy’s Code of Practice on Treasury Management (Report of the Interim Treasury and Investment Manager (PSPS) enclosed)

Consideration was given to the report of the Interim Treasury and Investments Manager (PSPS) which provided the Annual Treasury Management Review for 2021/22 financial year for review and approval, as required by the Local Government Act 2003 and the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy’s Code of Practice on Treasury Management.  The report was presented to members by the Portfolio Holder Finance, Commercialisation and Partnerships.

DECISION:

That the Annual Treasury Management Review 2021/22 be received and approved, as required by the Local Government Act 2003, following scrutiny by the Governance and Audit Committee at their meeting on 28 July 2022.

To consider a request for a Community Governance Review (CGR) for the Parish of Tydd St Mary to decrease the number of Councillors from nine to seven (report of the Assistant Director, Governance (Monitoring Officer) enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Assistant Director – Governance (and Monitoring Officer) which asked the Council to consider a request for a Community Governance Review (CGR) for the Parish of Tydd St Mary, to decrease the number of Councillors from nine to seven.  The report was presented to members by the Portfolio Holder Corporate and Communications.

DECISION:

1)    That it be approved to undertake a Community Governance Review for the Parish of Tydd St Mary;

2)    That delegated powers be given to the Monitoring Officer to carry out the Review;

3)    That the timetable for the review, as attached at Appendix A be agreed; and

4)    That the Monitoring Officer report the findings of the Review to Council for final decision.

To appoint the Independent Remuneration Panel for a further four-year term (report of the Assistant Director, Governance (Monitoring Officer) enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Assistant Director – Governance (and Monitoring Officer) to appoint the Independent Remuneration Panel for a further four-year term.  The report was presented to members by the Portfolio Holder Corporate and Communications.

DECISION:

That the members of the Independent Remuneration Panel be appointed for a further four-year term.

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

There were none.

There were none.

Under section 100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the press and public were excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 4 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

To sign as a correct record the restricted minute for the meeting of Council held on 27 July 2022.

Consideration was given to the restricted minute from the meeting of Full Council held on 27 July 2022.

DECISION:

That the restricted minute be signed as a correct record.

To seek Member approval to implement a Partnership-Wide service structure in the ‘Corporate’ directorate (report of the Assistant Director – Corporate enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Assistant Director (Corporate) which sought member approval to implement a Partnership-side service structure in the ‘Corporate’ Directorate.  The report was presented to members by the Portfolio Holder Corporate and Communications.

DECISION:

That the recommendations detailed within the exempt report be approved.