Agenda and minutes

The Council observed a minute silence to mark the recent death of former Councillor Paul Walls.

Councillor Lawton paid tribute to former Councillor Walls who had directly preceded her as representative for the Spalding Wygate ward.  She had met him before she became a District Councillor, through her work with the Conservative Association.  He regularly published his ‘Thoughts from the Chamber’ which many members would remember.  He was generous, kind, and a man of firm convictions.  Councillor Gambba-Jones, who was not able to attend the Council meeting, had worked long and hard with Councillor Walls, representing the Spalding Wygate ward.  Condolences were expressed to Councillor Walls’s wife and his family.  He would be remembered at SHDC for his robust views and larger than life presence.

Councillor Alcock paid tribute to former Councillor Walls on behalf of the Independent Group, and reiterated the points made by Councillor Lawton in her tribute.  He was a warrior, had firm ideas on many subjects and shared these views robustly.  He would not be forgotten. 

Councillor Worth paid tribute to former Councillor Walls and agreed with Councillor Alcock that he would not be someone who could be forgotten.  In meetings, he would often precede his comments with ‘I’m a simple soul….’, followed by a highly intelligent debate.  He was very well-meaning, friendly and helpful, and was a lovely man who would be sadly missed.

To sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 23 November 2022 (copy enclosed).

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meeting of Full Council held on 23 November 2022.

Councillor Alcock asked for an update on the issue that he had raised at minute number 65 – it was agreed that this would be answered later in the meeting at Questions asked without notice under Standing Order 7.

DECISION:

That the minutes of the meeting of Full Council on 23 November 2022 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 welcomed Councillor Stephen Timewell to his first meeting of Full Council, following his election on 8 December 2022.

The Leader had no announcements to make.

There were no announcements from the Cabinet.

There were none.

Question to:  Councillor Grocock

Question from: Councillor Alcock

Subject:  Spalding Town Centre –Untidy areas around vacant business premises

Councillor Alcock commented that at the last meeting of Full Council, he had again raised the issue of the untidy state of empty business premises in Spalding town centre.  He stated that despite this, many unoccupied properties in Spalding, particularly in Market Place were still in a poor state.  Councillor Grocock responded by requesting that Councillor Alcock email him to identify the properties and that he would do his utmost to ensure that this issue was addressed.

Question to:  Councillor Coupland

Question from: Councillor Gibson

Subject:  Designated Councillor Budgets

Councillor Gibson questioned whether a reduction to Member Budgets, from £12,000 for the full 4-year term to £10,000, was being proposed.  He commented that the budget was valuable to local charities and asked for confirmation that there was to be no loss of, or reduction to, the budget.  Councillor Coupland responded that there were no plans to reduce Designated Councillor Budgets.

Question to:  Councillor Worth

Question from: Councillor Gibson

Subject:  Update on Levelling Up Funding submission

Councillor Gibson commented that following the 2019 District Election, the desire had been to see completion of a new leisure centre.  As this had not yet happened, could an update be provided, particularly around the progress of the Levelling Up Funding bid.  Council Worth advised that the Council was awaiting an announcement from the Government on Levelling Up and that members would be advised when there was any further information.  Councillor Porter added that an announcement had been expected before Christmas and then in early January however, he had been advised that the announcement was now imminent.

Question to:  Councillor Astill

Question from: Councillor Beal

Subject:  Implementation of Voter ID

Councillor Beal commented that proposed changes to the voting system (introduction of voter ID) were imminent – how were the changes being communicated and what was the Council doing to ensure that the introduction of the changes would run smoothly.  Councillor Astill responded that the Democratic Services Team would shortly be providing a briefing on voter ID.  The Communications Team would also be providing information through the Press and social media, to explain the changes.

Councillor Beal replied that it was important to ensure that specific needs relating to individuals, such as, for example those who were disabled or visually impaired, were satisfactorily addressed.  Councillor Astill provided reassurance that guidance provided by the Electoral Commission was clear regarding what was considered to be suitable ID, and that the forthcoming briefing would cover all scenarios.

Question to:  Councillor Worth

Question from: Councillor Avery

Subject:  Update on Lincolnshire Prosperity Fund

Councillor Avery asked for an update on progress around the Lincolnshire Prosperity Fund.   Councillor Worth advised that the Prospectus was to be shared the following Monday, and that details would be added to the website.  There was no immediate urgency to submit expressions of interest as applications would not be dealt with on a ‘first come, first served’ basis.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 81.

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

Governance and Audit Committee - 17 November 2022

Performance Monitoring Panel - 29 November 2022

Policy Development Panel - 13 December 2022

Planning Committee - 15 December 2022

The minutes of the following Committees and Panels were noted:

·         Governance and Audit Committee – 17 November 2022

·         Performance Monitoring Panel – 29 November 2022

·         Policy Development Panel – 13 December 2022

·         Planning Committee – 15 December 2022

To consider the recommendations of the Cabinet in respect of:

a)    Local Council Tax Support Scheme 23/24 – To determine the Council Tax Support scheme for 2023/24 (Cabinet minute 60) (Cabinet agenda item 8);

b)    Proposed Amendments of the Council’s Contract Procedure Rules and Financial Procedure Rules – To introduce a new updated version of the Contract Procedure Rules and an amendment to the Financial Procedure Rules (Cabinet minute 62) (Cabinet agenda item 10)

(report of Cabinet enclosed).

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

Local Council Tax Support Scheme 23/24

The Portfolio Holder – Finance, Commercialisation and Partnerships presented the report.

DECISIONS:

a)    That continuation of the current Local Council Tax Support scheme, including uprating in line with DWP’s annual update of allowances and premiums for housing benefit for 2023/24 be approved; and

b)    That an increase in the maximum level of support for working age claimants from 70% to 75% be approved.

Proposed Amendments of the Council’s Contract Procedure Rules and Financial Procedure Rules

The Portfolio Holder – Finance, Commercialisation and Partnerships presented the report.

DECISIONS:

a)    That the revised Contract Procedure Rules at Appendix 1 to the report be adopted, without amendment, as the Contract Procedure Rules (CPR);

b)    That the Monitoring Officer be authorised to make the necessary changes to update the Council’s Constitution, accordingly, including delegation to amend where inconsistencies arise, noting that the CPR will take primacy; and

That the revised financial procedure rule for Banking arrangement and cheques, as detailed in Paragraph 1.12 of the report, be approved.

Consideration was given to the Key Decision Plan.

DECISION:

That the Key Decision Plan be noted.

To note the findings of the LGA Peer Review and associated Action Plan (report of the Assistant Director – Corporate enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Assistant Director – Corporate which asked Council to note the findings of the LGA Peer Review and associated Action Plan.

The Leader of the Council presented the report.

The Portfolio Holder – Corporate and Communications commented that at section 2.2 of the report, it stated that ‘delivery of the actions would be monitored by the Leadership Team at their monthly governance meeting and by Stakeholder Board and Joint Strategy Board.  Delivery would also be reported in the six-monthly Partnership Performance Report to each Council’.  The Joint Strategy Board, attended by Cabinet members was held six-monthly - it was felt that Cabinet members needed to be updated more frequently and the proposal was therefore made that they be updated as and when required, or at least every two months.

DECISION:

That the LGA Peer Review Report and Action Plan be noted

To present the report of the Joint Scrutiny and Policy Panel (report of Councillor Edward Mossop (ELDC) on behalf of the Partnership Scrutiny Task Group enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of Councillor Edward Mossop (ELDC) on behalf of the Partnership Scrutiny Task Group, which presented the report of the Joint Scrutiny and Policy Panel.

Councillor Alcock, who had been a member of the Task Group, presented the report on Councillor Mossop’s behalf.

·         The Leader commented that recommendation 6 of the Task Group recommended ‘that the Partnership asks the Independent Renumeration Panel to ensure that in undertaking its next review it takes on board the different levels of Member allowances across the Partnership’.  He stated that each sovereign council had its own Independent Remuneration Panel and that the recommendation was incorrect in that it assumed that there was one Panel covering all three councils. 

·         Councillor Alcock acknowledged that the recommendation was ambiguous however, some members of the Task Group had felt that the Independent Remuneration Panel should evolve into one Panel, and that there were distinct differences between the authorities.

DECISION:

That the report at Appendix A, and associated recommendations be noted.

To provide an update of the treasury management position of the Council as at 30 September 2022 (report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Corporate Development (S151 Officer) enclosed)

Consideration was given to the report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Corporate Development) (S151) which provided an update of the treasury management position of the Council as at 30 September 2022.

The Portfolio Holder – Finance, Commercialisation and Partnerships presented the report.

DECISION:

That the Mid Term Treasury Management Update 2022/23, as detailed in Appendix A following prior scrutiny of the report by the Governance and Audit Committee on 17 November 2022, be received and approved.

To seek Council’s approval for revised HR Policies (report of the Assistant Director – Corporate enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Assistant Director – Corporate which sought Council’s approval for revised HR Policies.

The Portfolio Holder – Corporate and Communications presented the report.

DECISION:

That the HR polices appended to the report be approved

To seek Council approval of the final recommendations for the Community Governance Reviews of Holbeach, Cowbit and Tydd St Mary Parish Councils (report of the Assistant Director – Governance (Monitoring Officer) enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Assistant Director – Governance (Monitoring Officer) which sought Council approval of the final recommendations for the Community Governance Reviews of Holbeach, Cowbit and Tydd St Mary Parish Councils.

The Portfolio Holder – Corporate and Communications presented the report.

DECISION:

That it be agreed to give effect to the following final Community Governance Review recommendations:

a)    That no changes are made to the number of Councillors on Holbeach Parish Council, leaving it at 18 seats;

b)    To increase the number of Councillors on Cowbit Parish Council from 5 to 7 with effect from the next scheduled elections in May 2023;

c)    To decrease the number of Councillors on Tydd St Mary Parish Council from 9 to 7 with effect from the next scheduled elections in May 2023; and

That the Assistant Director – Governance (Monitoring Officer) be authorised to prepare and make Reorganisation of Community Governance Orders as appropriate and to take such steps as they are considered necessary and desirable to give effect to the decisions of the Council.

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 Outside Body appointment was reported to Council:

·         Welland and Deepings Internal Drainage Board – 1 vacancy following the passing of Councillor Newton.  Councillor Gibson was nominated to represent as a member of this outside body.

The following Committee changes were reported to Council:

·         Councillor Timewell to replace Councillor Seymour as a member of the Governance and Audit Committee;

·         Councillor Timewell to replace Councillor Redgate as a member of the Policy Development Panel

DECISION:

That the following appointments be approved:

·         Councillor Gibson to be appointed to represent on the Welland and Deepings Internal Drainage Board;

·         Councillor Timewell to replace Councillor Seymour as a member of the Governance and Audit Committee; and

·         Councillor Timewell to replace Councillor Redgate as a member of the Policy Development Panel

There were none.