Agenda and minutes

The minutes of the following meetings were signed by the Leader as a correct record:

·         Meeting of the Cabinet held on 25 July 2017

·         Meeting of the Priory Road Community Hub Project Sub-Committee held on 20 July 2017.

(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 no declarations if interest.

No questions were raised under the Council’s Constitution (Standing Orders).

There were no matters subject to call-in.

There were no matters arising from the Policy Development and Performance Monitoring Panels.

To seek approval to recommend to Council to establish formal arrangements to continue the Pride in South Holland programme for 2017/2018 and 2018/2019 and to provide an update on Untidy Sites and to advise Members of structural changes consequent upon the recent Place review (report for Portfolio Holder for Place and Executive Director – Place is enclosed).

Consideration was given to the joint report of the Portfolio Holder for Place and the Executive Director Place which sought approval to recommend to Council the establishment of formal arrangements to continue the Pride in South Holland programme for 2017/2018 and 2018/2019.  The report also provided an update on Untidy Sites and advised members of structural changes consequent upon the recent Place review.

Members were concerned about the increase in fly tipping within the area, and requested information on how the Authority was dealing with this problem, and details of any prosecutions.  It was agreed that this would be provided to all members,.

Members were keen to investigate the possibility of Government funding to enable clearance and development of sites in appropriate circumstances.

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL:

a)    That the contents of the report be noted;

b)    That annual funds of up to £100,000 are released from the Council’s reserves to enable the continuation of the Pride in South Holland programme for 2017/2018 and 2018/2019; and

c)    That the Pride in South Holland programme is reviewed during 2018/2019 to consider whether to further extend the period of activity.

(Other options considered:

·         To cease funding the Pride in South Holland programme.

Reasons for decision:

·         To continue to provide a proactive focus in order to improve the cleanliness and visual quality of the public spaces within South Holland, thus meeting the corporate priority ‘To have pride in South Holland by supporting the district and residents to develop and thrive’ whilst supporting the national Litter Strategy.)

To update Members on progress and a series of key workstreams relating to the delivery of Spalding’s Western Road (report of the Deputy Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Growth and Commercialisation is enclosed).

Consideration was given to the joint report of the Deputy Leader of the Council and the Portfolio Holder for Growth and Commercialisation which updated members on progress, and a series of workstreams relating to the delivery of Spalding’s Western Road.

It was clarified that the internal road within the Holland Park development would be provided at the same time as Section 1 of the relief road, thereby bringing forward an alternative route through the development which avoided the town.

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL:

a)    That members note and endorse the strategic direction, key milestones and delivery strategy for Spalding’s Western Relief Road (SWRR) outlined within the report;

b)    That the Place Manager brings further reports to Council, as appropriate, in order to update members on progress; and

c)    That the Place Manager, in conjunction with both the Portfolio Holder for Growth and Commercialisation and the Executive Director Commercialisation, continues to work with the County Council and key partners to ensure the delivery strategy for the SWRR meshes with the Council’s key growth and infrastructure ambitions.

(Other options considered:

·         Do nothing.

Reasons for decision:

·         The information contained within the body of the report highlights matters that meet with both the Council’s and the Government’s growth agendas, and additionally highlights matters that meet with the Council’s Corporate Priorities and the thrust of the emerging South East Lincolnshire Local Plan.)

To seek approval for South Holland District Council  to be re-admitted to the Lincolnshire Business Rates Pool for 2018-19 (report of the Portfolio Holder for Finance is enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Portfolio Holder for Finance which sought approval for South Holland District Council to be re-admitted to the Lincolnshire Business Rates Pool for 2018-2019

It was reported that the rates appeals lodged by the power stations were largely resolved.  One no longer stood, and the second was awaiting resolution of a minor matter.

The benefit of being in the Pool was that local authorities could retain 60% of growth.  However, any reduction in business rates (such as some public bodies obtaining a charitable exemption) would be a risk to the Pool and would not be protected by the current ‘safety net’.  Officers confirmed that as authorities entered the Pool, they would be looking forward to assess and identify any potential risks

DECISION:

a)    That the re-admittance of South Holland District Council to the Lincolnshire Business Rates Pool for 2018-19 and subsequent years be approved; and

b)    That delegated authority be given to the S151 Officer in consultation with the Portfolio Holder Finance, to confirm the arrangements with the other Lincolnshire local authorities.

(Other options considered:

·         To not join the Lincolnshire Business Rates Pool.

Reasons for decision:

·         The projected figures for the Lincolnshire Business Rates Pool present SHDC with a potentially significant financial gain, since the rates appeals lodged by the power stations had been largely resolved.)

The report invites Members to formally designate the Long Sutton Neighbourhood Plan area (report of the Executive Member for Growth is enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Executive Member for Growth which invited members to formally designate the Long Sutton Neighbourhood Plan area.

Attached at Appendix A to the report was a map detailing the submitted Long Sutton Neighbourhood Plan area boundary, which included the whole parish of Long Sutton.

DECISION:

That the Neighbourhood Plan area, as submitted by Long Sutton Parish Council, and set out in Appendix A to the report, be confirmed.

(Other options considered:

·         Do nothing

Reasons for Decision:

·         As highlighted within the report, the Neighbourhood Plan area proposed is considered to be appropriate and there are no issues that should affect the confirmation of the Plan area.

·         The alternative option to ‘do nothing’ would prevent the Neighbourhood Plan from moving forward).

To provide information on Quarter 1 (to 30 June 2017) and forecast full year financial position of the Council (report of the Portfolio Holder for Finance and Executive Director – Commercialisation (S151) is enclosed).

Consideration was given to the joint report of the Portfolio Holder for Finance and the Executive Director Commercialisation (S151) which provided information on Quarter 1 (to 30 June 2017), and forecast full year financial position of the Council.  Detailed information was provided in Appendix A to the report.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance reported that there was currently a small underspend however, the Quarter 2 figures would show a more informed position.

DECISION:

That the report and appendices be noted.

(Other options considered:

·         To do nothing.

Reasons for decision:

·         To provide members with information on the overall financial position of the Council.)

To provide an update on Council performance for the period 1 April 2017 to 30 June 2017 (report of the Executive Director – Strategy and Governance is enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Executive Director Strategy and Governance which provided an update on Council performance for the period 1 April 2017 to 30 June 2017.

The Quarter 1 2017/18 Performance Report, attached at Appendix A to the report, provided councillors and residents with information about how the Council was delivering its services and how it was progressing against its Corporate Priorities.

Quarter 2 showed increased levels of performance in the majority of indicators.  Two areas of concern were noted:

·         Housing Void Figures – The service was currently undergoing a major redesign (as part of the ongoing Place Review) with the process of void management an integral part of the redesign. 

·         Sickness – Breakdown of short and long term sickness was now reported, which would provide more context to understand where the days lost to sickness were marginally higher and largely due to longer term illnesses.

DECISION:

That the report be noted.

(Other options considered:

·         Do nothing;

Reasons for decision:

·         No recommendations are made.  The report is presented for consideration in order that members are aware of how the Council is delivering its services and how it is progressing against its Corporate Priorities.)

Note:         (i)      No other business is permitted unless by reason of special circumstances, which shall be specified in the Minutes, the Leader is of the opinion that the item(s) should be considered as a matter of urgency. 

(ii)     Any urgent item of business that is a key decision must be dealt with in accordance with the Constitution’s Access to Information Procedure Rules.

There were no urgent items.