Agenda and minutes

To sign as a correct record the minutes of the following meetings:     

The minutes of the following meetings were agreed and signed by the Deputy Leader:

·         Cabinet – 13 September 2022

·         Cabinet – 21 September 2022

·         Cabinet – 21 September 2022 (exempt minute)

(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.

There were none.

There were none.

There were none.

To adopt the sustainable products policy (report of the Climate Change and Environment Officer enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Climate Change and Environment Officer, which requested adoption of the Sustainable Products Policy.

The following points were raised:

·         Members commented that the Council needed to ensure that it operated in a sustainable way in its day-to-day operations.

·         Members questioned how the success of the Policy would be monitored or measured.

DECISION:

That the Sustainable Products Policy be adopted, in line with the Council’s commitments to resource and waste management, and mitigation and adaption to Climate Change.

(Other options considered:

·         Not to adopt the Sustainable Products Policy however, local authorities have a legal obligation to produce plans and policies to adapt to and mitigate climate change in line with the provisions of the Climate Change Act 2008. This policy will assist the Council in achieving our net zero targets in line with the Climate Change Strategy, alongside other co-benefits;

Reasons for decision:

·         South Holland District Council is committed to ensuring a sustainable approach to resource management and adoption of this policy is listed as a corporate priority in the South and East Lincolnshire Council’s Partnership Annual Delivery Plan. The Sustainable Products Policy will assist us in establishing practices for a more sustainable procurement future, thereby supporting us in meeting our net zero targets and reducing the environmental impact of our operational activities, in line with the Climate Change Strategy). 

To seek agreement to recommendations necessary to progress the delivery of South Holland District Council’s UKSPF programme, and progress decisions required to secure the Council’s Rural England Prosperity Funding (report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Growth) enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Growth) which sought agreement to recommendations necessary to progress the delivery of South Holland District Council’s UKSPF programme, and progress decisions required to secure the Council’s Rural England Prosperity Funding.

The following points were raised:

·         A member raised a concern about the lack of apparent reference to Parish Council involvement in the UKSPF process.

o   The Portfolio Holder for People, Places and Economy referred to the section in the report that stated parishes had been involved in both a) consultation during the preparation of the investment plan; and b) would be represented in the Local Partnership Group.  The Portfolio Holder also confirmed that a workshop was planned to support parish councils in understanding the fund and supporting them in accessing it.

·         Members responded that to ensure that it could be demonstrated that all Parish Councils had been involved in the process, that where no suggestions were put forward, the Parish Council respond to confirm this.  It was also suggested that the Chairman of each Parish Council be copied into any correspondence to the clerk on this matter, that ideas of what the funding could be spent on be provided when contacting them, and that all members had an opportunity to raise the profile of this process to the Parish Councils with which they were involved.

·         Members asked whether the UKSPF funding could be used to assist with rural public transport?

o   It was confirmed that central government had confirmed that the UKSPF funding could be used toward rural public transport and mobility initiatives. 

·         Members commented that where possible, local contractors be used to deliver projects.

DECISION:

1)    That subject to Government approval of the Investment Plan, the Investment Plan be supported and the Council acts as the accountable body for UK Shared Prosperity Funding and Rural Prosperity Funding.

2)    That subject to receiving formal approval from government of the anticipated funding allocation of £326,822, it be agreed to recommend to a future meeting of Council the receipt of the grant monies and the creation of a budget for 2022/23, for use in accordance with the UKSPF investment plan.

3)    That the Deputy Chief Executive (Growth) be authorised in consultation with the relevant Portfolio Holder to submit an addendum to the UKSPF Investment Plan for Rural England Prosperity Funding.

4)    That the Deputy Chief Executive (Growth)be authorised in consultation with the relevant Portfolio Holder to establish the Local Partnership Group for South Holland.

5)    That the Deputy Chief Executive (Growth) be authorised in consultation with the relevant Portfolio Holder(s) to work collaboratively as the South and East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership on the development of bidding prospectuses, and where appropriate enter into grant funding agreements with delivery partners.

(Other options considered:

·         Do nothing – under this option, the necessary decisions sought would not be progressed, impacting upon progress towards the council being able to mobilise against the delivery of UKSPF;

Reasons for decision:

·         To progress decision required to further prepare and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 46.

To consider the South and East Lincolnshire Community Safety Strategy 2022-25 prior to adoption (report of the Assistant Director – Wellbeing and Community Leadership enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Assistant Director – Wellbeing and Community Leadership, which requested consideration of the South and East Lincolnshire Community Safety Strategy 2022-25 prior to adoption.

The following points were raised:

·         Members requested that under the ‘How you can help us’ section of the Strategy, contact details to report anti-social behaviour be added.  Officers confirmed that this could be added.

·         Members asked why, when Hate Crime had increased nationally, it appeared to have decreased in Lincolnshire.

o   Officers advised that it was difficult to pinpoint exactly why this was going down in the area, but work was being undertaken to address Hate Crime in the area by ensuring that the message was being communicated in a suitable way to the right groups by using available data. 

·         Members responded that if the figures became significantly lower than the national figure, that it may be possible to access additional Home Office funding to assist in this work.

DECISION:

1)    Note the contents of the report and the work of partners in addressing crime and disorder in South and East Lincolnshire and Lincolnshire as a whole.

2)    Recommend that Council agree to adopt the Community Safety Strategy and identified priorities for the SELCSP for the period 2022-25.

3)    Recommend that Council agrees to provide delegated authority for the Deputy Chief Executive (Communities) to finalise with the relevant Portfolio Holders a programme for the development of a Community Safety Action Plan.

RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL:

1)    Note the contents of the report and the work of partners in addressing crime and disorder in South and East Lincolnshire and Lincolnshire as a whole.

2)    That Council agree to adopt the Community Safety Strategy and identified priorities for the SELCSP for the period 2022-25.

3)    That Council agrees to provide delegated authority for the Deputy Chief Executive (Communities) to finalise with the relevant Portfolio Holders a programme for the development of a Community Safety Action Plan.

(Other options considered:

·         Continue to operate the SELCSP without producing a formal plan, at the expense of recognising the work undertaken locally to address crime and disorder across the S&ELCP;

Reasons for decision:

·         To communicate the commitment of the SELCSP in supporting the SLP to meet the statutory duties set out in the Crime & Disorder Act 1998, and address crime and disorder at the local level).

To consider a motion from Spalding Town Forum to establish a sub-group to explore options and put forward recommendations concerning the future strategy for access to public space in Spalding Town Centre (report of the Assistant Director – Strategic Growth and Development and the Executive Programme Manager enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Assistant Director – Strategic Growth and Development and the Executive Programme Manager, which asked members to consider a motion from Spalding Town Forum to establish a sub-group to explore options and put forward recommendations concerning the future strategy for access to public space in Spalding Town Centre.

The following points were raised:

·         Members commented that this was a good initiative as the wellbeing of the town centre was equally important to residents and councillors from across the district.  The costs relating to addressing the issues had to be clear, and a clear timeline for the project was essential.

o   It was clarified that the appropriate finance would be available for this initiative, and that a timeline was important to deal with this long-running issue.

·         It was important that a partnership solution was found to the issue.

DECISION:

1)    That authority be granted from SHDC’s Cabinet to the Spalding Town Forum to create a sub-group with a remit to explore options and put forward recommendations to key decision-making bodies in respect of the matter of access to public space within Spalding town centre.

2)    That the approach to progress the work of the subgroup, as detailed within this report, is considered and agreed.

(Other options considered:

·         Do nothing – Under this option, the report recommendations do not proceed and such a group would not be established;

Reasons for decision:

·         To establish and agree a partnership approach and working group that can explore future options and strategies in respect of the public space within Spalding Town Centre.

·         To agree on a strategy that will service the needs and aspirations of the town into the future.

·         To promote a collaborative approach towards delivering a strategy for the town in respect of access which is capable of providing a springboard to a more holistic regeneration strategy for the town centre as a whole).

To consider the draft South Holland Centre action plan (report of the Assistant Director Leisure and Culture enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Assistant Director Leisure and Culture which requested consideration of the draft South Holland Centre action plan.

The following points were raised:

·         Members commented that much progress had been made in the past year, and staff had worked hard to make this happen.

·         Members commented that the café would benefit from better advertising.

DECISION:

1)    That Cabinet consider and approve the South Holland Centre Action Plan

2)    That the Assistant Director – Leisure and Culture, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Communities and Facilities be authorised to implement, update and monitor the actions within the plan.

(Other options considered:

·         Do nothing – Not recommended as having the additional plan and governance in place will assist the monitoring of progress and performance of the service;

Reasons for decision:

·         To support the delivery of the South Holland Centre programme and community offer in a cost-effective way to sustain arts and cultural provision within the district).

To provide an update on how the Council is performing for the period 1st April 2022 to 30th June 2022 (report of Assistant Director – Corporate enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Assistant Director – Corporate which provided an update on how the Council was performing for the period 1 April 2022 to 30 June 2022.

The following points were raised:

·         Members commented that the pie chart at section 2.3 of the covering report was difficult to read as the colour chart was not clear enough.  In addition, the first pie chart of the appended Performance Report had fewer sections than indicated by the legend.  It was requested that future iterations of the report rectify these issues.

DECISION:

That the contents of the report be noted.

(Other options considered:

·         Not to monitor performance;

Reasons for decision:

·         To ensure council performance is properly scrutinised).

To provide a summary of the current financial position for the Council at the end of the second quarter of 2022/23 (report of the Assistant Director – Finance enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Assistant Director – Finance which provided a summary of the current financial position for the Council at the end of the second quarter of 2022/23.

DECISION:

That the report and Appendix A be noted.

(Other options considered:

·         To not approve the report;

Reasons for decision:

·         To ensure the Council’s financial position for 2022/23 is considered and any related decisions approved.  It is important that the Cabinet are aware of the financial position of the General Fund and HRA, to ensure that they can make informed decisions that are affordable and financially sustainable for the Council).

To consider options for the local Council Tax Support scheme for 2023/24 (report of the Deputy Chief Executive – Corporate Development (S151) enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Deputy Chief Executive – Corporate Development (S151) which asked that consideration be given to options for the local Council Tax Support scheme for 2023/24.

DECISION:

1)    That the following be approved for consultation:

• Continuation of the current core principles of the Council Tax Support scheme, including uprating in line with DWP’s annual update of allowances and premiums for 2023/24, and

2)    That the consultation process be used to seek views on increasing the maximum amount of Council Tax Support.

(Other options considered:

·      Do nothing – this would see the current scheme retained, uprated in line with an earlier decision of Council;

Reasons for decision:

·      To continue to align the CTS scheme and uprating for working age customers with DWP provisions for Housing Benefit and the CTS scheme for pensioners.  This has been consistent each year since the introduction of the local scheme.

·      Seeking views on increasing the level of support for working age customers is timely given the current economic climate).

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 none.