Minutes:
Question to: Councillor Coupland
Question From: Councillor Newton
Subject: Capital spend on leisure facilities
Councillor Newton congratulated the Council and the Cabinet on the way in which the budget had been presented. However, she commented that she was disappointed that there was no capital spend on leisure facilities, when interest rates were so low. Despite reports having been commissioned over the last few years, the situation had not moved forward, and there was no provision within the budget for this.
Councillor Coupland responded that the capital programme had been set but would be revised over the next few weeks, particularly with regard to acquisitions, and that all members would have sight of this before the final budget was agreed at Council in March. Although the Authority held reserves to undertake smaller work projects, the only way that it could proceed with any big leisure projects would be to commit to substantial borrowing. He acknowledged that the amounts spent over the years in maintaining existing facilities had accumulated. He could not confirm that the issue would be in this year’s capital programme however, leisure was on the radar following this year’s budget setting. There would come a time when the issue would have to be addressed – finances were the main consideration, and the pandemic had caused a delay in addressing the issue.
Question to: Councillor Taylor
Question From: Councillor Gibson
Subject: Celebrations to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee
Councillor Gibson commented that 2022 was an important year for the monarch who would be celebrating the Platinum Jubilee of her accession to the throne. Some parishes were already planning celebrations – what was being planned at a district level?
Councillor Taylor advised that he had attended meetings earlier in the month with managers from the Communities department to discuss opportunities for events across the district. Arrangements had not been confirmed due to Covid-related uncertainty however, following the Government’s announcements today to relax restrictions, it was hoped that progress could now be made and that further information would soon be provided.
Question to: Councillor Porter
Question From: Councillor Brewis
Subject: Internal Drainage Boards
Councillor Brewis asked whether any progress had been made in drawing the Government’s attention to the issue of the increased cost of red diesel to the Internal Drainage Boards, which was in turn affecting all authorities in areas where drainage boards were a necessity.
The Leader responded that last week, a meeting had been held between officers of the Authority and representatives from the Government’s Treasury and Communities Departments, to discuss issues around Internal Drainage Boards. He commented that it was the most productive meeting that had been held between the Authority and central government and that the issues had been thoroughly explained. The Leader commented that he had also raised the issue, both verbally and in writing, with the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and that he was hopeful that progress was now being made. He stated that the charge should be removed from the Authority’s precept and that Internal Drainage Boards should become precepting authorities in their own right. The most expensive drainage boards, in terms of Council Tax, were those that flowed around the Wash and all councils within the S&ELCP partnership were heavily affected, and other authorities locally and some nationally, who also relied heavily on the drainage boards were disproportionately disadvantaged. Internal Drainage Boards were good value for money, and extremely important in the area in ensuring drained land for its large amount of food production.