Minutes:
Question to: Councillor Worth
Question from: Councillor Gibson
Subject: Update re Local Government Re-Organisation
Councillor Gibson requested an update on progress with Local Government Re-Organisation (LGR). Information to date had been shared with the Independent Group and there were many questions – would time be set aside to provide members with information on which direction the authority was taking? The Leader responded that this was an important decision, and members would be kept informed. A letter from the Minister was expected by the end of the week and once this was received, it would be circulated to all. The Leader was not able to speculate on its content. He advised that an informal briefing would be arranged for members to discuss LGR (prior to proposals being submitted in March) and he would take points raised from the briefing forward to his discussion with other Leaders in Lincolnshire.
Question to: Councillor Redgate
Question from: Councillor Harrison
Subject: Update from Special Interest Group on IDB levies
Councillor Harrison requested an update on the progress of the Special Interest Group (SIG) dealing with IDB levies. Councillor Redgate advised that there were now 40 authorities on the SIG. As a combined group, it was still lobbying the government on what the long-term solution could be. A £3million settlement had been announced in December to help affected authorities, but this was not nearly enough. Existing pressures were impacting all authorities with IDBs in their area hard. Councillor Redgate, alongside the Deputy Chief Executive – Corporate Development (S151) and the Assistant Director – Corporate, was challenging ministers to come up with a long- term solution however, the biggest issue currently was to increase the size of the settlement from £3million to a figure of around £11million. IDBs did a great job and they faced great challenges around climate change however, it was difficult to deal with rising costs within budgets. The next few years would be a challenge however, Councillor Redgate was hopeful of a resolution although this may not be quick. He was fairly optimistic that an increase in the settlement would be achieved.
Councillor Harrison responded by thanking Councillor Redgate and the SIG for their hard work in this area.
Question to: Councillor Astill
Question from: Councillor Beal
Subject: Assessment and effectiveness of Diversity and Inclusion Policy
Councillor Beal asked what tools or methods were being used to assess employee sentiment towards diversity and inclusion and how was the Partnership measuring the effectiveness of this Policy. Councillor Astill responded that the Policy had been adopted in March 2024. Work on an EDI Strategy had commenced and Portfolio Holders had been asked to represent their own areas. Member Briefings had also taken place. Various pieces of work were also undertaken with staff e.g. staff reference groups, questions asked on exit interviews, staff surveys. Councillor Astill would ask Human Resources to provide members with a fuller response.
Question to: Councillor Tyrrell
Question from: Councillor Barnes
Subject: Garden Waste
Councillor Barnes advised that at Full Council in October, Councillor Tyrrell had stated that all individuals on the waiting list would receive their bins by Christmas. He advised that one of his residents had not received his and could not be advised of his status on the list. Councillor Tyrrell advised that there was no longer a list – individuals applied for a bin and the request was sent straight to officers. He asked Councillor Barnes to provide him with the individual’s details so this could be investigated.
Question to: Councillor Worth
Question from: Councillor T Sneath
Subject: Renewable energy infrastructure projects
Councillor T Sneath stated that following the recent announcement of more underground cables leading to 2 converter stations planned in the district, and the united feeling towards South Holland being used as a ‘dumping ground’ for massive new renewable energy infrastructure projects, would the Leader be contacting the Secretary of State to reject these and future plans on behalf of South Holland District Council. The Leader responded that he and other Leaders in the County would be submitting their objections – this would be done together in order to reflect a stronger voice against the proposals.
Question to: Councillor Astill
Question from: Councillor Eldridge
Subject: Live streaming of meetings
Councillor Eldridge asked if there was scope to add streamed meetings (already on Facebook) to the Council’s website or YouTube to make them more accessible to the public. Councillor Astill responded that the Authority was embarking on a social media strategy/policy looking at various platforms used, whether they were fit for purpose and whether they were reaching the right audiences – he would ensure that this suggestion was considered as part of this work.
Question to: Councillor Worth
Question from: Councillor J Le Sage
Subject: Development of markets
Councillor James Le Sage commented that at the last meeting of Council, he had spoken on how Grantham’s market had improved significantly and whether we should be liaising with them around best practice. With the imminent closure of another prominent store in Spalding town centre, it was more important than ever to have a decent market. Had Grantham been contacted and what progress was being made? The Leader responded that a new Markets Officer had been employed. He was enthusiastic, had many ideas around markets and was in the process of visiting markets in the area and speaking to traders. It was important that he now had the time to move forward with this. The Leader completely understood how important it was to have a good market which increased footfall. He would keep members updated with progress.
Question to: Councillor Tyrrell
Question from: Councillor Sheard
Subject: Waste Consultation
Councillor Sheard stated that it had been some time since the Waste Consultation had concluded, and consultation around bins still seemed to be taking place. With this in mind, could the cost of the initial survey be justified? Councillor Tyrrell responded that he could not advise immediately of the cost of the consultation but would find out and advise members.
Question to: Councillor Casson
Question from: Councillor Spencer
Subject: CCTV data base to assist with environmental crime
Councillor Spencer commented that officers had contacted him in relation to a fly-tipping incident in Abbey Passage, seeking CCTV footage in an attempt to identify the individual. Could the Authority engage with businesses to provide a data base of private cameras to use to identify perpetrators in the future? Councillor Casson responded that this was a good suggestion and that he would enquire whether this could be done.
Question to: Councillor Taylor
Question from: Councillor J Le Sage
Subject: Start and completion date of new Health and Wellbeing Hub
Councillor J Le Sage asked when work would be starting on the new Health and Wellbeing Hub, and what the anticipated completion date was. Councillor Taylor advised that planning permission had now been agreed. The project team was now working on the next stages around the delivery programme, including costings, and this information would be presented to Council in due course. Officers were also engaging with stakeholders. A further all member briefing was planned to answer members questions more fully.
Question to: Councillor Taylor
Question from: Councillor Sheard
Subject: Re-use/re-location of flower planters in Spalding
Councillor Sheard commented that the iron poles that held the flower planters in the centre of Spalding had been removed – were they to be removed completely, or would the planters be relocated? Councillor Taylor advised that some of the previous street furniture was past its sell by date and some updating had already taken place. The planters had currently been put into storage with a view to recycle or reuse where possible. Planting would be taking place this year on the riverside and in Ayscoughfee Gardens.
Question to: Councillor Redgate
Question from: Councillor T Sneath
Subject: Impact of increasing cost of IDBs and lack of Government support
Councillor T Sneath commented that, with the ever-rising cost of IDBs and lack of government support, what plans were in place to cover the shortfall or would the IDBs have to reduce the protection they provided. Councillor Redgate responded that it was important that the Authority had a balanced budget, and it was recognised that there was a gap. In order to bridge the gap it was important to look at what we did, to identify how efficiencies could be made and then to deliver them. The IDBs had to deliver value for money whilst providing the protection that was needed – the Authority worked alongside the IDBs to ensure that this could be achieved.