Issue - meetings

i)              Chairman of Council

ii)             Leader of the Council

iii)            Head of Paid Service

i)             Chairman of the Council

The Chairman informed the meeting that he and the Vice Chairman, Councillor Jessie Milne, had attended a number of events, a few worthy of particular note were: -

·         The two day fund raising event held on 5/6 November and hosted by Planet Xtra in Gainsborough in aid of  St Barnabas, which had seen the organiser surpass their target of £500 at the end of day one;

·         The Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Long Service Awards held on Thursday 10 November;

·         The service held at Lincoln Cathedral on Wednesday 9 December for the victims of asbestos, at the which the Service had been particularly beautiful; and

·         The Remembrance Day Service held at Scampton which had involved children from local schools who had handmade hundreds of poppies which decorated the war graves, the entrance to the church and which were presented to each Guest.

ii)            Leader of the Council

The Leader announced that he had recently attended a health and well-being open meeting.  This was part of a strategy to create the strategic transformational plan for health and well-being in Lincolnshire.  The meeting had been of a workshop nature at which a number of groups had discussed a range of ideas about how health provision could be delivered in a more joined up way, through the one public estate for example, creating multi-functional service centres, along the lines of a one stop shop.  Such matters as systems, models, leadership, and accountability had been discussed together with a commitment to work with partners and deliver. Even the planning system had been discussed, with it being recognised that it was important to even consider such things as ensuring the right type and mix of housing was being built, to support independent living for the elderly. Work in this area would continue.

The Leader further announced that as a result of a question to a previous meeting of Full Council from Councillor Welburn, reference pavement parking, he had written to the Minister for the Department of Transport

The response received was shared with Members and stated: -

The Government recognises the importance of making the local environment convenient, safe and attractive to walk in, and of keeping pavements in good order.  However, in some streets pavement parking may in practice be inevitable to maintain free passage of traffic.  So it is important that local authorities are able to decide on local parking restrictions themselves and they do of course need to consider all road users when taking such decisions.

Local Authorities already have the power to introduce pavement parking restrictions where they consider it appropriate and the Department for Transport has taken steps to assist them in this.  We have issued guidance to local authorities about using Traffic Regulations Orders (TROs) to ban pavement parking where appropriate.  We have also removed the requirement for an individual sign authorisation for local authorities in England (outside London) in such cases, making it simpler and easier for them to ban pavement parking where they  ...  view the full minutes text for item 62

i)              Chairman of Council

ii)             Leader of the Council

iii)            Head of Paid Service

Chairman of the Council

The Chairman noted that he had been to a number of Civic events, most notably a memorial dedication service at RAF Ingham which had been very moving, and also a meeting with business leaders to promote Gainsborough, which had been very positive and gave out the message that West Lindsey was Open for Business.

Leader of the Council

The Leader had met with representatives from Lincoln University regarding the expansion of Riseholme college, and read out an extract from a letter which set out proposals and ambitions for the future, which included £20m worth of investment.

Work had also been ongoing on the health agenda, problems were trying to be understood and a way of working forwards sought.  John Coupland Hospital was not closing, and would become a medical hub, providing a local service to fit local needs.

A meeting had taken place with the Mayor and Town Council Chairman of Market Rasen to discuss the future of the town.

Note was made of the exceptional development at the Eshings in Welton.

A letter had been received from ACIS informing that £8.1m had been spent on housing across the country and in the future an in-house company, Prime, would be replacing Galatia to undertake the works programme, which all Ward Members needed to be aware of.

Councillor Brockway stated that she was aware of problems being caused to residents by the expansion of Riseholme and it was felt that there had been a lack of engagement.  Councillor Brockway pleaded for co-operation and understanding.  The Chief Executive gave reassurance that there was an awareness of problems and that every effort was being made to understand and collaborate with the University and the Parish Council.  Engagement was crucial and the Council were trying to facilitate this.

Head of Paid Service

The Chief Executive summarised the progress being made with the Devolution agenda and fed back the results of recent consultation, which had shown overwhelming support for the principle of working collectively in partnership, however the question of the position of Mayor was considered to be unnecessary bureaucracy.  All Council Leaders had met, and discussion would be held with the new Minister for the Department of Communities and Local Government.  The content of the Autumn statement was unknown particularly post Brexit and its implications.

The Council Chairman also made note of the resignation of Councillor Alex Bridgwood who had left the Council to join the army, and thanked him for his service.  Acknowledgement was made to the standard bearer for the British Legion, David Cook, who had recently passed away, and who had been a constant figure at events, the funeral would take place on the coming Friday.

The Leader of the Council echoed the sentiments to Alex Bridgwood and wished him well in his new career.

The Chairman noted that there was to be an additional Council meeting on 10 October 2016 for consideration of the Devolution proposals.