Issue - meetings

Members gave consideration to a report that provided the response to a Motion passed by Full Council on 28 June 2021, namely that:

a)    The Leader of the Council to commence robust discussions with leading Members of the County Council with a view to seeking the re-introduction of street lighting in parts of West Lindsey, particularly into those communities we ourselves have deemed to be vulnerable;

b)    the Leader feed-back to this Council, by way of reporting to Prosperous Communities the outcome of these discussions, potential options which could be investigated and their associated costs.

The report under consideration summarised the response which had been received from the County Council’s responsible Portfolio Holder and included the County Council’s adopted Protocol for Reversal of Part Night Lighting, noting that applications should be made by Local Parish Councils.

During the course of their discussions, Members of the Committee expressed their disappointment with the response by the County Council and asked for a true reflection of the crime situation be considered. It was also stated that there were black spots in more rural areas that needed to be considered. It was highlighted that the safety of residents and the community was key and having no lights also restricted help to the emergency services if needs were arising.

Members asked to see a full response regarding crime figures, explaining they were saddened by the lack of key information and asking those Members who were also County Councillors to ask to reconsider ‘black spots’ in the rural areas and crime figures.

The expense of the maintenance of lights was noted, however the Committee did not feel this outweighed the benefits of having the lights on.  A Member of the Committee suggested that an invitation to the County Council Portfolio Holder could be extended by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, in order to review the associated costings and reasoning behind the ‘lights off’ policy. With Members of the Committee supportive of this suggestion, the Senior Democratic and Civic Officer undertook to share this with the Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.  

Having been moved and seconded, and on taking the vote, it was

RESOLVED that:

a)    the response to the Motion to Council made on 28 June 2021, regarding street lighting in West Lindsey, be noted; and

b)    Members of Lincolnshire County Council be invited to a meeting of West Lindsey District Council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee to discuss street lighting.