Agenda

Venue: Council Chamber - The Guildhall, Marshall's Yard, Gainsborough, DN21 2NA

Contact: Katie Storr  Senior Democratic and Civic Officer

Media

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies for Absence

2.

Minutes of the Previous Meeting

2a

Meeting of Full Council held on 2 March 2026 pdf icon PDF 335 KB

To confirm and sign as a correct record the Minutes of the Meeting of Full Council held on 2 March 2026.

 

 

2b

Extraordinary Meeting of Full Council held on 16 March 2026 pdf icon PDF 323 KB

To confirm and sign as a correct record the Minutes of the Extraordinary Meeting of Full Council held on 16 March 2026.

 

3.

Members' Declarations of Interest

Members may make any declarations of interest at this point and may also make them at any point during the meeting.

 

 

4.

Matters Arising pdf icon PDF 104 KB

To note the current position of previously agreed actions as at 1 April 2026.

 

 

5.

Announcements

i)               Chairman of Council

ii)              Leader of the Council

iii)            Head of Paid Service

6.

Public Question Time pdf icon PDF 181 KB

Accepted Questions received, under this Scheme now attached.

 

 

7.

Questions Pursuant to Council Procedure Rule No. 9 pdf icon PDF 190 KB

Accepted Questions received under this Scheme now attached.

 

 

 

8.

Motions Pursuant to Council Procedure Rule No. 10

Motion 1 – Squaddie Box 

 

“Members - Council recognises the difficulties for ex Armed Forces personnel with no fixed address to accessing services and understand they can struggle to navigate complex transitions back into communities. The WLDC  Armed Forces Covenant housing position recognises that this cohort can face challenges linked to relationship breakdown, mental health issues and the broader difficulties that can arise during transition to civilian life. 

 

In those circumstances, services may technically be available, but engagement can still be fragile. Something as simple as having a stable and recognised correspondence address can make a meaningful difference to how individuals reconnect with services to gain help and support.

 

Members note the ‘Squaddie Box’ initiative (Home - Squaddie Box (CIC)which helps by providing a secure personal mailbox with 24-hour access where veterans are able to collect their correspondence privately and at a time that suits them, without needing to attend public offices. Other vulnerable cohorts could also potentially benefit from this with the opportunity to expand this to civilians being explored.  

 

Council resolves to ask the relevant committee to consider rolling out a pilot of this initiative to assess the benefits of such a scheme to vulnerable households in West Lindsey and consider whether it could be implemented to identify a need for this type of service across the District.  

 

I so move”

Councillor Karen Carless

 

 

Motion 2 - Driving Test Centre Provision

 

“Members - This Council notes that young people living in rural districts such as West Lindsey face significant barriers when accessing employment, education, and training due to limited public transport.

 

The Council further notes that the nearest practical driving test centres for residents are currently located in Lincolnand Scunthorpe. As a result, learner drivers from towns such as Gainsborough must pay for extended driving lessons simply to travel to and practise around these locations.

 

This significantly increases the cost of learning to drive and places many young people and low-income residents at a disadvantage. In rural communities, the ability to drive is often essential for accessing employment opportunities, apprenticeships, and further education.

 

This Council believes that improving access to driving test facilities would support social mobility, economic opportunity, and fairness for residents living in rural areas.

 

Therefore, this Council resolves to:

 

  1. Write to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency requesting that it reviews the availability of driving test facilities within West Lindsey District.
  2. Lobby the Department for Transport to consider establishing a driving test centre in Gainsborough or elsewhere within the district.
  3. Work with local MPs, including the Member of Parliament for the area, to advocate for improved access to driving test provision for rural communities including exploring whether a temporary satellite or periodic driving test facility could be established locally to reduce travel costs for residents.

 

I so move”

Councillor Lesley Rollings

 

 

Motion 3 –  Amendment to Rule 9 (Questions at Full Council)

 

This Council notes that:

9.

Reports for Determination

9a

Recommendation from Governance and Audit Committee - Revised Member Officer Protocol pdf icon PDF 149 KB

Additional documents:

9b

Revised - Policy Committee Structure Proposal pdf icon PDF 165 KB

Additional documents:

9c

Appointment of Independent Persons (Standards) pdf icon PDF 152 KB

9d

Appointment of Members to the Independent Remuneration Panel pdf icon PDF 153 KB

9e

To consider the granting of a dispensation for an Elected Member pdf icon PDF 149 KB

10.

Exclusion of Public and Press

To resolve that under Section 100 (A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public and press be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1 and 2  of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

 

 

11.

Exempt Report(s)

11a

To consider the granting of a dispensation for an Elected Member- Exempt Appendix