Agenda and minutes

The Chairman of Council welcomed Members, Officers and Members of the Public to the final year of the four year term, the 46^th Annual Meeting of West Lindsey District Council, and the start of the 2018/19 Civic Year.

 

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

No declarations of interest were made at this point in the meeting.

Before commencing the civic proceedings for the evening, the outgoing Chairman, Councillor Angela Lawrence took the opportunity to share with Council some of the highlights from and successes achieved during her year in Office, and to notify Members of some exciting news in terms of Gainsborough’s regeneration.

 

Councillor Lawrence stated it had been a delight and honour to have held the position of Chairman of West Lindsey District Council.  It had had been a busy and successful year, with many highlights.  Before sharing these with Members, Councillor Lawrence was delighted to announce that on 13 May the Council had successfully completed a complex procurement process to secure a development partner for West Lindsey District Council.  There had been strong interest from five national developers in response to the Council’s INVEST programme, launched in 2016.  Through the competitive process the bidders had been narrowed down to two.  The final evaluation had resulted in the selection of Muse Developments, a blue chip commercial developer with expertise in town entre regeneration and heritage.  Muse were well respected by Government bodies and sat on the Board of English Cities Fund with Homes England.  The Council were therefore well placed to continue to attract grants funds on top of the £8 million plus already secured.  The first phase of works would concentrate on the development of Gainsborough town centre, around the former Guildhall and enhancement of Whittons Gardens.  This would follow on from the completion of the hotel and Roseway quarter opening in September of this year.

 

Success and highlights from the year included the re-location and opening of the Lidl store in the town centre, as well as the Authority having secured the new Well Being Contract.  She thanked all those Officers and Members involved for their hard work. West Lindsey had also hosted the Scampton Airshow and the International Scout Jamboree at the Lincolnshire Showground.  Many more events were planned across the District as momentum built towards 2020 and the celebration of the 400^th Anniversary of the Pilgrim Fathers.

 

During the year, at the Guildhall, the Chairman had had the pleasure of hosting a very successful Junior Council, and commented on the ability and confidence the young people involved had had in expressing their views and opinions, there were a number of likely budding politicians in the making.  A Diamond Wedding Afternoon Tea had also been hosted and had been a most pleasurable and delightful day.

 

Travelling around the District the Chairman advised she continued to be amazed and heartened by all the work and effort residents put into their communities.  It was the people that helped communities thrive and flourish, as exemplified at the recent and wonderful Community Awards Evening.  She expressed thanks to all the volunteers, clubs and organisations working tirelessly across the District.

 

In concluding Councillor Lawrence spoke of the positive comments and thanks she often received regarding the services the Council provided and its efforts to “strive for the gain of all”.  She thanked all those Officers  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

Following which, the Chairman elected will take the Chair and make the Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

It was proposed and seconded that Councillor Pat Mewis be appointed the Chairman of Council for the civic year 2018/19.

 

No further nominations were made.

 

RESOLVED that Councillor Pat Mewis be elected Chairman of the Council for the 2018/19 civic year.

 

The former Chairman of the Council then presented the Chain of Office to Councillor Lawrence and congratulated her on her appointment.

 

Councillor Mewis made and signed the statutory declaration of acceptance of office and took the Chair for the remainder of the meeting.

 

Councillor Mewis thanked the Council for her appointment and advised it was an honour to have been elected Chairman for the coming year. She looked forward to meeting many people from the District, from throughout Lincolnshire and beyond, and indicated she would do all she could to uphold the good name of West Lindsey in all the duties she carried out.

 

The Chairmanmoved a vote of thanks to the outgoing Chairman for her services to the Council and on a personal level for the support and guidance she had provided, and presented her with a Past Chairman’s Badge. 

 

The Leader of the Council paid tribute to the outgoing Chairman and expressed his thanks to her, on behalf of all Members of the Council, for her work and leadership over the last year. He also congratulated the incoming Chairman on her appointment and wished her well for the future.

 

 

Following which, the Vice-Chairman elected will make the Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

It was proposed and seconded that Councillor Steve England be appointed as the Vice-Chairman of the Council. 

 

There were no further nominations.

 

RESOLVED that Councillor Steve England be appointed Vice-Chairman of the Council for the 2018/19 civic year.

 

The Chairman of the Council congratulated Councillor England on his appointment before presenting him with the Vice Chairman’s Chain and Badge of Office.

 

Councillor England made and signed the statutory declaration of acceptance of office.

 

Councillor England addressed Council and spoke of the honour and privilege of having being elected. He looked forward to supporting the Chairman in every way possible during the coming year and would strive at all times to promote and uphold the good name of West Lindsey.

 

The Leader of the Council congratulated Councillor England, on behalf of all Members of the Council, on his appointment and wished him well for the future.

(a)          To move a vote of thanks to the previous Chairman’s Chaplain for their services during the past year;

 

(b)          To receive the appointment of Chairman’s Chaplain for the ensuing year.

The former Chairman of Council moved a vote of thanks to her Chaplain, Father Robert Thacker for his services and support during the past year, particularly at Flag Raising Events and Church Service.  Thanks were also paid to Councillors Cotton and John McNeill for having conducted prayers in advance of Council Meetings.

 

The Chairman then received the Chaplain’s stole from Councillor Angela Lawrence.

 

The Chairman of Council advised that her Chaplain for the year was to be the Reverend David Swannack.  The Reverend Swannack was in attendance and Chairman formally presented him with the Chaplain’s stole.

 

RESOLVED that the Reverend David Swannack be appointed as the Chairman’s Chaplain.

 

It was proposed and seconded that Councillor Jeff Summers be appointed as the Leader of the Council. 

 

There were no further nominations

 

RESOLVED that Councillor Jeff Summers be elected Leader of the Council for the 2018/19 civic year.

 

Councillors Summers addressed Council and expressed his thanks at having been appointed.

 

It was proposed and seconded that Councillor Owen Bierley be appointed as the Deputy Leader of the Council. 

 

There were no further nominations.

 

RESOLVED that Councillor Owen Bierley be elected Deputy Leader of the Council for the 2017/18 civic year.

 

Councillor Bierley addressed Council and expressed his thanks at having being appointed.

 

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the Meeting of Full Council held on 9 April 2018.

a)         Minutes of Meeting held on 9 April 2018.

 

With reference to Minute 89 –Questions Pursuant to Council Procedure Rule No.9, Councillor Darcel was of the view that the answer provided by the Leader had been in accurate in that he had the papers, referred to, with him when they had met.

 

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Council Meeting held on 9 April 2018 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

 

To note the number of Members to be appointed to serve on each Committee in accordance with the provisions of Section 15 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989

The Chairman presented the report which set out details of the political groups on the Council, the number of Members to be appointed to serve on each Committee and the allocation of seats on each of the Committees based on political groupings.

 

It was noted the position remained unchanged from last year, as there had been no overall change in political balance.

 

RESOLVED that:

 

(a)    the details of political groups, as set out in Appendix A of the report, be noted;

 

(b)     the number of Members to be appointed to serve on each committee and sub-committee be noted; and

 

(c)     the allocation to different political groups of seats on committees/sub-committees, as set out in Appendix B of the report be noted.

 

 

 

In accordance with the provisions of Section 16 of the Local Government and Housing At 1989, to appoint Members to Committees for the Civic Year, in accordance with the wishes expressed by the Political Groups.

The Chairman of the Council presented the report which set out the wishes expressed by the political groups in respect of the appointment of Members to serve on each of the Council’s formal Committees for the 2018/19Civic Year.

 

RESOLVED that, in accordance with the provisions of section 16 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 and the wishes expressed by political groups, members be appointed to serve on the Council’s committees for the 2017/18 civic year as follows:

 

 

Challenge and Improvement Committee (12 members)

 

Councillor Bruce Allison

Councillor David Bond

Councillor Paul Howitt-Cowan

Councillor Angela Lawrence

Councillor Jessie Milne

Councillor Roger Patterson

Councillor Lesley Rollings

Councillor Di Rodgers

Councillor Tom Smith

Councillor Lewis Strange

Councillor Anne Welburn

Councillor Angela White

 

 

Chief Officer Employment Committee (9 Members)

 

Councillor Jackie Brockway

Councillor David Cotton

Councillor Michael Devine

Councillor Stuart Kinch

Councillor Angela Lawrence

Councillor Giles McNeill

Councillor Judy Rainsforth

Councillor Jeff Summers

Councillor Anne Welburn

 

 

Corporate Policy and Resources Committee (12 Members)

 

Councillor Sheila Bibb           

Councillor Owen Bierley

Councillor Matthew Boles

Councillor David Cotton

Councillor Michael Devine

Councillor Ian Fleetwood

Councillor Stuart Kinch

Councillor John McNeill

Councillor Maureen Palmer

Councillor Tom Regis

Councillor Jeff Summers

Councillor Trevor Young

 

 

Governance and Audit Committee (6 Members)

                       

Councillor Sheila Bibb

Councillor David Bond

Councillor Jackie Brockway

Councillor Giles McNeill

Councillor John McNeill

Councillor Angela White

 

 

Licensing Committee (12 Members)

 

Councillor Gill Bardsley

Councillor Owen Bierley

Councillor David Cotton

Councillor Paul Howitt-Cowan

Councillor Angela Lawrence

Councillor Pat Mewis

Councillor Jessie Milne

Councillor Richard Oaks

Councillor Maureen Palmer

Councillor Judy Rainsforth

Councillor Mrs Di Rodgers

Councillor Lewis Strange

 

 

Regulatory Committee (12 Members)

 

Councillor Gill Bardsley

Councillor Owen Bierley

Councillor David Cotton

Councillor Paul Howitt-Cowan

Councillor Angela Lawrence

Councillor Pat Mewis

Councillor Jessie Milne

Councillor Richard Oaks

Councillor Maureen Palmer

Councillor Judy Rainsforth

Councillor Mrs Di Rodgers

Councillor Lewis Strange

 

 

Planning Committee (12 members)

 

Councillor Owen Bierley

Councillor Matthew Boles

Councillor David Cotton

Councillor Michael Devine

Councillor Ian Fleetwood

Councillor Hugo Marfleet

Councillor Giles McNeill

Councillor Jessie Milne

Councillor Roger Patterson

Councillor Judy Rainsforth

Councillor Thomas Smith

Councillor Bob Waller

                       

 

Prosperous Communities Committee (12 Members)

 

Councillor Gillian Bardsley

Councillor Sheila Bibb

Councillor Owen Bierley

Councillor Chris Darcel

Councillor Michael Devine

Councillor Steve England

Councillor Paul Howitt-Cowan

Councillor John McNeill

Councillor Pat Mewis

Councillor Malcolm Parish

Councillor Lesley Rollings

Councillor Trevor Young

 

 

The Chairman of the Council presented the report which sought to appoint Members to serve on numerous Sub-Committees, Working Groups and Outside Bodies.

 

The report also sought approval to suspend the rules relating to proportionality for the both the Standards Sub-Committee and the Appeals Board.

 

It was noted that only those Outside Bodies highlighted in yellow in the report were due for re-appointment however the full list had been presented for completeness.

 

The Leader advised that he wished to make an amendment to the Crematorium Working Group, namely replacing Councillor Bruce Allison with himself.

 

RESOLVED that: -

 

(a)     the amendment as proposed, moved and seconded be approved;

 

(b)    the Rules relating to proportionality be suspended for appointment to the Appeals Board;

 

(c)     the Rules relating to proportionality be suspended for appointment to the Standards Sub-Committee; and

 

(d)    the following appointments be confirmed

 

 

Joint Staff Consultative Committee

 

Councillor Jackie Brockway

Councillor Jessie Milne

Councillor David Cotton

Councillor Matthew Boles

Councillor Malcolm Parish      (reserve)

Councillor Pat Mewis               (reserve)

Councillor Paul Howitt-Cowan          (reserve)

Councillor Reg Shore              (reserve)

 

 

Appeals Board

 

Councillor Stuart Kinch

Councillor Ian Fleetwood

Councillor Malcolm Parish

Councillor Paul Howitt-Cowan

Councillor Reg Shore

Councillor Angela White

 

 

Standards Sub Committee

Councillor Gillian Bardsley

Councillor Roger Patterson

Councillor Pat Mewis

Councillor Anne Welburn

Councillor David Cotton

Councillor Reg Shore

 

 

Lincolnshire Show Task And Finish Group For The 2019 Show.

 

Councillor Pat Mewis

Councillor Owen Bierley

Councillor Roger Patterson

Councillor Lewis Strange

Councillor David Cotton

Councillor Angela White

Councillor Bob Waller

 

 

Editorial Advisory Board

 

Councillor Giles McNeill

                   Councillor Lesley Rollings

Councillor Mick Devine

Councillor Di Rodgers

 

 

Trinity Arts Centre.

          Councillor Gillian Bardsley

          Councillor Jessie Milne

 

 

West Lindsey Community Awards Panel.

 

Councillor Pat Mewis (Chair of Council) 

Councillor Sheila Bibb

Councillor David Cotton

Councillor Giles McNeill

Councillor Judy Rainsforth

 

 

Central Lincolnshire Joint Strategic Planning Committee.

 

Councillor Jeff Summers

Councillor David Cotton

Councillor Ian Fleetwood

Councillor Owen Bierley (Reserve)

 

 

Leisure, Culture, Events & TourismGroup

 

Councillor Gillian Bardsley

Councillor Sheila Bibb

Councillor Paul Howitt-Cowan

Councillor Pat Mewis

Councillor Richard Oaks

Councillor Angela White

 

 

Community Grants Panel

 

Councillor Owen Bierley

Councillor Jessie Milne

Councillor Judy Rainsforth

Councillor Anne Welburn

Councillor John McNeill          (reserve)

 

 

Commercial Plan Steering Group

 

Councillor Owen Bierley

Councillor Stuart Kinch

Councillor Jeff Summers

Councillor Sheila Bibb

Councillor Matthew Boles

Councillor Tom Regis (Reserve)

 

 

Gainsborough Growth Fund – Funding Consultative Panel

 

Councillor Lesley Rollings

Councillor Tom Regis

Councillor Stuart Kinch

Councillor Gillian Bardsley (reserve)

Councillor Sheila Bibb (reserve)

Councillor David Bond (reserve)

 

 

Crematorium Working Group

 

Councillor Gillian Bardsley

Councillor Mick Devine

Councillor Judy Rainsforth

Councillor Jeff Summers

Councillor Paul Howitt-Cowan

Councillor David Cotton

Councillor Jessie Milne

Councillor Stuart Kinch

 

 

Outside Body Representatives

 

Trustees of Charles Cooper Trust	Cllr Jessie Milne to  2022 (and 4 year appointments thereafter)	Cllr Paul Howitt-Cowan to 2022 (and 4 year appointments thereafter)
Trustees of Francis Barker Trust	Cllr Jessie Milne (to 2022) (and 4 year appointments thereafter)
Trustees of Gainsborough Education Charity	Cllr Jessie Milne (to 2022) (and 4 year appointments thereafter)
Trustees of W G Rose Memorial	Cllr  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.

The Chairman of the Governance and Audit Committee presented the report and in doing so outlined the recruitment process which had been undertaken in respect of the position.

 

RESOLVED that

 

(a)     Thattheperson named below be re-appointedto serveon theRemuneration Panelfrom 14May 2018 for a period of 3 years until Annual Council 2021;

 

          Mr Peter Clay

 

(b)     the remaining post be carried as vacant until May 2019.

 

 

Note:      Councillor David Cotton declared a personal interest in the above item of business, as he had known the successful candidate for a number of years.  Councillor Cotton did not vote on the above decision.

The Chairman of the Governance and Audit Committee presented the report which had been considered by his Committee at their meeting on 17 April 2018.

 

The Council was required by law to prepare and keep up to date a Constitution which explains how the Council operated, how decisions were made and the procedures which were to be followed to ensure that these were efficient, transparent and accountable to local people.  Article 14 of the Constitution stipulated how such a review should be conducted and this was set out at Section 1.2 of the report.

 

Arising from the feedback received a number of additions/ amendments were proposed to come into immediate effect, following Annual Council.  These were as set out in the table in Section. 2.  Those highlighted green supported the Council’s commercial agenda whilst those highlighted red were deemed to be greater than “house-keeping” in nature.

 

Building on the successful introduction of a new Code of Conduct in May 2017, particular focus had also be given this year to ensuring the Operation of Conventions included within Section III of the Constitution was reflective of how Members and Officers engage across the Council.

 

Two workshops, open to Senior Officers and All Members of the Council were held in January 2018, and allowed attendees to take a focussed look at this Section of the Constitution.

 

A summary of proposed amendments arising from the comments made at the workshops were set out at Appendix 1.  The arising amended document, for adoption, was attached at Appendix 1(a).

 

It was noted that the most frequently raised point by Attendees at the work shop was that the contents of the Protocol were not widely known of and therefore work had been undertaken to raise its profile and it was proposed this awareness raising continued through SLT.

 

Following work between the Governance and Audit and Prosperous Communities Committees a proposed role description for Member Champions had been developed.  This was recommended for inclusion within the appendices of the Constitution.

 

The Governance and Audit Committee were delegated to make any changes to the Financial and Contract Procedure Rules between Annual Councils.  A set of revised rules were attached at Appendices 3 a and 3b.  Appendix 3 detailed the table of amendments which have been made to each document along with the rationale for each and Members attention was particularly drawn to those amendments which had been made to reflect the Council’s commercial agenda, highlighted in green.

 

These set of revised rules were presented to and approved by the Governance and Audit Committee at its Meeting on 17 April and these were presented to Council for Members attention.

 

The Chairman of the Governance and Audit Committee recommended the report’s content to Full Council and moved the paper.

 

Councillor Young advised that the meeting the Constitution did not currently permit questions and motions at the Annual Council Meeting.  He was of the view that this had been the case historically and requested that this position be re-instated.

 

The request was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.

The Chairman of the Challenge and Improvement Committee presented the report and in doing so highlighted several of the Committee’s success stories over the past Civic Year, including the conclusion of the study into youth unemployment, the continued work of the Health Commission and the establishment of the Public Realm Working Group. The latter of the Groups was looking for areas of potential improvement for the management of the public realm across the District and it promised to be a wide-reaching and focussed project.

 

The ongoing work of the Progress and Delivery Working Group had led to the development of a new performance management framework, which wuld be considered by committee in June. The Committee has also given significant attention to the Housing Strategy and Homelessness Service through pre-scrutiny and involvement as a consultee. This was in part triggered through a drop in performance which was indicated through the progress and delivery measures.

 

The Chairman advised the topics of green waste strategy and the new complaints handling process had already been identified as areas for scrutiny next year, and the programme of external visitors would continue apace, with updates planned already from Lincolnshire Police.

 

The Chairman placed on record his thanks to all Committee Members, for their dedication and diligence, and to Officers for their continued hard work and support.

 

The Leader of the Council thanked the Challenge and Improvement Committee for their work.

 

The Chairman of the Governance and Audit Committee indicated he welcomed working further with the Committee to strengthen its role.

 

RESOLVED that the Annual Report be received and noted.