Agenda and minutes

The Chairman of Council welcomed Members, old and new, Officers and Members of the Public to the 47^th Annual Meeting of West Lindsey District Council, the start of the 2019/20 Civic Year, and the first year of a new four year term.  

 

 

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

Councillor David Cotton declared a personal interest in agenda item 19 (Appointment of Independent Persons for the Standards Committee) as he knew both of the applicants named within the report.

Before commencing the civic proceedings for the evening, the outgoing Chairman, Mrs Pat Mewis took the opportunity to share with Council some of the highlights from and successes achieved during her year in Office.

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

It was proposed and seconded that Councillor Steve England be appointed the Chairman of Council for the civic year 2019/20.

 

No further nominations were made.

 

RESOLVED that Councillor Steve England be elected Chairman of the Council for the 2019/20 civic year.

 

The former Chairman of the Council then presented the Chain of Office to Councillor England and congratulated him on his appointment.

 

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

 

Councillor England thanked the Council for his appointment and advised it was an honour to have been elected Chairman for the coming year. He 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 Chairman moved 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 (elect) of the Council paid tribute to the outgoing Chairman and expressed his thanks to her, on behalf of all Members of the Council, over the last year. He also congratulated the incoming Chairman on his appointment and wished him well for the future.

 

Several other Members expressed their good wishes to both the incoming and outgoing Chairman.

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

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

 

There were no further nominations.

 

RESOLVED that Councillor Angela Lawrence be appointed Vice-Chairman of the Council for the 2019/20 civic year.

 

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

 

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

 

Councillor Lawrence addressed Council and spoke of the honour and privilege of having being elected. She 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 Lawrence, on behalf of all Members of the Council, on her appointment and wished her well for the future.

 

Several other Members expressed their good wishes to the incoming Vice-Chairman.

 

The outgoing Chairman made a short address to Council stating it had been a delight, honour and privilege to have held the position of Chairman of West Lindsey District Council.  It had been a busy and successful year, with many highlights, some of which were shared with Members.

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

 

(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, the Reverend David Swannack, for his services and support during the past year, particularly at Flag Raising Events and Church Services. 

 

The Chairman then received the Chaplain’s stole from Reverend David Swannack.

 

The Chairman of Council advised that his Chaplain for the year was to be the Reverend Adam Watson.  The Reverend Watson was not in attendance and therefore the former Chairman formally presented the incoming Chairman with the Chaplain’s stole.

 

RESOLVED that the Reverend Adam Watson be appointed as the Chairman’s Chaplain.

To receive the results of the District Council Elections held on 2 May 2019.

Members gave consideration to a report which set out the results of the recent District Council Elections on a ward by ward basis.

 

RESOLVED that the results of the District Council Elections 2019 be noted.

 

The Chairman of Council proposed a vote of thanks to all those Councillors who had either retired from office or who had not been re-elected. 

 

The Leader (elect) seconded the vote and made a short address to Council, paying recognition to those Councillors who had retired prior to the Local elections: -

 

·         Councillor Reg Shore who was first elected in the all-out elections of 1999 and served as Leader of the Council between 2006 and 2008 – opening the new Council building in that time.

·         Pat Mewis and Bruce Allison who had both retired as district councillors for the Scotter & Blyton Ward.

·         the tremendous service of Gillian Bardsley in Gainsborough North, first elected in 2003 and despite dropping off the council for a year in 2007, returning in 2008 her quite counsel and wisdom had been much valued on the benches, and she would be missed.

 

Council also recorded it’s appreciation to those individuals who had been defeated in the Local Elections:

 

·         Maureen Palmer (Cherry Willingham)

·         David Bond (Gainsborough East)

·         Richard Oaks (Gainsborough East)

·         Sheila Bibb (Gainsborough North)

·         Thomas Smith (Market Rasen)

 

Finally, and most specifically, the Leader elect paid tribute to the service to this Council of Malcolm Parish. Malcolm was first elected in 1988. And re-elected on no less than seven occasions, often topping the poll. He served in numerous roles – too many to name – throughout his time and as Chairman.

 

The whole of Council expressed their gratitude for Malcolm’s 31 years’ service.

 

The Leader of the Opposition also paid his own tribute to Councillor Reg Shore.

It was proposed and seconded that Councillor Giles McNeill be appointed as the Leader of the Council. 

 

There were no further nominations

 

RESOLVED that Councillor Giles McNeill be elected Leader of the Council for the 2019/20 civic year.

 

Councillor McNeill addressed Council and expressed his thanks at having been appointed and made the following address to Council: -

 

“I am enormously proud to be taking on this responsibility. I know that I have a great team of councillors who will progress our ambition to build a bright future for everyone in West Lindsey.

 

I will work hard to build consensus, both within our Conservative Group, and with the opposition parties - the Liberal Democrats, Lincolnshire Independents, Gainsborough Independents and unaffiliated independent councillor. While I am sure that there will remain areas of disagreement, I am confident that there are many areas where we share common aspirations. On these, I hope to build a constructive working relationship.

 

The motto of West Lindsey District Council is 'Strive for the gain of all'.

 

Some years ago, as a teenager, I went to Outward Bound Ullswater. I am proud that I have an Outward Bound badge, inscribed on the back are words from a poem by that great Lincolnshire poet Tennyson:

 

"To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield."

 

It is the final line of his poem 'Ulysses'.

 

As we celebrate the Mayflower400 it reminds us that the courage of our convictions can be a powerful motivator to shape and re-shape our world.

 

In the last century, fifty years ago, we raced with outstretched hands - us the most fragile of creatures - to fling ourselves and our machines, on wings of fire and steel, into the vastness of space, to land on the moon.

 

Our ambitions today must be no less than those who undertook that challenge. By the time of the next elections to this council NASA plan to be one year away from the permanent return of mankind to the moon, in preparation for our exploration of Mars and the worlds beyond.

 

In fact, with tomorrow fast approaching, now is the moment to commit heart and soul, body and mind, to dream bigger and bolder than we have thus far.

 

The challenges we face - climate change, an ever-growing population, the scarcity of resources, the blight of poverty on people's lives - must all be fought.

 

I will not yield in my efforts to seek and find solutions to the challenges we face, regardless of how insurmountable they may seem. I will strive for the gain of all without fear or favour, speaking truth to power.

 

Together we can achieve great things. Our ambition for West Lindsey must be limitless. Our aspiration for the people we serve unbounded by political gravity.

 

My hope is that my time as Leader of West Lindsey, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service, the service of our whole district and its people.”

 

Other Councillors took the opportunity  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

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 8 April 2019.

a)         Minutes of Meeting held on 8 April 2019.

 

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Council Meeting held on 8 April 2019 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

 

Annually the District Council awarded a shield to an outstanding parish or town Council.  This usually formed part of the Annual Community Awards Ceremony, however, this year, had been made part of the Annual Council proceedings.

 

The Chairman announced that this year’s winners were Great Limber Parish Council and read a short citation outlining the Parish’s achievements before inviting Councillors Stephen Hudson, Neil Hunton and Syd Howdin to collect their award.

 

Representatives from Great Limber Parish Council made a short acceptance speech and expressed their gratitude and having been chosen as the winners.

 

Local Ward Member, and nominee Councillor Bierley expressed his personal congratulations to the winners.

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 Act. 

 

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.

 

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 Act 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 2019/20 Civic Year.

 

Requests had been received that the Overview and Scrutiny be not politically balanced.

 

On that basis it was

 

RESOLVED that:

 

(a)     the rules relating to proportionality be suspended in relation to the Overview and Scrutiny; and

 

(b)     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 2019/20 civic year as follows:

 

Chief Officer Employment Committee (13 Members)

 

                        Councillor Owen Bierley

Councillor Jackie Brockway

Councillor Mick Devine

                        Councillor Cherie Hill

Councillor Stuart Kinch

                        Councillor Angela Lawrence

Councillor Giles McNeill

Councillor John McNeill

Councillor Di Rodgers

Councillor Lesley Rollings

Councillor Anne Welburn

Councillor Angela White

Councillor Trevor Young

 

 

Corporate Policy and Resources Committee (13 Members)

 

Councillor Owen Bierley

Councillor Matthew Boles

Councillor Stephen Bunney

Councillor David Cotton

Councillor Mick Devine

Councillor Ian Fleetwood

Councillor Stuart Kinch

Councillor Giles McNeill

Councillor John McNeill

Councillor Mandy Snee

Councillor Robert Waller

Councillor Anne Welburn

Councillor Trevor Young

 

 

Governance and Audit Committee (7 Members)

                       

                        Councillor Jackie Brockway

Councillor Tracey Coulson

Councillor David Dobbie

Councillor Chris Darcel

Councillor Caralyne Grimble

Councillor John McNeill

Councillor Angela White

 

 

Licensing Committee (9 Members)

 

Councillor David Cotton

Councillor Tim Davies

Councillor Jessie Milne

Councillor Caralyne Grimble

Councillor Paul Howitt-Cowan

Councillor Angela Lawrence

Councillor Cordelia McCartney

Councillor Judy Rainsforth

Councillor Jim Snee

 

 

Regulatory Committee (9 Members)

 

Councillor David Cotton

Councillor Tim Davies

Councillor Jessie Milne

Councillor Caralyne Grimble

Councillor Paul Howitt-Cowan

Councillor Angela Lawrence

Councillor Cordelia McCartney

Councillor Judy Rainsforth

Councillor Jim Snee

 

 

Planning Committee (15 Members)

 

                        Councillor Owen Bierley

                        Councillor Matthew Boles

                        Councillor David Cotton

                        Councillor Mick Devine

Councillor Ian Fleetwood

Councillor Cherie Hill

Councillor Paul Howitt-Cowan

Councillor Cordelia McCartney

Councillor Giles McNeill

Councillor Jessie Milne

Councillor Keith Panter

Councillor Roger Patterson

Councillor Judy Rainsforth

                        Councillor Robert Waller

                        Councillor Angela White

 

 

Prosperous Communities Committee (15 Members)

 

                        Councillor Owen Bierley

                        Councillor Stephen Bunney

                        Councillor Liz Clews

                        Councillor Tracey Coulson

                        Councillor Chris Darcel

Councillor Mick Devine

Councillor Paul Howitt-Cowan

Councillor John McNeill

Councillor Jessie Milne

Councillor Tom Regis

Councillor Jim Snee

Councillor Mandy Snee

Councillor Robert Waller

Councillor Anne Welburn

Councillor Trevor Young

 

 

Challenge and Improvement Committee (will be known as Overview and Scrutiny Committee if agreed in the Annual Constitution Review) (12 members)

                       

                        Councillor David Dobbie

Councillor Caralyne Grimble

Councillor Cherie Hill

                        Councillor Angela Lawrence

                        Councillor Keith Panter

                        Councillor Roger Patterson

                        Councillor Judy Rainsforth

                        Councillor Diana Rodgers

                        Councillor Lesley Rollings

                        Councillor Lewis Strange

                        Councillor Jeff Summers

                        Councillor Angela White

 

 

Members gave consideration to a report which sought to appoint Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen to the main Committees, as well as their normal commencement times.  In presenting the report the Chairman advised that he wished to move an amendment from the Chair, namely that Councillor Cotton be the Chairman of the Standards Sub-Committee, as opposed to Councillor Welburn as stated in the report.  The amendment was duly seconded.

 

On that basis it was RESOLVED that the following persons be appointed to the following positions, and that the Committees met at the times stipulated below: -

 

Committee	Chairman	Vice-Chairman/men	Commencement Time
Chief Officer Employment Committee	Councillor Jackie Brockway	Councillor Giles McNeill	Meetings to be convened as required
Corporate Policy and Resources Committee	Councillor Giles McNeill	Councillor Stuart Kinch	6.30 pm
Planning Committee	Councillor Ian Fleetwood	Councillor Robert Waller	6.30 pm
Governance and Audit Committee	Councillor John McNeill	Councillor Jackie Brockway	2.00 pm
Licensing Committee	Councillor Jessie Milne	Councillor Angela Lawrence	6.30 pm
Overview and Scrutiny Committee	Councillor Lesley Rollings	Councillor Angela White Councillor Diana Rodgers	6.30 pm
*Regulatory Committee	Councillor Jessie Milne	Councillor Angela Lawrence	6.30 pm
Prosperous Communities Committee	Councillor Owen Bierley	Councillor John McNeill Councillor Paul Howitt-Cowan	6.30 pm
Standards (Sub) Committee	Councillor Anne Welburn	Councillor David Cotton	Meetings to be convened as required

 

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.

 

The Chairman advised that he wished to make an amendment to the report, namely Councillor Anne Welburn had been stated as the representative on the Local Crime Prevention Panel, when this should in fact read Councillor Judy Rainsforth.

 

The amendment was duly seconded and that basis it was

 

RESOLVED that: -

 

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

 

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

 

(c)     the following appointments be confirmed: -

 

Joint Staff Consultative

 

Councillor Jackie Brockway

Councillor Jessie Milne

Councillor David Cotton

Councillor Matthew Boles

Councillor Lewis Strange (Reserve)

Councillor Owen Bierley (Reserve)

Councillor David Dobbie (Reserve)

Councillor Tim Davies (Reserve)

 

Appeals Board

 

Councillor Ian Fleetwood

Councillor Stuart Kinch

Councillor Caralyne Grimble

Councillor Angela White

Councillor Stephen Bunney

Councillor Diana Rodgers

 

Standards Sub-Committee

 

Councillor Anne Welburn

Councillor Lewis Strange

Councillor Roger Patterson

Councillor David Cotton

Councillor Mandy Snee

Councillor Diana Rodgers

 

Lincolnshire Show Task and Finish Group 2020

 

Chairman of Council

Councillor Giles McNeill

Councillor Angela Lawrence

Councillor Robert Waller

Councillor Lesley Rollings

Councillor Liz Clews

Councillor Angela White

 

Editorial Advisory Board

 

Councillor Tracey Coulson

Councillor David Dobbie

Councillor Chris Darcel

Councillor Mick Devine

Councillor Diana Rodgers

 

West Lindsey Community Awards Panel.

 

Chairman of Council

Councillor Robert Waller

Councillor David Cotton

Councillor Judy Rainsforth

Councillor Diana Rodgers

 

Lincolnshire Joint Strategic Planning Committee.

 

Councillor Giles McNeill

Councillor Ian Fleetwood

Councillor David Cotton

Councillor Owen Bierley (Reserve)

 

Leisure, Culture, Events & TourismGroup

 

Councillor Owen Bierley

Councillor Paul Howitt-Cowan

Councillor Anne Welburn

Councillor Stephen Bunney

Councillor Lesley Rollings

Councillor Tim Davies

 

Community Grants Panel

 

Councillor Owen Bierley

Councillor John McNeill

Councillor Anne Welburn

Councillor Judy Rainsforth

Councillor Liz Clews

 

Funding Consultative Panel

 

Councillor Owen Bierley

Councillor Stuart Kinch

Councillor Liz Clews

Councillor Mick Devine

Councillor Tom Regis (Reserve)

Councillor David Dobbie (Reserve)

Councillor Diana Rodgers (Reserve)

 

Crematorium Working Group

 

Councillor Giles McNeill

Councillor Mick Devine

Councillor Judy Rainsforth

Councillor Lewis Strange

Councillor Paul Howitt-Cowan

Councillor David Cotton

Councillor Jessie Milne

Councillor Stuart Kinch

Councillor Liz Clews (reserve)

 

Scampton Local Plan and Infrastructure Group

 

Councillor Owen Bierley

Councillor Roger Patterson

Leader of the Council

 

Community Rights Panel

 

Councillor Anne Welburn

Councillor Mandy Snee

Councillor Tim Davies

 

Transport Working Group

 

Chairman of Prosperous Communities Committee

Councillor Jessie Milne

Councillor Robert Waller

Councillor John McNeill

Councillor Keith Panter

Councillor Lesley Rollings

Councillor Cherie Hill

 

 

 

Honours Panel should it be required

 

·         Chairman of the Council (replaced by a representative when a conflict of interest occurs) who will be the representative of their office and their political party

 

·         A Member from each of the other political parties;

 

·         An Independent Co-opted member of the Council (an existing member, chosen by the Monitoring Officer upon receipt  ...  view the full minutes text for item 16.

The outgoing 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 serveas the Governance and Audit Committee Independent Personfrom 20May 2019 for a period of 4 years until Annual Council 2023;

 

          Mr Andrew Morriss

The outgoing 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.

 

A vote of thanks to Mr David Lomas, was moved and seconded.

 

RESOLVED that

 

(a)     Thattheperson named below be re-appointedto serveon theRemuneration Panelfrom 20May 2019 for a period of 3 years until Annual Council 2022;

 

          Mr R Quirk

 

(b)     Thatthepersons named below be appointedto serveon theRemuneration Panelfrom 20May 2019 for a period of 3 years until Annual Council 2022;

 

          Mrs P Kennedy

          Mr D Forbes

 

 

 

The outgoing 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)     Thatthepersons named below be re-appointedto serveas the Standards Independent Persons from20 May2019 for a period of 3 years until Annual Council 2022;

 

          Ms Madge Marshall Brown

          Mr Stephen Beard

 

The outgoing Chairman of the Governance and Audit Committee presented the first Monitoring Officer Annual Report. The report covered the traditional review of the constitution as well as changes to governance arrangements for commercial activities and data analysis of the number and nature of complaints under the code of conduct.

 

The majority of the constitutional changes were detailed in section 2.   These included proposed changes to the Challenge and Improve Committee resulting from a recent review. Details about the review were contained in section 4.

 

Section 3 detailed changes to the contract procedure rules specifically relating to large procurements which were subject to European law.

 

Sections 6, 7 and 8 were the new sections of the report and were designed to raise awareness and provide assurance on all Governance related matters.

 

Making reference to page 108 of the document pack, the report proposed that the quorum of the Governance and Audit Committee be reduced, it was now being recommended this amendment not be pursued.  All Members indicated their agreement to this

 

Having presented the report the outgoing Chairman of the Governance and Audit Committee, expressed thanks to all those Officers and Members who had served and supported the Audit Committee.

 

On that basis it was RESOLVED that: -

 

a)        the outcome of the annual review be noted;

 

(b)       the amendments detailed at Section 2 of the report and recommended by the Governance and Audit Committee be agreed by Council for immediate adoption and implementation; excluding the proposal to amend the quorum rules for the Governance and Audit Committee as detailed on page 108 of the reports pack;

 

(c)       the proposed amendments, raised through the review process, but which are not being progressed, detailed at Section 2.8 be agreed for non-inclusion; 

 

(d)       the amendment made to the Contract and Procurement Procedure Rules detailed at Section 3.2 of the report as agreed by Governance and Audit Committee at its meeting on 16 April 2019 be noted;

 

(e)       the progress made with regards to those areas of work agreed for further development in the 2018/19 review (Section 4) and the further planned work for 2019/20 detailed at Section 5 of the report be noted;

 

(f)        the governance outlined in the report, in respect of managing Commercial and Economic Growth, provides assurance that the council is taking appropriate mitigating measures against the risks identified in its commercial approach and the updated position provided at Section 6 of the report be noted;

 

(g)       the statistical data provided within the report in respect of the number, nature and outcome of the Code of Conduct Complaints at Section 7 of the report be noted; and

 

(h)       the appointment information contained in Section 8 of the report, be noted.

 

 

 

 

 

The outgoing 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.

 

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

 

RESOLVED that the Annual Report be received and noted.