Agenda and minutes

The Vice Chairman (who was taking the Chair for the meeting) welcomed all Members and Officers to the meeting, the first meeting of Full Council, back in the Chamber for nearly two years.

 

A warm welcome was also extended to Mr Richard Quirk, Chairman of the Independent Remuneration Panel, who would later in the meeting present his Panel’s recommendations to Full Council.

 

Well wishes were extended to the Chairman of the Council, in his absence following recent ill health.  A speedy recovering was hoped for by all.

 

Brief reference was made to Covid measures still in place, and Members were advised to wear masks, when not speaking, given the closer proximity of attendees.

 

The public gallery, for those wishing to view proceedings remained suspended for Full Council, due to space limitations, but the meeting could be viewed live on the Council’s website.

 

 

To confirm and sign as a correct record the Minutes of the previous Full Council Meeting held on 1 November 2021.

 

(a)     Minutes of the Meeting of Full Council held on 1 November 2021

 

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Meeting of Full Council held on 1 November 2021 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

 

 

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 of the meeting.

 

For the avoidance of doubt, the Chairman advised the Chamber that Members were not required to make declarations in respect of the Members’ Allowance Report, as this was an area in which all Councillors were granted an exemption by the relevant legislation.

 

 

 

 

To Receive the Results of the District Council Nettleham Ward By-Election held on 16 December 2021.

 

 

Members gave consideration to a report which set out the results of the recent District Council By-Election for the Nettleham Ward held on 16 December 2021.

 

Members welcomed and congratulated newly elected Councillor, Councillor Ms Jaime Oliver. 

 

RESOLVED that the results of the District Council By-Election for the Nettleham Ward held on 16 December 2021 be received and noted.

 

 

Setting out current position of previously agreed actions as at 14 January 2022.

 

 

The Chairman introduced the report advising Members that the report would be taken “as read” unless Members had any questions that they wished to raise.

 

With no comments or questions and with no requirement for a vote, the Matters Arising were DULY NOTED.

 

 

 

i)              Chairman of Council

ii)             Leader of the Council

iii)           Chief Executive

 

 

Chairman

 

In the absence of the Chairman of Council , the Vice-Chairman highlighted to the meeting a few events Councillor England  had supported since the last Meeting of Full Council, this included:-

 

·         Reception in the Heritage Centre at RAF Scampton on 11 November -

·         A delayed tour of Lea Fields Crematorium on 12 November -  for the first charity, St Barnabas, who had received donations from the metal recycling scheme. Ward Member Councillor Mrs Jessie Milne had also been in attendance.

·         Remembrance Sunday attendance at two services, All Saints Church in Gainsborough in the morning and All Saints Church in Nettleham in the afternoon

·         The Official opening of the new depot at Caenby Corner on 26 November

·         The Salvation Army Toy Service in Gainsborough on 12 December

 

The pandemic had continued to see events interrupted with the Chairman’s Annual Carol Service having again been cancelled, although he had been able to create and distribute video Christmas messages to staff and the community filmed in St Mary’s Church in Welton.

 

 

Leader

 

The Leader made the following address to Council: -

 

“May I begin by congratulating our new colleague, Councillor Jaime Oliver, on her election to the Council; I keenly anticipate working alongside her.  It is also most pleasing that we are able to come together in this Chamber once again; the last time we met here was on 2^nd March 2020! 

 

This reflects the success to-date of our collective national response to the coronavirus pandemic; the fact that a meeting of the Lincolnshire Outbreak Engagement Board was postponed from last Wednesday to this really speaks volumes.  Whilst infection rates remain relatively high, the latest information I have is that Lincolnshire ranks third in England for the take up of booster vaccinations and that there are now only two Covid-19 patients in County intensive care units.  Given the lifting this Thursday of the Government’s Plan B restrictions (and our return to Plan A) continued adherence to all official guidance and regular self-testing will remain vital tools to help keep one another and our communities safe and to protect our valued National Health Service.

 

The ten upper-tier Councils in Lincolnshire have been working collaboratively in preparation for the imminent publication of the Government’s ambitious Levelling Up White Paper, which will include a strategy for devolved decision-making.  This presents an opportunity to reset the relationship between central and Local Government and to give councils more power to deliver effectively on behalf of the areas and communities they serve.  Our aim is to achieve the early submission of a compelling case for devolved powers for the historic area we represent.  Not to do so would, without doubt, be regarded as a huge missed opportunity to build a better future.   

 

Officers in the Joint Planning Unit are presently preparing the submission draft of the new Central Lincolnshire Local Plan informed by representations made during the 2021 consultation.  Subject to approval by Committee members at the meeting on Monday, 28^th February the document will then  ...  view the full minutes text for item 55.

Questions, if received, under this Scheme will be published by way of supplement.

 

 

 

The Chairman advised the meeting that no public questions had been received.

 

 

Questions submitted by Members under Procedure Rule No.9 will be published by way of supplement following closure of the deadline.

 

 

The Chairman advised the meeting that four question pursuant to Council Procedure Rule No.9 had been submitted to the meeting.  This had been circulated to all Members, separately to the agenda.

 

The Chairman invited, Councillor John McNeill, Ward Member for Market Rasen, to put his question to the Leader, as follows: -

 

"The Boundary Commission for England following the passing of the Parliamentary Constituencies Act 2020 in December 2020 and the publication of the relevant Parliamentary electorate data in January 2021 commenced a new review of Parliamentary constituencies in England (referred to as the ‘2023 Review’), of which the first statutory consultation on initial proposals concluded on 2nd August 2021.

 

The Boundary Commission for England anticipate publishing the responses to the first consultation early this year and undertaking their second consultation from 22nd February 2022 for six weeks.  Following this and the formulation of their proposals they intend to publish their proposals late this year and conduct a four week consultation on them.  Their intention is then to submit and publish their final report in June 2023.

 

The current proposals by the Boundary Commission for England for the Gainsborough constituency, of which West Lindsey is a part, is to remove that part of the constituency comprising Wragby Ward of East Lindsey District Council and in effect make the Gainsborough constituency have the same boundary as the district of West Lindsey.

 

Is the Leader aware of the detail of these proposals?

 

Given the current proposal, would he support the District Council engaging in the Boundary Commission for England’s second consultation to propose that the name of the Gainsborough constituency, despite its historical associations, be amended to ‘West Lindsey’?  Would he further agree that and support all members of this Council to make representations on this matter to the Boundary Commission for England?

 

"Surely the Leader will agree that there can be few similar opportunities to, not only promote the brand of West Lindsey nationally, but also to support the desire of many in this Council and District who are concerned about the perceived Gainsborough-centric bias of the District Council.

 

Councillor John McNeill”

 

The Leader of the Council, Owen Bierley, responded as follows:

 

Thank you for your question Cllr McNeill.

 

Yes, I am indeed aware of the review of the Parliamentary constituencies in England and in particular of the proposals for the Gainsborough constituency which, as you suggest, do present a unique opportunity to further our ambition to firmly place West Lindsey as a distinct and acknowledged entity, recognised at a national level.

 

This is especially important in the context of a potential bid for devolved powers for our County and in light of the present consultation on an extended Selective Licensing Scheme.  It is closely related to our success, last year, in gaining an award of £10.27m in the first round of bidding in the Levelling Up Fund and in demonstrating the efficient delivery of the scheme. 

 

Whilst I believe many people are aware of the Ridings of Yorkshire there  ...  view the full minutes text for item 57.

Environmental Responsible Investment Policy

 

“Chairman - It is generally recognised that burning fossil fuels contribute significantly to global warming, climate change and the decline in the biodiversity of the planet.   If we are to meet the target for climate change mitigation it is imperative that current reserves of fossil fuels remain in the ground; their continued exploitation presents a substantial environmental risk to the survival of the planet for current and future generations.

 

West Lindsey District Council in adopting its Sustainability, Climate and Environmental Strategy has laid out a strong policy to address the threat from continued use of fossil fuels.  However, to ensure successful implementation of replacing fossil fuels with renewable energies and green technologies the Council is asked to commit to the following:

 

1.    Recognise that Fossil Fuel Investments are considered part of the Council’s Carbon Footprint.

2.    To review its investment strategy to create an Environmental Responsible Investment Policy which not only rules out new investments in companies involved in fuels but also divests in such companies.  

3.    Through the above policy to actively seek to invest in companies that reduce greenhouse emissions and minimize climate risk and biodiversity decline.

4.    To work with our Pension Fund Partners to adopt the same criteria to investments as outline in 2 and 3 above.

5.    To actively oppose any new venture to extract fossil fuels ensuring that they remain safely in the ground.

 

I so move.

 

Councillor Stephen Bunney”

 

 

The Chairman advised the meeting that one motion pursuant to Council Procedure Rule No.10 had been submitted to the meeting, this was as set out in the agenda.

 

Councillor Bunney, was invited to put his motion to the meeting, and with the permission of the Chairman offered brief context asking Members to recognise that as a Government and Council we had agreed to work towards net zero carbon emissions by 2050, and understanding that to reach that target urgent action would be needed.  The existence of the Council’s Carbon Management Plan was acknowledged but Councillor Bunney referenced how this did not include carbon measurements for Council investments or some property in ownership.

 

The motion as submitted was then put as follows: -

 

“Chairman - It is generally recognised that burning fossil fuels contribute significantly to global warming, climate change and the decline in the biodiversity of the planet.   If we are to meet the target for climate change mitigation it is imperative that current reserves of fossil fuels remain in the ground; their continued exploitation presents a substantial environmental risk to the survival of the planet for current and future generations.

 

West Lindsey District Council in adopting its Sustainability, Climate and Environmental Strategy has laid out a strong policy to address the threat from continued use of fossil fuels.  However, to ensure successful implementation of replacing fossil fuels with renewable energies and green technologies the Council is asked to commit to the following:

 

1.      Recognise that Fossil Fuel Investments are considered part of the Council’s Carbon Footprint.

2.      To review its investment strategy to create an Environmental Responsible Investment Policy which not only rules out new investments in companies involved in fuels but also divests in such companies.  

3.      Through the above policy to actively seek to invest in companies that reduce greenhouse emissions and minimize climate risk and biodiversity decline.

4.      To work with our Pension Fund Partners to adopt the same criteria to investments as outline in 2 and 3 above.

5.      To actively oppose any new venture to extract fossil fuels ensuring that they remain safely in the ground.

 

I so move.

 

Councillor Stephen Bunney”

 

Having being duly seconded, the matter was opened for debate, with the Leader making a lengthy response to each of the five points raised, as follows:-

 

“Re - Recognise that Fossil Fuel Investments are considered part of the Council’s Carbon Footprint.

 

West Lindsey, along with all Local Authorities has a key role to play in achieving the UK’s 2050 Net Zero greenhouse gas emissions target and phasing out the use of fossil fuels as soon as possible is crucial to that.  Whilst West Lindsey District Council is directly responsible for only a small fraction of local emissions, through policies and partnerships Local Authorities have strong influence over more than a third of emissions in their area.  Work to cut direct and indirect emissions is already underway through the Environment and Sustainability Action Plan and The Council’s Carbon Management Plan.

 

When measuring and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 58.

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.

 

The requirement to review the allocations was as a result of the recent by-election held in the Nettleham Ward at which Councillor J Oliver was elected.  Councillor Jaime Oliver had given due notice under Regulation 9b that she wished to be treated as Member of the Liberal Democrat Group

 

This was a matter, which had been determined by the Head of Paid Service under his delegated authority, in Consultation with the Group Leaders, all of which had indicated their agreement, as such, there was no requirement for a vote.

 

With no questions posed, the following was DULY NOTED: -

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

 

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 remainder of the 21/22 Civic Year.

 

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

 

Members were asked to suspend the rules relating to proportionality in respect of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and appoint the Members named in the report to the respective Committees.

 

Whilst the Council had had the need to re-appoint the Committees in accordance with its duty to make appointments to Committees in line with the wishes expressed by political groups, all Group Leaders had indicated they had no wish to amend the Chairmen and Vice-Chairmanship appointments previously made.

 

This report therefore merely sought re-affirmation of the positions previously appointed to. 

 

With no questions posed, following a unanimous vote in favour it was

 

RESOLVED that

 

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

 

(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 to the Council’s Committees for the remainder of the civic year as follows: -

 

 

Chief Officer Employment Committee (9 Members)

 

Councillor Owen Bierley

Councillor Jackie Brockway                               Chairman

Councillor Stephen Bunney

Councillor Mick Devine                                       Vice-Chairman

Councillor Diana Rodgers

Councillor Lesley Rollings

Councillor Anne Welburn

Councillor Angela White

Councillor Trevor Young

 

 

Corporate Policy and Resources Committee(14 Members)

 

Councillor Owen Bierley

Councillor Matt Boles

Councillor Stephen Bunney

Councillor Liz Clews

Councillor Mick Devine

Councillor Ian Fleetwood

Councillor Paul Howitt-Cowan

Councillor John McNeill

Councillor Tom Regis

Councillor Mandy Snee

Councillor Jeff Summers                                    Vice-Chairman

Councillor Bob Waller

Councillor Anne Welburn                                               Chairman

Councillor Trevor Young

 

 

Governance and Audit Committee (7 Members)

                   

            Councillor Jackie Brockway                               Vice-Chairman

Councillor Stephen Bunney

Councillor Tracey Coulson                                           

Councillor Chris Darcel

Councillor Caralyne Grimble

Councillor John McNeill                                     Chairman

Councillor Angela White

 

 

Licensing Committee (14 Members)

 

Councillor Liz Clews

Councillor David Cotton

Councillor Tim Davies

Councillor Caralyne Grimble

Councillor Paul Howitt-Cowan

Councillor Angela Lawrence                             Vice-Chairman

Councillor Cordelia McCartney

Councillor Jessie Milne                                       Chairman

Councillor Peter Morris

Councillor Keith Panter

Councillor Judy Rainsforth

Councillor Diana Rodgers

Councillor Jim Snee

Councillor Jeff Summers

 

 

Regulatory Committee (14 Members)

 

Councillor Liz Clews

Councillor David Cotton

Councillor Tim Davies

Councillor Caralyne Grimble

Councillor Paul Howitt-Cowan

Councillor Angela Lawrence                             Vice-Chairman

Councillor Cordelia McCartney

Councillor Jessie Milne                                       Chairman

Councillor Peter Morris

Councillor Keith Panter

Councillor Judy Rainsforth

Councillor Diana Rodgers

Councillor Jim Snee

Councillor Jeff Summers

 

 

Planning Committee (14 Members)

 

Councillor Matt Boles

Councillor David Cotton

Councillor David Dobbie

Councillor Mick Devine

Councillor Ian Fleetwood                                               Chairman

Councillor Cherie Hill

Councillor Cordelia McCartney

Councillor Jessie Milne

Councillor Peter Morris

Councillor Roger Patterson

Councillor Judy Rainsforth

Councillor Jeff Summers

Councillor Bob Waller                                         Vice-Chairman

Councillor Angela White

 

 

Prosperous Communities Committee (14 Members)

 

Councillor Owen Bierley                                     Chairman

Councillor Stephen Bunney

Councillor Tracey Coulson                                Vice-Chairman

Councillor Chris Darcel

Councillor Mick Devine  ...  view the full minutes text for item 60.

Members considered a report which sought to appoint to vacancies on boards and other bodies (including outside bodies) arising from the resignation of former Councillor Giles McNeill.

 

 

RESOLVED that the following persons be appointed to the following vacancies: -

 

Lincoln Transport Strategy Delivery Board	Councillor Mrs Anne Welburn
PATROL	Councillor Mrs Diana Rodgers
Lincolnshire Show Panel	Councillor Mrs Diana Rodgers
Jubilee Events Planning Group	Councillor Mrs Anne Welburn

 

 

The Chairman again welcomed Mr Richard Quirk, Chairman of the Independent Remuneration Panel to the meeting and invited him to introduce the report.

 

Mr Quirk outlined the process that had been undertaken to produce the recommendations set out in the report.  Consultation had taken place with Members and thanks were expressed to those that had responded, noting the response rate had again been low.

 

Mr Quirk also outlined the factors which had been taken into account, summarised in paragraph 1.2 of the report by the Panel in reaching its recommendations, namely an increase across the board of 1.5% to Members’ basic allowance and Special Responsibility Allowances (SRA’s). 

 

This proposal if accepted would increase the Members’ basic allowance in real terms by an extra amount of £1.77 per week per Member.

 

Acknowledging that Members had rejected their increase the previous years and whilst also recognising the reasons for this, Members were reminded of the importance of keeping remuneration at level to avoid a one off large increase should remuneration fall below comparable rates. Remuneration was there to ensure no one was prevented from being Councillor due to out of pocket expenses.

 

Debate ensued and a Member, whilst acknowledging the report was a fair and reasonable one, referencing the ongoing staff pay award settlement, considered the timing was unfortunate.

 

He outlined the current position between staff, unions and Government and as such felt taking an increase whilst staff were still awaiting their award for last year did not feel appropriate.   Referencing staff for the asset they were concern was expressed at the lack of wage increase in a world of every increasing costs. It was questioned whether consideration of this matter should be deferred as he was of belief staff pay should be more of a priority than that of elected Members.

 

In respect of mileage rates, and given the huge rise in fuel prices, Members’ rate had remained static for a many years. Some considered that those Members who did not live close to Gainsborough, as the administrative capital, were financially penalised.

 

In response, Mr Quirk, indicated that Treasury Guidance was used.  45p per mile was the maximum the Council could allow without evoking taxation rules.  As such any rise would be lost to tax and would not be to the benefit of the Councillor.

 

Dependent Carers Allowance was raised and in reference to the living wage increase it was asked whether this could be considered by the Panel in future years.

 

Several Members spoke of their discomfort at staff not receiving their pay rise due to ongoing union negotiations. It was also acknowledged that the allowance did not currently cover all expenses, with those who worked often having to take unremunerated leave from their day jobs, but Councillors did not undertake their roles for the pay and they could not control when staff received any award, however an increase of some level was likely and as such the recommendations as written were proposed.

 

Members reminded one another that if the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 62.

Members gave consideration to a report which sought approval to adopt (make) the Corringham Neighbourhood Plan as part of the West Lindsey Development Plan, following the plan’s successful referendum, held on 2 December 2021.

 

The Local Ward Member presented the report and in doing so, acknowledged the enormous amount of time and effort, Corringham Parish Council and its residents had put into producing the Plan. He outlined the difficulties encountered at the outset of the process, and resulting impacts, personally congratulating the Group for their determination to continue and reaching this final stage.  He welcomed how West Lindsey and the parishes within his community had embraced the Localism Act and the opportunity it provided communities to shape development within their area.  Once made the Plan’s existence would require the Planning Committee to take into consideration the content of the Plan when determining application in the parish.

 

In seconding the report, the Chairman of the Planning Committee welcomed and encouraged the development of Local Plans.  With current planning legislation, it was incredibly useful to have local input from local communities to ensure West Lindsey and local communities developed and prospered in an appropriate way.

 

In the wider context, the adoption of the Plan would mean that West Lindsey would now have 22 adopted Plans, with 19 in preparation and two being reviewed.

The planning status and “weight” given to Neighbourhood Plans, once made, when determining planning applications was considerable and as such some Members commented on the disappointing referendum turnouts often seen.  It was so important that as a District we somehow engendered in local communities how significant and important these documents were and tried to encourage greater interest.

 

Having being moved and seconded, on being put to the vote it was

 

RESOLVED that the Corringham Neighbour Plan be adopted and made, in accordance with the Neighbourhood Planning Regulations 2012.

 

A round of applause, in the Group’s absence followed the resolution, with the Chairman again offering congratulations to them in their absence.

 

 

Note:         Councillor Paul Howitt-Cowan and Councillor Tom Regis left the meeting following consideration of this item.

 

 

The Section 151 Officer presented the report and advised that the Council was required to set its Council Tax Base and declare an estimate of its Council Tax Surplus which should be taken into account when setting the Council Tax for the following year.

 

The Council Tax Base for the year 2022/23 would be £31,038.46

 

The Council Tax Surplus of £ £1,470,700 had been calculated in accordance with statutory guidance with West Lindsey District Council’s share being £225,500.  This amount would be built into the 2022/23 Budget prior to setting the Council Tax.

 

Having been moved and seconded on being put to the vote it was: -

 

RESOLVED that

 

(a)     the estimated surplus of £225,500 be accepted and declared as accruing in the Council’s Collection Fund at 31 March 2022 relating to an estimated Council Tax surplus;

 

(b)     the Council uses its element of the Collection Fund surplus/deficit in calculating the level of Council Tax in 2022/23; and

 

(c)     in accordance with the Local Authorities (Calculation of Tax Base) Regulation 1992 (as amended) the amount calculated by the Council, as its Council Tax Base for the whole of the District area for 2022/23 be approved and set at £31,038.46, as detailed in the report and appendices.

 

 

Councillor Anne Welburn in her capacity as Chairman of the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee, presented the report which sought approval of the Mid Year Treasury Report 2021/22.

 

The report had been presented to the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee, where it had been fully considered and debated and stood referred to Council for approval

 

Members were advised there had been no breach of prudential indicators and the mid year review had been undertaken, taking into account changes to the Capital Programme and forecasts of cash flow requirements including investing and borrowing estimates.

 

The report provided an update of the treasury management prudential indicators, as required in the prudential code and Local Government Act and sets revised indicators for the remainder of the year.  In presenting the report the Chairman highlighted key revisions, the reasons for revisions and positions mid year: -

 

Covid 19 continued to have an adverse effect on the economy and interest rates remained low at 0.1%.

 

The Capital Financing Requirement, reflected the Council’s borrowing need for 2021/22, and had reduced from £41.340m to £40.088m due to a voluntary charge to reduce borrowing against our investment properties. 

 

A voluntary revenue provision of £374,000 would be made this year and the £707,000 provided for last year was not included in the original indicator, set in advance of the year end.

 

In addition, there had been small slippage on some capital schemes funded by borrowing.

 

The council was currently holding around £20m of investments on a regularly monthly basis, this was in the main due to additional grants from Government, however the councils cashflow had been revised and by year end balances were expected to be around £17m. 

 

This revision had established that the Councils external borrowing would likely be £25m as such the anticipated external debt had been revised and reduced down accordingly. Internal borrowing was likely to be circa £15.088m at year end, resulting in total borrowing of £40.088m.

 

Table 4.2 of the report set out how these revisions impacted the cost of council tax and financing costs in relation to the net revenue stream.

 

Reference Section 1.4 and the investment returns stated at £154,000 a Member sought indication what this was in percentage terms against the investment.  Whilst the Section 151 Officer indicated the figure to be in the region of just over 1%, she did not have the exact figure to hand.  However, such information was reported to the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee on a quarterly basis with the next report being due in February 2022.

 

Having been moved and seconded it was

 

RESOLVED that recommendation from the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee be accepted and as such the Mid-Year Treasury Management Report and changes to Prudential Indicators be approved.

 

 

Councillor Anne Welburn as Chairman of the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee, was pleased to present the report to Council which sought approval of the Council Tax Support Scheme for 2022/23, on recommendation from the Corporate Policy Resources Committee

 

The scheme had not been amended significantly since 2019/20 due to the implementation of Universal Credit and the subsequent pandemic.  Data available showed that it had been an effective scheme and that the collection rate for Council Tax Support claimants last year was just over 95%.  The high collection rate had been aided by the introduction of discretionary hardship relief to assist council tax payers during the pandemic and was funded by central Government for 2020/21 and 2021/22.  

Covid19 continued to cause considerable financial hardship to many of the District’s residents with the uplift of Universal Credit ending and the impending fuel increases expected in April yet to be felt within the council tax collection rates.

Option 1 within the report had been supported by the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee at their meeting in December 2021 and as such was recommended to Full Council for approval and adoption from 1 April 2022.

 

Councillor Welburn concluded her introduction by moving the recommendation, which was duly seconded. 

 

Thanks were expressed to all the Staff within the Revenues and Benefits Service and it was acknowledged their collection rate sat within the top quartile of all local authorities, something Members considered should be openly praised.

 

On being put to the vote it was:-

 

RESOLVED that the Recommendation from the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee be accepted and Option 1 of the report be adopted as the Local Council Tax Support Scheme for West Lindsey District Council for 2022/23.

 

 

Councillor John McNeill, as Chairman of the Governance and Audit Committee, was pleased to present the report to Council which recommended that West Lindsey District Council accept the invitation of opting-in to the Public Sector Audit Appointments (PSAA) sector led option for the appointment of our external auditors for the period 2023/2024 to 2027/2028.

 

This report had been was considered by the Governance and Audit Committee at its meeting on 11 January 2022 and stood recommended to Council.

 

The report detailed the advantages and disadvantages relating to the decision.

 

Whilst it was ultimately for the Council to determine how it appoints its external auditor, the Governance and Audit Committee had been of the view that accepting the invitation to opt into the PSSA scheme was the most appropriate route to ensure a quality auditor and to achieve value for money.

 

The Government incorporated the PSAA in the 2018/2019 financial year to be the appointing person for Local Government and Police body’s external auditors.  As such it would be the PSAA who would appoint the auditors, set the fees and monitor quality and compliance, if the recommendation was accepted.

 

The current 5-year contract arranged through the PSAA with  external auditors, Mazars, would end following the conclusion of the audit of the statement of accounts for 2022/2023.  Overall, the Council could be assured that it had received a good level of service under the current contract.

 

In concluding his introduction, The Chairman of the Governance Audit Committee brought to Members’ attention the changes made, nationally, in regulations and how the concomitant effect on resources and costs had significantly impacted the delivery of local authority audits within the statutory timelines, with costs increasing by around 25%.  However, the Government had recently announced several measures to improve the situation, in addition to providing additional funding to support the increased costs to local authorities of these regulatory changes.

 

Having been moved and duly seconded, on being put to the vote it was: -

 

RESOLVED that the Recommendation from the Governance and Audit Committee be accepted and as such the invitation of opting in to the PSAA sector led option for the appointment of external auditors for the period 2023/24 to 2027/28 be accepted.