Agenda and minutes

The Chairman welcomed Members and Officers to the meeting.

 

 

To confirm and sign as a correct record the Minutes of the Full Council Meeting held on 4 July 2022.

 

 

(a)    Minutes of the Meeting of Full Council held on 4 July 2022

 

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Meeting of Full Council held on 4 July 2022 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 were made at this point in the meeting.

 

 

Setting out current position of previously agreed actions as at 25 August 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 questions raised and no requirement for a vote, the Matters Arising were DULY NOTED.

 

 

 

i)              Chairman of Council

ii)             Leader of the Council

iii)            Head of Paid Service

Chairman

 

The Chairman addressed Council and advised of her pleasure at having been invited to attend the presentation of a young man, at Gainsborough’s Nobel Foods, who despite challenges, had been awarded the Young Processer of the Year Award.  It had been most pleasant to join him and to share his successes and achievements.

 

On 31 July the District Council had held, what the Chairman considered to have been a wonderful service, for the Celebration of Life for three former Councillors, Malcolm Parish Lewis Strange and Reg Shore, having been unable to celebrate during the Covid period.  It had provided opportunity to honour those Councillors and the work they had done during their time in Office.  It had been a lovely service and the families had been very appreciative of it.

 

Last Friday, 2 September, the Chairman had had the honour of hosting the Annual Flag Raising for Merchant Navy Day.  It had been a lovely day and well attended.  Members were reminded that again, this Friday, 9 September, she would be hosting the Annual Flag Raising event for the Emergency Services Day, to which all Members were invited to attend.

 

And finally, earlier in the day, the Chairman had attended the historical Closing Down Ceremony at RAF Scampton. As anticipated, there had been a large turnout of both Military and Dignitary guests, a flypast by the Red Arrows and the Lancaster, and a Service in the Church to dedicate a new stained-glass window to RAF Scampton, marking 100 years of having been stationed there.  It had been an honour and a privilege to represent West Lindsey at this historic event.

 

Leader

 

The Leader made the following address to Council: -

 

“Good evening colleagues, I hope that everyone had the opportunity to spend some time away from their desks and digital devices during August and can return refreshed and ready for what will undoubtedly be an especially busy period for us individually and collectively.

 

Since we last came together as a Council we have experienced not only record high temperatures in July, but also exceptional rainfall in August that lead to serious flooding in Market Rasen and caused problems elsewhere in the District too.  I’d like to place on record my deep appreciation and thanks to everyone who contributed to the immediate and ongoing response and also to encourage any community that does not have an Emergency Plan in place to consider preparing one.  There is much support available for this task through the Lincolnshire Resilience Forum.

 

The Council’s budget consultation for the 2023-24 financial year will remain open until at 9 am on Monday, 3rd October 2022 and all residents and businesses are invited to have their say in helping us shape our future priorities.  It is easy to participate either on on-line, by a paper copy, or at one of the series of widely publicised engagement events, the most recent of which was a highly successful session on Caistor Market last Saturday.  Thank you to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 110.

Questions, if received, under this Scheme will be published by way of supplement following closure of the deadline.

 

 

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. – RECEIVED QUESTIONS NOW ATTACHED.

 

 

The Chairman advised the meeting that one 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, and published on the website.

 

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

 

"Leader, you are no doubt aware of the 16 caravans and motor homes and other associated vehicles which occupied a Council car park from the evening of 14th July 2022 overnight and thereafter.  Please can you confirm the details of the incident and any other similar activity this summer of which the Council is aware?  I understand that a similar incident occurred on the Village Green in Welton and I personally saw caravans parked along the A631 at Glentham and Bishop Bridge a few days later.

 

Does the Leader agree, that Council Officers handled the situation professionally and brought about a swift resolution to the matter?  What assessment, if any, has been made of the impact of the incident on Gainsborough?

 

Can the Leader provide any additional assurance for our local communities arising from any lessons learnt during the recent incident?  Is the Leader able to comment on whether any fines were issued, and if so, have any of the fines been paid?

 

Thank you”

 

The Leader of the Council responded as follows : -

 

“It is believed that Officers acted swiftly, professionally and in a co-ordinated manner regarding both of the encampments that occurred in Gainsborough.  The Council provided a proportionate response within the agreed Protocol, resulting in a swift resolution. Our communications team were fully briefed and managed any media enquiries.

 

Whilst it is recognised that incidents such as this cause concern for the local community, there will always be a likelihood of them occurring, hence why there are specific laws and guidance in place to enable the Council to deal with them and to provide those occupying land with the relevant protections and rights.

 

In these circumstances, we have an agreed Countywide Protocol with the Police to follow, which starts by understanding what the intentions of the occupants are, in regards to the length of their stay. If it is a short period, then their presence in most cases will be tolerated until they move on. If we get the sense that it will be a longer stay or that the stay may cause significant community harm then we start legal proceedings to cease the occupation of the land liaise with the Police to determine the best way to go about this. Our approach in most cases is always to get the ball rolling on legal action should their suggested intentions change.

 

After a major encampment occurs, officers complete a review of the incident as part of the Gypsy and Traveller Joint Protocol. This enables the Council to ensure it is meeting its obligations in regards to the Joint Protocol for Gypsy and Traveller Encampments and will consider the Gainsborough  ...  view the full minutes text for item 112.

Motion 1

 

DEBATE NOT HATE

 

“Members will be aware of the Local Government Association’s ‘Debate Not Hate’ campaign, based on the premise that, whilst debating and disagreeing with one another is a healthy part of democracy, abuse and intimidation crosses the line into dangerous territory.

 

Anyone, regardless of their background or political affiliation, should feel safe to become a Councillor and be proud to represent their community.  But an increasing level of abuse and intimidation aimed at local politicians is preventing elected members from representing those they serve, deterring individuals from standing for election and undermining local democracy.

 

The ‘Debate Not Hate’ campaign aims to raise public awareness of the role of councillors in their communities, encourage healthy debate and improve the responses and support for local politicians facing abuse and intimidation.  We need to be united in calling for change.

 

Although individual Councillors can support the campaign simply by signing the public statement on the LGA’s website (something I would urge all colleagues to do) I hereby call upon the Leader of the Council to add West Lindsey District Council to the list of supporting organisations.

 

I so move.

 

Councillor Anne Welburn”

 

 

Motion 2

 

SUPPORT FOR THE COMMUNITY WEALTH FUND PROPOSAL

 

“An organisation called the Local Trust (established in 2012 to deliver Big Local, a National Lottery Community Fund funded programme) is promoting a proposal to use dormant stocks and shares (which have an estimated value of £900 million) to fund a new Community Wealth Trust.

 

The proposal is to use the funds so released to directly support the 225 most ‘left behind areas’ throughout the country, including our own Gainsborough East Ward.

 

This proposal is at a preliminary stage, however similar initiatives such as the Dormant Assets Scheme have already successfully delivered significant social and environmental investment.

 

Local Trust has now invited local authorities to ‘sign up’ to affirm their ‘in principle’ support for their initiative and accordingly I propose that we recognise the opportunity and take up the offer to potentially benefit not only Gainsborough itself but, by extension, the whole of West Lindsey.

 

Further information on the Trust is attached to the agenda and the Local Trusts’ website is

https://localtrust.org.uk/policy/left-behind-neighbourhoods/

 

I ask the Leader and Chief Executive to write to Local Trust offering our support for their initiative.

 

I so move.

 

Councillor Mick Devine”  

 

The Chairman advised the meeting that two motions pursuant to Council Procedure Rule No.10 had been submitted to the meeting, these were as set out in the agenda.

 

Councillor Anne Welburn, was invited to put her motion to the meeting, as follows:

 

“DEBATE NOT HATE

Members will be aware of the Local Government Association’s ‘Debate Not Hate’ campaign, based on the premise that, whilst debating and disagreeing with one another is a healthy part of democracy, abuse and intimidation crosses the line into dangerous territory.

 

Anyone, regardless of their background or political affiliation, should feel safe to become a Councillor and be proud to represent their community.  But an increasing level of abuse and intimidation aimed at local politicians is preventing elected members from representing those they serve, deterring individuals from standing for election and undermining local democracy.

 

The ‘Debate Not Hate’ campaign aims to raise public awareness of the role of councillors in their communities, encourage healthy debate and improve the responses and support for local politicians facing abuse and intimidation.  We need to be united in calling for change.

 

Although individual Councillors can support the campaign simply by signing the public statement on the LGA’s website (something I would urge all colleagues to do) I hereby call upon the Leader of the Council to add West Lindsey District Council to the list of supporting organisations.

 

I so move.

 

Councillor Anne Welburn”

 

With the motion duly seconded, debate ensued during which Members shared their experiences, particularly those of recent years, when such behaviour had escalated, even extending to family members, with a Councillor seeking the support of local Police.

 

The age of social of media had only added to and increased the problem, with people appearing to be quite comfortable abusing people from behind a computer keyboard.

 

It was suggested that many Members accepted a level of abuse, almost deeming this to come with the job, whether correct or not, but all were in agreement, that when abuse was then directed at family members, personal phones and e-mails, that that was totally unacceptable.  However, such behaviours had been experienced.

 

All were in agreement, the fear of abuse, without doubt, deterred potential candidates and “volunteers”, with many Parish Councillors, receiving no remuneration for the work they undertook.

 

The level of abuse from Members of the public had increased, and yet Councillors were of the view, that in the event they challenged back, they found themselves reported to the Monitoring Officer and subject to a potential Code of Conduct case.   Members at a District level were not granted anything similar to Parliamentary Privilege, extended to MPs.

 

Members spoke of the lack of support, not a criticism of Officers, but of the system, general framework, and lack of legal powers.  Sanctions (for complaints against Councillors) had been abolished with the Localism Act.  Officers and the Council’s Standard’s Sub-Committee, Governance and Audit Committee, and Full Council itself, having written on a number of occasions lobbying for change. 

 

Whilst change in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 113.

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 report set out the reasoning for the balance having been re-calculated, and the new allocations were detailed in Appendix B of the report.

 

This matter had been determined by the Head of Paid Service under his delegated authority, in consultation with the main Group Leaders, who 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 remainder of the 22/23 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 2022/23 Civic Year.

 

Members had earlier in the day received an updated report incorporating all nominations received and this had been made available on the Website.

 

Confirmation was sought and received from the Leader of the Opposition, that his position remained unchanged, and the Liberal Democrat Group would not be making nominations to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

 

The Chairman referred Members to section 2.8 of the report, and advised, given the position expressed by the Opposition Leader, the additional Members appointed in July 2022, to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, would be eligible to serve, should they wish, those being Councillors Jackie Brockway, Chris Darcel, Paul Howitt-Cowan and John McNeill .

 

Consent was sought and received from those Members effected and, on that basis, it was

 

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 to the Council’s Committees for the remainder of the 2022/23 civic year as follows: -

 

 

Chief Officer Employment Committee (7 Members)

 

Councillor Owen Bierley

Councillor Jackie Brockway               

Councillor Stephen Bunney

Councillor Mick Devine                                  

Councillor Lesley Rollings

Councillor Anne Welburn  

Councillor Trevor Young

 

 

Corporate Policy and Resources Committee(13 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 Mandy Snee

Councillor Jeff Summers         

Councillor Bob Waller

Councillor Anne Welburn                             

Councillor Trevor Young

 

 

Governance and Audit Committee (7 Members)

                

          Councillor Jackie Brockway               

Councillor Stephen Bunney

Councillor Tracey Coulson                                      

Councillor Chris Darcel

Councillor Caralyne Grimble

Councillor John McNeill                                

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    

Councillor Cordelia McCartney

Councillor Jessie Milne  

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    

Councillor Cordelia McCartney

Councillor Jessie Milne  

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 Steve England

Councillor Ian Fleetwood         

Councillor Cherie Hill

Councillor Jessie Milne

Councillor Peter Morris

Councillor Roger Patterson

Councillor Judy Rainsforth

Councillor Jeff Summers

Councillor Bob 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 Jane Ellis

Councillor Cordelia McCartney

Councillor John McNeill           

Councillor Jessie Milne

Councillor Jaime Oliver

Councillor Roger Patterson

Councillor Lesley Rollings

Councillor Jim Snee

Councillor Trevor Young

 

 

Overview  ...  view the full minutes text for item 115.

Having re-appointed the Committees, the report under consideration sought to appoint Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen to each of the Committees.

 

Nominations were sought, with the Leader of the Council, making the following nominations, which were duly seconded: -

 

Committee	Chairman	Vice-Chairman
Chief Officer Employment Committee	Councillor Jackie Brockway	Councillor Mick Devine
Corporate Policy and Resources Committee	Councillor Anne Welburn	Councillor Jeff Summers
Planning Committee	Councillor Ian Fleetwood	Councillor Bob Waller
Governance and Audit Committee	Councillor John McNeill	Councillor Jackie Brockway
*Licensing Committee	Councillor Jessie Milne	Councillor Angela Lawrence
Overview and Scrutiny Committee	Councillor Mrs Di Rodgers	Councillor Roger Patterson
*Regulatory Committee	Councillor Jessie Milne	Councillor Angela Lawrence
Prosperous Communities Committee	Councillor Owen Bierley	Councillor John McNeill (1) Councillor Tracey Coulson (2)

 

 

No further nominations, were made and the Chairman therefore sought the meeting’s consent that the appointments to vacant positions be dealt with en-bloc.  Consent was duly indicated for an en-bloc vote. 

 

A Member requested the en-bloc appointments themselves be subject to a recorded vote, with the request duly seconded.

 

On being put to the vote, votes were cast in the following manner: -

 

For:- Councillors Bierley, Brockway, Coulson, Darcel, Davies, Devine, Fleetwood, Grimble, Hill, Howitt-Cowan, Lawrence, McCartney, J McNeill, Milne, Morris, Patterson, Regis,  Rodgers, Summers, Waller and Welburn (21)

 

Against:- None (0)

 

Abstain: - Councillors Boles, Bunney, Clews, Cotton, Dobbie, Panter, Rainsforth, J Snee, M Snee, White and Young (11)

 

 

With a total of 21 votes in favour, 0 votes against and 11 abstentions, the motion was carried and it was therefore: - 

 

RESOLVED that the persons detailed below be appointed to the positions stated for the remainder of the 2022/23 Civic Year.  

 

Committee	Chairman	Vice-Chairman
Chief Officer Employment Committee	Councillor Jackie Brockway	Councillor Mick Devine
Corporate Policy and Resources Committee	Councillor Anne Welburn	Councillor Jeff Summers
Planning Committee	Councillor Ian Fleetwood	Councillor Bob Waller
Governance and Audit Committee	Councillor John McNeill	Councillor Jackie Brockway
*Licensing Committee	Councillor Jessie Milne	Councillor Angela Lawrence
Overview and Scrutiny Committee	Councillor Mrs Di Rodgers	Councillor Roger Patterson
*Regulatory Committee	Councillor Jessie Milne	Councillor Angela Lawrence
Prosperous Communities Committee	Councillor Owen Bierley	Councillor John McNeill (1) Councillor Tracey Coulson (2)

 

The final report of the evening sought to appoint to vacancies on boards and other bodies (including outside bodies) as a result of Councillor England having resigned from the positions.

 

Nominations were sought, with the Leader of the Council making the following nominations, which were duly seconded.

 

Outside Bodies

Lincoln Transport Strategy Delivery Board                   Councillor Peter Morris

Upper Witham IDB                                                      Councillor Peter Morris

Witham Third IDB                                                       Councillor Peter Morris

 

Internal Working Groups / Boards

Lincolnshire Show Task and Finish Group                   Councillor Jessie Milne

Environment & Sustainability Member Working Grp     Councillor Jessie Milne

Member Development Grp (Reserve)                          Councillor Bob Waller

 

Further nominations were sought but none received.

 

In response to a query, Officers confirmed Councillor England had formally resigned from the Outside Bodies, Internal Working Groups and Boards.

 

RESOLVED that the following appointment be made for the remainder of the Civic Year: -

 

Outside Bodies

Lincoln Transport Strategy Delivery Board -Councillor Peter Morris

Upper Witham IDB -                                   Councillor Peter Morris

Witham Third IDB -                                     Councillor Peter Morris

 

Internal Working Groups / Boards

Lincolnshire Show Task and Finish Group -Councillor Jessie Milne

Environment & Sustainability Member

Working Grp -                                             Councillor Jessie Milne

Member Development Grp (Reserve) -        Councillor Bob Waller