Agenda and draft minutes

Up to 15 minutes are allowed for public participation.  Participants are restricted to 3 minutes each.

There was no public participation.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the previous meeting.

The Chairman explained there were two sets of minutes, both for approval.

Having been moved and seconded it was

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Meeting of the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee held on 13 February 2025 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

On taking the second set of minutes, and having been moved and seconded, it was

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Concurrent Meeting of the Prosperous Communities and Corporate Policy and Resources Committees held on 13 February 2025 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

Members may make declarations of Interest at this point or may make them at any point in the meeting.

Councillor P. Swift declared a possible personal interest relating to agenda item 6a, Warm homes Local Grant, and as such, for transparency and avoidance of any possible conflict of interest, he would remove himself from the Chamber for the duration of the item.

Setting out current position of previously agreed actions as at 3 March 2025.

The Senior Democratic and Civic Officer introduced the Matters Arising Schedule and noted updates to items contained therein.

A Member of the Committee enquired as to the progress relating to the Levelling Up Fund items to ensure the required decisions were undertaken in a timely manner. This was confirmed to be the case and the Chairman assured Members that an update would be brought to the Committee.

With no further comments or questions, and no requirement for a vote, the Matters Arising Schedule was DULY NOTED.

Note:              Councillor P. Swift left the Council Chamber at 6.35pm

The Committee heard from the Healthy and Accessible Homes Team Leader who explained that the Midlands Net Zero Hub (MNZH) had submitted an expression of interest to the Department for Energy, Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) for Government funding through Warm Homes Local Grant (WHLG) on behalf of the Central and South Lincolnshire Consortium comprising of West Lindsey, North Kesteven, City of Lincoln and South Kesteven Councils. Confirmation of the exact amount of funding was awaited, however details would be shared in due course.

It was intended that funding secured from DESNZ would be used to carry out a range of improvements on homes owned by low-income families in the district, making them warmer, reducing energy bills, and improving the quality of citizens’ lives. A decision was required to accept the grant award once received, and sanction return of the grant funding agreement from the S151 Officer. This approval would enable delivery of the scheme to start immediately, with installations commencing as soon as contracts were in place, and release spend from the administration allocation which would fund the Energy Efficiency Project Officer post hosted by the Council.

Members of the Committee sought confirmation that the funding of the Officer post came from the administration fees within the scheme and did not become the sole responsibility of West Lindsey District Council. This was confirmed to be the case, there were no on-costs to the Council.

Note:              Councillor I. Fleetwood declared a personal interest and left the Chamber at 6.41pm

A Member of the Committee requested that the mapping information was shared once available, to which Officers confirmed this would be done. In supporting the scheme, it was highlighted how it tied in with other initiatives in place, for example through the Wellbeing Lincs service, and it was encouraged that information and awareness be shared as widely as possible.

Note:              Councillor T. Bridgwood declared a personal interest and left the Chamber at 6.45pm

During the course of the discussion, concerns were raised regarding the eligibility criteria, with some Members feeling they were too restrictive. It was, however, noted that the ongoing success of the scheme would provide evidence with which to lobby government for an extension of the scheme and therefore a widening of the criteria.

Attention was drawn to a typing error within the report, with Members seeking clarification that the figures shown were in need of correction. This was confirmed to be the case, with the correct figures having been provided.

Having been proposed and seconded, and with no further comments, the Chairman took the vote and it was

            RESOLVED that

a)    the award of funding, once received for Warm Homes Local Grant from Midlands Net Zero Hub (MNZH), be accepted, and the signing of the grant funding agreement by Section 151 Officer, for return to MNZH, be authorised; and

b)    a new capital scheme be created in the Capital Programme and a capital and revenue budget be created  ...  view the full minutes text for item 118.

It was acknowledged that there was no business scheduled for the meeting in April, with Members being assured any changes to meeting arrangements would be communicated in advance.

With no further comments or questions, the Committee Work Plan was DULY NOTED.

To resolve that under Section 100 (A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public and press be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

RESOLVED that under Section 100 (A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public and press be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

Note:              The meeting entered closed session at 6.49pm

Members heard from the Senior Building and Project Officer regarding the outcome of the procurement work which had been undertaken for the repairs required to the Trinity Arts Centre northern boundary wall. It was reiterated that at the meeting of the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee on 23 May 2024, it was resolved that Officers returned to present an options report. This was presented at the meeting on 18 July 2024 where it was resolved that Officers commenced the procurement for the repair northern boundary wall at the Trinity Arts Centre as per the granted Planning and Listed Building Consent number 145568 and bring back a report to approve the funding and increase the capital programme.

The Committee was presented with three options within the paper, those being to make safe and repair the wall including future maintenance works due within the next 3-5 years; to repair the defective section of wall only; or to develop a compliant interim solution to manage the risk to the building and any visitors, whilst a review of the Capital Programme and reserves was completed, in light of the proposed Local Government Reorganisation.

Having reiterated the risks involved with this piece of work, and taking into consideration the advice detailed in the report provided by the surveyor and associated professionals, Members of the Committee debated at length the responsibilities and associated difficulties of owning listed properties, using examples from across the district of both positive and negative renovation works. The potential risks with the wall were recognised and acknowledged, as were the expected uncertainties related to the proposed Local Government Reorganisation. A Member of the Committee proposed that Committee accept option three, to develop a compliant interim solution.

In response to concerns raised regarding the impact on the wall of other fencing in the area and nearby trees, it was explained that as a part of the initial assessment those factors had been taken into account, the details of which were included within the appendices to the report.

There was significant discussion regarding the desire to be pragmatic in approach, with Officers confirming the work required had been pared back as far as possible, and whilst conversations had been undertaken to consider grant funding or alternative options, such as a review of the listed status, Officers could revisit these conversations alongside the review of the Capital Programme and reserves. In response to a question from a Member of the Committee, the Section 151 Officer confirmed the funds for the work were available in the earmarked reserves for buildings and maintenance.

In response to ongoing debate regarding the balance between conservation, heritage, planning and enforcement requirements, and being mindful of funds coming from the public purse, the proposer of option three reiterated his support of that option, to undertake some work to make the area safe as a sensible interim arrangement. Members questioned the longer-term approach to the building, enquiring as to whether there was an asset management plan in place for future works and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 121.