Agenda and draft minutes

The Chairman welcomed all present, and advised that debate during the meeting would be managed in accordance with the procedure rules, which had been previously circulated by the Monitoring Officer.

It was noted that there was a typographical error within Minute 91 from the minutes of the meeting held on 2 March 2026. The minute stated the council tax increase was £7.38 ‘per week’ when it should have read ‘per year’.

Members accepted the amendment.

With regard to the minutes of the Extraordinary Meeting of Full Council, held on 16 March 2026, the Leader of the Opposition offered additional information regarding past communications and decision making about Local Government Reorganisation. With no formal amendment on accuracy being moved, his comments were noted.

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

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Meeting of Full Council held on 2 March, as amended, and the Minutes of the Extraordinary Meeting of Full Council held on 16 March 2026, 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.

There were no declarations of interest at this juncture.

To note the current position of previously agreed actions as at 1 April 2026.

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

With no comments or questions and with no requirement to 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 the Chamber highlighting recent events attended, including the opening of the new Waterstones Store in Gainsborough. He commented on the high level of support for the opening, with people queueing around the block, and that subsequent numbers of people in the store showed it had been well-received.

The Chairman had also attended the unveiling of a new painting at Gainsborough Central Station, and he encouraged Members to walk up to the station to see. He commented that it was an excellent piece of art which had received credit across the town, and he extended his thanks to Town Councillor Rick Craig, who had been instrumental in the piece, and bringing the community together .

The third event the Chairman wished to highlight had been a presentation and celebration morning at Buddies Dementia Club in Nettleham, which he had attended with Vice Chairman Councillor Barrett, Councillor Brown, and Councillor Bunney in his County Council capacity. The Chairman expressed his delight at what had been an amazing event, with over 90 residents present, 20 to 30 volunteers, and people attending from all over the county. He had been honoured to present over 20 certificates to the volunteers of the club, which was also celebrating its ninth birthday.

The Chairman encouraged all present to highlight similar groups and organisations, with both he and the Vice Chairman seeking to encourage the community involvement and recognise the hard work of volunteers across the district, through attending events and presenting certificates of thanks and recognition.

Leader of the Council

The Leader of the Council addressed the meeting and made the following announcements:-

“Since the last full council, I have had the opportunity to attend a number of very useful and interesting events. Along with our Chief Executive I attended the Financial Wellbeing Conference at Lincoln Showground, which provided an update on the new Crisis and Resilience Fund and where I was able to listen to talks from a wide range of charities and other institutions, who are involved in promoting and assisting financial and other wellbeing in different parts of the community. Round table conversations made clear that transport problems are high on people's list of concerns, so I made this known to the mayor, as transport is her remit.

Loosely related to this it would be helpful for you to know that this Administration is currently in the process of reviewing the car parking strategy and plan to bring a report to the Prosperous Communities Committee later this month along with a report progressing our planned enhancements to leisure facilities.

I am also pleased to advise Members that the Council’s Expression of Interest in connection with the acquisition of RAF Scampton that Council recently approved has progressed to the final stage with Home Office looking to fast track the disposal. The deadline for the council’s submission is late May and reports will be brought forward to committee and council in due course.

Along with Sir Edward Leigh, I'm delighted to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 99.

Accepted Questions received, under this Scheme now attached.

The Chairman advised Members that one question had been received from Mr Stephen Blogg, a resident of Gainsborough. Mr Blogg was invited to read his question to the meeting, as follows:

“Residents currently cut across a piece of waste land between Margaret Close and Mayfield Avenue as a shortcut between the two areas. However, the ground is frequently muddy, uneven, and unsuitable for residents with limited mobility, parents with pushchairs, and wheelchair users.

This route is regularly used by residents accessing the local doctors’ surgery, the nearby school, and is also in close proximity to John Coupland Hospital. Providing a properly surfaced footpath would not only improve accessibility and safety but would also encourage walking, promote healthier lifestyles, and support safer routes to school. Improved pedestrian access to healthcare facilities is particularly important for elderly residents and those with mobility challenges.

Given the clear and consistent use of this route by the community, would the Council consider installing a formal, all-weather footpath across this land to ensure it is accessible, safe, and usable throughout the year?”

The Chairman thanked Mr Blogg for his question, and invited Councillor J. Brockway, Leader of the Council, to respond. The Leader responded as follows:

“Firstly welcome Mr Blogg and thank you for bringing this matter to the Council’s attention. 

My Property and Assets Team have confirmed that the piece of land in question does belong to West Lindsey District Council, and actually forms part of an open space. However, installing a footpath does require us to liaise with County Council and to consider other issues, such as costs maintenance and land classifications.  My officers will continue to investigate and I will write to  you Mr Blogg when investigations have completed.

Thank you Mr Blogg”

The Chairman thanked the Leader for her response, again thanked Mr Blogg, and advised he would receive a copy of the response, in writing, following the meeting.

Accepted Questions received under this Scheme now attached.

The Chairman advised the meeting that three questions had been received pursuant to Procedure Rule No.9. The questions had been circulated to all Members, separately to the agenda, and published on the website.

The Chairman invited Councillor Howitt-Cowan to put his question to the Leader of the Council, Councillor Jackie Brockway, as follows:-

“Could the Leader please inform the Council of the intentions for the redevelopment or future use of the old Guildhall site and the former B&M building on Lord Street, Gainsborough?

Both sites are of significant strategic importance to the town, and residents feel that a clear plan should be established ahead of any local government reorganisation to ensure their long-term benefit to the community.”

The Leader responded as follows:-

“Thank you for your question Councillor Howitt-Cowan. With regards to the old Guildhall site in Gainsborough, this is designated as surplus land on the Council’s asset register and currently the Council has no plans for this site. In respect of the building at 14-20 Lord Street, Gainsborough this is now being actively marketed and it is hoped that the Council  can secure a tenant in the near future.”

The Chairman invited Councillor Velan to put his question to the Leader of the Council, Councillor Jackie Brockway, as follows:-

“In light of the recent case in Sudbrook where a Section 106 Highways contribution has been deemed unrecoverable following the death of the original landowner and the subsequent liquidation of the successor company, could the Council provide:

-       The total number of Section 106 agreements across the district that have resulted in unrecoverable contributions over the past ten years

-       The total financial value of these unrecoverable sums

-       A breakdown of the main reasons why these contributions could not be collected, including instances involving company insolvency, legal limitations, or prohibitive recovery costs

-       And finally, what mitigation measures the Council is putting in place to reduce the risk of similar losses in future, such as strengthened monitoring of trigger points, earlier invoicing, enhanced due?diligence on land transfers, or revised legal drafting to protect the authority where ownership changes occur?”

The Leader responded as follows:-

“Thank you for your question Councillor Velan. The total number of Section 106 agreements across the district that have resulted in unrecoverable contributions over the past ten years is one, that being the Sudbrooke case.

The total financial value of these unrecoverable sums is  £ 49,944.52  which is solely the Sudbrooke case including indexation. For the Sudbrooke case, death of the original landowner and the subsequent liquidation of the successor company.

All Section 106 agreements are regularly monitored in relation to the associated obligations and financial contributions due, to ensure that the requirements are delivered in accordance with the particular agreement.

A Section 106 Monitoring Fee was adopted in 2025 to contribute towards the cost of this work, which includes the following tasks:

-       Centralised logging of agreements onto the housing database.

-       Desktop monitoring of development progress against section 106 triggers.

-  ...  view the full minutes text for item 101.

Motion 1 – Squaddie Box 

“Members - Council recognises the difficulties for ex Armed Forces personnel with no fixed address to accessing services and understand they can struggle to navigate complex transitions back into communities. The WLDC  Armed Forces Covenant housing position recognises that this cohort can face challenges linked to relationship breakdown, mental health issues and the broader difficulties that can arise during transition to civilian life. 

In those circumstances, services may technically be available, but engagement can still be fragile. Something as simple as having a stable and recognised correspondence address can make a meaningful difference to how individuals reconnect with services to gain help and support.

Members note the ‘Squaddie Box’ initiative (Home - Squaddie Box (CIC)which helps by providing a secure personal mailbox with 24-hour access where veterans are able to collect their correspondence privately and at a time that suits them, without needing to attend public offices. Other vulnerable cohorts could also potentially benefit from this with the opportunity to expand this to civilians being explored.  

Council resolves to ask the relevant committee to consider rolling out a pilot of this initiative to assess the benefits of such a scheme to vulnerable households in West Lindsey and consider whether it could be implemented to identify a need for this type of service across the District.  

I so move”

Councillor Karen Carless

Motion 2 - Driving Test Centre Provision

“Members - This Council notes that young people living in rural districts such as West Lindsey face significant barriers when accessing employment, education, and training due to limited public transport.

The Council further notes that the nearest practical driving test centres for residents are currently located in Lincolnand Scunthorpe. As a result, learner drivers from towns such as Gainsborough must pay for extended driving lessons simply to travel to and practise around these locations.

This significantly increases the cost of learning to drive and places many young people and low-income residents at a disadvantage. In rural communities, the ability to drive is often essential for accessing employment opportunities, apprenticeships, and further education.

This Council believes that improving access to driving test facilities would support social mobility, economic opportunity, and fairness for residents living in rural areas.

Therefore, this Council resolves to:

1. Write to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency requesting that it reviews the availability of driving test facilities within West Lindsey District.
2. Lobby the Department for Transport to consider establishing a driving test centre in Gainsborough or elsewhere within the district.
3. Work with local MPs, including the Member of Parliament for the area, to advocate for improved access to driving test provision for rural communities including exploring whether a temporary satellite or periodic driving test facility could be established locally to reduce travel costs for residents.

I so move”

Councillor Lesley Rollings

Motion 3 –  Amendment to Rule 9 (Questions at Full Council)

“This Council notes that:

• Under the current provisions of Rule 9 of the Council Procedure Rules, questions to  ...  view the full agenda text for item 102.

The Chairman advised the meeting that three motions, pursuant to Council Procedure 10 had been received, as set out in the agenda.

As the mover of the first motion, Councillor Carless was invited to read aloud her motion to the meeting, as follows:-

Motion 1 – Squaddie Box 

“Members - Council recognises the difficulties for ex Armed Forces personnel with no fixed address to accessing services and understand they can struggle to navigate complex transitions back into communities. The WLDC  Armed Forces Covenant housing position recognises that this cohort can face challenges linked to relationship breakdown, mental health issues and the broader difficulties that can arise during transition to civilian life. 

In those circumstances, services may technically be available, but engagement can still be fragile. Something as simple as having a stable and recognised correspondence address can make a meaningful difference to how individuals reconnect with services to gain help and support.

Members note the ‘Squaddie Box’ initiative (Home - Squaddie Box (CIC) which helps by providing a secure personal mailbox with 24-hour access where veterans are able to collect their correspondence privately and at a time that suits them, without needing to attend public offices. Other vulnerable cohorts could also potentially benefit from this with the opportunity to expand this to civilians being explored.  

Council resolves to ask the relevant committee to consider rolling out a pilot of this initiative to assess the benefits of such a scheme to vulnerable households in West Lindsey and consider whether it could be implemented to identify a need for this type of service across the District.  

I so move

Councillor Karen Carless”

Having been seconded, the Chairman thanked Councillor Carless and referred Members to procedure rule 10.4, highlighting that as the motion fell within the remit of another committee, it would stand referred without discussion, for consideration and determination by that Committee.

As the mover of the second motion, Councillor Rollings was invited to read aloud her motion to the meeting, as follows:-

Motion 2 – Driving Test Centre Provision

“Members - This Council notes that young people living in rural districts such as West Lindsey face significant barriers when accessing employment, education, and training due to limited public transport.

The Council further notes that the nearest practical driving test centres for residents are currently located in Lincolnand Scunthorpe. As a result, learner drivers from towns such as Gainsborough must pay for extended driving lessons simply to travel to and practise around these locations.

This significantly increases the cost of learning to drive and places many young people and low-income residents at a disadvantage. In rural communities, the ability to drive is often essential for accessing employment opportunities, apprenticeships, and further education.

This Council believes that improving access to driving test facilities would support social mobility, economic opportunity, and fairness for residents living in rural areas.

Therefore, this Council resolves to:

1. Write to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency requesting that it reviews the availability of driving test facilities  ...  view the full minutes text for item 102.

The Chairman of the Governance and Audit Committee introduced the report which stood recommended from his Committee, and sought Council approval to adopt the revised Member Officer Protocol.

He explained that in light of new guidance received from the Local Government Association dated November 2025, the previous protocol had been reviewed and updated, with a revised document considered by the Governance and Audit Committee on 10 March 2026, and was now recommended to Council before adoption. A summary of the key changes were detailed in section two of the report, and, if approved, it was intended to socialise the document across the organisation's wider management team which would include a political awareness training session being provided for officers at management level, and a session for all Members on the content of the document.

Having been moved and seconded by the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Governance and Audit Committee, and with no further speakers, the Chairman of the Council took the vote and it was

RESOLVED that the recommendation from the Governance and Audit Committee be accepted, and the Member Officer Protocol be approved for adoption. 

The Chief Executive introduced the report seeking approval of proposals for a new Committee structure, to take effect from the Annual Council Meeting in May. This would see the Council operate with three policy committees instead of two. The proposed terms of reference for the three new policy committees were appended to the report. It was indicated that should the proposal be agreed by Full Council, delegation was sought for the Monitoring Officer and Section 151 Officer to make any necessary changes to the Constitution to effect the changes needed for the new Committee structure. 

The Chief Executive highlighted to Members that following the recent adoption of the Council's Corporate Plan, and the budget which aligned the resources to delivery of the Plan, it was appropriate that the Council considered how its democratic processes supported delivering the commitments detailed in the Corporate Plan. He noted this had also been a comment raised by the Peer Review Team on their recent visit to the Council.

Members were invited to recall that as part of the approval of the Corporate Plan, there were three key themes, those being Thriving Council, Thriving People and Thriving Places. A corresponding thematic business plan was approved against each of those, setting out the Council's intended deliverables and the performance measures against which progress would be assessed.

The Chief Executive expanded that the rationale for the three policy committee proposal was to bring clear remit and responsibility of those committees in terms of their role in delivering against the Corporate Plan; and to give a clear role and remit for the Chairmen and Vice-Chairman of those committees in terms of their responsibilities and in leading their committees to deliver against those commitments.

Attention was directed to paragraph 1.4 which highlighted that the draft Terms of Reference would be subject to further review and refinement, subject to approval of the principle of three policy committees, and the final Terms of Reference would be presented to the Annual Council Meeting in May 2026.

The Chairman thanked the Chief Executive and invited comments from the floor.

The Leader of the Council expressed her support for the proposal, seeking one amendment to the wording regarding monitoring aspects of work undertaken by contractors. She requested that the point be amended to ensure clarity of purpose, and suggested the use of ‘external providers’ rather than ‘contractors’. The amendment was noted to be taken forward on reviewing the draft documents.

Concerns were expressed regarding the role of the Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen in the proposed structure, with Members suggesting the enhanced roles were indicative of an executive model of governance, as opposed to the committee structure in place at West Lindsey District Council. In response, the Chief Executive assured Members that the governance of the Council would continue through the committee system, however in any governance structure, political leadership was a key element, with the proposal seeking to strengthen that, as well as benefit the Council from enhanced working relationships between Members and Officers.

The  ...  view the full minutes text for item 104.

The Chairman introduced the report seeking approval for the appointment of three Independent Persons (Standards) until May 2030. He invited Councillor Duguid to comment, as he had been involved in the interview process.

Councillor Duguid praised the valuable contributions of the excellent candidates, and expressed his pleasure at the calibre of applicants.

Having been proposed, seconded and voted upon, it was

RESOLVED that the following candidates be appointed to serve as Independent Persons (Standards), for a term of office expiring at the Annual Council Meeting in May 2030.

·         Mr Stephen Beard (re-appointed)

·         Mr Phillip Jones

·         Mr Shawn Lewis

The Chairman then introduced a report seeking the appointment of three Independent  Members to the Independent Remuneration Panel until May 2030. He again invited Councillor Duguid to comment.

Councillor Duguid reiterated earlier comments regarding the quality of the applicants, and expressed his thanks for a positive interview process.

Having been proposed, seconded, and voted upon, it was

RESOLVED that the following candidates be appointed to serve as Members of the Independent Remuneration Panel, for a term of office expiring at the Annual Council Meeting in May 2030.

·         Mr Richard Quirk (re-appointed)

·         Mrs Deborah Barker-Overton

·         Mr Phillip Beisty

The Chairman introduced a report seeking a further dispensation under the Local Government Act 1972 to approve the non-attendance of Councillor Liz Clews at a meeting within a six-month period. He highlighted the appendix to the report contained information which was considered to be exempt under Section 100 (A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, and from the Chair proposed that public and press be excluded from the meeting in order for Members to discuss the information provided. Having been seconded and voted upon, it was

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 involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1 and 2 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

Note:              The meeting entered closed session at 8.47pm and re-entered open session at 9.19pm

The Chairman confirmed the proposal to accept the dispensation had been proposed and seconded. On taking the vote it was

            RESOLVED that

a)    having considered the circumstances of non-attendance, the reason(s) for Councillor Liz Clews non-attendance at meetings (“Dispensation”) be approved. The Dispensation be given, under Section 85(1) of the Local Government Act 1972 that Councillor Liz Clews shall continue to be a Member of the Council (up until 12 November 2026); and

b)    the matter be brought back to full Council before 12 November 2026.