Motion 1
“Chairman
The Council notes that West Lindsey District Council does not currently have a formalised policy related to Parental Leave for elected Members. At present there is no legal right to Parental Leave for those elected to public office.
It is proposed that this Council should adopt a Parental Leave Policy for Elected Members.
This Council resolves to refer this matter to the Governance and Audit Committee and requests that consideration is given to the establishment of a working group to consider the establishment of a Parental Leave Policy for Elected Members and where necessary to convene an Independent Remuneration Panel to consider proposals which relate to Member allowances.
I so move
Cllr Giles McNeill”
Motion 2
“Chairman
Council notes:
• that the impacts of climate change are a cause of serious environmental issues both locally and around the world
• that the ‘Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C’, published by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in October 2018
(a) describes the enormous harm that a 2°C average rise in global temperatures is likely to cause compared with a 1.5°C rise, and
(b) Confirms that limiting Global Warming to 1.5°C may still be possible with ambitious action from national and sub-national authorities, civil society and the private sector
• that policies to reduce environmental damage caused by human activity can also have associated health, wellbeing and economic benefits
Council resolves to:
• Make the Council’s activities net-zero carbon by 2050, in line with the UK Government’s target
• to ask the Prosperous Communities Committee to Develop a new strategy on sustainability, climate change, and the environment for the Council, with an initial outline being present to the next Annual Council, looking toward achieving the above target.
Such a strategy will also consider:
o Achieving 100% clean energy across the Council’s full range of functions by 2040;
o How to ensure that all strategic decisions, budgets and approaches to planning decisions are in line with a shift to zero carbon by 2050, working to ensure that the Central Lincolnshire Local Plan review embraces this approach;
o How to support and work with all other relevant agencies towards making the entire area zero carbon within the same timescale;
o Suggestions for budget actions and a measured baseline;
o How the Prosperous Communities Committee can consider the impact of climate change and the environment when reviewing Council policies and strategies;
o Any available research (that is expected to be forthcoming) from APSE relevant to this work
o Report on the level of investment in the fossil fuel industry that our pensions plan has.
o Ensure that all reports in preparation for the 2021/22 budget cycle and investment strategy will take into account the actions the council will take to address this agenda;
o Call on the UK Government to provide the powers, resources and helpwith funding to make this possible, and ask local MPs to do likewise
We so move
Cllr. Giles McNeill | Leader of the Council
Cllr Trevor Young | Leader of the Opposition”
Motion 3
“Chairman.
We all understand how important it is to make the right decision in our council and especially in the planning system. When judging whether an application can be approved or not we have a duty to appreciate we are dealing with people’s lives and lively hoods. Encouraging prospective applicants to apply for a permission in pre-app consultation, only to have the application to be immediately knocked back / refused. Refusing to allow requests from councillors to have an application appear before a committee when there is a genuine case of misinterpretation of the Central Lincolnshire Local Plan / an inability to appreciate how the plan was written in such a way to allow flexibility in interpretation to encourage debate in the process. Taking into consideration elements of Harm versus Benefits. A proven need versus the environment, infrastructure and the community.
The plan begins by stating, Quote:
In West Lindsey the council has a captive audience, in other words if someone wants to build they can only acquire permission from West Lindsey! If we were a company in the private sector then that company would have been bankrupt long ago due to applicants going elsewhere for this service.
This all beggars belief for recently I have spoken to three local MP’s and councillors from neighbouring authorities who all think our system is archaic and grossly unfair to our electorate / applicants by freezing out the obligations of the planning committee and applying a system which is far from fair or transparent.
If applicants received appropriate refusal notices and an opportunity to converse with an officer the applicant would hopefully have a better understanding of why their application was refused and go away a little less aggrieved.
Residents and developers continue to lose confidence in our system.
Mr Chairman
I propose the planning system / decision making process adopted by West Lindsey receives some scrutiny by members of the council to look for ways of making our handling of applications more acceptable to the district’s residents and bring back their findings with recommendations to this chamber.
Can I also request a vote is taken tonight to gauge the level of support for my motion as I do not want to waste councils time if my motion has no support?
I so move.
Cllr. J J. Summers”
Minutes:
Councillor Giles McNeill submitted the following Motion: -
“Chairman
The Council notes that West Lindsey District Council does not currently have a formalised policy related to Parental Leave for elected Members. At present there is no legal right to Parental Leave for those elected to public office.
It is proposed that this Council should adopt a Parental Leave Policy for Elected Members.
This Council resolves to refer this matter to the Governance and Audit Committee and requests that consideration is given to the establishment of a working group to consider the establishment of a Parental Leave Policy for Elected Members and where necessary to convene an Independent Remuneration Panel to consider proposals which relate to Member allowances.
I so move
Cllr Giles McNeill”
Under Procedure Rule 10.4, it was suggested the matter be referred without debate
The motion was seconded and a Member indicated he would like to comment before referral. It was questioned why such a provision was required when the constitution and law already allowed for periods of leave, if required.
In response the Chairman of the Governance Audit Committee advised that he was more than happy to look at any new proposals.
Having being moved and seconded it was RESOLVED that: -
the matter be referred to the Governance and Audit Committee for consideration.
Councillors Giles McNeill and Trevor Young submitted the following motion
“Chairman
Council notes:
• that the impacts of climate change are a cause of serious environmental issues both locally and around the world
• that the ‘Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C’, published by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in October 2018
(a) describes the enormous harm that a 2°C average rise in global temperatures is likely to cause compared with a 1.5°C rise, and
(b) Confirms that limiting Global Warming to 1.5°C may still be possible with ambitious action from national and sub-national authorities, civil society and the private sector
• that policies to reduce environmental damage caused by human activity can also have associated health, wellbeing and economic benefits
Council resolves to:
• Make the Council’s activities net-zero carbon by 2050, in line with the UK Government’s target
• to ask the Prosperous Communities Committee to Develop a new strategy on sustainability, climate change, and the environment for the Council, with an initial outline being presented to the next Annual Council, looking toward achieving the above target.
Such a strategy will also consider:
o Achieving 100% clean energy across the Council’s full range of functions by 2040;
o How to ensure that all strategic decisions, budgets and approaches to planning decisions are in line with a shift to zero carbon by 2050, working to ensure that the Central Lincolnshire Local Plan review embraces this approach;
o How to support and work with all other relevant agencies towards making the entire area zero carbon within the same timescale;
o Suggestions for budget actions and a measured baseline;
o How the Prosperous Communities Committee can consider the impact of climate change and the environment when reviewing Council policies and strategies;
o Any available research (that is expected to be forthcoming) from APSE relevant to this work
o Report on the level of investment in the fossil fuel industry that our pensions plan has.
o Ensure that all reports in preparation for the 2021/22 budget cycle and investment strategy will take into account the actions the council will take to address this agenda;
o Call on the UK Government to provide the powers, resources and help with funding to make this possible, and ask local MPs to do likewise
We so move
Cllr. Giles McNeill | Leader of the Council
Cllr Trevor Young | Leader of the Opposition”
Councillor Rollings seconded the motion and spoke in support of it principles. However she urged that any Strategy developed should not simply sit on a shelf, nor should it contain vague aspirations. She urged that a working Group be established to spearhead the work and get some early decisions made. She considered the Council needed to start tackling some of the harder aspects of climate change, focussing on homes, the planning system and future development to ensure they were sustainable. She urged all Members to engage and consider ways in which they could contribute to improving the crisis situation. Working closely residents was also considered important.
Several Members spoke in support of the motion, the need to start making changes and the desire of residents to engage. Simple changes could result in great impact for example reducing waste, particularly food waste. It was acknowledged changing our fundamentals and thoughts would make the difference.
Some suggested there needed to be a national policy regarding tree planting. Innovative design and technology needed to be applied to house building. The use of solar tiles for example, an additional investment of about £3,000 per house, however the impact district wide, nationally even, would be immense. It would assist in reducing fuel poverty. The need to invest in public transport to enable greener lifestyles was also essential, people were often left with little choice, particularly in rural communities. The Council had an enabling role.
The Executive Director of Economic and Commercial Growth addressed Council and outlined some of the Council’s work to-date and actions already implemented to deliver carbon emission reduction
Waste
As membersoftheLincolnshireWastePartnership(LWP)West Lindsey Officers had helpeddevelop Lincolnshire’sJoint MunicipalWaste ManagementStrategy(JMWMS) whichwas adoptedby all Lincolnshire Districts and LCC earlier thisyear.
Protecting the environment was at the heart of the LWP'svision:To seekthe bestenvironmentaloption toprovideinnovative,customerfriendly waste management solutions that give value for money to Lincolnshire.
All 10 objectives were aimed at helping the LWP to protect the environment, for example:
- To explore new opportunities of promoting waste minimisation and of using all waste as a resource in accordance with the waste hierarchy.
- To contribute to the UK recycling targets of 50% by 2020 and 55% by 2025.
- Tofind themost appropriateways tomeasureour environmentalperformance,and set appropriate targets.
- To seek to reduce our carbon footprint.
Things that were specific to West Lindsey included:
- Plans would shortly be submitted for a new depot which should reduce our carbon footprint by improving round efficienciesand decreasing mileage.
- Two energy inefficient depots would be replaced with one more efficient building;
- All lorries were now Euro 6 emission standard (the highest available) with collection round reviews and driver behaviour training designed to reduce fuel usage and emissions
- Recycling Communications were delivered to all households, and talks delivered to community groups / schools etc to encourage behaviour change.
Procurement
Procurement embraces throughout its procurement processes the themes contained within theSocialValue Act2012,whereapplicable. Amongstitsmany themesisprotectingand improving our environment, a key outcome of this theme is that ‘climate impacts’ are reduced.
A suppliers approach to local supply chains, transportation, use of energy, use of and commitment to renewable energy sources were all factors taken account of during evaluation.
Procurement Lincolnshire had appointed a Social Value Champion and he is in the process of drawing up guidance for all Officers, which will include various topics including climate change impact, for use by the districts in the New Year.
Key targets from the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Report (2018/2019).
A newCarbon MeasurementPlan 2016to 2021was approvedin July2016 byProsperousCommunities Committee and Corporate Policy and Resources Committee: the plan includes a new 5 year target to reduce ourCO2emissionsby afurther 17%sothe total plannedreductionwillbe 35%fromour baseline year of 2008/9.
This year, the Council’s CO2 emissions decreased by 126.41t to 1,346.59t. This represents good progress towardsWLDC achievingits targetemissionslevel of1,323t ofCO2by 2021.There isa remainder of 23.59t to reach the targeted goal.
Whilstit wasfully recognisedthat austerityand budgetcutshave hinderedtheability oflocalauthorities to acton ClimateChange interventions,therewas stilla lottheycould reasonably doorcontribute to within their particular constraints.
Strategically, the Council was currently working with the GLLEP and other participating authorities in developing a Local Industrial Strategy that will aim to address issues affecting low productivityand socio-economicinequalities whilstsetting cleardefinedprioritieson how localgeographicalareas(andtheir communities)can exploittheirstrengthsandopportunities in order to realise their potential.
Thiswas beingachievedbyusinga Placebasedapproachinformed byrobusteconomicevidence and analysis from each Greater Lincolnshire’s economic area which takes into account their spatialand geographical characteristics, economicprofile, performanceanddemographics.
The Climatechange
agenda,alongside theimpactof theFourthIndustrialRevolution, globalisationand
demographicchanges, were
verymuch embeddedin theway theLIS was intending to future proof our economy and improve the living standards
of theGL
communities.
TheCouncil wasa keypartnerand collaboratedalready innumber ofinitiativeswith other stakeholders and Local Authorities in driving forward the green agenda. It has been involved incontributing towardstheproductionofa UtilitiesStudiesled byLCC whichlooked atbarriers forfuturehousingand employmentgrowthinrelationto utilitiesandinfrastructureprovision.
Asa member of
theRural ServicesNetworkthe Councilwas fullyengaged inany debatesand aspects of
rurality and sustainability. In addition to the above, the Growth Team was also exploring the
opportunityto
developa
morelocalisedRuralPathfinderProjectwith associatedStrategyand Toolkit that would help assess current economic, societal and environmental
challenges/barrierson mobilityin ruralplaces andprovide
technicaland
non-technicaloptions that would make those
places more resilient.
The Council’sEconomicGrowth StrategyReviewwould involve
increased adaptabilityof the Strategy to the environmental challenges and climate
change pressureswith a
vision“to putdevelopment ofa lowcarbon economy atthe heartofthe council’slocaleconomicplan.
The LocalPlan reviewwas being used as an opportunity tobalance growth targetswith theclimate change agenda.
There was a Green Infrastructure Programme being developed in Gainsborough, linked to social inclusion and lifestyles.
Further debate ensued with more Members speaking in support of the motion and the need for change. Any Strategy developed needed to be encompassing yet focussed. Some Members across the Chamber also spoke of the need to focus on things and aspects the Council could change.
Some spoke of the need to be mindful as to not jump to solutions, quoting examples of misdirection. Electric cars - all the rage now but nickel-hydride batteries used in the build were created in a number of heavy polluting processes like nickel mining, not to mention the human cost. The battery construction process, the shipping all over the world, adding additional pollutants.
Wind Power, the country was already facing blackouts because wind power was unreliable so what would happen when there was a long-term outage? Whilst no-one wanted to return to the dark ages and give up modern amenities some Councillors urged the Council to focus on aspects that would really make a difference in the world and for our residents and avoid the more hysterical aspects of climate change.
Tackling waste was critical whether it food waste, energy waste, clothing waste, over-use of technology, tv, smartphones, ipads, all of which were contributing to an unhealthy lifestyle and a poorer society.
Some considered combating waste was a more efficient way of real engagement for our residents. It would mean people could make a real difference to the here and now and at the same time improve their fitness and health as well as keeping money in their pockets.
Ensuring that the residents of West Lindsey were more circumspect in their dealings with material goods, turning down the heating a notch, eating fresh food, steering clear of clothing fashions, walking or cycling to school or work where possible - these were all things which would not only help the environment but also household costs.
Members commented on the work the Council had already undertaken, including being one of the first authorities in Lincolnshire to go paperless, removing printing and posting.
All were supportive of creating a working group and concurred that the Council had a moral responsibility to develop deliverable and achievable targets. The need to lobby was paramount and it was considered the nudging effect was the most effective. Environmentally friendly products needed to be more competitively priced.
In responding to comments, the Leader of the Council endeavoured to lobby at every opportunity, and considered this a key role. Whilst 2050 was not overly pleasing to some activists setting achievable, realistic dates and continuous momentum in the right direction was important.
Following much debate it was RESOLVED that the motion as submitted be accepted.
Councillor Jeff Summers submitted the following motion: -
“Chairman.
We all understand how important it is to make the right decision in our council and especially in the planning system. When judging whether an application can be approved or not we have a duty to appreciate we are dealing with people’s lives and livelihoods. Encouraging prospective applicants to apply for a permission in pre-app consultation, only to have the application to be immediately knocked back / refused. Refusing to allow requests from councillors to have an application appear before a committee when there is a genuine case of misinterpretation of the Central Lincolnshire Local Plan / an inability to appreciate how the plan was written in such a way to allow flexibility in interpretation to encourage debate in the process. Taking into consideration elements of Harm versus Benefits. A proven need versus the environment, infrastructure and the community.
The plan begins by stating, Quote:
In West Lindsey the council has a captive audience, in other words if someone wants to build they can only acquire permission from West Lindsey! If we were a company in the private sector then that company would have been bankrupt long ago due to applicants going elsewhere for this service.
This all beggars belief for recently I have spoken to three local MP’s and councillors from neighbouring authorities who all think our system is archaic and grossly unfair to our electorate / applicants by freezing out the obligations of the planning committee and applying a system which is far from fair or transparent.
If applicants received appropriate refusal notices and an opportunity to converse with an officer the applicant would hopefully have a better understanding of why their application was refused and go away a little less aggrieved.
Residents and developers continue to lose confidence in our system.
Mr Chairman
I propose the planning system / decision making process adopted by West Lindsey receives some scrutiny by members of the council to look for ways of making our handling of applications more acceptable to the district’s residents and bring back their findings with recommendations to this chamber.
Can I also request a vote is taken tonight to gauge the level of support for my motion as I do not want to waste councils time if my motion has no support?
I so move.
Cllr. J J. Summers”
Several Members spoke to the Motion advising that a great deal of work on this matter had already been undertaken. The former Chairman of the Governance and Audit Committee had commissioned an in-depth audit into the service and any potential problems had been teased out and significant changes made. Some Members therefore considered that this matter had already been scrutinised in depth.
The Vice-Chairman of Planning spoke, advising there would always be “winners and losers” in such a process. Having reviewed the stats, in light of confidence in system concerns, he advised the following: -
* Latest customer satisfaction surveys recorded a score of 72.34 satisfaction with over 53% awarding the service 5 stars.
* 84 compliments had been received to date, planning and development being the most complimented service for the first period and only second to customer service overall.
* Only 10 complaints had been received since April, only one of which had been partially upheld.
Therefore he considered the confidence comment, unfounded and unfair.
Chairman of the Planning Committee also spoke and expressed concern at some of the statements made in the motion, quoting further statistics to demonstrate that West Lindsey was well above the average, in respect of how the Government measured the quality of decision making.
Concern was also expressed regarding the implication that Officers did not engage with the public. He considered if this truly was the case, lots of appeals would go against the Authority and costs awarded. The Council currently had an excellent record in this respect.
Reference to the role and availability of the duty planner was also raised, there would always be occasions when applications were knocked back as they simply did not fit policy. Since April the Authority had refused only 1 application that had followed pre-application advice, the advice being that the application would likely be un-supported.
The Chairman of the Governance and Audit Committee indicated he would be happy to scrutinise the process, whether this be through some work on the internal audit plan or other means, if the Council were supportive of the motion.
Others commented that the planning service was run within a national legislation framework, therefore West Lindsey was implementing the same service under the same law as other local authorities across England. Local policies were readily and easily available. The introduction of a new senior Officer was welcome.
Other Councillors indicated that they had had similar experiences and welcomed the motion speaking in support of it. Some Councillors felt it was difficult to get matters considered by Committee and referring to planning policies seemed excessive, particularly if you were not a planning professional. It was believed that other authorities did not make this a requirement of their elected Members and committee referrals were much easier particularly where there was large amount of public concern.
Having been moved and seconded, on being put to the vote it was RESOLVED that the motion be accepted.