i) Chairman of Council
ii) Leader of the Council
iii) Head of Paid Service
Minutes:
Chairman
The Chairman addressed the meeting highlighting some of the great events, he had had the pleasure to attend and support, many hosted by West Lindsey, including the “Go Fest” spread over two days and over two sites, Market Rasen and Gainsborough.
The Chairman spoke of how positively the activities had been received in Market Rasen and of his pleasure at seeing many young families from all sections of the community enjoying the activities. Both events had been well attended and the Chairman placed on record his thanks to those Teams involved in producing and staffing the events over weekends.
The Chairman had had the pleasure of attending the Lincolnshire Show on both days and again the level of engagement from local communities and visitors to the area, alike was something to be congratulated. West Lindsey’s marquee was busy throughout both days , with the Step Fusion Robo Dogs proving a real hit once again.
It had been an honour and a privilege for the Chairman to raise the Armed Forces flag outside the Guildhall, the previous Friday. Again engagement had been high and he thanked those Members who had supported him at the event and spoke of the thanks he had received from the veteran community for recognising the day with a formal raising of the flag.
Whilst the Chairman had been unable to attend the Armed Forces Day organised by the town Council the previous week, he took the opportunity to congratulate organisers on what he understood had been a very successful day. West Lindsey’s Armed Forces Member Champion, Councillor Carless was requested to pass on formal congratulations and thanks to the organisers.
The final event which Chairman referenced was the Curley’s Viking Running Event which had taken place on a baking hot day at the Roses Sports Field. The Chairman congratulated those who had got involved despite the extreme heat and he spoke of his hopes that the event would become an annual fixture and go from strength-to-strength.
Leader
The Leader of the Council addressed Council and made the following announcements: -
Scampton
The Leader was pleased to confirm that following the last meeting of Full Council, the Council’s bid, alongside Scampton Holdings, for the purchase of RAF Scampton had been submitted. Thanks and praise were extended to Officers in acknowledgement of the considerable effort. Members would be kept updated as soon as there was any further progress to share. An outcome was expected by the summer Parliamentary recess, with the Home Office targeting completion of the disposal before the end of the calendar year.
Local Government Re-organisation
The Government was still expected to make its announcement regarding Local Government Reorganisation in Lincolnshire during week commencing 13 July.
Local Council’s Network
Both the Leader and Deputy alongside Senior Officers had attended the regional meeting of the Local Councils Network, where information about LGR processes was shared by organisations who had already undergone the process. The Leader had taken confidence that West Lindsey was well placed to deal with the upcoming demands.
Great Town Award
The Judging Panel of the Academy of Urbanism, had visited Gainsborough, which was shortlisted for the “Great Town” Award and the Leader had the pleasure of speaking with the Panel. Again, the work of Officers, in showing the incredible work being done by this council to enhance residents’, experience was praised. The outcome was expected later in the year.
Other matters of mention included the Leader having attended meetings regarding the STEP Fusion project, a Government funded initiative intended to enable development of new sustainable power, with Members urged to familiarise themselves with the concept of fusion; attending meetings with Lincolnshire Police to work on the Safer Gainsborough Programme; and attending meetings of the District Joint Committee, and the Greater Lincolnshire Combined Council Authority meetings.
Finally the Leader applauded those who had organised the Council’s marquee at the Lincolnshire Show, which had been very well attended and had been an inclusive, family and disability friendly experience, which was most welcome.
Chief Executive and Head of Paid Service
The Chief Executive, addressed the Chamber and spoke in greater detail regarding the Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) process. Members were reminded of previous decisions taken by Council at their Extraordinary meeting on 16th of March, which had included delegating authority to the Leader of the Council and the Chief Executive to write to the Government with regards to LGR, expanding on a number of points, including to request the opportunity to meet with ministers to discuss the concerns prior to any decision being made.
Members were advised that a response had been received from Alison McGovern, the Minister for Local Government and English Devolution, advising that she had asked MHCLG civil servants to engage with the council.
Since the last Full Council meeting, the Chief Executive was pleased to advise that a meeting had been held with MHCLG on the 18 May to discuss the Council's views on LGR as set out in response to the consultation, this had been followed up with a visit by them, to the District on the 16 June. MHCLG had confirmed that the council's representations would be included in their advice to the Minister to inform any decision.
It was considered a positive step, that whilst the council did not submit or support a proposal for local reorganisation, it had secured the same opportunity for making representations as those councils who did submit proposals.
As referred to by the Leader a decision on all local government reorganisation
tranche three areas, which included Greater Lincolnshire, was expected in July prior to the Parliamentary recess.
Also, since the last meeting of Full Council, a letter was received seeking views
on the Structural Changes Order (SCO) which was a key statutory instrument that would give legal effect to local government reorganisation. It would dissolve existing councils, establish new unitary authorities and dictated the legal framework for the transition process and elections.
A copy of that letter had been shared with all Members along with confirmation that a response was submitted within the deadline set.
In concluding announcements, the Chief Executive concurred with the Leader’s comments regarding the really positive work being undertaken by Officers of the council, making specific reference to the first public sector challenge in Lincolnshire having taken place on 13 June and which had entailed around 100 public sector workers in Greater Lincolnshire walking 27 miles across the Lincolnshire Wolds.
Finally the Chief Executive placed on record his thanks to all employees, particularly the frontline workers and not limited to the waste, recycling and street cleansing teams and those at the crematorium who did a fantastic job the previous week to deliver services across the district despite the extreme hot weather.
The sentiments were echoed by the Chairman.