i) Chairman of Council
ii) Leader of the Council
iii) Head of Paid Service
Minutes:
i) Chairman
The Chairman addressed Council and advised that whilst February had been a quieter month for engagements, it had still been a varied and interesting period.
Council noted some of the events the Chairman had had the pleasure of attending including: -
* The High Sheriff of Lincolnshire’s Annual Legal Service at Lincoln Cathedral, which had been a great honour.
* The open evening of “Think2Speak” who were a social enterprise based in new offices in Marshall’s Yard. The evening was to celebrate their achievements in empowering people to be confident communicators.
* A very useful feedback session, which had been held at Gainsborough’s Old Hall and which advised on how Discover Gainsborough had been helping to promote businesses in the town and surrounding areas. It also provided an opportunity to find out about Pilgrim Roots and Mayflower 400.
* As part of the Chairman’s programme of visits to West Lindsey businesses, she had undertaken a very informative tour around the Ping factory in Gainsborough, something the Chairman had been very keen and interested in doing.
* The Old Nick Police Museum had hosted a most enjoyable morning of tours of the newly upgraded premises which had included re-enactments of court cases by local school children.
* Love Market Rasen Race Day had been a most wonderful day out. It not only provided some exciting racing but also promoted local businesses. The local support shown to the event was outstanding.
* Only last week, the Council had held its sixth annual Community Awards ceremony at Hemswell Court. The evening celebrated many well deserved West Lindsey citizens, from volunteer coaches teaching children to swim to a community project restoring a station. The Chairman spoke of how she was particularly proud to present the Chairman’s Special Award to a lovely lady in Scotter who had done so much for the community.
In concluding her announcements the Chairman advised of two up and coming events she would like to draw to Members’ attention: -
Staff and Members had been invited to nominate a Parish Council they considered should receive the Annual Parish Council Shield. It was planned to present this at Annual Council. All Members were encouraged to submit a nomination. Information had been circulated by the Civic Officer. Members requiring further details or nominations forms were requested to liaise with Democratic Services.
There was also an exciting photographic competition that the Chairman encouraged Members to help promote within their wards. Winners of the Hidden Gems competition would have their work displayed at the Lincolnshire Show and visitors to the show would be voting for their ‘People’s Choice’ winner. Full details of the competition were currently being promoted on the District Council website.
Finally the Chairman shared with Members how generous West Lindsey staff had been in donating toiletries and items for one of her charities – Barnardo’s Leaving Care. The Chairman spoke of her passion for the service who looked after young people who when they left care and had to fend for themselves, usually moving into accommodation with very little to call their own. Small boxes of gifts were packed up to suit the person and help them settle in to cope on their own. Images of the donations were circulated around the Chamber.
ii) Leader of the Council
The Leader addressed Council and advised that during the last period he had had the pleasure of attending the District Councils Network (DCN) Conference.
More than 100 of the 201 district councils were represented at the District Councils’ Network’s annual conference recently and a considerable number of cabinet ministers had been in attendance, which had been most encouraging.
A keynote speech had been given by the Communities Secretary, James Brokenshire, as well as appearances from Local Government Minister, Rishi Sunak, and the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Elizabeth Truss.
The biggest round of applause at the Conference was given to the announcement that Shire Counties would not have to have “metro mayors” if they wished to seek devolution. Despite the Secretary of State’s comment that the devolution framework, promised in last year’s election manifesto, would be appearing soon, the latest news suggested that it wouldn’t emerge before June.
There had also been a most useful session from Grant Thornton on the transformation toolkit which they had been commissioned to produce for the DCN and which would be published in May. This would look at a wide range of collaborative measures that district councils had implemented from shared services and the localism agenda, through to more radical steps such as mergers. It would provide a valuable and practical guide to further changes that councils could consider depending on what best met their local circumstances and it certainly did not prescribe a single solution.
Finally one of the best received sessions of the Conference was that given by the Rt Hon Stephen Dorrell, a former Secretary of State for Health, and Duncan Selbie, Chief Executive of Public Health England, when they had spoken powerfully about the important role that District Councils played in health and well-being. This had been a key work stream of the DCN over the last couple of years.
One of the most thought provoking and invigorating presentations of all had been that of the Grimsey review, presented by Bill Grimsey.
The review had looked at how to address the shrinking commercial world of town centres and high streets.
The first recommendation arising from the review was “to establish an empowered organisation or Town Centre Commission under strong, established leadership through the local authority for each town centre, with a defined remit to build a 20-year vision/strategy for their unique place. Ensuring that the vision was underpinned by a comprehensive business/place plan.”
The Leader spoke of his gratification to know that that was exactly what West Lindsey had in its plans going forward.
A presentation given by Barry Wood from Cherwell Council described how they had dealt with the Ministry of Defence in taking on an ex MOD site near Bicester. This was most useful considering the developments at RAF Scampton. The Leader would be meeting with Mr Wood later in the year to learn more.
The Leader further advised that he had attended the Lincoln Transport Strategy meeting. This had been a consultation evening at Lincoln which had provided the Leader with the opportunity to express views from West Lindsey’s perspective and context to future highway provision around Lincoln. This had also included rail and cycle integration.
A Transport Strategy Group for West Lindsey was being established with LCC to better understand and present West Lindsey views on future improvements.
Finally the Leader spoke of the successes achieved by the Market Rasen Race Day, which had also been a most pleasurable day.
iii) Head of Paid Service
The Head of Paid Service addressed Council on behalf of the Management Team during which the following points were made: -
* As Members would be aware, the Pre-Election Period (Purdah) would commence on 12 March 2019, guidance had been issued to all concerned. However the Head of Paid Service wished to draw to Members’ attention that a full induction programme was in place for all new and returning Members immediately following the elections on 2 May. It was emphasised that these sessions were not just for Members who were new to Local Government but for all Members including those returning. The importance of attending was stressed.
Regulatory Committees including Planning and Licensing had requirements that Members kept their training up-to-date and the induction session would be a good opportunity to do this. Furthermore, returning Members would have a wealth of knowledge and experience which could be shared with newer Members at these sessions. Finally the induction offered the opportunity to ensure all Members started the new electoral cycle on the same footing, starting as they meant to go on.
Members were advised that the initial induction dates had been included within candidate briefing packs. Members standing, were encouraged to log the dates within their diaries and ensure they attended.
* The Head of Paid Service had attended a meeting of the LGA Joint Leadership Group. This was a Group of Council’s that operated the joint Chief Executive Model, currently operated by West Lindsey. It was apparent that this model was becoming increasingly popular across the sector with 14 District Council’s now operating it. It was noted that the Council’s which operated this model did so because it provided additional capacity at a senior officer level and helped to save money. West Lindsey’s Executive Director’s would continue to liaise with the Group in order to share and keep up-to-date with best practice.