Agenda and minutes

On the nomination of Councillor M J Hill OBE, seconded by Councillor Mrs P A Bradwell, and being no other nominations, it was

RESOLVED

          That Councillor R Wootten be elected as Chairman of the County Council for the year 2013/14.

Councillor Wootten signed the declaration of acceptance of office, was invested with the Chain of Office by the immediate past Chairman, took the Chair and thanked the Council for electing him.

COUNCILLOR R WOOTTEN IN THE CHAIR

CHAIRMAN'S LADY

Councillor Mrs L Wootten was invested with the Chairman's Lady's Chain of Office.

IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIRMAN

The Chairman presented a past Chairman's Badge to Mr R J Palmer.  Members of the County Council paid tribute to Mr Palmer's service to the County Council.

On the nomination of Councillor M J Hill OBE, seconded by Councillor Mrs P A Bradwell, and there being no other nominations, it was

RESOLVED

          That Councillor W J Aron be elected Vice-Chairman of the County Council for the year 2013/14.

Councillor Aron signed the declaration of acceptance of office, was invested with the Vice-Chairman's Chain of Office and thanked the Council for electing him.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor J R Hicks.

There were no declarations of interests at this point in the meeting.

RESOLVED

          That the minutes of the meeting of the County Council held on 12 April 2013 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

The Council received the return of persons elected on 2 May 2013 as County Councillors for the several Electoral Divisions of the County.

The Chairman informed the Council that the Canon Alex Whitehead had kindly agreed to act as Chaplain during his term of office.

Members of the Council were reminded that this year's Lincolnshire Show would be held at the Lincolnshire Showground on Wednesday 19 and Thursday 20 June 2013 and that the County Service of Dedication would be held in Lincoln Cathedral on Sunday, 14 July 2013 commencing at 3.30 p.m.

On the nomination of Councillor Mrs P A Bradwell, seconded by Councillor Mrs C A Talbot, and there being no other nominations, it was

RESOLVED

            That Councillor M J Hill OBE be elected Leader of the County Council until the day of the next post-election annual meeting or such earlier date in accordance with Article 5.03 of the constitution.

Councillor M J Hill OBE indicated his acceptance of office as Leader of the County Council.

In accordance with Article 5.02 of the Council's Constitution the Leader notified the Council of the following appointments to the Executive and indicated that for the purposes of Part 3 (Responsibilities for Functions) the responsibilities of each Executive Councillor.  The Leader also notified the Council of the Executive Support Councillors he had appointed in accordance with Article 5.07, as set out in Appendix A to these minutes.

Councillor P A Robinson reminded the Council that Exercise Georgiana was taking place on 21 and 22 May, and that all Councillors had been invited to this event.  It was recommended that as many councillors as possible should take the opportunity to attend this event.  Councillors were requested to inform Emergency Planning if they were planning to attend.

Questions pursuant to Council Procedure Rule 10.3 were asked and answered as follows:-

A report by the Executive Director Performance and Governance had been circulated.

It was moved, seconded and

RESOLVED

That the amendments to Article 6 of the Constitution as set out in Appendix C of the report be approved, save for those relating to Economic Scrutiny Committee and those services under the "culture" heading which should rest with the Community and Public Safety Scrutiny Committee

A report by the Executive Director Performance and Governance had been circulated.

It was moved, seconded, and

RESOLVED

1.    That the allocation of seats on committees, sub-committees and other bodies between political groups, as set out in the appendix to the Order of Proceedings be approved;

2.    That the making of appointments to committees, sub-committees and those other bodies be carried out by the Chief Executive, in accordance with the wishes of Group Leaders, Deputy Group Leaders and Group Whips, pursuant to his delegated powers, be approved.

A report by the Executive Director Performance and Governance had been circulated.

It was moved, seconded and

RESOLVED

          That the appointment of Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen of Committees and Sub-Committees be considered and approved.

A report by the Executive Director Performance and Governance had been circulated.

It was noted that the Lincolnshire Independents had appointed Councillor S L W Palmer to the Lincolnshire Wolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Member Joint Advisory Committee.

It was moved, seconded, and

RESOLVED

          That the Council appoint to the organisations as detailed in Appendix A of the report.

A report by the Executive Director Performance and Governance had been circulated.

It was moved, seconded, and

RESOLVED

          That the calendar of meeting dates for 2013/14, as shown in Appendix A of the report, be approved, with the addition of a full Council meeting on Friday, 12 July 2013 commencing at 10.30am.

A report by the Executive Director Performance and Governance had been circulated.

It was moved, seconded, and

RESOLVED

          That the Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report for 2012-13 be approved.

RESOLVED

          That the minutes of the Planning and Regulation Committee held on 8 April 2013 be received.

RESOLVED

       That the minutes of the Pensions Committee held on 11 April 2013 be received.

RESOLVED

That the minutes of the Audit Committee held on 22 April 2013 be received.

Motion by Councillor R B Parker

It was moved, and seconded that:-

'On 9 March 2007 Lincolnshire County Council meeting in Full Council resolved unanimously the motion set out below:

'That this Council condemns extremism and racist behaviour in all its forms and asks all Group Leaders to sign the following declaration, as community leaders:

LINCOLNSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL DECLARATION

We, in Lincolnshire, are proud of our diverse and multi-racial heritage, which we regard as a source of cultural, social and economic strength. We will work vigorously to combat all forms of racism to rid Lincolnshire of racial discrimination and to enshrine the principle that individuality and universality are the foundations of justice and peace.

We declare that:

·         We value the contribution that all communities make to the quality of life in Lincolnshire and recognise ethnic and cultural diversity as a source of cultural, social and economic enrichment.

·         We endorse the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and are opposed to racism in all its forms.

·         We will encourage a changing culture within the public services and the wider community that recognises the unacceptability of all forms of racism and takes action to combat it.

·         We acknowledge that progress towards a more just society may not always be smooth, but as partners we are committed to maintaining dialogue and resolving our differences.

·         We accept that without transparency and openness in the public services, progress towards a successful multi-cultural community will be hampered.

·         We believe that the composition of the public services workforce should reflect that of the wider community, and will work to break down perceptions and barriers that prevent equal access to employment.

·         We believe that all citizens should have the right to expect equal protection and equal treatment from all public services.

·         We believe that children from all backgrounds are entitled to an education free from discrimination and harassment.

·         We understand the essential role of the education system in Lincolnshire in developing the future of our multi-cultural community and commit ourselves to supporting and enhancing this work.

·         We believe that our success will properly be measured not by our policies but by our actions in promoting equality for all the people of Lincolnshire.

·           We call upon the residents of Lincolnshire to support us in this by respecting the dignity of all people and by constant vigilance for any expression of racism or racial discrimination'.

Six years on with a new council in place made up of six political groups rather than four, it is felt that the time is right to renew that declaration.

Accordingly this council agrees to re-affirm the Lincolnshire County Council Declaration of 9th March 2007 which stated that this Council condemns extremism and racist behaviour in all its forms and asks all Group Leaders to sign the declaration, as community leaders.'

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 15(f) a recorded vote took place, the result of which was:

In favour – 60

Against – 0

Abstain – 16

The motion was carried.                                                     

RESOLVED  ...  view the full minutes text for item 20.