Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors M G Allan, A G Hagues and C R Oxby.

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

RESOLVED

            That the minutes of the meeting held on 15 May 2015 be signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

A report by the Chief Executive had been circulated.

Members noted the election of Mr Mark Whittington to the Grantham Barrowby division.

(a)  Petition in relation to the parking of motor vehicles on the grass verge alongside Furlong Road in Sutton on Sea, Lincolnshire

In accordance with the Council's Petition Scheme, Mr John Lemon spoke for not more than five minutes in explanation of the petition in relation to the parking of motor vehicles on the grass verge alongside Furlong Road in Sutton on Sea, Lincolnshire.

It was reported that the Chief Executive had determined that the petition be referred to the Executive Councillor for Highways, Transport and IT.

(b)  Petition in relation to the parking of motor vehicles in Rectory Lane, Barrowby

In accordance with the Council's Petition Scheme, Councillor M A Whittington spoke for not more than five minutes on behalf of the residents of Barrowby in explanation of the petition in relation to the parking of motor vehicles in Rectory Lane, Barrowby.

It was reported that the Chief Executive had determined that the petition be referred to the Executive Councillor for Highways, Transport and IT.

The Chairman welcomed councillors back following the summer recess.

The Chairman reported that civic engagements since the last Council meeting had been varied and gave him the opportunity to continue visiting places within Lincolnshire and some further afield. 

The Chairman's Lady was thanked for supporting the Chairman on these engagements and also the Vice-Chairman and Lady, Councillor Martin Trollope-Bellew and District Councillor Rosemary Woolley, for providing representations at civic functions when the Chairman had been unable to attend.

It had been an honour to welcome Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal to the County in June when she officially opened the David P J Ross Magna Carta Vault which marked the completion of the Lincoln Castle Revealed project.  In addition HRH attended a service in Lincoln Cathedral and visited Boston Stump.

The Chairman was also pleased to welcome a second Royal visitor to the County in July when HRH The Duke of Gloucester KG GCVO officially opened the new offices and plant at Woldgrain Storage in Hemswell before officially opening Lincolnshire's Great Exhibition at the Collection in Lincoln.

He was honoured to have attended the the presentation of Ushakov Medals by the Russian Defence and Naval Attaché to Lincolnshire Veteran who were awarded these hoours for their personal courage and bravery displayed during their service in the Arctic Convoys in WWII.

The Chairman was pleased to report that this year's Lincolnshire Show had been a huge success with the County Council stand winning the Constance Eastwood Challenge Cup for the Best Trade Stand (Non-Agricultural Category).

He was also pleased to host the Annual Lincolnshire County Council Service of Dedication held in Lincoln Cathedral.  The Service was followed by a reception in the Chapter House and Cloisters which the chairman and Lady thoroughly enjoyed as it gave them the opportunity to circulate amongst the invited guests.  It had been an honour to have the Lincolnshire Youth Symphony Orchestra performing at the Service and it had been a day which would be remembered with pride.

The Chairman advised that the Environment Agency had a display in connection with proposals for the management of the Black Sluice Drain and Pumping Station in the Members' Foyer and invited members to visit the display and share their views on the proposals.

The Chairman also reported that Lincolnshire's Chief Fire Officer, Dave Ramscar, had announced that he would be retiring at the end of November.  The Chairman and Councillors wished him all the best for a long and happy retirement.

The Chairman advised that a complete itinerary of civic engagements, since the last meeting of this Council, was available from the Civic Officer on request.

Statements by the Leader and Members of the Executive had been circulated with the agenda.

Councillors were advised that an additional statement by Councillor P A Robinson had been circulated in relation to the refugee situation, which read as follows:

"Chairman, colleagues

I have been asked by Cllr Martin Hill to provide a statement on the Syrian refugee situation as it may affect Lincoln.

As the Chairman of the east midlands Councils Strategic Migration Board, I attended a meeting last Thursday at the Local Government Association with the Home Office to learn the Government's position on the Syrian situation as it seems likely to affect local authorities.

Cllr Marianne Overton was also present as Vice-Chairman of the LGA.

From a Lincolnshire standpoint the main points made were;

·         The UK is prepared to provide refuge for Syrians who are currently in camps in the Middle East, where the UK is the major provider of support.  UK did not anticipate large numbers of refugees arriving on our borders as is currently the case in Europe.

·         As far as Lincolnshire is concerned, the Home Office representative said that out county could be expected to accept around 200 refugees.  To be frank, I do not recall him giving a timescale for the arrival of these refugees – but I have since been told that that this may be over a period of 5 years.

·         The funding of the 200 refugees would be met by central government for the first 12 months of each individual's arrival, thereafter, costs would have to be met by local authorities.  Unaccompanied children would be maintained by local authorities until 18, and under questioning it emerged that this could cost up to £50k for each child.

·         Finally, I believe that the situation remains fluid – but there is no doubt that Lincolnshire will have a part to play."

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

A report by the Chief Executive had been circulated.

It was moved, seconded and

RESOLVED

1.    That the Council note the potential from having unitary status.

2.    That in view of central governments lack of appetite for driving the unitary option for two tier councils the Council would not pursue this option for the term of the current parliament.

3.    That the Council supports a joint case being put to central government in support of the devolution of powers.

A report by the Chief executive had been circulated.

It was moved, seconded and

RESOLVED

            That the Council endorse the expression of interest to Government in negotiating devolved powers from Central Government as indicated in the document "Greater Lincolnshire: A Place to Grow……….faster than anywhere" as appended to agenda item 10.0.

A report by the Monitoring Officer had been circulated.

It was moved, seconded and

RESOLVED

            That Council approve the amendments to the Council's Constitution as detailed at Appendix A to the report.

A report by the County Property Officer had been circulated.

It was moved, seconded and

RESOLVED

            That Council receive the report.

A report by the Executive Director Finance and Public Protection had been circulated.

It was moved, and seconded

That the County Council:

1.    Note the carry forwards set out in paragraph 1.2 and 1.3  of the report, which were made in line with the Council's Financial regulations, and approve the Adult Care underspend up to 1% which was not to be carried forward as part of the Adult Care budget but was added to the underspends above 1% for the purposes of recommendation 2 below.

2.    Approve the proposed carry forwards of over and underspending in excess of 1% as set out in paragraph 1.4 of the report.

3.    Note the transfers to and from reserves summarised in Table A of the report and the position of earmarked reserves as at 31 March 2015 summarised in Table B of the report.

4.    Note the position in relation to general reserves set out in paragraph 1.8 and Table C of the report.

5.    Note performance against the Prudential Indicators for 2014/15 as set out in paragraphs 1.9 and 1.10 and Table D of the report.

Notice of one amendment was received.

An amendment was moved and seconded by the Labour Group as follows:

Recommendation 3

After Table A of this report add 'as amended'

After Table B of this report add 'as amended'

Paragraph 1.4

Point 1 amend £12.415m to £10.415m

Create point 3 to read 'Create an earmarked reserve of £2m to meet in-year budget pressures in relation to social welfare needs'

Amend Table A to include under Other Earmarked Reserves - Social welfare needs -£2,000,000 and a reduction to the Financial Volatility Reserve - £9,372,195

Amend Table B to include under Earmarked Reserves - Social welfare needs -£2,000,000 and a reduction to the Financial Volatility reserve £29,632,000

And amend totals in each Table accordingly

Upon being put to the vote, the amendment was lost.

A vote was then taken on the original motion, and upon being put to the vote it was

RESOLVED

1.    That the carry forwards set out in paragraph 1.2 and 1.3 of the report, which were made in line with the Council's Financial regulations be noted and the Adult Care underspend up to 1% which was not to be carried forward as part of the Adult Care budget but was added to the underspends above 1% for the purposes of recommendation 2 below be approved.

2.    That the proposed carry forwards of over and underspending in excess of 1% as set out in paragraph 1.4 of the report be approved.

3.    That the transfers to and from reserves summarised in Table A of the report and the position of earmarked reserves as at 31 March 2015 summarised in Table B of the report be noted.

4.    That the position in relation to general reserves set out in paragraph 1.8 and Table C of the report be noted.

5.    That performance against the Prudential Indicators for 2014/15 as set out in paragraphs 1.9 and 1.10 and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 34.

Motion by Councillor J D Hough

It was moved, and seconded that

"We, as people of Lincolnshire, cannot ignore the plight of refugees across Europe and the Middle East or leave the situation for others to deal with.

The generous offers of help from individuals, community organisations, churches and others in Lincolnshire show the strength of the desire in our communities to help provide accommodation, food and places of safety for refugees who have been displaced by war.

None of this ignores the fact that we still have our own challenges of homelessness, lack of affordable housing, poverty and many other issues here at home which we must continue to tackle.

However Lincolnshire with its population of 731,500 people has the capacity and strength to not only deal with its own problems but also to play its part in providing a safe haven for refugees in this emergency.

The County Council has a long experience of looking after unaccompanied children who are asylum seekers. Last week we had 60 such children and young people being looked after or otherwise supported by our Leaving Care Service.

We can build on this experience and, with the work done by the community, we are in a strong position to provide further help now that it is needed. While cost is an issue and clearly financial help will be needed, we cannot just sit and wait.

Help is needed now and the County Council must provide a welcome for refugees and leadership in coordinating such help across the county.

It is therefore proposed that:

The Council recommends that the executive on behalf of all councillors says publicly and to Government that we as a Council welcome refugees to Lincolnshire alongside the wider Lincolnshire community and will play our part in providing a safe haven for them."

Notice of two amendments to this motion had been received, and it was agreed that both amendments would be heard and then one debate would take place on the motion and both amendments before being put to the vote.

An amendment (i) by Councillor C E D Mair was moved and seconded as follows:

"We, as people of Lincolnshire, cannot ignore the plight of refugees across Europe and the Middle East or leave the situation for others to deal with.

The generous offers of help from individuals, community organisations, churches and others in Lincolnshire show the strength of the desire in our communities to help provide accommodation, food and places of safety for refugees who have been displaced by war.

None of this ignores the fact that we still have our own challenges of homelessness, lack of affordable housing, poverty and many other issues here at home which we must continue to tackle.

However Lincolnshire with its population of 731,500 people has the capacity and strength to not only deal with its own problems but also to place its part in providing a safe haven for refugees in this emergency.

The County Council has a long  ...  view the full minutes text for item 35.