Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors B Young (Executive Councillor for Crime Reduction, People Management, Legal) and Mrs A M Newton.

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

The Executive Councillor for Fire and Rescue, Emergency Planning, Trading Standards, Equality and Diversity was pleased to report that he had received an email of thanks from Cumbria Constabulary for the support given by Lincolnshire's Fire and Rescue team to those affected by the floods in the North of England.

The Executive Councillor was also very pleased to report that Long Sutton's Retained Watch Manager had been awarded a British Empire Medal in the New Year's Honours List for his services to Fire and Rescue and to Emergency Medical Care. 

RESOLVED

That the minutes of the meeting held on 1 December 2015 be agreed and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

(To receive a report from the Executive Director of Finance and Public Protection, which invites the Executive to approve the budget proposals described in this report as its preferred option for the purposes of further consultation)

That the Executive:

(1)  agree the budget proposals described in the report as its preferred option for the purposes of further consultation; and

(2)  delegate authority to the Leader to review the Council's participation in a business rates pooling arrangement with six of the Lincolnshire District Council's (Boston Borough; City of Lincoln; East Lindsey; North Kesteven; South Kesteven; and West Lindsey) in light of the Provisional Local Government Settlement and notify the Government by 15 January 2016 in the event the Council no longer wishes to be considered as part of a pool.

Consideration was given to a report from the Executive Director of Finance and Public Protection, which sought approval of the budget proposals for 2016/17, as detailed within the report, as the preferred option for the purposes of further consultation.

The Executive Councillor for Finance and Property introduced the report to the Executive, making specific reference to the early engagement with County Councillors and the budget questionnaire, which had featured in County News.

The County Finance Officer introduced the report to the Executive and in doing so, advised Members that the report described the basis on which the proposals had been developed for the purposes of internal and external consultation.   The report also detailed the Provisional Local Government Finance Settlement and its implications for the Council’s finances. The Executive was also asked to delegate authority to the Leader to review the Council's participation in a business rates pooling arrangement with six of the Lincolnshire District Council's (Boston Borough; City of Lincoln; East Lindsey; North Kesteven, South Kesteven and West Lindsey) in light of the Provisional Local Government Settlement and notify the Government by 15 January 2016 in the event the Council no longer wished to be considered as part of a pool.  

Detailed information was provided as part of a presentation, which covered the followings areas: -

• Background;
• Current Budget Strategy;
• Comprehensive Spending Review / Autumn Statement 2015;
• Provisional Local Authority Finance Settlement;
• Revenue Budget 2016/17;
• Capital Programme 2016/17;
• Council Tax Proposals;
• Budget Consultation.

The report had set out a one-year financial plan for revenue and capital budgets.  It was noted that for the second year running the Council was only able to set a one-year budget.  Members were advised that this was due to the continued significant reduction in government funding, growing cost pressures from demand-led services such as adult and children's social care and the Council's responsibility from 2016/17 to pay staff and contractors the National Living Wage.  The pressures faced by the Council meant that it was not possible, at present, to develop sustainable long-term financial plans beyond the next twelve months.

All areas of service expenditure had been reviewed to identify cost pressures which must be funded and savings which could be made, through efficiencies and by reducing the level of services provided.  The Council remained aware of its high priority areas, but no service had been exempted from helping the Council to deliver its savings target.  The high priority areas included: -

·         Safeguarding children and adults;

·         Maintaining and developing highways and infrastructure;

·         Managing flood risks;

·         Supporting communities to support themselves; and

·         Fire and rescue services.

On an annual basis the County Council had the opportunity to review the level of Council Tax.  It was noted that central government set thresholds, above which a local authority would be required to hold a referendum for council tax increases.  For 2016/17 it was proposed that this threshold would be 2.00%, plus a further 2.00% for authorities with Adult Social Care responsibilities to deal with pressures in this area  ...  view the full minutes text for item 33.

(To receive a report from the Chief Executive, which invites the Executive to approve the carrying out of a governance review)

That the Executive:

(1)  approves the carrying out of a governance review, as described in the report, to commence no sooner than January 2016 such review to be conducted, to the fullest extent envisaged by the Act, as a formal governance review under section 108 of the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009.

(2)  subject to the outcome of any governance review, supports in principle the establishment of a combined authority for the Greater Lincolnshire geography if that is the most effective and efficient means of securing strategic economic (and related) growth.

Consideration was given to a report from the Chief Executive, which updated the Executive on the progress made in the development of the Devolution proposal by the ten local authorities in the Greater Lincolnshire area; presented the latest elements of the devolution proposal; detailed the indicative process for the next stages in the devolution programme; and sought approval for the carrying out of a governance review as the next formal stage of the process and the establishment of a formal joint committee to oversee the development of the governance review.

Members were assured that the approval of the recommendations in the report would not pre-judge the outcome of the governance review.  Any future decisions would come before the County Council and the Executive, as and when required.  

RESOLVED

That the Executive:

(1)   approves the carrying out of a governance review, as described in the report, to commence no sooner than January 2016 such review to be conducted, to the fullest extent envisaged by the Act, as a formal governance review under section 108 of the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009.

(2)   subject to the outcome of any governance review, supports in principle the establishment of a combined authority for the Greater Lincolnshire geography if that is the most effective and efficient means of securing strategic economic (and related) growth.