Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Mrs V C Ayling, Mrs P A Bradwell, S F Kinch, C E H Marfleet, N M Murray and C L Strange.

Councillors wished that the following interests be noted:

Councillor P M Dilks declared that he was a supporter of the Save Deepings Library campaign and Save Lincolnshire Libraries, and also that he was a library user;

Councillor S L W Palmer informed the Council that he no longer had a disclosable pecuniary interest (DPI) in relation to the libraries, as his wife had resigned from her position in her local library;

Councillor R Renshaw declared that he was a supporter of 'Save Lincolnshire Libraries';

Councillor J Renshaw declared that she was a supporter of 'Save Lincolnshire Libraries';

Councillor K J Clarke declared that he was a supporter of 'Save Boultham Library' and 'Save Lincolnshire Libraries';

Councillor J R Marriott declared an interest as a user of library services;

Councillor R B Parker declared an interest as a supporter of 'Save Lincolnshire Libraries';

Councillor C Morgan declared an interest as an active member of the 'Save Lincolnshire Libraries' campaign;

Councillor J D Hough declared an interest as a supporter of 'Save Lincolnshire Libraries';

Councillor N I Jackson declared an interest as a supporter of 'Save Lincolnshire Libraries', particularly Bracebridge library;

Councillor S R Dodds declared an interest as a supporter of 'Save Lincolnshire Libraries';

Councillor R Kirk declared an interest as a supporter of 'Save Lincolnshire Libraries'

RESOLVED

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

In accordance with the Council’s Petition Scheme Ms Patti Marson spoke for not more than three minutes in explanation of the contents of the petition in support of Sutton on Sea Library.

The Chairman reported that the Executive Director Performance and Governance had determined that the petition would be referred to the Executive.

In accordance with the Council’s Petition Scheme Mr Lindsay Cutts spoke for not more than three minutes in explanation of the contents of the petition in support of Boultham Library

The Chairman reported that the Executive Director Performance and Governance had determined that the petition would be referred to the Executive.

In accordance with the Council’s Petition Scheme Ms Judy Stevens spoke for not more than five minutes in explanation of the contents of the petition in support of the Deepings Library.

The Chairman reported that the Executive Director Performance and Governance had determined that the petition would be referred to the Executive.  This petition had gained more than 3,500 signatures, and so in accordance with the County Council's constitution a 15 minute debate took place on the petition.

In accordance with the Council’s Petition Scheme Ms Leah Warriner-Wood spoke for not more than five minutes in explanation of the contents of the petition in support of Save Lincolnshire Libraries.

The Chairman reported that the Executive Director Performance and Governance had determined that the petition would be referred to the Executive.  This gained more than 3,500 signatures and so, in accordance with the Council's Constitution a debate on this petition took place.

The Chairman reminded the Council that the final decision on the library proposals would be made by the Executive.  Councillors were subsequently invited to debate the issues raised as part of the petition.

Two additional motions on libraries had also been submitted and the Chairman determined that these would be debated at the same time as the Save Lincolnshire Libraries petition.

Motion by Councillor J D Hough

It was moved and seconded that:-

'This Council notes the Executive’s plans to reduce the number of libraries operated by the County Council from 44 to 14 and to withdraw 286 mobile library stops, and acknowledges that there is a significant level of public opposition.

Libraries provide knowledge, information, enjoyment, learning, expertise, and the opportunity for all to widen their horizons, pursue their interests, do their homework and benefit from the expertise of the staff.  They offer IT opportunities for the wider community.

For children in particular, they provide an opportunity to develop a love of learning, to experience a wide range of books and to develop the ability to read not just for learning but for pleasure throughout their lives.

The benefits of libraries are many, whether they are in buildings or in a mobile that local people come to rely on, that may only appear in a remote Lincolnshire village once a month.

Much has been made about the necessity of saving £2million pounds a year. However, Libraries and Heritage has already made substantial savings.  Within the overall council budget of £1 billion, money - £2 million – can be found so that the library service can be comprehensively and efficiently maintained, and the statutory duty fulfilled.

This Council therefore asks the Executive, when it comes to make a decision following the consultation, to rethink its plans in the light of all the feedback, including petitions and comments made during debates in the Council.'

Motion by Councillor S L W Palmer

It was moved and seconded that:-

'The Executive is currently looking to save around £2million from the Libraries budget and has launched a consultation on proposals.  Those proposals have generated significant adverse publicity.  The proposals were drafted without any input from local Members. The consultation runs until 30 September.

We propose that:

A cross-party working group is set up to make recommendations that will enable this Council to fulfil its statutory obligation whilst retaining a professional, comprehensive and efficient library service including the following terms of reference:

·         To consider the results of the consultation

·         To find ways of making savings in the running of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 35d

The Chairman welcomed Councillors back to the Chamber and hoped they had all enjoyed their summer.

The Chairman reported that his 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.  He thanked his wife Linda for supporting him on these engagements and also Councillor Bill Aron and Amanda Job, Vice-Chairman and Lady, for representing them at civic functions when, due to other commitments, they had been unable to attend.

He reported that his duties had included attending the Bishop Grosseteste University Graduation Awards Ceremonies, the Royal Voluntary Service's Launch of the Community Transport Scheme, the RAF Memorial Service at Sutton Bridge, the Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Long Service and Good Conduct Presentations and the Lincolnshire Police Cadets Awards Evening.  The Chairman had been honoured to welcome HRH The Princess Royal to the County when she had visited Boston Stump and HRH The Duke of Kent when he had visited the Lincolnshire Heart Centre at the County Hospital.

The Chairman also reported that he had been delighted 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, which he and Linda had thoroughly enjoyed and it gave them both the opportunity to circulate among the invited guests. They had been honoured to have the Lincolnshire Youth Symphony Orchestra playing at the Service who, as usual, had given an exceptional performance.  

The Chairman advised that a complete itinerary of civic engagements since the last meeting of this Council were on deposit in the Members’ Foyer.

The Chairman also reported that as a result of recent changes in political groups, he had decided to accept an urgent item on proportionality at item 7 on the Order Of Proceedings.

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

Councillor C J Davie, Executive Councillor for Economic Development, Environment, Planning and Tourism, reported that the County Council had been awarded £90,000 in order to prepare bids for the next round of Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) funding which was for the 2014-2020 programme.

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

It was moved, and seconded and

RESOLVED

          That in light of recent changes in political balance and groups of the            County Council, and recognising the need for stability in the important         area of Economic Scrutiny, that Council appoints Councillor A Bridges as      Chairman of Economic Scrutiny Committee and further agrees that a           decision in the Vice Chairman of Economic Scrutiny be delegated to the     Chief Executive in consultation with the Leader of the UKIP Lincolnshire            group.

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

A report by the Executive Director Resources and Community Safety had been circulated.

An amendment to page 43, Table B, of the report pack was moved and seconded as follows:

'To reduce the Financial Volatility Reserve from £13.048 million to £11.148 million for Potential Library Services spending'

The amendment, upon being put to the vote, was lost.

It was moved, and seconded and

RESOLVED

1.    That the proposed carry forwards of over and under spending as set out in paragraphs 1.2 to 1.3 of the report and the transfers to and from reserves as summarised in Table A of the report be agreed;

2.    That the Prudential Indicators for 2012/13 set out in paragraphs 1.8 to 1.9 and Table D of the report be noted.

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

Councillor P J O'Connor, Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee, thanked the members of the review group who had met twice during August and also the members of the Committee who had held a special meeting to consider this item.

It was moved, and seconded and

RESOLVED

          That the progress and comments made on the recommended principles       in part 1.4 of the report be noted.

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

It was moved, and seconded and

RESOLVED

          That the Annual Report 2012/13 be approved with the inclusion of the         following minor amendments:

·         References to Lincoln be changed to Greater Lincoln;

·         Include Stamford in the opening paragraph 'Welcome to Lincolnshire'

A report by the Executive Director for Communities had been circulated.

An amendment to page 105 of the report pack was moved and seconded as follows:

To replace bullet point 4, which stated:

'all planning applications where more than three individual representations from separate properties raising planning related objections are received'

And replace with,

'all applications where one or more individual representations from separate properties raising material planning related objections are received'

The amendment upon being put to the vote was lost.

It was moved, and seconded and

RESOLVED

            That the change to the scheme of delegation for planning applications      set out in the report be agreed and that the Constitution be amended to          reflect the updated procedure for the delegation of planning        applications to the Head of Planning as set out in paragraphs 2.1 and        2.2 of the report.

This agenda item was withdrawn as Councillor Underwood-Frost attended the meeting.

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

It was moved, and seconded and

RESOLVED

            That the LGA resolution set out in Appendix D of the report be agreed.

That the minutes of the Pensions Committee held on 4 July 2013 be received.

That the minutes of the Planning and Regulation Committee held on 15 July 2013 be received.

(It was noted that Councillor N H Pepper was not a member of South Holland District Council)

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

Motion by Councillor C Pain

It was moved and seconded that:-

'Lincolnshire County Council, in common with other parts of the public sector is faced with continuing reductions in funding with increased demands on many services.  We must, in particular, explore options that maximise impact on finances whilst minimising adverse impact on the people we all serve.

One of those options is to explore unitary local government for the county.  Recent experiences have shown that considerable savings can be made.  For example, Wiltshire's unitary council (which is smaller in area and population than Lincolnshire) estimates that it has saved £100million from 2009-2013 with transition costs of £18million and improvements in several services.  Equivalent savings for Lincolnshire could be up to £25 million every year even after transition costs are taken into account. 

We cannot ignore such an opportunity, so I propose that Council sets up a Select Committee to look closely at the potential benefits, risks, costs and savings from having a single unitary authority for our county and make recommendations back to full council in December.'

An amendment was proposed to the motion to delete the final paragraph and to replace it with the following wording, and was moved and seconded.

'The Council accepts the potential for large financial and other benefits to the county area by going to unitary status.

It also notes that reorganisation could be disruptive and divisive in the short term.

It also notes that local government structure has to be decided by parliament and that the current government has clearly indicated that it will not legislate in this current parliament.

The Council therefore recommends that councillors, either individually or through their groupings, lobby MP's and political parties to include in their manifesto proposals for the long term sustainability and effectiveness of local government'

The amendment, upon being put to the vote was carried.  This became the substantive motion.

The amended motion, upon being put to the vote, was carried.

Motion by Councillor Mrs M J Overton

It was moved and seconded that:-

'Work is currently underway to develop the Central Lincolnshire Core Strategy.  The housing numbers proposed are disproportionately large, are not based on the needs of the people of Lincolnshire and will require housing permissions being given faster than we can support.  There are insufficient controls on the rate of housing development to ensure that adequate infrastructure and services are funded properly.

We propose:

            A        Developing a mechanism to ensure that the rate of house      building is in keeping specifically with the local needs of the    people of Lincolnshire (including realistic projections of             employment) and that the necessary funding for infrastructure        and services are identified before each phase takes place. This may require renegotiating housing targets with             central            government.

            B        To reduce the target for renewable electricity generation by 2026      from    60% to a more realistic 30%-40%, closer to national       guidelines to             reduce pressure on land use.

The effect of this motion would be to retain some development but ensure that it is  ...  view the full minutes text for item 47.