Agenda and minutes

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Contact: Rachel Wilson  Democratic Services Officer

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Items
No. Item

25.

Temporary Suspension of Procedure Rules

Minutes:

It was proposed, seconded and

 

RESOLVED

 

That the following Council procedure rules be suspended for the duration of the meeting, 13.2 (Right of the Chairman to require the motion to be written down and handed to him), 15 (c) (Every proposition to be decided by voices or show of hands), 15 (d) (where the decision of the Chairman is challenged on voices, requirement to have a show of hands), 19.1 (Standing to Speak), Rule 19.2 (Chairman standing).

26.

Apologies for Absence pdf icon PDF 151 KB

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Mrs W Bowkett, C J T H Brewis, M T Fido, R L Foulkes, R Grocock, C S Macey, E J Poll, H Spratt and A H Turner MBE.

27.

Declarations of Councillors' Interests

Minutes:

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

28.

Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 26 June 2020 pdf icon PDF 278 KB

Minutes:

RESOLVED

 

            That the minutes of the meeting held on 26 June 2020 be signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

29.

Minutes of the Extraordinary Meeting of the County Council held on 3 August 2020 pdf icon PDF 200 KB

Minutes:

RESOLVED

 

            That the minutes of the Extraordinary meeting of the County Council held on 3 August 2020 be signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

30.

Chairman's Announcements pdf icon PDF 510 KB

Minutes:

The Chairman stated that as we moved into Autumn we continued to adapt to new ways of working, and he took this opportunity to thank Officers for their continued efforts to ensure important Council services were delivered to the usual high standard Lincolnshire residents had come to expect.

 

The devastating effects of Covid-19 continued to be seen across the country and the Chairman had heard many heartwarming stories of local residents and community groups in the county who were giving their time and working tirelessly to help others in need throughout this difficult time.  Our wonderful NHS staff and key workers were continuing to work long and hard hours showing their commitment to keeping us all safe. 

 

The Chairman reported that the Annual Remembrance Day Service would be held in Lincoln Cathedral on Sunday 8th November.  Due to the current situation and the necessity to practice social distancing, this will be a much reduced service and as a result, County Councillors would not be invited to attend this year.  The Chairman of the Council would be representing Lincolnshire County Council at the service.

 

The Chairman's civic events had been curtailed but he was looking forward to visiting Lincolnshire residents during the recovery process once Government guidelines allowed.

 

31.

Statements/Announcements by the Leader and Members of the Executive pdf icon PDF 228 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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

32.

Questions to the Chairman, the Leader, Executive Councillors, Chairman of Committees and Sub-Committees

Minutes:

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

 

Question by

Question to

Subject

 

a) M A Whittington

R G Davies

Flooding under railway bridge.

 

b) R B Parker

M J Hill OBE

Covid-19 testing capacity in Lincolnshire

 

c) Mrs A M Newton

M J Hill OBE

Opening of Household Waste Recycling Centres

 

d) M D Boles

M J Hill OBE

Accessing covid-19 test centres

 

e) L A Cawrey

R G Davies

Encouraging sustainable transport methods

 

f) Mrs J Killey

R G Davies

Petition regarding Monks Road pavements

 

g) A P Maughan

R G Davies

Delivery of safety improvements on A1 between Newark and Grantham

 

h) Mrs M J Overton MBE

M J Hill OBE

Update on localism

 

 

i)  C E H Marfleet

C J Davie

Section 106 developer contributions

 

j) R A Renshaw

Mrs P A Bradwell OBE

Tackling childhood obesity

 

k) Ms K Cook

Mrs P A Bradwell OBE

Availability of places at special schools for children with SEN

 

l) Mrs S Rawlins

R G Davies

A46 DunholmeWelton roundabout diversions.

 

m) G E Cullen

C J Davie

Effects of the pandemic on the east coast businesses

 

n) R D Butroid

Mrs S Woolley

Launch of new town and parish council website.

 

o) KJ Clarke

C N Worth

Numbers of retained fire fighters

 

p) R J Kendrick

R G Davies

Poor condition of road on Witham Bank

 

r) Mrs A M Austin

R G Davies

Highways infrastructure in Boston

 

s) T R Ashton

R G Davies

Variations in speed limits

 

33.

Review of Financial Performance 2019/20 pdf icon PDF 455 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

(Note: Councillor Mrs M J Overton MBE left the meeting at 12 noon and did not re-join the meeting)

 

It was moved, seconded and

 

RESOLVED

 

The County Council is recommended to:

 

1.    Note the carry forwards set out in paragraphs 1.9 to 1.11 of the report, which are made in line with the Council's Financial Regulations;

 

2.    Approve the transfer of the underspends on service revenue budgets of up to 1.0% referred to in paragraph 1.9 into the Development Fund earmarked reserve;

 

3.    Approve the proposed use of carry forwards of over and under spending in excess of 1.0% as follows:-

 

a)    The transfer to reserves for non "business as usual" activity described in paragraph 1.12 and 1.13 of the report;

b)    The creation of a new earmarked reserve for capital financing as described in paragraph 1.14 and allow it to be included in "business as usual" activity in future years; and

c)    The transfer to the Development Fund earmarked reserve set out in paragraph 1.15 of the report;

 

4.    Note the position of earmarked reserves as at 31 March 2020 as shown in Table A of the report;

 

5.    Note the position in relation to general reserves set out in paragraph 1.19 to 1.20 and Table B of the report;

 

6.    Note the Flexible Use of Capital Receipts in 2019/20 as set out in paragraph 1.21 to 1.25 and detailed in Appendix A of the report; and

 

7.    Note performance against the Prudential Indicators for 2019/20 as set out in Table C of the report.

 

(Note: Councillor R H Trollope-Bellew left the meeting at 12.10pm and did not re-join the meeting)

34.

Political Proportionality and Allocation of seats to Committees and Sub-Committees pdf icon PDF 355 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

It was moved, seconded and

 

RESOLVED

 

That the Council notes the change in membership of the political groups on the County Council and agrees the allocation of seats illustrated in the proportionality spreadsheet circulated prior to the meeting.

 

35.

Motions on Notice submitted in accordance with the Council's Constitution

Minutes:

(1) Motion by Councillor M J Hill OBE

 

The Government’s long-awaited ‘Devolution White Paper’, is expected to be published in early Autumn 2020. It is widely anticipated that it will provide some stimulus towards the Government’s ambition to ‘level up’ the country and to further devolve powers and resources to enable greater local decision-making. 

 

This provides an excellent opportunity for Greater Lincolnshire. We are an economic powerhouse, key to the Midlands Engine, the Humber ‘Energy Estuary’ and the Northern Powerhouse, integral to UK PLC and a major gateway to Europe. We have clear high-growth potential in key industry sectors and we have the space and political will to exploit this. If we can gain from the Government the devolution of a range of specific powers and control over the associated funding we can achieve growth more quickly than anywhere else in the UK, enhance our collective financial resilience and establish a sustainable platform for our area to thrive, adapt and innovate.

 

The ten councils across Greater Lincolnshire have a proven track record of working in collaboration and already undertake many successful joint working opportunities, facilitated through the Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership.

 

The case for change, through a reduction in the number of local authorities and a consolidation of strategic powers is compelling for the following reasons:

 

·         Lincolnshire cannot benefit from the Government’s forthcoming devolution proposals without local government re-organisation.

·         The current situation guarantees inconsistency in terms of inputs and outputs across Greater Lincolnshire.

·         Duplication of teams, functions and services across Greater Lincolnshire leads to inefficiencies and poor value for money.

·         The financial situation of local government, including in Greater Lincolnshire, is highly precarious.

·         The current system doesn’t allow local authorities to focus on, or succeed in, levelling up the economy.

·         Local residents are confused by the different responsibilities of local government in two-tier areas.

 

This Council affirms its commitment to a devolution deal for Greater Lincolnshire and calls on the Executive to explore all opportunities with other Councils to submit proposals for local government reorganisation.

 

Upon being put to the vote, the motion was carried.

 

(2) Motion by Councillor R B Parker

 

 

We are sure thatthis council recognises the contribution made by so many people and organisations across Lincolnshire to protect the health and well-being of Lincolnshire residents during the current Covid-19 pandemic.  We will particularly want to acknowledge the major contribution to the safety and well-being of our residents made by County Council staff, NHS workers, Care Workers, Voluntary and Statutory organisations, Parish Councils, Community groups, including Food Banks, and people in local communities who have looked out for vulnerable people.

 

This council will also recognise that Covid-19 cases are again rising, with the likelihood - without government intervention -  that the virus will continue to spread, hospital admissions will increase and sadly deaths will follow. In addition, the national and local economy will continue to deteriorate with a loss of jobs and businesses going under and, more than likely, schools will again be affected with the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 35.

 

 
 
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