Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor A J Spencer.

Councillor K Cook declared an interest in agenda item 12 – Motions on Notice submitted in accordance with the Council's Constitution as she worked for LPFT.  She advised that she would leave the meeting for consideration of this item.

Councillor P M Key declared, that in relation to agenda item 12 – Motions on Notice submitted in accordance with the Council's Constitution, it should be noted that he worked in local government.

RESOLVED

            That the minutes of the meeting held on 18 September 2020 be signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

The Chairman stated that Christmas was a time for reflection, to look back on the year that had passed and to think about what was to come.  Nobody could have predicted what 2020 had in store with the coronavirus pandemic and this year, more than ever, time would be taken to reflect and truly appreciate what we had.

He stated that we had seen the devastating loss of lives all around the world.  We had also witnessed local communities giving their time and support to help others in need.  The NHS staff, care workers and other key workers were continuing to work hard and tirelessly to keep everyone safe and well.

The Chairman continued to feel so proud of local government officers and members for their efforts in ensuring important council services were delivered to the usual high standard.

Hopefully there was now light at the end of the tunnel with the rolling out of a vaccine, but it was important that the guidelines continued to be followed and everyone adhered to the rules of hands, face and space.

The Chairman had been pleased to see Remembrance commemorations being observed, albeit in a very different way to normal proceedings.  He had been honoured to lay a wreath on Remembrance Day at his local war memorial in Swineshead on behalf of Lincolnshire County Council.

The Chairman wished the members and their families a very merry Christmas and a happy and healthy new year.

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

In addition to the statement previously circulated, the Executive Councillor for Commercial and Environmental Management reported that a permit system for the Household Waste Recycling Centre had been introduced to allow residents to book a timeslot for a van or trailer.  This system would be in operation from 15 December 2020.

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

It was moved, seconded and

RESOLVED

That the County Council supports the creation of a joint committee under section 102 (1(b)) of the Local Government Act 1972, to exercise the executive functions and responsibilities referred to in the report and operating as the Greater Lincolnshire Joint Strategic Oversight Committee.

(NOTE: Councillor B Adams and Councillor Mrs W Bowkett left the meeting at 12.16 pm and did not return)

It was moved, seconded and

RESOLVED

1.    That the IRP recommendations be noted;

2.    That the Scheme of Members' Allowances for 2021/22 be the same as the Scheme of Members' Allowances for 2020/21.

It was moved, seconded and

RESOLVED

1.    That the Council note the change in membership of the political groups on the County Council and agreed the allocation of seats illustrated in the proportionality spread sheet attached as Appendix A to the report;

2.    That the Council confirms the Independent Group as the Opposition Group on the Council.

It was moved, seconded and

RESOLVED

            That the Audit Committee's Annual Report for 2020 be noted.

It was moved, seconded and

RESOLVED

That the decision made under Rule 17 of the Access to Information Procedure Rules in the Council's Constitution by the Leader of the Council be noted.

(NOTE: Councillor K Cook left the meeting at this point, having previously declared an interest in this item, and did not return)

(1) Motion by Councillor R P Parker

The coronavirus crisis has brought home to all of us the exceptional commitment of Lincolnshire County Council staff and care workers who, alongside NHS workers and other public sector workers, have been on the front line in the battle against Covid-19 and can rightly be called the true heroes of this pandemic.

Despite such sterling work by public sector workers across the country, on 25 November the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced a pay freeze for 2021/22 for most public sector workers with the exception of NHS workers and those who earn below the median wage of £24,000 per annum. In local government this is expected to be put into effect by reducing council funding. This announcement comes just three years after the ending of a public sector freeze that had been in place since 2012. Indeed public sector pay is still lower in real terms than in 2010.

The announcement of a pay freeze for most Local Government staff could be seen to demonstrate just how little their hard work, loyalty and willingness to go the extra mile over the last eight months is valued by their employers. That said, it needs noting that the Council Leader and Chief Executive have regularly gone on record in praise of the extra efforts of our work force during the Covid-19 pandemic. But more could be done to support our staff by councillors pressing the case for a re-think by the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

I therefore move that:

This council calls on the Leader of the County Council to write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer arguing that a pay freeze for most public sector workers is not the right approach when staff are still working in a pandemic to deliver vital services to so many people, and calling on him to re-consider his decision to impose a pay freeze on most Public Sector workers.

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