Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors T A Carter, P E Coupland, A Dani, P M Dilks, Mrs A M Newton MBE, R B Parker, S R Parkin, R P H Reid, G J Taylor and J Tyrell.

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

RESOLVED

          That the minutes of the meeting held on 10 December 2021 be signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

The Chairman welcomed members back to the Council Chamber for the meeting, and welcomed those who were listening via the live stream on the Council’s website.

The Chairman was pleased that, following relaxation of the Government restrictions, he had been able to carry out more fully his role as Chairman, representing the Council at events that were curtailed during the height of the pandemic.  He thanked his wife, and Chairman’s Lady, Jackie, for her continued support.

The Chairman had been delighted to welcome students from the University of Lincoln for the Model United Nations General Assembly as part of the International Relations Programme, which was held in the Council Chamber.  This was an important part of their studies and demonstrated the collaboration and long running successful partnership between the University and the County Council.  It was understood that there were a number of students from the University’s School of Social and Political Science tuning into the meeting.

Councillors were advised that they would have received an invitation to attend the county service to be held in Lincoln Cathedral on Sunday 13 March.  The Chairman hoped to see as many councillors as possible in attendance, and councillors were asked to reply as soon as possible if they hadn’t already done so, so the necessary arrangements could be made.

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

(Note: Councillor S P Roe left the Council Chamber for the consideration of this item of business)

A report by the Executive Director – Resources had been circulated together with a separate document entitled ‘Council Budget 2022/23) which described the Executive’s Budget and council tax proposals.

RESOLVED

(1)  That there be one debate;

(2)  That Councillor M J Hill OBE, Leader of the Council, in introducing and moving the budget and in responding to issues raised during the debate be allowed to speak without limit of time;

(3)  That the proposer of the amendment be allowed to speak without limit of time;

(4)  That Councillors seconding the motions each be allowed to speak for six minutes;

(5)  That other speakers be allowed to speak for three minutes;

(6)  That no further substantial amendments be moved.

It was moved and seconded that:

The Council:

1. has due regard to the responses to the consultation and engagement on the Council's budget proposals as contained in the appended Budget Book (Appendix D - Budget Consultation and Engagement Feedback);
2. has due regard to the Section 151 Officer's Statement on the Robustness of the Budget and the Adequacy of Reserves as set out in the appended Budget Book (Section 10 - Section 151 Officer's Statement on the Robustness of the Budget and Adequacy of Reserves);
3. has due regard to the Impact Analysis relating to increasing the Council Tax by 4.99% in 2022/23 set out in the appended 'Budget Book' (Appendix C – Impact Analysis relating to increasing the Council Tax by 4.99% in 2022/23);
4. approves:

4.1   the service revenue budgets for 2022/23 contained in the appended Budget Book, (Table 2 - Net Service Revenue Budget 2022/23);

4.2   the capital programme and its funding contained in the appended Budget Book (Section 7 - Capital Programme) and (Appendix O - Capital Programme);

4.3   the County Council element of the council tax for a Band D property at £1,432.17 for 2022/23 contained in the appended Budget Book (Appendix B - County Precept 2022/23);

as together being the Council's Budget.

5. approves the Council's Medium Term Financial Strategy contained in the appended Budget Book (Appendix E – Medium Term Financial Strategy);
6. approves the Council's Capital Strategy 2022/23 contained in the appended Budget Book (Appendix N – Capital Strategy 2022/23);
7. approves the prudential targets for capital finance and notes the prudential indicators contained in the appended Budget Book (Appendix M - Prudential Indicators);

8.      approves that the minimum revenue provision (MRP) be based on the asset life method, charged on an annuity basis for major infrastructure projects and in equal instalments for all other assets, over the estimated life of the assets acquired through borrowing as set out in the appended Budget Book (Section 9 - Minimum Revenue Provision).

An amendment was moved and seconded by the Shadow Executive as follows:

This Council resolves to:  

1.    Limit the council tax rise increase for the year 2022/23 to a total of 4% (3% Adult Social Care and 1% for general services).  

2.    Transfer  ...  view the full minutes text for item 44.

A report by the Executive Director – Place had been circulated.

It was moved, seconded and

RESOLVED

That the LTP 5 attached at Appendix A to the report, be adopted as Lincolnshire County Council’s Local Transport Plan in accordance with its duty under the Transport Act 2000 and forms part of the Council’s Policy Framework in place of the existing Local Transport Plan.

(Note: Councillor S P Roe rejoined the meeting at 12.46pm)

A report by the Executive Director – Resources had been circulated.

It was moved, seconded and

RESOLVED

That the Pay Policy Statement 2022/23, attached at Appendix A to the report and as recommended by the Pay Policy Sub-Committee, be approved by the Council.

A report by the Chairman of the Audit Committee had been circulated.

It was moved, seconded and

RESOLVED

That the Audit Committee Annual Report 2021 be received.

A report by the Executive Director – Resources had been circulated.

It was moved, seconded and

RESOLVED

That the Council accepts the Public Sector Audit Appointments’ invitation to opt into the sector-led option for the appointment of external auditors to principal local government and police bodies for the five financial years from 1 April 2023.

No motions on notice were submitted.