Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Adrian Benjamin, Billy Brookes, Terry Knowles, Edward Mossop, Paul Rickett, Terry Taylor and Graham Williams.

At this point in the Meeting, Members were invited to declare any relevant interests.

• Councillor Tony Howard asked it be noted that he worked for Grimsby College, Minute No. 73 refers.

To confirm the Minutes of the Meeting held on 14 December 2022.

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 14^th December 2022 were confirmed and signed as a correct record.

To confirm Actions following the Meeting held on 14 December 2022.

The Actions of the Meeting held on 14 December 2022 were confirmed as complete or in hand.

The Chairman had attended several events since the previous Council meeting, including the Louth Choral Society Christmas by Candlelight at St James Church, Louth and the Flood Memorial Services at Chapel St Leonards and Sutton on Sea.

The Chairman reminded Councillors that her Civic Service would be held at 2.00pm on Sunday 3^rd March 2023 at the Methodist Church in Sutton on Sea and afterwards for light refreshments at the Bacchus Hotel, Sutton on Sea, and all Councillors were welcome to attend.

The Chairman acknowledged Councillor Stan Avison for his 23 years’ service to the Council and wished him a healthy and happy future.

Report of the Chairman of Executive Board.

Councillor Leyland, Chairman of Executive Board offered his thanks to Councillor Stan Avison for 23 years’ service to the Council and extended his very best wishes for the future.

The Chairman of Executive Board presented his report, pages 29 to 32 refer.  Further to the update published, Councillor Leyland reflected that it was the last meeting of full council of the current administration and wished to add the following:

·       Consistent with the published report was the Council’s ambition and action to offer support for vulnerable residents, the economy and driving positive change for residents, including challenging social deprivation.

·       Looking to drive the economy with the Economic Growth Team and to succeed with partnership working, the Council had engaged with the government’s Levelling Up Agenda.

·       The Council understood the impact of climate change and how the council needed to operate to meet the targets. 

·       In 2019 the Council observed developing technologies, for example video conferencing. 

·       There were many challenges and issues faced, not least the Covid virus in early March 2020 and putting plans into place for dealing with the possible impacts on residents, businesses and council services and recognising all of the changes as a result of that.

·       Teams across the Council worked tirelessly to help those most affected during the resulting pandemic.  The Economic Development Teams delivered government support to businesses across the district in a very short space of time.  Communities came together and Ward Members organised and facilitated many services to residents and to date continued to take on this role with cost-of-living challenges.  Notably, enquiries for council services remained well above pre-pandemic levels.

·       The Council had seen many benefits of the Partnership with Boston Borough Council and South Holland District Council, having louder voices were collectively better understood and achievements had been recognised in securing national grants and funding.

A further update to the published report was received and is attached at Appendix A to the Minutes.

Following which, questions and comments were put forward:

L G Challenge

Councillor Jackson was pleased to note that the Partnership had hosted the 2023 LG Challenge and welcomed the Partnership’s own challenge ‘How can the South and East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership lead the way for flood resilience in the sub-region, and through innovation maximise the benefit for communities and businesses across all coastal economies’ and asked whether the final proposals from the teams that took part could be made available to Members.  In response, the Chairman of Executive Board advised Members that it was a very worthwhile event and was happy to share that information.

Green Homes Grant

Councillor Jackson further offered her congratulations to the Green Homes Grant Team being shortlisted for the Local Authority Retrofit Programme Category, page 31 of the Agenda refers, however considered that the numbers involved was a fraction of what was actually required.

In response to points raised in relation to the Green Homes Grants, the Chairman of Executive Board stated that the Council would continue to take on the challenges ahead and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 68.

To consider suspending Council Procedure Rules to allow the mover of the Budget Report and Group Leaders(s) in response thereto to speak for no longer than 15 minutes on one occasion. (Council Procedure Rule 16.4, Content and length of speeches).

N.B. A recorded vote is mandatory on the Annual Budget Report 2023/24 and Council Tax Setting 2023/24, in line with the Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2014.

RESOLVED:

That Council Procedure Rules be suspended for the following item to allow the mover of the Budget Report and Group Leaders(s) or representative of, in response thereto to speak for no longer than 15 minutes on one occasion. 

To consider for approval the General Fund Budget for 2023/24 including the use of reserves, Medium Term Financial Strategy, Capital Programme and Strategy, Treasury Management Policy/Strategy, MRP Policy and Annual Investment Strategy, Fees & Charges, Pay Policy Statement and the Annual Delivery Plan.

N.B. A recorded vote was mandatory on the Annual Budget Report 2023/24 in line with the Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2014.

A report was presented to enable consideration of the General Fund Budget for 2023/24 including the use of reserves, Medium Term Financial Strategy, Capital Programme and Strategy, Treasury Management Policy/Strategy, MRP Policy and Annual Investment Strategy, Fees & Charges, Pay Policy Statement, and the Annual Delivery Plan.

During his introduction Councillor Fry, Portfolio Holder for Finance wished to express his thanks to Christine Marshall, Section 151 Officer and the Finance Team for the time consuming and difficult work undertaken in the preparation of the budget and furthermore for the help and support from all Council service areas, officers and Portfolio Holders.

Councillor Fry stressed the negative effects that international crises were having on the global economy and that of the country, detrimentally affecting the finances of every ELDC resident and of theCouncil.

Councillor Fry continued that the economic environment was complex and volatiletherefore, whilst the words ‘Unprecedented and Challenging’ were appropriate to describe the budget setting process this year, snakes and ladders or swings and roundabouts might better characterise the lows and highsinvolved.

A number of positive key points during budget setting were highlighted to Members as follows:

·       That ELDC had largely met the challenge had much to do with the success of the South and East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership ‘One Team’ approach in maintaining services, driving growth and notably, successfully bidding for £68m of capitalfunds, which would achieve an estimated £3.271m in 2023/24.

·       More recently bids to the UKSPF, the Levelling Up Fund and NPO which, where appropriate, were now features of the Council’s 2023/24 revenue and capitalbudgets.

·       At £6m of existing savings the Council’s partnership with South Holland and Boston was on target to deliver the projected £42m pounds of savings identified in the businesscase.

·       2022/23 had seen decisions taken by the Council, such as the sale of Skegness Town Hall and Tedder Hall that generated the budgeted £1.5m capital receipt and resulted in ongoing revenue savings of £400k pa runningcosts.

·       The Council had prudently maintained a capital resource base commensurate with its delivery ambitions.  These resources were now being deployed in support of projects such as a new learning and leisure centrein Mablethorpe,a newand innovativeregeneration ofthe Colonnadein Suttonon Seaand SkegnessForeshore. 

·       However, inall ofthis, ELDCremained sovereignin termsof itsConstitution andbudget and its primary priorities remained to ensure that this Council remained financially resilient, able to deliver services it had to by law and to provide support to the district’s most vulnerable residents whilst seeking to drive improvement and economic growth to benefit its residents, visitors andbusinesses.

Main points relating to the budget were highlighted as follows:

·       The 2023/24 local government finance settlement was for one year only and was based on the Spending Review 2021, the (SR21) funding levels, updated for the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 70.

Report to follow.

N.B. A recorded vote was mandatory on Council Tax Setting 2023/24, in line with the Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2014.

A report was presented to enable consideration of the amounts of Council Tax applicable for 2023/24 for each valuation band and in each part of the district.

The East Lindsey District Council budget was considered by Executive Board on 15th February 2023 (Minute no. 71 refers) and recommendations were now provided to Council on 1st March 2023, setting the band D Council tax at £161.64, a £4.95 (3.16%) increase on 2022/23.  The Budget report was based on the finance settlement advised by the Department for Levelling up, Housing and Communities.

Members noted an amended title at Appendix D to the report East Lindsey District Council Levels of Overall Council Tax 2023/24, pages 21-26 of the Supplementary Agenda refer.

The recommendations were duly Proposed and Seconded.

No comments or questions were received.

RESOLVED:

That the formal Council Tax resolutions for 2023/24 as set out in Appendix A and summarised at 4.1 be approved.

For the Proposals:  Councillors Aldridge, Andrews, Arnold, Ashton, Richard Avison, Stan Avison, Bowkett, Danny Brookes, Burnham, Campbell-Wardman, Cullen, Dannatt, Davie, Dennis, Dickinson, Edginton, Evans, Eyre, Foster, Fry, Gray, Green, Grist, Grover, Alex Hall, David Hall, Harrison, Horton, Howard, Jackson, Jones, Kemp, Kirk, Leonard, Leyland, McMillan, McNally, Makinson-Sanders, Mangion, Marsh, Matthews, Parkin, Platt and Smith – 44

Against the Proposals: 0

Abstentions: Councillors Devereux - 1

Absent: Councillors Benjamin, Billy Brookes, Jimmy Brookes, Cunnington, Knowles, Martin, Mossop, Rickett, Taylor and Williams - 10

N.B.  Sam Knowles, Assistant Director, Finance left the Meeting at 3.48pm.

N.B.  The Meeting adjourned for a comfort break at 3.48pm and reconvened at 4.02pm.

To determine the Council Tax Support Scheme for 2023/24.

A report was presented to determine the Council Tax Support Scheme for 2023/24.  This report sought Council approval of the Executive Board decision on the final proposals for the 2023/24 Local Council Tax Support scheme (Executive Board Minute No. 62 from the Meeting held on 11 January 2023 refers).

During his introduction of the report the Portfolio Holder for Finance referred to the results of the 2023/24 Scheme Consultation as set out at Paragraph 3 of the report, page 200 of the Agenda refers.

High level findings were summarised as follows:

·       The majority of respondents, (73%) agreed that the Council should retain the main characteristics of the current Council Tax Scheme.

·       53% of respondents felt that the current scheme was fair and provided support to those most vulnerable.

·       60% of respondents agreed that the Council should increase the scheme in line with DWP provisions for 2023/24 and future years.

The recommendations were duly Proposed and Seconded.

During debate Councillor Makinson-Sanders highlighted at Paragraph 2.5 that ‘ELDC provides information on a range of wider support schemes which are delivered by, or signposted by the Council.  Full details are published, and maintained on the website and include the current Household Support Fund schemes’, page 199 of the Agenda refers.  A concern was raised that some people may not be able to find or access this information and needed help and support with this.  It was, however, highlighted that residents were very grateful for the hubs and warm spaces that had been set up across the district and asked that all Members and volunteers be kept informed as there was a huge amount of hidden poverty.  In response, the Leader of the Council stated that Councillor Makinson-Sanders had made a very valid point and that the hubs had been created to support those residents with needs and agreed to raise this with the officers to see if anything more could be done.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance referred to his introduction to the budget and reference that was made to the targeted Cost of Living Support that there would be further support for community hubs to help residents access online support and to reduce digital exclusion and assured Members that Councillors would be kept informed.

RESOLVED:

That the Executive Board recommendation for continuation of the current Council Tax Support scheme, including uprating in line with DWP’s annual update of allowances and premiums for 2023/24 be approved.

To note the further progress of the South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership since the last update on 12th October 2022.

A report was presented to provide an update on the performance of the South and East Lincolnshire Council’s Partnership. The report set out the further progress of the South & East Lincolnshire Council’s Partnership since the last update on 12th October 2022.

During his introduction of the report, the Leader of the Council passed his thanks to those who were involved with the joint scrutiny panel and made particular reference to the following:

·       With regards to the Growth and Prosperity Priority Partnership, the Growth Team continued to work with existing partners and had developed new relationships with strategic organisations to continue to raise the profile of the SELCP and create valuable connections between business, public sector and national organisations in respect of the Council’s energy projects and ambition.  The UK Shared Prosperity Fund’s prospectus had now gone live and the Council was receiving expressions of interest from a range of partners.

·       Confirmation had been received that the Council had been awarded £42.8m across the three sovereign council areas for their levelling up submissions.

·       Confirmation had been received from Arts Council England that the National Portfolio Organisation submission was successful and an award of £2m over a 3-year period had been made to the SELCP with East Lindsey being the accountable body.

·       The South and East Lincolnshire Healthy Living Board had been established and had provided a collaborative platform for key partners to discuss the District Council’s Health and Wellbeing Strategy.

·       Following the approval of the South and East Lincolnshire Community Safety Strategy, the sub region’s Community Safety Partnership had been working on a number of key community safety priorities including a focus on safer streets and night-time economy, hate crime, vulnerability and safeguarding, the safety of women and girls and the cross-cutting theme of anti-social behaviour.

·       Eight sub-groups of the South and East Lincolnshire Climate Action Network (SELCAN)/the Environment Priority Partnership had met on a number of occasions to work on their delivery plans with a view to presenting their priorities for the next 12 months.

The recommendations were duly proposed and seconded.

During discussion reference was made to the following:

·       Councillor Jackson referred to the Local Performance Measures (Programme Delivery Directorate - General Fund Assets), page 260 of the Agenda refers and stated that the Partnership worked well and joint scrutiny had provided positive benefits.  It was however, highlighted that it was clear that Invest East Lindsey (IEL) and Kingfisher Caravan Park were not meeting some of their targets and those entities required further scrutiny as they were both key to investment in the district.   In response, the Leader of the Council considered that IEL was a relatively new company in terms of performance but acknowledged there were challenging times ahead for businesses and welcomed scrutiny to address this.

·       Councillor Makinson-Sanders referred to the Healthy Lives Priority Partnership and access to health services, page 213 of the Agenda refers and referred in particular to health inequalities and demand on health services that was discovered during the caravan scrutiny.  It was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 73.

To consider adoption of the updated Local Development Scheme for the Local Plan.

A report was presented to enable consideration of the adoption by Council of the updated Local Development Scheme (LDS) for the Local Plan.

The Council was required to produce an updated Local Development Scheme at appropriate times. The Local Development Scheme set out various things, including what documents formed the Development Plan, details of any Neighbourhood Plans, and a timeline of key stages.  As the review was now gathering pace this report introduced the updated East Lindsey Local Development Scheme.  The updated LDS would also contain the list of the policies to be reviewed and an updated timeline for the review.

In introducing the report, Councillor Tom Ashton, Portfolio Holder for Planning made reference to the legislation that required the Council to update the LDS as appropriate. Members were informed that the current LDS was out-of-date and needed replacing with the amended version to ensure the Local Plan review process could continue smoothly. 

The recommendations were duly proposed and seconded.

• During debate reference was made to Appendix A, Table of policies to be reviewed, page 279 of the Agenda refers.  Councillor Tony Howard asked it be noted that he was frustrated to see that no significant changes were to be made to Policy SP12 ‘Gypsies, Travellers and Showpeople.’ Councillor Howard advised Members that a report was presented to Planning Policy Committee on Gypsy/Traveller Needs Assessment (GTNA) (Minute No. 22 from the Meeting held on 10 November 2022 refers) which based on surveys, had identified that there was no need for gypsy and traveller households in East Lindsey that met the Planning Definition, however strongly disagreed with this.  It was acknowledged that the process of reviewing the Local Plan was a massive exercise undertaken over a long period of time but stressed that changes needed to be made now for the long-term.  In response, the Portfolio Holder for Planning advised Members that an extensive debate on this item was had by Committee Members.  The GTNA was undertaken by independent consultants and they had concluded that there was no need to allocate additional sites and was reassured that the evidence base was sound.

• Councillor Makinson-Sanders stated that during the work of the caravan scrutiny panel, there was dissatisfaction shown by panel members that many villages had been taken over by caravan sites and this was damaging the quality of life of local residents.  It was further highlighted that the Assistant Director, Planning and Infrastructure had advised that the district plan would not be looked at for a number of years, therefore the panel members considered that this was something that should be looked at without delay.  In response, the Portfolio Holder for Planning advised Members that although the process was slow, he was pleased that the review including the monitoring and refreshing background evidence of the adopted policies had started early.  Furthermore, he was happy to pick up the comments made in relation to SP15 and SP19 highlighted by Councillor Makinson-Sanders and looked forward to seeing the caravan scrutiny panel’s recommendations  ...  view the full minutes text for item 74.

To consider a request from the Parish Council to change the name of the parish.

A report was presented to enable consideration of a request from Carrington Parish Council to change the name of the parish.

The Leader of the Council introduced the report and made reference to the Parish Council’s proposal to change of name to reflect the communities within the Parish area and to recognise the recent 200^th anniversary of New Bolingbroke.

The recommendations were duly proposed and seconded.

No comments or questions were received.

RESOLVED

1.   That the name of Carrington Parish be changed to Carrington and New Bolingbroke;

2.   That delegation be granted to the Assistant Director for Governance and Monitoring Officer to give notice to effect the change of name as soon as is reasonably practicable.

To receive the Draft Minutes of the Audit & Governance Meeting held on 1^st February 2023.

The Chairman of Audit and Governance Committee presented the Draft Minutes of the Audit & Governance Meeting held on 1st February 2023 for noting.

No comments were received.

RESOLVED

That the draft Minutes of the Audit and Governance Committee held on 1st February 2023 be noted.

The programmed date for the next Meeting is the Council Annual Meeting on Wednesday 24^th May 2023 at 6.30pm.

The programmed date for the next Meeting of the Council was noted as the Council Annual Meeting on Wednesday 24th May 2023 at 6.30pm.