Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Claire Arnold, Billy Brookes, Sid Dennis, Richard Fry, Adam Grist, Sam Kemp and Terry Knowles.

At this point in the Meeting, Members were invited to declare any relevant interests.  Declarations were made as follows:

·       Councillor Richard Cunnington asked it be noted that he was employed by Danfo, Minute No. 10 refers.

To confirm the Open and Exempt Minutes of the Annual Council Meeting held on 24 May 2023.

The Open and Exempt Minutes of the Annual Council Meeting held on 24th May 2023 were confirmed and signed as a correct record.

To confirm Actions following the Meeting held on 24 May 2023.

The Actions were noted as complete.

The Chief Executive advised Members that a response to Action No. 14 (Questions – Supplementary) from the Meeting held on 14 December 2022 had been shared with Members ahead of the Meeting.  A copy of this is attached at Appendix A to the Minutes.

N.B.  Councillor James Knowles joined the Meeting at 6.38pm.

The Chairman had attended several events since the previous Council meeting, including the Armed Forces Day Parade in Spalding on 20 June 2023 and a Business Breakfast in Skegness that showcased TikTok’s effective use of its platform on how it could attract a new generation of tourists to Skegness on 30 June 2023.

Councillor Edward Mossop, Vice-Chairman attended the Lincolnshire Show to join West Lindsey District Council at their stand on 21 June 2023.

The Chairman was pleased to announce that his chosen charity for East Lindsey District Council was Macmillan Cancer Support.

He also extended an invitation to all Members to his Civic Service to be held at 3.00pm on Sunday 1^st October 2023 in St Matthew’s Church, Skegness followed by a reception (further details to be confirmed).

Concluding the update, the Chairman advised Members that a Chief Executive Action had been published, under powers of delegation, to appoint Councillors Foster and Gray temporarily to Mareham Le Fen Parish Council due to the Parish Council being inquorate.

There were no questions from the public.

To receive Motions on Notice under Council Procedure Rule 12.

Motion: Former Theddlethorpe Gas Terminal

This council notes the continuing public interest in the future proposals for the former gas terminal site in Theddlethorpe.

This council also notes the condition attached to the original planning permission that promised a return to agricultural use when the project ceased operation.

Furthermore this council notes that it is a requirement of any proposal to site a nuclear storage facility to have the backing of the community in which it is proposed to be based.

In order to gauge the initial mood of the community a poll of residents was undertaken in the village of Theddlethorpe. More recently, issues surrounding the site were a major factor across the search area in elections to parish and district councils in May.

In both of these, the public overwhelmingly stated their opposition to the proposal and therefore this council resolves to:

1. Make a public declaration noting the concerns raised by the community and share these with LCC, NWS, and our MPs.

2. Immediately collaborate with LCC to establish a definitive date for conducting the Test of Public Support within the “search area” as soon as possible before the end of July 2024.

3. Determine an electoral process that ensures inclusivity, transparency, and maximum participation from the local community in the Test of Public support, engaging with local stakeholders to ensure this process is fair, unbiased, and fully democratic.

4. Provide monthly updates and progress reports to the local community regarding the progress towards conducting the Test of Public support.

5. Promote and advertise the date and arrangements for holding the Test of Public Support to ensure maximum participation by voters.

Proposer: Cllr Claire Arnold

Seconder: Cllr Kate Marnoch

Motion: Ensuring Clarity and Progress on Hosting a Geological Disposal Facility (GDF)

We ask this council to support our residents, for whom the continuing uncertainty is having a negative effect on their quality of life and well-being, by

Working with Lincolnshire County Council to bring forward the Test of Public Support by referendum in Withern and Theddlethorpe and Mablethorpe wards, no later than July 2025.

July 2025 allows a four-year timeframe. It provides ample opportunity to effectively inform the community regarding the GDF and will provide confidence to residents, business and the tourist industry.

Proposed by:  Councillor Travis Hesketh

Seconded by: Councillor Robert Watson

The Chairman advised Members that legal advice had been received and further to discussions with the proposers, both motions on the agenda had been withdrawn.

The Leader of the Council apologised to Members of the public in attendance that the Motions would not be considered at the Meeting.  It was highlighted that legal advice had been sought so that any decisions taken on this important matter by the Council or the Executive were taken in the proper manner and would withstand any legal challenge.  It was advised that the Monitoring Officer would be working with the Monitoring Officer at Lincolnshire County Council to seek further legal advice on this matter to inform future decision making on the Test of Public Support.

As a Point of Order, Councillor Jill Makinson-Sanders queried why the legal opinion had only been received that afternoon.  In response, the Leader of the Council highlighted the significance of the subject and stated that it was a complicated issue.  It was highlighted that the matters were not specifically addressed in legislation and instead were contained in a policy document from Nuclear Waste Services which set out a new national process for dealing with these matters.  It was clarified that legal advice had been sought in the early days and since that time the Council had been seeking further legal advice.  The Council had to make an informed decision on the item, and following receiving further legal advice, although at a late stage it had been agreed to withdraw the motions.

That under Section 100(a)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the Meeting for the following item on the grounds that, if they were present, there could be disclosed to them exempt information as defined in paragraph(s) 1, 2 & 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act (as amended).

RESOLVED

That under Section 100(a)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the Meeting for the following item on the grounds that, if they were present, there could be disclosed to them exempt information as defined in paragraph(s) 1, 2 & 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act (as amended).

To consider a confidential report.

An exempt report was presented.

RESOLVED

That the recommendation as detailed within the exempt minute be agreed.

It was Proposed, Seconded and agreed that Council move back into Open Session.

It was further agreed to reorder the business of the Meeting to take Item 10 on the agenda, Motions on Notice, as the next item due to recognise that Members of the public were in attendance for this item.

Report of the Chairman of Executive Board.

An updated report had been circulated prior to the meeting.  A copy is attached at Appendix B to the Minutes.

Following which, questions were asked:

LUF Events

Councillor Jackson referred to the launch events in Alford and Skegness and stated that she was eager to know when other towns, for example, Louth may benefit from levelling up funding.  In response to the point made about disparity around inland and coastal towns, Councillor Leyland highlighted that the Council must ensure that deprivation in the hinterland was taken forward.

SELCP Employee Awards

Councillor Jackson asked that her congratulations be noted to those teams and individuals who had received awards.

Councillor Horton wished to echo Councillor Jackson’s congratulations, however wanted to point out that outside of the awards scheme there were also members of staff that went the extra mile.  He also found it difficult to see how staff could be compared across the three councils and was not surprised to see that most awards had gone to SHDC staff.

In response, Councillor Leyland highlighted that the three councils were in a partnership and considered that the awards were fair.

Changing Places Toilets

Councillor Jackson queried whether further funding would be made available for changing places toilets.  In response, Councillor Leyland advised that UK Shared Prosperity Funding was about to be launched and information on this would be circulated to district and town and parish councillors.

Councillor Dickinson asked that her thanks be passed to the officers involved in securing the funding for the changing places facilities and to Councillor Leyland for attending the opening that day at the Lincolnshire Wildlife Park (LWP) in Friskney.  In response, Councillor Leyland also thanked the officers involved and Councillor Dickinson for her acknowledgement and stated that LWP was excited to get the facility and would be pleased to receive visitors who would benefit from using this.

Councillor Makinson-Sanders stated that she was disappointed that Hubbard’s Hills in Louth was unable to benefit from a changing places facility as the site could not be accessed.

SO Festival

Councillor Jackson queried whether moving the festival to June from its usual spot in August had affected attendance.

Councillor Horton considered that the festival would be better held in August due to school holidays, and furthermore did not believe the SO Festival worked.  In response, Councillor Leyland stated that he understood the event had been successful.

Councillor Danny Brookes thanked Councillor Leyland for his report, and disagreed with Councillor Horton, stating that June was an ideal time to hold the SO festival which extended the season.

In response, Councillor Leyland stated that he was happy to share attendance details for the SO Festival and considered it important to move the dates to test the season.

Publicity and signage updates to inform people of safe zones/safe routes.

Councillor Jackson referred to the signage already installed, however was concerned over the permanence of this as a ‘safe street’ could become a moving picture and queried the utility of these signs.  In response,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 37.

To note the Annual Overview Report to Council.

Councillor Fiona Martin, Chairman of Overview Committee presented the Annual Overview Committee update to Council for noting.  During her introduction, Councillor Martin thanked all Members and officers who had committed their time to the various Panels, both at ELDC and on the Joint Scrutiny Panel for the Partnership.  The Chairman also thanked Councillor Edward Mossop as her Vice-Chairman for 2022/23 for his help.  In response, Councillor Mossop stated that he had enjoyed his time on Overview Committee and considered that it was important to have change and progress and thanked the Chairman for her support, particularly on the Partnership scrutiny.

Councillor Martin also welcomed the new Members of Overview Committee following the elections and noted the renewed enthusiasm.

Councillor Martin asked that recognition be given to Councillor Jill Makinson-Sanders for her work as Chairman on the ‘To explore the issues surrounding caravan licensing and enforcement’ Scrutiny Panel as the final report was exemplar and a piece of work that the Council should be proud of.  In response, Councillor Makinson-Sanders thanked the Chairman for the commendation.

Councillor Craig Leyland, Leader of the Council added his appreciation of the work undertaken by Overview Committee and the scrutiny panels and highlighted that Executive Board accepted the reports with interest and noted the recommendations coming forward, stating that it was right that the Council was held to account.

Councillor Horton raised a query in relation to a question posted to the Questions2Council Inbox that had not been included in the list circulated to Members ahead of the Meeting.

In response, the Monitoring Officer stated that a response would be sought, following which this would be forwarded to the Member concerned and brought back to the next Meeting.

The programmed date for the next Meeting of the Council will be Wednesday 11 October 2023.

The programmed date for the next Meeting of the Council was noted as Wednesday 11 October 2023 at 6.30pm.