Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Billy Brookes, Adam Grist, Stephen Lyons, Steve McMillan, Paul Rickett and Terry Taylor,

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

·       Councillors Richard Fry and Jill Makinson-Sanders asked it be noted that in respect of Item No. 16 ‘Public Sector Partnership Services Business Plan 2025 to 2028’’, as PSPS Board Directors they would leave the Meeting for that item.

·       Councillor Stef Bristow asked it be noted that in respect of Item 8 ‘Motions on Notice’ she was Clerk to Theddlethorpe Parish Council and Great and Little Carlton Parish Council.

To confirm the Open and Exempt Minutes of the Meeting held on 11 December 2024.

The Open and Exempt Minutes of the Meeting held on 11 December 2024 were confirmed and signed as a correct record.

With regards to Item 70(a) ‘Scrutiny Panel Report: Review of the Carbon Reduction Plan and associated carbon reduction activity at ELDC’, page 23 of the Agenda refers, Councillor Ros Jackson clarified that she had referred to the wording within the report and that this was not her personal view.  Following which, it was confirmed that the wording had been amended in the Minutes to reflect this.

With regards to Paragraph 2, page 35 on the Exempt Minute refers, it was highlighted that the wording should read ‘re-appoint’ and not ‘re-point’.

With regards to Paragraph 4, page 36 on the Exempt Minute refers, the phrase ‘stepped through that advice’ related to the Council proceeding in a careful manner.

To confirm Actions following the Meeting held on 11 December 2024.

The Actions were noted as complete.

Action No. 63 (b) – Report of the Chairman of Executive Board -  Social Isolation Grant.

A Member asked that the list of grants circulated in the Members’ Point Brief be included as separate links to make it easier to forward on to community groups.  The Assistant Director (Corporate) confirmed he would pass this on to be actioned.

The Chairman advised of an item for noting as follows:

In pursuance of Section S91 of the Local Government Act 1972, East Lindsey District Council had appointed District Councillors Terry Taylor and Wendy Bowkett to Toynton St Peter Parish Council so that the Parish Council meetings were able to convene.

The Chairman advised that his Civic Service would be held on Sunday 30 March 2025 at St Mary’s Church, Marshchapel which would also celebrate the dedication and restoration of the church bells and all were welcome.  The Chairman advised Members that funds raised would support his chosen charity, the Lincolnshire Rural Support Network who helped those troubled by mental health and financial worries.

The Chairman passed on his thanks to Christine Marshall as she left her role as Deputy Chief Executive (Corporate Development) and Section 151 Officer across the Partnership.  He highlighted that the outstanding work she had undertaken crossed all committees and in particular, complimented her input with the budgets over the last few years and wished her well in her new role.

The Chairman reflected on the past year in his role and thanked all Members for their support and the respectful and civil manner in which they had conducted themselves during debate of many matters, some of which had caused great concern to local communities.  He highlighted that he was pleased to see a greater attendance of members of the public during the last year which had shown him that many were passionate about their communities and acknowledged that change could cause worry and concern and thanked them for their involvement.

Three questions had been received as below, following which a written response had been provided to each in line with Council Procedure Rule 10.9.

A full copy of the questions is attached at Appendix 1 to these Minutes.

To receive Motions on Notice under Council Procedure Rule 12.

Motion 1

Proposer. Travis Hesketh

Seconder Robert Watson

On 30^th January Nuclear Waste Services (NWS) announced that an area of open countryside and productive farmland in between Gayton le Marsh and Great Carlton had been identified as the location of a massive tunnel entrance leading to the coast. High level nuclear waste would be transported using these tunnels and dumped under the Lincolnshire Coastline

Motion

‘This council urges the Executive and Leader of East Lindsey District Council to issue a statement opposing the Geological Disposal Facility for nuclear waste in Lincolnshire and urge Lincolnshire County Council to withdraw from the project’.

Motion 2

Proposer Travis Hesketh

Seconder Robert Watson

ELDC intends to withdraw from the GDF project. On Page 34 of the document “Community Guidance How we will work with communities in England” it states 

“Relevant principal local authorities will receive financial support to participate in the process, so that local taxpayers do not incur any additional financial burden.”

Motion

This council urges the Executive to generate a claim against NWS for all costs that the council has incurred in participating in the GDF project. 

The money claimed should be split as follows:

50% to mitigation of risk for the flood defence report. 

50% to be split evenly between the parishes in the search area.

The following Motion was received in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 12:

Motion 1

On 30^th January Nuclear Waste Services (NWS) announced that an area of open countryside and productive farmland in between Gayton le Marsh and Great Carlton had been identified as the location of a massive tunnel entrance leading to the coast. High level nuclear waste would be transported using these tunnels and dumped under the Lincolnshire Coastline

Motion

‘This council urges the Executive and Leader of East Lindsey District Council to issue a statement opposing the Geological Disposal Facility (GDF) for nuclear waste in Lincolnshire and urge Lincolnshire County Council to withdraw from the project’.

Proposer. Travis Hesketh

Seconder Robert Watson

In his introduction, Councillor Hesketh highlighted to Members that the process for the GDF began on 20 March 2020 when a meeting was held to discuss the possibility of siting a nuclear dump in Lincolnshire, following which people in this region were left in the dark until the news was broken on TV on 23 July 2021 that the 67-acre brownfield site of the former gas terminal had been selected as the intended site entrance for a GDF.  He stressed that the community had no say in this decision that would forever change their lives.  Residents’ minds were consumed by the fear of nuclear waste and their homes, security and futures had been thrown into uncertainty.  And since that day, Theddlethorpe had been blighted as every conversation, thought and decision was overshadowed by the nuclear dump proposal and residents had been fighting for their homes and way of life.

On 30 January 2025, NWS abandoned the brownfield former gas terminal site and instead identified 1000 acres of farmland between Gayton Le Marsh and Great Carlton and understandably the residents from these communities reeled in horror at the news.  NWS proceeded to host 8 specific public events where they brought along their scientists, geologists and engagement officers armed with expensive models and polished scripts.  Following which, Councillor Hesketh strongly urged Members to support the Motion.

Councillor Robert Watson seconded the Motion.

Speaking as Seconder to the Motion, Councillor Watson added that despite the polls, surveys and meetings there would never be a willing community for a nuclear waste dump in East Lindsey or other parts of the country and urged the Council to do everything within its power to stop the county becoming the bin emptier for the nuclear industry and the refuse collector for the most toxic waste known to mankind.  He stated that it was time to show strength and leadership in this matter and strongly urged Members to support the Motion.

Speaking to the Motion, the Leader of the Labour Group queried why Louth had not been properly consulted on the proposed GDF area, as Ludensians were as close to this site as Mablethorpe.  This equated to 17k plus residents who were going to be equally affected by this industrialisation of the countryside and it was highlighted that it had always been the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 82.

Report of the Chairman of Executive Board.

The Leader of the Council presented Members with his report, pages 63 to 64 of the Agenda refer.

Further to his report, the Leader provided an update in relation to the Healthy Living Team – local support as follows:

It was highlighted to Members that the Council was committed to supporting its residents to access and navigate online support and services as basic digital skills and confidence helped people save time, money, reduce social isolation and helped them fully engage with society.

The Council’s Healthy Living team had been working closely with local digital inclusion charity Lincs Digital to help people at the Council’s community digital drop-ins across the district and together had offered people non-judgemental and friendly help.

Following this successful partnership, the Leader of the Council was pleased to announce it would continue working with Lincs Digital this year and the charity would become ELDC’s ‘digital inclusion partner’ to help it better understand the needs of the community and offer practical help to reduce barriers to accessing the internet.

To find out more about the Council’s digital inclusion work, community-drop-ins or information and advice for people on accessing data, devices and support Members could visit: https://www.e-lindsey.gov.uk/DigitalInclusion

Following which, questions and comments were put forward as follows:

Internal Drainage Board (IDB) Special Interest Group (SIG)

Members were pleased to see that the SIG had successfully obtained an uplift to the one-off grant awarded to meet the levy increases which had increased from £3m to £5m.

A Member considered that it was important to leave a legacy for the future with the IDBs and SIGs and queried how this would translate into a new authority following local government reorganisation and how plans would be put in place for this to go forward.

In response, the Leader of the Council advised that with regards to legacy projects there would be limited time to engage in this, however the Council was in a fortunate position where it had the means to do this.  The Leader added that IDBs would continue after the new local government structures were in place and it was important to ensure they continued to be well-funded, as well as maintaining good working relationships with external agencies.

Thanks were passed to the out-going Deputy Chief Executive (Corporate Development)/Section 151 Officer who had been a wonderful advocate for East Lindsey for the IDB levies.

GDF Update

A Member queried whether the Community Partnership’s (CP) search area/ward boundaries remained appropriate as they did not take Louth into account.

In response, the Leader of the Council advised that the search areas would be discussed at the next CP Meeting and he would continue to attend the meetings until the ELDC Executive Board made a decision to leave the GDF process.

A Member thanked the Leader of the Council for his update on the proposed nuclear waste dump.  However, it was considered that if the Council wished to portray itself as a caring Council then it needed to focus on the people affected  ...  view the full minutes text for item 83.

To consider suspending Council Procedure Rules to allow the mover of the Budget Report and Group Leaders(s) or their nominated representative(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 2025/26 and Council Tax Setting 2025/26, 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 2025/26 including the use of reserves, Medium Term Financial Strategy, Capital Programme and Strategy, Treasury Management Policy/Strategy, MRP Policy and Annual Investment Strategy and the Annual Delivery Plan including the approval of Council Tax levels for recommendation to Full Council.

N.B. A recorded vote was mandatory on the Annual Budget Report 2025/26 in line with the Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2014.

A report was presented to enable consideration of the Annual Budget Report 2025/26, Medium Term Financial Strategy, Capital Programme and Capital Strategy, Treasury Management Policy/Strategy and Annual Delivery Plan, pages 65 to 232 of the Agenda refer.

During his introduction Councillor Kemp, Portfolio Holder for Finance highlighted that for 2025/26 the challenges before the Council remained, but with a different emphasis.  These were not being driven from worldwide events as the Council had previously experienced, but from government and through policy changes.  This meant that the Council was receiving significantly less government support than in previous years, with the removal of the Rural Services Delivery Grant.  Further significant changes were planned for the coming year in terms of Business Rates and more changes to future year settlements, plus Devolution and Local Government Re-organisation, therefore there could be no doubt there would be further challenges ahead.

Main points relating to the budget were explained in detail on pages 67 to 60 of the Agenda referred, as follows:

• Key Budget Pressures
• Council Tax and Business Rates
• Local Government Settlement
• Internal Drainage Boards
• Capital Programme
• Reserves
• Balancing the Budget and other proposed changes
• Additional Considerations

In summary, the Portfolio Holder for Finance considered that the budget presented a balanced and positive picture, despite challenging circumstances and appropriately met the issues the Council faced whilst maximising grant income to invest in local assets to the benefit of the communities.

Following which, it was Proposed and Seconded:

• That Recommendations 1 – 9 of the Annual Budget Report 2025/26, Medium Term Financial Strategy, Capital Programme and Capital Strategy, Treasury Management Policy/Strategy, MRP Policy and Annual Investment Strategy and the Annual Delivery Plan including the approval of Council Tax levels as considered by Executive Board on 20 February 2025 be approved.

An Amendment by the Labour Group was Proposed by Councillor Ros Jackson and Seconded by Councillor David Hall as detailed below. 

Labour budget amendment 2025/26:

HOUSEHOLD SUPPORT FUND BOOST

Due to cost of living pressures, ELDC’s Household Support Fund ran out earlier last year due to high demand. This year there will be expected pressures on household budgets due to rising food prices and sustained fuel prices. Therefore, we propose to supplement the Household Support Fund by an extra £250,000 in order to help more of the district’s vulnerable households. The existing government funding is £445,293.

CAR PARK SOLAR PANELS

We propose to invest in improvements to the council’s car parks with solar canopies in order to create an increased ongoing revenue stream for the council, and to assist in the transition to net zero by 2040. This may also include charging points for electric vehicles. EV charging points will increase the capital costs but reduce the payback time for any installation.

A reserve of £330,000 will be created to draw on to begin work on installing solar panels over the most  ...  view the full minutes text for item 85.

To consider for approval the amounts of Council Tax applicable for 2025/26 for each valuation band and in each part of the district.

N.B. A recorded vote was mandatory on Council Tax Setting 2025/26, in line with the Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2014.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance presented a report to enable consideration of the amounts of Council Tax applicable for 2025/26 for each valuation band and in each part of the district.

The East Lindsey District Council budget for 2025/26 was considered by Executive Board on 20th February 2025, Minute No. 7 refers and recommendations were now provided to Council on 5th March 2025, setting the Band D Council tax at £171.54, a £4.95 (2.97%) increase on 2024/25.  The Budget report was based on the finance settlement advised by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

Full details were set out at Sections 1 to 10 and Appendices A to E of the Agenda, pages 234 to 258 refer.

The recommendations were duly Proposed and Seconded.

No comments or questions were received.

RESOLVED:

That the formal Council Tax resolutions for 2025/26 as set out in Appendix A to the report and summarised in Paragraph 4.1 be approved.

For the Proposals: Councillors Aldridge, Arnold, Ashton, Avison, Bowkett, Bristow, Danny Brookes, Jimmy Brookes, Campbell-Wardman, Cullen, Cunnington, Dannatt, Davie, Dawson, Devereux, Dickinson, Drury, Edginton, Evans, Eyre, Foster, Fry, Gray, Alex Hall, David Hall, Hesketh, Hobson, Horton, Jackson, Jones, Sam Kemp, Tom Kemp, Kirk, James Knowles, Terry Knowles, Leonard, Leyland, McNally, Macey, Makinson-Sanders, Marnoch, Ellie Marsh, Graham Marsh, Martin, Mossop, Simpson, Watson and Yarsley– 48

Against the Proposals: None

Abstentions: None

Absent: Councillors Billy Brookes, Grist, Grover, Lyons, McMillan, Rickett and Taylor – 7

To determine the Local Council Tax Support Scheme for 2025/26.

A report was presented to determine the Local Council Tax Support Scheme for 2025/26.  This report sought Council approval of the Executive Board decision on the final proposals for the 2024/25 Local Council Tax Support scheme.

During his introduction of the report the Portfolio Holder for Finance referred to the results of the 2025/26 Scheme Consultation as set out at Section 3 of the report, pages 259 to 263 of the Agenda refer.

The background to the report and the 2025/26 Scheme Modification Proposals were set out at Sections 1 and 2 of the report.  The full consultation report was shown at Appendix 1, pages 267 to 276 of the Agenda refers.

The recommendations were duly Proposed and Seconded.

The Leader of the Labour Group spoke in support of the paper and stated that she was pleased to see that the Council was increasing the maximum Council Tax Support to 85% for households with children which would be key to those households who were in danger of child poverty.

In response, the Portfolio Holder for Finance offered his thanks for the support on the proposal and added that it was a vital piece of work that would provide benefit to those who needed it the most and considered that the Council had always been at the forefront of delivering for those in need.

The Leader of the East Lindsey Independent Group stated that it was pensioners who were particularly in need and that poverty with older people was desperate.  Frequently, pensioners had to choose between eating or putting their heating on and it was considered that the Council needed to work harder to support the older generation.

In response, the Leader of the Council stated that the points about supporting the ageing population were well-made and pensioners in particular.  Recent changes by the government had caused a lot of concern and Executive Board Members had been working to see what could be done, mitigated or supported and he was happy to support the paper.

In summing up, the Portfolio Holder for Finance considered that the proposal was an excellent first step in terms of addressing some of the issues with more to be addressed in the future and thanked Members for their support.

RESOLVED:

That the Council Tax Support scheme be revised for 2025/26 as follows:

•         Increase the maximum CTS for households with children to 85%.

•         Remove the earnings disregard to Universal Credit claims.

•         Introduce a standard £10 rate for non-dependent deductions.

•         Introduce a minimum award of £1 per week.

•         Increase the threshold for changes in Universal Credit to £30 per week, with discretion for flexibility.

•         Uprate in line with DWP uprating amounts for 2025/26.

N.B.  Councillors Richard Cunnington and Terry Knowles left the Meeting at 4.44pm.

To consider the approval of the 2023/24 Outturn Report & 2022/23 Abbreviated Outturn including Audit Update.

A report was presented to consider the 2023/24 Outturn Report & 2022/23 Abbreviated Outturn including Audit Update and detailed the 2023/24 outturn position and the summary outturn position for 2022/23 and provides an update on the overall financial reporting and audit position.

During his introduction of the report, the Portfolio Holder for Finance highlighted the following key areas:

•         General Fund Revenue Outturn

•         Savings Target

•         Reserves

•         Capital General Fund

Full details were set out at Sections 1 to 4 and Appendices A to E of the Agenda, pages 278 to 280 refer.

The recommendations were duly Proposed and Seconded.

No comments or questions were received.

RESOLVED

1)       That the General Fund outturn position for 2023/24 being an underspend of £914k as detailed in Table 1 of Appendix A to the report be noted and the transfer of the surplus to the Investment Volatility Reserve be approved.

2)       That the reserves transactions and balances as set out in Appendix A - Table 3 to the report for 23/24 be approved.

3)       That the Capital Programme carry forwards from 2023/24 as set out in Appendix A – Table 4c to the report be approved.

4)       That the outturn for 2022/23, reserve balances, including the final year-end adjustments, and that due to delay with the closure for 2022/23 all revenue, treasury and capital year-end adjustments have been dealt with through the year as part of the Quarterly Monitoring, reporting to Audit and Governance for Treasury matters and as part of the 2024/25 budget setting process be noted.

5)       That the capital financing adjustments in Appendix B - Table 2 to the report, reserve transactions and balances for 2022/23 as set out in Appendix B – Table 3 to the report be approved.

To consider approval of the Pay Policy Statement for 2025/26 for East Lindsey District Council as required under Part 1, Chapter 8 (Section 38) of the Localism Act 2011.

A report was presented to seek approval of the Pay Policy Statement for 2025/2026.

During his introduction of the report, the Leader of the Council advised Members that Under section 38 of the Localism Act 2011, a Pay Policy Statement was required to be produced annually and must be approved by Council.  This had been a requirement since 2012/13.  Once approved, the Pay Policy Statement must be published on the Council’s website by 31 March 2025.  This report presented the Pay Policy Statement for 2025/2026.

The background together with further information was detailed at Sections 1 and 2, pages 316 to 317 of the Agenda refer.

The recommendations were duly Proposed and Seconded.

No comments or questions were received.

RESOLVED

That the Pay Policy Statement 2025/2026 at Appendix 1 of the report be approved.

N.B.  Councillors Richard Fry and Jill Makinson-Sanders left the Meeting at 4.48pm.

N.B.  Councillor Richard Cunnington re-joined the Meeting at 4.49pm.

To consider approval of the Public Sector Partnership Services Business Plan 2025 to 2028.

A report was presented to consider approval of the Public Sector Partnership Services (PSPS) Business Plan 2025 to 2028.

During his introduction of the report, the Deputy Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Community Safety, Leisure and Culture and Carbon Reduction informed Members that in 2020, East Lindsey District Council (ELDC) and South Holland District Council (SHDC) signed a new 10-year Joint Venture Agreement with Public Sector Partnership Services.  Since that time, Boston Borough Council had also transferred services in the company (from April 2021).

The report brought forward the PSPS Business Plan 2025 to 2028 for consideration which was a matter for ELDC and SHDC Councils only as the founding shareholders of the company and was a requirement under the Joint Venture Shareholder Agreement.

The background was detailed at Section 1 and the PSPS Business Plan 2025-2027 was attached at Appendix A to the report, pages 334 to 360 of the Agenda refer.

The recommendations were duly Proposed and Seconded.

A Member highlighted that within the introduction of the Business Plan there were some missing figures for savings estimates, page 340 of the Agenda refers and highlighted the importance to see what the projections were.

In response, the Deputy Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Community Safety, Leisure and Culture and Carbon Reduction agreed to provide a response in writing to the Councillor.

A Member further considered that the Plan was light on detail of how PSPS would get to where it wanted to be and that it was important not to over estimate savings that would be made from Artificial Intelligence (AI).

In response, the Deputy Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Community Safety, Leisure and Culture and Carbon Reduction informed Members that currently AI was being used at the cold face of business, for example acknowledging questions received and directing them to the right place.  As AI was a relatively new concept to most councils’ businesses, work was underway to ensure that every advantage could be taken from this whilst ensuring IT systems were secure.  He further considered that Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) was a moving feast and that it was important that the councils and other organisations such as PSPS and Magna Vitae were in a healthy position for when the review came to be able to dictate some of its own terms.

It was also highlighted that LGR would impact on service delivery and governance, therefore needed careful monitoring and overall the Plan would require some refinement.

In response, the Leader of the Council stated that with LGR coming along, it was important for PSPS to be a thriving company as there may be potentials for the company itself.

A Member highlighted the problems experienced with technology and asked for assurance that within the Plan there would be training offered on accessibility features.

In response, the Deputy Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Community Safety, Leisure and Culture and Carbon Reduction stated that ‘Recite Me’ had  ...  view the full minutes text for item 90.

To consider approval for the designation of a Section 151 Officer.

A report was presented to consider approval of a designate Section 151 Officer.

During his introduction of the report, the Leader of the Council informed Members that the Council had an obligation to designate a suitably qualified Section 151 Officer.  The Council’s existing Section 151 Officer, Christine Marshall, left the Council in March 2025.

The report brought to Council the designation of an interim Section 151 Officer to ensure the statutory functions associated with the role were fulfilled.  As at present, the role would be undertaken on a shared basis across the South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership.

The background and detail were set out in Sections 1 and 2 of the report, page 362 of the Agenda refers.

The recommendations were duly Proposed and Seconded.

A Member queried why the role of Section 151 Officer was on an interim basis.

In response, the Leader of the Council stated that the motivation for appointing on an interim basis was due to the current position of the Local Government Reorganisation and not offering permanent contracts if they could not be fulfilled.  He added that a Section 151 Officer was a statutory role that attracted a specific skill set.

On behalf of the Labour Group, and as Chairman of the Audit and Governance Committee Councillor Ros Jackson paid tribute to Christine Marshall as outgoing Section 151 Officer who had been thorough, reliable and knowledgeable and would be missed,

RESOLVED

That Brendan Arnold, the Council’s incoming Director of Finance be designated as the Council’s Section 151 Officer with effect from 31 March 2025.

To consider the appointment of a Local Returning Officer to be responsible for administering the Greater Lincolnshire CombinedCounty Authority Mayoral Elections in East Lindsey.

A report was presented to consider the appointment of a Local Returning Officer to be responsible for administering the Greater Lincolnshire CombinedCounty Authority Mayoral Elections in East Lindsey.

During his introduction of the report, the Leader of the Council advised Members that in advance of the forthcoming Mayoral Election in May 2025, the Electoral Commission had advised that each Council should formally appoint an officer of the Council to be a Local Returning Officer for each local area within the Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority.

The recommendations within this report therefore reflected this advice. The appointed Local Returning Officers would be responsible for running the Combined County Authority Mayoral Elections at a local level (at the District Council or Unitary Council area).  Local Returning Officers would deliver the election in accordance with any directions given by the Chief Executive of North East Lincolnshire Council appointed as the Combined County Authority Returning Officer (CCARO) on 12 December 2024.

The background and detail were set out in Sections 1 of the report, page 366 of the Agenda refer.

The recommendation was duly Proposed and Seconded.

No comments or questions were received.

RESOLVED

That Rob Barlow, Chief Executive, East Lindsey District Council be appointed Local Returning Officer for the East Lindsey area for the Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority Mayoral Elections.

To consider the appointment of Independent Persons.

A report was presented to consider the appointment of two Independent Persons.

During his introduction of the report, the Leader of the Council advised Members that at a recent Group Leaders’ Meeting, a discussion was held whereby it was agreed that the appointment of Independent Persons should be undertaken as a matter of urgency. However, at this meeting it was proposed that the Independent Person’s Allowance be delegated to the Chief Executive in consultation with Group Leaders and the remuneration of that post could be discussed or decided at a later date.

In Proposing and Seconding the recommendations, it was proposed that Recommendation 2 be amended to read ‘That the Independent Person’s Allowance be delegated to the Chief Executive in consultation with Group Leaders’.

The Council consented to debate the proposed recommendations.

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

A Member queried what process was undertaken to appoint Independent Persons, and whether they still received an allowance if they were not called to meet.

A Member considered that an allowance for an Independent Person should be uniform across the Council, for example the allowance for an Independent Person on Audit and Governance Committee was £650 per annum.  Following which, a Member queried why Independent Members were not part of the same process.

A Member queried the process for appointing an Independent Person and asked for clarification on whether the two recommended appointments included a reserve member.

A Member queried that given the historical value of an Independent Person, and how often they were called to fulfil the role, justified the allowance paid.

A Member highlighted that a government consultation on matters relating to standards in public life for elected Members had recently finished and queried whether the outcome of this would put a different light on this matter.  It was further queried whether an Independent Person was issued with a formal contract for the role.

In response to the queries raised, the Leader of the Council advised that in effect, a benchmarking exercise had been undertaken in relation to the appointment process.  He advised that an Independent Person was a critical role which would support the Monitoring Officer and his team in terms of dealing with complaints, making judgements and a final assessment of what action should be taken.

The Monitoring Officer (MO) clarified that the statutory minimum number of Independent Persons required was one.  Members were further advised that the Council had to have an Independent Panel in place to deal with any sort of disciplinary matters arising against statutory officers (Section 1.4 refers) which would suggest that two Independent Persons should be appointed.  He further clarified that the Council had initially appointed two Independent Persons, one who had resigned and the other who wished to resign.  A second Independent Person would also be used in the event that the other person was not available.  He continued that an Independent Person not only supported complaints made against Members of the authority, but also town and parish  ...  view the full minutes text for item 93.

To note the Minutes from the Extraordinary Audit and Governance Committee Meeting held on 27 November 2024 and re-convened Extraordinary Audit and Governance Committee Meeting held on 13 December 2024.

To review the Minutes of Audit and Governance Committee held on 29 January 2025 and the Extraordinary Audit and Governance Committee Meeting held on 12 February 2025.

Members received the following Minutes for noting:

·       Extraordinary Audit and Governance Committee Meeting held on 27 November 2024.

·       Re-convened Extraordinary Audit and Governance Committee Meeting held on 13 December 2024.

·       Audit and Governance Committee held on 29 January 2025 (Draft).

·        Extraordinary Audit and Governance Committee Meeting held on 12 February 2025 (Draft).

Councillor Ros Jackson, Chairman of the Audit and Governance Committee highlighted key elements from the Minutes as follows:

·       The External Auditors (Mazars LLP) disclaimed the 2022/23 Accounts.

·       Changes had been made to the Minimum Revenue Provision which would significantly impact the Council’s investments policy.

·       The External Auditors (KPMG) highlighted a lack of information coming forward on Invest East Lindsey loans.

No comments or questions were received.

RESOLVED

That the Minutes from the Extraordinary Audit and Governance Committee Meeting held on 27 November 2024 and the re-convened Extraordinary Audit and Governance Committee Meeting held on 13 December 2024 be noted.

That the draft Minutes from Audit and Governance Committee held on 29 January 2025 and the Extraordinary Audit and Governance Committee Meeting held on 12 February 2025 be noted.

The programmed date for the next Meeting is the Council Annual General Meeting on Wednesday 21 May 2025 at 6.30pm.

The programmed date for the next Meeting of the Council was confirmed as the AGM on Wednesday 21st May 2025, commencing at 6.30pm.