It was Proposed by Councillor Craig Leyland and Seconded by Councillor Graham Marsh that Councillor Terry Taylor be elected Chairman of the Council.

Upon being put to the vote, it was

RESOLVED

That Councillor Terry Taylor be elected as Chairman of the Council for the Council year 2025/26.

COUNCILLOR TERRY TAYLOR IN THE CHAIR

The Chairman made his Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

The Chairman proposed a vote of thanks to the retiring Chairman, Councillor Edward Mossop which was duly seconded. 

Thanks and appreciation to the retiring Chairman were also received from all Political Group Leaders.  Following which, a personalised shield was presented to Councillor Mossop to mark his term of office,

In responding to the vote of thanks, Councillor Mossop expressed his thanks to all who had assisted him during his term of office and was touched to receive a gift that replicated a crest presented to his father as Chairman of the old Louth Rural District Council from 1959 to 1961.

It was Proposed by Councillor Craig Leyland and Seconded by Councillor Graham Marsh that Councillor Neil Jones be elected Vice Chairman of the Council. 

Councillor Leyland stated that Councillor Jones would do a great job presiding over the Council and given the timing of Local Government Reorganisation would serve the Council well as it headed into quite turbulent times.

Following which, it was It was Proposed by Councillor David Hall and Seconded by Councillor Kate Marnoch that Councillor Claire Arnold be elected Vice Chairman of the Council. 

Councillor Hall stated that Councillor Arnold would do a fantastic job as Vice Chairman of the Council and recognised the great work she had done as the outgoing Mayor of Mablethorpe and Sutton on Sea Town Council.

Following which it was further Proposed by Councillor Daniel Simpson and Seconded by Councillor Ruchira Yarsley that Councillor George Horton be elected Vice-Chairman of the Council.

Councillor Simpson stated that Councillor Horton would undertake the role of Vice-Chairman very well and highlighted his longstanding role on the Council’s Licensing Committee, as a local Magistrate and businessman.

Under Part 4.1 of the Constitution (Council Procedure Rules) Section 18.4 it was requested that a paper ballot be taken.

Upon being put to the vote, it was

RESOLVED

That Councillor Neil Jones be elected Vice Chairman of the Council for the Council year 2025/26.

The Vice Chairman made his Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

The Chairman extended his congratulations to Councillor Neil Jones and stated that he looked forward to working with him.  In response, the Vice-Chairman thanked everyone who voted for him.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Wendy Bowkett, Stephen Eyre, Terry Knowles and Ellie Marsh.

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

·       Councillor Jill Makinson-Sanders asked it be noted that she was a Director of Public Sector Partnership Services (PSPS) Limited Board, Item No. 13 ‘Appointment to Outside Bodies’ refers.

To confirm the Minutes of the Meeting held on 3 March 2025.

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 5 March 2025 were confirmed and signed as a correct record.

To confirm Actions following the Meeting held on 5 March 2025.

The Actions of the Meeting held on 5 March 2025 were confirmed as complete.

There were no communications received.

To receive a verbal update.

Councillor Craig Leyland, Leader of the Council confirmed that there were no changes to the Portfolio Holders or their areas of responsibility.

Councillor Graham Marsh was appointed as Deputy Leader of the Council by the Leader of the Council.

Members were appointed to Executive Board as follows:

·       Councillor Graham Marsh, Portfolio Holder for Community Safety, Leisure and Culture, and Carbon Reduction.

·       Councillor Tom Ashton, Portfolio Holder for Planning.

·       Councillor Sarah Devereux, Portfolio Holder for Partnerships.

·       Councillor Martin Foster, Portfolio Holder for Operational Services.

·       Councillor Tom Kemp, Portfolio Holder for Finance.

·       Councillor William Gray, Portfolio Holder for Communities and Better Ageing.

·       Councillor Adam Grist, Portfolio Holder for Market Towns and the Rural Economy.

·       Councillor Steve Kirk, Portfolio Holder for the Coastal Economy.

Further to a query why there was no appointment to the Leader of the Council, the Monitoring Officer confirmed that the Leader’s position was appointed for a period of 4 years.  The last appointment was made on 24 May 2023, Council Minute No. 10 refers.

Report of the Chairman of Executive Board.

Ahead of presenting his report, the Leader of the Council addressed Members with a verbal update as follows:

‘While I am leader of the largest group at East Lindsey, I lead a minority administration, and I am fully aware of the privilege that all Councillors in this room grant me in allowing me to stand here and give my Leaders Report.  Thank you. 

This AGM follows on from the Lincolnshire County Council (LCC) and Mayoral election on May 1st. 

And politics is brutal.  My commiserations to my colleagues who lost their seats and also to those who stood and lost.

My congratulations to those that stood for the first time and won. To both Danny and Jimmy Brookes you now have the responsibility of taking our issues to the new Reform UK administration direct, from our health inequalities to dealing with some of the most deprived wards in the country.  LCC has contracted part of its Wellbeing Service to the districts and ELDC officers play a major role in that and we need to ensure that the cost, curricular activity and work continues positively.  LCC also provides a number of roles that are critical to all of our residents, including adult and children’s services and education where residents will be affected by, but these services will still have to be delivered at a high quality.

This administration will engage positively with Lincolnshire County Council under its new leadership and we will also engage with the new Mayor.  We have much to look forward to and much to shape and make happen for our residents and businesses as we understand Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) and its implications. 

One issue we know residents will be keen to see concluded is the withdrawal of Lincolnshire County Council (LCC) from the Nuclear Waste Services Geological Disposal Facility siting process.  The sooner that is concluded, the better for all concerned. 

We will of course hold LCC to account where needed. 

The Executive Board will continue to work with partners to progress and shape our LGR proposal. We will also keep Group Leaders updated and the wider Council.  Dates have already been diarised for Member briefings.

I am pleased to see the East Lindsey Investment Fund now starting to positively impact our communities.  We will make sure information is shared as widely as possible and of course our Councillor Community Grant Scheme is now active.  

We are facing an incredible change that will change the structure that we operate in and I think it's important that while this will be an executive led process in terms of the engagement that we have with other partners,
it's important that we share their responsibility with this wider Council because it affects all of our residents equally and some more so than others because of the issues that they face’.

The Leader of the Council continued to present Members with his report, page 47 of the Agenda refers.

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

Councillors’  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

The Council to confirm the appointments to committees and panels and the schedule of meetings for the municipal year 2025/26.

Please note Appendices A and B are to follow.

A report was presented to confirm the following:

a)    The appointments to Committees and Panels, and

b)    The Schedule of Meetings 2025/26.

During his introduction of the report, the Chief Executive highlighted that the purpose of the report was to confirm, in accordance with the provisions set out in the Council’s Constitution, the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 and the Local Government (Committees and Political Groups) Regulations 1990 (as amended), the allocation of committee seats at Appendix A to this report and appointments to committee seats as detailed at Appendix B to this report.

Appendices A (Proportionality) and B (Appointments) were tabled at the meeting and are attached to these Minutes.

Agreement was also sought for the 2025/26 Schedule of Meetings detailed at Appendix C to this report.

The Chief Executive highlighted that confirmation had been received that Richard Cunnington, a new Member of the East Lindsey Independent Group had been nominated for the Planning Committee.

The Chief Executive further advised Members of changes to Appendix C ‘ELDC Calendar of Meetings 2025-26’ as follows:

·       The Planning Policy Committee meeting scheduled for 12 June 2025 had been moved to 26 June 2025.

·       A Planning Policy Committee meeting had been added for 14 May 2026 (this replaced the meeting scheduled for 17 July 2025).

It was Proposed and Seconded that the recommendations as set out in the report, together with the amendments proposed be agreed.

The East Lindsey Independent Group Leader stressed the importance for those appointed to Committees to attend and to thoroughly read agendas ahead of the meetings.

RESOLVED

1.     That the establishment of its committees and panels, including the allocation of seats as detailed at Appendix A and appointments to as detailed at Appendix B for the municipal year 2025/26 be approved.

2.     That the Schedule of Meetings at Appendix C for 2025/26 be approved.  To include the following amendments:

·       That the Planning Policy Committee meeting scheduled for 12 June 2025 be moved to 26 June 2025.

·       That a Planning Policy Committee meeting for 14 May 2026 (to replace the meeting scheduled for 17 July 2025 be added to the Schedule of Meetings.

3.     That the Chief Executive, in consultation with the relevant Chairman be delegated authority to amend or cancel meeting dates as necessary.

To consider appointments to the various Outside Bodies which are within the remit of the Council for the forthcoming 2025/26 Municipal Year.

Please note Appendix A is to follow.

A report was presented by the Chief Executive that considered the appointment of Council representatives to the various Outside Bodies which were within the remit of the Council for the municipal year 2025/26.

The Leader of the Council advised Members that there had been a change to one of the Magna Vitae Outside Body nominations as follows:

·       That Councillor Sam Kemp be replaced by Councillor Richard Fry.

It was Proposed and Seconded:

·       That the Council makes appointments to the outside bodies where the Council is the appointing body as set out in Appendix A (tabled) to this report.

RESOLVED

That Members be appointed to the various Bodies detailed below.

To receive a report on the Partnership's performance.

The Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Corporate Affairs presented a report that set out the progress of the South and East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership since the last update on 9th October 2024.

The background and detail to the report was highlighted to Members, as set out at Sections 1 to 5, pages 62 to 70 of the Agenda refer, and particular reference was made to the following:

·       Alignment and Delivery Plan (Section 2)

·       Performance Framework 2025/26 (Section 3)

·       Priority Partnerships Updates (Section 4)

·       Partnership Scrutiny update (Section 5)

Following which the recommendations were duly Proposed and Seconded.

Members were invited to put their comments and questions forward.

A Member commented that the report was repetitive and could have been much shorter.  It was highlighted further that South Holland District Council (SHDC) had achieved 87% for staff who felt valued at work and 94% who felt the Partnership recognised and supported positive mental health in the workplace, page 75 of the Agenda refers and considered this worth interrogating.

In response, the Leader of the Council advised he would seek further information in relation to this and share with Members.

A Member highlighted that pitch occupation on Kingfisher Caravan Park was only 52% (with a target of 55%), page 89 of the Agenda refers, despite the good weather and queried what actions were going to be taken to improve that.

In response, the Leader of the Council advised that Kingfisher Caravan Park was an ongoing issue and would share the Stakeholders Board Report with Members when it became available.

A Member highlighted the proposition to remove performance indicators for Invest East Lindsey as these would be monitored through the Shareholder Supervisory Board, page 90 of the Agenda refers, and did not agree with this.

In response, the Leader of the Council advised that monitoring of Invest East Lindsey was through the Audit and Governance Committee, so would cross reference to see why this had been proposed and understand the issues and would inform the Member concerned direct.

The East Lindsey Independent Group Leader highlighted her dismay with the lack of vibrancy in town centres and regeneration, particularly in Louth, pages 65 to 66 of the Agenda refer.

In response, the Leader of the Council highlighted that whilst the report was across the three councils in the Partnership, East Lindsey District Council had launched the East Lindsey Investment Fund to support inland towns and market towns and Louth would certainly benefit from that.  The Leader further advised that he would the schemes that were underway would be extricated so that Members could fully understand the detail contained within the report.

A further comment was made in relation to supporting skills, learning and employment opportunities that were associated with Boston College and if information could be provided to show how this was performing.

In response, the Leader of the Council advised that he would seek further information in relation to this satellite campus and share with Members.

With regards to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.

To consider approval to amend the Capital Programme and Revenue Budget for the next 3 years in line with the Warm Homes: Local Grant Award.

A report was presented to seek Member approval to amend the Capital Programme and Revenue Budget for the next 3 years in line with the Warm Homes: Local Grant Award.

During his introduction of the report, Councillor Graham Marsh, Portfolio Holder for Community Safety, Leisure and Culture and Carbon Reduction informed Members that Executive Board had previously agreed the operational arrangements for the £5,639,746Warm Homes – Local Grant programme with funding secured from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, Minute No. 94 from the Executive Board Meeting held on 7 May 2025 refers.  The funding award was for the entire South and East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership sub-region and East Lindsey District Council would act as the lead accountable body.  Agreement was sought to amend the capital programme for the next three years and adjust the revenue budgets accordingly to support delivery of this programme.

The Portfolio Holder for Community Safety, Leisure and Culture and Carbon Reduction asked that his thanks be noted to the Heart Team all those involved in securing the funding for the Partnership.

The recommendations were duly Proposed and Seconded.

Members were invited to put their comments and questions forward.

A Member highlighted that this was net zero money which funded people to save money and keep warm, with annual savings of £693.50 which made a huge difference in this area.  Praise was given to the Home Energy Advice and Retrofit Team (HEART) and recognition was made to the expertise that had built up over the last few years which was a key way to ensure projects worked on time and in budget.  It was highlighted that this was very important for East Lindsey as houses were older and colder and deprivation was high.

In response, the Leader of the Council stated that he wholly agreed with the scheme and accepting the money was recognition of the good work undertaken.

RESOLVED

1.     That amendment to the capital programme for the next three years to include Warm Homes: Local Grant funding in line with Table 1, Paragraph 2.4 of the report referred be agreed.

2.     That amendment to the revenue budget to include Warm Homes: Local Grant funding in line with Table 1, Paragraph 2.4 of the report referred, be agreed.

To consider approval of amendments to the Capital programme to fund vehicles required for the introduction of weekly food waste collections across the district.

A report was presented to seek Member approval for amendments to the Capital Programme to fund vehicles required for the introduction of weekly food waste collections across the district.

During his introduction of the report, Councillor Martin Foster, Portfolio Holder for Operational Services informed Members that the Environment Act 2021 introduced the Waste Reforms Programme for England, which affected all local authorities’ waste collection and disposal arrangements.  A central pillar of these reforms was ‘Simpler Recycling’ which required waste collection authorities to provide a weekly separate food waste collection to all households from April 2026.

The Council was being asked to approve amendments to the Capital Programme to enable officers to place an order in May 2025 for food waste collection vehicles to be delivered in 2026/27.

The background and full details were provided at Sections 1 and 2 of the report, pages 152 to 154 of the Agenda refer.

The recommendations were duly Proposed and Seconded.

Members were invited to put their comments and questions forward.

With regards to the new food waste collection a Member queried whether during delivery of the programme there would be something in place to discourage food waste.

In response, the Portfolio Holder for Operational Services advised that there were initiatives ongoing in the Environment Act 2021, for example looking at reduction of waste with extended producer responsibility and deposit return solutions, which would be introduced over the next 4 to 5 years.  It was hoped that there would be financial benefits from fees and charges applied for non compliance.

A Member highlighted her concerns over poor uptake with the new service, a potential increase in vermin and other pests and space for a further waste bin to be stored.  It raised a further concern of the expense for the outlay of this new waste services delivery model.

In response, the Portfolio Holder for Operational Services did not consider there would be an increase of vermin compared to the current fortnightly domestic general waste collections and confirmed that the new food waste collection would be a weekly service.  It was confirmed this would include one small internal caddy and one small external bin provided for food waste.

Members were advised further that as vehicles became more efficient and electricity became more efficient to power the vehicles, this would reduce concerns of overall costs in the future.

Whilst recognising this as a statutory requirement for residents, a Member queried whether there were any plans in the future to incorporate the commercial side of food waste.  The increasing cost of business rates was further highlighted and the charges to businesses for general waste/wheelie bins depending on the number of employees at the premises.

In response, the Portfolio Holder for Operational Services advised that he would seek information with regards to paid food waste and how it was dealt with and respond to the Member directly.

A Member queried whether it was mandatory for residents to use the food waste bins and highlighted the importance of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 16.

To consider a scrutiny report.

A report was presented on the Joint Scrutiny of the Partnership Enviro Crime Enforcement Contract.  Members were requested to note the Task Group’s report and recommendations following scrutiny of the contract.

During his introduction, Councillor Edward Mossop, Chairman of the Task Group extended his thanks to officers involved and to the dedicated Members for their time and input.

Full details were set out in the report, attached at Appendix 1, pages 167 to 173 of the Agenda refer.

Members were further referred to the recommendations detailed at page 174 of the Agenda pack.

The East Lindsey Independent Group Leader expressed her concern over the cleanliness of towns and highlighted the problem of litter, weeds and cigarette butts.  A further comment was made with regards to the trail of litter on Louth Bypass and the impact on tourism.

A Member suggested that comments made could be impressed on the Lincolnshire Police and Crime Panel via the Outside Body Appointee.

A Member highlighted that due to health and safety regulations, busy sections of new roads/bypasses were unable to be closed to clear litter from the verges and it was queried whether pressure could be laid on LCC Highways to clear this.

Councillor Robert Watson as Vice Chairman of the Task Group commended the report to Council.  He highlighted that the Envirocrime officers had a very large area to cover and implored the Council to enlist the public’s help.  He praised the efforts of local volunteers for litter picking and stated that this should be encouraged.  He further advised that he was aware that there had been recruitment and retention problems with Kingdom.

A Member referred to the harsh fine conditions issued by Kingdom compared with the leniency given by the Magistrate’s Court.  He agreed that public awareness was key and highlighted that it was the Council’s duty to promote this.

The Portfolio Holder for Operational Services thanked Members for the feedback provided.  He highlighted that the role of an enforcement officer had its challenges, including verbal and physical abuse, however advised Members that Kingdom employees were trained and accredited and he considered they did a very good job.  Members were informed that there were 3 officers based permanently in the coast during the summer months and 3 in inland areas.  The enforcement officers carried body worn cameras and footage was able to be reviewed independently by ELDC officers in the event of a penalty notice.

In conclusion, the Portfolio Holder for Operational Services stated that he was happy to support the paper and assured Members that both he and the Assistant Director Regulatory would be considering the findings and recommendations put forward by the Task Group.

RESOLVED

That the report be noted.

To note decisions taken under urgency provisions.

A report was presented to Council to note decisions taken under urgency provisions.

During his introduction of the report, the Leader of the Council advised Members that the Council’s Constitution required that decisions taken as a matter of urgency should be reported to the Council, together with the reasons for urgency.  The report provided details of decisions that were taken during the Municipal Year 2024/25 under urgency provisions.

The Leader advised Members that during 2024/25 a total of 5 decisions had been taken to waive call-in, Section 2, pages 178 to 179 of the Agenda refers and he assured Members that the Chairman had always given thorough consideration to the decision before using his authority to do so.

RESOLVED

That the report be noted.

To note the Draft Open and Exempt Minutes of the Audit and Governance Committee held on 26 March 2025.

Members received the draft Open and Exempt Minutes of the Audit and Governance Committee held on 26 March 2025 for noting. 

Councillor Ros Jackson, Chairman of the Audit and Governance Committee advised Members that the Council was now back on track with the signing off and auditing of accounts and thanked Members for their careful scrutiny over all items.

Councillor Jackson asked on behalf of the Committee that thanks be passed on to Matt Waller, Internal Audit Manager, Lincolnshire County Council for his valuable input and advice over the years as he was leaving his role.

No comments or questions were received.

RESOLVED

That the draft Open and Exempt Minutes of the Audit and Governance Committee held on 26 March 2025 be noted.

The programmed date for the next Meeting of the Council will be Wednesday 16 July 2025 at 6.30pm (to be confirmed at the AGM).

The programmed date for the next Meeting of the Council was noted as Wednesday 16 July 2025 commencing at 6.30pm.