Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Adam Grist.

At this point in the meeting Members were invited to declare any relevant interests, no such declarations were made.

To confirm the Minutes of the Meeting held on 23 March 2022.

The minutes of the Meeting held on Wednesday 23 March 2022 were confirmed and signed as a correct record.

To confirm Actions following the Meeting held on 23 March 2022.

The actions from the Meeting held on Wednesday 23 March 2022 were confirmed as complete.

To consider the Climate Change Strategy for approval following consultation.

That the final version of the Climate Change Strategy be approved following public consultation on the document during 2021/22.

A report was presented that provided the background to the accompanying Climate Change Strategy for the geographical area covered by the South and East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership (S&ELCP).  This document was the next step in the Council’s Climate Change aspirations, moving beyond the confines of its own carbon footprint and emissions to look at the wider issues for Climate Change in the local communities.  S&ELCP could not deliver this strategy in isolation and a new South and East Lincolnshire Climate Action Network (SELCAN) would be established to bring together all relevant partners and ensure delivery at all levels working towards a net zero ambition.

It was noted that the document was before Executive Board for approval having been consulted upon across the whole of the sub region, the results of that consultation being used to inform the contents of the strategy document.  Arguably the strategy was one of the most important documents that the Council would be asked to adopt and was one of the first strategies that the S&LECP would adopt on its formation as the strategy was considered by the partner Councils.  The document set out the Council’s aspirations, moving beyond the Council’s footprint and emissions and looked at the wider issue of climate.  It was noted that the S&ELCP could not deliver this in isolation and a new South and East Lincolnshire Climate Action Network (S&ELCAN) would be established to bring together all relevant partners and to ensure delivery at all levels working towards the zero ambition.

During discussion Members fully supported the recommendation.  The Chairman of Executive Board highlighted that working across the authorities provided extra weight and gravity.

The Portfolio Holder for Coastal Communities wished to compliment the author of the report on the work undertaken under the heading of education, which may not initially sit under a climate strategy. 

Following which it was

RESOLVED

That the final version of the Climate Change Strategy be approved following public consultation on the document during 2021/22.

Reasons:

To progress work on the agreed Climate Change Strategy and enable the establishment of a South and East Lincolnshire Climate Action Network.

Other Options:

None.

To consider a recommendation to approve the disposal of the ELDC assets to Grimoldby and Manby Parish Council.

That the disposal of the ELDC assets to Grimoldby and Manby Parish Council be approved by Executive Board as follows:

RE/308/1355             Manby Park – Tennis Courts

RE/308/1356             Manby Park – Children’s Play Area

A report was presented to enable consideration of support for the aims of the East Lindsey District Council Asset Management Framework Asset Transformation Programme.

During discussion Members fully supported the recommendations, recognising the positive contributions made by Town and Parish Councils in asset management.

Following which, it was

RESOLVED

That the disposal of the ELDC assets to Grimoldby and Manby Parish Council be approved by Executive Board as follows:

RE/308/1355             Manby Park – Tennis Courts

RE/308/1356             Manby Park – Children’s Play Area

Reasons:

To support the aims of the Council’s Asset Management Framework asset transformation programme in the identification of assets which may be better managed at a local level.

The unrestricted combined market value of the assets proposed for transfer is assessed at £215,000 however, in strategic terms these are considered to have a ‘limited to nil’ value.

The package of assets proposed for transfer will achieve a revenue budget saving of c£3,705 per annum.

Given that the proposed transfer meets the objectives of the Asset Management Framework and the assets have limited strategic value the transfer proposal is considered to represent an acceptable outcome to ELDC and is recommended for approval.

Other options:

Retain

The tennis courts are currently leased to the Parish Council under full repairing 7-year lease at a peppercorn rent of £1. The option to continue with this arrangement could be considered although there is no significant level of income.

Annual maintenance of the Children’s Play Area is carried out by ELDC as part of the wider Manby Park maintenance work and includes grass and hedge cutting and shrub pruning plus periodic litter picking and bin emptying.  Retention would result in the continuation of an ELDC budget requirement of c£3,705 per annum for this maintenance work.

Develop

The development of the Carlton Road frontage for housing has been explored however the development of the two sites would result in the loss of outdoor recreational facilities contrary to Local Plan policy SP26. The existence of a number of Grade II Listed Buildings on the Manby Park site is also likely to have a bearing on any decision on re-development given that the proposals may be considered to adversely affect their setting.

Executive Board may also defer or decline the transfer of the scheduled assets to G&MPC should it consider that the proposal does not deliver sufficient benefits to ELDC.

To consider recommendations made by the Audit and Governance Committee for submission to Council.

That Executive Board supports the following recommendations made by the Audit and Governance Committee for submission to Council:

1.   That the Model Code of Conduct at Appendix A to this report be adopted, without amendment, as this Council’s Code of Conduct (including those parts in square brackets and being relevant to the Executive Board model operated by this Council).

2.   That delegated authority be granted to the Monitoring Officer to make amendments to the Protocol on Member and Employee Relations so far as is necessary to ensure consistency with the Model Code of Conduct.

3.   That the Monitoring Officer be authorised to update the Council’s Constitution accordingly.

4.   That a voluntary process be introduced by the Council for Members to sign up to the new Model Code of Conduct to demonstrate their understanding, acceptance and compliance with the Code, with signatory details published on the Council’s website.

A report was presented to enable consideration of the proposed adoption of the Local Government Association Model Code of Conduct. 

The Chief Executive provided an overview of the background to the report, detailed at paragraph 1.1 of the report presented.  During discussion Members supported the recommendations.  Members wished to highlight the need for legal training to be offered to Councillors on the Code. 

Following which it was

RESOLVED

That the following recommendations made by the Audit and Governance Committee for submission to Council be supported:

1.    That the Model Code of Conduct at Appendix A to this report be adopted, without amendment, as this Council’s Code of Conduct (including those parts in square brackets and being relevant to the Executive Board model operated by this Council).

2.    That delegated authority be granted to the Monitoring Officer to make amendments to the Protocol on Member and Employee Relations so far as is necessary to ensure consistency with the Model Code of Conduct.

3.    That the Monitoring Officer be authorised to update the Council’s Constitution accordingly.

4.    That a voluntary process be introduced by the Council for Members to sign up to the new Model Code of Conduct to demonstrate their understanding, acceptance and compliance with the Code, with signatory details published on the Council’s website.

Reasons:

·         To ensure that the Council has a robust, up-to-date Code of Conduct that provides clarity to members and residents as to expected standards of member behaviour.

·         To protect the democratic role of members, encourage good conduct, and safeguard the public’s trust and confidence in the role of councillors and in local government.

·         To help attract and retain councillors

·         To help avoid the kind of governance failures seen in some high-profile local authorities which were at least in part caused by officer and/or member behaviours.

Other options:

To do nothing, which would result in the retention of the existing Code of Conduct.

Procurement Exemption for noting.

Members noted a Procurement Exemption relating to the Homelessness Prevention Service.

The programmed date for the next Meeting of this Board will be confirmed at the Council Annual General Meeting on Thursday 12^th May 2022.

The date of the next meeting would be confirmed at the Council Annual General Meeting on 12^th May 2022.

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 an Exempt Report.

That the recommendations contained within the Exempt Report be approved.

An Exempt Report was presented to enable consideration of recommendations relating to Commercial Property Portfolio 004.

Following which it was

RESOLVED

That the recommendations contained within the Exempt Report be approved.

Reasons:

Contained within the Exempt Report.

Other options:

Contained within the Exempt Report.