Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Sarah Devereux, Richard Fry and 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 Wednesday 21^st September 2022.

The minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 21st September 2022 were confirmed and signed as a correct record.

To confirm Actions following the Meeting held on Wednesday 21^st September 2022.  

The Actions were confirmed as complete.

To consider recommendations relating to East Lindsey’s UK Shared Prosperity Investment Plan and management arrangements.

1.              That subject to Government approval of the Investment Plan, Members be requested to support the Investment Plan and recommend the Council acts as the accountable body for UK Shared Prosperity Funding and Rural Prosperity Funding;

2.              That the Deputy Chief Executive (Growth) in consultation with the relevant Portfolio Holders be authorised to submit an addendum to the UKSPF Investment Plan for Rural Prosperity Funding;

3.              That support be given for the Connected Coast Board (Town Deal Board) with broadening its membership to encompass appropriate representation from across the District and therefore be designated as the Local Partnership Group;

4.       That the Deputy Chief Executive (Growth) in consultation with the relevant Portfolio Holders be authorised to work collaboratively as the South and East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership on the development of a bidding prospectus, and where appropriate enter into grant funding agreements with delivery partners.

A report was presented on the UK Shared Prosperity Investment Plan and management arrangements, including the submission of an addendum for Rural Prosperity Funding allocation.  The Portfolio Holder for Coastal Economy, outlined the report, including the investment plan and the process for the Council to manage this funding as the accountable body and to draw down additional funding through the Rural Prosperity Fund. 

The report summarised the aims of the funding, the engagement and consultation which had taken place to date and proposed working collaboratively as the South and East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership and with established bodies to strengthen capacity, maximise match funding and meet the needs of local businesses and communities. 

The Government guidance required the establishment or designation of a Local Partnership Group.  Comprehensive and balanced local partnerships were a core component of how the Fund was administered locally, providing advice on strategic fit and deliverability. 

Paragraph 2.3 of the report recommended that the Connected Coast Board, an extremely diverse group, was designated as the Local Partnership Group for UKSPF.  This complemented the proposals for the Levelling Up Funding and the Cultural Development Fund.  Additional representation would be required for the Lincolnshire Wolds market towns and surrounding rural areas and it was recommended that the following representatives were invited to be board members:

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

·        Community Representative for the Lincolnshire Wolds

·        Business Representative for the Lincolnshire Wolds

·        Parish/Town Council Representative

During discussion members supported the recommendations as an excellent opportunity and the Chairman of Executive Board extended his congratulations to Portfolio Holders and officers. 

RESOLVED

1.              That subject to Government approval of the Investment Plan, Members be requested to support the Investment Plan and recommend the Council acts as the accountable body for UK Shared Prosperity Funding and Rural Prosperity Funding;

2.              That the Deputy Chief Executive (Growth) in consultation with the relevant Portfolio Holders be authorised to submit an addendum to the UKSPF Investment Plan for Rural Prosperity Funding;

3.              That support be given for the Connected Coast Board (Town Deal Board) with broadening its membership to encompass appropriate representation from across the district and therefore be designated as the Local Partnership Group;

4.       That the Deputy Chief Executive (Growth) in consultation with the relevant Portfolio Holders be authorised to work collaboratively as the South and East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership on the development of a bidding prospectus, and where appropriate enter into grant funding agreements with delivery partners.

Reason:

To meet HM Government requirements to access funding allocations through the UK Shared Prosperity Funding and Rural Prosperity Funding.

Other options:

Not meeting the Government requirements for this funding would result in the allocation of funding for East Lindsey not being paid to the Council.

To consider an Application to the Cultural Development Fund for Skegness Pier and Culture House.

1.     That the submission of the full application to Arts Council England for the regeneration and investment into the Skegness Foreshore, focused on the Theatre and Pier be supported;

2.     That In order to provide confidence to third parties and to provide strength of commitment to support the Arts Council bid, the support of Executive Board be noted, subject to the financial business case, for the changes that would be required to the Councils commercial asset portfolio should the project progress. This would become a decision for Full Council upon confirmation of an award from Arts Council England.

A report was presented that detailed an application to the Cultural Development Fund for Skegness Pier and Culture House; a project by Magna Vitae.  The report provided a summary of the proposed application to the Cultural Development Fund Round Three Programme, administered by the Arts Council England.  The funding bid would be led by East Lindsey District Council and overseen by the Connected Coast Board.  The application OF £5M would connect and transform two significant cultural assets on the Skegness foreshore. 

The Portfolio Holder for the Coastal Economy advised that he was delighted to present the report and highlighted that the funding bid was led by ELDC and overseen by the Connected Coast Board. 

It was noted that Cultural Development Fund investment would support Phase 2 Transformation of the Embassy Theatre through £1.4m Towns Deal Funding to establish an international Culture House model, a pioneering hub for cultural education, skills and employment, facilitating new cultural practice which would connect the midlands coast to national and international venues and festivals.  Furthermore, the Cultural Development Fund would accelerate further private investment, leveraging £5m in the Pier, including restoration of the architecturally significant street-facing façade, refurbishment of the remaining pier deck, including access improvements, new outdoor performance spaces, including an amphitheatre, new community and creative workspace and inspirations public realm connecting to Embassy Theatre.  Members noted that the work would also include the beach chalets site.

Following which, the Portfolio proposed an amended to recommendation 2 as follows:

‘2.      That In order to provide confidence to third parties and to provide strength of commitment to support the Arts Council bid, the support of Executive Board be noted, subject to the financial business case, for the changes that would be required to the Councils commercial asset portfolio should the project progress. This would become a decision for Full Council upon confirmation of an award from Arts Council England.’

During discussion Members supported the amended recommendations which they agreed would expand the offer to visitors.  The Chairman of Executive Board expressed his appreciation to the officer team involved.   

Following which, it was

RESOLVED

1.               That the submission of the full application to Arts Council England for the regeneration and investment into the Skegness Foreshore, focused on the Theatre and Pier be supported;

2.               That In order to provide confidence to third parties and to provide strength of commitment to support the Arts Council bid, the support of Executive Board be noted, subject to the financial business case, for the changes that would be required to the Councils commercial asset portfolio should the project progress. This would become a decision for Full Council upon confirmation of an award from Arts Council England.

Reasons:

The funding bid for £5m will attract jobs, boost the economy, enhance wellbeing and enrich pride in place. The proposed investment will connect and transform two significant cultural assets on Skegness foreshore: Embassy Theatre and the historic Pier. Placing culture at the heart of the foreshore’s renaissance, it will boost opportunities to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 40.

To consider approval for consultation the continuation of the current Council Tax Support scheme, including uprating in line with DWP’s annual update of allowances and premiums for 2023/24.

That consultation be approved on the following: -

Continuation of the current Council Tax Support scheme, including uprating in line with DWP’s annual update of allowances and premiums for 2023/24.

A report was presented to update Executive Board on the performance of the Local Council Tax Support Scheme and to seek approval to consult on proposals for 2023/24.  It was highlighted that the Council was required to review its local Council Tax Support Scheme each year and to consult on its scheme proposals for the forthcoming year.  The report provided an update on the current scheme and expenditure and sought Executive Board approval for consultation on the proposals.

During discussion the Deputy Chief Executive, Corporate Development and Section 151 Officer referred to support available to households as detailed in paragraphs 3.4 – 3.6 of the report presented.  It was noted further that by the end of November, a share of a discretionary Energy Rebate Fund of £342k would be distributed to eligible low income/benefit households.

Following which it was

RESOLVED

That consultation be approved on the following: -

Continuation of the current Council Tax Support scheme, including uprating in line with DWP’s annual update of allowances and premiums for 2023/24.

Reason:

This will continue to align the CTS scheme and uprating for working age customers with DWP provisions for Housing Benefit and the CTS scheme for pensioners.  This has been consistent each year since the introduction of the local scheme.

Other options:

The ‘do nothing’ option was considered, which would see the current scheme retained without uprating. 

To consider as the Local Planning Authority the making of the Holton le Clay Neighbourhood Plan.

That the Holton le Clay Neighbourhood Plan be made by Council as the Local Planning Authority.

A report was presented the Holton le Clay Neighbourhood Plan, which had passed a referendum and recommended that the ‘Council’ make the Plan.

The ability for local neighbourhoods to produce their own Neighbourhood Plan was introduced in the Localism Act 2011 (with amendments to the Planning Act 1990 and the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004).  Subsequent legislation set out the process for carrying this out and included the requirement for public consultation, examination in public, and a local referendum.  If more than half of those voting in the referendum were in favour, then it became part of the Development Plan for East Lindsey and must be used (in conjunction with the East Lindsey Local Plan) for decision making on planning applications. 

As part of the process, under section 38A (4) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (as amended by schedule 9 of the 2011 Act), the Council must ‘make’ the Neighbourhood Plan unless it failed to satisfy certain criteria, which were discussed in the report.

During his introduction of the report the Portfolio Holder for Planning wished to extend his congratulations to the Holton le Clay community on undertaking a difficult and long process.  Paragraph 1.7 of the report presented detailed the results of the referendum held on 6^th May 2022 as 1100 for and 69 against the Plan.  Any minor issues during the process had been dealt with and the legal advice was that it was in order to proceed with making the Plan.  The Plan had the full support of ward Councillors Terry Aldridge and Phyll Smith.

Members supported the recommendations.

RESOLVED

That the Holton le Clay Neighbourhood Plan be made by Council as the Local Planning Authority.

Reason:

The Neighbourhood Development Plan has been through examination in public (EIP) via written representations and has passed a local referendum, therefore the legislation requires the Council to make the plan unless any of the scenarios set out section 38A (6) exist. It is considered that they do not exist.

Other options:

Do nothing: this would be contrary to the legislative requirements placed on the Council as Local Planning Authority.

The programmed date for the next Meeting of this Board will be 30^th November 2022.

The programmed date for the next Meeting of the Executive Board was 30th November 2022.