There were no apologies for absence.

No disclosures of interest were received.

To confirm the Open and Exempt Minutes of the Meeting held on 14 February 2024.

The Open and Exempt Minutes of the Meeting held on 14 February 2024 were confirmed and signed as a correct record.

To confirm Actions following the Meeting held on 14 February 2024.

The Actions following the Meeting held on 14 February 2024 were confirmed as complete.

To consider acceptance of a funding award and to amend the Revenue/Capital Budgets for 2024/25 accordingly.

1.       That approval be granted to accept the funding award of £162,500 and approve delivery of the project as set out in the report;

2.       That approval be granted for the amendment of the revenue budget for 2024/25 to include the £37,500 and to amend the Capital programme for 2024/25 to include the £125,000.

 A report was presented by the Portfolio Holder for Community Safety, Leisure and Culture and Carbon Reduction that sought Member approval to accept a funding award of £162,500 and to amend the revenue/capital budget for 2024/25 accordingly. 

It was noted that National Gas contacted East Lindsey District Council, via IPB Communications, in June 2023 regarding upgrade works being undertaken at the Hatton Gas Compressor Station.

As part of social and community commitments, funding of £162,500 had been made available to support a project that would provide a legacy in the local area.

A proposal had been developed to support a pilot programme to deliver energy efficiency improvements to community-led assets within a 10-mile radius of the Hatton area and to provide an opportunity to both upskill Council officers and train local volunteers to become green community champions.

The Portfolio Holder outlined the background to the proposal detailed at paragraphs 1.1 to 1.4 of the report presented, including reference to delivery by East Lindsey District Council of a successful programme of grant funded works to domestic properties for over two years, and enquiries received from those responsible for community assets, in particular village halls keen to understand what funding might be available to help make buildings warmer and reduce rising utility costs.

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Further reference was made to funding awarded for this programme enabling a pilot project working with a number of community assets within a 10 mile radius of Hatton Gas compressor station as stipulated by the funders, National Gas, as detailed at Appendix A to the report.

Paragraphs 2.1 – 2.9  of the report detailed the potential to tap into additional funding via the Government’s voluntary, community, and social enterprise (VCSE) Energy Efficiency Scheme.  Once initial assessments had been undertaken, groups would be invited to apply for a grant share of the capital funding available and would be fully supported from start to finish, as works were undertaken.

The Capital works could include a variety of measures such as fabric upgrades to all roof and floor installations, modern heating controls, LED lighting upgrades and even low carbon heating solutions.

This work complemented the work of the South and East Lincolnshire Carbon Action Network, (SALCAN) in helping to raise awareness of what communities and individuals could do.

The Portfolio Holder highlighted the programme would have a positive impact on the carbon footprint of the district through reducing the carbon emissions from community buildings.

During discussion Members fully supported the recommendations and it was

RESOLVED

1.       That approval be granted to accept the funding award of £162,500 and approves delivery of project as set out in the report;

2.       That approval be granted for the amendment of the revenue budget for 2024/25 to include the £37,500 and amend the Capital programme for 2024/25 to include the £125,000.

Reasons:

To enable acceptance of the funding award and to start work on the programme in 2024/25. 

Other options:

To enable acceptance of the funding award and to start work on the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 74.

To consider a report pertaining to the making of a Local Development Order (LDO) for the mixed-use development known as “Skegness Gateway”.

1.       That the making of, and the formal adoption of the Skegness Gateway LDO be approved, subject to the satisfactory completion of all associated legal agreements which will include those entered into pursuant to section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended) as well as others which are not;

2.       That the Assistant Director: Planning & Strategic Infrastructure (or alternative Officer as may be authorised by the Chief Executive) be delegated in consultation with the relevant Portfolio Holders, to make amendments to the Order (including its conditions) and associated documents as may be required prior to its formal adoption, subject to those amendments not significantly altering the material scope or effect of the Order.

A report was presented by the Portfolio Holders for Planning and the Coastal Economy pertaining to the making of a Local Development Order (LDO) for the mixed use development known as “Skegness Gateway”.  In his introduction the Councillor Ashton highlighted the huge amount of work invested in the project and extended his thanks to Mike Gildersleeves, Assistant Director for Planning and Strategic Infrastructure.

The proposals sought to bring forward a mixed use development that would:

1.       Contribute positively to the future of Skegness;

2.       Stimulate the local economy; provide year-round permanent employment through commercial development;

3.       Provide jobs and education facilities to provide learning opportunity, and;

4.       New housing stock contributing to housing needs and assists in the delivery of the wider development project.

5.       Provide significant biodiversity and environmental enhancements.

6.       Provide opportunities for improvements to affordable housing provision, sustainable transport, health and education facilities. 

The principle of this development and the bringing forward of the Local Development Order had been considered by the Planning Policy Committee and Executive Board.

Councillor Ashton referred to the background to the LDO, as detailed at paragraphs 1.1 to 1.6 of the report.  Reference was made to the supporting exception test as detailed at paragraph 8.81 of Appendix 1 to the report and to paragraph 8.85 of Appendix 1 that referred to mitigation proposals.  The Portfolio Holder for Coastal Communities highlighted the benefits to the area in terms of the positive impact on the deprivation challenges faced in Skegness. 

The Portfolio Holder for Finance queried mitigation in place given that climate conditions were changing and negative events becoming more intense.

The Assistant Director, Planning & Strategic Infrastructure highlighted the considerable amount of background technical work undertaken, including extensive rounds of modelling, including breach scenarios. 

During discussion, Members fully supported the recommendations .

Thanks were extended to the Skegness Gateway Team for their attendance and best wishes extended to Mike Gildersleeves in his future role.

RESOLVED

1.       That the making of, and the formal adoption of the Skegness Gateway LDO be approved, subject to the satisfactory completion of all associated legal agreements which will include those entered into pursuant to section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended) as well as others which are not;

2.       That the Assistant Director: Planning & Strategic Infrastructure (or alternative Officer as may be authorised by the Chief Executive) be delegated in consultation with the relevant Portfolio Holders, to make amendments to the Order (including its conditions) and associated documents as may be required prior to its formal adoption, subject to those amendments not significantly altering the material scope or effect of the Order.

Reasons:

It is considered that the proposed Skegness Gateway LDO could be made and formally adopted, subject to the satisfactory conclusion of all associated legal agreements. In the event these are not completed, the Order would not be made or adopted.

Additionally, scope is also requested to make amendments as necessary to the Order and associated documents prior to adoption,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 75.

To report on the Councils Finances as at the 31st December 2023.

1.              That the current forecast unbudgeted surplus of £522k and the detail set out in Appendix A be noted;

2.              That approval be given for the drawdown of:

a)       £82,040 from the Housing Reserve in respect of the Household Support Scheme concerning the Post Office payout which will be distributed to agreed household support projects;

b)       £133,000 from the Service Transformation Reserve – Funding for 2 Planning Enforcement consultants;

c)       £148,550 from the Economic Growth Reserve - External consultancy services required to complete the East Lindsey Strategic Flood Risk Assessment;

3.                  That the changes to the approved capital programme budget for 2023/24 of £2.25m as set out in Appendix A Table 4a be recommended to full Council.

A report was presented to provide information on the Council’s Finances on 31st December 2023 as detailed in the attached appendix A for the following areas: general fund revenue budget, general fund reserves position, capital programme for 2023-2024 and Treasury Management Performance.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance referred to:

•         The General Fund provisional outturn forecast of a surplus of £522,000 as detailed in table one, Appendix A to the report, together with an analysis of the variations. 

•         Savings target, of £1.38 million, identified against this target was the amount of £927,000 for Quarter 3.  In terms of Internal Drainage Boards, (IDBs) the financial pressure generated by the IDBs had been supported by government for 2023 and 2024 to the sum of £923,000 for which the Council was very grateful.  However, the issue and challenge of a long term solution to this problem had been raised again with government officials in order to seek a resolution that enabled the Council to make use of the Council Tax it raised for the purpose that was set.

•         Reserves, general fund specific reserves had seen a reduction in balance of £1,852k.  Further specific details were set out in Appendix A Table 3. The General Fund reserve balance remained at £1.822 million.

•         Capital general fund.  The total revised general fund capital programme for 2023/2024 was £48.058m as detailed in table five of Appendix A.  The updated budget carry forward due to slippage on the General Fund Capital Programme was £23.979m as detailed in Table 5, which was to be noted following approval by Council as part of the 23-24 budget setting which took place on the 28th of February.

•         Treasury Management Section 2.4 provided detail of the Council's investments held at 31st of December 2023.  The original profiled net budget for investment income at Q3 was £1.536m and actual investment income was estimated to be £2.399m. This was an increase in income above budget of £836k.

•         Treasury Management.  The original profiled net budget for 2023/24 was £3.071m and the forecast outturn was estimated to be 4.826m. This estimated out turn is an increase in income above budget of £1.755m. 

•         On 9th of October 2023, the Council prematurely repaid £20m of external borrowing to the public Works Loan Board.  The financial implications of this decision had now been reflected within the reported position for Q3, with a credit to revenue of £398k in 2023/24.

During discussion Members supported the proposals and commended the Portfolio Holder for Finance and the Finance Team for their financial management.

The Portfolio Holder for Community Safety, Leisure and Culture reflecting on the need to find a longer-term solution on flood alleviation, advocated future lobbying in respect of the regulations.

The Portfolio Holder for Coastal Communities wished to highlight that Kingfisher Caravan Park had delivered over budget, as detailed in Table 2 of Appendix A to the report. 

RESOLVED

1.       That the current forecast unbudgeted surplus of £522k and the detail set out in Appendix  ...  view the full minutes text for item 76.

To consider adopting the Street Art & Graffiti Management Policy to establish street art in East Lindsey to provide safe and welcoming public spaces for our communities.

1.       That the Street Art and Graffiti Policy be approved.

2.       That any final amendments and future changes to the Policy be delegated to the Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture.

3.       That the outcome of the Piloting phase which took place in South Holland be noted.

A report was presented that set out the proposal for the adoption of a new Graffiti and Street Art management policy, detailed at Appendix A to the report presented, to enable the development of street art in the district and in support of the sub regional strategy and the culture framework strategy.

The Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture outlined the background to the report, including the policy developed by South Holland District Council after receiving a local petition requesting a street art wall from local residents and artists in 2021.

It was now the intention to work towards adoption of the policy across the South and East Lincolnshire Council Partnership, (S&ELCP) sub region. It was highlighted the policy enabled the Council to remove street art where it did not meet the guidelines laid out in the policy, delivering best practice in graffiti management. The policy also enabled the potential for using street art to engage with young people and provide the opportunity to work with artists as part of our cultural offer to develop their creativity in dedicated spaces rather than going down the route of illegal graffiti.

The Portfolio Holder highlighted the benefit of using street art promote culture and heritage in our area and asked Members to support the recommendations, noting that recommendation 1 was to approve the policy by Executive Board. 

RESOLVED

1.       That the Street Art and Graffiti Policy be approved.

2.       That any final amendments and future changes to the Policy be delegated to the Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture.

3.       That the outcome of the Piloting phase which took place in South Holland be noted.

Reasons:

This policy enables a safe space for local artists to create and develop street art while empowering the Council to remove art that does not meet the required standards. The policy is based on best practice policies in operation across the country and internationally.

Other options:

Do nothing, no space is provided for this type of art.

The programmed date of the next Meeting of Executive Board is Wednesday 8^th May 2024.

The next meeting of Executive Board was noted as Wednesday 8th May 2024.

RESOLVED

That by Regulation of 22(1)(A) of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2000, 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 confidential information as defined in paragraph(s) 3 of the Act

To consider a confidential report.

That the recommendations detailed in the confidential report be approved.

A confidential Report was presented for consideration. 

Following which, it was

RESOLVED

That the recommendations detailed in the confidential report be approved.

Reasons:

As detailed in the confidential report.

Other options:

As detailed in the confidential report.