Agenda and minutes

The public open forum will commence at 2.00 p.m. and the following formal business of the Council will commence at 2.30 p.m. or whenever the public open forum ends, if earlier.

Question 1 – from Mr S Hewerdine:

I would like to know if, when the accounts are published, the report is going to be written in a succinct and clear manner and not laced with the usual “political jargon”.  For example, in the Grantham Journal dated Friday 22 May 2009, an article makes reference to a payment of £5,052.50 for “specialist legal advice”.  What on earth is this “specialist legal advice” and why should we – the general public – have to be paying for it when the council already has its own legal advisors?

Reply from Councillor Taylor:

Thank you for your question. I would respectfully advise that the annual statement of accounts is produced within a statutory framework and in accordance with the Code of Practice on Local Authority Accounting in the United Kingdom – A Statement of Recommended Practice produced by CIPFA,which is the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy, which sets out proper accounting practices required for the Statement of Accounts.

The Council is mindful of the complexity of the statement of accounts and annually produces a summary of accounts publication, which has been externally accredited with a crystal mark for plain English.

In relation to your enquiry regarding the details of specialist legal advice I am informed that you have been provided with a full copy of the response.

Mr S Hewerdine’s supplementary question:

As Resources and Assets portfolio holder, Councillor Mike Taylor, best value is important. Can you please tell me why the position of Chief Executive is being internally advertised and would it not be best to have a wider choice of applicants if advertised nationally, or is the reason being if it stays in house a lower salary would be offered, i.e. saving public money, would then the cabinet have cross panel of Councillors of all political groups on the interview panel make the final decision on the applicants experience so we have a committed Chief Executive who the public would have faith in, so restoring confidence in this administration and have value for money. Thank you.

Councillor Adams:

Before I call on Councillor Taylor I have to say, Mr Hewerdine, that is not a supplementary question as I’m sure you’re well aware it doesn’t relate to the original question in any way, shape or form. I will ask Councillor Taylor if he wishes to respond. If he does not wish to respond he is quite within his legal right.

Reply from Councillor Taylor:

As in line with the Constitution, Mr Chairman, there is no relation to the original question I have got no comment.

Question 2 – from S Hewerdine:

I understand the South Kesteven District Council pay around £21,000 per year to Buckminster Trust for the rights to have a market in Grantham.  Has the Council got any future plans to buy back the rights?  If not, will the Council ask Buckminster – in light of the downturn in trade due to the global  ...  view the full minutes text for item 22.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Mrs Bosworth, Dawson, Mrs Gaffigan, Sam Jalili, Vic Kerr, McBride, Mrs Spencer-Gregson, Tom Webster, Andrea Webster, Mike Williams and Avril Williams.

Members are asked to declare any interests in matters for consideration at the meeting.

Councillor Joynson declared a personal interest in relation to minute number ## as he was a member of the British Polio Fellowship.

Minutes of the annual meeting held on 23 April 2009.                        (Enclosure)

The Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 23 April 2009 were confirmed as a correct record, subject to an amendment at minute number 11 to include Councillor Cook as being a member of the Resources Policy Development Group.

                                                                                                (Enclosure)

Circulated with the agenda was a list of the Chairman’s engagements for the period of 23 April 2009 to 17 June 2009. These were noted.

The Chairman drew particular attention to the visit on 17 June to the Rotary Club’s Swimarathon Presentation Evening at the Central School. It was reported that over £36,000 had been raised last year and it was pleasing to see the number of people who were enthusiastically involved with the project.

Report number CHFCS49 by the Corporate Head of Finance and Customer Services.                                                                           (Enclosure)

DECISION:  

1. To approve the following Supplementary Estimates in respect of the following:

2. General Fund - Summary Revenue Estimate 2009/10 and Reserves Statement as attached at appendix C of report number CHFCS49

3. Capital Financing Statement attached at appendix D of report number CHFCS49

4. Housing Revenue Account – Revenue Account summary 2009/10 as attached at appendix E of report number CHFCS49.

Report number CHFCS49 was presented by the Portfolio Holder for Resources and Assets. It was noted that the fourth bullet point on page four should have stated “explore the possibility of ground source heating pumps”. The recommendations in the report were then moved and seconded.

The Corporate Head for Finance and Customer Services then explained the contents of the report, drawing Members’ attention to several key points:

• The Leisure Trust had not yet been granted charitable status by the Charity Commission which meant that the Council was still liable for the business rates on leisure premises until the Trust was granted charitable status.
• The Council had been awarded £193,849.62 of LABGI funding which was proposed to be used to support economic development initiatives which aligned with the “good for business” priority plan.

A debate took place and a number of issues were raised. Members expressed concern at the delay in the Leisure Trust being awarded charitable status and questioned whether the Council should seek an explanation from the Charity Commission. It was confirmed to Members that the issue was a matter for the Leisure Trust itself as it was responsible for the application. Councillor Thompson, who was to be the Council’s representative on the Leisure Trust management board explained that the application had been made in September 2008. No reply to the application had been received, although an answer from the Charity Commission had been promised in January 2009 and then in March 2009. It was now expected that an answer would be shortly forthcoming. A question was raised as to who would be responsible for how the LABGI funding would be spent. It was confirmed that proposals for spending this money would be made by the relevant Portfolio Holder and Corporate Head.

On being put to the vote, the motion was carried.

The Chairman of the Constitution Committee to submit the recommendations of the committee from:

(a)  the meeting held on 27 April 2009; and                               (Enclosure)

(b)  the meeting held on 11 June 2009.                                      (To follow)

DECISION:

1. To make the following amendments to Delegated Authority at Part 3 of the Constitution to include:

Housing

1. to authorize grants under the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 as implemented under the Regulatory Reform (Housing Assistance) (England and Wales) Order 2002 with the exception of discretionary Disabled Facilities Grants

to include an additional delegation to the Corporate Governance and Housing Portfolio Holder:

Discretionary Disabled Facilities Grants

2. That the Council’s Constitution be amended to take account of the new Councillor Call for Action (CCfA) process. The Constitution to be amended to include at page 189 after Call in a new item 12a

12a. Councillor Call for Action (CCfA)

1.     Any member of the Council can refer to the  Scrutiny Committee,  any ‘local government matter’ which is relevant to the functions of that committee. 

                                                       i.     local government matter” means -  any matter relating to the functions of the authority which affect the member’s area or any individual who lives or works in that area which is not an excluded matter”

2.     If a member wishes to refer a Councillor Call for Action to the Scrutiny Committee they must complete the approved Councillor Call for Action pro-forma and submit this to the Scrutiny Officer.

3.     The Scrutiny Officer in conjunction with the Chair of the Scrutiny Committee will assess whether the Councillor has completed the necessary checklist and if so will place the request on the agenda for the next meeting.  Where approval for inclusion on the agenda is unlikely because the criteria have not been met, the Chairman will liaise with the Member raising the Call for Action.  If there is disagreement the Call for Action will not be submitted to committee for determination.

4.     Prior to considering the request Members of the Scrutiny Committee will first confirm that the call for action is valid and meets the criteria in the checklist. 

5.     The member raising the call for action will then be asked to present in person the issue before the committee.  Should the member be unable to attend then they may request another councillor from their ward to present on their behalf.  If no ward councillor is able to be present the committee will defer the item to a future meeting.  The presentation should include an indication of what they would see as a satisfactory resolution

6.     Members will then consider the call for action and agree what they will do to resolve the issue.  This may include calling witnesses (including portfolio holders, officers or external representatives). In making any recommendations for a solution on the matter before them, regard should be had to the resource implications for the Council.

7.     Having considered and resolved the call for action as agreed the Committee will report the outcome to the member raising the call for action.

8.     The matter should not be being separately considered by another local authority.

Insert into Constitution under Terms of Reference, Scrutiny Committee new point (v) on  ...  view the full minutes text for item 28.

Report number DEM028 by the Democracy Service Manager.

                                                                                                (Enclosure)

DECISION:

1. To appoint Councillor Stokes to act as a substitute for Councillor Craft on the Grantham Growth Point Strategic Board.
2. To confirm the appointment of Councillor Taylor as substitute for Councillor Mrs Cartwright on the Grantham Growth Point Strategic Board in his capacity as Assets and Resources Portfolio Holder.
3. To appoint Councillor Mrs Cartwright to represent the Council on the Local Government Association Urban Commission and to hold the voting rights.
4. To appoint Councillor Turner to represent the Council on the Local Government Association Urban Commission without voting rights.
5. To appoint Councillor Nicholson as the Council’s representative to the Stamford Endowed Schools.

Report number DEM028 was presented by the Portfolio Holder for Access and Engagement.

It was moved and seconded that Councillor Stokes act as substitute for Councillor Craft on the Grantham Growth Point Strategic Board. On being put to the vote the motion was duly carried.

It was moved and seconded that Councillor Taylor act as substitute for Councillor Mrs Cartwright on the Grantham Growth Point Strategic Board in his capacity as Assets and Resources Portfolio Holder. On being put to the vote the motion was duly carried.

Councillors Mrs Cartwright and Bisnauthsing were nominated and seconded to represent the Council on the Local Government Association Urban Commission and to hold the voting rights. On being put to the vote Councillor Mrs Cartwright was selected to represent the Council.

Councillors Turner and Bisnauthsing were nominated and seconded to represent the Council on the Local Government Association Urban Commission without voting rights. On being put to the vote Councillor Turner was selected to represent the Council.

Members considered the appointment of a representative to the Stamford Endowed Schools. Questions were raised as to why the existing arrangement of nominating a Governor to the schools could not be maintained. This was due to the governing body changing its constitution. Many independent schools were streamlining the number of governors and the appointment of a Council representative to the Stamford Endowed Schools would allow a link to be maintained. The importance of the link was emphasised by Members, particularly as the Stamford Endowed Schools were a major employer in the town.

Councillors Nicholson and Mrs Maureen Jalili were nominated and seconded to represent the Council to the Stamford Endowed Schools. On being put to the vote Councillor Nicholson was selected to represent the Council.

In accordance with Access to Information Procedure Rule 17.3, the Leader to submit report number CAB012 on non key decisions taken under special urgency provisions since the last meeting of the Council.

                                                                                                            (Enclosure)

The report numbered CAB012 by the Leader of the Council was noted.

Report number CHSC20 by the Chairman of the Development Control Committee.

                                                                                                            (Enclosure)

DECISION:

That a modification order be made in respect of planning application reference S08/1318 in the form of the draft order attached at appendix 1 of report number CHSC20.

The recommendation made in report CHSC20 was moved and seconded. On being put to the vote the motion was duly carried.

To note the list of questions asked under Council procedure rule 11.1 as circulated at the start of the meeting and their reference to the relevant Policy Development Group.

No questions on notice were received.

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PLEASE NOTE: Notice of Motion deadline for the Council meeting on

3 September 2009 will be : 2pm on Thursday 20 August 2009.

The meeting closed at 3:26 pm.