Agenda and minutes

Following the death of Baroness Thatcher, the Council observed a minute’s silence as a mark of respect. Statements were then made by Councillor Mrs Neal on behalf of the Conservative Group, Councillor Morgan on behalf of the Labour Group and Councillor Howard on behalf of the Group of Independent Councillors.

The Chairman will take the chair, make the declaration of acceptance of office and be invested with the chain of office.

Decision:

That Councillor David Nalson is elected Chairman of South Kesteven District Council until the next annual meeting of the Council.

It was proposed and seconded that Councillor David Nalson be elected Chairman of the Council for the ensuing year. In proposing Councillor Nalson, reference was made to his local roots and his experience as a local councillor in the district. The proposer also felt that the experience he gained as Mayor of Stamford and his considered approach made him particularly suited to the office.

No other nominations were put forward and a vote was taken. Councillor Nalson was duly elected Chairman of South Kesteven District Council.

The Chairman was invested with the chain of office. He made a declaration of acceptance and took the chair.

COUNCILLOR NALSONIN THE CHAIR

After the vote of thanks, the Chairman will make a presentation to the retiring Chairman. The retiring Chairman will respond.

A vote of thanks was made to the retiring Chairman by Councillor Mrs Pam Bosworth.

The Chairman presented Councillor Mrs Kaberry-Brown with gifts to commemorate her year in office.

Councillor Mrs Kaberry-Brown thanked Members for their support during her term of office and expressed how much she had enjoyed her tenure.

Gifts were presented to Councillor Bob Russell who had served as the Chairman’s consort, the Council and the civic officer.

The Vice-Chairman will make the declaration of acceptance of office and be invested with the Vice-Chairman’s medallion.

Decision:

That Councillor Reg Howard is elected Vice-Chairman of South Kesteven District Council until the next annual meeting of the Council.

It was proposed and seconded that Councillor Reg Howard be elected Vice-Chairman of South Kesteven District Council. In proposing Councillor Howard, reference was made to his many years’ service as a town councillor (including 12 terms as Mayor of Market Deeping) and district councillor and the way in which he conducted himself.

On being put to the vote, Councillor Howard was appointed unanimously as Vice Chairman of South Kesteven District Council. He signed the declaration of acceptance and thanked Members for their support.

The Chairman stated how the meeting would be run. He explained he saw the district as a single unit and did not want people of any area to be left out. He stated that the Council was for the people of South Kesteven not part politics.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Adams, Ashberry, Auger, Jock Kerr, Parkin, Powell, Scott, John Smith and Mrs Judy Smith.

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

No interests were disclosed.

                                                                                                                  (Enclosure)

The minutes of the meeting held on 1 March 2013 were proposed, seconded and agreed as a correct record.

                                                                                                                  (Enclosure)

The Council noted the Chairman’s engagements.

The Chairman announced that his charity for the year would be Cancer Research UK.

For noting. The Leader will announce the size of the Cabinet, appoint members to the Cabinet and announce their portfolios.

The Leader announced that the Cabinet would increase by one member (from six to seven). She announced the Cabinet members and their portfolios.

Councillor Carpenter would remain the Deputy Leader.

Report number LDS089 by the Head of Legal and Democratic Services.    (Enclosure)

Decision:

1)    To approve the following appointments to Committees and Policy Development Groups based on rules of political balance and the nominations of group leaders:

2)    To approve the appointments of chairmen and vice-chairman

The Council had before them report number LDS089, which informed Council of the proposed apportionment of places on the Council’s committees and policy development groups when the rules of political balance were applied. A list of the proposed nominations from each political group was circulated before the meeting. Councillor Morgan confirmed the Labour group’s nomination for the Resources Policy Development Group (Councillor Alan Davidson) and the Scrutiny Committee (Councillor Ian Selby).

The nominations for committees/PDGs were proposed en bloc.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

To approve a programme of ordinary meetings of the Council and its committees for the municipal year – report number LDS088 by the Head of Legal and Democratic Services.      (Enclosure)

Decision:

In accordance with Council procedure rule 1.1(x), the Council approves the programme of ordinary meetings of the Council and its committees attached as appendix 1 to report number LDS088 (subject to the Engagement PDG scheduled for 23 May 2013 being moved to 6 June 2013).

The adoption of the draft timetable of Council meetings as appended to report number LDS088 was proposed and seconded. Councillors were notified of one change to the circulated draft: the Engagement PDG meeting scheduled for 23 May 2013 would be moved to 6 June 2013 at 10am. Reference was also made to the meeting of the Development Control Committee scheduled for 31 December 2013. The site visit arrangements for this meeting would need varying from the normal pattern as they would fall on Christmas day.

On being put to the vote, the draft programme was approved unanimously subject to the alteration of the Engagement PDG meeting as noted above.

To consider nominations to represent the Council on outside bodies – report number LDS090 by the Head of Legal and Democratic Services.                                          (Enclosure)

Decision:

1.    To approve the following list of nominations for representatives on outside bodies:

2.    To approve the feedback form (attached as appendix B to report number LDS090) to keep other members informed of the work and effectiveness of outside bodies and the representative’s input.

Members had before them report number LDS090,  setting out those outside bodies and organisations who were seeking district council representation. It was proposed and seconded that the appointments should continue as shown in appendix A to the report with the amendment that Councillor Mrs Sumner would be the Council’s representative on the Local Government Association (Urban Commission) and that Councillor King would be the representative for the Local Government Association (Rural Commission). This was put to the vote and carried.

Also included in the report was a draft form produced by the Scrutiny Committee that would provide a mechanism through which Members could feed back about the outside bodies on which they represented the Council. Copies of completed forms would be kept in a file in the Members’ Lounge and regular reports would be made to the Scrutiny Committee; exempt information would not be released. This was proposed and seconded and on being put to the vote, was carried.

Report number LDS091 of the Leader of the Council.                   (Enclosure)

The Leader of the Council’s report number LDS091, which listed two key decisions and one non-key decision that were taken under special urgency arrangements, was noted.

Report by the Chairman of the Constitution Committee.               (Enclosure)

Decision:

That the Council approves the recommendations made by the Constitution Committee at its meeting on the 15 April 2013 as follows:

1.    At page 94 of the Constitution relating to delegations to the Strategic Director – Corporate Focus add the authority to authorise use of powers contained in the Council Tax Reduction Scheme (Detection of Fraud and Enforcement) (England) Regulations 2013

2.    At page 252 of the Constitution relating to the Members’ Code of Conduct – Principles of Conduct in Public Life be amended in accordance with Appendix A to report number LDS092 including the following further amendment (as underlined):

·         INTEGRITY: Holders of public office must avoid placing themselves under any obligation to outside individuals or organisations that might try inappropriately to influence them in their work. They should not act or take decisions in order to gain financial or material benefits for themselves, their family, their friends or other parties. They must declare and resolve any interests and relationships.

·         LEADERSHIP: Holders of public office should exhibit these principles in their own behaviour. They should actively promote and robustly support the principles and be willing to challenge breaches of the Code by others where they see this occurring.

The Chairman of the Constitution Committee presented report number LDS094 which contained the recommendations made by the Committee at its meeting on Monday 15 April 2013. He proposed the recommendations as listed in the report. These were seconded. Each recommendation was put to the vote separately and carried.

Report number GAC005 by the Chairman of the Governance and Audit Committee.       (Enclosure)

Decision:

The Council:

1.    Approves the Annual Report of the Governance and Audit Committee for 2012/13.

2.    Approves the indicative work plan and timetable for 2013/14 that reflects the terms of reference of the Committee.

The Chairman of the Governance and Audit Committee presented report number GAC005, which was a factual report on the work that the Governance and Audit Committee had undertaken during 2012/13 and an indicative work programme for 2013/14. The recommendations in the report were proposed, seconded and on being put to the vote, carried unanimously.

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.

Two questions without discussion had been received and referred to the relevant Policy Development Groups for a response.

Question 1

To:       Councillor Terl Bryant, Good Housing for All Portfolio Holder

From: Councillor Ian Selby

I wish to raise a question on an issue that I have no doubt affects other councillors in their ward.

Back in April 2007 I was contacted by some of my constituents regarding contributions by residents on the warden scheme towards community centre costs.  I subsequently submitted a question to Councillor Cartwright at that time and the reply stated that the matter would be discussed by the DSP Working Group.  Further to this a letter from a council officer (name can be provided but unnamed for the purpose of this public question) in October 2007 stated that the Service Improvement Plan that was being developed would allow for the carrying out of a full review of the situation.

In Feb 2010 my constituents raised the question again and received a reply from the officer with an assurance that a 'Review of Supported Housing Services would tackle the issue'.

In 2011 I then contacted another officer for a progress report and the reply stated that, 'the use and funding of the community rooms will be reviewed as part of the extensive supported housing review which is ongoing. However this particular part of the review is unlikely to be started until after the summer of 2012 as it ties in with other key pieces of work involving fees and charges'.

My constituents feel that this issue is constantly being pushed back they think it is time that a decision was finally made, particularly in the light of yet another rise in the amount that they are having to pay, the present cost being £5.60 a week. 

Also my constituents community centre in Belton Avenue is in use by at least seven different groups at various times of the day and evening and so it is not available for use by tenants at these times unless they are part of one of the groups. 

My constituents have recently carried out a survey on the use of the community centre in Belton Avenue and have found out that the majority of the groups are not charged at this present time for use of the facilities and my constituents ask the question; “why are we being charged to pay for their use of electricity etc”.

This issue is long overdue being addressed for fairness for all concerned. Personally I don’t think it’s fair that a small minority of people should pay for a facility that the whole community has the use of.  May I therefore respectfully ask; Can you give me a definitive answer as to when will this issue be finally addressed by the council?

In anticipation of a positive response, Thank You.

This question was referred to the Resources Policy Development Group. Following consideration by the PDG, the Good Housing Portfolio Holder agreed to a formal  ...  view the full minutes text for item 15.

The meeting was closed at 15:17