Agenda and minutes
PDF 194 KBVenue: Council Chamber - Council Offices, St. Peter's Hill, Grantham. NG31 6PZ
Contact: Democratic Services
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Public Open Forum
The public open forum will commence at 1.00 p.m. and the following formal business of the Council will commence at 1.30 p.m. or whenever the public open forum ends, if earlier. Additional documents: Minutes: Prior to the commencement of the formal business of the meeting, the Chairman of the Council invited members to observe a minute’s silence to remember former District Councillors Giles Halfhead and Gerald Taylor.
It was proposed, seconded and AGREED to vary the order of the agenda to allow the item on Community Governance Review to be heard as item 10, prior to the two items on Constitutional Amendments.
No members of the public had registered to speak as part of the Public Open Forum. |
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Apologies for absence
Additional documents: Minutes: Apologies for absence had been received from:
Councillor David Bellamy Councillor Bob Broughton Councillor John Cottier Councillor Richard Dixon-Warren Councillor Annie Mason Councillor Nick Robins Councillor Penny Robins Councillor Rosemary Trollope-Bellew Councillor Jane Wood
Councillor Amanda Wheeler had notified Democratic Services that she would be late arriving due to work commitments. |
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Disclosure of Interests
Members are asked to disclose any interests in matters for consideration at the meeting. Additional documents: Minutes: No interests were disclosed. |
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Minutes of the meeting held on 26 January 2023
Additional documents: Minutes: The minutes of the meeting held on 26 January 2023 were approved as a correct record. |
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Communications (including Chairman's Announcements)
Additional documents: Minutes: The Council noted the Chairman’s engagements.
The Chairman of the Council announced that £1,147 had been raised at the Race Night held in Bourne on 10 February 2023. There would be the opportunity for members to make further donations to the Chairman’s charities within the Members’ Lounge at South Kesteven House. |
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Budget Proposals for 2023/24 and indicative budgets for 2024/25 and 2025/26
The Council is required to set a balanced budget and agree the level of Council Tax for 2023/24 and this report contains a summary of the proposals that have been considered for inclusion. The proposals were considered and scrutinised in detail by the Budget Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 9 January 2023. The budget proposals were considered by Cabinet on 10 January and 7 February 2023 and the final proposals are included in this report. Additional documents: Minutes: The Chairman of the Council introduced a report containing Budget Proposals for 2023/2024 and indicative budgets for 2024/2025 and 2025/2026. The Council was required to set a balanced budget and agree the level of Council Tax for 2023/2024.
The proposals within the report had first been considered and scrutinised by the Budget Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 9 January 2023, before being debated at Cabinet meetings held on 10 January and 7 February 2023.
Members were informed that recommendations 1-10 were subjected to a recorded vote, under 15.6 of the Council Procedure Rules, contained within Part 4 of the Constitution.
It was moved that Council Procedure Rule 14.4 be suspended to allow the mover of the Budget item to speak for ten minutes when introducing the report, rather than five. After brief discussion and with the permission of the mover, the motion was changed to allow the Leader of the Opposition to also have ten minutes to speak on the item. This was duly seconded, and following a vote and the achievement of a two-thirds majority of those members present, it was AGREED to suspend Council Procedure Rule 14.4.
The Deputy Leader of the Council highlighted the following information within the report:
· A £5 Council Tax increase for an average Band D property was proposed, which equated to 9.6p per week. Of the total Council Tax bill for 2023/24 South Kesteven District Council’s share would be less than 9%. · The increase for households in Bands A, B and C would be less than £5, with 70% of properties in the District in this category. This represented 6.4p extra per week for a property in Band A - while those in Bands E, F, G and H would see an average increase of between £5 - £10. · South Kesteven received around 9% of the total Council Tax bill, helping to provide Council services across the District. · Consultation on the draft proposals was carried out from January 16th to the 30th 2023. Of the 264 people who responded to the consultation, 28% either agreed or strongly agreed to a £5 increase; 11% neither agreed or disagreed; and 61% disagreed or strongly disagreed. Postcode analysis confirms a significant response from the PE6 area in the Deepings, which represented 45% of all responses. · The 2023/24 budget proposals had been prepared in the context of significant external events placing a detrimental impact on the Council’s financial outlook with inflation, increasing energy prices and employee pay all adding significant cost for the current financial year and beyond. · Savings included £100,000 from the Street Scene service review and £400,000 in the reduction of running costs by moving the Council offices from St Peter’s Hill. There was also a £200,000 increase in income from the chargeable services the Council provided. In addition, higher interest rates meant an expected better return on investments. · LeisureSK Ltd required financial support of £500,000 plus staffing costs for 2023/24, all of which related to the uplift in utility costs ... view the full minutes text for item 86. |
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Community Governance Review for Grantham
To report the outcome of the additional consultation exercise undertaken and consider recommendations from the Community Governance Review Working Group regarding the proposed creation of a Parish Council for Grantham. Additional documents: Minutes: It was proposed, seconded and AGREED to vary the order of the agenda to allow the item on Community Governance Review to be heard as the next item.
Councillor Graham Jeal, the present Mayor of Grantham reported the outcome of an additional consultation exercise undertaken and outlined recommendations from the Community Governance Review Working Group regarding the proposed creation of a Parish Council for Grantham.
A cross-party working group had been established, chaired by the Mayor of Grantham and assisted by Grantham District Councillors, the Assistant Director of Governance and Monitoring Officer, the Electoral Services Manager, the Consultation Officer and members of the Democratic Services team at South Kesteven District Council. Those that had participated in the process were thanked for their input.
The first phase of consultation demonstrated a clear message of support for decision making in Grantham, in the form of a Parish/Town Council. The Council at its meeting on 26 May 2022 reached a decision, in principle, to support the establishment of a Parish/Town Council. A further consultation process was undertaken, targeted at specific areas on the periphery of the existing boundary of the unparished area of Grantham which provided the Working Group with sufficient information to make a recommendation to Full Council on the proposed boundary for a new Parish/Town Council. The Working Group also considered the warding arrangements and number of Councillors such a body should consist of, equating to 22. Councillor Jeal therefore proposed the recommendations of the report.
The proposition was seconded.
In debating the motion, the following points were raised:
· There was cross-party collaboration all the way through this process; this was particularly important when it came to deciding on the appropriate number of Councillors for the Town Council. Initially the proposal had been 15 Councillors, but 22 was deemed a more appropriate number. · A Town Council for Grantham would give the town a local voice and identity, as well as bringing it in line with the other three major towns within South Kesteven. · Most electoral wards within Grantham were similar in size, but St. Vincent’s ward was slightly larger and therefore it was felt that it required representation by 4 Councillors rather than the standard 3. · One member raised doubts about the potential for an extra layer of bureaucracy and more local councillors; however, they hoped that they were wrong, and that Grantham’s voice would indeed be strengthened. · One strength of a Town Council was that it brought local councillors closer to the electorate and would lead to further togetherness on local issues. · Tributes were paid to the current Mayor of Grantham for his work in chairing the sessions related to the Community Governance Review.
Having been proposed and seconded, upon being put to the vote the motion was AGREED:
DECISION:
That Full Council:
1. Notes the responses of the additional consultation process.
2. Formally proposes to establish a Parish Council for Grantham based upon the following principles and commences with the second stage of formal consultation: · That the boundary for ... view the full minutes text for item 87. |
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Pay Policy Statement 2023-2024
This statement summarises current policies and arrangements already in place relating to pay – as such the Pay Policy Statement is one of fact. The Pay Policy Statement is presented each year to Council as part of the budget setting and approval process.
Additional documents: Minutes: Note: Council voted to extend the meeting until 5pm under Council Procedure Rule 14.20 (g) due to the meeting approaching three hours in length.
The Chairman of the Employment Committee introduced the Pay Policy Statement 2023-2024. It was a requirement of the Localism Act 2011 that the Council produced an annual Pay Policy Statement. This statement summarised current policies and arrangements already in place related to pay. The Pay Policy Statement was presented each year to Full Council as part of the budget setting and approval process.
The Chairman of the Employment Committee placed on record her thanks for all the positive work achieved by HR Officers over the past year. Also mentioned was the widespread change in working pattern following the Covid pandemic; many officers of the Council now worked in a flexible way, a blend of home working and working from the new office accommodation at the Picturehouse, Grantham.
‘Homegrown’ apprentices were key to the Council.
The Chairman of the Employment Committee proposed the recommendations contained within the report.
The motion was seconded.
The following points were raised during debate:
· The Employment Committee worked towards improving practices whilst retaining talented officers. The pay review and rewards were key factors in this. · Thanks were reiterated to officers for the clear way in which the report was presented. · Under current pension arrangements the Council did not get to choose its rate of pension contributions, these were set by the Actuary. The employer contribution rate of 23.9% was divided into a primary and secondary rate; the secondary rate was reduced whereas the primary had increased. Overall, there was an annual saving on pension contributions of £309,000 within the Budget for the next financial year. · The Local Government Pension Scheme had changed from being a Final Salary Scheme to a career average scheme in 2014. Lifetime allowances within the pension scheme had reduced to their current level of £1.07 million. · The Chief Executive confirmed that any interim senior managerial appointments in place were not reflected within the report, as this was not a requirement of the Pay Policy Statement. · It was confirmed that two statutory posts could be held concurrently by an officer if they were suitably qualified; however, the Council had three different senior officers in the statutory roles of Head of Paid Service, Section 151 Officer and Monitoring Officer at this time.
Note: Councillors Graham Jeal, Hannah Westropp and Harrish Bisnauthsing left the Chamber and did not return. Councillor Virginia Moran left the Chamber but returned at a later stage in proceedings.
Having been proposed and seconded, upon being put to the vote the motion was AGREED:
DECISION:
That Full Council approves the Pay Policy Statement 2023-2024. |
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Local Authority Housing Fund (LAHF) Update
To seek approval from Council to accept the grant from the Local Authority Housing Fund (LAHF) which has been made available from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. If accepted the funding will support the delivery through the purchase of 21 new homes in the District to meet short, medium and long-term housing need. Additional documents: Minutes: The Cabinet Member for Housing and Property introduced a report seeking approval to accept the grant from the Local Authority Housing Fund (LAHF) which had been made available from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. The funding would support the delivery of 21 new homes in the District to meet short, medium and long-term housing need.
The scheme was scheduled to run over two financial years, and for South Kesteven District a grant funding agreement of circa £2.1 million for 19 homes, plus a ‘bridging’ arrangement for two further homes was proposed. This would require the use of match funding from HRA reserves.
The scheme would support Ukrainian and Afghan families with the provision of ‘move on’ accommodation, a new supply of housing to meet demand. A Memorandum of Understanding had been drafted and required a reply from the Council by 15 March 2023.
Once the properties were no longer utilised by the families the Council would be free to use them for another suitable purpose. The purchase of the properties should aid the Council in minimising ‘right to buy’ stock losses. The delivery of the houses would involve approaching local developers to purchase new build properties that met the requirements of the funding.
The Cabinet Member for Housing and Property proposed the recommendations contained within the report.
The motion was seconded.
The following points were raised during debate:
· It was pleasing to see money being used to allocate housing within the District. Some Ukrainian and Afghan families were being housed in hotels, some were with host families, and some were finding it hard to find housing at all, particularly in Stamford. · Thanks were placed on record to officers in the Council’s housing team, and the families that were hosting people from Ukraine and Afghanistan. · The scheme was a good method by which the Council directly control housing stock; 21 houses being added to the Council’s stock was a positive move. More needed to be done in general to make houses available for those people who were struggling, regardless of their passport. · One member suggested that the level of support being granted by the Government was not in line with the actual need. It was already known that there was a shortfall of Council homes, but now the support required for refugees added to this pressure. However, it was raised that the pressure to provide homes for these families would exist with or without the purchase of these houses. · These houses were not included in targets set for this year and next. · These homes would be subjected to affordable rent. · The homes likely to be purchased would already be developed as they were required swiftly. It was likely that they would be purchased in Grantham and Market Deeping, so that communities were able to be in close contact with other families that had established themselves in the UK. The rationale was that Grantham was close to Lincoln, where families had settled, and Market Deeping was close to Peterborough. ... view the full minutes text for item 89. |
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Appointment of Deputy Electoral Registration Officers
To consider the appointment of three Deputy Electoral Registration Officers Additional documents: Minutes: Note: It was moved that Council Procedure Rule 14.4 be suspended to reduce the speaking time on a motion from five minutes to three. This was duly seconded, and following a vote and the achievement of a two-thirds majority of those members present, it was AGREED to suspend Council Procedure Rule 14.4.
The Chief Executive, in her role as Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) introduced a report requesting the appointment of three Deputy Electoral Registration Officers. At present the Constitution did not provide delegated authority for the ERO to appoint their own Deputies; formal approval was required from Full Council.
The recommendations contained within the report were proposed and seconded.
The following points were raised during debate:
· Some of the extra burden for the ERO and proposed Deputy EROs was due to the Voter ID scheme. The effect on voter turnout of voter ID remained to be seen. · There were no direct financial burdens because of these appointments as there was no supplement available for Deputy EROs. However, some new burdens funding had been received for the new Elections Act regulations. · It was not clear yet what the demands would be on the Deputies as the election was still two months away; however, they would certainly be on duty until at least 10pm on election day. A wet signature would need to be added to any applications for a temporary voter ID certificate on the day, and this could only be provided by the ERO or a Deputy, at the Council offices in Grantham. · The Government portal for voter ID applications was open for now. Applications were being received by officers on a daily basis; there was a significant process involved with issuing a voter ID certificate. · Each polling station and Presiding Officer was being trained on issues related to voter ID; if the ID provided did not resemble the person presenting at the polling station, then they would not be able to vote. · Thanks were given to the Chief Executive and staff for their work thus far on the local elections.
Having been proposed and seconded, upon being put to the vote the motion was AGREED:
DECISION:
That the Council:
1. Approves the appointment of the Chief Finance Officer, the Assistant Director of Governance and the Electoral Services Manager as Deputy Electoral Registration Officers to act in place of the Electoral Registration Officer where they are unable to act personally and for the purposes of the authorisation of Voter Authority Certificates.
2. Delegates authority to the Council’s Electoral Registration Officer to appoint Deputies and to revoke or vary such appointments as necessary in the future. |
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Proposed Amendments to the Constitution
This report provides Full Council with an opportunity to consider recommendations from the Constitution Committee meeting held on 14 February 2023.
Additional documents: Minutes: The Cabinet Member for Corporate Governance and Licensing introduced a range of proposed amendments to the Constitution.
The report set out several proposed constitutional amendments, some of which were a consequence of the Scrutiny Review Action Plan endorsed by the Governance and Audit Committee and others reflected proposals submitted to the Constitution Committee for consideration.
Those recommendations relating to the Scrutiny Review had already been discussed and considered at a public scrutiny review workshop, the Governance and Audit Committee and the Constitution Committee prior to Full Council.
All the recommendations included in the report were agreed by the Constitution Committee at their meeting held on 14 February 2023, apart from recommendation 2 which achieved a tied vote. It was therefore agreed that this particular recommendation be referred to Full Council without a recommendation by the Committee.
One minor amendment was moved regarding recommendation 7 which was to replace the words ‘in consultation’ with ‘in conjunction’ as set out in the table under ‘Officers Granted Delegation’ at paragraph 3.7 of the report. It was appropriate for the introduction of a new fee or charge to be made in conjunction with the Section 151 Officer as opposed to in consultation with them.
There were ten recommendations within the report, and the first four were proposed, seconded and debated individually. Recommendations 5-10 were proposed and seconded en bloc.
Note: Councillors Ian Stokes and Sue Woolley left the Chamber and did not return.
On recommendation 1, it was noted that the requirement to submit alternative budgets to the Chief Finance Officer 5 working days prior to the Council meeting was a recommendation from the Centre for Governance and Scrutiny.
Having previously been moved and seconded, following a vote it was AGREED:
DECISION:
1. That Full Council approves the addition of a new paragraph under the Budget and Policy Framework Procedure Rules in Part 4 (Rules of Procedure) of the Constitution regarding proposed amendments to the budget or proposed alternative budgets, as set out in paragraph 3.3 of the report.
The following information was raised during the debate on recommendation 2 – the proposal to reduce the number of Overview and Scrutiny Committees from four to three from 4 May 2023:
· The recommendation from the Scrutiny Review sought to reduce the Council’s Overview and Scrutiny committees down from four to two, but it was felt that this would be a step too far. Therefore three Overview and Scrutiny Committees was proposed. · There was no recommendation from the Constitution Committee here as the vote at the meeting was a tie; the Chairman of the Constitution Committee at the time felt that it would be unfair to use his casting vote, and would rather let Full Council make the final decision. · The responsibilities of the new Finance, Economic and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee looked on paper to be wider ranging than those of the Culture and Leisure Overview and Scrutiny Committee, for example. It was pointed out, for information, that the new terms of reference ... view the full minutes text for item 91. |
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Proposed Amendments to the Constitution - referred item
This report provides Full Council with an opportunity to consider recommendations from the Constitution Committee meetings held in October and December 2022.
This business has been referred from the 26 January meeting of Full Council as there was not adequate time to hear the item at that meeting. Additional documents: Minutes: Proposed Amendments to the Constitution - referred item was not considered due to time constraints and would be considered at the annual meeting of Full Council on 18 May 2023. |
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Members' Open Questions
A 45-minute period in which members may ask questions of the Leader, Cabinet Members, the Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen of the Overview and Scrutiny Committees and opposition group leaders excluding the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Planning Committee, Licensing and Alcohol, Entertainment and Late Night Refreshment Licensing Committees and Governance and Audit Committee. Additional documents: Minutes: There were no questions due to time constraints. |
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Notices of Motion
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Councillor Amanda Wheeler
The UK’s current voting system (known as First Past the Post) originated when land-owning aristocrats dominated parliament and voting was restricted to property-owning men.
Currently in Europe, only the UK and authoritarian Belarus still use the archaic single-round FPTP for general elections. Meanwhile, internationally, Proportional Representation (PR) is used to elect parliaments in more than 80 countries. These countries tend to be more equal, freer and greener. Under PR, MPs and Parliaments better reflect the age, gender and protected characteristics of local communities and the nation. MPs better reflecting their communities leads to improved decision-making, wider participation and increased levels of ownership of decisions taken.
Proportional Representation ensures all votes count, have equal value, and those seats won match votes cast.
PR would also end minority rule. In 2019, 43.6% of the vote produced a government with 56.2% of the seats and 100% of the power.
PR is already used to elect the parliaments and assemblies of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. So why not Westminster?
South Kesteven District Council therefore resolves to write to Government calling for a change in our outdated electoral laws to enable Proportional Representation to be used for general elections.
Additional documents: Minutes: Councillor Wheeler’s motion was not considered due to time constraints and may be heard at the annual meeting of Full Council on 18 May 2023. |
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Councillor Phil Dilks
To ensure members of the public, councillors and council officers can have confidence that the highest standards of probity and integrity are followed and that any alleged breaches of the Codes of Conduct are dealt fairly, impartially and in a timely manner:
Council resolves to: 2. Adopt the latest Local Government Association’s Guidance on Handling Alleged Breaches of the Code of Conduct, including the process for undertaking hearings, in its entirety.
Additional documents: Minutes: Councillor Dilks’ motion was not considered due to time constraints and may be heard at the annual meeting of Full Council on 18 May 2023. |
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Close of meeting
Additional documents: Minutes: In closing the meeting, the Chairman of Council thanked all officers and members for their support during her tenure.
Wider thanks were offered to those in the Chamber that had contributed to the business of Council during 2022-2023. The contribution of those members who would not be returning after 4 May 2023 was recognised.
Meeting closed at 5:50pm. |