Agenda item

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.

Question 1

In response to a question from Councillor Murray Turner, the Cabinet Member for Environment and Waste explained that in June 2026, SKDC emptied around 670,000 receptacles for waste, including bins and caddies. Missed bins were up but there were 70,000 more bins being collected this year. Missed bins accounted for 0.00132% of collections.

Question 2

In response to a question from Councillor Ian Selby to the Leader of the Council, Councillor Ashley Baxter congratulated Harrowby United having won the South Kesteven Charity Cup.

Question 3

In response to a question from Councillor Gareth Knight to the Leader of the Council, asking if LGA membership was ‘good value’ for money, Councillor Ashley Baxter commented that the LGA provided training and advice to members and officers, noting that there was room for improvement with regards to spend and value for money within the organisation.

Question 4

In response to a question from Councillor Sue Woolley to the Cabinet Member for Environment and Waste, Councillor Rhys Baker reported that he had not been contacted by any member of the Reform-led Lincolnshire County Council to discuss if there was any more SKDC can do in supporting the reduction of fly-tipping since the introduction of a refuse booking-system.

Queston 5

In response to a question from Councillor Matt Bailey to the Deputy Leader of the Council, Councillor Paul Stokes congratulated the Lincolnshire Tamil Community and other groups whose cultures are celebrated across South Kesteven and thanked Councillor Bailey for his continued support of the Lincolnshire Tamils.

Queston 6

In response to a question from Councillor Sarah Trotter to the Cabinet Member for Housing, Councillor Virginia Moran stated that she was unaware why SKDC were endorsing the businesses of ‘Fraser and Fraser’ and ‘Auction House’ when other genealogists and auction companies were available. However, she would endeavour to get an explanation as to how the decision was made and would relay the information to Councillor Trotter in due course.

Queston 7

In response to a question from Councillor Harrish Bisnauthsing to the Cabinet Member for Housing, Councillor Virginia Moran reported that regarding the concerns about Circles’ Houses in Multiple Occupancies (HMOs) in the region, all the properties had been visited and inspected. The Chief Executive explained that a further report would be presented in due course. The report would explain that all properties have been re-inspected with regards to those with category 1 and 2 concerns, with all having passed the re-inspection.

Queston 8

In response to a question from Councillor Ben Green to the Leader of the Council, Councillor Ashley Baxter explained that the term ‘Kesteven’ had been in existence for more than 1000 years and that any successor authority should be given a name that is easily understandable but the term ‘Kesteven’ would continue to be used regardless whether it is part of the title of a new local authority or not.

Queston 9

In response to a question from Councillor Max Sawyer to the Leader of the Council, with regards to SKDC taking on the Stamford’s St Martin’s Park, Councillor Ashley Baxter stated that the development was not straightforward and there were some frustrations that St Martin’s Park was not completed and not fully operational.

Queston 10

In response to a question from Councillor Tim Harrison to the Leader of the Council, Councillor Ashley Baxter noted that an audit of the internal decision-making process at Lincolnshire County Council had been requested with regards to the ring-fenced £2 million for Grantham. It had been requested that a private internal audit report of Lincolnshire County Council be published for openness and transparency purposes, but this had yet to be done.

Queston 11

In response to a question from Councillor Robert Leadenham to the Chair of the Council, Councillor Anna Kelly agreed that the event given by the British Army Engagement Team was very helpful and inspiring and a very worthwhile event.

Councillor Rob Shorrock proposed a motion without notice referenced at Section 4.10.18 of the Constitution asking that the confidential internal audit report of Lincolnshire County Council be published and shared.

The Monitoring Office stated that he did not believe this was a proper use of the provision within the Constitution; the motion had not been submitted and nor did it relate to an item on the agenda. It was explained by the Monitoring Officer that Councillor Rob Shorrock could seek to bring a motion to suspend the relevant procedural rules under the constitution and to bring a motion via that mechanism, but would need the support of the chamber to do so.

The Monitoring Officer confirmed that the motions that were already on the agenda would be heard in the order that they had been received. Once debate had concluded on those motions, Councillor Rob Shorrock was advised to move a motion without notice to suspend the relevant procedure rule (13.1 of the Council’s Constitution procedure rules). Should this get a majority vote, the motion could then be debated and voted on. 

Queston 12

In response to a question from Councillor Charmaine Morgan to the Leader of the Council, Councillor Ashley Baxter confirmed that he alongside Councillor Morgan) wished to thank Gareth David MP and all the three MPs that represent the area for their engagement with regards to the concerns that residents have relating to the impact of community population growth and the effect that it may have in on NHS services.