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.

There were no questions or statements from members of the public.

Apologies for absence were received from:

Councillor Richard Cleaver

Councillor James Denniston

Councillor Ben Green

Councillor Paul Martin

Councillor Nick Robins

Councillor Penny Robins

Councillor Susan Sandall

Councillor Peter Stephens

Note:  Councillor Charmaine Morgan arrived at the meeting.

The minutes of the meeting held on 30 January 2025 were agreed as a correct record.

The Council noted the Chairman’s engagements.

The Chairman of the Council had visited Stamford to attend an event commemorating three years since the start of the conflict in Ukraine, a very moving occasion. A minute’s silence was held in the Council Chamber to mark this occasion.

Leader of the Council

The Leader of the Council made the following announcements:

·         An artist at the Union Street gallery had loaned artwork to be displayed in the Leader’s office at SK House. This was part of a rolling exhibition. The ‘Whale Art Project’ was also arriving in Grantham soon with the aim of educating and raising awareness of the environment and oceanic species health and pollution. The whale had been funded by UK Shared Prosperity monies.

·         There would be artists in residence in Grantham, Stamford, Bourne and Market Deeping in the coming weeks.

·         A replica of the Turin Shroud was being exhibited at St. Wulfram’s Church in Grantham until 3 March.

·         Discussions had collapsed over the future of Deepings Leisure Centre. Enormous thanks were offered to the community that had been involved in the campaign, particularly the Community Interest Company and Virginia Moran who had worked to try and achieve a solution. There would be no decisions about the £850,000 held in reserves for the Leisure Centre at this time.

·         The Head of HR and Organisational Development had been shortlisted for the Rising Star award at the Local Government Chronicle Awards 2025. East Midlands Building Consultancy (EMBC) had made it through in the medium sized Team of the Year category at the same awards.

·         South Kesteven District Council were represented in three awards at the Great British Workplace Wellbeing Awards 2025: Wellbeing Team of the Year, Most Inspiring HR Leader of the Year (Head of HR) and Excellence in Employee Engagement.

Cabinet Member for Environment and Waste

The Cabinet Member made the following announcements:

• The A1 litter collection work was due to start on 3 March. Thanks were offered to officers for their role in this, as well as members of the public reporting litter.
• All members were encouraged to review the Environmental Crime report. South Kesteven were represented on the Lincs Environmental Crime Partnership.
• ‘Fixmystreet’, a site for reporting street repair issues and getting them fixed was now live for South Kesteven. This was already in operation with Lincolnshire County Council, You can report fly tipping, dead animals and street lighting issues amongst other things.

Cabinet Member for Corporate Governance and Licensing

The Cabinet Member made the following announcements:

• Councillor personal development plans had been raised in the past and had been unanimously accepted as being desirable to have. Development of members must be a step forward in the quality of representation seen by residents.
• It was important to treat the Personal Development Plan seriously and try to accommodate requirements of members.

Members considered the Budget Proposals for 2025/2026 and indicative budgets for 2026/2027 and 2027/2028.

Council agreed to relax the standing orders to allow the Leader of the Council to speak for longer than five minutes when introducing the Budget.

The Budget proposals had been discussed at several meetings prior, including Joint Budget Overview and Scrutiny Committee and Cabinet.

In moving the Budget proposals, the Leader of the Council ran through a presentation to accompany the Budget, which was appended to these minutes. The following points were highlighted:

• The maximum amount of Council Tax allowed to be claimed by the Council was being sought.
• Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) was money to set aside from investments the Council had made, which included St. Martin’s Park in Stamford and the Depot in Grantham. The Depot was on track to be opened in November 2025.
• A balanced Budget was proposed for 2025/2026 with plans for this to be repeated for 2026/2027, but there were pressures on the Budget beyond this time.
• There were proposed budget increases in some areas such as work on domestic violence, homelessness, welfare provision and others.
• A new post of Licensing Support Officer should enable existing licensing officers to be more mobile and spend more time out of the office as part of their job.
• Drainage rates – there had been several recent flooding events in the district, and the Internal Drainage Boards (IDBs) needed to take action. Drainage rates were set by the IDBs; there had been a higher increase in rates in Boston and South Holland District Council. £641,000 of recurring expenditure was due for South Kesteven.
• The night shelter within Grantham had helped people back into housing.
• Grantham town events and the Economic Development Support Officer would be funded from the Council’s contribution to the Future High Streets Fund.
• Capital proposals included the replacement of vehicles, wheelie bins, the Stamford Cattle Market Car Park extension and a programme to refurbish Grantham Wharf Road Car Park.
• There was an ongoing conversation about the replacement of leisure equipment at Grantham Meres Leisure Centre, and the scrutiny of this. There was a proposal within the Budget to make a loan to LeisureSK Ltd. for new equipment at the Meres Leisure Centre. Members of the Culture and Leisure Overview and Scrutiny Committee had asked to review any potential loan.
• Many people who took part in the public consultation on the Budget were in favour of increasing council tax by the highest amount.
• The implementation of the fixmystreet app allowed for residents to report issues to Lincolnshire County Council and South Kesteven District Council in one visit. If you had the app, you could report other issues in areas beyond Lincolnshire.
• A refuse collection review would take place to achieve efficiencies. This would likely result in some changes to bin collection days; any changes would need to be communicated to residents. Other areas of refuse collection, such as the in cab technology would be reviewed.
• The new Customer Service Centre had opened  ...  view the full minutes text for item 72.

Members considered the appointment of the Chief Executive as the Local Returning Officer, responsible for administering the Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority Mayoral elections in South Kesteven.

Having been moved and seconded, and following a vote it was AGREED:

DECISION

That Full Council approve the appointment of the Chief Executive as Local Returning Officer for the South Kesteven area for the Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority Mayoral elections.

Members considered appointments to seats on committees, and noted a change in the authority’s political proportionality.

In writing this report, the Monitoring Officer consulted Group leaders about the proposed changes in committee seats.

Having been moved and seconded, and following a vote it was AGREED:

DECISION

That Full Council:

1.    Note the changes in political proportionality and the allocation of seats on committees to each of the Council’s political groups.

2.    Approves appointments to committee seats as proposed by respective political group leaders:

-       Councillor Philip Knowles to take the seat on the Licensing Committee and Alcohol, Entertainment and Late Night Refreshment Licensing Committee.

-       The Independent Group gifts its seat on Licensing Committee and Alcohol, Entertainment and Late Night Refreshment Licensing Committee to Councillor Patsy Ellis.

-       Councillor Tim Harrison to take the seat on the Standards Committee.

-       Planning Committee – Councillor Vanessa Smith to continue as a member of the Committee.

-       Governance and Audit Committee – Councillor Rob Shorrock to continue as a member of the Committee.

-       Employment Committee – Labour and Co-operative seat to be gifted to Councillor Rhys Baker.

-       Finance and Economic Overview and Scrutiny Committee – Councillor Lee Steptoe to continue as a member of the Committee.

-       Housing Overview and Scrutiny Committee – Councillor Lee Steptoe to continue as a member of the Committee. Councillor Emma Baker to also continue as a member of the Committee, the seat for which was gifted from the Grantham Independent Group

-       Rural and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee – Councillor Vanessa Smith to continue as a member of the Committee

-       Culture and Leisure Overview and Scrutiny Committee – Councillor Emma Baker to continue as member of the Committee.

-       Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee – Councillor Emma Baker to continue as member of the Committee. Councillor Rhea Rayside to replace Councillor Harrish Bisnauthsing.

Note:  The meeting adjourned at 3:27pm and reconvened at 3:44pm.

Councillor Ian Stokes did not return to the meeting.

Members considered proposed changes to the Council’s Constitution, recommended by the Governance and Audit Committee meeting held on 13 February 2025.

Both recommendations sought to improve openness and transparency. The first amendment dealt with the procedure for removing the Leader of the Council from office, and the second recommendation sought to improve clarity on dealing with amendments to motions on notice at Full Council.

Having been moved and seconded, and following a vote it was AGREED:

DECISION

That Full Council approve the following amendments to the Constitution:

1.    Article 7 (Leader) at Part 2 (Articles) be amended to reflect the requirement for the submission of a Notice of Motion for the Council to approve a resolution to remove the Leader of the Council from office, as set out at paragraph 3.3 of the report.

2.    Council Procedure Rules at Part 4 (Rules of Procedure) be amended to provide greater clarity regarding amendments and their relevance to an original motion, as set out at paragraph 3.7 of the report.

Members considered a report examining the role and responsibilities of the Council’s Lead Member for Armed Forces before taking the opportunity to make an appointment to the role.

Thanks were given to officers and the current Armed Forces Champion who had been involved in putting together a job description for the role.

Two Councillors were nominated for the role, Councillors Richard Dixon-Warren and Bridget Ley. Neither had been forewarned and neither had expected to speak.

Councillor Richard Dixon-Warren was nominated for the role. He had been the Armed Forces Champion at South Kesteven District Council (SKDC) since May 2022 and was formally appointed in late 2022. Since appointment, he had done all he could to support the Council in its support for the Armed Forces Covenant. He had also taken on the additional responsibility of Chair of the Lincolnshire Armed Forces Community Covenant, which had given him a useful perspective on being a District Armed Forces Champion. He was now developing a strategy to take support for the Covenant by SKDC forward for the next two years.There were approximately 8000 Veterans and 1000 Reserve and Regular forces in the District, and they were the priority. With Defence expenditure going up to 2.5% the focus should be on how to support our Armed Forces. Most Members had Veterans or Armed Forces personnel in their Wards and it was a collective responsibility to make sure that the Covenant works for them as far as it possibly can. Councillor Dixon-Warren closed with a reminder of his experience and accumulated expertise.

Councillor Bridget Ley was also nominated for the role. She came from a forces background; her father was in the army, and other members in the family had served in RAF. Councillor Ley had been involved with the Armed Forces Charity ‘SSAFA’ and the Ministry of Defence Hospital Unit (MDHU). She had worked with many different levels of servicemen, supporting them from a medical background with mental health and helping those on benefits to find accommodation.

Having been moved and seconded, and following a vote it was AGREED:

DECISION

That Full Council:

1.    Approve the proposed schedule for appointment to the role of Lead Member for Armed Forces.

2.    Approve the proposed role description for the Lead Member for Armed Forces.

3.    Appoint Councillor Bridget Ley to the role of Lead Member for Armed Forces 2025-2027.

The Chairman thanked Councillor Dixon-Warren for all the work that he had taken part in during his tenure as Armed Forces Champion.

The purpose of this report is to agree the principles behind the submission to the Mayoral County Combined Authority (MCCA) to secure the funding and to seek a delegation for the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, to finalise the submission.

Members considered the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) allocation for 2025/2026. The UKSPF had been a significant opportunity to secure substantial investment for the district. The Fund had been extended for a single year, and it had been indicated by the Greater Lincolnshire Mayoral Combined County Authority (MCCA) that funds would be passported to the Council to manage in 2025/26. The purpose of this report was to agree the principles behind the submission to the MCCA to secure the funding and to seek a delegation for the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, to finalise the submission.

Note:  Councillors Richard Dixon-Warren and Vanessa Smith left the meeting and did not return.

SKDC was due to receive £1.2 million of funding for 2025/2026 – the final decision on the allocation of funding would be taken by the MCCA on 6 March. SKDC had been asked to revise their plan setting out how they wished to allocate funding. Funding should be fully committed by September 2025.

Having been moved and seconded, and following a vote it was AGREED:

DECISION

That Full Council:

1.    Approve the proposed interventions to form the basis of the South Kesteven UKSPF Investment Plan submission to the Greater Lincolnshire Mayoral Combined County Authority.

2.    Delegate authority to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, to finalise and submit the final Investment Plan to the Greater Lincolnshire Mayoral Combined County Authority.

Members considered the latest updates on Local Government Reorganisation (LGR).

In introducing the report, the Leader of the Council made the following points:

·         Government had embarked on a policy of LGR in ‘two tier’ governance areas. The current two-tier system was being replaced with a combination of a strategic Mayoral Authority and larger councils below this. This would lead to fewer councillors, who arguably would be less accountable and accessible to those they represented. It would also mean larger workloads for councillors.

·         This was the first local government reshuffle for over 50 years.

·         The government wanted new unitary authorities to be responsible for a population of 500,000 people. It was unclear from where this target had been derived. If you simply divided up Lincolnshire by its current population you would get two new authorities.

·         It was an option to create a new authority for a combined population approaching 400,000. Examples were given of both Rutland County Council and SKDC whose populations of c40,000 and c150,000 respectively would not qualify as viable new authorities as they were not close to the 400,000-population threshold.

·         SKDC had been asked to put together proposals for a unitary authority having consulted their local neighbours by 21 March 2025. SKDC had first been notified that this was a possibility on 16 December 2024, with a letter from the Minister on 5 February 2025.

·         Government were asking for an outline business case, described as a ‘touching point’. Once proposals for a new authority were agreed locally, the next step would be public consultation, with a final submission by 28 November 2025. Government had not yet indicated when authorities would get feedback on their initial interim proposals.

·         SKDC would submit their proposal in March, and there would likely be other proposals from Lincolnshire authorities that would not align with each other. It was unclear yet where efficiency savings would come from.

·         It was hoped by government that LGR in Lincolnshire would be delivered by 2028. However, with competing proposals the scenario for the county was not clear. The area could submit multiple competing proposals, which could include proposals across existing county lines. Strong justifications would be required.

·         If the proposal was to split an existing local authority area, there would need to be a strong justification and involvement from the Boundary Commission.

·         The Chief Executive and Leader of the Council were having ongoing conversations with leaders and chief executives from neighbouring and local authorities regarding potential models and data sharing.

·         Initial discussions had outlined that SKDC did not wish to be aligned with Peterborough City Council, City of Lincoln Council, East Lindsey District Council and Melton Borough Council. The most agreeable authorities for alignment were North Kesteven District Council, South Holland District Council and Rutland County Council.

·         All member briefings were delivered to SKDC councillors on 10 March. There was due to be an Extraordinary Full Council meeting on 18 March.

Note:  It was agreed to reduce the length of councillors’ speeches to three minutes maximum.

The following  ...  view the full minutes text for item 78.

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 – Councillor Max Sawyer to Councillor Ashley Baxter, Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Finance, HR and Economic Development

Councillor Sawyer asked what could be done to avoid wasting thousands of pounds on investigating Councillor Code of Conduct complaints related to social media posts.

Councillor Baxter was disappointed that a great deal of money had been spent on complaints. He believed that some found it difficult to let go or apologise. He determined to work with the Standards Committee along with the Chief Executive and Monitoring Officer where possible to try and avoid the large bills that could be attached to complaints.

Question 2 – Councillor Rhys Baker to Councillor Ashley Baxter, Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Finance, HR and Economic Development

Councillor Rhys Baker asked the Leader of the Council to join him in congratulating Councillor Helen Crawford for hosting a charity bingo event in Bourne where a great deal of money was raised.

Councillor Baxter was happy to congratulate Councillor Crawford on her event, which raised around £1000. He was grateful to all mayors and chairmen of town and parish councils around the district for the work that they did in terms of fundraising.

Question 3 – Councillor Penny Milnes to Councillor Philip Knowles Cabinet Member for Corporate Governance and Licensing

Councillor Milnes asked what plans there were to change SKDC’s ethical investment strategy to invest in defence at the earliest opportunity considering the ongoing threat to Ukraine and Europe, and an increase in the national defence budget.

Councillor Knowles did not think there was currently the space for SKDC to investigate national policies. The government had now decided to increase defence expenditure. He recognised concerns, but the difficulties of the present time were greater than those seen in recent years. If there were ways that SKDC could contribute to national developments, then he was happy to hear them.

The Section 151 Officer confirmed that the Council had approved an ethical investment strategy as part of the budget for 2025/2026, in line with CIPFA guidance, attached at Appendix F of the Budget report.

Question 4 – Councillor Charmaine Morgan to Councillor Ashley Baxter, Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Finance, HR and Economic Development

Councillor Morgan asked the Leader of the Council to join her in urging all members to view consultations related to the Grantham hospital building and dementia ward on Manthorpe Road in Grantham.

The Leader of the Council praised Councillor Morgan’s commitment to this issue. If people were concerned about health services in Grantham, he urged them to participate in the consultation.

Question 5 – Councillor Graham Jeal to Councillor Ashley Baxter, Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Finance, HR and Economic Development

Councillor Jeal wanted to recognise the hard work carried out by the Deeping Community Interest Company (CIC) in relation to the Deepings Leisure Centre.

As this was a statement, there was no need for a response from Cabinet members.

Motion to Restrict Positions of Special Responsibility Following Public Censure Notice

Council Notes That:

1. The Council’s Code of Conduct sets clear expectations regarding the ethical behaviour and standards required of elected members.

2. Where a Councillor is found to have breached the Code of Conduct, the Standards Committee has the power to impose sanctions, including the issuance of a Public Censure Notice.

3. The Governance and Audit Committee is responsible for reviewing and recommending amendments to the Council’s Constitution to ensure robust governance and accountability.

4. In line with best practice in local government ethics, it is appropriate to consider restrictions on holding positions of special responsibility following a Public Censure Notice.

5. Enhancing the governance framework to include such provisions will strengthen public trust in the Council’s leadership and decision-making processes.

6. Any amendments to the Constitution regarding eligibility for positions of special responsibility must be applied prospectively and not retrospectively to ensure fairness and legal compliance.

Council Resolves To:

1. Refer the following proposed amendment to the Governance and Audit Committee, pursuant to Article 9.1 (xxxi) - (xxxiv) of the Constitution, for consideration and recommendation to Full Council:

Proposed Amendment to the Constitution – Part 5: Codes and Protocols

Addition of a new paragraph 7.3 to the Council’s procedure for dealing with complaints against Councillors, to reflect the following:

New Clause: Eligibility for Positions of Special Responsibility Following a Public Censure Notice

1. Where a Councillor is found to have breached the Code of Conduct and a Public Censure Notice is issued as part of the sanctions imposed by the Standards Committee or Hearing Review Panel, the Councillor shall be ineligible from holding any of the following positions of special responsibility for the full duration of the Public Censure Notice:

o   Leader of the Council

o   Deputy Leader of the Council

o   Cabinet Member

o   Chairman or Vice-Chairman of the Council

o   Chairman or Vice-Chairman of any Council Committee or Sub-Committee

2. If a Councillor currently occupying any of the above positions is issued with a Public Censure Notice, they must vacate their role upon the publication of the notice. This provision applies only to cases occurring after the adoption of this amendment.

3. The restriction on holding positions of special responsibility shall remain in effect for the entire duration of the Public Censure Notice, as determined by the Standards Committee or Hearing Review Panel.

4. This amendment applies to all Councillors, irrespective of political affiliation, and shall take effect immediately upon adoption. However, it shall not apply retrospectively to existing Public Censure Notices issued prior to its adoption.

Council Further Resolves That:

1. The Governance and Audit Committee consider this amendment at the earliest opportunity, ensuring alignment with best practice in local government ethics and governance.

2. The findings and recommendations of the Governance and Audit Committee be reported back to Full Council for final approval and adoption into the Constitution. A report would only be presented back to Full Council if a recommendation was agreed to amend the Constitution.

Rationale:

• This amendment strengthens public accountability and ensures that  ...  view the full agenda text for item 81.

Councillor Ben Green had withdrawn his motion, and it was confirmed that it would not be heard as written at a future meeting.

The Chairman of the Council reminded all present about his Civic Dinner taking place on Friday 21 March.

The meeting closed at 5:11pm.