Agenda item

A Non-Cabinet Member asked the Cabinet Member for Communities what was happening with the Befriending Service that had been put in place during the first lockdown, was it continuing for this lockdown. The Cabinet Member for Communities stated that the Befriending service, which had involved both employees of the Council and Councillors had been put in place during the first lockdown. Since then the Council had worked closely with the voluntary sector and Beehive, based in Grantham and Evergreen, based in Stamford had taken over the Befriending service. Currently, due to the pandemic everything was being done over the telephone, but it was hoped that in time when circumstances allowed, face-to-face conversations would take place.

The Non-Cabinet Member also made reference to the death of Terry Shelbourne who had died over New Year, his contributions to the community through his art and that he would be sadly missed and whether some sort of commemoration could be held when possible to do so. The Non-Cabinet Member asked if any progress had been made in relation to the lending of the picture of Baroness Thatcher held in the archives at Lincoln, which had been done by Terry Shelbourne.  The Leader stated that he too, was sadden by the news of Terry Shelbourne’s death and that the Head of Arts was looking in to the painting.  The Leader stated that an event to commemorate the life and death of all those who had died during the pandemic and the work undertaken by the NHS and voluntary workers would be explored after we had come out of the pandemic.  A Non-Member from the Deepings agreed with the proposal and stated that she had been speaking to local churches in her area, in relation to holding memorial services.

Members were informed that the new Chief Constable for Lincolnshire was Chris Haward. It was proposed that he visit Grantham to meet the Cabinet and local businesses when it was safe to do so. It was also suggested that he be invited to speak to Members at an all Member briefing to be arranged.

A Non-Cabinet Member asked about the recommendations contained within the recent Cratus report on the Planning service.  The Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning gave an update to Members and stated that some of the recommendations within the report would be delivered, these would be shared with the Planning Committee Chairman and Planning Committee Members.  Other recommendations contained within the report would require further input from Cratus.  Those recommendations that required changes to the Constitution would be forwarded to the Constitution Committee, then on to Council for ratification.  The aim was to make a better planning delivery service for all.  The Chief Executive stated that further pieces of work would be required with support from Cratus moving forward.  Further comments were made by the Chairman of the Planning Committee on the planning function and dealing with planning applications as quickly as possible, but having due regard to the impact that planning applications had on residents.

The Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning thanked the Chairman of the Planning Committee, and Planning Committee Members for their support. Moving forward he hoped that Members and Officers would have a better working relationship.  The Leader stated that following the findings of the Cratus report, the planning process would be more robust and efficient with clear delegations between Members and Officers.