Venue: Conference Room, Church Square House, Scunthorpe
Time: 1.30 pm
Email: Richard.mell@northlincs.gov.uk
1 Mayor’s Remarks
2 Declarations of Disclosable Pecuniary Interests and Personal or Personal and Prejudicial Interests.
3 Section 85, Local Government Act 1972 - verbal report of the Monitoring Officer
4 To approve as a correct record the minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Council held on 24 September 2019
5 Local Government and Housing Act 1989 - Political Composition and Balance of the Council, Appointment of Chairs and Vice-Chair of committees/panels and notification of change of Group Secretary - Report by the Director: Governance and Partnerships – See Appendix 1.
6 Calculating the Council Tax Base 2020/21 – Report by the Director: Governance and Partnerships – See Appendix 2.
7 Treasury Management Mid-Year Report 2019/20 – Report by the Director: Governance and Partnerships – See Appendix 3.
8 UK Parliamentary Polling Districts and Polling Places Review 2019 – Report by the Director Governance and Partnerships – See Appendix 4.
9 To receive the minutes of the under mentioned committees/panels and to consider any recommendations made and to pass such resolutions as may be necessary.
Planning Committee –
(25 September, 9 October, 23 October, 20 November and 18 December 2019)
Licensing Committee –
(5 September and 12 September, 3 October, 7 November and 21 November 2019)
Audit Committee –
(31 October 2019)
Standards Committee –
(11 September and 13 November 2019)
Health Scrutiny Panel -
(11 September, 2 October and 8 October 2019)
Governance Scrutiny Panel
(28 November and 17 December 2019)
Places Scrutiny Panel
(18 October and 17 December 2019)
Children and Education Scrutiny Panel
(12 November and 9 December 2019)
Health and Wellbeing Board -
(25 June and 14 October 2019)
10 To consider any questions on the discharge of the functions of the Humberside Fire Authority.
11 Questions from members of the public (including town and parish councils).
12 To consider a joint motion of which notice has been given and to pass such resolutions as may be necessary (none received).
MINUTES
Present – THE MAYOR - Councillor Jonathan Evison
Councillors Ali, Allcock, Armiger, Armitage, Bainbridge, Briggs, Clark, A Davison, J Davison, Ellerby, England, L Foster, T Foster, Gosling, Grant, Hannigan, Kirk, Longcake, Marper, Mitchell, Ogg, O’Sullivan, Poole, Rayner, Reed, Robinson, Rose, Rowson, C Sherwood, N Sherwood, Southern, Swift, K Vickers, P Vickers, Walshe, Waltham MBE, Wells, Wilson and Yeadon,
The council met at Church Square House, Scunthorpe.
2692 MAYOR’S REMARKS - COUNCILLOR J COLLINSON AND COUNCILLOR I GLOVER – The Mayor referred to the recent sad deaths of Councillor John Collinson and Councillor Ivan Glover. The Mayor paid tribute to Councillor Collinson’s and Councillor Glover’s years of dedicated public service and on behalf of all councillors, expressed their thoughts for both families at this sad time.
The council then observed a minute’s silence in memory of Councillor John Collinson and Councillor Ivan Glover.
(The Leaders of both political groups also paid tribute to Councillor Collinson and Councillor Glover during the meeting)
The Mayor then welcomed fellow councillors, officers and members of the public to the meeting. He outlined some of the community events he had attended recently, especially those over a busy Christmas period.
2693 LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 1972, SECTION 85 - The Monitoring Officer referred to minute 2692 above and requested that this item now be withdrawn.
2694 DECLARATIONS OF DISCLOSABLE PECUNIARY INTERESTS AND PERSONAL OR PERSONAL AND PREJUDICIAL INTERESTS AND SIGNIFICANT LOBBYING - Declarations of personal interests were indicated as follows -
Member – Councillor M Ali
Subject/Minute – Hackney Carriage Driver/Licence Holder, with schools transport contract;
Crosby Community Association - Trustee
2695 MINUTES - Resolved - That the minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Council held 24 September 2019 having been circulated amongst the members, be taken as read and correctly recorded and be signed by the Mayor.
2696 LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND HOUSING ACT 1989 - POLITICAL BALANCE OF THE COUNCIL, APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRS AND VICE CHAIR OF COMMITTEES/PANELS AND NOTIFICATION OF CHANGE OF GROUP SECRETARY - The Director: Governance and Partnerships submitted a report which informed the council of a review of the political balance of the council following the Chief Executive receiving notice of resignation of Councillor M Kirk from the Labour Group. The composition of the Council was now as follows -
Conservative 27
Labour 15
Independent 1
Total 43
(These included 1 vacancy within the Labour Group and 1 vacancy within the Conservative Group following the recent sad deaths of Councillor J Collinson and Councillor I Glover respectively. Those seats remained within the aforementioned groups until by-elections were held).
In accordance with the political proportionality rules and principles contained in the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, the current allocation of seats on the council’s committees/panels agreed at the Annual Meeting of the Council in May 2019 was not affected by the above change in composition applying the current ratio to the number of seats available to political groups and the Independent councillor on the current size of committees/panels. Subject to Council approval, all current arrangements could remain in place as agreed at the Annual Meeting of the Council in May 2019. To waiver the above political proportionality rules would require no member of the council voting against any such proposal.
The report also set out the proposed changes to chairs and a vice-chair of committees/panels appointed by the council, and gave notification of a change in Group Secretary to the Labour Group.
Resolved – (a) That the current political composition of the council be noted, and by applying political proportionality rules and principals the current entitlement of the number of members to committees/panels as agreed at the Annual Meeting of the Council in May 2019 continue and be approved; (b) that the proposed appointments – Places Scrutiny Panel - Chair, Councillor J Evison and Vice-Chair, Councillor S Swift and Health Scrutiny Panel - Chair, Councillor T Mitchell be approved and implemented with immediate effect, and (c) that the appointment by the Labour Group of Cllr S Swift as its Group Secretary be noted.
2697 CALCULATING THE COUNCIL TAX BASE 2020/21 – The Director: Governance and Partnerships submitted a report requesting the council to consider and approve the council tax base to be used for each part of the council’s area for formula grant and tax setting purposes. The key points in the report were to note the council tax base for grant purposes at October 2019, as submitted to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), to propose the current council tax support scheme (CTSS) be maintained for 2020/21, to set a tax base for setting Council Tax for the council, local parishes and major precepting authorities, and to propose the empty property surcharge is maintained at current levels.
The Director in her report explained the above key points, analysed options, addressed financial implications and set out associated information in appendices 1, 2 and 3.
Resolved - (a) That the council tax base for grant purposes set out in Appendix 1 of the report be noted; (b) that the council tax base for the council, parishes and other precepting bodies in 2020/21 be set at 49,889.5 Band D equivalents as detailed in Appendix 2, and detailed by Parish in appendix 3 of the report, and (c) that the current levels of council tax support scheme, discretionary relief and empty property surcharge be maintained.
2698 TREASURY MANAGEMENT AND INVESTMENT STRATEGY MID – YEAR REPORT 2019/20 - The Director: Governance and Partnerships submitted a report providing an overview on the Council’s treasury performance in 2019/20.
The report fulfilled the council’s legal obligation under the Local Government Act to have regard to both the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) Code and the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG) Investment Guidance. The CIPFA Code required that Council receive a report at the start of the financial year, mid-year and year end. The Audit Committee also received regular updates regarding treasury activity, providing assurance on the effectiveness of the council’s treasury management arrangements.
The CIPFA Code set out the following objectives for treasury management:
“It was important that treasury management policies adequately reflect risk and in particular security, liquidity and yield risk, in that order of importance. No treasury management transaction was without risk and management of risks was the key purpose of the treasury management strategy.”
Council agreed the Treasury Management Strategy for 2019/20 in February 2019. The Annual Treasury report, which was attached as an appendix, provided the detail of the activity and performance against the strategy, including the agreed Prudential Indicators for 2019/20.
The Director in her report summarised and explained the following key points -
- That the Council’s – Investment activity during the year conformed to the approved strategy, and there were no liquidity difficulties;
- Borrowing remained comfortably within the control levels set,
- Treasury activity was compliant with the Prudential Indicators set for the financial year.
and sets out national factors that affected the Council’s Treasury activity –
- EU Exit planning added volatility to interest rate and risk environments;
- A slowing growth picture also pushed yields lower as investors factored in a need for future monetary easing,
- Based on quarter 2 activity there had not been a significant impact on counterparty risk profiles, which would necessitate a revision to the Strategy.
Resolved - That the Treasury Management performance set out in the Annual Treasury Report for the 2019/20 financial year be received and noted.
2699 REVIEW OF UK PARLIAMENTARYT POLLING DISTRICTS AND POLLING PLACES - The Director: Governance and Partnerships submitted a report updating Council following the conclusion of the review of polling districts and places carried out in the Autumn of 2019, and to make recommendations in respect of the review.
The report explained that the Electoral Registration and Administration Act 2013 introduced a change to the timing of compulsory reviews of UK Parliamentary Polling Districts and Polling Places. Consequently, a compulsory review had to be started and completed between 1 October 2018 and 31 January 2020 (inclusive). (Subsequent compulsory reviews must be started and completed within the period of 16 months that starts on 1 October or every fifth year after 1 October 2013).
The Council at its meeting on 20 September 2018 (minute 2590 refers) noted a report on the requirements of the review and all arrangements in accordance Schedule A1 of the Representation of the People Act 1983 (RPA 1983) and related Electoral Commission guidance. As required, a public notice was placed on the Council’s website and in the local newspaper giving notice of the review. Further information about and on the content of the review was also published and displayed digitally on specific pages on the council’s website. This included the local (Acting) Returning Officer’s comments. This initiated a formal public consultation and in addition specific consultations were carried out with members of the council, political parties, local members of parliament, local members of the European parliament, town and parish councils and local representative disability groups. The formal consultation period ran from 5 September to 6 October 2019.
The Director in her report stated that a schedule attached as an appendix to the report commented upon every polling place (station) and recommended a small number of revisions. These revisions in general have had to be recommended as following the 2014 compulsory review, several polling stations had become unavailable, or have become unsuitable for voters and staff. Alternative, suitable accommodation had been used in most cases for all recent elections. No revisions to polling districts in North Lincolnshire had been suggested during the consultation period and no alterations recommended.
However it should be recognised that following consideration of the above recommendations and any subsequent approval by council, it may become necessary for the local (Acting) Returning Officer to approve further changes to polling places depending on circumstances. For example, where polling places are no longer available through possible closure of buildings etc. Electoral Commission guidance and legislation provides for such necessary action. In such circumstances local ward members would be consulted.
Resolved - (a) That the recommendations set out in appendix 1 of the report be approved and adopted, and (b) that the polling place in polling district TWN3 at the Robert Holme Hall Hospital Sports and Social Club, Church Lane, Scunthorpe be monitored for effectiveness and appropriateness.
TO RECEIVE THE MINUTES OF THE UNDERMENTIONED COMMITTEES/PANELS/BOARD (PREVIOUSLY CIRCULATED) AND TO CONSIDER ANY RECOMMENDATIONS MADE AND TO PASS SUCH RESOLUTIONS AS MAY BE NECESSARY –
2700 PLANNING COMMITTEE - Resolved – That the minutes of the meetings of the Planning Committee held on 25 September, 9 October and 23 October and 20 November 2019 be received.
2701 LICENSING COMMITTEE - Resolved – That the minutes of the meetings of the Licensing Committee held on 5 September, and 12 September, 3 October, 7 and21 November2019 be received.
2702 AUDIT COMMITTEE - Resolved - That the minutes of the meeting of the Audit Committee held on 31 October 2019 be received, approved and adopted.
2703 STANDARDS COMMITTEE - Resolved - That the minutes of the meetings of the Standards Committee held on 11 September and 13 November 2019 be received, approved and adopted.
2704 HEALTH SCRUTINY PANEL - Resolved - That the minutes of the meetings of the Health Scrutiny Panel held on 11 September, 2 and 8 October 2019 be received with the exception of minutes 513 and 523 -
2705 PATIENT TRANSPORT SERVICES – With regard to the excepted portion (a) it was -
Moved by Councillor T Mitchell and seconded by Councillor S Wilson –
That the minute be received.
2706 HEALTH AND CARE INTEGRATION PLAN 2019/24 - With regard to the excepted portion (b) it was –
Moved by Councillor T Mitchell and seconded by Councillor S Wilson –
That the minute be received.
2707 GOVERNANCE SCRUTINY PANEL - Resolved - That the minutes of the meetings of the Governance Scrutiny Panel held on 28 November and 17 December 2019 be received with the exception of minute 28 –
2708 ADDED ITEM - STATUTORY GUIDANCE ON OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY IN LOCAL AND COMBINED AUTHORITIES – With regard to the excepted portion it was –
Moved by Councillor D Robinson and seconded by Councillor T Gosling-
That the minute be received.
2709 PLACES SCRUTINY PANEL - Resolved - That the minutes of the meetings of the People Scrutiny Panel held on 18 October and 17 December 2019, be received.
2710 CHILDREN AND EDUCATION SCRUTINY PANEL - Resolved - That the minutes of the meetings of the Children and Education Scrutiny Panel held on 12 November and 9 December 2019 be received with the exception of minute 17 -
2711 ADDED ITEM – With regard to the excepted portion it was –
Moved by Councillor T Foster and seconded by Councillor L Yeadon-
That the minute be received.
2712 HEALTH AND WELLBEING BOARD - Resolved - That the minutes of the meetings of the Health and Wellbeing Board held on 25 June and 14 October 2019 be received with the exception of minute 278 -
2713 NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE CLINICAL COMMISSIONING GROUP STRATEGY – With regard to the excepted portion it was –
Moved by Councillor R Waltham MBE and seconded by Councillor R Hannigan –
That the minute be received.
QUESTION BY A MEMBER UPON MATTERS WITHIN THE PROVINCE OF A COMMITTEE/PANEL/BOARD AS NOTIFIED -
2714 HEALTH AND WELLBEING BOARD - Minute 277, North Lincolnshire Integrated Strategic Assessment - The following question was asked by Councillor L Foster -
“What assurances can the chair of the board give to patients and their families that the loss of oncology services from Scunthorpe General Hospital will not be detrimental to the level of care and support that every resident of North Lincolnshire deserves?”
Councillor R Waltham MBE, chair of the Health and Wellbeing Board responded as summarised below -
As a health partner, as Leader of the Council he was not prepared to allow key local health services to be removed from Scunthorpe ‘by stealth’. He had been unaware of the proposed reduction in service. The excuse of there being no suitable facilities and staff shortages to deliver such services at Scunthorpe General Hospital was far from satisfactory, especially as vulnerable patients and families already experiencing a difficult time in their lives were now having to travel 30 to 60 miles to receive required treatment with unnecessary costs. The downgrading of Scunthorpe General Hospital and a lack of access to such specialist services was not acceptable. He and the two local MPs had met with representatives of Northern Lincolnshire and Goole (NLAG) Hospital Trust last Friday and discussed and emphasised the need for a strategic business plan to present to government to obtain and secure funding to improve local health services, continue specialist services at Scunthorpe and build a new hospital. As chair of the Health and Wellbeing Board he would continue to work with and especially hold to account those health partners responsible for setting and commissioning the delivery of local health services in North Lincolnshire.
A further supplementary question referring to comments in the above was asked by Councillor T Foster and responded to by Councillor Waltham MBE.