Agenda and minutes

The Mayor welcomed all members and officers to the meeting.

The Mayor summarised recent events he had attended over the past five months and in particular referred to the privilege of being Mayor when attending the Proclamation of the Accession of King Charles III at Lincoln Cathedral and on the same day delivering the formal proclamation to North Lincolnshire residents at a special event held in Scunthorpe Town centre. He also thanked the Deputy Mayor Councillor Janet Longcake for her support over a busy period.

– Declarations of personal interests were indicated as follows –

That the minutes of the Ordinary Meetings of the Council held on 14 December 2021, 24 February 2022 (budget meeting), Annual Meeting of 18 May 2022 and Extraordinary Meeting of 11 August 2022, having been circulated amongst the members, be taken as read and correctly recorded and be signed by the Mayor.

Report of the Director: Governance and Communities.

The Director: Governance and Communities submitted a report informing Council of the Treasury arrangements, activity and performance during 2021-22. The key issues covered in the attached appendix to the report were as follows –

·       Capital Expenditure was financed by capital resources, cash resources and external borrowing. The Council’s capital expenditure during 2021/22 amounted to £28.68m.

·       Investment returns remained close to zero for much of 2021/22. The Council maintained an average balance of £58.61m of internally managed funds and earned an average rate of return of 0.03%.

·       The Council maintained an under borrowed position during the year. This meant that the capital borrowing need (CFR requirement) was not fully funded with loan debt as cash supporting the Council reserves, balances and cash flow was used as an interim measure.

·       During 2021/22 the Council repaid £8.63m at scheduled repayment dates.

·       The cost of servicing the council’s debt was £12.5m or 7.8% of the council’s net revenue stream. This remained below 12% of the net revenue stream which is seen as the maximum affordable level.

·       One loan was drawn during the year for cash flow purposes to fund advanced pension contributions.

·       No loans were drawn in advance of need and no debt rescheduling was carried out.

·       Investment income was £15k compared to a budget of £25k.

The Director reminded members Council had nominated the Audit Committee to be responsible for ensuring effective scrutiny of treasury management arrangements.

Resolved – That the Treasury Management Performance for the 2021/22 financial year be noted.

Report of the Director: Governance and Communities.

The Director: Governance and Communities submitted a report which presented to Council the fourth annual report of the Audit Committee. It summarised the activities of the committee and demonstrates how it had discharged its duties for the period May 2021 to May 2022. A copy of the annual report was attached as an appendix.

The report stated that the annual report of the Audit Committee was considered good practice and provided a mechanism to demonstrate transparently the effectiveness of the committee and provided assurance on the effectiveness of its role.

The annual report had been approved by the Audit Committee at its meeting of 13 July 2022 and recommended that it be presented to Council in support of the requirements of the Council’s Code of Governance.

            Resolved – That the annual report of the Audit Committee for 2021/22 be received.

Report of the Director: Governance and Communities.

The Director: Governance and Communities submitted a report whichattached as an appendix the tenth annual report of the Standards Committee under its standards regime and associated published Standards Arrangements pursuant to the Localism Act 2011.  The report covered the period 1 July 2021 to 30 June 20222 and detailed the work and activities of the Standards Committee throughout that time.

The annual report was approved by the Standards Committee at its meeting on 14 July 2022 with a request that the Monitoring Officer provide a copy to all Town and Parish Councils in the area.

Following receipt of this report by Council, the Monitoring Officer would continue to deal with relevant legislation and guidance, deal with complaints against councillors and provide training to North Lincolnshire Council and town and parish members and clerks, using the report to inform the itinerary.

Resolved – That the report of the Standards Committee for the period 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2022 be received.

Report of the Director: Governance and Communities.

The Director: Governance and Communities submitted a report in accordance with requirements of the Council’s Constitution ‘Access to Information Procedure Rules’ executive key decisions taken over the last year where the making of the decision was agreed as urgent. The report in an appendix summarised one executive key decision taken as urgent over the last year and stated that the required public notice of the decision to be taken was published on the council’s website, and the required agreement for the decision to be made was obtained from the chair of the relevant scrutiny panel.

Resolved – That the annual report summarising an executive key decision where the making of the decision was agreed as urgent be received and noted.

Report of the Director: Governance and Communities.

The Director: Governance and Communities submitted a report requesting Council to consider and approve the review of Polling District and Places requested by Council (minute 2850 refers) required as a consequence of the recent Local Government Boundary Commission for England’s (LGBCE) review of electoral arrangements in North Lincolnshire. The polling districts and places review would be introduced for the North Lincolnshire Council elections in May 2023, in accordance with the requirements of the Electoral Review.

The Director in her report explained that at its Annual Meeting on 18 May 2022, the Council received the Local Government Boundary Commission for England’s (LGBCE) final recommendations for electoral arrangements in North Lincolnshire following its review. This concluded and finalised arrangements for the election of 43 councillors across 19 wards to commence from the North Lincolnshire Council elections scheduled for 4 May 2023. Council also agreed to commence a consequential review of Polling Districts and Places within the recommended 19 wards, particularly for new wards and where boundaries had been recommended to change by the LGBCE. The LGBCE’s review was expected to become law following an Order to be laid before Parliament before the end of October 2022.

The Polling District and Places review has now been completed and the proposals for arrangements for the polling districts and polling places (stations) within the 19 wards were set out in an appendix to the report. This included known electorate size figures for polling districts which would be updated on 1 December 2022 when the current annual canvass of the electorate for electoral registration was completed and published.

The review gave particular attention to new wards created by the electoral review especially three adjoining wards where boundaries had resulted in streets moving between wards and polling districts within - Ashby Central ward, Kingsway and Lincoln Gardens ward and Ashby Lakeside ward. The details of which were specified in the appended review document. Apart from these specific changes indicated in paragraph 2.3 of the report, the review had resulted in few overall changes for polling districts and places within the 19 wards, especially as there were no changes to most wards following the electoral review. As council was already aware, some of the 19 wards had received new names, and now had new corresponding polling district abbreviations and numbers for identification as listed in the appendix. Polling places (stations) located within all polling districts remained in existing current buildings used at recent elections and therefore would remain familiar to voters. The review of Polling Districts and Polling Places continued to apply associated guidance and standards of the Electoral Commission.

Resolved – That the recommendations of the Polling District and Polling Places review as proposed in the appendix to the report be approved, and they be implemented for the North Lincolnshire Elections scheduled for 4 May 2023 in accordance with required electoral arrangements of the LGBCE Electoral Review of North Lincolnshire.

Report of the Director: Governance and Communities.

The Director Governance and Communities submitted a reportrequesting Council to approve and support the North Lincolnshire Crime and Disorder Strategy 2022-25 which in an appendix set out the shared priorities of the North Lincolnshire Community Safety Partnership for the next three years. 

            The Director in her report explained that the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 placed a duty on the police and local authorities to work together with key partners and organisations to develop and implement local crime reduction strategies. In developing such strategies, the Community Safety Partnership (CSP) must identify key local crime-and-disorder priorities through consultation, and by analysing crime-and-disorder levels and patterns in the area through the Joint Strategic Intelligence Assessment (JSIA). Following the JSIA the CSP developed a three-year strategy which set out the key priorities for reducing crime and anti-social behaviour in North Lincolnshire. The Strategy sets out the following key outcomes:

            People are Safe

·       Organised Crime

·       Safety for Women and Girls in Public Spaces

·       Domestic Abuse

·       Night Time Economy

·       Violence Associated with Young People

            Vulnerable People are Protected and Supported

·       Those who are at risk of Sexual Exploitation

·       Homelessness and Begging

·       Risk Outside the Home (ROTH) – Exploitation

            Assurance around Key Statutory Business Functions

·       Contest and Prevent

·       Substance Misuse

·       Modern Day Slavery and Trafficking

·       Reducing Re- Offending. 

            Key stakeholders were engaged in the development of the Crime and Disorder Strategy and their views were considered to shape and influence priority setting. The Strategy received final approval by the Community Safety Partnership at the CSP meeting in July 2022. The Strategy was also considered and endorsed by the Places Scrutiny Panel at its meeting on 20th September 2022.

            Resolved – That the Crime and Disorder Strategy 2022-25 which is a key document in the delivery of Community Safety in North Lincolnshire be approved and supported.

Report of the Director: Children and Families.

The Director: Children and Families submitted a report requesting Cabinet to approve the North Lincolnshire Youth Justice Plan 2022-24 which set out the shared ambition and priorities of the North Lincolnshire Youth Justice Partnership.

The Director in her report explained that Section 40 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 stated that it was the duty for each local authority, after consultation with the partner agencies, to formulate and implement an annual youth justice plan setting out: 

·       how youth justice services in the area were provided and funded,

·       how the Youth Justice Partnership was composed and funded, how it operated, and the functions it carried out.

In March 2022 the Youth Justice Board (YJB) provided updated guidance on the required format and contents of Youth Justice Plans. This included a new template that had to be utilised to support and facilitate the YJB oversight and analysis of plans. This was a change to previous requirements reflecting that the data and information contained within the plan was used by the YJB as an intelligence source that supported oversight function. The standardised template supported consistency of content and structure, accessibility of the information and improved the identification and sharing of best practice.

Annual Youth Justice Plans were also an opportunity to review performance and developments over a single year period and plan for the next year. This allowed services to be able to respond to any changes that have taken place in the previous year, including new legislation, demographic changes, delivery of key performance indicators, and developments in service delivery. The annual Youth Justice Plan considered local and regional priorities including:

·       Reducing first time entrants to the youth justice system

·       Reducing the use of custody

·       Reducing reoffending rates

The Youth Justice Plan attached as an appendix to the report set out the local key priorities as:

·       Prevention of Serious Youth Violence (including weapon related offending)

·       Community Safety and reduction of exploitation

·       Transition to Adulthood process

·       Engagement in Education, Employment and Training

·       Improve the Emotional and Physical Health of children involved with youth justice

The report stated that key stakeholders were engaged in the development of the Youth Justice Plan 2022/24 and their views were taken into account to shape and influence priority setting. The YJB requirement was that the plan be submitted to them by 30 June 2022. A draft plan was presented to the Youth Justice Strategic Partnership Board on 6th May 2022 and the revised plan had been signed off by the board chair. The Youth Justice Plan 2022-24 had also be presented to, endorsed and supported by the Cabinet Council at its meeting on 26 September 2022.

Resolved – That the North Lincolnshire Youth Justice Plan 2022-24 which is a key document in the delivery of youth justice services in the area be approved.

Report of the Director: Governance and Communities.

The Director: Governance and Communities submitted a report which requested Council to consider the waiver of the six-month rule (paragraph 2 of the report refers) provided for within Section 85 (1) of the Local Government Act 1972 for Councillor R Allcock who has been unable to attend any meeting of the council since 26 April 2022, and to consider an extension of the permitted non-attendance time-period for Councillor Allcock until the end of the 2022/23 council municipal year.

Resolved - That the formal request to waiver the six-month rule provided for within Section 85(1) of the Local Government Act 1972 for Councillor R Allcock, and the extension of the permitted non-attendance time-period until the end of the 2022/23 council municipal year be approved.

            Planning Committee -

(15 December 2021, 12 January, 9 February, 9 March, 6 April, 4 May, 8 June, 5 July, 3 August and 24 August 2022)

           Licensing Committee -

(20 January, 3 February, 1 March, 17 March (x2), 24 March, 19 April, 6 May, 7 June, 30 June, 15 July and 8 September 2022)

            Audit Committee -

            (23 March, 13 July and 21 September 2022)

            Standards Committee -

            (16 March (x2), 25 March, 4 April, 6 May, 14 July(x2) 2022)

            Health Scrutiny Panel –

 (26 November 2021, 28 February, 10 March, 13 April, 27 April, 11 May, 28 June, 20 July and 23 September 2022)

            Governance Scrutiny Panel

            (13 January, 22 February, 5 May and 28 September 2022)

            Places Scrutiny Panel

 (13 December 2021, 13 January, 21 February, 4 July, 20 September 2022)

            Joint Governance and Places Scrutiny Panel

            27 January and 16 May 2022

            Children and Education Scrutiny Panel

            (9 March, 26 April, 23 June and 26 July 2022)

            Health and Wellbeing Board

            (19 November 2021, 21 March and 27 June 2022)

            Appointment and Employment Committee

 (28 October, 22 November, 8 December, 17 December 2021 and 27 January 2022).

That the minutes of the meetings of the Planning Committee held on 15 December 2021, 12 January, 9 February, 9 March, 6 April, 4 May, 8 June, 5 July, 3 and 24 August 2022 be received with the exception of minutes 2161(ii) and 2259(a) -

With regard to the excepted portion (a) it was -

Moved by Councillor C Ross and seconded by Councillor R Hannigan -

That the minute be received.

                                                                                                   Motion Carried

With regard to the excepted portion (b) it was –

Moved by Councillor C Ross and seconded by Councillor R Hannigan -

That the minute be received.

                                                                                                   Motion Carried

That the minutes of the meetings of the Licensing Committee held on 20 January, 3 February, 1 March, 17 March (x2), 24 March, 19 April, 6 May, 7 June, 30 June, 15 July and 8 September 2022 be received with the exception of minute 1849 –

With the regard to the excepted portion it was –

Moved by Councillor K Vickers and seconded by Councillor P Vickers -

That the minute be received.

                                                                                                   Motion Carried

That the minutes of the meetings of the Audit Committee held on 23 March, 13 July and 8 September 2022 be received, approved and adopted.

That the minutes of the meetings of the Standards Committee held on 16 March (x2), 25 March, 4 April, 6 May, 14 July (x2) 2022, be received with the exception of minute 405 -

With the regard to the excepted portion it was –

Moved by Councillor N Poole and seconded by Councillor J England -

That the minute be received.

                                                                                                   Motion Carried

That the minutes of the meetings of the Health Scrutiny Panel held on 26 November 2021, 28 February, 10 March, 13 April, 27 April, 11 May, 28 June, 20 July and 23 September 2022 be received.

That the minutes of the meetings of the Governance Scrutiny Panel held on 13 January, 22 February, 5 May and 28 September 2022 be received.

That the minutes of the meetings of the Places Scrutiny Panel held on 13 December 2021, 13 January, 21 February, 4 July and 20 September 2022 be received with the exception of minute 108 –

With the regard to the excepted portion it was –

Moved by Councillor P Vickers and seconded by Councillor S Swift -

That the minute be received.

                                                                                                   Motion Carried

That the minutes of the meetings of the Joint Governance and Places Scrutiny Panel held on 27 January and 16 May 2022 be received with the exception of minute 12 -

With the regard to the excepted portion it was –

Moved by Councillor D Robinson and seconded by Councillor T Gosling –

That the minute be received.

Moved by Councillor A Davison and seconded by Councillor C O’Sullivan as an amendment-

That the minute be received with regret at the decision arrived at by the panel.

Amendment Lost

Motion Carried

That the minutes of the meetings of the Children and Education Scrutiny Panel held on 9 March 26 April, 23 June and 26 July 2022 be received with the exception of minute 78 –

With regard to the excepted portion it was –

Moved by Councillor T Foster and seconded by Councillor L Yeadon-

That the minute be received.

                                                                                               Motion Carried

That the minutes of the meetings of the Health and Wellbeing Board held on 19 November 2021, 21 March and 27 June 2022 be received.

That the minutes of meetings of the Appointment and Employment Committee held on 28 October, 22 November, 17 December 2021 and 27 January 2022 be received.