Agenda and minutes

The Mayor welcomed all councillors, officers and members of the public to the meeting. She summarised some of the highlights from her 65 civic and community engagements over the past four months and thanked all those who had already supported her charity appeal. One of her highlights included attending the recent Lincolnshire Day celebrations held in North Lincolnshire which was a great success.

The Mayor particularly thanked the young people who recently took part in a sponsored skydive in aid of her charity the Health Tree Foundation, and referred to forthcoming events including her Civic Service on 20 October and Christmas Concert on 4 December 2024.

Declarations of personal interests were indicated as follows –

Member                 Subject/Minute

Councillor M Ali       Taxi Licence Holder with schools’ transport contract.

MINUTES – RESOLVED –

That the minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Council held on 4 December 2023, 22 February 2024 (budget meeting), special meeting held on 15 March 22024, and Annual Meeting of 16 May 2023, having been published and circulated amongst the members be taken as read and correctly recorded and be signed by the Mayor.

The Chief Executive submitted a report informing Council that at the local by- elections on 6 June 2024, two councillors were elected to North Lincolnshire Council representing two electoral wards as follows –

Axholme North Ward (one seat contested)) – Councillor Ian Bint - Conservative.

Brumby Ward (one seat contested) – Councillor Daniel Hart – Labour.

Each elected members had completed and signed the appropriate declaration of office and were able to and were acting in their capacity as a councillor. The by-elections had no impact on the overall political proportionality of the Council which remained 27 Conservative and 16 Labour councillors.

Resolved – That the report be noted.

Resolved - That Councillor I Bint be appointed as chair of the Audit Committee with immediate effect.

           The Director: Children and Families submitted a report requesting Council to consider and approve the North Lincolnshire Youth Justice Plan 2024/25 (attached as an appendix) 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 partner agencies, to formulate and implement an annual youth justice plan setting out:

·       how youth justice partnerships 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.

Annual youth justice plans were an opportunity to review performance and developments over a single year period and plan for the next year. This allowed partnerships to be able to respond to any changes that had taken place in the previous year, including new legislation, demographic changes, performance against key indicators, and developments in practice and delivery.

The report stated that the planning and production of the youth justice plan had been undertaken alongside key partners and in conjunction with children and their families. The plan supported effective partnership working, enabling accountability and high support/high challenge to assist in achieving the best outcomes for children. The plan sets out local priorities for 2024/25, incorporating key recommendations from the 2023 inspection of North Lincolnshire’s youth justice partnership. The priorities were:

·         Improve the quality of statutory casework.

·         Alongside partners, reduce child exploitation and serious youth violence.

·         Develop specific provision for speech language and communication for Youth Justice Partnership children.

·         Strengthen children’s engagement in education, employment and training.

·         Improve the emotional and physical Health of children involved with youth justice.

·         Focus on understanding and responding to diversity and disproportionality

The draft plan was submitted to the Youth Justice Board on 30 June 2024 following sign-off by Edwina Harrison, Independent Chair on behalf of North Lincolnshire Youth Justice Partnership Strategic Management Board. It was also presented to the Children’s Scrutiny Panel on 18 September 2024 and members offered positive feedback, making no further recommendations

Resolved - That the North Lincolnshire Youth Justice Plan 2024-25 be approved.

The Director: Transformation and Outcomes submitted a report informing Council of the Council’s Treasury arrangements, activity and performance during 2023/24 with the key pointsbeing: -

·       Borrowing was within Prudential IndicatorLimits.

·       Investment returns gradually increased throughout the year with the Bank of England rate reaching 5.25% in August 2023 and remaining at 5.25% to year-end.

·       The Council borrowed £10m during the year but maintained an under borrowed position.

·       Investment income was higher than budgeted due to the steady increase in return throughout the year.

The key issues covered in the attached appendix were as follows:-

·       Capital Expenditure was financed by capital resources, cash resources and external borrowing. The Council’s capital expenditure during 2023/24 amounted to £45.65m, an increase of £5.93m from 2022/23.

·       Investment returns saw a steady increase during 2023/24. The Council maintained an average balance of £43.75m of internally managed funds and earned an average rate of return of 5.08%.

·       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 where possible.

·       During 2023/24 the Council repaid £10.03m at scheduled repayment dates.

·       The cost of servicing the council’s debt was 6.5% of the council’s net revenue stream, which was below 12% of the net revenue stream, seen as the maximum affordable level.

·       Borrowing of £10m was undertaken to fund net unfinanced capital expenditure, naturally maturing debt and to ensure liquidity levels at year end.

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

·       Investment income was £2.22mm compared to a budget of £0.525m.

Resolved – That the Treasury Management performance for the 2023/24 financial year be noted.

The Director: Transformation and Outcomes submitted a report which presented to Council the fifth annual report of the Audit Committee. It summarised the activities of the committee and demonstrated how it had discharged its duties for the period May 2023 to April 2024. 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 on 10 July 2024 (minute 790 refers) 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 2023/24 be received.

The Director: Transformation and Outcomes submitted a report requesting that Council receive the annual report of the Standards Committee under the Council’s Standards Arrangements for the period 1st July 2023 to 30 June 2024

The Director in her report explained that the annual report attached as an appendix was the twelfth annual report of the Standards Committee under its Standards Arrangements pursuant to the Localism Act 2011 and detailed the work and activities of the Standards Committee throughout that time. The Standards Committee had approved the report at its meeting on 27 June 2024 with a request that the Monitoring Officer provide a copy to all Town and Parish Councils in the area (which had been carried out).

The report stated that 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 annual report to inform the itinerary. Training for clerks, newly elected/co-opted, other town and parish councillors and North Lincolnshire councillors who wished to attend had been delivered in person and online this year on 6 and 7 September 2023 and similar training was being planned in this council year.

Much of the Standards Committee’s work throughout 2023/24 related to strengthening further the local arrangements aimed at preventing the abuse and intimidation of councillors, and supporting those who were subject to it.

The Standards Committee had also agreed and implemented a protocol where abuse could be logged and reported, where appropriate, between the Standards Committee and Humberside Police.  This piece of work was identified as an example of best practice within the LGA’s ongoing “Debate, not Hate” campaign, and led to North Lincolnshire supporting colleagues across the country.

Resolved - That the report of the Standards Committee for the period 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024 be received.

Further to minute 2928, the Director: Transformation and Outcomes submitted a report updating Council following the conclusion of the review of polling districts and polling places (stations) carried out October 2023 - September 2024, and to consider approving and adopting the proposed/recommended districts and places across the North Lincolnshire area as set out in an appendix.

The Director in her 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 2023 and 31 January 2025 (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 5 October 2024 (minute 2928 refers) therefore noted a report on the requirements of the above review and all arrangements in accordance Schedule A1 of the Representation of the People Act 1983 (RPA 1983) and related Electoral Commission guidance.

Subsequently, as required, a public notice was placed on the Council’s website giving notice of the review.  Further information about and on the content of the review was also published and displayed in digital format on specific webpages. This initiated a  public consultation, together with political groups, local members of parliament, town and parish councils and local representative disability groups being engaged and encouraged to participate.

The Parliamentary (General) Election on 4 July 2024 was held across three parliamentary constituencies in North Lincolnshire using current polling districts and places (stations) at that time.  The election however provided timely and valuable up to date experiences of voters, election staff, candidates and agents etc. across the districts and at places (stations) which had also been taken into consideration during the review.

The report stated that the schedule attached as an appendix set out the polling districts and polling places (station) across North Lincolnshire and following comments received during the consultation, recommended a small number of revisions (some having already been applied due to necessary changes, polling station closures etc. at the time of the recent May and July elections 2024). It was appropriate that following consideration of the above appendix and any subsequent approval by council, it may become necessary for the local (Acting) Returning Officer to approve under her delegations further changes to polling places when planning for future elections. For example, where polling places are no longer available through possible closure of buildings etc. Electoral Commission guidance and legislation provided for such necessary action. In such circumstances local ward members would be consulted/informed.

The recommendations in the appendix to the report would ensure that polling districts and places (stations) within North Lincolnshire were proportionate, suitable, meet requirements of Electoral Commission guidance and provided voters and staff with a safe environment to fulfil their democratic role, experience and responsibilities.

Moved by Councillor R Waltham MBE and seconded by Councillor R Hannigan –

That  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3016.

Planning Committee -

(1 November and 6 December 2023, 10 January, 7 February, 6 March, 17 and 30 April, 8 May, 12 June, 10 and 31 July 2024)

Licensing Committee -

(16 November and 21 December 2023, 25 January, 29 February, 21 March, 18 April, 13, 17 and 20 June and 18 July 2024)

Audit Committee -

(22 November 2023, 24 January, 10 April and 10 July 2024)

Standards Committee –

(27 March and 27 June 2024)

Governance Scrutiny Panel –

(21 November and 12 December 2023, 9 and 24 January, 13 February, 13 March, 11 June, 24 July and 6 August 2024)

Place Scrutiny Panel –

(22 November and 13 December 2023, 24 January, 21 February, 17 April, 18 June and 23 July 2024)

Children’s Scrutiny Panel –

(6 December 2023, 28 February, 14 April and 19 June 2024)

Health, Integration & Performance Scrutiny Panel –

(8 May 2024)

Appointment and Employment Committee

(22 November 2023, 10 January, 26 February, 22 April and 3 June 2024)

Health and Wellbeing Board –

(11 December 2023, 15 January, 11 March and 22 July 2024)

PLANNING COMMITTEE – Resolved – That  the minutes of the meetings of the Planning Committee held on 1 November and 6 December 2023, 10 January, 7 February, 6 March, 17 and 30 April, 8 May, 12 June, 10 and 31 July 2024 be received with the exception of minutes 2487a, 2487c, 2536b and 2602 –

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

Moved by Councillor N Sherwood and seconded by Councillor C Ross -

That the minute be received.

Motion Carried

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

Moved by Councillor N Sherwood and seconded by Councillor C Ross -

That the minute be received   

Motion Carried

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

Moved by Councillor N Sherwood and seconded by Councillor C Ross -

That the minute be received   

Motion Carried

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

Moved by Councillor N Sherwood and seconded by Councillor C Ross -

That the minute be received   

Motion Carried

-  Resolved - That the minutes of the meetings of   the Licensing Committee held on 16 November and 21 December 2023, 25 January, 29 February, 21 March, 18 April, 13, 17 and 20 June and 18 July 2024 be received.

- Resolved – That the minutes of the meetings of the Audit Committee held on 22 November 2023, 24 January, 10 April and 10 July 2024 be received, approved and adopted .

– Resolved – That the minutes of the meetings of the Standards Committee held on 22 November 2023, 24 January, 10 April and June 10 July 2024 be received.

– Resolved – That the minutes of the meetings of the Governance Scrutiny Panel held on 21 November and 12 December 2023, 9 and 24 January, 13 February, 13 March, 11 June, 24 July  and 6 August 2024 be received.

– Resolved – That the minutes of the meetings of the Place Scrutiny Panel held on 22 November and 13 December 2023, 24 January, 21 February, 17 April, 18 June and 23 July 2024 be received.

– Resolved – That the minutes of the meetings of the Children’s Scrutiny Panel held on 6 December 2023, 28 February, 14 April and 19 June 2024 be received with the exception of minute 43 –

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

Moved by Councillor C Ross and seconded by Councillor L Yeadon -

That the minute be received.

Motion Carried

- Resolved – That the minutes of the meeting of the Health Integration and Performance Scrutiny Panel held on 8 May 2024 be received.

– Resolved – That the minutes of the meetings of the Appointment and Employment Committee held on 22 November 2023, 10 January, 26 February, 22 April and 3 June 2024 be received.  

 – Resolved – That the minutes of the meetings of the Health and Wellbeing Board held on 11 December 2023,15 January, 11 March and 22 July 2024 be received with the exception of minute 544 –

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

Moved by Councillor R Waltham MBE and seconded by Councillor R Hannigan -

That the minute be received.

Motion Carried