Democracy | Full Council

Full Council – 28 June 2011

Present

THE MAYOR – Councillor Keith Vickers

Councillors Ali, Allcock, Armitage, Bainbridge, Barker, J Briggs, Mrs Bromby, Bunyan, Carlile, Clark, Collinson, Eckhardt, Ellerby, England, Evison, L Foster, T Foster, Glover, Godfrey, Gosling, Grant, Jawaid, Kirk, Marper, Ogg, Oldfield, O’Sullivan, Poole, Mrs Redfern, Robinson, Rowson, C Sherwood, N Sherwood, Waltham, Wardle, Wells, and Whiteley.

The council met at Pittwood House, Ashby Road, Scunthorpe.

2018 MAYOR’S REMARKS – The Mayor welcomed fellow councillors, officers and members of the public to the meeting. He also thanked Father Rowett for reading prayers. The Mayor then referred to the recent death of two former councillors, David Johnson who had been a past North Lincolnshire Councillor and Barry Whittingham who had served on Scunthorpe Borough Council. The thoughts of everyone go out to their families and friends at this very sad time.

A minute’s silence was then observed in memory of former Councillors Johnson and Whittingham.

2019 DECLARATIONS OF PERSONAL OR PERSONAL AND PREJUDICIAL INTERESTS – Declarations of personal interest were indicated as follows –

Member	Subject/minute
Councillor M Ali	Licensed Hackney Carriage Driver
Councillor J Briggs	Humberside Fire Authority – Member
Councillor J England	Humberside Fire Authority – Member
Councillor I Jawaid	Humberside Fire Authority – Member
Councillor N Poole	Agenda Item 6 – Budget Review Federation of Small Businesses – Member
Councillor Mrs E Redfern	North Lincolnshire Homes – Board Member
Councillor R Waltham	Humberside Fire Authority – Member
Councillor D Wells	Humberside Fire Authority – Member

Councillors M Ali, J Evison and the Mayor Councillor K Vickers all declared personal and prejudicial interests in relation to agenda item 14 – notice of motion regarding Humber Bridge Tolls.

2020 MINUTES – Resolved – That the minutes of the meeting of the ordinary meeting of the council held on 30 March 2011 and the annual meeting held on 25 May 2011 having been printed and circulated amongst the members, be taken as read and correctly recorded and be signed by the mayor.

2021 (6) CONSTITUTION AND GOVERNANCE ISSUES – The Director of Corporate and Community Services submitted a report proposing changes to the Constitution in relation to the council’s working arrangements for 2011/2012 and to vary the composition of the council’s licensing and audit committees.

Following the annual meeting of the council on 25 May 2011, a further review of some working practices had been undertaken and it was proposed to make the changes to some of the agreed cabinet member portfolios to further refine functions in the light of experience to date. The attached appendix to the report detailed proposed changes to the relevant cabinet member portfolios. These changes had been highlighted in bold text.

Also at the annual meeting of the council on 25 May, the council had agreed the size and composition of various committees and panels in accordance with the rules on political balance on committees/panels as set out in the Local Government and Housing Act 1989. Both the licensing and audit committees had been established with 17 members each with nine members of the conservative group and eight members of the labour group. The licensing committee had, however, previously operated with 15 members. Following further consideration it was now proposed to vary the composition of the licensing committee and the audit committee to enable the former to return to operating with 15 members and to increase the membership of the audit committee from 17 to 19 members. This would have no impact on the overall proportions of members to committees/panels which would be in line with the political balance rules.

Moved by Councillor Mrs Redfern and seconded by Councillor Briggs –

“That the proposed changes to the council’s Constitution and governance arrangements as detailed in the report and appendices be approved and adopted.”

At this point in the meeting it was moved by Councillor England and seconded by Councillor Bunyan –

“That Councillor Grant be not heard further during the course of the meeting.”

Motion carried

The council then proceeded to vote on the original motion which had been moved by Councillor Mrs Redfern as set out above.

Motion carried

2022 (7) BUDGET OUTTURN 2010/2011 – The Director of Finance submitted a report on the financial performance of the council in the financial year 2010/2011. The report completed the cycle of budget review reports which had been made at key points during that year. The report showed that overall spending was within budget and the council was invited to consider –

The revenue and capital outturn position 2010/2011
The re-phasing of the capital programme
The carry forward of revenue underspends and
The implications for reserves.

The report compared actual spending in the financial year 2010/2011 which had ended on 31 March 2011 to the budget approved by council and provided an overview of financial performance. The report indicated that the council managed its spending on services within a statutory framework and made sure spending stayed within cash limits. The council also had reserves or balances and a strategy for setting the appropriate level and when they would be used and the report explained changes to these as a result of the 2010/2011 outturn position.

The report then considered each element of the budget in turn. Details of the revenue budget outturn were set out in appendix 1 to the report and showed an underspend of £514k, the capital programme which was set out in appendix 2 and which showed that overall spending was £62.9m against the revised budget of £67.1m. In line with the approved strategy for the use of reserves, a number of items had been applied in 2010/2011 which were detailed in paragraph 3.12 of the report and in appendix 1. Appendix 1 also showed contributions to reserves from general fund revenue as detailed in paragraph 3.13. Within these, most of the £395k carry forward reserve was for ringfenced purposes and carried forward automatically. Overall the changes detailed in paragraphs 3.12 to 3.14 maintained general balances of £6.85m at 31 March 2011 and after a further transfer to clear the balance on the MRP reserve, increased the revenue support account to £8.489m from the expected level of £8.319m.

The report contained further detailed information in relation to the matter including in appendices 3 and 4 the capital programme summary and the capital programme by scheme for 2011 to 2015. Appendix 5 to the report set out the revenue requests for carry forwards.

Moved by Councillor Mrs Redfern and seconded by Councillor Briggs –

(a) That the revenue and capital outturn for 2010/2011 as set out in appendices 1 and 2 of the report be noted; (b) that the revised capital programme at appendices 3 and 4 be approved, with the addition of

£75k in 2011/12 and £100k in 2012/13 to infrastructure services for 20mph zone outside schools, and
£100k in 2011/12 to infrastructure services for community capital grants

(c) That the revenue carry forward of £82k proposed in appendix 5 be approved, and (d) that the planned use of reserves be noted.

2023 (8) BUDGET REVIEW 2011/2012 – A report was submitted by the Director of Finance which considered the current budget position and if any changes were required. The key details of the report included –

Outturn spending for 2010/2011 was within budget, a robust financial position
There were some revisions which could be made to budget assumptions for 2011/2012
Delivery of most agreed budget savings was on track
Budget adjustments were required for a number of policy changes made following the recent election.

There was therefore scope to consider further budget changes within the resource envelope for 2011/2012.

The report then considered the outturn position for 2010/2011, made a number of budget assumptions based on the budget set by council in February 2011, including consideration of inflation, pay, interest rates, income budgets and recession, waste contract costs, adult services, and agreed policy changes in relation to members allowances and student travel. Appendix 1 to the report set out the effect of changes to the approved budget for 2011/2012.

Moved by Councillor Mrs Redfern and seconded by Councillor Briggs –

That with reference to the latest budgetary and economic data in the report, the revenue budget for 2011/12 be adjusted for the following:

Revised costs and savings following the re-tender of waste contracts
A saving in member allowances
A reduction in the cost of post-16 student travel passes to £30
Free car parking, for the first two hours in Brigg, one hour in Ashby and initially three Scunthorpe short-stay car parks
A saving in the cost of member support
A reduction in consultancy spend
A reduction in seminar and conference attendance
Baths Hall management fee reduction
Retention of The Lilacs and phase 2 consultation on Scotter House
Deferring Leisure Centre opening hours reductions, for further consultation
Additional support to Foster Care provision
Town Centre business development initiatives
Additional spend on flooding/adverse weather
A rural broadband initiative
Additional spend on Youth and Leisure community engagement
The allocation of £41k for free swimming for under 16s all summer to be confirmed.

Adjustments to approved budget 2011/12	Cost/saving 2011/12
	£000
Waste Budget –
Savings on landfill, new interim contract	-700
Base adjustment for new green waste contract	76
Policy changes –
Member allowances	100
Student travel passes	165
Free parking	130
Reduction in member support	-48
Reduction in consultancy spend	-25
Reduction in seminar and conference spend	-20
Baths Hall management fee reduction	-12
Retention of The Lilacs, phase 2 consultation Scotter House	269
Leisure Centre opening hours	30
Foster Care support	25
Town Centre business development	38
Flooding/adverse weather	130
Rural Broadband	30
Youth and Leisure community engagement	12
Overall impact	0

Motion carried

2024 (9) TREASURY MANAGEMENT AND INVESTMENT STRATEGY ANNUAL REPORT 2010/2011 – The Director of Finance submitted a report on the performance of the council’s treasury management function in 2010/2011. Performance was measured against the treasury management and investment strategy set by the council at its meeting held on 25 February 2010. The report explained that each year the council approved a treasury management and investment strategy which was prepared in line with –

The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) Code of Practice for Treasury Management, April 2009
The Prudential Code
The Local Government Finance Act 2003
Guidance on Local Government Investments from the office of the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG)

The 2010/2011 Treasury Management Strategy which was outlined in the report with supporting appendices covered –

The Investment Strategy
The Borrowing Strategy
How the Council performed
Icelandic Investments

The Director in his report detailed how the strategy had been implemented during 2010/2011, which aimed to reduce risk whilst maximising the council’s investments. Further details were contained within the report and the various appendices attached to it.

Resolved – That the Treasury Management and Investment Strategy Annual Report for 2010/2011 be noted.

2025 (10) NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK – CORE STRATEGY ADOPTION – The Head of Regeneration and Planning submitted a report informing members about the outcome of the Inspector’s report on the Core Strategy DPD Public Examination in January 2011 and seeking the adoption of the Core Strategy which was attached as appendix 1 to the report.

The council had commenced work on the Core Strategy DPD in 2006 and the document had been through a number of iterations and been the subject of significant public consultation as well as sustainability appraisal and habitats regulation assessment.

The draft Core Strategy DPD had been submitted to the government for independent examination in August 2010 and the examination hearings, under the auspices of an independent Planning Inspector, had taken place between 18 and 20 January 2011. Following the closure of the examination, the Inspector considered all relevant evidence and issued a final report on 17 May 2011. The Inspector concluded that the Core Strategy DPD was sound, subject to the changes agreed during the examination hearings. A copy of the Inspector’s report together with the schedules of changes was attached to the report at appendices 2, 3 and 4.

The Inspector also noted that Sustainability Appraisal (SA) and Habitat Regulations Assessment (HRA) had been carried out and were considered to be adequate. No changes were made to either document as a result of the independent examination and as such remained unchanged from those presented to members on 12 May 2010.

The Environmental Statement attached at appendix 5 to the report summarised the steps taken to ensure that the Core Strategy DPD had been produced in accordance with the requirements of legislation governing the SA and HRA processes. The recommendations of the inspector’s report were binding on the council and therefore had to be included in the Core Strategy DPD before it was adopted. Once adopted, the Core Strategy DPD would be the key document within the North Lincolnshire Local Development Framework (LDF) as it would set out the overall development strategy for North Lincolnshire up to 2026. It would then form part of the development plan for North Lincolnshire and would also be used in making decisions on planning applications. Any other LDF document prepared by the council had to be in conformity with the Core Strategy DPD.

The report contained further detailed information in relation to this matter and attached at appendix 1 was a copy of the Core Strategy, appendix 2 contained the inspector’s report, appendix 3 set out the suggested changes to address soundness matters during the examination hearings, appendix 4 detailed minor changes (editing) to the Core Strategy DPD – post submission and appendix 5 set out the Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes Regulations 2004 – the Environmental Statement.

Moved by Councillor Mrs Redfern and seconded by Councillor Briggs –

(a) That the Core Strategy be adopted; (b) that the council review with immediate effect the DPD’s including (but not limited to) housing, onshore wind and waste development to take full account of community planning issues, and (c) that the development of neighbourhood plans be supported and progressed in readiness for the enactment of the Localism Bill.

Motion carried

2026 PLANNING COMMITTEE – Resolved – That the minutes of the meetings of the Planning Committee held on 9 March, 6 and 27 April 2011 be received, approved and adopted with the exception of minute 1341.

2027 TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING ACT 1990 – TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING (GENERAL PERMITTED DEVELOPMENT) ORDER 1995 (GPD) – ARTICLE 4 DIRECTION – CONFIRMATION PROCEDURE – CONSIDERATION OF REPRESENTATIONS – With regard to excepted portion (a) it was –

Moved by Councillor Bunyan and seconded by Councillor Wardle –

That the minute be received.

Motion carried

2028 AUDIT COMMITTEE – Resolved – That the minutes of the meeting of the Audit Committee held on 12 April 2011 be received with the exception of minute 205.

2029 INTERNAL AUDIT PLAN STRATEGY AND TERMS OF REFERENCE – With regard to excepted portion (a) it was –

Moved by Councillor Eckhardt and seconded by Councillor England –

That the minute be received.

Motion carried

2030 STANDARDS COMMITTEE – Resolved – That the minutes of the meeting of the Standards Committee held on 24 March 2011 be received, approved and adopted.

2031 APPEALS COMMITTEE – Resolved – That the minutes of the meetings of the Appeals Committee held on 23 March and 5 April 2011 be received with the exception of minute 300.

2032 APPOINTMENT OF CHAIR – With regard to excepted portion (a) it was –

Moved by Councillor T Foster and seconded by Councillor Poole –

That the minute be received.

Motion carried

2033 SAFER AND STRONGER COMMUNITIES SCRUTINY PANEL – Resolved – That the minutes of the meetings of the Safer and Strong Communities Scrutiny Panel held on 15 and 29 March 2011 be received.

2034 CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE’S SCRUTINY PANEL – Resolved – That the minutes of the meeting of the Children and Young People’s Scrutiny panel held on 21 March 2011 be received with the exception of minute 222.

2035 QUESTIONS TO ASK IF YOU ARE SCRUTINISING SERVICES FOR LOOKED AFTER CHILDREN – With regard to excepted portion (a) it was –

Moved by Councillor Mrs Bromby and seconded by Councillor Barker –

That the minute be received.

Motion carried

2036 HEALTHIER COMMUNITIES AND OLDER PEOPLE’S SCRUTINY PANEL – Resolved – That the minutes of the meetings of the Healthier Communities and Older People’s Scrutiny Panel held on 22 March and 5 April 2011 be received with the exception of minute 337.

2037 DEVELOPMENTS IN HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE – UPDATE FOR MEMBERS – With regard to excepted portion (a) it was –

Moved by Councillor Wells and seconded by Councillor Ali –

That the minute be received.

Motion carried

2038 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND CORPORATE ISSUES SCRUTINY PANEL – Resolved – That the minutes of the meetings of the Economic Development and Corporate Issues Scrutiny Panel held on 14 March 2011 be received with the exception of minute 242.

2039 REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AGENCIES – With regard to excepted portion (a) it was –

Moved by Councillor Glover and seconded by Councillor Barker –

That the minute be received.

Motion carried

2040 SHAPING THE COUNCIL COMMITTEE – Resolved – That the minutes of the meeting of the Shaping the Council Committee held on 29 March 2011 be received with the exception of minute 119.

2041 SUBSTITUTIONS – With regard to excepted portion (a) it was –

Moved by Councillor Mrs Redfern and seconded by Councillor Briggs –

That the minute be received.

Motion carried

2042 QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC (INCLUDING TOWN AND PARISH COUNCILS) – The Leader of the Council referred to the format for full council meetings which enable members of the public to ask questions. The following members of the public attended the meeting and asked a question of the Leader.

Question – Mr W Cheetham

“In view of the previous Labour controlled council’s failure to meet my requests for full details of the contracted charges for the future running of the new Baths Hall.

Will this new council please be more open and transparent and provide details of the timeframe and the level of those annual management charges?

And will this council Leader now confirm the anticipated impact of the total debt and running costs for the Baths Hall on North Lincolnshire Council and its council tax payers?”

Response –

Thank you for your question Mr Cheetham. The ongoing costs and charges associated with management of the Baths Hall are £445k per annum, starting in November 2011, running for 15 years and adjustable for inflation. These are payable to an external operator, SMG. In addition, the council will charge £640k per annum to its accounts in respect of the capital expenditure of £15.9m incurred in construction and related costs, for a period of 25 years.

As to the procurement, set up and pre-opening costs which the council had incurred this is in the order of £741k up to opening the facility in November 2011.

Question – Mr G Day

“What is this conservative led council’s policy in regard to openness, transparency and accountability towards the public specifically in regard to keeping up with the digital age and recognising both council members and members of the public’s right to use non intrusive mobile telecommunications to inform people on proceedings within the council chamber during publicly held meetings as long as it doesn’t interfere with proceedings – something considered acceptable in the House of Commons Chamber?”

Response

“I thank Gary for his question and his acknowledgement of this conservative administration’s commitment to openness and transparency.

This conservative group have requested investigations into the broadcasting of council meetings live over the internet. Costs at this moment is a prohibitive factor as we all know budgets are very tight.

In specific regard to non intrusive mobile telecommunications, as long as the devices are used lawfully and do not interfere with proceedings, the conservative group have no issues with the use of such forms of technology. But while we are talking about openness and transparency, let’s set the record straight. This conservative group never specifically banned the use of Twitter. Unfortunately this is nothing but “spin” from the group sat opposite. The opposition group must spend their time fuelling “spin” whilst neglecting constructive dialogue which only adds to the detriment of an opposition group.

We rejected an amendment calling for the council’s Constitution to remain, as it was for 2010/11 year, something that was not appropriate (given the result of the election) had that amendment purely been about the use of social media I am sure the outcome would have been different.

Question – Mr L Rayner

“What does the Leader plan to do over the next few years to help young people in North Lincolnshire from all walks of life and in all the council wards?”

Response

Thank you for your question. Over the next few years the council will –

Work closely with all our schools (ensuring strong relationships as school move to academy status) to make sure our children and young people receive the quality of education that they are entitled to, to raise aspiration. attainment and opportunity (including in investing in buildings).
Make the most of our regeneration developments to enhance and increase the number of apprenticeships and training opportunities.
Ensure our vulnerable children have access to the same opportunities to achieve as their peers (access to short breaks for disabled children, role as corporate parents to increase opportunities for children in care, develop more post 16 education and training opportunities for the children with disabilities and special education needs).
Develop wider opportunities for young people across North Lincolnshire to engage in activities such as sports, dance, volunteering etc.
Continue working with schools, partners and young people to help keep them safe in their home, school and community.
Encourage increased participation of young people in decisions that affect them.
Provide easier access to services in localities that take account of the individual needs of children, young people and their families and based on different levels of need within the community.

2043 NOTICE OF MOTION SUPPORT FOR WORKERS –

Moved by Councillor Kirk and seconded by Councillor L Foster –

“This council vows to continue to do all it can to provide a high level of support to all public and private sector workers in North Lincolnshire – and their families – who lose their job.

Council promises to work with all local MPs, trade unions and partners to ensure all training, education and employment needs are secured, regardless of where they are employed.

Furthermore, to improve staff morale, this council rules out any compulsory redundancies for the next 12 months and beyond.”

Moved by Councillor Mrs Redfern and seconded by Councillor Briggs as an amendment –

“The conservative group pledges to protect frontline services and to provide value for money for all North Lincolnshire residents and further, commits to work tirelessly with all local MP’s, other local authorities, trade union and partners to develop and create future job and business opportunities across North Lincolnshire.

This council calls upon Councillor Kirk to withdraw the false statements made by labour about 2000 job losses within North Lincolnshire Council and furthermore asks him to cease this sort of staff intimidation which has had a detrimental effect on staff morale.”

Amendment carried
Substantive motion carried

(At this point in the meeting Councillors Ali, Evison and K Vickers left the meeting, having previously declared a personal and prejudicial interest in relation to the following item, minute 2044 refers).

Councillor Briggs, the Deputy Mayor took the chair for the item on the Humber Bridge Tolls (minute 2044 refers).

2044 NOTICE OF MOTION – HUMBER BRIDGE TOLLS –

Moved by Councillor Mrs Redfern and seconded by Councillor Waltham –

“This council acknowledges the hard work, across political parties and including the area’s MPs, and the Humber Action Against Tolls group and calls on the Humber Bridge Board to recognise the current hardships of residents and business locally and asks them to absorb any increases in tolls until such time as the treasury-led review has been completed, which will ultimately provide the long term solution to remove this barrier to the prosperity of our area.”

Moved by Councillor Kirk and seconded by Councillor L Foster as an amendment –

“This council recognises the efforts of the North Lincolnshire Councillors at last week’s Humber Bridge Board meeting to try and block the government approved toll rise to £3 from 1 October, 2011. Council acknowledges the hard work of all local campaigners who have lobbied for the removal or reduction of the toll and remain steadfast in demanding the Treasury get its act together and remove the debt, allowing the cost of crossing to be abolished or reduced once and for all.”

Amendment lost
Motion carried